Prince Charles is a legend. You leave him alone! (I've thought so ever since that Press Conference before his second marriage where he mumbles under his breath about how awful journalists are.)
With the old lady, I'd turn the topic to Japan, and to (a) the aid Japan itself received from the World Bank etc. after the war, without which it admits it would not have been able to rebuild so quickly from its devastation (you can read all about this on the Foreign Ministry website (ODA section) if you're bothered) and (b) the aid Japan in effect receives by having so much of its defense obligations covered by the US military. At least then the lady might be able to talk about developing countries (in Africa) and former developing countries (like Japan) on an equal footing, which might lead (probably not) to dropping some of the prejudice that it sounds like she has.
Meh, you can't re-educate older people sometimes, you must educate the younger generation and then wait... .... ...
I personally don't like that kind of activism much either. At least half come out just to be a part of the scene, and I doubt that most actually understand the issues at hand.
I agree with your thoughts on Africa, but think that all the headway given through the G8 will fall victim to the superpower's and power's (US, UK, Russia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan) trying to protect their own sputtering economies. I won't paste down my socialist-bent thoughts on capitalist countries "helping" impoverished nations, but it all ends up equaling the opening of new markets for the helpers to exploit.
It's easy for an Irishman to defend the Royal family, Tom. Luckily, you don't have to pay for their drinking habits. In a nation (at least when I left) that took a hardcore attitude towards benefit fraud, the kind of benefits the Royals are getting is out and out criminal. get rid of the whole wretched lot, that's my attitude. I appreciate your subtle irony though.
I don't know much about Japan's aid arrangements after the war, but I'll have a look into it. I won't have to put up with her any more because I start my new job soon, which means I'll have to give up the evening work.
I agree, Jacob. I can't imagine anything that gets decided this week in Scotland will be truly good for poorer nations if it's a true expense to the richer ones. Help in exchange for exploitation just about sums it up.
One good thing about the Olympics coming to London is that they might finally find a use for that stupid Millennium Dome.
Maybe they'll call it the 'Millenium and a Dozen' Dome.
Today's movie quote:
"Anything to declare?"
"Yeah, don't go to England!"
I should imagine the dome will get some use during the Olympics. It cost the best part of a billion pounds to build so it should be used to make some money at least.
Where did you get that quote from Hugh? I like the millenium and a dozen quote too
Yes... the Olympics in 2012. This is a bit of a setback for my 'Ban All Sport' campaign. Still, there's the activism to look forward to, I suppose. If I live long enough, that is.
That's right dad, and what a contingency you''ll have to support the cause in 2012. Let's hope we're both still around to enjoy chanting your Anti-Sport Campaign slogans 
The movie quote's from Snatch... said by the only American character in the film. Anyways, not a big fan of the summer olympics, I prefer the winter olympics a lot more for its great 2-man luge and speedtrack skating roller derbies. Vancouver in 2010 will be the place to be!
Right, I've got you. I remember the scene now. The diamond dealer.
Millenium Dome? That big white thing? I thought they just threw that up for that Bond movie? Huh.
That's right Ron. The Millenium Dome project was one of the lesser issues that finally, and thankfully, drove the Conservatives into the ground. It's construction was controversial and I don't think it's been much of a success. Live and learn, I suppose.
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