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Today's lesson - loving your country

Ros Atkins Ros Atkins | 13:58 UK time, Thursday, 16 November 2006

It's been a tough day for my fingers. The weight of today's blogging responsibilities is taking their toll. Where's Dicky when I need him? On a special assignment that's where. But he'll tell you more about that when he returns tomorrow I expect. So without any further ado, here's the stories which have made the show...

SHOULD CHILDREN BE TAUGHT TO LOVE THEIR COUNTRY?

I've lifted James' headline from because there's no better way of phrasing it. Japan's parliament is keen that teachers teach children to become A grade at It's late in Japan when we go on air (18GMT) but we'll do our best to speak to some of you there. But the story clearly raises some questions which apply to us all... So would you be happy to see schools in your country to be matching the goals I've mentioned? Should love of your country be coming up after lunch-break for your children?

THE WINNER AND THE CHALLENGER IN DR CONGO

Much has been made by many of you of the fact that DR Congo has held its first proper democratic elections since independence. Well today and observers seem happy that while not perfect the elections were free and fair enough... End of story? Probably not. Jean-Pierre Bemba was his challenger in the election, and he remains the challenger after it. He says Kabila's supporters bent the vote in various ways and that he won't be accepting it. Now in most places in the world a challenge to a result means a trip to the courts - and that may well be the case here - but with its , are you concerned that such a challenge could undo the relative stability that allowed these elections to take place?

We'll try to speak to some of you in DR Congo to get your reaction to these latest developments. The debate's already underway on

PRIESTS, MARRIAGE, SEX AND THE POPE

Catholic priests aren't allowed to have sex. Nor can they marry. And while there's no suggestion the first rule is about to be changed, the Pope is considering the issue of marriage. 'A marriage without sex, what's the point?' offered one colleague today, but clearly to a lot of Catholics and especially priests there is a point. We've an ex-priest who's now married, and another who did the same but has returned to priesthood having changed his mind joining us and if you'd like to speak with them send us your phone number.

Where do you stand on this? If you're Catholic, why does sexual activity and marriage matter so much to someone's ability to be a priest? And is the fact that thousands of priests have left the Church in order to get married evidence that this isn't working for a lot of people of faith?

And that's the shape of the show. I'm off to lunch and despite of the past week (all lies), I'm off the for a taste of home. Shut my eyes and rather than the stinky old Strand, it could be . While we're on the subject, Matt from and Dave at have also brought my attention to and the Cornish delights of northern Michigan. Now you know, but don't expect a pasty item on air any time soon.

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