OK, I'll do exactly what you tell me... not.

Today the world, or at least my little sceptered part of it, finally went insane. In an age where street violence, war, crime, unemployment, homelessness and corporate greed are ever more commonplace, you would be forgiven for thinking that at the very least, the festive period is a time for peace, goodwill and charity. In the most part you'd be right, at least I'd like to think so. Yet today saw the climax of one of the most distasteful and cynical pseudo-rebellions in my (admittedly rubbish) memory, and it has left in it's wake a horde of deluded plastic revolutionaries trumpeting about what a marvellous and oh-so-clever coup d'etat they have pulled off by sticking it to the man.

I am, of course, talking about the incredibly tedious Rage Against The Machine vs. X Factor battle for Xmas number one.

While I am no fan of the manufactured pop-pap karaoke "talent contest" that is the X Factor, I can't help feeling a little depressed at the thought of thousands upon thousands of British people seriously believing that an expletive-riddled Rage Against The Machine record is a more suitable choice for Christmas number one. Hardly the stuff of festive cheer.

However, the part of this crazy situation that disturbs me the most is that the super worthy charity Shelter is being almost hijacked and whored around as some sort of scapegoat by the RATM "fans", and thrown in the faces of those who oppose their views whenever they are challenged. Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic that Shelter has benefitted from extra cash, lord knows they need and deserve it. But I can't help wondering how many of these people would give them anything if it didn't give a convenient excuse for their unfortunately very see-through puerility. Call me cynical, but I am guessing far less than bought that teenager's tantrum of a record. And a sad state of affairs that is.

Rather than intelligently registering displeasure at the herd-like mentality of X Factor aficionados, the RATM camp has only served to show the world that they are equally akin to sheep, just a less sugary, more foul-mouthed flock. And if they really liked it that much, why have they not already owned it for the 17 years it's been out?

If like me, you don't dig the X Factor, you don't HAVE to buy Killing In The Name: it's OK to think both are crap, however unpopular this view seems to make you. But if you must spend money on a cause this Christmas, why not give all the money to Shelter instead of buying either? Maybe if all those who honestly yearn for change did that, something genuinely amazing could happen. Just a thought. Merry Christmas.

Yours,

J Swike