(no subject)

very interesting article today by Matthew Parris in the Times, stating that George Bush needs a second term.

before you rush to condemn him, his argument is:

What the President and his advisers are trying to do will be a colossal failure. But failure takes time to show itself beyond contradiction. The theory that liberal values and a capitalist economic system can be spread across the world by force of arms, and that the United States of America is competent to undertake this task, is the first big idea of the 21st Century. It should be tested to destruction. The opening American presidency of the new millennium — George W. Bush, 2001-2009 — should serve as an object lesson to the world for the decades to come. There must be no room left for argument. The President and his neoconservative court should be offered all the rope they need to hang themselves.

you can read the full article here

(no subject)

I would just like to say that perlmonger is a fine husband.

while he simply doesn't understand my deep-seated need for shoes and handbags, he never ever tries to stop me ...

we had to visit the horror that is The Maul today to go to the opticians; when he asked if there was anything else I needed from there, I said I needed a new bag. He just sighed with resignation, and followed me round John Lewis, and didn't even blench at the price. *And* I bought some shoes - well, flipflops, really - and a hat.

what did he buy? Some pysllium husks and a new pair of trousers to go with his nice linen jacket. We returned poor but happy.