I don’t like to comment too much on politics as I find it all very frustrating and I like to keep my scribes as upbeat as possible. But I think it’s safe to say that my country of birth is in a bit of a mess! Whilst that maybe true as I look around the World we’re not the only ones.
Spain where I now live has a coalition government led by Pedro Sánchez who was sworn in as Spain’s new prime minister on June 2nd 2018. The day after the socialist leader overthrew his conservative predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, in a historic vote of no confidence provoked by anger over corruption in Rajoy’s party.
Sánchez, whose PSOE party relied on support from the anti-austerity Podemos party as well as Basque and Catalan nationalists to depose Rajoy, governs with just 84 MPs in Spain’s 350-seat parliament! He is also dealing with the problems of Cataluña who want their own independence.
In America they have a total federal Government shutdown. In United States politics, a government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass or the President fails to sign appropriations, legislation funding federal government operations and agencies. At the time of writing the shutdown is in its 27th day and has surpassed the 21-day shutdown of 1995–1996 to become the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.
In Germany, arguably one of the most stable in Europe Angela Merkel has said she will step down as chancellor in 2021, following recent election setbacks.
She also said she would not seek re-election as leader of the centre-right CDU party in December. She has held the post since 2000.
In France there have been riots on the streets of Paris and President Macron is one of the most unpopular Presidents in recent times. His ratings from the French people are 26% who approve his work according to the latest opinion poll with 73% who are not satisfied with his job.
I won’t go into more detail but Turkey, Greece and Italy are others who aren’t having a great time of it either so let’s hope our political leaders can stop playing party politics and get this mess sorted as soon as possible.
The main problem in America is the funding of the border wall between the States and Mexico. Now I kid you not but the World Brick laying Championships are taking place in Las Vegas next week. There’s over $120,000 in cash and prizes on the line including a 2019 FORD F-250 4×4 truck and a John Deere Gator Crossover Utility Vehicle(whatever that is) on offer as prizes. 28 teams of bricklayers and their mason tenders from around the world battle for 60 minutes to become the 2019 World Champion. Each team puts their skill,speed and stamina to the test by building a 26 foot 8 inch, double wythe brick wall. Judged by over 30 highly qualified masonry industry experts who follow a 10 point system for workmanship, a team’s final brick count may be adjusted down if judges detect workmanship infractions in the construction of the wall.
In the end, the duo who puts down the most bricks in one hour with the fewest quality craftsmanship deductions wins the event and the keys to shiny new truck. Can you see where I’m going with this? Why don’t they hold the Championships on the border and the wall can be built in no time and at no cost! Thus halting the longest running Government stoppage in history. VotePrior!
Continuing on the political theme, i wrote about the unpopular Tourist Tax and comparing it to the charges I incurred whilst on holiday in the US. I have done a bit more digging on this and there are quite a few other European countries with a Tourist Tax including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland. So we are not alone but in my opinion still doesn’t make it right. I wonder if any political party will offer to take it away if elected at our elections in May?
At the time of writing its 28 sleeps to Valentines, for me one of the most hyped events of the year. With that in mind Tyrrells have announced they are launching the first ever packet of crisps containing aphrodisiac properties.
The crisp brand claim their new aphrodisiac variety will “get pulses racing” on Valentine’s Day by combining two simple ingredients – sweet honey and the firey spice of chilli.
They say these two ingredients can have a powerful effect on the body, with the honey “tinkering with hormone levels” and the chilli triggering nerve endings on the tongue, releasing endorphins and increasing heart rate. Sounds like a marketing ploy to me but as you know I love a crisp so I’ll let you know what they’re like and if a night of passion ensues! Too much information?
Real Mallorca recorded probably their best result to date this season with a 1-0 home win over Deportivo La Coruña. They’ve signed a new striker this week called Ante Budimir, a Croatian playing in the Italian Serie B where he’s scored 3 goals in 17 matches for Crotone. Not exactly deadly in front of the onion bag is he! Now I don’t want to be anti – Ante before I’ve seen him play but this is a league where goals are difficult to come by. The top scorers are in fact last Saturday’s opponents Depor who’ve scored just 31 goals in 21 games and Mallorca don’t come too far behind on 26. We actually have the leagues 3rd highest scorer with 9 goals Lago Junior. Let’s hope this guy does the business. Talking of which both my boys did exactly that last weekend. Remember the old saying, you can do it on a summers day in Palma but can you do it on a cold night in Campos? No me neither, but I was freezing my you know what’s off in a temperature of 1c there last Friday but it was all worth it as my youngest sons team won away by 1-2. Then on Sunday my eldest sons team who have struggled a bit this season managed to win 2-1 against the 5th placed team and so moved out of the relegation area. More of the same this week please!
Enjoy your weekend!
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone, Android, The Tunein Radio App and on the Spanish TDT TV service. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.
Dad Taxi Mallorca 