Britblog Roundup No 41

The best of the British and Irish blogosphere over the past week, as nominated by their peers ....

Starting with the high-tech end, Tim Ireland on Bloggerheads has created a presentation on the Iraq war by Leo Blair, aged five. (Not for the faint of heart or delicate of sensibility, but a powerful way to get the message across. Likely to be very slow on dial-up.)

But what was the issue of the week that really got everyone in the mood for satire? Two great posts with a similar view have the answer: Angry Chimp finds himself finds himself drinking "Unionist kneecap" and Old Spice in the early hours, while Diamond Geezer finds there's nothing like 7am Happy Hour - a yard of ale only £1.99.

Then, in the "we really should notice this" category - Antonia's Blog explains why local government reform really matters. Pay attention down the back and click - it really is an account of astonishing stupidity in bureaucracy, I promise.

Now since the roundup is visiting a blog that is, above all other categories, feminist, I'm going to privilege a few women bloggers here, at the top of the roundup, with an accompanying question to readers: how many women bloggers have YOU got on your blogroll?

Two blows to the legal protection from rape this week - the survey of public attitudes and the later dismissal of a case because the victim was drunk - have got a lot of people, me included, hot under the collar. But perhaps it is Emma on Gendergeek who made the point best, in her message to the Great British Public. Volsunga explains just how deep-seated the problem is, and Laurelin of Laurelin in the Rain finds Neanderthal views are all too common. (And Pickled Politics, providing a roundup of the Anglo-Asian blogosphere, points to a similar problem with a judge in India.

Kate on the Cruella-blog wonders why the NHS is so keen to promote cosmetic surgery, when it is so much more dangerous than unprotected sex.

Then to one of my longtime favourites: Greenfairydotcom is pursued by the Bridezilla monster, on a visit to Tottenham Court Road. (Glad she's reported back, so I won't have to go near it, even for satiric purposes.) Clare, on Boob Pencil, has meanwhile been having a very bad night in Manchester. Ikea comes into the story, and a panther.

On Early Modern Notes, Sharon Howard (in my view Britain's pre-eminent history blogger - and one of the earliest) has found a serious case of medical malpractice.

Finally in this section, a test to see how broadminded you really are: Creepy Lesbo muses on the flavours of 'girl custard'". (If you're easily offended don't follow the link - and if you do, don't complain you weren't warned.)

Turning back to politics, Jonathan Calder on Liberal England looks at the Liberal Democrats' problem, now that the Tories have realised Blair is a "right-wing polemicist" after their own heart. The Sharpner examines how Labour got to this point.

So this seems a good place to point to a Blairwatch campaign: Will you - yes you, the blogger, pay the price of freedom? Pledges have been made.

Politicalog - Fighting the Spin concludes Gordon Brown has cost us all £40bn, plus interest, plus inflation. Still on economics Tim Worstall, who can get a nomination this week, does the analysis on Jonathan Freedland's "class envy".

Then an unusual take on an endlessly debated aspect of the Tory leadership contest - if you can call it a contest - PooterGeek "outs" some unexpected Old Etonians.

On other domestic issues, The Mad Musings of Me considers social damage caused by the niqab. The Liberty Cadre questions the no operation if you are too fat" rule in east Suffolk.

Militant Moderate fondly remembers George Best. Blood and Treasure, however, offers an unappreciation of a wife-beater and man who lived "like a swine" and Cynical Bastard says all the fuss has a lot to do with men of a certain age in the 'meeja'. Coffee and PC, meanwhile, suggests why not add some extra detail in the deathbed reports, then make a best-selling compilation: Best, Arafat, Diana and the Pope. (Not to be missed.) Finally, wrapping up this section, Anthony on The Filter combines the Best and 24-hour drinking stories, with a manifesto putting the case for drinking.

Then a bit of blogging navel-gazing: The Jarndyce Blog has been disillusioned by bloggers' response to the chance of "fame".

But the mainstream media isn't getting off lightly - Rachel from North London comments on The Sun's treatment of a London bombing victim. (She speaks with the authority of one who was there herself.) And Gnus of the World (great title) deconstructs a Guardian non-story based on a dodgy survey about de-caff coffee. (The post's language is full-strength, BTW.)

Providing some musical accompaniment, Edward on One More Cup of Coffee reviews Bob Dylan concert at Brixton. (Which reminds me of a recent conversation with a twentyish security guard: "that old pop bloke", he said, "what's 'is name ..." Happens to us all.) Then, I don't think I'm being offensive in saying this, to the other end of the music business, a gig in Nottingham beautifully reviewed by Mike on Troubled Diva.

More on y'arts, Matthew on A Very Clever and Exciting Place for Words to Live gives the letter B a complete check-up. And I'm going to use the host's privilege of one link to point to my "other" blog, My London Your London, a review of a fascinating exhibition that gets behind British fashion to those who've given their life to it. But they're not the usual suspects.

Turning international, The Religious Policeman has a typically irreverent but penetrating look at blood money and executions in Saudi Arabia.

Chase Me, Ladies, I'm the Cavalry has found some surprising information about Arnie, who might just have been a bit surprised in Rio himself.

Perfect.co.uk opens a heated debate about the Yugoslav conflicts. Then Richard on How This Old Brit Sees It reports on the scandal of chemical testing on unprotected children in the US.

Adloyada finds a Guardian review reveals "Blair's Middle East envoy is really a representative of the Prime Minister of Israel".

Just across the Channel, North Sea Diaries sets out the tough life of a French train driver - NOT. (It does sound like a good gig.)

And is it time for space archaeology? Alun on Ancient Science and the Science of Ancient Things meets the man who wants to preserve Mir.

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This is a one-time, special edition visit of the Britblog Round to Philobiblon; other, and future, editions can/will be seen on Tim Worstall's blog.

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Thank you to everyone who sent in nominations. Hope to see you around again soon.

I'm putting this up a little early, so if you've rushed in an up-to-the-deadline, post-11am nomination, I'll add a special supplement here around 2pm.

UPDATE: And the final nominee, who gets to sit down in the front row, is The Road to Euro Serfdom, who is finding the EU is targeting baby hedgehogs.