Perhaps the Taliban are good for something

Oh, what a splendid idea! "Islamic militants in Pakistan's tribal areas, which border Afghanistan have issued a decree banning music from mobile phone ringtones," says the online Cellular-News.

"A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulana Faqir Mohammed, said they would not allow commuters to play music in their cars or use musical ringtones on mobile phones," says the story. "He warned that offenders would be punished according to Shariah laws."

The story goes on, "This is not the first time that Taliban leaders have tried to clamp down on music in their areas – and a wave of attacks on mobile phone stores in North Waziristan was carried out last October to stop them selling music capable phones."

Well, music's not so bad in cars, provided it's not causing the entire neighbourhood to register 7.6 on the Richter scale, as happens when the brain-deads drive by. As for ringtones, the Taliban could have some pretty cool ones. How about "Allahu Akhbar" to the tune of "This Little Piggy Went to Market"?

Maybe not. But perhaps they could lend us a few Taliban patrolmen for British trains and buses.