Hoy por Hoy - La mirada | Luis García Montero: "Monjas ladronas, policías mafiosos, socialistas machistas y hospitales que desatienden a sus enfermos"

SER Podcast | Aired: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this incisive editorial segment, the hosts of “Hoy por Hoy” reflect upon a series of recent Spanish news stories that seem to invert moral and social expectations. Using literary references and poignant irony, they comment on scandals involving nuns who steal, corrupt police officers, workplace harassment in government, and hospitals prioritizing profits over patient care. The episode underscores the importance of critical thinking and self-examination in confusing times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Living in a World Upside Down (00:08–00:30)

• The hosts open with a surreal tone, blurring the boundaries between days and realities, questioning, “No sé si se puede decir con seguridad que hoy es martes 9 de diciembre o un viernes 25 de julio” [00:12], highlighting the confusion created by recent events.
• Literary reference: José Agustín Goytisolo’s “El lobito bueno” is evoked: “Un mundo al revés soñaba José Agustín Wittisolo, pensando en un lobo bueno, unos corderos maltratadores y un pirata honrado.” [00:17]
• This sets the frame: sometimes, real life outstrips fiction in its inversions and contradictions.

2. Shocking Scandals Across Spanish Society (00:31–01:24)

• Stolen Art by Nuns: “Nos hablan de un registro judicial y de unas monjas que roban 30 obras de arte... para venderlas.” [00:33]
• Police Corruption: “En Valladolid se detiene al jefe antidrogas de la Policía Nacional por quedarse con los alijos de las operaciones.” [00:39]
• Misconduct & Sexism Within PSOE Government: “En la Moncloa... estalla el escándalo de los acosos sexuales a las empleadas y las estrategias de ocultamiento del director del departamento de Coordinación Política, ahora convenientemente cesado.” [00:45–01:06]
• Hospitals Chasing Profits: “Las grabaciones del máximo ejecutivo de Ribera Salud nos explican que en el hospital de Torrejón... no es importante tratar bien a los enfermos porque resulta prioritario hacer negocio.” [01:06–01:14]
• Each example – nuns as thieves, anti-drug police as criminals, socialist officials as chauvinists, hospitals run as businesses – paints a picture of institutions betraying their core missions.

3. Political Deflections Amidst Crisis (01:19–01:31)

• The segment notes the response (or deflection) from the President of the Community of Madrid: “fiel a sí misma, en vez de dudar de sus privatizaciones acusa de todo al presidente del Gobierno.” [01:24]
• The hosts lampoon the tendency of political leaders to shift blame rather than engage in self-critique.

4. The Irony of Reality and Hope for Reflection (01:31–01:55)

• Summing up: “El puente de diciembre se va con las noticias de un mundo al revés. Monjas ladronas, policías mafiosos, socialistas machistas y hospitales que desatienden a sus enfermos obligados por la autoridad a pensar en las cuentas de resultados.” [01:33–01:43]
• Call to critical self-examination: “Así conviene mirarse al espejo, fijarse bien en uno mismo, no olvidar que somos quienes somos y salir a la calle con la esperanza de que hoy 9 de diciembre, no haga un calor propio de julio.” [01:47–01:55]
• The hosts urge listeners not to lose sight of their own values amidst societal disarray.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Surreal Reality
  • “A veces la realidad es más imaginativa que la poesía.” — Co-host [00:17]
• Literary Perspective
  • “El mundo al revés soñaba José Agustín Wittisolo pensando en un lobo bueno, unos corderos maltratadores y un pirata honrado.” — Host [00:17]
• Biting Satire of Institutions
  • “Monjas ladronas, policías mafiosos, socialistas machistas y hospitales que desatienden a sus enfermos obligados por la autoridad a pensar en las cuentas de resultados.” — Co-host [01:34]
• A Call for Self-Reflection
  • “Conviene mirarse al espejo, fijarse bien en uno mismo, no olvidar que somos quienes somos y salir a la calle con la esperanza...” — Host [01:48]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:08–00:30 — Opening, disorientation, and literary reference.
• 00:33–01:14 — Enumerating the recent scandals: nuns, police, government, hospitals.
• 01:24–01:31 — Madrid leader’s response and political blame games.
• 01:34–01:55 — Summary and call to individual introspection.

Tone & Style

Faithful to the original, the tone is ironic, at times satirical, drawing from both poetic imagery and sharp social critique. The hosts balance outrage and humor—a hallmark of Spanish morning radio commentary—inviting listeners to be informed, vigilant, and self-aware.

For new and regular listeners, this segment distills a week of troubling headlines into a poetic, ironic commentary on contemporary Spanish society—offering a chance to reflect not just on the news, but on personal values.