Churchill once described Russia as ‘a riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma’. I thought he was talking about China. Googled it to find the quote and learned it was Russia. Bummer. Churchill also once famously retorted to a woman at a dinner party when she said to him ‘Sir, you are drunk!’, by saying ‘yes, madam, and you’re ugly, but in the morning I’ll be sober’. You gotta love Churchill.

But getting back to China (?), they’re holding their five-yearly national congress of the communist party. Not quite as big as the 10-yearly National Assembly or whatever they call it, with just 2280 delegates at this one. All smartly dressed (compulsory), full dress military uniforms (compulsory) and all in receipt of a hard copy of the three-and-a-half-hour President’s speech so they can study it as he delivers it. And study it they do, making notes in the margins like a bunch of schoolkids in history class. If you yawn or fall asleep you’ll be taken out and never seen again. That’s democracy in China. Ruled by one man with the power of all the gods combined. Who set in motion the process to extend his 10 year tenure, which ends in 2023, longer. Much longer.

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. (Not Churchill, different old geezer, not as funny).

And the Harvey Weinstein ‘thing’ is all about power. And its chronic and sustained abuse. Its not about sex, per se, but about feeling you can live out your fantasies just because you can get away with it. Getting caught with your fingers in someone else’s cookie-jar. 47 times.

But you can’t help wondering when this, the biggest story for decades in Hollywood, and looking certain to get much bigger as doubtless other ‘big players’ will become accused and the entire ‘casting couch’ culture suddenly put in the spotlight with whistle-blowers (among other things) queuing up in the wings, you have to wonder how Donald Trump feels when he reads (or probably has people read it to him) every day the story unfolding. Because its his story too. He must be squirming every time he hears the name Weinstein mentioned.

Though whereas Weinstein has effectively lost his job, his company is being boycotted by all and sundry, he’s a national disgrace and may end up in prison, Trump’s punishment was to be elected president. Unsurprisingly, the White House has made no comment whatsoever so far on the scandal.

Happy Thursday

A xxxx