This
may come as something of a shock but here in Spain the
age of sexual consent is 13, one of the lowest in the world. Worse,
It’s not a crime here to have relations with a youngster below
13, if he/she gives consent. The United Nations has suggested Spain
lift the age to 15, something which could be done as part of the
imminent reform of the Penal Code. But probably won't be.
I've
had my new car for almost two months now and I've driven it as
carefully as I could. Nonetheless, this week I scratched it a little.
Trying to manoeuvre into a spot in the Carrefour underground. At
first I was furious with myself for trying to get into a ridiculously
tight parking space I didn't actually need to get into. Then I was
furious with Carrefour for not only having stupid pillars in the
car-park but also for allowing them to have serrated edges. Finally,
I was furious with Honda for manufacturing a car of which you can't
see anything of the bonnet(hood) or wing from the driving position.
But, after only a few days, I've calmed down and can now view things
philosophically and with perspective. Honest.
Talking
about the Carrefour underground car-park, I always approach this in
the same way. As I leave the main road to take the access road, I
wait until any car waiting to exit from the ramp can see that I've
started to signal as I approach it. But, in twelve years, not a
single driver has driven out in the confidence I won't crash into it.
They've all waited until I've turned onto the ramp. My guess is they
don't trust signals. Which wouldn't be altogether senseless.
You
may not be aware of this but every month the entire Brussels circus
ups sticks and moves to Strasbourg. This insane and expensive idiocy
is the result of some horse-trading years ago which ended with France
getting its way on this. It's always been beyond parody but, against
the backcloth of so much pain in several EU members, it now looks
criminal. According to this article, stopping the farce would save
the not inconsiderable sum of $285
million a year. Of course, it's too much to expect this to happen.
Which is good news for the parasitic hoteliers and restauranteurs of
Strasbourg.
Spain's
latest unemployment figures were announced this week and they ain't
good. They rose again, to more than 25% of the working population.
Second only to Greece. Among young people – those who aren't
fleeing the country to seek work elsewhere – the rate is more than
double this. See here for more data.
Finally
. . . The American Dad cartoon comes from the same people as
the wonderful Family Guy. It's not as good but has its
moments. I liked the recent board announcement outside the church the
family was attending – Bring the kids. Don't worry, we're
Evangelicals.
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