The
right-of-centre El Mundo continues to stress the driver's
responsibility while asking no questions about security system(s)
which should counteract driver errors. The paper's line is that the
train was 'out of control' for 5 to 7 minutes, even though it adds
that the driver didn't leave either the cabin or the controls during
this period. Nor did he use the phone supplied by RENFE. The
suggestion is that - even though he'd done this route 60 times before
- he was was disorientated as to where he was and only braked when it
was too late. I find this confusing but, as I've said, we need
analysis of the black box(es) data. This began today, it's reported.
In the interim, I've no doubt that the national government, the
regional government, Adif and RENFE won't budge a millimetre from
their line that it was all down to the fault of a negligent driver.
Which, of course, it may be. Though it would be nice to have some
hard evidence of both what happened and what didn't happen.
The
left-of-centre El Pais takes a wider and less partisan
approach in today's editorial.
You
might think that, especially here in Galicia, there'd be heightened
sense of risk right now. If there is, it wasn't evident yesterday
when the impatient driver behind me drove up my backside the length
of a long, slow stretch of nasty bends on the autovia down to
Portugal. Nor this morning when I had to brake hard entering a
roundabout to avoid being hit in the side by someone coming from the
left way above the limit. As usual with men like this - it's always men -
he gave me a look which suggested I shouldn't be on the road
the same time as him.
Which
naturally leads into the subject of cyclists on the pavements and in
the pedestrianised parts of town. Essentially one's at permanent risk
of being hit from behind by one of these jokers, as they weave in and
out of traffic at speed. God help you if you unwittingly step to one
side as one of them reaches you. The government has just announced it'll
be introducing fines for jaywalkers - desperate times, desperate
measures - which seems to me like the right time to start collecting
revenue from these blatant law-breakers. Not to mention the scooter and
motor-bike riders with their noise suppressors removed!
Which
reminds me . . . I realised this week why the world of motorcycling
is dominated by Spain. It's because, from the age of about 2, kids
here are allowed - nay, encouraged - to career down slopes on little
bikes without the aid of stabilisers or brakes. Oblivious to the
pedestrians in their way.
Anyway,
the focus of popular attention now switches to President Rajoy and
what he's likely to say in Parliament this week about the allegations
of illegal funding and backhanders to senior party members.
Significantly, around 90% of people surveyed don't think he'll say
anything revealing and a large majority say they believe the
ex-treasurer who's making the allegations more than they do the
president. Which, ironically, rather supports his normal stance of
saying nothing. The probability is he'll take the classic Spanish
defence of - "OK, we did it but the Opposition is worse."
Known in brief as "Y tú más!".
Finally
. . . Don't bother to try to subscribe to Old Reader. After a
week or so of problems, they've effectively closed it down. The Curse
of Col.
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