I was very disturbed to see the report that City of London Police had threatened a 15 year old lad with prosecution for waving a banner with the legend "Scientology is not a religion , it is a dangerous cult" outside the Church's London HQ. According to the reports the Rozzers had had complaints and thought it was likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Fortunately common sense has prevailed and the threat was withdrawn, but it bothers me that any "religion" (and I use this in the widest possible way) resorts to this kind of heavy handed response to criticism. The Scientologists seem particularly paranoid about dissenting voices, which only makes me think that they are deeply afraid of people seeing through all their mumbo jumbo and revealing what their true agenda is.

I find myself reminded of Marx's remark that religion is opium for the people, and it can be just as dangerous to those who become addicted.

While I was on my way home tonight I cut through the local Sainsbury's car park and noticed the sign put up with the prices for parking.

"Parking for up to two hours refunded if you spend £5 in store. Excludes kiosk purchases"

Now what would you buy in the kiosk for a fiver?

Er a packet of fags maybe

So if you want a packet of fags its gonna cost you to park on top of the price of the gaspers.

What next parking, refunded except for fat people, they need the exercise don't they?