Do you want your leader to go to the Olympics?

If yes, why? If no, what would China have to do to change your mind? Gordon Brown says he’s not going to the opening ceremony, but it’s not a boycott. Hillary Clinton says George Bush shouldn’t either and it would be a boycott. What should your leader do?

Does it matter what our politicians look like?

Italian opposition leader Silvio Berlusconi has caused a bit of a stir suggesting that right-wing female politicians in Italy are “more beautiful” than their left-wing counterparts. True or not, does it actually matter what the people in power look like? Would you vote for an unattractive person?

How can you just lose a trillion dollars? Where has it gone?

The International Monetary Fund said this week that losses from the global credit crunch could end up totalling a trillion dollars. But where does that money go? How on earth do you lose a trillion dollars? It’s not like just dropping your wallet on the bus? When one person loses surely another person gains?

It’s a Sony day…

Some good news to share with you.  WHYS was last night nominated for a Sony Academy radio award in the category  of “Listener Participation.” That’s you that is.

Le Pop: Is English the only language for rock and roll?

Much discussion in the office this morning about whether anyone could think of a single good pop record sung in a language other than English. Many a snide comment about the Eurovision song contest but few people put their hands up. For years the French have been fretting over their most popular bands abandoning their native language but is the reality that English is the only language for Rock and Roll?

Talking points for 10 April

Good morning, yesterday we wondered “Who leads Africa?” So step forward Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, who’s called a meeting of southern African leaders on the Zimbabwean presidential poll delay. Another challenger is new ANC leader Jacob Zuma, who’s criticism of the delay in announcing the election results contrasts with position of South African President Thabo Mbeki.

And as the list of leaders who say they won’t be attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics grows longer, what does China have to do to get the Games back on track? How can it staunch the avalanche of criticism? And what should the IOC do?