Who knows what those pesky electoral colleges would have done, but in the popular vote for the re-run of the 1960 election, John Kennedy edged out Richard Nixon by 12 to 10. Though close, this could not match the popular vote in November 1960, when, after the inevitable recounts and charges of fraud (especially in Texas, where Kennedy's running mate Lyndon Johnson was Senator), Kennedy beat Nixon by just one tenth of one percentage point – the closest call since the nineteenth century, when only a portion of all those men who were created equal with those inalienable rights were permitted to have their say. (Women's inalienable rights didn't kick in in the land of the free until 1920.)
Reflections such as these appear minor when set against the financial tsunami, or, as the SCMP is calling it, "the most significant economic turmoil since World War II". Apparently, the best way to pilot your enterprise through the destructive 30-foot waves is to shell out HK$5,400 (warning – this is the "early bird" rate and expires on 30 March) to attend a workshop with one Tom Peters on "business in a disruptive, recessionary age". Me, I'd prefer to put my enterprise in the hands of Captain James T. Kirk, Sulu and, especially, Uhura.
Which brings us, and not before time, to this week's poll. Is Asia's greatest newspaper underselling itself with a subscription of only 400 bucks per anum? After all, you have to be an asshole to subscribe.
Reflections such as these appear minor when set against the financial tsunami, or, as the SCMP is calling it, "the most significant economic turmoil since World War II". Apparently, the best way to pilot your enterprise through the destructive 30-foot waves is to shell out HK$5,400 (warning – this is the "early bird" rate and expires on 30 March) to attend a workshop with one Tom Peters on "business in a disruptive, recessionary age". Me, I'd prefer to put my enterprise in the hands of Captain James T. Kirk, Sulu and, especially, Uhura.
Which brings us, and not before time, to this week's poll. Is Asia's greatest newspaper underselling itself with a subscription of only 400 bucks per anum? After all, you have to be an asshole to subscribe.
4 comments:
About Asia's greatest newspaper...
I only subscribe to it since (overall) it is cheaper than tissue rolls and lasts long.
It's a bit rough on the arse, but hey! We certainly are in difficult times and I would need something coarse and cheap to wipe the waves.
Know what I mean?
Ciao!
PS: Word verification is 'urveri'. Is that a woman's name or is it something to do with the urinary tract? Many thanks in advance.
400 hundred bucks? That's $40,000 - which seems a bit steep even for the SCMP's words of wisdom. Of course, if that's beyond your means you can read the Substandard for free.
I do buy the Post on Sundays, but only for the TV listings.
Word verification: desteds, which must mean something.
Thanks, PB. Very probably I was enjoying the anticipation of my prep school "per anum" joke and got a bit too excited for my own good.
In 1960 the Republicans also cried foul about malfeisance in Illinois, Mayor Daley's realm. Plus ca change.
Post a Comment