Category: Politics

Clouds and stuff

Share my delight, dear charioteers! The cumulo-nimbus græcus has a silver sterling lining, which some of us expats in countries which are euro-friendly will appreciate – in every sense of the word.

Since almost 3 years ago my poor little pound has bounced uncomfortably on the bottom, down as much as 15%, but now it has leapt up again, as financiers desert the two-tier euro.

Thanks are also due to M. Hollande – who plans to lash out on golden growth for the froggies – spending with gay abandon (no, I know he’s not) the euros he doesn’t have.

While our Ange is not for turning. Hold tight onto that handbag, Ms. Merkel!

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!

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?

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

Who do you think you are kiddding, Mrs Windsor?

Yes, I know how sensitive cherished colleagues are when it comes to Buck House and its endless soap opera. But p-lease. The ever-loyal DT opines how ‘wonderful to see how (Camilla) has won the public over’, thus deserving the Queen’s gift of the ‘Dame Grand Cross’. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/queen-elizabeth-II/9193856/A-gracious-gift.html

I’d be absolutely astounded if any opinion poll supported such a statement. I believe the public’s perception is still of a manipulative interloper who has succeeded in bagging the rôle she wanted all along. She will never be forgiven for ousting Diana, whatever gloss the Windsors choose to put on it.

Only four days left

That is, if you fancy your chances of winning the Chariot’s exciting Easter pome competition (or if you just like messing with words).

There are plenty of targets at which to aim your vitriol, I’m sure – or on which to lavish your praises too. From the Tideway Twerp to Shivnarine Chanderpaul, from Assad to Bubba, from Balotelli to Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger. The very stuff of the classic cinquain.

Backside

Alter ego

Never looks back

Can’t avoid his gaze

Pest

Heathen holidays

In days of yore, my dad didn’t work on Good Friday or Easter Monday or Tuesday! And now everybody in Britain does, I suppose. But over here, where Viking bums on pews are as common as hens’ teeth, people are officially off work on three days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday. That’s as many days off as at Juletide. Although that’s child’s-play compared with Cyprus where if you’re crafty you can celebrate two Xmases and two Easters. I fully expect LW to report that the New World doesn’t have any days off at Easter at all – but what of the rest of you charioteers? Do tell.