It was not that long about that we were told that Japan was going to be a dominant power on the world stage.In the 1980s, there were stories of massive Japanese investment in the West. Americans feared that the Yen would surpass the dollar, and that Uncle Sam's power would be challenged. Japan was going to be the shit!

We were told that a more aggressive nationalistic Japan would begin to assert herself internationally.I saw a cartoon with American astronauts landing on Mars, only to find the Japanese already there....selling cars!!There was more than a touch of racism that an power was going challenge the United States.

In the 1990s, something happened.

Japan went into recession.The growing economic power seemed to falter. Suddenly a new power emerged called China.China cast of the shackles of Communism and embraced capitalism. The rapid economic growth of China, her massive investment abroad and her military expansion means that China really in the Asian power to watch. Be under no illusion, this is a country that aims to increase influence worldwide.

Look what happened at the United Nations last week. China blocked a Security Council resolution that called for more sanctions against Zimbabwe.Why?China has money,serious money invested in Zimbabwe, and small issues like human rights are not going to road block them.

We worry no longer bother about Japan because China the power with the economic/political clout.

Watch this space.

Have you noticed how many British actors have gone to Hollywood?Lena Headley is Sarah Connor the Terminator TV series, Michelle Ryan was the Bionic Woman, Anna Friel in Pushing up Daisies and Jaime Murray is in Dexter. Wow! They are all working in the States , earning big bucks geing noticed by Hollywood producers.

It's a sad commentary on our TV that we have such talent moving across the Atlantic. We produce really awful TV drama. Once awhile, we may make a Cranford or a Sense or Sensibility. By and large, we make crap drama like New Tricks or The Royal. We still have shitty soaps in prime time such a Corrie and Eastenders. Our TV programmes lack imagination or sparkle. Who would have thought that a drama about advertising would be compelling?
Mad Men was just miles above everything shown on TV. Damages,Heroes,CSI,Rome and Dexter are just some of the imports that have put our home grown drama in the shade.

Until the powers that be stop focusing on reality TV (Big Brother it's time to lay down), then we will coninue to have poor programmes.

We are constantly told that Americans are not dumb. We are constantly told that George Bush does not speak for all Americans, and that not all Americans are ignorant of the outside world.We are told that their brand of democracy is great, and should be copied.

And then...

I hear thatn Barack Obama is reluctant to have certein types of women photographed with him.Why? Because they are Muslim, and he wants to give no ammunition to the ignorant Republicans who want to smear him as a Muslim. There are people who believe that because his name is Barack, and his middle name is Hussein, and he once lived in Indonesia, that he is a secret muslim! Some have suspected him of being an Islamic Manchurian Candidate!

Can it get any more ridiculous???

I've seen media commentators on TV made "slips of the tongue", replacing Osama for Obama.The election is going to get dirtier and dirter as the Republicans decide that any method is justified to keep the White House. You can almost predict that someone will claim to have exclusive proof that Obama is a soldier for Islam,and that he cannot be trusted.

And we have to watch all this with a staright face?

Can someone tell the God honest truth?

Each year the Church of England bends itself into knots about gay priests. Each year, the Anglican Community argues furiously about whether gay priests should be ordained. The churches in Africa are opposed,especially in Nigeria.This is totally opposite to the church in North America.The Archbishop of Canterbury, tries as always,to paper over the cracks and prevent a split.

The question that needs to be asked is simple:Can you be a gay/lesbian and be a Christian?Does the Bible clearly state that homosexuality is a sin?Until the Church of England states clearly what its views are one way or another, then this issue will be debated endlessly.

As someone who was grew up in Jamaica, I was always told that it was a sin.Living in Britain, which is a far more tolerant society, homosexuality is no longer frowned upon.The fact that mainstream popular dramas like The Archers and Eastenders have or have had gay characters shows how much times have changed.We have two members of the Cabinet who were gay, and one of candidates for London's mayor was opnely gay.

And yet, the church cannot give a straight(sorry)answer.What does the Bible say?Murder is a sin.Theft is a sin.Lying is a sin.Is being gay a sin? Or is the answer too explosive that we dare not ask the question?

In 2020, the church will still be debating this matter.

We were not the good enough. That is the bottom line. We failed to qualify,mainly because we had a mediocre(some would crap)coach. How the hell did Steve McClaren get the job?What was the brilliant insight by the FA that prompted them to appoint him?

Despite all that, the European Championships are not the same with0ut the various teams from the United Kingdom. I miss the endless speculation in the media about Beckham and Rooney. I miss the sudden burst of patriotic fervour that we indulge in, the flags,the shirts etc. I even miss the drunken crowds in the pubs who sing thir hearts out. Each year we still hope e that Rio,Becks,Calamity James and Rooney won't break our hearts.

I even miss the Prime Minister pretending that he likes football,or that he wants England to win.

We know that England would have struggled in the early matches. We would argue about whether Gerrard can play with Lampard and, why the f++k they still can't take penalties.

Maybe this is what we needed, a reality check that reminds us that our performance at the internaional level has been dire.Despite having the Premier League with international stars and huge salaries,we are not in the same class as France,Germany,Holland and Italy.

Fabio Capello,you have a job to do.