18-year-old mayor.
Hillsdale, Michigan broke the record for electing the youngest mayor in America. He’s 18, still in high school, and won the election as a write-in candidate. The defeated former mayor, 51, accepted the defeat gracefully and returned to running his previous business — a roller-skating rink (!). I did not make this up.
The welfare states are getting weird.
For example, Norway has an angry minister of children and family, who is pushing for a law that would mandate that the proportion of women on every executive board of every Norwegian company be mandated to 40%. The law as she wants it allows for the government to break up (!) a company if it doesn’t comply within two years. I kind of don’t know what to think.
Poop and Dubya’s new suit.
I love Mark Mardell’s Europe Diary on BBC. My two favorite quotes today:
Even before the British presidency began, a good contact in Downing Street told me that despite the politicians’ and media’s attempt to make it a glamorous affair of opportunities, the reality was more prosaic: “It’s a bit like driving your mates to the pub. When it’s your turn, you do it.” Britain now stands accused of party pooping, glumly nursing an orange juice in the corner.
…and…
When president met president the discussion somehow turned to suits, and how nice George’s W’s attire was. Po-faced, he said, “God told me to wear it”. Adding after a couple of beats: “That’s a joke.”