Monthly Archives: October 2023

Modern Inflation: Shrinkage

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Blaise Pascal: On belief in God

“If I believe in God and life after death and you do not, and if there is no God, we both lose when we die. However, if there is a God, you still lose and I gain everything.”

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Joey Chestnut: A human dustbin

This photo is of what he *ate* in 10 minutes in an eating competition. Source Joey Chestnut sets world record with 74 hot dogs at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest; third straight win and 11th in 12 years (yahoo.com)

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A Paul Merton quip

“My school days were the happiest days of my life, which should give you some indication of the misery I’ve endured over the past 25 years.”

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Film Review: The Great Escaper (2023) (Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson)

Two great actors come together to make a wonderful film. It’s a biopic of Bernie Jordan who, aged 89, ‘broke’ out of his care home to attend – as an unofficial guest – the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.1 … Continue reading

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Book Review: Michael Dobbs ~ The Final Cut (1994)

Dobbs is the greatest political novelist since Anthony Trollope in the Victorian era. His political ‘insider’ status and dialogue is outstanding. This re-read was an unmitigated joy from start to finish. What I’d forgotten was that this novel – the … Continue reading

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When does life begin?

A catholic priest, a Church of England clergyman and a rabbi discuss when life begins – “…at conception” said the priest, “…at birth” said the clergyman.  “…when the children grow up, leave home and the dog dies” said the rabbi. … Continue reading

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Two footballing greats comment on modern footballers

“I have to adapt to what young players are now. Lampard at 23 was a man. Players now at 23 aren’t men, they’re brats.” Jose Mourinho   (2)  Today’s young players think first of cars, contracts with their sponsors, and … Continue reading

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Sex education in the 1950s

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Education, Education, Education

Ask me my three main priorities for Government, and I tell you: education, education and education. Tony Blair’s speech at the Labour Party Conference, 1 October 1996 “[Gove] apologised, however, when the list of terminated school-building projects he had released … Continue reading

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