One
of the several BBC4 podcasts I enjoy is called Beyond Belief.
This is always a religious discussion and there's a moderator, even
though 3 or 4 religious Brits would never actually need one of these.
The talking hardly gets above a whisper and no one but no one
interrupts anyone else. But I digress . . . Being
an ex-Christian atheist – I'm not influenced by any
of the views put forward – but nonetheless the discussions
fascinate – and sometimes amuse - me. Like this morning's reference
to Jesus protecting the faithful from an angry and wrathful God the
Father. And a Muslim lady talking about jinns (spirits) that
could be responsible, as demons, for depression.
Talking
of talking . . . I regularly find myself telling myself how lucky we
are to speak the same language as all the American experts who are
brought into discussions in TV documentaries. And
that nearly all of their European counterparts speak excellent
English. Of course, in other circumstances, subtitles would be used
but what a dreadful second-best that would be.
And
talking of building . . . Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, is the seat
of the Churchills. Essentially it's a bit of egregious triumphalism
on the part of John Churchill, who had a good deal of success leading
British troops against the French in the War of the Spanish
Succession between 1702 and 1711. In fact, he defeated them not just
once but ten times, and was handsomely rewarded for it. Perhaps the
best examples of his approach are the 'flaming finials' on
the palace towers. There are 16 of these and each displays an
exploded hand grenade on top of an upside down (i. e. defeated)
fleur-de-lis, the symbol of Louis XIV.
Knowing
how Spain's rich and famous lead charmed lives, no one will be much
surprised that a Spanish court has suspended
corruption charges brought against the King's daughter, on the
grounds there wasn't enough evidence she'd been an accomplice in the
embezzlement case involving her husband. This decision reverses that
of the investigating magistrate and it's always possible charges
will be reinstated if new evidence is found. But I doubt that anyone
in Spain is expecting that. Meanwhile, the princess's husband has
been left his passport and told he's free to take a job in the Middle
East, notwithstanding what looks like a strong case against him.
Another
example which springs to mind is the CEO of the Santander Bank, who
was charged with a criminal offence 20 years and finally found guilty
in 2011. Not before time, he resigned a week or so ago with a pardon
in one pocket and a fat pension in the other. The wages of sin.
Finally
. . . There used to be a phrase in English – 'the Canterbury pace'
– which described the speed at which a horse-rider would move from
point A to point B. Over time, this was shortened to 'canter'. As for
'trot' and 'gallop', you're on your own.
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