Straight to the POINT

÷ POLITICS masquerades at times as a contest of principles, and conducts public affairs for political advantage

PAT O CALLAGHAN, Mallow, Co. Cork.

÷ IMAGINE the plot: a cheeky little boy from a beautiful part of Ireland asks the manager of an English football team that can’t stop winning to lose a match just once. The amused manager replies charmingly that he can’t grant the boy’s wish. Then his team lose four of their next five games and are knocked out of the Champions League. I see Hollywood getting interested...

MIKE ROYCROFT, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

÷ SIGN seen outside a butcher’s shop: ‘Panic buyers welcome here.’

SANDY PRATT, by email.