Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts
the stars to flight.
And, lo, the hunter of the east has caught the sultan’s turret in a noose of light.
Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable – Christopher Howse: ‘A Pilgrim in Spain’.
Cosas de España/Galiza
An ex PSOE president is accused of influence pedalling and, I think, taking bribes. He says the millions he got were genuine consultancy fees, a la Tony Blair, I guess. Though while still in office. Which is relevant.
The son of a Spanish billionaire has been arrested and accused of killing his father – the founder of Mango – by pushing him off a hillside.
A major cultural change is taking place in Spain, they say. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday folk are doing their night-time entertaining earlier than before, and preferring spirits to wines and beers. Whether this means they’re eating dinner before 10 or even 11 – and getting to bed earlier – I don’t yet know.
BTW . . . As was proven by a chat in my Pilates class today, the Spanish have no concept of ‘evening’. Or ‘midday’ for that matter. La tarde is suddenly succeeded by la noche.
I didn’t get the escritura today, either from the notary nor my lawyer. One needs patience in Spain.
The UK
Nice to see Arteta achieve the Premiership championship with Arsenal. He was a much loved player at my team – Everton – before he moved to Arsenal and later became the team manger.
The Middle East War
The latest update from Naked Capitalism. There’s still widespread expectation of another round of ‘kinetic’ warfare.
The United States of Trump America
Trump’s once ‘modest’ (200m dollars) ballroom is now to house ‘The greatest drone empire you’ve ever seen’.
Trump srews Texas for the Republicans, putting a huge sum of money behind a vile copy of himself for the primaries.
The secret of Trump’s new best friend. Podcast or Video
Trump declares war on his own party and why his war is an economic disaster. Podcast or Video
One of the consequences of Trump being in power for more than 5 years is that the lid has been blown off US politics, fully revealing just how much they are dictated by money and how corrupt US politicians can be. Which elements go together, of course.
I’m working on a summary of what Trump is good at and what’s he’s bad at – often a mirror image, of course. See Below for the first draft. Suggestions welcome.
Spanish
- Aciertar: To be right
- Vanagloriarse: To boast, brag, gloat, etc.
- Colegio mayor: Residence. Dorm. Boarding school(?
Did you know about . . . . ?
The student who fought a sleepwalking duel, in 1816 . . .
You Have to Laugh
Another uncomfortable Finn . . .
Finally . . .
TRUMP – First draft
| What Trump is good at | What Trump is bad at |
| Lying | Telling the truth |
| Being corrupt | Being a politician |
| Making billions corruptly | Being a president |
| Blaming others for his mistakes | Dealing with dictators |
| Cheating those who work for him | Admitting mistakes |
| Defrauding his supporters | Taking responsibilty |
| Not answering questions | Apologising |
| Insider dealing | Showing sympathy |
| Golfing frequently | Showing empathy |
| Employing inadequate people | Restraining his anger |
| Insulting those who ask questions | Negotiating – bullhorn, threats and lawsuits |
| Being a reality TV star | Paying people who work for him |
| Faking Christian values | Running businesses, even casinos |
| Living in a fantasy world | Understanding non-MAGA voters |
| Adultery | Delivering on his campaign promises |
| Feeding his MAGA base | Being a faithful husband |
| Rash decision-making | Getting out of problems he’s created |
| Inconsistency | Appointing competent people |
| TACO-ing | Employing talented people |
| Controlling the narrative | Understanding the purpose of NATO |
| Insane posting | Cooperating with US allies |
| Making billionaires even richer | Compromising |
| Dealmaking | |
| Recognising reality | |
| Being fatithul to those faithful to him | |
| Sleeping adequately |
My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.
The Usual Links . . .
The US commentators I follow, all on Podbean and/or YouTube for free:-
- The Daily Beast Podcast/Video
- Inside Trump’s Head Podcast/Video
- The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent Podcast
- The Rest is Politics US Podcast/Video
- The DSR Network Podcast
- The Politics Girl Video. Amusing
- The Daily Show Video. Very amusing
You can get my posts by email as soon as they’re published. With the added bonus that they’ll contain the typos I’ll discover later. I believe there’s a box for this at the bottom of each post. If you do this but don’t read the posts, I will delete your subscription. So perhaps don’t bother if you have other reasons for subscribing . . .
I can also be read on X at Thoughts from Galicia. I no longer post on Facebook.
For new readers: If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here. If you’re passing through Pontevedra on the Camino, you’ll find a guide to the city there.
If you´re thinking of moving to Spain, this link should be useful to you.
Thoughts from Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain 
Maybe I am misinformed but i thought ZP did all that after leaving office. Yes I guess not too different from Blair, Cameron , Osborne and orhers. Gerhardt Schroeder and his Gazprom involvement springs to mind. But i am sure it all pales in comparisson to what the trump pride is doing
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Yes, you are right. I made the assumption one couldn’t ‘peddle influence’ when out of office.
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The “Times” did not mention the President’s Emergency Operations Center — the PEOC — that was built below the now destroyed East Wing & dates back, at least in part, to around World War II. This facility was made famous by the tragic events of 9/11. Based on lessons learned from the rickety response to that crisis, the PEOC was also progressively upgraded throughout the Bush Administration & beyond.
https://www.twz.com/news-features/the-white-house-ballroom-is-a-deep-fortress-in-disguise
Diligently,
Perry
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El ex Presidente Rodriguez Zapatero aparece investigado ( algo que ya dijeron politicos del PP días antes. Es que tienen información privilegiada, quién se la filtra ? Dicho esto.. Los que han leudo el auto, conocedores de Tribunales, juristas, no todos piensan lo mismo. Yo lo pregunté en privado a una jurista y de momento, no encontró nada después de leer más de mitad del auto que incriminen a Rodriguez Zapatero. Por su talante, es difícil de creer, pero ya se verá. Hijo de un gran abogado y hermano de otro gran abogado, el estudió derecho y fue profesor de Universidad, un hombre afable, sencillo que cuando se le pidió ayuda siempre que pudo la dió como Presudente. La verdad que no sé lo que hacía Tony Blair pero a muchos nos cuesta creer ciertas cosas de ciertas personas. Nos cuesta confiar en la justicia española, etc… Y hoy mismo por la noche,el jefe de gabinete de Díaz Ayuso, MAR, escribió un tuit diciendo: Sánchez tú también vas palante y lo vuelve a repetir. Eso es una amenaza al Presidente del gobierno de España, es.que también va a ser imputado ?
Con respecto al empresario fallecido de Mango, la detención de su hijo se basa en la investigación de la policía, el forense…muy grave, ocurrió el año pasado, se pensó en un accidente cuando se dió la noticia, meses después se dijo que la investigación iba hacia un homicidio. El móvil económico se ha descartado porque su padre le había dado la herencia, en vida. Ese señor era el más rico de Cataluña, su origen era hebreo…muy triste.
A Trump lo defines muy bien.
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