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Anthony Zacharzewski

Anthony Zacharzewski

Working to make European democracy work. "Refreshingly free of the usual platitudes". Belge par choix, Brits door opvoeding. President of Demsoc.org but posts here are personal.

📍 Brussels

Communication difficulties

I received a pamphlet from the Communication Workers’ Union the other day, on the importance of keeping the post office nationalised. The pamphlet, called Delivering Quality had one small problem – the title on the spine was Delivering Quaity. A quaity service all round from the CWU.

Decadence

I’ve just finished listening to “Dawn to Decadence” – an audiobook of Jacques Barzun’s magnum opus. With reservations, I would recommend it. The best parts of the book come at the start. Mr Barzun clearly has a comprehensive knowledge and deep understanding for a broad range of European culture,

Terri Schiavo and the morality of politics

There are many worrying aspects of the Terri Schiavo case – not least the hostility to the separation of powers expressed by people who really should know better. Perhaps the most worrying aspect, however, is the way in which the individual wishes of Mrs Schiavo have become a secondary issue, or

What do you mean you don't agree?

The Brighton Argus reports that road safety campaigners were surprised when people polled by West Sussex County Council rejected a proposed 20mph speed limit outside schools. The stunned outrage of the campaigners is amusing to read. “I can only assume that they aren’t parents, or have never lost a

For the facts on Terri Schiavo

As the sad case of Terri Schiavo rumbles on, one Floridian lawyer provides an illuminating introduction to the case’s legal background.

Yesterday's news, in more ways than one

No-one seems to have spotted the irony that Michael Howard’s new plan for travellers (including ‘reviewing or repealing’ the Human Rights Act) was launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Well, perhaps the Morning Star.

One more for the road

A yen for the A307? Get your kicks on the B776? Find out all about it at the Roader’s Digest – a comprehensive catalogue of British roads.

Bad news from Ballymoney

Radio Polonia – the Polish world service – reports (web, mp3) another racist attack on Polish migrant workers in Northern Ireland. Apparently, as Catholics, the Poles are seen as Trojan horses by some (presumably quite dim) Unionists.

What your font says about you

The BBC’s arts-and-talk channel, Radio 4, had an interesting programme on today called “From Arial to Wide Latin” – a half-hour documentary about typefaces and how people use them. The programme’s web site is here, and contains a link to a RealAudio version of the programme.

Trains and automobiles

The Department for Transport has put the papers from its recent Future of Rail conference online. In unrelated news, they have also published their new vehicle emission rating system. (link to WorldChanging)