Sturm und drang
MUCH sturm und drang in various parts of the world. Tomorrow the Americans decide in a presidential election after a campaign that has raised the vitally important issues of locker room boasting about sexual conquest; actual groping of unwilling females; and the careless use of e-mails.
In Britain, the Brexit process has a sudden spoke in the wheel following a high court ruling that it has to go through parliament – where Theresa May has a majority of only 17 in the Commons and would probably lose in the House of Lords – and it cannot be triggered by Theresa herself as prime minister.
And here in South Africa we have the head honcho of Eskom bursting into tears over what Thuli Madonsela said about him in her final report.
All this has entertainment value. Unfortunately however it seems we are also about to witness chilling tragedy as Russia launches a final aerial bombardment to destroy the Syrian city of Aleppo. While this has been developing, others are focused on sexual gropings and the e-mails issue. Great spoilers those Russians are.
The American presidential race is suddenly too close to call as FBI director James Comey has intervened with a letter to Congress informing them that he has re-opened investigations into Hillary Clinton.
The New Yorker takes it up. The announcement provoked howls of protest from Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta, it says.
"'To say that they are investigating so-called ties between Hillary and Bill Clinton while offering no specifics about what those ties might be is unconscionable this close to an election,'" Podesta said.
"Comey, however, stood his ground, telling reporters there was no way the FBI could divulge the results of its Clinton-Clinton probe before election day.
"'We have reason to believe that the ties between these two individuals go back to the nineteen-seventies,' he said. 'This is going to take some time'."
Yes, this is of course satirist Andy Borowitz again. But it's uncanny how, in all the confusion, Borowitz unerringly puts his finger on the issues. I suspect many Americans worry at the thought of sleazy old Bill turned loose in the White House again to grab ass among all the interns. Grabbing ass has, after all, been a major issue of the election.
Re Brexit? As the analysts say, hier kom 'n ding! I mentioned it some weeks ago. Remember where you read it first!
Great rugby
WHAT a glorious and gutsy showing by Ireland, beggorah! Their defeat of the All Blacks was in Chicago (Huh?), not at Landsdowne Road, but we can be sure Dublin is still heaving.
Five tries! And the way they held on to their unanticipated but diminishing lead, then increased it in the final minutes to something unassailable, was the stuff of legend; also, to be more mundane, proof of a side that has its act together.
Roll on the Six Nations!
Also, the emotional and generous congratulations of the All Blacks after the final whistle – and the ending of their record run of Test victories – fully captured the spirit of rugby.
And the Boks versus the Barbarians – this was glorious, carefree, running, tackling and rucking rugby. The final score of 31 each could not have been more appropriate.
The Baa-baas by tradition all wearing their club socks – again, the spirit of rugby. Club rugby is the base of it.
Baa-baas threequarter Melina Nainai was especially brilliant – and he surely has the most picturesque name in rugby. (It reminds me of a girl I once knew).
A great showing by the Boks against a potent international combination. But next week it's England, who arey a truly redoubtable single nation. And next week it won't be the same Boks as played against the Baa-baas – we gave all the youngsters a run.
Yep, next weekend's going to be a very tough 'un.
Slowdown
OVERHEARD in the Street Shelter for the Over-Forties: "This economic slowdown is taking me down the drain. I've lost half my net worth and I've still got a wife."
Tailpiece
PADDY and Mick are out on the marsh hunting duck.
Paddy: Four hours we've been here, Mick, and not a single duck."
Mick: "I tink next time dey fly over we must trow de dogs a little higher."
Last word
In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia. Charles Lindbergh
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