Author: Janus

Hey! I'm back ...... and front

Sad

Since I commented at 0715 hrs GMT today, there have been just four comments by other cherished charioteers and no new posts.

I’m afraid the principle of critical mass is coming into play. Less begets less. Sad.

Pragmatism gone mad

The phrase, ‘double Dutch’ is taking on a new value – to describe the contortions of the local politicians trying to cope with appproving/disapproving of cannabis use. Words like ‘decriminalised but not legal’ are evidence of their dilemma. And now tourists, or a third of them, damn them, are making things even more difficult by wanting to buy the stuff in the 700 coffee shops.

So in one region they can’t, unless they’re happen to be German or Belgian – then it’s OK.  Pardon me? Isn’t that contrary to some Treaty of Rome or Maastricht or Shengen or other? Just get a Belgian residence permit if you need to smoke. Better make that a Flemish one, just in case there’s a language problem. But,  but …. surely signing a visitors’ book to get access is…… illegal?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17865151

Dopey, ain’t it? Yes, Holland is going to pot. My advice: keep off the grass. But it might take some Dutch courage!

The true embodiment?

I won’t trouble you with the details but suffice to say I am the plaintiff in a Court case here.

I asked that it be conducted in English, given my linguistic imitations but the Judge unceremoniously referred me to the Court rules – with chapter and verse references – and refused my request. The very same rules, it turns out, state categorically that any plaintiff who is not competent in Danish may demand an interpreter and may also submit written evidence in his native language. But the Judge doesn’t want to know. Continue reading “The true embodiment?”

How to lose friends

Chairman and CEO of News Corporation Rupert Murdoch (L) and Sunday Times Editor John Witherow (R) attend the funeral service of journalist Marie Colvin at St. Dominic's Church in Oyster Bay, New York, March 12, 2012. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

He’s a buddy of Blair – so you always  knew he was up to no good. Rupert Père, that is, whose readership in the UK used to be second to none – Times, Sun, NOTW. What a stable!  And young James, silver spoon firmly lodged alongside foot in mouth, had it all. But this week they will have to come cleaner than hitherto, as the evidence of their complicity in crime mounts up against them and their horsey protègè, Rebekka Brooks. The public enquiry into press standards will come alive on Tuesday. Anybody want to buy some newspapers?

Yer gorra laff

I don’t know about you but I’m no oil-painting, as my Mum used to say. Sparing you the details lest I frighten the horses, when you’re stuck with two faces it’s hard to pretend you’re the Adonis of the West Midlands, however firm the biceps. But, on an average day, I hardly think about it – which means, apparently that I’ve sublimated my negative body image. Imagine that. But the trusty Grauniad, in the comely form of Susie Orbach, reckons lots of people can’t so there’s now serious help available – if you can call a reception at the House of Commons serious, that is. I hope you don’t need it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/20/body-confidence-new-line-on-beauty

Continue reading “Yer gorra laff”

There were few disturbances on this day

On this day in 1960 there was a very British protest march against The Bomb. And the Beeb’s low-key report reflects the rather stately, controlled atmosphere that was quite prevalent at the time. Famous people like Bertrand Russell and the up-and-coming, uncharismatic academic politician, Michael Foot made speeches – and a clergyman praised the government! I wasn’t there but I knew a girl who was!

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was of course a lost cause. Witness the proliferation of weapons across the world. But the mood at the time was founded on fear that the arms race between the USA and the USSR would run out of control – with JFK leading the West’s efforts to find a peaceful way.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/18/newsid_2909000/2909881.stm