People in glass houses? Accused by Spain of being an uncooperative haven for the uncountable rogues who populate the Costa del Sol, Gibraltar has hit back with the comment that "In fact, Gibraltar has a much better record in relation to the regulation of financial services than Spain itself. . . It is a peculiar way to seek to increase co-operation on such matters. This is not the way to obtain Gibraltar's goodwill and continued co-operation. . . It is, in fact, Spain that appears to be in default of EU obligations on moneylaundering." So . . . Who to believe? Both? Neither? A plague on both houses?

An organisation for deaf people in the UK has argued that being deaf is not to suffer any form of incapacity. Rather, it’s simply a matter of having a different culture from a hearing person. As a columnist has said, this argument takes the mantra of equal opportunities to what might appear to be its natural, extremely mad conclusion: to be disabled is thought to be a right, when in fact it is a sad effect of bad luck and genetic aberration. But I guess - if a choice has to be made - this is better than treating them as idiots and/or outcasts.

Here’s something to make all unhappily married folk ponder a little on their options for the fuure - The rate of divorce between British lawyers specialising in divorce is remarkably low. Perhaps they know something we know too; using lawyers can only make a bad situation even worse. Almost any other option is better. Including 20 years for murder, I suspect. Or maybe just 10 for ‘a crime of passion.’ Trust me; I’m an ex lawyer. And twice divorced. Better to pay someone to jump into bed with your wife before you polish her off in a fit of simulated pique. At least you’ll then have to deal with a better class of vultures.

Good to read that the EU thinks that, although Spain remains below the European average for access, consumers are now benefitting from increased competition in the sector, with cheaper prices and an easier process to change operator. Time to test things out? Probably not.

Quotes of the Week

Most Eurosceptics want Europe to be reformed, not destroyed. However much this may annoy the Eurofanatics, they are the "good Europeans" who have Europe's long-term interest at heart. No political society survives without trust. British voters believe that they have been deceived about the Lisbon treaty, a promise has been broken, and the breach justified by lies. If the EU cannot trust the people, the people cannot trust the EU.
William Rees-Mogg, Times columnist

The lost status of Good Friday is indicated by the comically misconceived sentence, sometimes heard on television: "Have a very Good Friday.
Daily Telegraph leader today. God help us!

Galicia Facts

There are a lot of wild horses in Galicia’s mountain forests. So, if you’re planning to drive here at any time, you might want to contemplate the picture in the link below. The advice/warning given is at least equally applicable here. And, at certain times of the year, there’d probably be a foal in the passenger seat as well. Sorry about the absence of a direct link but my daughter's Mac has a mind of its own.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/
03/20/nhorse120.xml
Be sure to close any gap between 2008/ and 03

Leeds Facts

We have a forecast of snow and freezing winds today. Happy Easter!