Monthly Archives: August 2020

A YouTube film of decay

In a dark corner of YouTube is this time lapse film of a bowl of fruit decaying.

Posted in Film, Health | Tagged | Leave a comment

Book Review: H H Kirst The Revolt of Gunner Asch (Translator: Robert Kee) (1955)

Kirst is best known for Night of the Generals, which became a terrific film (1967) starring Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif. Kirst can be counted as an unlucky German. He was born in 1914 and was 19 when Hitler took … Continue reading

Posted in Literature, Review | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hitler’s declaration of war on the USA, 11th December 1941

Deputies, Men of the German Reichstag! A year of events of historical significance is drawing to an end. A year of the greatest decisions lies ahead. In these serious times, I speak to you, Deputies of the German Reichstag, as to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Lincoln on Trump

Posted in Humour, Politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A Chris Rock quip

Gun control? We need bullet control! I think every bullet should cost 5,000 dollars. Because if a bullet cost five thousand dollars, we wouldn’t have any dead innocent bystanders.

Posted in Humour, quips | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Transition from Workhouses: the 1930s

By the 1920s the workhouse system was anachronistic. Democratic reforms in 1918 meant wealth was no longer a qualification for the franchise. The 1929 reforms of relief of the poor led to the formation of Public Assistance Committees. This didn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Finance, History, local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The perils of St Peter’s judgement

Three guys die and once they got to the Pearly Gates they were met by St. Peter. “How many times did you cheat on your wife?” He said to Joe who was at the front of the queue. “None. I … Continue reading

Posted in Humour, Religion | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Diplomatic niceties gone mad: Ireland 1945

Under the heading ‘People and Places’, the Fianna Fáil-backed Irish Press reported laconically that the Taoiseach [Prime Minister] and Minister for External Affairs, Éamon de Valera, accompanied by the Secretary of External Affairs, Joseph Walshe, ‘called on Dr Hempel, the … Continue reading

Posted in History, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Contrasting values in a marriage

Posted in Humour, photography, quips | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Heinrich Himmler’s analysis of a perfect SS man and sub-humans

For the SS Man, one principle must apply absolutely: we must be honest, decent, loyal, and comradely to members of our own blood, and to no one else. What happens to the Russians, the Czechs, is totally indifferent to me. … Continue reading

Posted in History, Politics, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment