A post of potentially vague intelligence
For some reason, despite not usually paying attention to anything beyond what's for dinner, I have been strangely enthralled by the French presidential elections. Perhaps it's because France has problems in a way that England doesn't seem to have to my mind; France's employment crisis has been going on for quite a long time and, as someone who could almost still be classified as a "youth" myself", I suppose it resonates more with me than the generic petty vandalism etc. that characterises much of what passes for news about young British people these days. Perhaps it's also because of the insidious rise of Le Pen, who I was glad to see didn't make it anywhere near as far as he might have done (although Sarkozy isn't exactly very liberal, I suppose). Maybe it's because Segolene Royal looks a little bit like my mum. Who knows.
Anyway, Sarkozy's just won it, and I'll be interested to see what happens next. Both Sarkozy and Royal are pro-Washington to an extent, but Sarkozy the more so; although Chirac softened his position eventually, will the French people be supportive if Sarkozy throws his lot in with Bush and co? Will we see a repeat of the riots as the BBC seem to be suggesting? (I'm not sure, personally, given that both candidates pledged to toughen up on disenfranchised youths). Will it have any impact on anything at all, and even if it does will I even remember that I cared for a short period of time?
I suppose I should care about Blair's resignation next week or something, but I'm more amused by John Reid's handing over of the lovely poisoned chalice that is the Home Office (or whatever it's turning into). Which poor sucker will discover a catastrophic admin failure next?
In other news, we can't seem to get decent telly reception here at all so I am still sans working aerial. That'll save me £112 in license fees!
Anyway, Sarkozy's just won it, and I'll be interested to see what happens next. Both Sarkozy and Royal are pro-Washington to an extent, but Sarkozy the more so; although Chirac softened his position eventually, will the French people be supportive if Sarkozy throws his lot in with Bush and co? Will we see a repeat of the riots as the BBC seem to be suggesting? (I'm not sure, personally, given that both candidates pledged to toughen up on disenfranchised youths). Will it have any impact on anything at all, and even if it does will I even remember that I cared for a short period of time?
I suppose I should care about Blair's resignation next week or something, but I'm more amused by John Reid's handing over of the lovely poisoned chalice that is the Home Office (or whatever it's turning into). Which poor sucker will discover a catastrophic admin failure next?
In other news, we can't seem to get decent telly reception here at all so I am still sans working aerial. That'll save me £112 in license fees!