A couple of people seem to think I went on a bit of a rant last week. Undoubtedly true, but the occasional rant is very good for you, I\u2019m sure. However, if you thought any of my observations concerning the stupidity of Michael Gove were exaggerated, think again. This week he captured another round of headlines with his suggestion that the public should purchase a new yacht<\/a> for the Queen in this, her Diamond Jubilee year.<\/p>\n Not surprisingly, most commentators have suggested that Gove is somewhat out of touch with the views of the general public. Unemployment is at its highest level since the last time the Tories were in power, public spending cuts have decimated local services and Gove suggests that the taxpayer would be delighted to stump up \u00a360m to give the Queen (annual income \u00a3300 million) a new yacht.<\/p>\n David Cameron likes the idea<\/a> as well but only if it is privately funded which led a number of sketch writers to play with the theme of a glorious yacht covered with sponsor\u2019s logos rather like a formula one racing car. Another writer made the observation that generally, when one thinks about giving someone a present for reaching a significant milestone, normal protocol is to have the gift ready to present on the specific occasion. The writer went on to observe that, as far as he was aware, \u201cYachts R Us\u201d had not yet opened any showrooms in the UK and, given the timescale for delivery of a new yacht (which has not yet been designed), he wondered whether Gove and Cameron were proposing slipping the Queen an envelope with a lovely drawing and the inscription \u201cIOU One Yacht\u201d during the festivities. Interestingly, while there’s been no comment from the Queen, as far as I know, Prince Charles has also come out in favour<\/a> of the idea. Only a cynic would suggest that this is because by the time it was delivered he might well be king.<\/p>\n Steve Bell, one of the Guardian\u2019s resident satirical cartoonists, had this to comment on the suggestion. (And, since most of our foreign readership won\u2019t know, that\u2019s Michael Gove).<\/p>\n You really couldn\u2019t make it up.<\/p>\n There\u2019s much, much more to tell you about but not enough time, I\u2019m afraid. So, we\u2019ll have to hold over until next week our description of Pen\u2019s father\u2019s 90th birthday celebrations as well as one or two other bits and pieces. There is just, however, sufficient time to share the following from the Wall Street Journal with you:<\/p>\n A December news release from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control warned of the dangers of Campylobacter jejuni<\/em> bacteria infections on a sheep ranch, but apparently only among workers who used an old-style (19th century) method of castrating the animals.\u00a0 CDC strongly urged that workers stop biting off the sheep’s genitals and instead use modern tools. [Wall Street Journal, 12-8-2011].<\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"Gove](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stragnell.com\/befoulednews\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/gove_yacht.jpg?resize=512%2C380\" "\\"Gove")
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