I am excited to discover that I have something in common with the World’s most powerful man, the leader of the Free World, the Ace in America’s pack. As The Donald told the World Economic Forum in Davos, “I am a very big believer in the Environment”. HashtagMeToo. It’s quite worrying though that he would consider this news. I mean where would we be without an “environment”? Would it not be wise to stipulate what sort of “environment” he believes in? Of course that’s all part of his cunning plan; smokescreens and obfuscation, speak as much gobbledegook as possible and hope that the great unwashed who vote for him think he’s a genius. At the same time, tell the World that America is far greater than it has ever been, far greater than the rest of the world put together, with the greatest war-fighting machine the world has ever seen and, at the risk of appearing slightest immodest, it’s all down to him. Until recently, I worked with an American commentator and former golf professional who thinks that he’s the Ace of Trumps, ably assisted by all the ancillary Trumps (nepotism rules ok) and that the mood in America would have given Glen Miller enough inspiration to write a symphony. My colleague is an intelligent man. (At least so he tells us). Things, therefore, must really be good in America. However, the longest Dow Jones bull market in history isn’t down to market forces. It’s still a raging bull because successive Presidents and their Federal Reserve Chairmen have propped it up with trillions of dollars of printed money, unrealistic interest rates and capital spending that props up growth without any genuine backing. America’s national debt is over Twenty Two Trillion Dollars and rising rapidly. At some point, probably quite soon, the whole pack of cards is going to come tumbling down, with all the Aces and the Trumps at the bottom. Hopefully.
Returning to yesterday’s theme of “greatest tenor”, I have consulted Dan Jordan, Director of Music at Eastbourne College. He proffered a couple of other names, whilst probably plumping for Pavarotti, although he was strongly tempted by the German tenor, Jonas Kaufman. The late Franco Corelli also got a very favourable mention. To get off the fence, I have just done the “hairs on the back of the neck” test, by listening to all three singing Nessum Dorma on You Tube. I see what he means about Kaufman, who possibly has even more depth than Luciano, but the neck test definitely gave it to Pavarotti. If you can be bothered, spend a few minutes on You Tube and see what you think.
Meanwhile Man’s Inhumanity to The Planet continues, with Donald “I know best” Trump flying in the face of the vast majority of scientific experts who believe that greenhouse gases and Global Warming are a very real reality and an impending crisis that we have the power to influence. Will America really re-elect an impeached President with anything but an unimpeachable record? We had an old saying in The Army. “Bullshit Baffles Brains”. There must come a point though…….surely?
Incidentally, I have been writing this with Maria Callas filling my headphones. WHAT A VOICE!
ADayInTheStrifeOf 