TALES FROM THE PLAYGROUND PART II

There is a London saying which is designed to express a combination of embarrassment, ridicule and incredulity; it is employed as response to hyperbole or any statements that are clearly ‘over the top.’ The expression is, “leave it out!”
Some unnamed Russian official apparently said of the UK, “[it] is a small Island that nobody takes any notice of any more.”*
Most grown up citizens of the UK, adults who have lived a little, who have ‘been around the block’ a few times might reflect, as did I, “well it takes more than that to make me cry!”
BASTARDS!

Not so David Cameron, it seems his feelings were hurt and he responded by saying, and here it gets a little nauseating; “Try finding a prouder nation that has a bigger heart.” When I read this my response was “oh leave it out!”
It gets worse. He went on to list a series of ‘achievements’…“sixth largest economy, fourth best funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history…”One half expected him to say, “and our tallest building is much taller than your tallest building!”
This tirade would be embarrassing from a teenager, coming from a senior diplomat let alone the Prime Minister it is excruciating. It provides further proof of David Cameron’s immaturity and unsuitability for high office. It also, incidentally, suggests he needs to develop a thicker skin; all this petulant sensitivity is baggage no serious statesman can afford.
Finally some free advice, there is a good rule of thumb in responding to insults of this nature, if you cannot respond with wit, stay silent.

*Apparently some Russian officials were ‘boasting’ that they are the largest nation in world by land mass, this seems about as childish, empty and pointless as pointing out that the British Isles enjoy a very long coastline. This makes me  want to respond “and…?”




Popular posts from this blog

NESRINE MALIK AND THE UNSUNG VIRTUES OF HYPOCRISY

Image
As I write this a 27 year old woman, Mariam Ibrahim, has just had a baby in a Sudanese prison, ‘the condition of the mother and baby is not known as Ibrahim's lawyer and her husband, a US citizen, had been denied access to her. Omdurman women's prison has a basic clinic, where the child is thought to have been born. Ibrahim has been shackled since being imprisoned.’ [1]   Mariam also has an 18 month old child who is also being held in prison with her. The ‘crime’ for which she is imprisoned is apostasy, for which she has received the death sentence. She has also been sentenced to 100 lashes, for the additional crime of having sex with her Christian husband. Although she has been a lifelong Christian her father was a Muslim, Sudanese sharia law forbids women to marry outside the Muslim faith, men needless to say can do as they please in these matters. Mariam Ibrahim and her husband.  Nineteen countries punish their citizens for apostasy, and in 12 of those countries
Read more

INTERVIEW WITH TOM VAGUE

Image
Tom Vague At the top end of All Saints Road there is a refuge, an enclave in which a local Bohemian culture retains a foothold, this is the Book & kitchen , a café/bookshop with adjoining terrace. Here the bustle of the nearby market gives way to conversation, conversation in the presence of images of the recent, and not so recent, past. The past of an area that has contributed so much to the life and culture of the city. I was there to meet local historian Mr Tom Vague a man intimately familiar with so much of this history. What Tom doesn’t know about the recent history of the area probably is not worth knowing. With Tom’s energy and effort Colville Community Forum, supported by City Living Local Life, recently held a gathering at The Book and Kitchen to celebrate this rich history. February 16 6-9 Pm, with Film Screening and Readings Exhibition February 16-26 2016. Featuring 30 Classic Westway Photographs and Posters. This represents one of a number of initiatives of t
Read more

LONDON BELONGS TO ME PART ONE

Image
. I. I have lived in London now just over thirty years, having moved here on 4 th July 1983 . I don’t know how long you normally have to wait to claim squatter’s rights but thirty years seems a good enough period to me. The glory of London is its parks and open spaces, you are rarely ever far away from a London park, common or heath. I am within fifteen minutes walk of Kensington Gardens or Holland Park , much closer to several smaller areas with grass and flowers and benches on which to sit, all maintained by Kensington and Chelsea council who also still believe in the value of trees. Those who would see what they call ‘the state’ shrink rarely mention such items in their calculations. What does it cost to maintain a tree? Too much by far for the likes of those right wing think tanks whom and I fear the phrase is soon likely to break under the strain under which it is now being placed, know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Holland Park is one of t
Read more