[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

After solid 24/7 coverage following the death of celebrity husband and hospital regular Prince Philip, the BBC was inundated with complaints about interrupted programming. Their solution? Take down the complaint form.

BBC pulls Prince Philip online form after complaints hit peak

Ratings plummeted after decision to axe Friday night favourites following announcement of duke’s death

This was not enough for conservative pundit Ben Harris-Quinney, probably Baron or Viscount, who accused the BBC of "prompting a response" by having a complaints form. The BBC responded by whimpering to itself quietly and promising not to be such a bad broadcaster and to fly more Union Jacks.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

This was not enough for conservative pundit Ben Harris-Quinney, probably Baron or Viscount, who accused the BBC of "prompting a response" by having a complaints form.

Did he use the complaints form to complain about the complaints form?

[James Hutchins]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

What I'd like to know is why the brits waited until now to announce the codgers death. Didn't he die years ago and they just kept him propped up on a broom stick like a mannequin?

[Isabella White]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

What I'd like to know is why the brits waited until now to announce the codgers death. Didn't he die years ago and they just kept him propped up on a broom stick like a mannequin?

Oh, I think it may be possible that he had been stuffed away in some dusty, old room in the castle somewhere, in a state of preservation pickled nicely, to emerge at some point, to reclaim the spotlight from that Harry & Meghan situation that we've seen on that Winnifred Ophrey's show.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

After solid 24/7 coverage following the death of celebrity husband and hospital regular Prince Philip, the BBC was inundated with complaints about interrupted programming.

Mark my words, Brother Dr. Toole, Sir, there will be complaints galore after tomorrow's televised funeral for said dead prince. The miserable royals have only gone and ruined all the fun by ensuring that Prince Wiwyum (as his name is pronounced by the great unwashed) and the 'Arry formerly known as Prince will be kept apart, with some random cousin placed as a buffer between them.

The British public is, quite rightly, outraged by this - er - outrage. People of all classes except ours have stocked up on champagne, beer, caviar and whatever snacks poor people eat and cleared their busy schedules ready for the big fight. There has been brisk betting on the outcome, though people would do better to tithe the money, bearing in mind Proverbs 16:33: The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

I understand that William was the favorite to flatten his brother, being slightly taller and having a cooler head (I mean that metaphorically, though he does also have even less hair). But others argue that one should not discount Harry's sheer toddler-like rage, plus his terror of his wife's displeasure should he lose, and are convinced that as the dirtier fighter he would win. However, it looks as though the bread and circuses have been withdrawn from the public.

My younger children are busy perfecting their pronunciation of Vive la révolution!

[handmaiden]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

Mark my words, Brother Dr. Toole, Sir, there will be complaints galore after tomorrow's televised funeral for said dead prince.

But will there be tears? I am always surprised to see it when British people cry. It's like seeing an Italian calmly state their case. (With their hands carefully laid on the table or hanging still at their sides.)

Of course, The Prince has already been dispatched to wherever it is that Jesus wants him to be. The fellow did belong to a church with a woman as its head even though the Bible points out that no woman should be the head of any man.

I suppose all the Royal ladies will be wearing black and dainty, unimaginative hats, so I can see no worthwhile reason to tune in.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

But will there be tears?

That would just be embarrassing and lead the British to suspect fakery, i.e. that onions were involved.

[Dennis Lukes]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

But will there be tears? I am always surprised to see it when British people cry.

Have the British people issued a public apology yet for that cringeworthy display of excessive grief after ex-princess Diana got offed? Stiff upper lip, my ass.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

Have the British people issued a public apology yet for that cringeworthy display of excessive grief after ex-princess Diana got offed? Stiff upper lip, my ass.

Most of those shown snivelling outside the palace (where she didn't even live, having long since bolted) were tourists or oiks. Still, anything that kept them out of sensible people's way was welcome. I remember going on a shopping trip with my mom, and both Bond Street and Le Gavroche were deserted.

[MitzaLizalor]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p09djzvl/why-insects-are-the-missing-link-in-our-food-system

15 APRIL 2021 | FOOD & DRINK
Eating insects can be a part of the solution to our planet’s growing food and climate crises.

Throughout our history, humans around the world have consumed these protein and nutrient-rich creatures. This hasn't been widely adopted as part of modern Western diets, however things may be changing.

A growing number of consumers in the West are now embracing entomophagy, or insect-eating.

[ATTACH]30247[/ATTACH]

Without dwelling on the obvious reason why "A growing number of consumers in the West" are eating insects, can the undercurrent of reinforcing notions of crisis really be accidental? Food is not in short supply and much of it is thrown away. The entire population of Eurasia, Africa and the Americas could fit onto quite a small island (admittedly with not much space between them) leaving multiple continents free to grow food. The idea of a single city for the whole world may not appeal to everyone, however, and high-rise luxury apartments can feel a bit cramped. Jesus will deal with all the heathens quite soon now and those remaining will have ample room in His Spacious Accommodation, as detailed in The Bible.

•

Revelation 21:13-17 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

News update!

Tartan: The misunderstood icon of 'Scottishness'


Tartan is updating its image in the 21st Century, with new patterns exploring issues around climate change, homelessness – and World War Two dive bombers.


"The core of tartan design – the interweaving of colours in both warp and weft – has remained largely the same throughout history" adds Rosie Waine.


In 2019, Slanj designed a tartan celebrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including 'clean water sanitation'

[Dennis Lukes]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

News update!

So the Scots are on the brink of rebellion, the French are about to have a civil war, America still suffers under an illegitimate communist junta, and English reporters feel their time is best spent on fabric patterns.

[MitzaLizalor]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

.

Well that was an interesting read. Particularly poignant, I thought, was the following passage:

“For this design I wanted as much colour as possible to weave into the wool – the most colours you can put on a loom,” explains Halley. “The grey backdrop symbolises the miserable gloom homeless people can find themselves in, and the colours represent the support and opportunities available if they can get on to the system. Each of the colours are woven the same thickness to form a network, which to my knowledge makes it unique.”

It would be comical if it weren't so sad. Homeless people need Bibles - not tartan. But what led me to the page was the main design which evidently is based on the MacGregor tartan. Curious what its effect would be as a fabric, I joined a few repeats together (nearly went boss-eyed doing it too, due to op-art effects) and am happy to share the result. Along with actual MacGregor tartan and a quote likely to be reliable. Firstly, what the designer said in that BBC piece:

...being in a region associated with the MacGregor clan, Wilton used the colours of their tartan (blue, green and white) as a springboard for a design that added new layers of resonance – both visual and conceptual.

.https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/Results?search=1049653&page=1.

According to Sir Malcom MacGregor of MacGregor, Chief of Clan MacGregor – a bit of a mouthful but I thought he'd probably know what he was talking about – ‘The MacGregors transported to Aberdeenshire by the Earl of Moray who came from his estates in Menteith to fight the Mackintoshes in about 1624, were almost certainly MacGregors of Glengyle and would have worn that tartan. Another specimen of this sett is in the possession of Andersons of Edinburgh, believed to date from 1750. It is in red and blue colours as opposed to red and black ... why there is blue instead of black is a mystery.’ [below (left)]

There are a few MacGregor setts in the Scottish Tartan register. Sir Malcom MacGregor of MacGregor continues, regarding the Cardney variation [above (right)] ‘The origin is as follows. My great uncle Alasdair MacGregor of Cardney decided to have some red and green MacGregor tartan made using wool from his own sheep and the old vegetable dyes which had been used in the 17th Century.’ That's about the best I could do for blue, green and white but there's more in the link if anyone's interested. The great big elephant in the room, however, probably having convulsions and trumpeting is how that thing [below] can be any sort of MacGregor? Not even mad uncle Alasdair would sign off on this one!

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

Emergency update: Prince Philip's will to be kept secret for 90 years

The Duke of Edinburgh's will is to remain secret for at least 90 years to protect the "dignity and standing" of the Queen, the High Court has ruled.

In case you had forgotten momentarily that wealthy people get special privileges and their secrets are double special secret more than yours - shhh don't tell - please rest assured you will be reminded regularly. Carry on.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Breaking news from the BBC

Emergency update: Prince Philip's will to be secret for 90 years

I expect this is just to avoid embarrassment to the queen. I mean, how would they explain Phil the Greek having left money to only two (or maybe three, if one is being charitable) of her children? Everybody knows, obviously.


Or perhaps he left the lot to Mizz Markle, in which case I think we should be told!