THE END OF THE MEN: A handy document has just been turned up by ResourceShelf, deatingin the way the US army sets about executing its own men - no, it doesn't just ship 'em off to Iraq with inadequate supplies. The new document, you'll be pleased to hear, has "streamlined" the whole procedure. After all, you don't want your condemned men hanging around too long eating your good, hearty breakfasts, do you?

 
DOING BEIJING'S BIDDING: It's interesting that in the West, Microsoft is always standing up to governments which call it on its anti-competitive practices. Here, the company will fight and sue and pout and appeal. However, if the Beijing Government is upset by something, Microsoft jumps. Bill Gates is happy to axe MSNspaces blogs that might upset Beijing:

"In line with Microsoft practices in global markets, MSN is committed to ensuring that products and services comply with global and local laws, norms, and industry practices," the company said.

"Most countries have laws and practices that require companies providing online services to make the internet safe for local users. Occasionally, as in China, local laws and practices require consideration of unique elements."

In other words, if China doesn't allow free speech, then Microsoft won't either.

Don't worry, Bill Gates can throw a few more dollars into a charity pot. We're sure that will square his conscience quite nicely.

 
TESCO RESPONDS We've had an email from Tesco about their plans to build over some of the green space at the top of Rose Lane in Liverpool:

In response to your question regarding the expansion of our store on Mather Avenue.
First of all it should be pointed out that the open space we are building on is not "green space" is already developed on with hardstanding astro turf pitches. These pitches are in poor condition and will be replaced nearby with new state of the art pitches for the benefit of the university students and local sports teams.

Tesco has also made significant improvements to the overall scheme based on feedback from local residents and the council, these include: planting over 200 new trees, increasing landscaping around the store, reducing the size of the extension by 6m and improving pedestrian access and safety.

That email came from someone at Tesco called Shaun Edgeley - although, confusingly, it claims at the bottom that The views expressed in this email are those of the sender and not Tesco. Which seems to be a bit of a waste of time - we want to know the corporate response, rather than something that comes with built-in pre-deniability.

Anyway, we've responded:

Slightly disingenuous, there - while i appreciate the hockey pitches themselves are astroturf, they are surrounded by natural grass; and isn't the land the pitches are being relocated to currently green space?

The very fact even Tesco sees the need to increase landscaping around the store indicates that you're aware its going to be a blot on the landscape.

Why do you need a larger store there, anyway? It's already soullessly big, and there's a massive store quite close by, isn't there?

As ever, we'll let you know.