The Spectator

The MoD’s failure of duty Sir: Charles Moore berates Oxford deputy coroner Andrew Walker for upbraiding officialdom in the matter of the death of Para Corporal Mark Wright, deeming such criticism of the military establishment to be ‘outrageous’ (The Spectator’s Notes, 25 October). The fact is that Tony Blair launched our armed forces into five wars in six years. Of the two ongoing conflicts, Iraq has lasted longer than the second world war and Afghanistan is more ferocious than Korea. When any government does this it takes on a very serious duty of care. That duty involves an absolute obligation that the men sent out to fight will have equipment sufficient in both quality and quantity to enable them to do the job and stay alive if possible.

Here are some of the posts made over the past week on Spectator.co.uk: James Forsyth reports from the US on the culmination of the presidential election.  He outlines Barack Obama's achievement here.  And takes a moment to praise John McCain here. Toby Young argues that Obama isn't black. Matthew d'Ancona reports on the fight to be Obama's friend. Fraser Nelson responds to the 1.5 percent cut in interest rates, and gives reasons to have faith in Osborne and Cameron. Peter Hoskin looks at how the Tories are taking on the BBC, and reports on the aftermath to Labour's victory in the Glenrothes byelection. Daniel Korski analyses how Europe should deal with Russia over natural gas. Stephen Pollard reveals an e-mail from Simon Heffer.

The Spectator corrects a recent article Correction: In the version of Victoria Floethe's story that appeared in this week's magazine, we inadvertently referred at one point to the Wall Street Journal instead of the New York Post.  We accept that there is no basis for suggesting that the WSJ might have indulged in an act of gleeful revenge towards Michael Wolff.  We apologise for our mistake.

Matthew d'Ancona congratulates Marcus du Sautoy on his appointment to the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science. Mary Wakefield asks the Debbie Purdy question. The Skimmer attacks the BBC over BrandRossgate. Fraser Nelson says George Osborne needs to recast his policy for the new era, and marks the moment Alistair Darling read the last rites over the fiscal rules.  James Forsyth highlights the Japanese experience of pump-priming, and questions what public service Russell Brand's radio show performed. Peter Hoskin asks: Labour sharpens its attack, but to what end?, and defends David Cameron's performance in PMQs. Daniel Korski asks: What next in Afghanistan? Stephen Pollard experiences the banking industry's problems in microcosm.

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the weekend: James Forsyth notes the BBC's odd sense of priorities, and lambasts Gordon Brown's role in the current economic downturn. Peter Hoskin tracks the latest developments in 'Yachtgate'. Stephen Pollard celebrates truffles. Melanie Phillips observes the bus to Planet Hedonism. Clive Davis reports on the US Presidential race. And Americano identifies the main reason why McCain is losing.

Both their houses Sir: In your leading article of 11 October (‘A necessary evil’) you state that ‘Many of those senators who opposed the bail-out initially but changed their minds when it was voted on a second time last week have turned out to be less than principled in their concerns for the taxpayers.’ The US Senate only voted once on the matter and in the affirmative, while the House of Representatives voted twice before accepting. Peter Schéle Gothenburg, Sweden Sneers before bedtime Sir: I was dismayed that The Spectator gave a platform to sneer-master general A.A. Gill (India Travel, 18 October) in the guise of a travel piece about Calcutta.

Here are some of the posts made during the past week on Spectator.co.uk: Matthew d'Ancona outlines the warning that 'Yachtgate' has delivered to the Tories. Fraser Nelson lauds the true defenders of liberty, and reveals how Gordon Brown has fiddled the debt figures. James Forsyth says the worst seems to have passed for Osborne in the 'Yachtgate' scandal, and suggests that the Tories need an enforcer who can protect the shadow cabinet from themselves. Peter Hoskin makes the case for an austerity Olympics, and reports on the latest crime statistics. Stephen Pollard regrets a trip to the theatre. Melanie Phillips gives her take on 'Yachtgate'. Clive Davis highlights why a recession could be good for publishing.