Tuesday, December 12, 2006

AN OBSERVATION ABOUT POLITICS



I was trawling through the BBC politics pages today when I came across this photo along with another yawn-worthy story about Iran - whatever, as my kids would say...
However what struck me, as often struck me towards the end of Bill Clinton's time in power too was the effect political power has on the younger politician's physical appearance. Up till Clinton and Blair, we have, on the whole, been used to older world leaders who already appeared grey-haired at the outset of their terms in office but when politicians gain high office earlier in life, it seems age them dreadfully. At the start of his presidency, Clinton was dark-haired but by 2000 he was already completely grey (sorry gray), ok you could argue that was actually marital strife and sleepless nights rather than the world economy, but Blair too seems to have aged by many more years than he has actually been in power. I wonder if all those years in publishing have done the same to me or if this affliction only comes with the big job!?

1 comment:

The Scudder said...

I'm saying nothing pet but at least you've no' reached this stage yet ,,, Huv ye ?
Nappy days
Further tales of old age. We hear of two pensioners meeting in the Braehead Centre with one complaining about all his aches and pains. His pal says that, on the contrary, he feels like a newborn baby.
"How's that?" says his mate.
"Well, I've got nae hair, nae teeth, and if I don't get a move on I'll wet myself."