That one can convince one's opponents with printed reasons, I have not believed since the year 1764. It is not for that purpose that I have taken up my pen, but rather merely to annoy them, and to give strength and courage to those on our side, and to make it known to the others that they have not convinced us. G.C. Lichtenberg, Sudelbcher, (Frankfurt am Main und Leipzig: Insel Verlag, 1984), E170 from Sudelbuch E (1775-1776), p. 203. Courtesy of: http://curmudgeonjoy.blogspot.com/ Thursday, 01 November 2012 Is there any reality behind the smoke and mirrors? The particular plumes of smoke and the various mirrors I refer to were on view yesterday in Parliament when 54 Tory rebels, with a little help from their, er, 'friends' in the Labour party, defeated 'Dave 'n' Nick' over the subject of the EU budget.  The motion enjoins the government to actually cut the budget rather than, as 'Dave 'n' Nick' want, to freeze it at current levels with inflation increases only !  'Dave' flexed his pecs (neither a pretty nor a convincing sight) and assured us that when it comes to 'the colleagues', " they don't like it up 'em " and that he is the man to stand his ground against any real increase they might insist on. Well, we all know that he will get precisely nowhere in Europe because he will be outvoted, and now we also know that he will not get very far with his own party.  The rebellion