2008 - Autumn

[Sweder]

The only thing - apart from inevitable dissapointment - that troubles me is what may crawl out from under an ugly southern rock to spoil the party. Not, as in the case of the Clintons, allegations of pocket-lining and nefarious activity, but something rather more sinister in the semi-human form of armed white supremacy.

Let's hope the honeymoon period is an extended one. On the global stage Obama's willingness to engage in jaw-jaw (not war-war) brings massive hope even as it's attacked in his own back yard as appeasement. I actually heard some fool describe him as 'the Neville Chaimberlain of our times'. For goodness' sake, he's barely had time to pick out the drapes or call the removal firm, never mind Googling Osama's cell number . . .

I've missed HST more than ever in these past weeks. What would the maestro have made of it all? Should a period of quiet, drug-infused reflection come my way any time soon I'll have a stab at that. Ralph Steadman offered his views on what Hunter might have thought about the candidates and he probably wasn't far off. McCain finally showed in his concession speech what he perhaps should have revealed a little earlier; a quality of statesmanship that rarely surfaced during the ineffectual mud-slinging of the final days. Hats off to true gent, and a farewell too to Mrs Palin. I doubt we'll hear too much more about the governess from Alaska. If we're lucky.