From the sublime to the ridiculous

Anything that doesn't fit anywhere else, and is NON CH related - chat about the weather, or anything else that takes your fancy.

Moderator: Moderators

loringa
Deputy Grecian
Posts: 473
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:01 pm
Real Name: Andrew Loring
Location: South Gloucestershire

Re: From the sublime to the ridiculous

Post by loringa »

Foureyes wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:33 am sentinejej,
You write: "There were no movie ratings...."
Are you sure that is correct? I seem to recall that all films were seen by the British Board of Censors, who then classified them into 'U' (=universal; i.e., could be seen by any age)); 'A' (adults; i.e., over 16 (maybe 18); and I think one more for horror films but can't remember what it was called. Also, the certificate from the board was always displayed on the screen prior to the film starting.
David
But all of David's statements / questions clearly come from the USA (movies, candy, Howdy-Doody etc, etc) which presumably had an entirely different set of rules regarding film censorship.
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: From the sublime to the ridiculous

Post by sejintenej »

loringa wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:54 pm
But all of David's statements / questions clearly come from the USA (movies, candy, Howdy-Doody etc, etc) which presumably had an entirely different set of rules regarding film censorship.
It is actually a Canadian site but with a readership and supply from all over the world including notably the UK and Australia. From what I gather the US had (?has) a classification similar to what we had though ages could have been different. In the USA 16 seems to be a cut off age for some types of films.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: From the sublime to the not so ridiculous

Post by sejintenej »

An American author referring to Vietman, the Bay of Pigs, the invasion of Syria (this was before Afghanistan but that applies) publicly refers to that city as Sodom-on-the-Potomac.

Interesting comparison. What about Sodom-on-Thames?
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Politicians the world over

Post by sejintenej »

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. Plato, ancient Greek Philosopher

Politicians are the same all over.
They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.
~Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet Union politician

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it.
~Quoted in ‘Clarence Darrow for the Defense’ by Irving Stone.

Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.
~John Quinton, American actor/writer

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.
~Oscar Ameringer, “the Mark Twain of American Socialism.”

I offered my opponents a deal: “if they stop telling lies about me, I will stop telling the truth about them”.
~Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952...

A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.
~Texas Guinan. 19th century American businessman

I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
~Charles de Gaulle, French general & politician

Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.
~Doug Larson (English middle-distance runner who won gold medals at the 1924Olympic Games

I am reminded of a joke: What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!

I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two are lawyers and three or more are the government.
~John Adams (1735 - 1826)

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Government.
But then I repeat myself.
Mark Twain (1835- 1910)

I don’t make jokes. I just watch the Government and report the facts!
~Will Rogers (1879- 1935)

I contend that for a nation to try and tax itself into prosperity, is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
~Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

A Government which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always depend on the support of Paul!
~Will Rogers (1879- 1935)

The problem we face today is because the people that work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.
~George Bernard Shaw (1856
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: From the sublime to the ridiculous

Post by sejintenej »

question by an Aussie. I don't know who replied

What marks the border between Scotland and England?

It doesn’t. Since 1707 there has been a 110 foot (5 chains as defined in the original agreement of Union) demilitarised zone between the two countries, so the borders aren’t technically shared. The UN has policed the DMZ since 1707 to ensure offensive weapons (such as bagpipes from Scotland, or Morris dancing equipment from England) are not carried across the border.


me'hinks they should keep the haggis out too
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

A lesson that should be taught in all schools and colleges.

Post by sejintenej »

Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothern, a social study schoolteacher at Bobcaygeon (north of Peterborough, Ontario) public school, did something not to be forgotten.

On the first day of school, with permission of the school, Superintendent, the principal, and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room, they discovered that there were no desks.

“Ms. Cothren, where are our desks?”

She replied, “You can’t have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.”

They thought, “Well, maybe it’s our grades.”

“No”, she said.

“Maybe it’s out behavior.”

She told them, “No, it’s not even your behavior.”

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren’s classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the desk-less classroom, Martha Cothren said, “Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.”

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

Martha said, ‘You didn’t earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it’s up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don’t forget it.”

By the way, this is a true story.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
loringa
Deputy Grecian
Posts: 473
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:01 pm
Real Name: Andrew Loring
Location: South Gloucestershire

Heroes?

Post by loringa »

I am always a little concerned when I hear the word 'heroes' used. I do know some genuine heroes but most people who put on a uniform and serve their country are just ordinary men and women who may, or may not, find themselves working under extraordinary conditions. I certainly don't know many (any?) member of the Armed Forces, current or former, who would consider themselves a hero (even when some undoubtedly are).

The word is so often used these days, often entirely inappropriately, with respect to a whole range of worthy and less-worthy individuals but most of them are genuinely not heroes and would really not like to be thought of as such. I would, for that matter, apply that non-soubriquet to most in the NHS as well as the Armed Forces, Police, Fire Service or whatever. They are just like you - they simply do a job which is a bit different and for which the costs may be a little higher.

There are occasionally people in and out of uniform you do something genuinely heroic; let us celebrate them for the heroes they are and accept that the rest are just normal, ordinary human beings.
Last edited by loringa on Mon Nov 08, 2021 11:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: Heroes?

Post by sejintenej »

loringa wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 5:29 pm I am always a little concerned when I hear the word 'heroes' used. I do know some genuine heroes but most people who put on a uniform and serve their country are just ordinary men and women who may, or may not, find ourselves working under extraordinary conditions. I certainly don't know may (any?) member of the Armed Forces, current or former, who would consider themselves a hero (even when some undoubtedly are)
The important thing there is how do the kids see them. Remember kids are brought up on war stories, semi violent films and TV etc etc It is the effect which is important .

Yes, I accept the reason for your caution but I have worked with just a few who, purely for training, were put in very unpleasant conditions. Try being just dumped outdoors on 5 metres of snow and minus 20C for the night with minimal extra gear. They had no idea what they were in for - in fact I have had to do it myself and it was not too bad. (They did survive and no frostbite!).

The Brecon Beacons in mid winter, snow and gales is no pleasant jaunt. Again, been there, done that,

Try being put in charge of 60 youngsters working in the arctic. Most years there is an emergency resulting in some being evacuated - several years ago it was the corpses after bears got them. Been there, done that starting two days after I left CH - I was OK but three seriously burned and evacuated by a navy helicopter which was officially grounded because of a) bad weather and b) crossing national borders without clearance..
I have a lot of respect for the active soldiers and Hereford College even more so.

Supply clerks in the War Office - very different matter.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
loringa
Deputy Grecian
Posts: 473
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:01 pm
Real Name: Andrew Loring
Location: South Gloucestershire

Re: Heroes?

Post by loringa »

sejintenej wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:33 pm
I have a lot of respect for the active soldiers and Hereford College even more so.

Supply clerks in the War Office - very different matter.
I think that's the point - Service men and women do all sorts of jobs in peace an in times of conflict. One day they might be serving in the MOD, the next deployed on operations anywhere in the world. They could be a clerk or they could be a 'blade', based anywhere, doing any job but they can always be called upon to do extraordinary things ... or not. The point is just by serving doesn't make someone a hero; circumstances tend to be the determining factor. In the Falkland's conflict one company group of RM from 45 Cdo was ashore, yomping across the islands yet never engaged the enemy; were they any less heroic than their comrades? In Iraq and Afghanistan the hardest-won operational gallantry awards were, unsurprisingly, to those who disarmed improvised explosive devices. The majority of the soldiers (others were from other services) were from the Royal Logistic Corps, not on the surface the most glamorous of formations and not far removed from your 'war office clerks'!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: Heroes?

Post by sejintenej »

loringa wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 11:19 pm
sejintenej wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:33 pm
I have a lot of respect for the active soldiers and Hereford College even more so.

Supply clerks in the War Office - very different matter.
I In the Falkland's conflict one company group of RM from 45 Cdo was ashore, yomping across the islands yet never engaged the enemy; were they any less heroic than their comrades?
I had understood it was they who were in that night time battle just out of Port Stanley
In Iraq and Afghanistan the hardest-won operational gallantry awards were, unsurprisingly, to those who disarmed improvised explosive devices.
You will have seen that the latest CH VC was in a hot battle as was his cousin who also won the VC
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
User avatar
jhopgood
Button Grecian
Posts: 1884
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2004 6:26 pm
Real Name: John Hopgood
Location: Benimeli, Alicante

Re: Heroes?

Post by jhopgood »

sejintenej wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 6:53 am
loringa wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 11:19 pm
sejintenej wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:33 pm
I have a lot of respect for the active soldiers and Hereford College even more so.

Supply clerks in the War Office - very different matter.
I In the Falkland's conflict one company group of RM from 45 Cdo was ashore, yomping across the islands yet never engaged the enemy; were they any less heroic than their comrades?
I had understood it was they who were in that night time battle just out of Port Stanley
In Iraq and Afghanistan the hardest-won operational gallantry awards were, unsurprisingly, to those who disarmed improvised explosive devices.
You will have seen that the latest CH VC was in a hot battle as was his cousin who also won the VC
As usual we have got off track, but....

I have a good friend from my Junior school, we are still in contact, who was in the Paras in the Falklands and never ever talks about it and probably wouldn't, even if asked.

My father was with the "Bomb Squad" during the early 70's and I met the bomb disposal experts, one of whom lost his life. Again, we never talked about their job.

In both cases, from the outside, and in light of events, they would all have been considered heroes, but they, themselves just got on with their job.

I think the key point is that children can be impressed by adults whom they believe to be doing heroic things, even if the people themselves don't see it that way. And it is the children who need the occasional reminder that the life they now have, is based on the hard work and sacrifice of those who went before.
Barnes B 25 (59 - 66)
loringa
Deputy Grecian
Posts: 473
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:01 pm
Real Name: Andrew Loring
Location: South Gloucestershire

Remembrance

Post by loringa »

Yup - off topic but that's hardly unusual with this forum.

Anyway, I shall be attempting to squeeze myself into a uniform made for me in 1980 this Sunday and paying my respects to the memories of those who made the supreme sacrifice. I am sure you all will be remembering and paying your respects wherever you are either on Thursday, on Sunday or both!

As it says on the memorial at the front of the Dining Hall: 'Sons of this House, let this of you be said: that you who live be worthy of your dead'.
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: Remembrance

Post by sejintenej »

loringa wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 5:18 pm Yup - off topic but that's hardly unusual with this forum.
That was why I created this thread - anything (decent) goes.
Anyway, I shall be attempting to squeeze myself into a uniform made for me in 1980 this Sunday and paying my respects to the memories of those who made the supreme sacrifice. I am sure you all will be remembering and paying your respects wherever you are either on Thursday, on Sunday or both!
I was never in the forces (worked with them a bit) but I will be remembering 101 squadron and my brother.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

Re: From the sublime to the ridiculous

Post by sejintenej »

Post by Ben Zimmer yesterday on Twitter

Today's the 120th anniversary of a key moment in the history of English honorifics. On Nov. 10, 1901, the Springfield (Mass.) Sunday Republican suggested that "a void in the English language" may be filled by "Ms." (pronounced "Mizz") as an alternative to "Miss" or "Mrs."

The full original text is at:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FD2N72SXEAI ... name=large
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
sejintenej
Button Grecian
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:19 pm
Real Name: David Brown ColA '52-'61
Location: Essex

A thought for the year

Post by sejintenej »

2022 Contract

After serious & cautious consideration your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2022!

It was a very hard decision to make so try not to screw it up!!!

My Wishes for You in 2022

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy May the problems you had, forget your home address!

In simple words ... May 2022 be the best year of your life!!!

All the Best and remember. To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
Post Reply