As a discarded very small-time smart-arse lefty pundit one looks with the deepest envy and admiration in the direction of the king of all smart-arse lefty-pundits, the smartest least discarded of all: Michael Kinsley.

Last week he had brain surgery.

Imagine having the grace and wit to make your 'first words' on coming round from brain surgery:

"Well, of course, when you cut taxes, government revenues go up. Why couldn't I see that before?"

Haw haw haw.