At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.

People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.

Like many of my friends and colleagues, I can't get enough of Obama news; latest polling, speeches, visits, reaction of world leaders.

There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.

Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times.

In politics, the number of women in the cabinet has fallen and, if current poll trends continue and Labour loses a number of marginal seats, the number of female MPs is likely to drop significantly.

Indeed, when all parties campaign effectively the overall effect is to push up voting rates, as you see in tight marginal seats or close general elections. That must be good for democracy.

Today the demands are for even higher standards in the quality of care, for greater flexibility and convenience in treatment times, and for more prevention through screening and health checks.

At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds pay taxes and can join the army, so surely they should in turn be given their right to vote.

In Scotland, the indication is that for the Westminster elections at least, Labour voters are satisfied with their government.

I hate you, " I muttered.Noah smiled wider. "I know.

Highly engaged teams have highly engaged leaders. Leaders must be about presence not productivity. Make meetings a no phone zone.

Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.

God gave me some weird, beautiful scent that makes men and women go crazy. People compare it to Carvel. It is a whale of a smell.

The greatest feeling of accomplishment for me is the fact that I was an athlete who was somewhat disabled.

I certainly think we're going to see more and more graphic novels and more illustrated novels.

I think managing pain with narcotics could be a useful skill. Hiding your true self from you co-workers, which is totally true. Exacting justice when it needs to be dealt.

The truly creative individual stands ready to abandon old habits and to acknowledge that life, particularly his own unique life, is rich with possibilities.

We need to shift from an economic to a humanitarian organizing principle for human civilization. And women, en masse, should be saying so.

People would cheer throw confetti and then go about breaking the resolutions they had made only moments before.