Is Nothing Sacred?

I have never been an incandescent sort of person. In truth, you would probably have to dowse me with 100% proof spirit and toss a lighted match in my direction to inflame me about anything. I just have this congenital belief that the other chap may not be talking total rubbish and that I should, in fairness, listen to him even if what he is saying sounds like utter piffle.  Continue reading “Is Nothing Sacred?”

More equal than others?

The So-vile report is finally published and Jimbo has been outed as a serial sex offender between 1955 and 2009.  He is dead now, thankfully, and his knighthood died with him so no action can be taken in either of those directions, but a thought struck me.

Many ‘cebebs’ get away with all sorts of drink and drug-addled misdemeanours of a minor or major degree because of their ‘status’ and this is wrong.  But what about politicians, diplomats and suchlike?  In many countries our leaders have immunity from prosecution – Chirac in France dodged trial for years by clinging to the presidency;  Berlusconi used the system so that when charges  finally come to the fore they are usually deemed out of time under the very convenient Italian Statute of Limitations.  Even some of our UK trough-hogging MPs (unsuccessfully) claimed immunity from prosecution for expenses abuse  on the grounds of parliamentary privilege.  Last week a Portuguese deputada was stopped by Senhor Plod driving away from parliament with a blood-alcohol level that would get your average voter a year in the slammer, but she too is claiming parliamentary immunity.

And don’t even get me started on diplomats.  Get a set of diplomatic plates for your motor and park wherever you please, anywhere. and that’s just for starters.  Beat your maid to death and the authorities can’t touch you or smuggle drugs or explosives in a diplomatic bag which can’t be searched.

So, arise Sir Jimbo, MP for East Kiddyfiddler and Honourary Consul for the Republic of Banana.

Sleep well children everywhere and over to you Mr. Mackie to blow my bar-room lawyering out of the water.  🙂

OZ

SA vs NZ St. George’s

Today’s the day, our first test at St George’s park since 2007 and only our fourth since 2000!

That’s Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel at yesterday’s practice on the left (pic espncricinfo)

Entry to the ground is R30 (£2) I’ll be buying my ticket at the gate, as usual there is absolutely no public transport provided nor parking close by, my modus operandi today is to park and meet a couple of mates at a nearby restaurant (perhaps a mile away) and the owner has kindly volunteered to drop us off at the gate.

I do like to watch the first ball, its a 10.30 (08.30gmt) start.

Continue reading “SA vs NZ St. George’s”

SA Agulhas

I was fascinated by this story in my daily yesterday, particularly the excitement of the cadet in the report.

SA Agulhas
The expedition led by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to cross Antarctica in winter will be a new record for humankind, deputy transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said in Monday (07/01/2013). “This ’coldest journey on earth’ is humankind’s first ever attempt in history at crossing… Antarctica in winter,” she said in a statement.

Primogeniture for girls

One’s favourite royal is concerned. He’s afraid his future first grandchild might be female, marry an RC and thereby convert the monarchy to the Roman way of worship. Which raises a few interesting questions, I’m sure. Like: Wouldn’t it be best for him and his subjects if he himself abjured his Divine Right on accession? He must be one of only a few who a) believe that he is on an equal footing with the Godfather in the Vatican, b) want him (the PoW) as head of the CoE and c) care what a monarch does in the privacy of his/her own chapel. Or is he?

Big Ears also worries about all his fellow dukes and other hereditary peers, if the first-born son should no longer inherit as of right. What is the problem? As far as I can see the silver-spooned girls seem to be perfectly capable of rivalling their brothers in privileged education, conspicuous consumption and proxy child-rearing. Or does Charles suffer from the ‘Enry ‘Iggins Syndrome? ” Why can’t a woman……….be more like me?”

The Modern Prometheus

You may have read of the former pub landlord from West Yorkshire that became the first person in the UK to have a hand transplant. Hoping not to lose my right appendage soon or at any time in the future if I do have a mishap I have asked for some special requests because, come on, if you don’t ask you don’t get. Therefore I would like Shane Warne’s wrist, Marvin Hagler’s knuckles and Warren Beatty’s fingertips. Thank you very much.

Going the whole whack and entering into Wildenstein territory if I needed a head transplant I’d opt for Martin Scorsese’s eyebrows…