'Frankly, my dear Dave, I don't give a damn!' The pages and pages of newspaper devoted to Dave's tax return is almost enough to turn me into a tree-hugger and the volumes of hot air exhaled by pompous prats on the TV and radio is nearly enough to make me fearful of global warming. Look, the man has done absolutely nothing wrong or illegal or even immoral. What he has done is to follow the advice of a financial advisor whose duty it is to point out the most effective way of arranging your money to avoid paying any more tax than you absolutely have to. Any of you who hold a tax-free ISA for precisely the same reason are no better and no worse than Dave. Of course, the elephant in the room which everyone is studiously avoiding is the obvious fact that our tax laws are a tangled mess from which only tax consultants really benefit. I have forgotten how many pages there are in our book of tax regulations but it must run to about the equivalent "War and Peace" x 100! The solution is equally obvious - a flat tax for everyone on everything - no exceptions, no ducking and diving, no escape clauses. Mr. Ted Cruz, 'over there', is, as far as I can tell, the only politician advocating it and his chances of winning are minimal.
The litter lout is about to strike again: Yes, indeed, as it appears finally to have stopped pelting down with rain I am about to set off round the village stuffing yet more VOTE LEAVE leaflets through people's letter-boxes. Incidentally, now is the time for letter-box designers to get a grip and make a letter-box that opens easily, does not obstruct the entry of letters and doesn't threaten to amputate your fingers if you're a bit slow withdrawing them. My sympathy for 'posties' is growing! In the meantime, and in the words of a proper British hero, "I am going out, I may be some time." (Lawrence Oates, 1880 - 1912)
Bloody weather! Typically deceitful with a beautiful blue sky, big fluffy white clouds - but a gale force wind straight off the arctic! Well, perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration but I had to hold on to my hat as I staggered round.
As if Hiroshima hasn't suffered enough: Sometimes the 'cousins' show no mercy. Having once nearly obliterated the city of Hiroshima (and quite right, too, in my opinion) they have now inflicted a visit by John Kerry accompanied by that utter nonentity who is, according to rumour, our Foreign Secretary. Anyway, Christopher Booker in The Telegraph sums up 'Kerry the Klown' better than I can:
On every issue he faces, John Kerry flounders hopelessly out of his depth. From his support for the ill-fated bid to absorb Ukraine into the EU, to his obsession with global warming, which he calls “the world’s most fearsome weapon of mass-destruction”, Kerry uncannily gets the wrong end of every stick. From President Putin over Syria and President Rouhani over his “nuclear deal” with Iran, to that Paris “non-treaty” on climate change and his deal with China on reducing its “carbon emissions” by building hundreds more coal-fired power stations, the outside world runs rings round him in every direction.
And this buffoon has the temerity to tell us we must stay in the EU so if you need a reason to VOTE LEAVE, that's it!
He's a very naughty 'sleb': Apparently, some married 'sleb' has been caught indulging in a sexual threesome - lucky bastard, no-one ever asks me! - and everyone in America knows who it is but we are not allowed to know because some 'Cocklecarrot' in the High Court has decided we must not be told. But now, apparently, the Jocks know who he is because one of their papers has published the name because the power of the High Court does not extend to 'Jockland'. How ridiculous is that? Mind you, when eventually it's published here, which it will be, I just know my response will be, "Who's he? I've never heard of him!"
Oh, no, say it ain't so: Apparently, Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddlestone have ruled out another series of The Night Manager. Very disappointing although it might just be their agents speaking through them to get the price up! Anyway, all is not lost because so far Ms. Elizabeth Debicki has said nothing so perhaps the writers can build a story around her. And yes, you're right, I only included this item as an excuse to publish a few of her pics:
Apparently she's Australian and if my e-pal, AussieD, can assure me that they all look like her 'down under there', I might reconsider my decision never to emigrate! Incidentally, a note to my foreign readers, if you have not yet seen The Night Manager do not miss it under any circs. It is far and away the best TV thriller produced anywhere in the last few years.
Poor old 'Dick 2', as though he didn't suffer enough: I am slowly and steadily making my way through Shakespeare's Richard II, line by line by line. It is one of the few plays written entirely in verse and one of my self-imposed tasks is to highlight the stressed elements of the iambic pentameter as a guide to actors who, given the current state of education, probably can't spell the term let alone understand it!
It's a tedious job but oddly enough I find it rather fascinating particularly when 'our Will' suddenly changes the rhythm. Also, it makes me wonder, given the volume of texts he wrote, if Shakespeare actually thought in iambic pentameters. They just seem to flow from him.
AIE: Advanced Incurable Ennui: Yes, that's what I'm suffering with and the litmus test is when the very best sport becomes 'boring-snoring'. I have just tried to watch The Masters Golf on the TV. My one and only game of golf that I took part in lasted as far as the 8th hole before I marched off in a bad temper never to return - much to the relief of golfers everywhere. However, I used to enjoy watching it on the 'telly' particularly when the best players used to show real flair. Today's lot are eye-stabbingly tedious, particularly that twitchy fella' Spieth who appears to suffer with St. Vitus Dance. Why does it take him at least four tries just to address the ball, let alone hit it? I gave up and switched off. Is it my age, do you think? On second thoughts, don't answer that!
No more rumbles tonight
Suddenly, the chances of Jeremy Whats-his-name becoming Prime Minister are looking up!
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 08:59
Shhhhhh, BOE, don't even whisper the possibility!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 10:00
G'day All,
Minimizing taxation is fine. Avoiding tax is the no-no. For a prominent Australian's view on taxation I recommend the following.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WTfoT_y-BQ&nohtml5=False
Kerry Bulmore Packer has Gone to G-D.
Posted by: AussieD | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 11:47
Tax evadton is illegal. Tax avoidance is legal and sensible. In Australia and anywhere!
Posted by: Backofanenvelope | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 12:28
AussieD that was a command performance!
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 13:42
Thanks, AussieD!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 14:21
Quote
Tax avoidance is an expression of basic British freedoms. You may not like the principles set out by Lord Tomlin in the Inland Revenue’s case against the Duke of Westminster, but they are as fundamental as Magna Carta, and a good deal more useful to most of us (my italics):
"Every man is entitled, if he can, to arrange his affairs so that the tax attaching under the appropriate Acts is less than it otherwise would be. If he succeeds in ordering them so as to serve that result, then, however unappreciative the Commissioners of Inland Revenue or his fellow taxpayers may be of his ingenuity, he cannot be compelled to pay an increased tax."
Unquote
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/05/tax-avoidance-is-an-expression-of-basic-british-freedoms/
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 14:38
Good grief, a sensible Cocklecarrot!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 14:56
From what I understand you would Know them it was three perves doing the "circle of life"
Posted by: Peter Whale | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 15:16
David, I can't help but notice that today's photos are a bit "slimmed down" from yesterday's assortment. The effects of that "cold Arctic wind" you braved?
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 15:20
Peter, I have no idea what "the circle of life" is but I have a feeling that it might cause my mind to boggle!
I tell you, Whiters, that Debicki lady is delicious!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 15:25
David, since you're a leading member of the vote leave campaign can you please have a word with Booker and his partner in crime, Richard North. (The Telegraph no longer seems to allow comments.)
Every week, (in Booker's case), or every day, (in North's), we get treated to a doom laden diatribe on how we're going to lose the referendum because Nigel or Boris or Carswell or whoever is not following North's Brexit plan to the letter.
Now North's plan is a magnificent peice of work, but the key objective for now must be to cut the Gordian knot this June and worry about untangling the various strands in the months afterwards.
Yes, a coherent plan is necessary, but the constant sniping is not helping.
Posted by: Kevin B | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 15:30
Richard North produces intensively researched densely written pieces that are only read by 3 people. And he doesn't like Farage for reasons lost in the past. Farage on the other hand makes speeches that can be easily understood by anyone who has ever visited an English pub. Booker lies somewhere between the two. I read the DT online by switching off cookies and I am wondering where the comments have gone.
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 15:40
"A leading member of the vote leave campaign". Nah, not me, Kevin, I haven't even got my first stripe yet! And I gave up on Richard North yonks ago for much the same reason as BOE. His didactic, not say autocratic, writing style pissed me off.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 16:14
I didn't know a "flat tax" was a topic of debate "over yonder" in Britain. It is here in some circles and Ted Cruz is a fan of it as am I. However, our current system is so larded up with favors and loop holes that most taxpayers who actually pay Federal income taxes beyond mandatory withholding have learned how to work the system to their advantage. My taxes returns use some of those favors and I pay a tax accountant a pretty penny to use them for me. All legal. The Left would never allow a flat tax and would to the last man, woman and any other gender they could find, fight and die on that hill to stop it. That too is a reason I like it. We have many unused hills here about that are prime burying ground for over committed Lefties. I'll be happy to furnish new shovels.
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 16:56
To be honest, Whiters, flat tax is not really a 'topic of debate' over here, it simply burbles away quietly in the background. Perhaps, given the embarrassment to our political class who may now be forced to publish their tax returns, it might rise further up the agenda - but I'm not holding my breath!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 17:01
That slimy little git Osborne was in favour of it before he became Chancellor.
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 18:06
I just left the same comment over on Dip's site ... not expecting David you'd have a 'Cruz Post' up over there .. or here. Wherever.
Recall Hillary and the White House (among others) ridiculing Cruz' suggestion that what's needed is "carpet bombing ISIS"?
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/fox-host-scorches-cruz-over-carpet-bombing-isis-rhetoric-it-proves-you-have-no-military-experience/
Well. What a difference a few months make:
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2016/04/09/b-52s-arrive-qatar-join-isis-bombing-campaign/82829600/
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 18:40
And, before BoE turns round to "cut me off at the pass" ... yeah I remember BoE.
http://warontherocks.com/2016/04/rediscovering-low-altitude-getting-past-the-air-forces-overcommitment-to-stealth/
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 18:51
@ Whitewall
"David, I can't help but notice that today's photos are a bit ..."
What's that Whiters .. do I detect you're not quite feeling well, David's not "applying the medicine" quite properly? Not in palliative quantity at any rate?
Here:
http://duffandnonsense.typepad.com/duff_nonsense/2014/01/a-tit-or-two-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away.html
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 19:54
By Jove, that doctor had the right idea!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 20:11
My good friend JK, there is nothing better than a good stiff dose of "research" to warm the day. Why my vision is even better...hands a bit trembley though. Wait till Jimmy sees this, he won't sleep a wink.
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 20:33
And I like JK 'researching' my site because my visitor stats rocket up, up and away, as he clicks his way through the D&N history.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 20:45
B52s from Barksdale. I spent 8 weeks there once on Giant Voice. Those were the days. Now I am lucky if Ann lets me use the car!
Posted by: Backofanenvelope | Sunday, 10 April 2016 at 22:18
"Yes, that's what I'm suffering with and the litmus test is when the very best sport becomes 'boring-snoring'."
Snoring boring David? With the very best sport?
Good Lord man - get a grip - yes you're old as dirt but ... if you fondly recall the good Karen Weatherby then surely ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9abyHAqwA7o
There now David. Feeling improved?
Posted by: JK | Monday, 11 April 2016 at 01:17
By Jove, JK, 7.30 in the morning and I'm feeling better already! Also, of course, just to prove what a silly old fool I am, I woke up this morning to discover that some unknown - well, unknown to me! - British chap had nicked the Master's Cup from that twitcher Spieth - jolly good show!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 11 April 2016 at 07:38
That final round of the Masters was something to behold. Spieth was doing well until he came to "Amen Corner" of the final nine. It got him. Young Mr. Willett came on steady and took the title. Hell of an upset! There was coverage of Willett in the club house, as he had finished his round, on the phone with his wife back home in Britain with their new baby as it became clear Speith would never catch up and the win was his! We Americans love that kind of story and the crowd went wild...even at Augusta.
Posted by: Whitewall | Monday, 11 April 2016 at 12:25