Writing about Dickens, George Orwell opines: One
very striking thing about Dickens - especially considering the time
he lived in - is his lack of vulgar nationalism. All people who have
reached the point of becoming nations tend to despise foreigners, but
there is not much doubt that the English-speaking races are the worst
offenders. One can see this from the fact that as soon as they become
aware of any foreign race, they invent an insulting nickname for it.
. . Till very recently all English children were brought up to
despise the southern Europe races, and history as taught in schools
was mainly a list of battles won by the English. This was written
in 1939 but, as I said the other day there are at least a few
Spaniards who think it's still true. Mainly, it seems, because Britain won't
give up Gibraltar. Any more than Spain will give up her African possessions.
The latest gem from the ex-President of Ourense,
charged with nepotism, is that, despite 30 years in his position, he
had no idea that jobs in his administration were supposed to be
advertised. None so ignorant . . .
I watched the Brazil-Germany game tonight with
about 20 Brazilians. At half time, I left the bar and came home,
before anyone topped himself. Myself, I had a
sneaking suspicion Brazil weren't going to score 6 goals in 45
minutes. Or 145, for that matter.
Talking about the World Cup: HT to the BBC for
this citation from the Sydney Morning Herald:- Germany, who are
forbidden from having sex the night before a game, orchestrated a
come-from-behind victory over Algeria,
Finally . . . The kids' game called Snakes and
Ladders in the UK is Chutes and Ladders in the USA. Wonder
why. Which reminds me . . . An old friend in New Orleans tells me
that, when he opened last night's blog, he got a pop-up of a cat
doing something. Anyone else?
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