The Little Handbook for Aspiring Phone Hackers

What I am wondering in all the hoopla around the phone hacking story is why anyone would be surprised at all? And also how absurd it is to contain this to News Corporation, as if not every tabloid (and probably some mid-market and broadsheet papers too) were involved in similar practises.

Beyond that, there is of course the question of who is behind the leaks? I mean, come on, no one leaks this without some sort of motive. Is it power? Is it hatred of Murdoch? What are the financial rewards for others if Murdoch empire crumbles? That's obviously (or maybe not?) something for someone in media to follow up. That is, if they can get beyond their own feigned surprise and catering to all kinds of different «victims» of this crime. Oh puleeze!

I don't care one iota about Rupe. But I don't necessarily believe that anyone better than him is going to replace him as media overlord.

Let's also take this down to the level where it really counts, the personal level. How many people have already (with or without their knowledge) experience that their friends have spied on them via their computers or mobile phones? I'm pretty sure it's more than we dare think.

Lot of good material there for both good reporters and fiction writers with perspective and philosophical depth to ruminate about for years to come.

But for now, one brief look across the Channel to Le Frogs, and I cannot express in words how much I hope that the useless French socialist party nominate DSK as their prez-candidate. And even better if both he and Marine Le Pen outscore Sarko the sex dwarf in the 1st round, leaving the ridiculous French to choose between the black plague and cholera. I would so so so so so love that scenario! C'est fantastique! The Western world deserves nothing less!

Marx was indeed right when he said that history is being rewritten as farce. Now for the sake of Hugh Grant (another silly figure in this and most any other context) and all the other angry people out there, let's just hope that they all move on soon and realise the limitations of their anger. I mean, life will go on pretty much as before. And we wouldn't want to miss the follow-up story on whether Cheryl and Ashley Cole will get back together again, now would we?