Hard of Understanding

And just for once it isn't the human anagram, Lembit Opik.

It would appear that Lib MP, Norman Lamb has become a guru in the area of Grime, a breakout form of Hip Hop, to the extent that he has invested 10k in his son's record label and spent a lot of time discussing tracks. See here

Reading his CV, he appears to be one of the least likely contenders for Grime promoter, but is this a positive or negative thing?

I mean, we often hear about lads's mags, papers and gossip columns banging on about MPs preference in: music, film, sex(!) etc etc. and we've heard some of he best.

Take the poll of favourite film, I remember how a few Labour MPs chose "Brassed Off." Admittedly a good film, though I would say so as I play brass instruments, but you're left with that nagging feeling that it isn't actually their favourite film , they chose it simply because it has a strong socialist message. I have a political preference (I'm not telling you what it is) but I'd never choose a filme simply because of that.

I mean, if you want to choose a film for a political message, how about Doctor Strangelove? A masterpiece with a devastating moral at the end! I bet no pro-nuclear MP would have chosen that, although many will love it!

But in the case of Mr Lamb, he does apear to have taken a genuine interest. So, gimmic or good?

In my humble (and egotistical opinion) GOOD! This is an example of someone who is actually in touch with a culture that many simply can't get anywhere near.

This bit will sound patronising, but hey ho. A huge part of music culture is to speak out, get your message across etc etc. It is the equivalent of someone writing a newspaper column or even a blog.

As the second most ignored part of society by our elected representatives after the working class, to have a parliamentarian who has not only invested hard cash into this industry, but appears to understand it as well, could this be the start of a bigger revolution where youth culture may be (even if just a little bit) understood and embraced, rather than feared and reviled?

Well, the thought would be nice but I'll not be holding my breath.

Perhaps a few of Mr Lamb's peers would like to take note, though?

You know me, anything that gets my hackles up tends to make it here.

So, Jacqui Smith, our low cut Home Secretary has announced on a visit to our fair city (well, as fair as it can be) that we might be in the running for a trial of ID cards.

Is this as punishment for advising our elected representatives where to go over the ill-fated TIF Fund referendum?

As someone who is big on personal privacy and civil liberties (admittedly not so hot in practice, damn my reliance on the internet!) I'm already spitting fire that when my passport expires in July I get the opportunity to donate bio-metric data to a government that I can count on to then share with the general public (not on purpose simply down to their sheer incompetence.)

And my thoughts on the ID card are of a similar vane. Data will be managed by a private company, so safe and secure then!!!!!!

Ms Smith's plans for it are also so utterly devoid of ethics I almost have a renewed respect for her balls in in the matter. How she intends to get it off the ground is by encouraging teenagers to sign up for them.

I spend a lot of time on the internet, and where I'm from that's called grooming!

And as an aside, I remember being a teenager. You struggle with your identity as you try to conform, rebel, hide and disguise yourself. It's all part of your transition from child to adult and learning about who you are.

And our government wish to take this step of our natural development away by giving us all a number and file.

I need to get 1984 back off the bookshelf, I'm sure there was something in there about this.