Spanish Woman Claims Ownership of the Sun

Well, I've heard some downright stupid things in my time but my time obviously isn't up as this takes the cake. A Spanish woman has claimed ownership of the sun. Apparently she wants to charge for usage of the sun and pay 50% of the proceedings to the Spanish Government, 20% to the national pension fund, 10% to research, another 10% to fighting world hunger and keep a measly 10% for herself.

And you thought that it could happen only in America. Not so. Just what does she think she is going to charge for? Sunlight? Waves (generated by the sun, actually), heat, promotion of plant growth, etc?

We have laws in this country whereby fruit from a neighbour's tree that is in your property becomes your property. Doesn't that also mean that sunlight in my backyard belongs to me? Anything that is freely available and invades my personal space surely doesn't belong to anyone else. How can you charge for something that you have no control over? Sunlight falling on a solar collector that I own belongs to no-one else, does it?

Gee, would I even give her two years before the lawsuits start? People will sue for premature aging due to the sun, skin cancer, sunstroke, faded curtains, dried up dams, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, damage to the Antartic ice shelf, melting of glaciers, damage to roads, bending of railway lines and subsequent train derailments, people burning feet on roadways, purchase of sunscreen, fires caused by sunlight on broken glass, cracks in render... I could go on. Has she really though this through? I don't think much of her claim, "I am not stupid, I know the law," as I really don't think that she has seen how much trouble she could be asking for. And how many jurisdictions would she have to defend herself in? What do the communist states think of this?

What sort of money raising taxes has she imagined? Is she going to charge a commission from every state/country that uses daylight savings? Will we have to pay a commission of the solar energy collected on our roofs? What about those countries that are in the Artic and Antarctic circles and experience 24 hours of sunlight - will they pay more but get a rebate in winter? Will the charges be in Euros? What about countries that are not able to access foreign currency?

I think that it will be some time before a more stupid idea is brought to life. Maybe she had a siesta in the sun for a little too long. Or received a great dose of sunstroke herself.

Thoughts On The World Cup Final

- Arjen Robben needs to be told that prima donnas don't win World Cups. Only Maradonas win World Cups. His attack on the referee for failing to pay a free kick close to goal when being hampered by Carles Puyol was ferocious. If only he had the same attack on the ball the Netherlands would have been three goals up by that stage. Can't say I've ever seen such poor sportsmanship aimed at a ref, without physically assaulting him that is, by anybody else. Disgusting behaviour worthy of a red card, almost. Officials should never be treated with such contempt. Hang your head in shame, Robben.
- When is a studs-up tackle to the chest not a red card offence? When Nigel de Jong kicks Xabi Alonso. And to think that Miroslav Klose got a second yellow card for an accidental trip. Refereeing needs to be consistent.
- Xavi Hernandez, I'm pretty sure, received a yellow card for playing on too long after offside was called and kicking the ball away to waste time. Good call ref. But Arjen Robben, already on a yellow card, does much the same thing and doesn't get penalised later in the game. What did I say about consistency in refereeing decisions?
- If the Dutch had played their natural game they would have had a much better chance of winning. Where was the free-flowing, complete football?
- You'd think that a professional striker would have the ability to chip a goalkeeper. Robben again gets a mention.
- Only one team was trying to play and that was Spain. Counterattacking is rather counter-productive.
- Spain deserved their win. And my heart wanted the Dutch to win.
- I had red eyes from getting up at 2am to watch the game but the Dutch players will have red eyes from crying for the next four years.
- I was alarmed at Xabi Alonso being substituted and then David Villa with extra-time/penalties looming. But it indicated that the Spanish coach didn't want it to go to penalties and was looking for the winning goal. Great coaching, as it turned out.
- Tactically the Spanish were superior and the Dutch coach only has himself to blame for the loss. That much is apparent and I normally wouldn't place that much emphasis on the coach's ability to influence how the game pans out with tactical changes.

Thank You Spain For Making Feel Proud To Be Australian

Following the annihilation of Australia by Germany, 4-0 if you've managed to erase that from your memory, I have regained my pride in being Australian. And it's all down to Spain at the World Cup.

Let's recap, for those that joined us late:

Spain - Lost once in previous 48 international matches.
Spain - Played Switzerland 18 times in internationals for 15 wins and three draws. I.e. never lost to Switzerland in a full international.
Spain - World Cup tournament favourites with the bookies.
Spain - Has striker David Villa who was pre-tournament favourite to win the Golden Boot.
Spain - Averages three goals a game in the World Cup.
Spain - Has four world-class strikers and they were all on the pitch.
Switzerland - Probably doesn't have enough flat land to have a regulation size football pitch.

Final score. Spain 0 - Switzerland 1. Even the irony of the surname of Switzerland's scorer is delicious. His name is Fernandes.

And I would nearly have put my house on Spain winning. Thank you, Spain, for restoring my pride in being an Australian by putting on an even more hopeless display.