Back on Track:
How far is this going? So far as I can tell the lines of the tracks run well beyond Istanbul, transcontinentally at least as far as Basra, and transoceanically to Buenos Aires and other locations well beyond that. Beyond the parochial perspectives of Ukania, that is for sure – so farewell Maggie. And running on the twin metal rails of “courage” and “sanity” (you ask for) in Spanish or Italian. You start from – Clackety clack! – here…
…And here is £53 to get you though the first week. Ian Duncan-Smith says he can live off that, or £7.57 a day, “if he had to”, which of course he doesn’t (and that is the difference).
On £53/week: I recommend the summary by Lucy Mangan in the latest Guardian Weekend (6th April 2013) :
“What IDS means is that – at best – he can live for a week on £53, not that he can live on £53 a week. Not if he wants to repair or replace anything (including clothes), go out, have a drink, watch television, use the internet or do anything other than simply exist, in the meanest, coldest dwelling, increasingly isolated from friends, family and any kind of averagely happy, easeful life.
If he and his ilk believe otherwise, they are fools. If they don’t they are liars. Either way they are thieves, stealing more money, peace and dignity from thousands every day.”
(Continued – Parts 2 & 3 below)