Good-bye, Berlusconi!

My friend Matthia (an I-talian by birth) is due to become a citizen of our Republic at about eleven this morning, so I'll keep the update short. First, congratulations are in order to him. He'll be a welcome addition to our national polity.
Congratulations are also in order to CDU leader Angie Merkel, the first woman Bundeskanzler. The cursed Hun has finally seen fit to select a government. Interestingly enough, the losing party (Schroeder's SPD) is getting eight cabinet positions (out of fourteen). In any case, Schroeder is out, and he went out with a bang, insulting "Anglo-Saxon" nations (isn't Saxony a region in Germany?) in General and the United States in particular as a "disaster." That's an amusing comment to hear from Gerhard "Twelve Percent Structural Unemployment" Schroeder, but (as Shakespeare said of Henry VIII) these things are true.
Finally, Mr. Free Market notices that Scotland is attempting to ban air-guns due to the tragic death of a two year old child. This seems an odd choice of prosecution, considering how Scotland has a very high murder rate from very real guns (also banned).
Finally, nine hundred and thirty-nine years ago to-day Duke William of Normandy and King Harold Godwinson of England fought a decisive battle north of Hastings, England. King Harold was killed during the battle, and William became King William I of England (better known as William the Conqueror). William, in addition to building the White Tower (better though incorrectly known as the Tower of London), also built a large abbey on the site of the battle. Though now ruined (mostly by the efforts of Henry VIII), it still is an imposing sight. The altar of the chapel was placed on the exact spot where King Harold fell. My father tells me that there is a good chance that my ancestors fought in the battle. I'm inclined to agree with him.