There’s a Shortage of Viagra in Italy
Apparently, it’s all about a row between pharmacists and the Government. Read the full uncensored story in the Daily Mail here. For a shortened version of the story, Rod Liddle in The Sunday Times has the bare details.
I wonder if I know a retired pharmacist with access to supplies. We could fly them to Rome and sell them on the street outside Berlusconi’s residence.
Some of the comments by readers in the Mail article give a reasoned insight into the problems. It would appear that some things we buy for a pound or to in Boots, are several times more expensive in Italy.
Rod Liddle on George Galloway
Rod always says the things that other people just think and I must vadmit some of my thoughts about George Galloway are banged home with alacrity.
Rod questions, George’s views on things like forced marriage, homosexuality and honour killings. He also accuses George of being slightly to the right of Hamas.
I have a feeling that come the next election, the sensible citizens of Bradford West will not vote George Galloway as their MP.
The Solution to Smoking and Obesity
Why not allow towns to have referenda about whether they want to allow smoking and lots of unhealthy food shops?
It would be interesting to see what happened in the towns that voted to allow it after a few years.
Hopefully, they would see sense.
My old GP once exchanged with a doctor in Canada for a year, where there were lots of Native American patients, most of whom were heavy smokers. His statistics and stories about that time, would fill a large book. But sadly he’s dead now.
He was one of the better GPs, I’ve had in my life.
Drug Gangs New Vehicle of Choice
According to The Sunday Times today, it’s the Motability scooter. No tax, no insurance and ideal for tranbsporting drugs.
The Cartoonist’s Pen Is Mightier Than The Dictator’s Thugs
I’d never heard of the cartoonist, Ali Ferzat. until I read about him in The Times today. But he is lauded in their third leader as the Syrian cartoonist, who stood up to Assad and his thugs. There is more about him here on the BBC.
If I hsadn’t got emotional earlier, I certainly would be now!
Giles Coren In Today’s Times
I always read Giles Coren, as I find him funny and today in his piece in the Times he’s excelled himself on stockpiling. This is part of his piece on Gregg’s, which as I’m a coeliac, I find even funnier for some reason.
On a personal note — I have not eaten a Greggs pie in 15 years, and that was too recent. Everything Greggs sells is as grey, flabby and nutritionally otiose as a braised portion of George Galloway’s arse. The whole point of having a job and a few quid is so that you don’t have to eat at Greggs. It makes me sick to see politicians pretending they eat there. Greggs is survival rations for poor people and the homeless. Greggs is a major factor in working-class obesity. Twenty per cent VAT on its hot pies is not enough. It should be taxed to death for the sake of the NHS, which ploughs £5 billion a year into obesity-related illness.
I accept that as long as Greggs thrives, ignorant fat people will eat there three times a day, but it is cruel to put them in the spotlight as Labour has done. Some destitute people live on dog food, but do you want to see the Labour front bench kneeling over a bowl marked “Fido”, chowing on Pedigree Chum? Because they’d do it, you know. They’d do it like a shot.
I suppose it’s just the thought of eating a pie, that makes me want to get ready for the reaction my body would take.
If you haven’t bought your Saturday paper, it looks like Giles piece is well worth the cover price.
The American Lottery
The news this morning carries a story that the Mega Millions lottery in the United States
It used to be the case, that American lottery winners paid tax on the winnings.
So that might be the worst prize as well!
Donna Air Head
Apparently according to this case n Isleworth Crown Court, reported in the Telegraph, it’s alright to commit an offence if you’re stupid. Donna Air’s lawyer said of her “not a great deal in her head but hot air.” And the jury let her off.
I hope that the CPS appeals.
Japan Joins the Evil Empire
Yesterday, Japan hanged three men.
The death penalty is barbaric, but in Japan, they just take you in the morning and hang you, after you might have been in jail for twenty or thirty years. Your relatives aren’ even told.
That though is truly barbaric. Even when we had the death penalty, it was carried out as humanely as possible, according to the standards of the time.
So Japan now joins the Evil Empire of Iran, China and the United States.
Ken Livingstone Won’t Like It
The second leader in The Times today, asks about Ken Livingstone’s attitude to London’s Jews.
It also questions his puzzling comments about homosexuality, claiming that the Tory party is riddled with it.
It finishes with this paragraph.
This turns what would otherwise be a nasty squabble into an issue of importance to all London citizens and, indeed, beyond. A divisive politics that seeks to exploit tensions between religious groups for electoral gain would be a disaster, not just for the city but for the country. And it is to be hoped that Mr Livingstone will find it a disaster for him as well. Muslims value a united London, too.
Until now, I hadn’t really been too bothered about who was Mayor of London. Now, I’m certainly on an ABK ticket.
The Anonymous Widower 