The situation is Zimbabwe is terribly, desperately sad. But yet more depressing is that no one in the international community is taking action.

We, the colonial oppressors of old, cannot just go romping in like we did in Iraq (spurious though the rationale for that may have been) as pointed out by The Belfast Telegraph:

Mr Mugabe has responded to every British criticism of his government by reminding his followers of Britain's past as Africa's colonial master - a line which British ministers frankly admit has resonated with other black Africa leaders... Speaking in London, Mrs Beckett said yesterday: "I am sorry to say that in many parts of Africa, Mugabe is viewed as a kind of hero of the revolution, and if it comes to a choice between the hero of the revolution and the colonial oppressor, they know whose side to be on."

Beckett writes in today's Times (Please don't take this personally, Mr Mugabe...) in support of the Zimbabwean people and peaceful change, and stresses that democracy and human rights are the issue here, not Mr Mugabe himself. But, you know, I suspect he won't read it.

Hope of action from the rest of Africa was briefly stirred by Agyekum Kufuor, the Ghanaian President and African Union chairman's comment that: “The African Union is very uncomfortable. The situation in [Zimbabwe] is very embarrassing.” (The Times) However, neither the AU nor South Africa will take a formal position on the Zimbabwe problem.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition movement MDC, writes in today's Independent of his beating at the hands of the Zimbabwean police and asks for international pressure to be maintained against Mugabe's regime, but so far the bloggers of the world are the only ones who have heeded this call (BBC news).

Also in the news:

• Candidates from Bash Street Comp will now trump those from Lord Snooty's Academy as university applicants must now disclose the details of their parents' education - see the comments on this article in The Telegraph.
• The Economist on why reforming council tax is a Vote Loser.