Ostriches, Italians and the Vatican

I was hoping to start this post mentioning ostriches' habit of putting their heads in the sand.  But alas, the Daily Mail, of all papers, has just published an article refuting various animal myths, including the one about ostriches. 

In spite of the Daily Mail, the myth is likely to be around for a while.  And I've been thinking about it today, with the news coming in about the Italian elections and the unrelated event of Cardinal O'Brien's resignation at the request of the Pope.  Nothing surprises one about Italy, and a great part of the country's charm stems from the feckless unpredictability of the inhabitants.  So the results of the elections, with the significant gain in the vote by the new party led by the standup comedian Beppe Grillo, should not necessarily come as a shock.  But saying no to austerity and the structural reforms accompanying it is a bit like a bankrupt insisting on his daily diet of caviar.   Head in the sand No. 1.

As for the Vatican: conspiracy theorists claim that the Pope's sudden resignation is linked to a report detailing homosexual activity in the Church's higher echelons in the Vatican itself.  The allegations of "inappropriate conduct" (a phrase I detest for its preachy vagueness) against Cardinal O'Brien can't have helped.  The Roman Catholic Church is looking increasingly ridiculous as it preaches a message contrary to the conduct of many of its priests.  Deny the allegations as the hierarchy may, there's a bit too much smoke around for there not to be a fire.  It all needs to be brought out into the open.  Head in the sand No. 2.

And as if this wasn't enough, we have Rennardgate and the Lib Dems.  It looks as if Nick Clegg may be head in the sand No. 3.

The trouble with putting your head in the sand is that you can't see approaching predators line up to attack the body part most exposed to view.  I can't help feeling that even more backsides are going to feel the pinch they administered to others in the past - if you can sort out that series of mixed metaphors!

Antony Mair