Barack Obama must have a fair bit on his 'to do' list. There's the whole messy situation in Iraq and Afghanistan to sort out, the little matter of a global recession and the fact that everywhere you go people sport worried grins as they expect you to be shot at any moment. And more important than all of these issues, Obama has to pencil in a meeting with George Clooney. Best get onto that one right away then.

So next week the most powerful man on the planet will be forced to undergo a few hours of patronising from a self-important Hollywood star with a point to make. As UN messenger of peace to Darfur ('poster boy' in layman's terms) George has a deep knowledge of Sudanese politics over the last few decades. Well, he must have, otherwise surely he'd be just wasting the President's time? George says,

 

"We want him to appoint a high-level, full-time diplomat to negotiate and work hard every day for a peace treaty. I was here three years ago and in some ways there's not a whole lot of difference. It's sort of status quo. The problem is that the status quo is unacceptable."

 

I thought that 'Rockin' All Over The World' was a decent tune to be fair. Poor Oama, having to listen to George bang on about the Janjaweed and the housing situation for the displaced in Khartoum. Still, it's better than the appointment he has the week after with the shouty little Irishman with stacked heels and a demand to wipe out all debt. You're earning your money, Mr. President.