“Murder by Matchlight” character offers wisdom about big government

Octogenarian landlady in 1944 British novel talking to its detective hero about villainous murder victim.

“Black market, then?” inquired Macdonald.
“I didn’t say so — and I don’t know,” she replied. “But when governments go making all these rules and  regulations, why then the Johnnie Ward’s of this world say, ‘Where do I come in? — same’s they did with prohibition in America. Always happens.”

Yes. Gummint opens up a whole new world of possibilities, does it not? Always happens.

French president to a grieving nation: “We will lead the fight, and it will be merciless” – Vox

Can we imagine the inveterate enemy-placater Obama saying this?

“We wanted to be here, among all those who saw these atrocious things, to say that we will lead the fight, and it will be merciless,” he said.

“When terrorists are capable of committing such atrocities, they should be certain that they are facing a determined France, a united France … a France that will not let itself be intimidated, even if today we are expressing endless emotion at this drama and this tragedy,” Hollande said. “This was an abomination because it was a barbaric act.”

No.