As the cracks in the EU begin to show, you can imagine what fun Dalrymple will have with politicians who say things like this:
We are motivated by a very simple and very strong conviction: to help Greece today is to protect our common currency but also to defend the incomes and the work of the French people tomorrow. Over and above the debates among the twenty-seven states, the solidarity of Europeans is total.
“On the one hand, life is too short to analyze and argue against this preternaturally boring drivel; on the other hand, not to do so is to allow its perpetrator to remain invulnerable within his carapace of self-regard and self-importance.”
Solomon himself made precisely the same observation (Proverbs 26 4-5): may it console Dr. Daniels to know that he is in good company…
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
(I’m glad I took the trouble to look that one up – definitely worth it!)