OneGuyFromBarlick

Thanks for bumping up that story. When the noble says, "So this life of man appears for a short space but of what went before or what is to follow we are ignorant. If, therefore, this new doctrine contains something more certain, it seems justly to deserve to be followed” it also sounds like an early hint that we should embrace scientific study. Using gravitational waves to `see' back to the beginning of the universe fits the bill perfectly!

I love the story and as near as we can tell it's an accurate account.

See today's Bob's Bits and think about the present round of library closures....

"There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, a republic of letters where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration". Andrew Carnegie.

On `What the Papers Say' this morning they noted that one of the tabloids had `Bottom drops out of G-string market'. Apparently M&S have decided to stop selling thongs.

G strings don't have a bottom to drop out, typical tabloid sensationalism!

" The thong has ended but the mammary lingers on...." (Sorry, couldn't resist it....)

Re - the Bisto blunder. . .

Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.

Francis Bacon Essays (1625), "Of Studies".

Always liked that one......

Does the Bisto Blunder refer to the teacup event or to my pension jeopardy? Either way, I like the phrase!

"Does the Bisto Blunder refer to the teacup event or to my pension jeopardy?"

I do hope everyone is keeping up - otherwise that sentence will not make a lot of sense.

This thread is like a small rivulet meandering though a meadow...... Even I don't understand the reference to your pension Tiz.....

From Bob's Bits this morning.....

The greatness of a scientist does not rest on the fact of his having never made a mistake, but rather on his readiness to admit that he has done so. William Bayliss.

Thinking of all the war and strife still going on around the world and then I heard Mary Beard, quoting Tacitus: "They make deserts and call it Peace".

Overheard in a tea shop at the antique saleroom this morning - from an elderley gent. . .

"I'm voting out - it did no harm to the Americans when they broke away from us"

"Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country. Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary"

From Bob's Bits June 24th, the day of Brexit....

England beat Australia by 44 - 40 at Rugby Union, completing a series 3 -0 whitewash.
Headline in a local newspaper

"Well done England - now two continents hate you"

BBC news at ten Huw Edwards -

"David Cameron has said that the Government would not tolerate intolerance"

If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny......

The BBC's Scotland editor, Sarah Smith:
"In the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum result, the first minister of Scotland has seized the opportunity to make herself look like the only grown-up in the room."

David Mellor QC, - he of the Chelsea football shirt - made reference on LBC this morning to one Ambrose Bierce.

He quoted "An ultimatum is the last thing that is said before a compromise"

I must confess I have never heard of him, and usually rely on H L Mencken for cynical US based quotes, but having checked out the link - I think I'm a fan.

Perhaps Uncle Bob could tell us more?

PS - I've just bought "The Devil's Dictionary" for £2.59 delivered. Isn't the internet amazing?

Tripps wrote:"An ultimatum is the last thing that is said before a compromise"

The latest Radio 4 `Bottom Line' business programme was on `Negotiation', quite relevant considering all that's going on at the moment. The experts were well experienced at negotiating on a high level and teaching negotiation; one negotiated hostage releases. They were unanimous in strongly warning: "Never tell lies and never make threats". Perhaps the programme should have been aired a few months ago!

It wouldn't have made any difference Tiz, those lemmings were hell bent on self-destruction blinded by their own stupidity and venality.
"Venality is a vice associated with being bribeable or of selling one's services or power, especially when one should act justly instead. In its most recognizable form, dishonesty, venality causes people to lie and steal for their personal advantage, and is related to bribery and nepotism, among other vices."

Viperous right wing newspapers. " Michael Foot".
having the qualities attributed to a viper : malignant, venomous <the backstabbing of a viperous family>