A sinister conspiracy

This morning it was the usual struggle to write a cheque because of the design of the chequebook; then I partially sliced my hand because the peeler was similarly ill-equipped.

For the left-handed - life is just that little bit more difficult. I mean, President Obama has got some mighty forces ranged against him and he's also cackhanded. (Do you reckon they try and not stage photoshoots where he has to sign anything?)

Then I read this review of Juliet Nicolson's new book about life after World War One and realised how institutional this prejudice is. Nicolson talks about the compensation offered to injured veterans.

"The loss of a full right arm from the shoulder downwards was worth sixteen shillings a week. Fourteen shillings were awarded if the arm was missing from below the shoulder but above the elbow, and then the rate dropped to eleven shillings and sixpence for limbs missing from below the elbow." The left arm merited a shilling less all round.

At least reporters' notebooks are designed to be operated by people both sinister and dexterous.