Every day Ed picks a topic, does a web search and picks the bones out of various international blogs. The varied viewpoints and opinions coupled with Ed's humor should make you think, grimace and grin.

You can't get more international than this topic! There are 20 wonders on the shortlist, 90 million votes so far. What's in the running for the final 7 on 07.07.07?

This is Mudhenge, not in the running. However, I have seen Stonehenge, and the only wonder angle I can think about that pile of stones is: how come the British army has never sent a stray shell from the local firing range even remotely close and ended the charade? Or were the Martian builders so advanced they put up a Star Wars style defence shield around the site and nothing can penetrate it?

Another genuine wonder is the Alhambra. If pink and gardens are your thing, you should vote for it. I was neither a fan of pink nor flowers and shrubs before I went, but it is a totally mind blowing structure. I wonder if Bin laden would blow that place up, situated as it is in the middle of an infidel stronghold a few miles from where he used to go party in Marbella, Spain?

The US sneaks into the frame with the Statue of Liberty standing proud alongside another French creation, the Eiffel Tower. If nasty terrorists have their way, there will be zero wonders left standing in the western World, but if we are lucky, it will be the Leaning Tower of Eiffel and the crown currently atop the statue in New York harbor will be round the good lady's neck.

The best way to include people who want to destroy the modern world, but at the same time keep them out of our harm's way, is to incarcerate them in the wondrous Neuschwanstein castle, former home to the "Mad King" Ludwig, and inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle. If it works out correctly, bin laden could become number one of 7 fellow prisoners in the 7th wonder of the world. That 7th of 7 of 7 thing must stand for something?

My personal vote would go to The Great Wall of China. When the astronauts come back and say the earth is the most beautiful thing they have ever seen, you know what they really meant to say was , "Man that wall is awesome from up there." But that isn't exactly politically correct.



Do you have a preference from an incredible array of wonders?