Wednesday 14 October, 2026

Cyclamen A staggeringly beautiful plant, seen in a Norfolk garden. Quote of the Day ”During my time as a political strategist, one of the most vexing problems was figuring out why so many people vote against their perceived interests.” James Carville, Bill Clinton’s guru famous for “It’s the economy, stupid” mantra. Musical alternative to the morning’s radio news Andy Irvine | Never Tire of the Road Link Andy’s tribute to Woody Guthrie. Thanks to Philip King (Whom God Preserve) for reminding me of it. Long Read of the Day Gaslighter | Denier Contrary to its government’s unctuous PR, my native land is the worst-governed country in the EU, if not in all of Europe. It has an administration that has money (in the form of multinational corporation taxes) coming out of its ears, and yet can’t build a children’s hospital in less than six years, never mind the new towns that its growing population desperately needs. Two courageous Irish public intellectuals are calling out the…