It’s extraordinary that there’s no discussion of the UK in the paper by György Frunda (via Arcadi Espada) being debated today in the Council of Europe (countries without formal constitutions obviously don’t count). I’m of the view that cultural nations, like religious sects and Ruby programmers, should be self-financing and not be allowed anywhere near [...]

The NYT editorial Army Troglodytes in Spain is misguided and reactionary (as well as being factually inaccurate re Spain’s history and constitutional order). Troglodytes are good, forward-looking people whose choice of housing reflects a concern for energy conservation; unlike nomads, troglodytes rarely form armies and are generally nice, romantic things like shepherds, brigands and Ruby [...]

Nightfall in Madrid, which was apparently notorious (Pérez Galdós, Rosalía, ca 1872):
In the house a sepulchral silence reigned, but outside the noise was unbearable: carriages came and went without cease; a girl cried the lottery every five minutes, informing the public, “Tomorrow’s the last day to get your tickets. 10 reals for a décimo [tenth [...]