Dawn

Dawn

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Well, at last a reaction from the Spanish to the dire economic situation . . . 76% of those surveyed said that unemployment was now their main concern, the highest number ever.

Not a huge shock, of course. What was more surprising, to an Anglo, was that 73% felt the State was mean when it came to paying for care of the aged. Isn’t this all supposed to be done by loving children in Latin societies? Perhaps it is but they feel the entire cost shouldn’t fall on them.

I see that, in the side show around Carla Bruni's visit to Spain, President Sarkozy has said the high-speed train link between Barcelona and Lyon will start in 2012. Which was nice to hear only a week after reading that the AVE to Galicia will be delayed until 2015-7 as a result of a decision to ensure it doesn’t have to slow down from 300 to 200kph when it reaches our mountains. The minister in charge explained that it was better to delay things than inflict a ‘second-class’ service on the region of his birth. As if any of us were really expecting it before 2018, six years late. Presumably it will be at least 2020 now. Difficult not to sympathise with the Galician view that they're hard done by.

I’ve just finished an amusing account of Labour’s years in the political wilderness before 1997 – "Things Can Only Get Better” by John O’Farrell. The quote that follows reminded me of my own point of a few weeks ago, to the effect that one of the problems in dealing with those from the Left of the spectrum is their belief they hold the moral high-ground and that, by definition, it’s evil to disagree with them. Talking of himself and his young socialist colleagues, O’ Farrell writes - “While we condemned anyone who did not share our view of the world as ‘fascists’, we had developed a special fascism of our own, which excluded and condemned people because of what they believed in. Voltaire said ‘I do not agree with what you say but would die for the right for you to say it.’ We said ‘I do not agree with what you say, so you are not allowed to say it because you’re a fascist.’"

It also very much reminded me of political discourse in Spain, where anyone who doesn’t agree with you is a fascist, wherever in the spectrum you're standing. And where hard-line nationalists of one persuasion invariably accuse those who don’t share their opinions of being hard-line nationalists of another persuasion.

But on to more important matters . . . There was a nice report in The Telegraph this morning on last night’s Barca-Chelsea clash. Of which this is an extract – “Messi was mesmerising, joining Iniesta in running the show, delighting Barcelona fans and all who love the Beautiful Game. Here was an exhibition of how football should be played: with hunger, energy and sumptuous skill, taking on an opponent with a feint here, a flick there and no end of dribbles. Camp Nou was a canvas and Messi’s vivid brush-strokes were all over it.” All very true. Yes, Chelsea were impressive in defence but also pretty lucky. And it was a penalty. When viewed from behind.

As I’m in town for other things, I thought I’d drop into my normal wi-fi café and finish off this blog. Not a good idea, as it appears to be Bring-Your-Baby-and-Let-it-Scream Hour.

Finally, I’d just like to add my tuppence-worth to the media frenzy and say that Letizia edges it for me, over La faux-doe-eyed Sarkozy. Assuming I was forced to make a choice. Otherwise, either would be OK.

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