Dawn

Dawn

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Funny justice; Galician corruption; Jewish favours; No more laughing policemen; & Windy Wales.


Life, I've noted, can often be funnier than farce. Under Spain's judicial system - on which I am no expert - it seems possible, on the one hand, for private citizens to pursue the jailing of the ex-President of China and for the State, on the other, to oust judges who pursue too seriously a banker or politician who forms a part - however minor - of the establishment. But, anyway, if I were the said ex-President of China, I'd take heart from the fact even relatively low ranking individuals here are given a Presidential pardon not long after their conviction. I've given up trying to understand the criteria. 

Talking of corruption . . . One of the big cases meandering through the Galician courts at the moment bears the name Pokemón. I don't know why but suspect reader Sierra does. There are 6 pages in the Voz de Galicia on this today but I can't be arsed to read them. My understanding is that it centres on a company - Vendex - which acted as a phoney services outfit, openly charging exorbitant fees to the municipal, provincial and regional governments and then outsourcing the work at much lower prices, with the proceeds being shared between all and sundry. All very simple and effective. And secure when everyone foolishly believed the fat cow years would go on forever. Will anyone end up in clink? Well, briefly maybe. Will the ill-gotten gains be retrieved? No. So, a one-way bet, then. 


There's another Galician case involving brothels in Lugo but, on reflection, that might just be a branch of the Pokemón Hydra. 

People around the world - particularly Jews - are trying to figure out why the Spanish government has just made it possible for Sephardic Jews to gain dual nationality. First of all, it's taken 500 years to make this move; secondly, the Spanish government has traditionally been pro-Palestine; and, thirdly, Spain is regularly shown to be the most anti-semitic nation in Europe. My own suspicion is the same that arose when I saw the leaflets for 5 Spanish fiestas in Toledo last year - There must be money it.

Here's an article (HT Lenox) by someone else who finds it all a tad confusing. I like his phrase 'countless bureaucratic snafus', which harks back to my own comments yesterday on the likelihood of anyone getting through the process. I also like his comment about the "stream of anti-Israel rhetoric emanating from the Spanish Foreign Ministry, led by José Manuel García-Margallo." whom I've previously nick-named 'Motormouth'.

Ahead of the early-Lent celebrations, the government has banned the wearing of traditional comic Guardia Civil costumes. It this just a typically daft measure from a right-wing government, which feels the institution should be worshipped? Or is it indicative of a fear of future unrest? And will the Catholic Church (even more right wing) now try to have us banned from wearing the full range of clerical garb, from Pope to humble nun? Nothing would surprise me right now.

Finally . . . Looking at a map of the British Isles in El País this morning, I noticed that Wales was labelled 'Gales'. Which is pretty appropriate, I guess, given the winds which are currently lashing it.

The Environment 

January: 31 days. On which it rained: 28 - 93% 

February: 13 days. On which it has rained: 13 - 100%  So, 41/44. 

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