This week’s ragbag of amusements masquerading a thoughtful quotes …

We need to have more Europe.
[German Chancellor Angela Merkel; BBC News, 8 December 2011]

Never has Europe been so necessary. Never has it been in so much danger. Never have so many countries wanted to join Europe. Never has the risk of a disintegration of Europe been so great. Europe is facing an extraordinarily dangerous situation.
[French President Nicolas Sarkosy; BBC News, 8 December 2011]

After which one is forced to agree with Shakespeare …

Hell is empty and all the Devils are here.

But then again …

Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun.
[George Scialabba]

So are Americans any better than us?

Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.
[John Steinbeck]

Guess it explains some differences in attitude though!

When I was born I was so surprised … I didn’t talk for a year and a half.
[Thoughts of Angel]

One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures in them.
[Thoughts of Angel quoting George W Bush]

Which could also explain quite a lot especially when bearing in mind …

When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion, it is called Religion.
[Robert M Pirsig]

So there is only one solution …

Don’t worry, just breathe. If it’s meant to be, it will find its way.