One of my cats – Buster – seems to have taken to using my laptop as a butt-warming device. I’m glad the iBook has a shiny case, it makes the pawprints easier to wipe off.

They’ve had a dose of frontline since I found a flea this evening, hopefully it can be nipped in the bud.

I’ve been watching An American President on BBC1 this evening; most of the cast seems to have later been re-used in The West Wing, a not dissimilar series of some notoriety amongst my friends, although I’ve not watched more than a handful of episodes.

Some friends have written or spoken at length about The West Wing‘s inspiring them to investigate American politics and political machinery.

I cannot but find it ironic that a bunch of Brits are diving into American political procedure which was hammered into me during American Elementary school and which I’ve spent years unlearning. I don’t know if UK Primary schools spend entire terms explaining politics, government and constitutional law, but maybe they should.

It’s extraordinary – I wonder if they now know more about American than UK political process?

The only comparable British series I can think of are Yes, Minister and the House of Cards miniseries, neither of which cast the government in a sympathetic light.

A British West Wing would never be taken seriously; the British denigrate authority and and distrust people who exhibit lofty motives. We generally seem to like our politicians corrupt, slick, frumpy or kinky. It is a matter for regret.