ENGLAND EXITS EUROS.

We are not talking currency here, but football. Just a reminder of the football (soccer) tournament taking place in Poland/Ukraine. England managed to qualify from the initial group stage (four mini leagues of four teams each), by not losing a single game; they didn't actually lose in the the quarter final; after extra time, the score was still goalless; nevertheless, they devised a system during the 'penalty shoot-out' whereby they failed to progress. Italy, undoubtedly, deserved to go through, due their superiority during the actual game. England as usual failed to grasp the nettle, having made the wrong substitutions during the game. Ashley Young, who missed his penalty, should have been replaced long before the game was drawing to its close. The other culprit, from the spot, was another Ashley i.e Cole. He is the former husband of Cheryl. They share a similar intellect. He strolled up to take his kick, sporting his 'last of the Mohican's hair do', and shot something that would have embarrassed Pocahontas. This so-called full back was playing his ninety eighth international, heaven only knows how he managed one. The retarded BBC sports team, which includes endless so-called pundits, included a spot before the game feting this limited footballer, suggesting that he could earn his 100th international cap (appearance) in the final. What a joke!

As most sporting people would know, football was devised/created in our small country, England. Not that one would recognise the fact. We have a type of defensive approach to the game, hoping to score on the counter, without the players to execute this tactic. Some of the players in the team take home more than £200,000 per week. Our domestic Premier League is about to become even more wealthy, which suggests that income will increase somewhat. All this, by the way, as the western world's economies sink irrevocably into it's own west.

England's new manager/coach Roy Hodgson was only appointed a few weeks prior to the competition, and it was noticeable that he soon installed a good camaraderie. Now, however, is the time for the cull. Most, if not all, of the older regime must be dispensed with. Greater mobility in defence is called for, plus a play maker with much more than endeavour.

THE BALL IS FIRMLY IN YOUR COURT, ROY.

EARNING ONE'S CORN.

In one of the weekend papers was a photograph of Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party, and inset, a picture of Ed 'Thoroughly Modern' Miliband, leader of Her Majesty's Opposition. The feature was so striking, Farage looking statesman like, 'Thoroughly Modern' looking his gormless self, typical of someone who only opposes, without any clue how to proceed himself in order to generate any form of authority. The article, however, was of much more importance, as we shall see.  

It is very rare in any European or domestic situation for a politician to represent anyone but him/herself. Anything that betters their own little lot is foremost. Nigel Farage bucks that trend: This last week saw him lambaste the European Parliament in devastating fashion. The subject being the latest futile injection of 100 billion euros into Spanish banks. He packed into his short allotted time so many devastating truths. The most profound being, that part of that injection, 20%, would be underwritten by Italy. He then mentioned that Spain was to expect a preferential interest rate of 3%, giving Italy the problem of raising their contribution, by having to borrow at 7%. This is classic EU fudging. Interestingly, this kind of important story is outside the pathetic BBC's remit.

The whole of Farage's speech is available (video), on his website and no doubt on Youtube. It's a classic.


SOCIALISTS, LOOK AWAY NOW.

THE EURO AND THE EUROS.

Europe is currently preoccupied by two activities; one being the propping up of a failing currency, the euro; the second is the pathetic so-called 'football fest', Euro 2012. The tournament takes place every four years, reminding us that the game continues to deteriorate at about the same rate as that of the participants income increases. Both the currency and the game have vast armies of people supporting their particular cause; both of which are flawed.

There is little point in expounding further on the ever weakening currency, if we don't know by now, we'll never understand the problems. On the other hand, the game of football is awash with petty and cynical fouling; the perpetrator then displays the boorish  "What! me ref. (referee)" look. All this nonsense, for which folk appear to pay large sums of money to be there, is presumably, a part of the training schedule. Unfortunately, the so called pundits, TV analysts and newspaper reporters, are probably too scared to discuss a true reflection of the happenings, for fear of being ostracised by the various camps.

What strikes the author, is that these, in most cases, pathetic performers, 'trouser' in excess of 100,000 euros a week, some much more. If we take the case of the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese contingent who are 'strutting their stuff' while their home nations' economies are going bankrupt. This brings us back to the thousands of travelling supporters. Who are these people? One banner being touted around by the Irish supporters points out to Angela Merkel, 'that they are not working'. You can say that again!


ONE EURO IS AS BAD AS THE OTHER.

EURO-RYTHMICS ARE WAY OFF THE BEAT.

One would have anticipated that for the common currency to be a success, all participants should be throbbing to one beat, singing from the same hymn sheet. This, however, doesn't seem to be the case, as is so obvious to astute witnesses. This mega problem is bound to end in catastrophe, not only for the Eurozone nations, but also for all the trading nations of the world.

It must be difficult for German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, whose facade gives the impression that she is in control of the problem. Unfortunately, nobody can arrest this downward spiral, simply because what is good for the goose is of no use to the gander. The German Parliament will not promise backing for all the imminent debt, simultaneously trying desperately  to retain this self-made leviathan, which cannot survive without introducing one central fiscal control mechanism, which naturally can only be German.

Barack Obama, panicking at the thought of the forthcoming Presidential Election, changes his mind,  just as a chameleon changes colour. Acknowledging on occasions, that we, the Brits, have got it right, by making savings; unfortunately, they are nowhere near enough. Disastrously, he is now thinking of borrowing his way out of trouble. From where do these people get their economic advice? Since the US is close to paying China annually, in interest alone, enough to cover the Chinese military. As with the other so called leaders, he is floundering like an economic neophyte. A fine example being the French, who are about to reduce their retirement age. France, as with most European nations, is deeply in debt. The notion is sold by suggesting that the scheme is costed/funded. How on earth can a nation, which has been borrowing heavily for around four decades, with a diminishing credit rating, possibly substantiate such a ridiculous notion? This decision alone should trigger the British exit from the European Union, post haste; and heaven only knows how the Germans will react behind closed doors.


THE CHINESE HAVE THE ANSWER: WE NEED TO WORK HARDER AND FOR LONGER.

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AND THE EURO.

We have just returned from visiting family in Copenhagen, Denmark. Although a small nation of some 5 million people, they have a stoical view of life; happy with high taxes, but as with Britain, retainers of their own currency, the Danish Kroner. It is difficult to assess whether or not they have serious personal debt problems, as is the case in Britain. Credit card facilities are available at most cash points; this doesn't suggest that everyone abuses the opportunity to pay later anymore than every Brit' takes advantage of all the credit possibilities. What did arise in conversation, is the effect that the Eurozone crisis could have on all nations in the European Union. I quickly pointed out that the repercussions will stretch far beyond Europe, as the whole of the western world has been relying on credit for far too long, both on a personal and national level.

How do we remove ourselves from this economic debacle? Unfortunately, only by going without the things that the 'credit abusers' have taken for granted. The main instigators of the situation have been national governments. In Britain, for example, the previous Labour Government spent much of its time pretending that we were well off, allowing the banks to lend money that did not exist. There is no suggestion here that the same occurred in Denmark, which, for a socialist country, the people display a small 'c' conservatism. One thing is for sure, all the EU nations will feel the draught when the bubble finally bursts, we can't sweep the problem under the carpet indefinitely.

Let me close with a footnote: Jazz is alive and surviving well in many of the City's drinking establishments.


DENMARK HAS A DISTINCT INDIVIDUALITY.