A peaceful and functioning society

From some Irish Independent scribbler, commenting on a woman jailed for homeschooling her children without official permission:

 Irish Independent columnist Sinead Ryan. In a Thursday column she concedes that some parents do a better job at teaching some children than do schools. But (Mrs) O’Connor is teaching her children a bad lesson in civics “by her ignoring the tenets of a peaceful and functioning society.”

Left-footer's comment:

If the "peaceful and functioning" society in question allows abortion, it can stick its tenets up its lower digestive tract.

Sonnet, discovered during recent plumbing work at the Bodleian Library

News of a sonnet, discovered during recent plumbing work at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, is puzzling scholars of English Renaissance literature. Everything in the handwriting and paper indicates authenticity, but the use of the word “crust” to mean “cheek, brass neck, chutzpah” seems an anachronism.

You may read it here (spelling modernised) and make your own judgment.

Viewing the ashy desert of my lust
As I lie here abed, awaiting death,
I pray not. Tis a waste of noisome breath
To plead with unhearing gods. I put my trust
Rather in my unconquerable crust,
The steely corselet which sustained my joys
When I, like child besotted with its toys,
Pursued fair wenches, now long turned to dust.

I had my times, gamesome and hot they were.
My bastard brood in every parish grew.
My quarry? Women, and my lust the spur,
A merry hunt! My friends, to me be true:
No “Dies Irae” sing, death’s path to ease.
But “I did it my way” – at my funeral, please.

Intermittently, perhaps...

When the Church speaks through the Pope, ex cathedra, I shall listen and obey, as is my bounden duty.

To my great grief, when the current Bishop of Rome natters, I pay the same attention as I would to any cretin who occasionally talks sense.

Catalogue of Errors

1. That John Lennon was anything more than a pretentious, talentless twerp, his fame the creation of publicity machines,

2. That the politicians, motivated by the Frankfurt School, who destroyed British education and society between 1960 and the present are anything other than traitors,

3. That Harold Wilson was a statesman and not a busy little man on the make with a tenth-rate mind who died 40 years too late,

4. That Anthony Crossland was a great educationist and not a vindictive, foul-mouthed traitor to civilisation who died 40 years too late,

5. That everyone, however vile, has a right to life including murderers, traitors, rapists, terrorists,

6. That everyone has a right to freely express his opinions, however repugnant, criminal, evil,

7. That those who advocate the legalisation of pederasty are entitled to express their point of view, and to talk to your children,

8. That Theresa May was not talking out of anything other than her mouth when she referred to "our shared values",

9. That capital and corporal punishment are bad,

10. That the Catholic Church has never been stronger.

11. ?

(to be continued, perhaps)