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What Are We Reading? 4 January 2021
Happy New Year all ;)I haven't been around since before Christmas,
My daughter who is chronically ill was not well at all over the holiday but she has picked up now I'm glad to say.
I received a surprise Christmas present; Anne McCaffrey, Dragon lady of Pern. I read this many years ago and had almost forgot about it. It's a story about a global pandemic which began zoonotically from a 'feline' One of the events which spread the virus was a race meeting ( which I found quite creepy)
The symptoms are like 'flu but on a world where such nasty viruses were hitherto unknown people are dropping like flies and there are only herbal remedies available.Many are are objecting to quarantine....
I love the telepathic dragons as well, they are almost like Pullman's Daemons.
Stay well and safe everyone!
I've had a whole pile of fun this afternoon with Ride the Pink Horse by Dorothy Hughes
(what a great cover..)
Willis Douglass, a former Illinois Senator, was once a noble enough man to take in a Chicago street punk named Sailor, put the kid through some schooling at a city university, and later employ him as his confidential secretary. But with time, Douglass has become corrupt, so much that by the time he left Washington, he was more like a mob boss than an elected politician. Now an ex-Senator living back in Chicago, Douglass decides life would be more convenient if his wife were dead, and Sailor, now one of his henchmen, is very much a part of the plot he hatches. Plans go wrong, and Sailor needs to find his former boss, so he tracks him to Santa Fe, where the Sen is vacationing at the town's Fiesta, a week long celebration. The setting could not be more perfect for the showdown of Sailor, the Sen, and MacIntyre, the head of the Chicago homicide bureau.
With the focus strongly on Sailor, the tension is cranked up from the outset, and the tautness maintained throughout.
This is unadulterated noir; frequently nasty, spare and often callous, and with cutting and incisive wit.
Enthusiasts may plump for In a Lonely Place , but I can assure you, this is where its at...I urge you, mount up, and ride this horse...
Here's a couple of clips..
(about Sailor's childhood)
The church was only round the corner and they made it as the last bell was an echo, marching down the aisle together, the old man and the old lady and the kids, the eight kids. Eight kids and not enough bread for one. Kneeling together, praying together, marching out again into the cold gloomy Chicago Sunday. The hot sweating Chicago Sunday.
“It’s a fine family you have there, Mr...”
The old man puffing himself up and accepting the compliments on the church steps and the old lady smirking timidly and fingering her worn black gloves. She blacked them with shoe blacking on Saturday nights. The kids standing like clodhoppers with their welts itching under their sawtoothed winter underwear, under their sweaty summer floursacks.
The priest in his stained cassock looking like a pale, pious, nearsighted Saint. Saints didn’t belong in a slum church; there ought to have been a fighting priest like an avenging angel with a fiery sword. To whack the old man down. To strike the old man and his sanctimonious Sunday smile dead on the church steps.
and, on arriving at the Fiesta in Santa Fe..
Black rage shook him. He hadn’t had a place to sleep, he hadn’t had food, he couldn’t even get a beer in this goddamn stinking lousy town. He was ready to turn and walk out when he saw wedged at a table against a wall, McIntyre. In the same silly hat, the red sash. Mac hadn’t seen him yet. Mac was watching the dance floor. Sailor knew then that the Sen was here. The Sen and Iris Towers. He took his stance in the room.
Lljones wrote: "FranHunny wrote: " I don't even know, what Americans mean by Half and half. ..."Half cream, half milk."
MK wrote: "I'm thinking there must be some film buffs here and those interested in science and crime, as well. I suggest taking a peak at Gresham's online events - https://www.gresham.ac.uk/attend/
Some are ..."
Justine wrote: "FranHunny wrote: "Justine wrote: "
Happy New Year
to all, and welcome to 2021! The less said about last year the better, I guess, but a new beginning always means new possibilities - and new read..."
The Scots call a single measure of whisky "a wee half":))
Love the artwork on the Penguin Modern Classics version of Vainno Linna's "Unknown Soldiers"
Gladarvor This was laughably predictable. Yet what I had failed to anticipate was, exactly as..."I'm not sure how much this can be forgiven and forgotten. In a certain sense, the behavior of Trump and Reagan before him (engineering delays in hostage release, Iran-Contra, etc ad nauseum)comes from the sense of immunity that was created by Gerald Ford's pardon (which also ruined Ford's political prospects for the rest of his life). While Biden might be the bridge-builder I have a hard time seeing a federal prosecutor like Kamala Harris going along with that.
Plus, they are going to have to confront the domestic terrorist movement one way or another. They tried to assuage and ignore it after Oklahoma City, and that doesn't seem to have worked out too well
Paul wrote: "Gladarvor This was laughably predictable. Yet what I had failed to anticipate was, exactly as..."I'm not sure how much this can be forgiven and forgotten. In a certain sense, the behavior of Tru..."
most likely trump is going to turn to a "trump tv" career, a channel dedicated to his nonsense, where he can keep stirring up his base. he will want to get free of the social media bans he keeps invoking i would imagine too....i cant see this orange loudmouth exiting the stage anytime soon, even if he leaves the White House being dragged by security staff
Paul (106) wrote: "Gladarvor This was laughably predictable. Yet what I had failed to anticipate was, exactly as..."I'm not sure how much this can be forgiven and forgotten. In a certain sense, the behavior of Tru..."
Yes, the US, the UK, Europe and the World have got a real problem, and the pandemic isn't helping either. As you indicate, it goes back a long way, at least to McCarthyism, or to the Civil War, and isn't going to go away. But I also think, as someone who considers herself to be on the left, that people like myself have to bear part of the blame. We've been too complacent, too prone to complain about other liberals and leftists not doing enough or doing it the wrong way, while we ourselves do very little at all to convince others that we have a program that will really make their lives better. As I read, I realize how the right has seemed more proactive, more tactical, more confident, even harder working where the Cause is concerned. 'True Belief' is very powerful.
I just hope to goodness Biden has/will have some extremely good security, because I have a horrible feeling he is going to need it. The last thing the world needs now is another Dallas.
Justine wrote: "A seasoned politician like Biden won't want to be seen to humiliate Trump voters"Luckily, I suspect law enforcement will act regardless of Biden's attitudes.
For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry Anderson is writing in the London Review of BooksThe latest essay in the 7th Jan 2021 issue is a fascinating exposure of how un-democratic the EU is, how secretive the ECJ and Central Bank remain and the long catalogue of rather shady decisions taken by the Council and Commission when they dont get the result they expected
I'm pro-EU but also very pragmatic ** about EU real-politik, i always knew it lacked a real democratic framework, that it tended towards neo-liberal policies and that it wasnt very interested in transparency but i still wonder why a similarily neo-liberal minority of the establishment in the UK decided to opt-out, once it was carelessly offered to the masses by the chubby fool Cameron
Its also intruguing that national poll averse EU,which enjoys overturning results it doesnt like, left itself open to the threat of a major nation exiting the bloc. It stretches credibility that sensible politicans like Merkel would believe a blustering Cameron's summary that "dont worry,i always win"
The result of the last four years will be shockwaves slowly spreading accross this wasted, septic island of Britain, while the EU remains enmeshed in its own structural issues.
I still wonder what the brexit pondlife truly gain from leaving the EU, when politically the Conservatives share and cherish so much of its neo-liberal ideas.....but then it was never a rational product of studies and experimentation, it was a lazy mistake by an over entitled, arrogant Prime Minister
(** pragmatic as meaning i was pro the overall idea and mission statement of the European Union....to reach a final goal...)
AB76 wrote: "For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry Anderson is writing in the London Review of BooksThe latest essay..."
Using the term brexit pondlife is a bit unfortunate. I was very pro the EEC (yes I was old enough to vote then) but against what it turned into for the very reasons you quote. Does that make me pondlife?
giveusaclue wrote: "AB76 wrote: "For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry Anderson is writing in the London Review of BooksThe..."
i worked with many people who remembered the 1970s votes and i respected their views as they had seen the other side of the fence, so to speak, so no, you are not pondlife, of course not
pondlife are the lazy, argumentative younger generation, too young to remember a pre-EU world (my age downwards), who spout the cliches from the right wing press or the casual voters who didnt think through what Yes or No meant, plus the fringe racists and little englanders
Regardless of the EU faults, i was happy to remain within ....
Andy wrote: "I've had a whole pile of fun this afternoon with Ride the Pink Horse by Dorothy Hughes(what a great cover..)
Willis Douglass, a former Illin..."
Thanks - this sounds good to me.
I'll give it a go.
SydneyH wrote: "Justine wrote: "A seasoned politician like Biden won't want to be seen to humiliate Trump voters"Luckily, I suspect law enforcement will act regardless of Biden's attitudes."
My reaction to the 'events' are much the same as everyone else's, I suspect - it was entirely predictable, and 'someone' decided not to surround the Capitol with hundreds of riot police, as happened for the peaceful BLM demonstration a few months ago. They even had more police to arrest Jane Fonda, by the look of one press 'photo - and disabled demonstrators were treated more roughly. Someone took these decisions...
As for Biden - if there really is a separation of powers, he has no role to play in whether Trump will be prosecuted or not. It is to be hoped that some legal figures will pursue the many cases that could be brought against him - but the fury of the mob might deter many.
Scary stuff.
scarletnoir wrote: "Andy wrote: "I've had a whole pile of fun this afternoon with Ride the Pink Horse by Dorothy Hughes(what a great cover..)
Willis Douglass, a..."
Saddle up...
I’m sure you will enjoy it..
AB76 wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "AB76 wrote: "For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry Anderson is writing in the London ..."but the majority of those who voted for Brexit were retirees, not those of your age and younger. It seems a bit harsh to blame younger people, when it was my age group (60ish and upwards) who were supporting Brexit. The only thing that can be held against the young, if you are a remain supporter that is, is that not enough of them turned out to vote, perhaps because they didn't think that it would happen? or that they were not engaged enough, politically, to vote in the first place... Which ever reason is does not bode well to me, as regards our, but mostly their, future...
Hello, everyone! Thought I'd check in and say hello and Happy New Year to you all. After a busy Christmas in the bookshop and a quiet family celebration, I am now working from home again in between also doing most of the childcare while my wife teaches secondary school kids from her laptop.I have embarked on what has so far been a rewarding reading project. January will be spent (mostly) reading contemporary Irish books. Partly as I've had good experiences with Irish writers in recent years and also because I kind of feel like it's a nice way to connect with my Irish heritage.
So far I've read Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding, which was incredible and is due out in March. And I just finished Kevin Barry's latest collection, That Old Country Music, which was marvellous.
Hope you are all well and I will endeavour to keep in better contact this year as I have really missed discussing books with everyone here.
Tom wrote: "Hello, everyone! Thought I'd check in and say hello and Happy New Year to you all. After a busy Christmas in the bookshop and a quiet family celebration, I am now working from home again in between..."Hi Tom! I've been following some of your reviews elsewhere on GR, and look forward to learning more about Irish writing today.Bright Burning Things looks really good.
Bill (113) wrote: ""Camp David" trending on Twitter, but not for this...Night of Camp David"
Don't worry, Bill. It could never happen ...
Tam wrote: "AB76 wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "AB76 wrote: "For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry Anderson is writing i..."its my generation i am focused on i guess but in my social circles there were no leave voters, nor within my extended family.
the talk of living in silo's is interesting, of maybe 100 work colleagues, friends and family in 2016, it was only 1 who voted leave
but oddly in last 18 months i've started to come accross quite a few on the periphery who voted leave but never more than 10%
i shouldnt have evoked brexit in that post really, just left it as an interesting article on the EU
apoligies to any i offended, brexit should not stain these august pages...
scarletnoir wrote: "SydneyH wrote: "Justine wrote: "A seasoned politician like Biden won't want to be seen to humiliate Trump voters"Luckily, I suspect law enforcement will act regardless of Biden's attitudes."
My ..."
while Trump hasnt pardoned all his family and acolytes en masse yet, that pardon is only for federal crimes, so the NY state cases is where he may face some difficult times but i would imagine the appetite for more Trump will fade
He has been a small fry crook for decades, living in the shady world of expensive lawyers and bullying tactics but has been teflon where it matters. I think it will need tenacity and cast iron cases to see him do any jail time...
Meanwhile, I'm back withBefore the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus in the ice and snow of the 1964 New Hampshire Republican primary race, the earliest to take place that year. The contestants: Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, Henry Cabot Lodge, Bill Scranton. The last two names barely resonate today, although Bill of course will know about Scranton, who was initially predicted to be the winner by papers like the New York Times. (He was also Eisenhower's favourite.)I've also started Betty Boo, by the Argentinian Claudia Pineiro. The opening chapters promise a far better than average crime story.
NY Times: Simon & Schuster Cancels Plans for Senator Hawley’s BookSimon & Schuster said on Thursday that it would cancel the publication of an upcoming book by Senator Josh Hawley, one of several members of Congress who tried to overturn the results of the presidential election.
Mr. Hawley, a Missouri Republican and Trump ally, has been criticized for challenging the results and accused of helping incite the mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. His book, “The Tyranny of Big Tech,” was scheduled to be published in June.
“We did not come to this decision lightly,” Simon & Schuster said in a statement. “As a publisher it will always be our mission to amplify a variety of voices and viewpoints: At the same time we take seriously our larger public responsibility as citizens, and cannot support Senator Hawley after his role in what became a dangerous threat.”
In a statement posted to Twitter, Mr. Hawley said that the cancellation of his book was an affront to the First Amendment. “This could not be more Orwellian,” he said. “Simon & Schuster is canceling my contract because I was representing my constituents, leading a debate on the Senate floor on voter integrity, which they have now decided to redefine as sedition.”
Bill wrote: Simon & Schuster said on Thursday that it would cancel the publication of an upcoming book by Senator Josh Hawley, one of several members of Congress who tried to overturn the results of the presidential election.
Mr. Hawley, a Missouri Republican and Trump ally, has been criticized for challenging the results and accused of helping incite the mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. His book, “The Tyranny of Big Tech,” was scheduled to be published in June.
... Mr. Hawley said that the cancellation of his book was an affront to the First Amendment. “This could not be more Orwellian,” he said.
Hawley is being disingenuous. S&S have every right to refuse publication, but presumably don't have the power to prevent the book appearing elsewhere. Why doesn't he get on his bike and find another publisher? He prefers to moan and whinge.
Justine wrote: "Meanwhile, I'm back withBefore the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus in the ice and snow of the 1964 New Hampshire Republican primary race, the earlies..."Barry Goldwater, eh? Now, there's a name from the past.
I'm fairly certain that I read somewhere, a long time ago, that the evil billionaire at the centre of Len Deighton's Billion Dollar Brain was based on Goldwater. This summarises the endgame:
‘Billion Dollar Brain’ went to the frozen wastes of the Arctic Circle and culminated with a right wing madman’s private army crashing through the Baltic ice on its way to invade the Soviet Union and trigger World War Three.
https://manchesterliberal.wordpress.c...
AB76 wrote: "Shameful scenes on Capitol Hill, i was stunned to see so little security presence in a nation that treated the much more peaceful summer BLM protests as if it was insurrection. Mobs of cops, nation..."I concluded my blog entry about this with Poor America. I'd post the adress of my blog, but it's in German and most of it is not about books, so I spare you.
How could you get there? That happens when people "have it too good" and it is hard to maintain vigilance. It happened to us here in Germany at the beginning of the 90s, when right extremist parties suddenly got into several Landtage (local parliaments) - including the DVU in Bremen. The right extremism isn't looked at closely enough, never was. The "Lefties" were all the "enemy of the people" - but rightwing extremists were not - even though those are using more violence, more hate speech and have closer ties to our police (which worries me!)
Justine wrote about complacency, about people not doing enough...We are back to that quote, attributed to Burke,
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.”
Suppose Johnson had whipped up a crowd to invade our UK parliament, be responsible for the deaths of five people, cause so much damage and shock. Would he, could he be arrested immediately for incitement to riot and removed from office? I hope so.
By not taking any action so far against President Trump it makes America seem weak in the view of the rest of the world. I don’t know enough about US politics to make any judgment but it feels incredibly sad that such a country should be in this turmoil.
FranHunny wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Shameful scenes on Capitol Hill, i was stunned to see so little security presence in a nation that treated the much more peaceful summer BLM protests as if it was insurrection. Mobs of..."i guess the thing about the right wing extremist world is they rarely seem to have a coherent message or "clan-like" structure. Their threat vs effect is low..(If you look at the british right wing (NF=BNP etc), they had a comical lack of organisation and strategy BUT they did spread hate and incite people)
The problem in the internet age is that all minority extreme groups have closed silo "safe places" where they enjoy their unpleasent ideas being echoed back at them. The right wing fringe is using these spaces as much as Islamic terrorists or the left wing alternatives
AB76 (130) wrote: "FranHunny wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Shameful scenes on Capitol Hill, i was stunned to see so little security presence in a nation that treatedthe much more peaceful summer BLM protests as if it was ins..."The hypothesis I'm working on in my reading is that extreme groups get a free ride on the backs of more respectable parties and movements. Thus Goldwater, who would be horrified to be classed with MAGA-type ruffians, could give the wink to anti-integrationists by saying he believed segregation to be wrong but that the federal government had no right to intervene in state laws. Thus winning the Southern white vote, because of course the states involved were never going to cancel their Jim Crow laws, no matter how many crocodile tears well-heeled conservatives shed. Those Republican politicians and lawyers who either supported or remained silent about Trump's 'stolen election' charges encouraged the mob. Now, realizing that the storming of the Capitol hasn't gone down too well, they are busy 'condemning' the action belatedly -without acknowledging their own culpability.
scarletnoir (126) wrote: "Hawley is being disingenuous ..."Here's what the FIRST AMENDMENT actually says: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.'
It's about limiting the powers of government, not telling private organizations such as publishing companies that they are forbidden to reject or cancel manuscripts on whatever grounds they choose. But of course Hawley knows that, just as he knows that Biden's victory is legitimate.
Justine wrote: "AB76 (130) wrote: "FranHunny wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Shameful scenes on Capitol Hill, i was stunned to see so little security presence in a nation that treatedthe much more peaceful summer BLM protest..."Good points Justine and i agree
I watched a clip of the awful Tucker Carlson about the Capitol Hill riot and witnessed the smooth, eloquent voice of the right offering many small "winks" to the exact people who stormed the building. he presented the killing of the woman trying to break a window as somehow a crime by the state and left large glaring subliminal messages that will stoke more fires
This is the same voice of the right (collective) that spun the largely peaceful BLM protests of Summer 2020 as some kind of insurrection.
Spot the difference:
On a hot summer afternoon Trump walked downtown to hold a bible while being surrounded by a regiment of SWAT teams and cops, on a cold January morning, a group of Trump suupporters casually walked into the seat of government , facing 50 or so rather uninterested cops....
giveusaclue wrote: "I just hope to goodness Biden has/will have some extremely good security, because I have a horrible feeling he is going to need it. The last thing the world needs now is another Dallas."He will have the Secret Service at his disposal - and they are hopefully less likely to take selfies with terrorists than those Capitol police officers *shudders
Ok, enough of politics (from me, I am not telling you what YOU should discuss or not), not my building site (nicht meine Baustelle), I will return to books now.
Yesterday saw another writing prompt book arrive (a belated Christmas present from a dear friend) - 500 fantasy writing prompts. Yeah me! I love me some writing prompts.
And a calendar with postcards. Unusual postcards! The first was even kind of creepy. Those were all photos from murals.
StreetnArt was the name of the calendar.
I nearly finished Pratchett's short story collection. But at 1 am I called it a day.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...She would have had some inspiration if the Guardian just had kept TLS alive … but alas - they decided differently.
FranHunny - I really enjoyed that article even though I didn't agree with all of it (personally I think a literary diet of only pizza and wine is fine if it makes you happy - life is short! not every hobby needs to be about self-improvement).
FranHunny wrote: "https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...She would have had some inspiration if the Guardian just had kept TLS a..."
still no sign of its return either!
Mod
I just listened to a legal expert recite a long list of people potentially at risk of prosecution for inciting the violence of Wednesday - Trump, his family, cabinet members, senators, etc. Carlson's employer was not mentioned, but should have been.
I am absolutely terrorized about what will happen on Inauguration Day.
Lljones wrote: "AB76 wrote: "I watched a clip of the awful Tucker Carlson about the Capitol Hill riot and witnessed the smooth, eloquent voice of the right offering many small "winks" to the exact people who storm..."Biden will need some solid glass screens in front of him, they should really do it indoors somewhere, scale it right down...
AB76 (133) wrote: "Justine wrote: "AB76 (130) wrote: "FranHunny wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Shameful scenes on Capitol Hill, i was stunned to see so little security presence in a nation that treatedthe much more peaceful su..."And, as we know from Trilling's The Middle of the Journey, the left has been capable of some nasty winking activity, too. But for some time the right has gained the dominant position.
Storm sent some information about the launch of a book which sounds as if it will be of interest to some members and has said that I can pass it on,From: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Date: 8 January 2021 at 12:15:01 GMT
Subject: Jenni Fagan Book Launch – One Week to go 📖
Reply-To: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Jenni Fagan with Denise Mina:
A City, a Curse and a Century of Secrets
7pm, Fri 15 January - Live, Free & Online
Next Friday 15 January we kick-start our 2021 year-round events programme with the inimitable Jenni Fagan, who celebrates the launch of her ground-breaking new novel Luckenbooth in a special interview with crimewriter and playwright Denise Mina. The event will be free and online – broadcast live – with no need to book. An hour of enlightening entertainment, perfect viewing for a cosy Friday night in!
Luckenbooth is a dazzling work of history and ambition that marks a major moment in the literary life of Edinburgh. The story spans nearly a century in the tenement at 10 Luckenbooth Close. It begins in 1910 as the devil’s daughter rows a coffin to the shores of Leith; she’s been sold by her father to a rich couple to have their child. The tragic events that follow lead to a curse that will plague the lives of the eclectic collection of tenement residents. In her novel told over nine decades and up and down nine floors, Fagan gifts readers lessons of history as the building and its inhabitants bear witness to the changing world outside the tenement walls.
Jenni Fagan will sign books in person immediately after the event via Zoom. Limited places are available: please book yours when you purchase a copy of Luckenbooth from our online Bookshop.
The event will also be available on demand on our website and YouTube channel until Friday 26 February, so if you can't make the live broadcast there's plenty of time to catch up.
Justine wrote: "AB76 (133) wrote: "Justine wrote: "AB76 (130) wrote: "FranHunny wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Shameful scenes on Capitol Hill, i was stunned to see so little security presence in a nation that treatedthe mu..."yes exactly
Just started "Breaking News" by Alan Rusbridger, once of the of the Guardian parish, its fascinating to revisit his time at the Cambridge Evening News in the 1970s and the concept of "paid for" print news, district offices and booming advertising revenueI bought it after reading an article where Pippa Crerar, of the Mirror, observed she would like to read it, she probably meant Rusbridgers latest book but i ordered "Breaking News" anyway
Justine wrote: "And, as we know from Trilling's The Middle of the Journey, the left has been capable of some nasty winking activity, too. But for some time the right has gained the dominant position." I'm feeling pretty Bolshevik right now and might need a corrective to that. I got Trilling's novel after your review, but I think my priority read will be a history of the Russian Revolution I picked up during a Harvard Virtual Warehouse Sale.
Tam wrote [118]: "AB76 wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "AB76 wrote: "For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry Anderson is writing i..."I agree with those who think that this is not the place to invoke Brexit, especially when trying to poke the finger. Feelings, mine definitely included are running sky high: I'm a 'rabid Remainer'.
However the general point I'd like to make is that it's no good saying that old people have screwed the country because they voted for Brexit (around 30% of pensioners voted against it), whereas a lot of young people didnt vote because they didn't believe the vote would go for Brexit. Apart from that being (imo) highly unlikely, you might just as well say that a lot of pensioners didn't vote for the same reason. And the fact is, we don't know.
And, yes, I recognise the fact that you have just as much right to discuss Brexit as I have not to.
scarletnoir wrote: "Bill wrote: Simon & Schuster said on Thursday that it would cancel the publication of an upcoming book by Senator Josh Hawley, one of several members of Congress who tried to overturn the results ..."
Interesting thoughts on the subject of free speech in the belated refusal to publish the book.
On another point, I wonder what the legal situation is here regarding breach of contract.
Max (Outrage) wrote: "Tam wrote [118]: "AB76 wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "AB76 wrote: "For any fans of the EU lamenting the ghastly shabby brexit saga, i recommend the series of very long pieces onn the EU that Perry And..."Its a nuanced debate, but surely one that is worth having? I am retired (60+ish) and voted remain, as I believe that we are potentially stronger together, but I also acknowledge that there was a lot wrong with the EU, in terms of democratic representation, but we needed to stay in it, in order to change it for the better. I don't want to lay blame particularly, but I find it somewhat horrendous that a mere 26 per cent of the voting population (those who voted leave) can change the whole trajectory of our country, and yes I do blame Cameron, for not setting the defining line as to what an actual 'consensus' involves.
Basically nine Tories held him to ransom, over the referenda vote, and he gave in, with no criteria set as to what proportion of the public would have to support the decision, in order for it to apply. I am well and truly pissed off about this, but it seems that I have to accept it. I will do my best to, but there is still a sour taste left behind by the whole debacle... Just what is leadership?... she says, as she gazes 'across the pond'?...
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Ersatz TLS
Books mentioned in this topic
Deep River (other topics)The General: Charles De Gaulle and the France He Saved (other topics)
The Space Merchants (other topics)
Dead Lions (other topics)
Promise at Dawn (other topics)
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Milo Yiannopoulos (other topics)Woody Allen (other topics)
Michael Pearce (other topics)
....finishing off the Xmas edition of NYRB, an interesting article on ana quinn
...LRB on Lenin in London, he loved the British Museum reading room.....
...finnish soldiers stalk towards the border with USSR in June'41, Linna maintains a tension and also a sense of unreal calm in these moments (Unknown Soldiers - Vainno Linna)
plus the cosy warmth keeping the cold outside and the quiet, after 12 days in two spells of kids noise (though i ennjoyed it immensely)