I feel sad this week. Maybe it is because the moon is fat, or maybe because things back here on earth are taking a turn for the worse.

Almost daily we are beaten and buffeted by lunacy, much of it government or council-inspired.

In some English towns they have banned Christmas because it might offend non-Christians. They are celebrating a "winter festival" instead. I hope Santa flies straight past.

Mr Blair's mob are now talking about raising the age of criminal responsibility from ten to 12 so that the uncontrollable little monsters can get away with their crimes and anti-social behaviour for an extra couple of years. They are so young, think the liberal softies, they don't know right from wrong. Strange, then, that these same kids know their legal rights to the letter, and can taunt the law, teachers and parents with: "You can't touch me. If you do, I'll have you in court. I'll sue you for every penny you've got, dad." Again, I hope Santa flies straight past.

Our caring, enlightened government has also decided that nannies and nurseries must ensure - by law - that play for the under-fives is educational.

Which means that when they sing Ring A Ring O' Roses, three-year-olds will have to count how many petals in the ring, to the nearest decimal point; determine whether they are the floribunda variety; and have lessons on how to prune the bush. In Germany last week, a headmaster allowed his pupils to strip down to swimwear - bikinis and all - because the school's heating system was out of control and the rooms were sweltering.

In this country, teachers are not allowed to rub sun cream on infant pupils' faces because it could be conceived as sex abuse.

The following "obituary" is doing the rounds on the internet. It sums up how I feel and it's comforting that I am not alone:

"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

"No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

"He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

"Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

"His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

"Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

"Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol or a sticky plaster to a student - but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

"Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

"Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

"Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

"Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

"He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

"Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. If you still remember him pass this on. If not join the majority and do nothing."

I rest my case!

Updated: 09:16 Tuesday, November 15, 2005