Run for the hills! That was the urgent warning delivered by angels to the innocent family of Lot just before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

We could do with a few angels around today to warn disaster may well be staring us in the face unless we get back to some decent family values.

What concerns me is our attitude towards right and wrong, good and evil.

I mean, am I the only person shocked beyond measure to think that the brother of Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, has been put on the sex offenders register for interfering with a schoolgirl?

I know Mr. Straw cannot be called to account for the stupidity of brother William, but it seems extraordinary that he should choose to remain responsible for law, order and the police in such circumstances.

But then I thought the same thing when his son was in trouble over marijuana. Does he not realise what police officers must be whispering to each other when he comes visiting?

The Straw family's troubles are one more example of the way standards have fallen in recent years.

Taboo For much of my life swearing was taboo on stage and screen. Even a mild "bloody" in Shaw's Pygmalion was considered indefensible.

Today's crop of films seem to be competing with each other to discover how many times they can hit us with the f-word - or worse.

Even worse, the media is glamourising serious crime, according to police chief John Abbott, who runs the National Criminal Intelligence Service. He singled out two recent British examples, Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, though the trend began in Hollywood.

"There has been a concerted attempt to show organised crime as a bit of a laugh, carried out by colourful personalities and cheeky chappies," said Mr Abbott.

It comes as no surprise to learn that foul-mouthed rapper Eminem has just carried off top honours in the MTV Music Video Awards.

We're told everyone is watching Big Brother. That says a lot about today's morality. Viewers are invited to turn voyeur and marvel over the childish antics of a bunch of semi-clad wannabes chasing £70,000. Contestant Mel tidying up her bikini line with tweezers must be the repellent shot of the year.

Not all the blame lies with showbusiness. In the run up to the Olympic Games in Sydney, the authorities announce their determination to test every participating athlete for illegal drugs.

Already, according to one commentator, rogues and rascals, cheats and chancers, small-time spivs and international conmen are gathering in Sydney for the greatest sporting event of them all.

What times we live in, eh?