Shaun Ley's US Odyssey.
Shaun will be your host for The World This Weekend at 13.00 today on BBC Radio 4. He writes:
"Just heading back into Washington from Chevy Chase (the place not the person).
Had my first proper cup of tea since Monday morning (the interviewee's other half is from the UK and always brings tea bags back from visits home).
It does feel a bit odd being at what's usually the centre of US politics when most of the politicians have gone away. All the colour of the campaign is elsewhere. Indeed the only excitement was the street theatre of Halloween; the one night of the year when stuffy, staid Washington let's its hair down (and judging by last night, paints it a different colour).
DC stands for District of Columbia, and because Washington it's not a State, the people who live here have limited political rights. Until about 40 years ago, they couldn't even vote for the President. Now they can, and they have a delegate in Congress, but she isn't allowed to vote.
The citizens of DC pay their taxes; so whatever happened to 'no taxation without representation' ?
Some gossip before I go : a Democratic congressman claims Republican politicians have been whispering in his ear that they're voting Democrat for President; one of the country's leading election experts that one Senator will face a run-off in December, which could be a nail biter for determining whether or not the Democrats end up in full control of Congress; and apparently Obama bought four new pairs of shoes from a local shop the other day; all those rallies have worn out his soles."
READ ALL OF SHAUN'S COPY BY CLICKING ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT: SPECIAL:SHAUN LEY'S US ODYSSEY.
Listen to PM
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~30~RS~)
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Fancy Sarah Palin falling for the Canadian wind-up, when the Canadian host posed as Nicolas Sarkozy ;-)
A little gullible eh?
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Ooo, I like a bit of gossip -- thanks Shaun and Eddie!
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My Canadian brother in law used to get his tea bags sent from there. Fussy Brits could do the same. Americans are used to the tea that is sold there. You don't go to another country and complain about the culture. The Empire is long gone.
After Stephen Fry's program about his journey across all 50 States, he said that Ohio was boring on his appearance on the The One Show. It turns out that he only crossed the NW corner of the state to get from Indiana to Michigan and all he discussed was the Kent State incident that took place in 1970. And Kent is 3/4 of the way across the state from where he travelled.
Say hi to my brother in Chicago.
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Shaun, can you say hi to my sister up on US 41 South, Marquette, Michigan and tell her not to worry about Mrs Palin just because she put the 'Alas' in Alaska!
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Lovely story, Shaun - but in Val P's absence, I'm itching to get my red pen out and give you a lesson in the use of the apostrophe ;o)
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Gillian (5), I'm picturing you in dominatrix gear as you do that!
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Um, maybe I ought to have kept that thought (6) to myself!!! :-)
A, x.
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Appy - thanks for giving me the first laugh of the day! xx
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Is there anyone above the janitor at BBC who did not get at least one junket to the US using the election campaign as an excuse to travel there at license fee payer's expense?
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Uh Uh Gillian and Appy are off ;-(
Was this the bit about 'and because Washington it's not a State'
In which case Sean just skim read it.
All BBC have training on the apostrophe - don't they?
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I tippexed out the offending apostrophes ... but when I scrolled down they reappeared.
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I really enjoyed The World This Weekend, though - and the pic's certainly added to the reporting. Thank's, Shaun. ;o)
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Hmmm, Gill, I wonder if you really needed an apostrophe there? "Pic's"? Maybe "pix" (horrible text speak). I mean, if we're going to be picky... :o)
Doesn't Sean look lovely though??? Even for a trekky fan.
Must away - off to play Nutcracker for 3 hours. That should be fun.
Settle down boys! That wasn't a rude remark.Just get back to your work now please.
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annasee @ 13, I think she did it on purpose: see also Thank's.
And I'm with Gillianian and Appers on this one: a boss's boss at London Life, many years ago, wrote an article for the in-house magazine and entitled it 'The Apostrophe S in English Usage -- A Public Service Announcement', and claimed he had been impelled to do so by a memo he was sent in which 'the apostrophes were sprinkled like fly-dirt, randomly among the words'.
It included the point at which he for illustration he 'needed a singular word ending in s that was on everyone's lips; "herpes" came to mind, and I had to go and lie down.'
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MAII 9, I think Russell Brand is above the janitor when he is not too busy visiting Voluptua.
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Obama will never be President of the USA. The American people will not allow it.
Jeffcasey
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Jeff Casey (16) - Get yourself to a bookmakers. If you are right, then they willl give you 9 pounds for every pound you care to speculate. And bookies just love to give away money!
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DMcN @ 15, go and wash your mind out with soap and water! :-)
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Jc 16, Dewey Wins!
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