Weather Whining

The Brits are famous for talking incessantly about the weather (hey, it's variable so there is plenty to discuss) and we all like to complain it too (though not as much as the New Yorkers do about typical weather: in my experience people there complain it is too cold every winter... and while it is brutally cold it is always that way; then they complain it is too hot in the summer and yes, it is always hot in the summer). This winter has been the coldest in 30 years so complaints are not unexpected, but I don't get it when people argue that local government is at fault for not clearing the snow and ice quickly enough. I'm sure there are inefficiencies but on the whole the consensus here is the same as much of the western world, limit public spending and keep taxes low. So how does that square with spending money on redundant capacity to cope with once in 30 year weather? I'd say 10 years after the last serious winter necessary redundant capacity become waste and everyone "knows" that cutting waste is key to good government.

Happy New Year pt 2

I did miss some impressive fireworks in Edinburgh judging by the TV. Here in Inverness the street party planned was canceled for the weather.