The Royal Air Force

Giving because they gave all.

Industrial production in the 17 countries that use the euro fell unexpectedly in March, leaving little doubt the region contracted. . .and returned to recession. . .

It gives us no pleasure to say this was not unexpected. How could the slow-motion disaster that is the EU be unexpected?

Unexpectedly U.S. growth has declined, despite trillions of dollars going to Obama cronies and campaign contributors. Unexpectedly U.S. unemployment numbers have gone up, despite anti-business policies which have put small businesses under siege. Month after month, year after year, unexpected reality intrudes. We credit Professor Glenn Reynolds for first pointing out this unexpected mental tic in the media and political classes.

In other parts of the world, crime is unexpectedly up after criminals are not sent to prison. People on the dole for decades unexpectedly don't want to work. A decline in birthrates unexpectedly means that old Europeans can't retire because there is no younger generation to pay for their benefits. South American dictatorships unexpectedly nationalize the assets of foreign companies to prop up their regimes, just as they have been doing for decades. Unexpectedly much of the world has turned colder despite the predictions of global warming. Unexpectedly the Arab Spring is followed by stormy weather. . .

Why is every predictable failure a surprise to the great brains and powers of the world?

Because the best-laid plans and predictions continue to slide into the chasm that gapes between reality and ideology?

Patriotic Americans despair.

Thanks to Instapundit for the link.

Ms. Mantel everywhere displays an easy ability to show us characters' depths in quick flashes, as when Cromwell thinks about the exiled Queen Katherine: "If she is ill in the night, perhaps she dreams of the gardens of the Alhambra, where she grew up; the marble pavements, the bubbling of crystal waters into basins, the drag of a white peacock's tail and the scent of lemons." It's an almost photographic concision employed in virtually no other historical fiction currently being written, one that makes "Bring Up the Bodies" a. . .propulsive reading experience. . .

Henry VIII ad Anne Boleyn continue to fascinate. Mantel received the Man Booker Prize for her first Tudor novel, Wolf Hall.

Unfortunately, stupid ideas don't always die.

Two swallows don't make a summer, so we're reserving judgement.

Whatever its origins, Rule Britannia has long inspired Britons who 'never will be slaves'. It has become a brilliantly patriotic song, the embodiment of Britain's refusal to bow to conquerors with its wildly enthusiastic chorus, Britons never will be slaves!

Rule Britannia, written by James Thomson and David Mallet, and set to music by Thomas Arne, was first performed in 1740 as the finale to Alfred: A Masque.

Drink to me only with thine eyes.

In Glorious, to be released this month, she takes flight with Jerusalem, Sancte Deus (Nimrod), (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover, Race To The End (Chariots Of Fire), Danny Boy, Born Free, Stronger As One (an official anthem for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee), My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose, I Vow To Thee, My Country, Land Of Hope And Glory, and Benedictus.

The Philharmonia Orchestra and Science Museum breaks new ground for Festival 2012 with Universe of Sound. In the ten-week culmination of the Cultural Olympiad, a virtual superorchestra of 105 musicians performs Holst’s Planets at the museum. In some mysterious way visitors will become part of the universe.

The festival is sponsoring 12,000 events across Britain involving 25,000 artists. You can check out the guide here. Ten million free tickets are available.

Her reputation as a writer has grown after her early death.

We think Sir Terence is right that design permeates our lives, and that British design - from iPads to wellies, tea mugs, and minis - has been and could be a tremendous source of energy for new industries and jobs in Britain.

Mini rally at Brigton / Image: Wikimedia Commons

"Not since we joined the EEC 40 years ago have the Continent’s prospects looked so dark. Nor, by contrast, has the rest of the English-speaking world looked so bright: as Europe dwindles, the Old Commonwealth is flourishing. We thought we were joining a growing and prosperous market all those years ago when we signed up to Europe. In fact, we were shackling ourselves to a corpse."

Indeed.

'The Lord bless you and keep you', John Rutter's anthem, beautiful for the 100th birthday of a lady or for a new-born baby or for you.

Roger Helmer MEP, Mark Pritchard MP, and Icelandic journalist/historian Hjortur J Guomundsson tell us how to obtain it. The date is Tuesday, May 15th, 7pm, at Princess Alexandra Hall, Royal Over-Seas House, 6 Park Place, St James's Street. Tickets available from your hosts, The Bruges Group.