rupert murdoch cookies cartoon

I don't know who is responsible this cartoon, but it is always worth sharing to remind people of some of the real enemies.  

It's also similar to 'The Great Money Trick' in Robert Tressell's 'The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists', which is well worth reading or re-reading, and l've blogged about before.

If you think this makes Murdoch appear racist, l pass no judgement, but here's a couple of old cartoons from his papers

                   The New York Times, 2009, referring to Obama after the police had shot a chimp

                                                           The Australian,  June 2020

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diego maradona has left the building

Although l grew up loving George Best, Diego Maradona is in with a good shout of being classed as the greatest footballer of all time, especially during the time he was playing for Naples.  He obviously had many issues, but that just made him more human, especially coming from the dirt poor background he had, and didn't distract from his enormous talent and ability to alter the outcome of games, despite (like Best) some of the ferocious tackling he had to endure. Personally, although it was annoying that he got away with the 'Hand of God' against England, most other players on that pitch would have done the same thing if they could have, so l've no issues with it (apart from the debate about players wanting to cheat in the broader sense, but that's for another day). Lionel Messi has been the modern days nearest equivalent to Maradona, and some (insane) people prefer Cristiano Ronaldo, but comparisons are kind of pointless, as they involve different types of games and opposition, but Maradona was certainly something very very special, and should be lauded for his exceptional skills, outrageous balance, and bravery on the field.  There's an excellent piece by Maradona's former Argentina teammate Jorge Valdano in The Guardian (look here), which is an infinitely superior tribute than anything l could muster up and is well worth reading.

I love this film of Maradona warming up and juggling a football, and speaking from personal experience as someone who could also do lots of tricks with a football, Maradona's touch is gobsmacking. Another great player who will be missed by anyone with a love for the game.

On the other hand, l have nothing but contempt for the way he mistreated his records

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latest dispatches from cold war steve

 More excellent stuff from Cold War Steve.  Enjoy!

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barack obama being cool (again)

Here's a reminder of what a true leader should be like, intelligent, cool, charismatic, and compassionate.  We could do with him now.

And a reminder that, after 9/11, this man was being touted as a possible future president

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priti patel bullying charges and the rule breaking

So, at long last, the bullying investigation regarding Priti Patel has been leaked to the press, and it's a good job it was, as there is no way our great and glorious leader Boris Johnson would have released it.  This time, the rather delightful Ms Patel was found to have been in breach of The Ministerial Code (again), but the bullying may have 'been carried out unintentionally' (but did cause the resignation of Philip Rutnam, the then Home Office Permanent Secretary). If this was her first offence, l would have had some sympathy for her, although a lot more for the victims.  However, this is the third time she has been accused of it, in three different departments, and has already had to settle out of court and pay damages with a former employee (and has already had to resign once for previously breaking The Ministerial Code). She is a serial offender. Who would have expected that from her? Even the apology was a classic case of a non apology along the lines of 'I'm sorry if other people have been offended'. Of course Boris Johnson has backed her, and gone against the report, basically dismissing it, and getting other MPs to show support to her, leading to the resignation of the person who oversaw the report, Sir Alex Allan, Whitehall's independent advisor on ministerial standards, who at least has shown some backbone. If Ms Patel had burned the report in the middle of The Houses of Parliament and crapped on it, Boris would just say she hadn't, and exonerate her, saying the matter was now closed, but that does not make it right. However, what do you expect from this rule breaking government, in anti bullying week, and just after axing anti LGBT bullying projects in schools?  All they have done is lie and bluff, meanwhile lining the pockets of their friends and backers, with a total disregard of what is expected of a government, which should be leading by example, especially in the middle of a crisis and the Brexit shitshow.  Apart from their general ineptitude and disregard for what is right (such as feeding hungry children), l do think that it is also a deliberate ploy to undermine democracy, rather  like Trump has been doing in America.  Once all the rules as are no longer effective, and the population becomes blasé about the rule breaking, they are free to do away with freedoms, worker protection, housing regulations, and all the other irritating titbits that prevent the rich getting richer. All of this is being done right in front of our eyes both here and in America, and things are only going to get worse. Well done to all of the fuckwits who voted these bastards in, and expected them to change, show compassion, and not be corrupt. I didn't expect anything else.

There may well be some kind of a civil war in America soon, but where's a revolution when you want one?

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part of the reason people shouldn't buy the daily mail

This is only part of the reason people shouldn't buy The Daily Mail.  They're absolute scum, and the government's press buddies hounding of Marcus Rashford looks as though it has already started.  Twats.

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des o'connor

Des O'Connor, who has just died, always came across as a very pleasant, self deprecating man, and was certainly up for making fun of himself with Morecombe and Wise, a staple from many peoples childhoods. Although he had a extremely long career, partaking in many forms of showbiz, he released many, many records, some of which (such as 'I Pretend') l don't actually mind (although l would never dream of buying any of them). However, my favourite ones of his were the listing of celebrities, of which he had a few versions. This was very clever indeed, and what a memory, even in his dotage. If he only had the one version it would be impressive enough, but changing it over the years is even more so. If l was wearing a hat l would raise it to him.

Here's one version

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turn off your mind

If the Covid lockdown is getting on your nerves and driving you up the wall, just relax and look at the picture. That's it......relax.....drift away........

Now send me all your money and the keys to your house - you'll remember nothing in the morning

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a one eyed shark caught off mexico

 A one eyed shark that was caught off the coast of Mexico. If it's real, it manages to be both cute and spooky at the same time.

Photo by Enrique Lucero Leon  

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the new blue passport

Just Fuck off with your precious blue passport and stick it where the son doesn't shine. The passport that actually makes life worse for us. Congratulations you poisonous git, and where's the report on your bullying charges?

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the macaulay library of wildlife

As if l haven't found enough ways to waste time and avoid the dusting,  this was recently recommended to me.  It's the Macaulay Library Archive that provides copious amounts of scientific information about wildlife.  However, as a rather magnificent bonus, you can also play various recordings of them.  Mr Parrot is not enjoying it as much as me, and is currently losing the small amount of marbles he still has left.

Their website is here.  Enjoy

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the proposed new vaccine roll out

 That's me sorted at least  -  #1 on the list, and not because l'm an old git.  Obviously l'm indestructible, but what a result!!  Not just a care home worker, but also a peripatetic one, although l suppose that may change in the future.

But hold on a minute   -   In related news.....

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golf european masters 2020 - john rahm's water skip hole in one

I'm no fan of  golf, but fuck me!  What a shot!!

 

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sir john major's treasurer's lecture - november 9th 2020 – the state we're in

Although John Major is a Conservative, this is a pretty good speech about the state we are in at the moment.  From The Treasurer's Lecture, 9th November 2020.  Text is on John Major's site.

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a solar flare against the earth

 Solar flare 10 21 10 by Jason Major.  The circle at the top left corner is the scale size of The Earth.

  We are all so insignificant in the great scheme of things*

* There is no great scheme

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how more reporters should be - cnn's poppy harlow threatens to shut down Brian Morgenstern.

This is how presenters should act now when unfounded allegations about voter fraud or basic everyday lies by Boris and his chums are being aired without too much scrutiny. The rather excellent Poppy Harlow from CNN threatens to shut the interview down when Brian Morgenstern tries to discredit the New York Times reporters a month or so ago.

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colourised snowball fight in lyon, france 1896, plus les enfants terribles and la machine infernale by jean cocteau

An 1896 colourised Lumiere brothers film of a snowball fight in Lyon, France. As usual, the colourisation process (details of the process used is here) really brings it to life, and,  trying not to sound like too much of a pretentious twat, it reminded me of 'Les Enfants Terribles' by Jean Cocteau (1929), which l have recently re-read, and which starts with a snowball fight in Paris. You can really imagine the people in this film being around and involved in the same kind of mayhem, although it doesn't end well in the book.

To be even more pretentious, the above book was at least the English translation, but l am currently (very slowly) struggling with the French version of  Cocteau's 'La Machine Infernale', and trust me, l only know very basic French, so am painstakingly translating parts l don't understand.  This may take some time, so it's lucky l also have other reading material on the go at the same time. I need more time off work for these kind of endeavours.  No wonder l never get round to cleaning up and finishing the painting jobs.

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priti patel and the immigration bill

Great stuff Priti.  So this means that non of us Brits (or Scousers) can work, travel, live or retire freely in the many European countries that we used to be able to.  Well done indeed you glory hunting, smug, dogs arse of a  mouth hobgoblin.  And fuck off if you think l believe you were taken out of context regarding starving the Irish, or that your self satisfied smile during the TV interview a while ago is your normal relaxed facial expression. You're a fucking liar who treats the populace as idiots.  Don't forget to take Cummings,  Gove, Johnson,  Hancock, Raab and all the other fuckwits with you, and don't fucking come back.

And in related news....

Good job they never tried coming here on a boat, as Priti would not have had their best intentions at heart

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wank the dog colouring competition

Those crazy Japanese!  Currently, there's the competition being run to colour in an outline of a dog.  Nothing unusual there you may think, apart from the fact the dog is called wank (wank the dog). If you live in Nagasaki and want to enter the competition, the full details are here.

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lockdown with the beatles

 If we'd have had lockdown in the 1960's, The Beatles would have been slightly different.

 

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news reporter tells a trump supporter to fuck off on live tv

This is how more of the TV reporters should react to the Trump supporting knobheads.  It's a pity he will probably be reprimanded for it.

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nigel being a dick again

 Nigel Farage being a twat as usual.  He's still a rich twat, but at least now he is £10,000 worse off.

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mink farming in denmark

The UK have banned travel from Denmark due to Covid mutating on mink farms, and it looks as though the mink will be destroyed.  I've a better idea - just ban mink farming altogether.

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donald trump at the moment

Goodbye Mr Shitty Pants, you won't be missed.  Hopefully he won't be around when the next election happens

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cnn's van jones brought to tears as joe biden wins the american election

People who think all politicians are the same and it's a waste of time voting, watch CNN's Van Jones' reaction to Joe Biden's win.  Now the orange turd should just fuck off, but of course he will keep lying and tweeting, further winding up his supporters, but lives could easily be lost through his irresponsible and deranged actions. He should be prosecuted in the future for actions likely to incite violence (amongst many other things), but no doubt he will be pardoned, maybe even by Mike Pence if Trump resigns and Pence takes over, which wouldn't surprise me at all.  Twat. 

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the blue collar conservatives group, corruption and no deal brexit

People who have had privileged backgrounds often make out that they have struggled, and had the same chances and opportunities in life as anyone else, as they don't like to acknowledge their family, friends and schools network give them an unfair advantage over us plebs and scumbags. Take The Blue Collar Conservative group. Here's some examples of their info with the missing relevant information added.

MP Sir Peter Bottomley 'Came from a lorry driver to the House of Commons'. Sure - after Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. Also, his father and grandfather went to the same Oxbridge college, and were also both knighted.

Privately educated John Courts is described as being self employed for 12 years before becoming a MP. Yes - as a barrister.

Johnny Mercer achieved 'average results at school, so had to go into employment', omitting to mention the school in question was Eastbourne College, a top public school.

If it wasn't so laughably pathetic, l would despair.

Meanwhile, the corruption goes on, further lining their friends pockets

 

I've also argued for years that the government want leave Europe with a no deal Brexit, despite our glorious leader Boris winning an election with his 'oven ready' one. A few reasons are below. Where's a revolution when you need one?

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be a rebel

 Still one of my favourite photographs.  Be a rebel and don't let the little people tell you what to do.

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the archbishop of york and scientific justification

Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York has written to our glorious leader Boris about places of worship being closed during lockdown, saying there is no scientific justification for doing so.

He is treading on thin ground regarding scientific justification, as some might use the same argument to question his very existence as Archbishop, and faith in general.

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hopefully today's the day biden reaches 270

Hopefully today is the day Joe Biden hits the 270 mark and becomes president elect of the good old USA. Donald Trump obviously won't accept it and will moan and moan, despite the fact this may cause violence and deaths, but what else would you expect from such a lying, petulant, narcissistic twat?  This rather brilliant cartoon sums up my feeling

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the new charlie hebdo

The recent issue of Charlie Hebdo with a pertinent front page, which (with my rudimentary French) asks 'Who wants the English in Europe'. We are a laughing stock.

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rudy giuliano's bad choices

I've just seen the new Borat film in which he stitches up Rudy Giuliano. It is open to debate about what Rudi was up to on the bed, or what he was expecting to happen, but he sure came across as a pervy old bloke sweating over a younger lady who he thought had given him the come on. (as if that's something new). However, what l won't forgive, is his choice of footwear. 

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wondermark cartoon

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not very good for this psychic's reputation

 

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boris announces another lockdown

 

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the peanuts gang doing la grange by zz top

This is excellent

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nobby stiles

So, another legend from my childhood has left the building, aged 78.  Nobby Stiles was one of the Manchester United players that won the league in 1967 and then the European Cup in 1968 (The first English side to do so), and although people such as George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton were the stars, they wouldn't have achieved this without the likes of Nobby Stiles in the team. Hard tackling, full of energy, prepared to sacrifice himself for the good of the team, but also able to play. Rather sadly, he had prostate cancer and dementia later in his life, and I attended a function hosted by his son John a few years ago, who spoke movingly about what it was like for Nobby and the family. I'm please that when Nobby decided to sell his medals and shirts, the relevant ones were bought by Manchester United for their museum, and achieved nearly half a million pounds for Nobby and his relatives. He was also one of the team that won the World Cup for England in 1966, but l'm not so bothered about that.

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david bowie stardust trailer #1

Well, this sure looks crap.

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humphrey lyttelton's bad penny blues

Every day is a learning day. I have just found out this morning that Lady Madonna by The Beatles is based on Humphry Lyttelton's Bad Penny Blues. Now l won't be able to get this information out of my head.

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boris sticks to his guns

 

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arlo guthrie has retired, so here's the motorcycle song

I'm glad to say that Arlo Guthrie has just retired, rather than died, and although he has some health issues, l hope he has many, many happy years in retirement. It must have been hard for him growing up as the son of the legend that was Woody Guthrie, but Arlo made a decent career for himself, while always coming across as a nice guy. He has many songs that l love, and l suppose Alice's Restaurant is the most famous, but l've always had a soft spot for this little ditty - The Motorcycle Song.

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the school dinners debate with jonathan pie

Not a great deal to add to this, apart from, once again, Mr Pie nails it.

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andy neill's ready steady go book, and word in your ear

I received my copy of Andy Neill's Ready Steady Go book at the weekend, and to say l'm impressed would be a massive understatement. It's everything an in depth book should be, with plenty of interviews and background information, plus enough stats to bore a normal member of the public to tears. That's without mentioning the marvellous photographs, many of which l have never seen before. Then there's the copious amount of pictures, featuring tickets, letters, magazines, albums etc.  Fantastic! It's also improved my pretty much non existent exercise routine, as it weighs a ton and is the size of an lp boxset. If l was given funds to produce a book like this myself, this exactly how l would wish it to turn out.  Buy it now!!

What a shame pretty much all of the episodes and performances have been wiped.

It's not just me that loves it - here's David Hepworth and Mark Ellen also gushing about it, and talking to the author in one of their 'Word in your Ears'

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family guy - sanguelto commercial

Although this is from last year, l've only just seen it.  Another classic it of writing.

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mike parry cinnamon challenge

Watching a bit of the Jeremy Vine show this morning, featuring Talk Sport's  Mike Parry, l was reminded of this. The classic film of him taking the Cinnamon Challenge.

Enjoy

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ben garrison updates the capitalist pyramid

 

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cold war steve channels oliver, and the twats that voted against free meals for kids

 Another classic from Cold War Steve, one again capturing the zeitgeist.  

Here's some of the twats who voted against helping feed poor children, and don't listen to any crap about home much money the Conservatives give councils and spend on Social care or Universal Credit. They have been in power for ten years and have been cutting funding on all of the above since they have been in office. The funding that they are now saying is needed is what Andy Burnham and other local leaders in the Greater Manchester area had been arguing for. Also, what a surprise that they haven't looked after the uneducated poor in the North who helped vote them in, but more money magically appears as soon as London enters tier two. I know Labour never did this either, but times are a lot harder now, despite Margaret Thatcher's best efforts to destroy society.. Who remembers Food Banks years ago, apart from when people were helping out the strikers? How these people can go to sleep at night after sentencing young children to go hungry is beyond me.  The Tories are indeed, Scum.

Plus, and you couldn't make this sort of crap up...

But if you want to see what compassion and empathy look like - check out the responses from businesses and councils on Marcus Rashford's twitter feed here

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the instrument that l would really like

Despite the fact l can't sing, or play the guitar l have, l would still love to have one of these contraptions.  Endless hours of fun to be had, although the neighbours might get sick of it pretty quickly.

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reverse!!!!

 I've got a hunch that the fellow in this video has been drinking or doing drugs.  Reverse!!!

https://twitter.com/i/status/1317182284148211712

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ann bleeding widdecombe

 The look on the other dancer's face!

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if adam ant was your son

 How would you feel if Adam Ant was your son?, asked by TV Times back in the day. I don't have any children, but if l did, and my son looked like this, l would feel pretty damn proud.

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goth nonce

 'Goth Nonce'    Makes me proud to be a Scouser!

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nelson mandela's wise words

Wise words from Mr Mandela.  Anyone who doesn't realise how much the Conservatives are taking the piss and filling their pockets is an idiot.

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abba abba hey!

 Abba as The Ramones.   Genius!

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