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Monday, August 28, 2006
Sir Alfred Sherman

This blog is in mourning for Sir Alfred Sherman. Full obit in The Telegraph. While given to rather blunt statements from time to time, he was a great man and is sorely missed. In my own secular goyische way, I will say Kaddish for him.

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posted by Croydonian

Lebanon's French dimension and other issues

Friday, July 21, 2006
I've not encountered many international 'special relationships', but Le Monde reckons France has one with Lebanon. It also refers to the deceased Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri as having been Chirac's 'best overseas friend'. Crikey.

Elsewhere, Le Figaro reports the death of Pol Pot's successor as head of the Khmer Rouge, Ta Mok. I won't be sending flowers, although the item notes that his death deprives the justice system of a vital witness. I have some misgivings over victor's justice, but if any post war regime's rulers deserve to go on trial it is those of the Khmer Rouge.

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posted by Croydonian

Thursday, June 15, 2006
Death of an Immortal


Jean-Francois Revel has died, leaving the world and particularly France the poorer. Who will now supply the intellectual ammunition that will some day confront the ossified French model, a confrontation that gets ever more urgent?

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posted by Croydonian

Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Charles Haughey dies

Second only to Mitterand as the vilest individual to achieve high office in a European democracy since the war.

Meanwhile, the world waits with bated breath for Conor Cruise O'Brien's full thoughts on this event, but for now we have this from 1982 :"If I saw Mr. Haughey buried at midnight at a crossroads with a stake driven through his heart, politically speaking, I should continue to wear a clove of garlic around my neck, just in case,'' wrote Conor Cruise O'Brien, a former Irish diplomat and editor of the Observer newspaper, in 1982".


And if the Irish Independent would hurry up and approve my registration I could fill in a detail or two about CCO'B reckoning that the old crook doesn't merit a state funeral.

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posted by Croydonian

Monday, April 10, 2006
Another (good) man done gone
And in greater detail

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posted by Croydonian