Celebrity Big Brother

Something seems to have passed unnoticed in all the excitement of this year's Celebrity Big Brother. Yes, Britain has voted Shilpa Shetty as the winner, and yes, the media-circus has condemned and turned against the girls who bullied her. And yes, when Shilpa was nominated for eviction against the villain of the hour, her bully and tormentor, Jade Goody, 82% of the public votes cast were in favour of Shilpa. Everyone said the British people had spoken, that there was no cause for concern with the state of the nation.

Indeed. 18% of Britain voted for an ignorant obnoxious bigot.