Leapy Lee - chart topping singer of the 1960s and 70s

Every week I write and article for the Euro Weekly News, an English-speaking newspaper covering all the major resorts of Spain and the Balearics. You can pick up a copy on a Thursday ... or read it here every week.

Thursday 8 February 2007

Wow! All the pretenders to my 'King of the Tirades' title were certainly out in force last week. The most dangerous threat I think came from Mr. J E Swanson from Torremolinos, who's rambling missive accused me of just about everything from paranoia and bigotry to the genocide of the North American Indians. This erratic disjointed narrative was far too long to answer in detail (as if I would even bother) however I did take umbrage to one point he made, when he insinuated I had somehow been derogatory toward Spain. Just as a matter of interest Mr. S, no one is more full of admiration for this, my chosen country, than I. In fact I am extremely happy to be a small part of this emerging nation, as opposed to the U. K., which is undoubtedly submerging. I heartily agree the U.K. has a deplorable past record in the annuls of history - albeit a past that for many years now I feel they have been trying to redress - but I am also still proud to be a part of that once great nation. Choosing however to live in Spain I have now resided here for over 26 years and have been a close observer of its recovery from fascism and its remarkable successes during this period. I also need no reminder of its educational qualities. I have put in the hands of this country my most precious possessions, namely my children. Three of my offspring's were born here and one has been in the country since she was 18mths old. All have, and are being educated in Spanish schools, and all are fluent in Catalan, (almost) Castellano and of course English. My third eldest is about to marry the love of her life, a handsome, dashing member of the Guardia Civil, so soon I will even more closely related and I am, I can assure you, absolutely delighted.

So you see Mr. S., before you condemn my views with rhetoric and presumption try to interpret my column with an open, non fanciful mind, obviously influenced with barely disguised dislike for your own heritage and presumably your country of birth.

Methinks thou d'oth protest too much Mr.S.

To be quite honest, I really don't enjoy filling my column with explanations as to past scribbling but I will make an exception this week and give a short reply to Ms Sears and Mr. Scotford who's letters were also published recently. Briefly (not that it's any of their business!) as far as my own immigration status is concerned, I have never sent money 'home' this is my home and my income, meager as it is, is all re distributed within the Spanish economy. All the monies I saved in Saudi Arabia, where incidentally, during my tenure, there was no such thing as income tax, I brought here with me and subsequently invested in a business (albeit a disastrous one!). Having said all that, I have no objection to people sending money home to family or loved ones, or anyone else for that matter, it was the vast sums, running into billions a year reported to be leaving the shores of England that I took exception to and why I suggested some form of restrictions. Merely a case of common sense I would have thought. But then, with the present traitorous government of double dealers and power crazy con men the only common sense that exists among this spin happy gang of crooks, is the one that tell them to feather their own nests all they can, while they can. The sooner they are voted out the better. Mind you my heart sinks when I look around at the alternatives. No thanks I'm quite happy here in Spain, enjoying their enthusiasm, having the odd moan up, reveling in the quality of life and bringing my family up in a country which has, it seems, at least up to now got it's priorities right.

So there you have it. Once again thanks for all your missives. Keep 'em coming. Also a special thanks to all who give me a pull when I'm out and about, always interested in your opinions, well, were all entitled aren't we?

Y'all keep the faith now.

Love Leapy

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