The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
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Croissants, Coffee & Tea -- Part the Eighth
I'll check some reputable papers when I have a chance. The internet is great for spreading falsehoods, far better than the old word-of-mouth. One source quotes another, etc. And people brought up on the internet have forgotten about checking the reputability of a source when they read something.Anyway, Maggie (what we cognoscenti call her) had been hinting last year that she might quit, and that was in a reputable paper. Also, some of the other cast members are looking at good offers elsewhere, now that they've made a reputation.
I caught the Mirror article when I was looking for something else this morning. Sorry to be the spreader of unreliable news. Normally I read the Guardian or the Independent first. The only thing our tabloids are good for are pictures - the Mail in particular gets superb photographs.
Today the Independent leads with an article beginning:-'In 48 hours, after the expenditure of upwards of $2.5bn and an even greater outlay of human energy and toil, it will be done. The longest, the largest, the most important, the gaudiest and, it must be said, on occasion the silliest, exercise in elective democracy on the planet reaches its climax, as Americans finally make their choice between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wor...
MadgeUK wrote: "Today the Independent leads with an article beginning:-'In 48 hours, after the expenditure of upwards of $2.5bn and an even greater outlay of human energy and toil, it will be done. The longest, ..."
Totally agree.
I like politics, and even I can't wait for this to be over on Tuesday!
Nothing of importance was said in all these months. Although oddly, the characters of both came through loud and clear. There definitely is a difference, and a clear choice.
But we could have figured that out in a couple of months rather than two years.
Oh, dear, I hope that Maggie Smith will be ok! She is such a treasure and has been acting for so long, it is sad to think she may need to retire.Her name is Violet Crawley in the series. Although the characters are the Earl of Grantham, Dowager Duchess of Grantham, etc., the family name is Crawley.
Aha, I checked the NYTimes archive for the past few months. There has not been any story about her supposed illness. But to be realistic, she is close to 80, and has had a long career. We want to squeeze every last bit of juice out of her.I think any story about the entertainment business can be verified in Variety, the weekly bible of the industry.
Here's an interesting note about Violet's complexity. Honestly, I don't know if the ceremony has already taken place. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118...
I don't usually read showbiz stories and only picked that one up because I thought folks here would be interested.
It's OK. She's "a woman of infinite variety" and totally fascinating. Many thanks.
Lynnm wrote: "MadgeUK wrote: "Today the Independent leads with an article beginning:-'In 48 hours, after the expenditure of upwards of $2.5bn and an even greater outlay of human energy and toil, it will be don..."
I'm holding my breath. We might all have to move to Canada.
I'm holding my breath too - it will be a sleepless night for me!
MadgeUK wrote: "I'm holding my breath too - it will be a sleepless night for me!"Don't go too long without sleep. Sometimes it's not decided by morning.
Is it true you Brits have already seen Series Three of Downton?OT--PBS showed the 2nd series of UpstairsDownstairs the past 2 weeks, and I can't get into. I just don't find any of the characters sympathetic, and I turned it off in the middle. A waste of money by producers who thought that resurrecting a beloved name was enough. I recall only one excellent subplot from last year. Wallis Simpson had been invited to a dinner party, and brought Von Ribbentrop with her. The hostess was shocked, and conspired with the servants for the the footman to spill a bowl of soup on his lap, necessitating his leaving. A gem of an episode, but the rest of the series, meh.
I've incorporated the spilled bowl of soup into my vocabulary. When my knitting group meets at Panera's, and the huge table we prefer is occupied...
We are currently watching Series 3 of Downtown. Episode 9 next Sunday.I am hoping the election result will be announced around 5am when I will be listening to an overnight radio programme. I fear the result because we already have a right wing government with Tea Party tendencies and a Romney administration could inspire them further:(:(
It is being said here that your economy is now in a state to benefit whoever wins. So that, IMO, is another reason for electing Obama and getting some fairer legislation benefiting the 'lower orders' in place. Ours on the other hand is going to the dogs!
Florida is a mess, and Ohio is only slightly better. I hope we know tonight, but it will be very very late. But for you Madge, yes, it will be when you wake up.I'm quite frightened for the results. If Romney wins, tens of millions of people will be adversely affected...including me.
And me. I'm in the 47%.NY is a mess because of the hurricane. The governor has announced you may vote at ANY polling place (but your registration is in your own district.)
A NPR broadcaster just joked that they should give out gas with each vote.
I see a lot of excuses for Romney to call for a recount. Why didn't they just move Election Day to next week?
I am quite worried about Lily. Has power been restored in New Jersey yet?I guess a lot of organisation and expense had already gone towards having the election today. I know we do a lot of organising in advance over here so it must be much more for your people.
Will a low poll favour Romney because I think the disruption of the floods might prevent a lot of poorer people from turning out:( What will be the effect of a low majority on Obama? Will it prevent him from getting legislation passed? I won't mind if it stops Romney getting stuff through!
NJ is in various states of repair and disrepair. They have both the seasahore and a multitude of rivers that flood regularly. I think if you Google it, you'll get a better idea than our guesswork.
Perhaps Lily would go to her son's if her power is still off although he was in an Area A district - I think d-i-l is a medic at one of the NJ hospitals.
In our elections if we get a low turnout the Labour Party doesn't win because it is more dependent on the 'working class' vote and they are the ones less likely to turn out. Bad weather also affects the turnout - what is you weather like today?? Are the key states having good weather?
Oh, dear, my post yesterday doesn't seem to have appeared. Sorry, all. Thank you for your concern. We gave up on getting power restored and headed for some warmth on Saturday. Didn't have Internet access Sunday, thought I posted yesterday to let you know am okay.
Thank you all for your concern. Can't say enough about how much it is appreciated to be thought about in tough times. I didn't know -- this was lonely and cold for several days, although neighbors and repair men who came through to repair roofs that lost shingles and things like that were all wonderful.
Lily - glad to hear that you are alright and that you are now in a warm place.I feel so badly for NJ...I just love it there.
It's awful not having power and heat. I went through that last year, no power, no heat for 7 days. It was a nightmare. So definitely feeling your pain.
Hope you get the power back soon!
So relieved that you are OK Lily. Big Hug. Where did you go for warmth - anywhere nice?
I am away from the Metropolitan area right now. A warm shower and a hair shampoo probably have never been so deeply appreciated. Kids made it thru okay, too. D-I-L supervised evacuation of about 50 patients at the height of the storm (as many as feasible medically had been discharged ahead of the storm, but the flooding of the generators from East River forced the storm peak evacuations those of you who had electricity may have heard about or seen). She was deeply grateful to the residents and the attending physicians who carried on and even braved the weather to be present to help (and was duly frustrated with some who put personal desires and vanity ahead of their professional commitments). My son walked several blocks at the height of the storm, watching out for flying objects, to be supportive. They got power back before heat, but had to find lodging in one of the buroughs with power for a few days.
I understand I now have power at home. I did not have downed trees, although I watched big oaks bow in the wind from my family room whose floor is about twelve feet up from the ground. Many of my neighbors have lots and lots of downed trees on their property. On our latest contact, many were still without power. Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers, along with those along the seaboard who were even more devastated than most of us further inland, with all our downed trees and loss of electrical power.
It took about 120 miles before we no longer encountered gas lines. Two of us had pooled our car resources so it was practical for us to travel. I am so very glad for "topping off" my car the evening before the storm. It made a major difference in our flexibility.
Your Girl guide instincts paid off Lily - well done! And well done to your son and daughter-in-law for their help at the hospital.BTW The Guardian and the Independent are covering the American election through the night and will have online comment for anyone who wants a more balanced, independent p.o.v.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wor...
Your election is being very well covered over here and in Europe, more so than ever before. There hasn't been much support for Romney, except in Germany.
Something strange has happened with our leading conservative broadsheet though. The Daily Telegraph (called Torygraph!), which has been supporting Romney for the past few weeks and some of its editorials would have done justice to the Tea Party. However, tonight the online edition has come out in favour of Obama! This is significant because, in my experience over quite a few years observing elections, when a newspaper changes horses near or on election day, they are doing so because they are pretty certain their latest horse will win and they do not want to alienate potential readers. The edition I wanted to post has gone offline but here is another with some interesting info on Obama's campaign:-http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world...
MadgeUK wrote: "Something strange has happened with our leading conservative broadsheet though. The Daily Telegraph (called Torygraph!), which has been supporting Romney for the past few weeks and some of its edit..."Let's hope!
It's going to be a very sad day tomorrow - and many days to come - if Mittens wins.
Women, the elderly, the middle and lower classes - all toast if Mittens wins.
So glad to hear you are all right, Lily, and that your power is back! I'll bet you can't wait to get back home.Madge, the weather here in MA was perfect - sunny, although chilly (hit some record lows this morning). We are expecting a nor'easter tomorrow, with SNOW (ugh!) tomorrow night! The storm will start with rain tomorrow, and then change back to rain on Thursday. Luckily, it held off until after Election Day, but it is the last thing that those hit worst by Sandy need.
Yes I heard that your weather forecast is bad again :( so I hope you will all be OK. I have been up watching the election results on BBC all night and so far it is looking quite good at 3.30 am. Come on Ohio - that's looking hopeful too and that matters!
Our analysts are saying that the young vote, women and Latinos and saving the day. Kudos!
4.21 am GMT: Obama camp cheering their heads off - they think they have won!!! HURRAH! Mince pies and mulled wine for me!!
THEY HAVE WON!! WELL DONE AMERICA!! Close but a Win!Has America ever had a coalition government? Our election was very close last time and we ended up with a Coalition government, Liberals and Tories but the Tories have the upper hand.
Electoral College 281 for Obama, 203 for Romney - is that good?
Congratulations to Obama on his re-election!!! And Elizabeth Warren - our first female Senator from MA!!! We have a new Kennedy (Joseph III) in the House, too, although he's not from my district.Romney still hasn't appeared at his headquarters - he's probably scrambling to put together a concession speech. When he landed in MA tonight, he stated that he had written an acceptance speech, but no concession speech because he was so confident he would win.
When they called it for Obama, Romney was actually about a million ahead in the popular vote, but that has narrowed to about 200,000 (so far).
Just heard that Romney is not ready to concede yet. (rolling eyes) Obama can't come out and accept until Romney concedes.
12:00 EST--HE"S IN THE BAG! Now I can sleep. I would love some mince pie and mulled wine. Might have to settle for a bottle of white wine tomorrow. How do you mull yours?
A little shocked that in my county, Romney got 40%. Must be wrong, will check again tomorrow.
Summary for you, Madge:
http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-new...
Mod
MadgeUK wrote: "Electoral College 281 for Obama, 203 for Romney - is that good?"It's not a landslide, Madge, and less than he got against McCain, but it's a win. He only needed 270, and he's up to 290 now, with three states left (FL, VA, and Alaska). Alaska is expected to go for Romney, and the other two are still too close to call, both 50/49 for Obama at the moment.
This seems like poor sportsmanship to me, on Romney's side. There has been a further report that Romney has still not conceded as of a few minutes ago.
I'm not really sure what you mean by a coalition government. We only have one President. It looks like the Senate has remained with a Democrat majority, and the House with a Republican majority.
We only have one Prime Minister but he can ask another party to join him, or more than one. Then the Leader of that party joins him and they chose a Cabinet from both parties, then they agree policies together. BTW apologies to any Republicans here for my partisan approach tonight but I guess you all know I am an unrepentant leftie:D:D.
Night night - going to catch up on my sleep now.
VA has just been projected for Obama, which gives him 303 electoral votes, to Romney's 203. I wonder if Romney will concede now.A few statistics: In 2008, Obama won with 365 electoral votes. We now have a record number of women in the Senate, and Latinos in the House.
Word from Romney headquarters is that Romney has called the President to concede, and will be making his speech around 1 AM, although the news has not reached Obama headquarters yet. Hooray!!!
More happiness from Australia. I'm sitting in a hotel room in an outback town a very long way from home, watching our public broadcaster's 24 hour news channel, and feeling very relieved. My younger son has been in the US volunteering for the Democrats for the past two months. Apart from anything else, I would have found his devastation hard to bear had the result gone the other way!
And that first openly gay person was elected in Wisconsin, Ryan's state!! A real blow for the homophobic right wing there!Let's hope that Obama feel braver about his second term and pushes the Republicans harder this time around.
MadgeUK wrote: "And that first openly gay person was elected in Wisconsin, Ryan's state!! A real blow for the homophobic right wing there!Let's hope that Obama feel braver about his second term and pushes the R..."
He has always believed in bipartisanship and compromise. Congress fought him at every step, and we all know it was partly racism. He was an idealist, but it's time for him to face reality:
http://obamadiary.files.wordpress.com...
There can be too much compromise and it hinders anything getting done! Politicians have to have the courage of their convictions! Nye Bevan, the founder of our National Health Service, was also opposed by the vested interests of Doctors, Consultants, Pharmaceutical and Insurance companies but he was determined to push the legislation through for the people's sake. Several years later they had all made so much money from the NHS that they were all in favour of it, and still are today, apart from the Insurance companies. He said he 'had stuffed their mouths with gold'.
Good article. John Simpson, the BBC World Affairs Correspondent, said last night that the world's major economic players were pleased to have continuity because change could have destabilised an already unstable financial situation. Makes sense.
I'M DANCING A HAPPY DANCE TODAY! Woot! Thank goodness that Obama won. Thank goodness!!!
And we retained the Senate.
It's all good. :-)
Oh good - hadn't caught up with the Senate. But doesn't the Republican control of the House of Representatives still make it difficult for Obama to get legislation through?
MadgeUK wrote: "Oh good - hadn't caught up with the Senate. But doesn't the Republican control of the House of Representatives still make it difficult for Obama to get legislation through?"Yes.
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The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910
Books mentioned in this topic
The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination (other topics)House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties (other topics)
Don Quixote (other topics)
The Rifle in America (other topics)
The Buccaneers (other topics)
More...
http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/leisur...