A couple of stories that roused me from my sickbed this morning, and inspired me to write a blogpost (because twitter just doesn't have enough characters). Both involve the far right, and both have me worried for different reasons.

The first was reported on Radio 4's Today programme this morning, and concerns two journalists who tracked down a Nazi war criminal and are now facing trial in Germany for violating the war criminal's privacy. Yup, lets overlook the fact that this was a splendid act of public service which all journalists should aspire to (better than photographing Pippa Middleton's bum) and the Nazi has now been convicted. It makes me fear for the future of journalism, when the reporters can't even investigate something that clearly has a public interest.

The second story worryingly involves women active in Germany's far right. It seems to be a trend in recent years, that the far-right have been re-asserting itself and adapting for the new millennium. From the BNP to the EDL to the National Front in France, the racists have become very vocal and comfortable spreading their hatred. Why anyone would join a racist organisation is already the subject of much debate, but why would women become so involved? What is the motivation for a woman to join a movement that has historically been anti women and held a view that women cannot be anything more than mothers and home-makers? The far right seem to be adapting so much and so well, that even the people they've traditionally discriminated against are attracted to their brand.