10.13.04
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:38 pm by
Mass Graves in Iraq
Advice to all readers: as you read, watch and listen to the various reports of the mass graves discovered in Iraq, check how many reports mention the fact that in 1988 when the killings took place, the US government was actively supporting Hussein (inc. selling him chemical weapons) because he was an opponent of Iran. When the left tried to expose what Hussein was up to they patronised as not properly understanding Middle East politics.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 9:16 am by
Soccer and education
Generally resentful of the domination of soccer in general news and media, and appalled by the fact that I know who occupies the top positions in the Premier League, I was even more taken aback to learn that soccer was able to improve my education. Ireland plays the Faro Islands tonight (world cup qualifier in Landsdowne Road – a crucial 3 points are at stake and even tho the islands constitute a weaker side in our group – which also contains France and Switzerland – they have been known to hold good sides to a draw – and I know this without having read any sports articles – I believe we play without Keane (Roy) and Clinton Morrison……anyway…….A radio programme held a quiz last night. Where are the Faro Islands? The host called out the alternative answers. A) North Atlantic B) Mediterranean C)Indian Ocean. I waited for the inevitable D) South Pacific. But no…it didn’t come. They stopped at C. The answer was A. They are somewhere near Iceland. I was appalled. Confessing my ignorance to my husband he suggested I had mixed them up with Fiji. I had pictured Polynesian types. But they play rugby. I am thoroughly ashamed and humbled.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 9:03 am by
German Tourists
I’m not racist but…..do they ever change? I’ve just enjoyed a most relaxing break in Majorca on the Playa de Muro, a gorgeous white sandy beach accessed directly from our hotel. With the temperature in the late twenties (C) it was comfortably warm, swam everyday in the Med (no seaweed, mysterious fishies or stones), and at an all inclusive hotel I was relieved of even the simple decisions like where to eat each night.
But there they were, as they are on every sun holiday. The 50 and 60-something Germans, looking like former porn stars (the men have big hair and moustaches, husbands and wives tanned into leather). And there they were, leaving their towels on the prime sunbeds before breakfast every morning hogging the best spots without having to be there because the rest of us are too cowardly to move their stuff. Elbowing me (visibly pregnant) out of the way at the buffet, panicking lest I should help myself to the last prawn in the paella.
I used to think this was the behaviour of a certain class of German rather than Germans. But two years ago whilst holidaying in a quaint victorian hotel on Lake Garda my husband and I became friendly with a distinguished professor and his wife. Educated and refined, I thought, I have judged them harshly. Of course there are nice German tourists. At the same hotel, there were four coveted tables for 2 situated on a deck over the lake. As you couldn’t reserve the table, it was up to you to arrive early for dinner to secure your place. On our last night, we came down in plenty of time so we could have a rosemantic final meal. We entered the dining room and headed for the doors to the deck. Just then Mr Professor speeded in by us, still wearing his day shirt and shorts, passed us out (not easy to do in a small dining room) plonked his day bag on the remaining table, and gave us a big grin as he passed us again on his way upstairs to change for dinner at a leisurely pace. We stood open mouthed and the English couples dining were all aghast at this behaviour. There was a group pause while we all considered our position. The other couples wondered would we dare to move the bag. Of course we wilted and didn’t. When, 40 minutes later, the powdered, puffed and shaved Germans arrived and commandeered their prime table, the rest of us exchanged knowing judgemental looks which said “they’re all the same”. Creeps.
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