20 July 2013

French sceptical as Hollande points to economic recovery

If you read the Hitchiker's Guide, you must be familiar with this passage:

“So… er, what happens next?”
“Oh, er, well the hatchway in front of us will open automatically in a few moments and we will shoot out into deep space I expect and asphyxicate. If you take a lungful of air with you you can last for up to thirty seconds of course…” said Ford. He stuck his hands behind his back, raised his eyebrows and started to hum an old Betelgeusian battle hymn. To Arthur’s eyes he suddenly looked very alien.
“So this is it,” said Arthur, “we’re going to die.”
“Yes,” said Ford, “except… no! Wait a minute!” he suddenly lunged across the chamber at something behind Arthur’s line of vision. “What’s this switch?” he cried.
“What? Where?” cried Arthur twisting round.
“No, I was only fooling,” said Ford, “we are going to die after all.”
Somehow I recalled that bit vividly, while reading this article.


As you can see, the article is even helpfully accompanied by a picture of Mr Hollande looking at (or for?) signs of economic recovery. No, Mr President, sir, the switch isn't on the wall. Not yet, at least.

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