http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/?service=Rss http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/mark-steel-being-a-crystal-palace-fan-is-all-about-losing-on-penalties-16109148.html http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/mark-steel-being-a-crystal-palace-fan-is-all-about-losing-on-penalties-16109148.html?r=RSS <p> I've read a bit about the Cuban missile crisis, when for a few days the world wobbled on the edge of nuclear war. But I bet it was a doddle compared to the nerves of being a Crystal Palace fan in the days before Tuesday's second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Cardiff City. </p> Mark Steel Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:18 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/mark-steel-greed-from-landlords-not-claimants-16108648.html http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/mark-steel-greed-from-landlords-not-claimants-16108648.html?r=RSS <p> We've come to that point in the lifetime of every Tory government when we're invited to scream about people on benefits. Some people enjoy this activity all the time, but at the moment it's like New Year's Eve for drinking, a time when if you're not doing it to excess, you get sneered at for not taking part in the fun. </p> Mark Steel Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:18:17 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/a-new-yacht-is-the-least-the-queen-deserves-16105164.html http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mark-steel/a-new-yacht-is-the-least-the-queen-deserves-16105164.html?r=RSS <p> One of the talents of the Conservative Party since the days of Margaret Thatcher has been to explain economics as if the country is a household, so everyone can understand ideas such as the need to cut spending when you're in debt. </p> Mark Steel Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:15:32 +0000