Dawn

Dawn

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

English racism; Nepotism; Brazil and Germany; & The name game.


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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