This week the media are devoting column inches and time to England's World Cup bid for 2018 and this week "big hitters" have been flying out to Zurich to harness support ahead of FIFA deciding on Thursday. Now getting the World Cup would be great for the UK economy I have no doubt, and for those younger than me who never experienced 1966 it would be a great occasion, leaving aside our chances of success on the pitch.
The presence of David Beckham clearly gives the bid significance in the eyes of the world media. This week he's been joined by Prince William and PM David Cameron. Now I'm not sure whether William is a big selling point, but for what reason is Cameron there ? To my knowledge he is no great enthusiast of the game, more to the point there is somewhere else he should be.
While the media focus on Zurich across the Atlantic Ocean at Cancun in Mexico the UN Climate Change talks go on all week. 43 small islands are fighting for their history , their right to exist. If sea levels rise they will cease to exist. It is estimated that up to 1 billion people will be adversely affected unless the world reduces global temperatures by 4degrees centigrad. To me this is where the Prime Minister should be,as much as I like football, the lifes of these people and the sustainability of the planet is more important.
Pleased about - Arsenal reaching the Carling Cup Semi Final
Reading: Not a lot but Alastair Campbell's diaries arrived today ( acquired for 59p)
Listening to: New Band - Great Lakes and dipping into Jim White.
Want to watch - the death of Leslie Nielsen at the weekend will no doubt make many revisit the Naked Gun trilogy and Airplane. Not sophisicated humour but very funny indeed. RIP Leslie.
Key Quotes
"Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
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