Leaderboard

I was actually calling for a ban on Boris Johnson because he's politically and diplomatically as adept as my right testicle with a fucking smiley face drawn on it. On the issue itself, though, it's not right to call out Johnson for being racist on the matter; that's far too extreme. After all, wearing the burka is rather a choice; muslim women have no obligation to wear it. Some of them indeed hate it. But it's entirely their choice. But what Boris has done is worded something very undiplomatically, nay provocatively even, as usual, and won't even apologise for that. He doesn't need to apologise for his views on the burka; as it's been pointed out, many people don't like them. Just the wording, just to clarify to those that associate the name 'Boris Johnson' with 'Racist Cunt' that, give him a modicum of credit, he's only the last bit of that.

Sky Data Poll from today: 60% say it is not racist to compare Muslim women who wear a burka to bank robbers or letterboxes, compared to only 33% that think it is. 60% believe the burka should be banned in the UK, compared to a measly 26% opposed. Let's remember either a full or partial ban on Islamic face coverings is already in place in EU nations Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, The Netherlands as well as non-EU Norway. Not to mention Chad, Cameroon and Gabon. "I wouldn’t want my four year old looked after by somebody wearing a burka. I wouldn’t want my elderly mum looked after by somebody wearing a burka. They need to be able to show their face." - Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary. Perhaps one day the media will have a wander outside of their London bubble to the streets of normal Britain. They might then find that the fury and outrage they whip up is not replicated in the mood of average, everyday people. More unlikely, maybe one day Labour will stop being so opportunist and hypocritical. This whole episode is absurd.

I suspect we have different standards for Deathlist-y.

There's an Amazon review of her album that calls her a "hunch fronted attention junkie" - so the problem of younger bimbos hoovering up her audience will likely take its toll and offer less money for the same work. Also if the current global warming continues won't all that expensive work on her face and body just - like - melt?

Rare photo of Kim Yong-ju attending a ceremony in North Korea. Looks decent for his age.

*Won I know, I know. English language is a bastard to most foreigners.

Unlikely.

Could he BE in any more pain...?

One of only two living people born before 1920 that I'm surprised has never snuck on a Deathlist before. The other being Diana Athill.

Dunno. I googled and got this:

A fair point but another thing driving this is his clear aim to be leader of his party and Prime Minister. However much the lowest-common-denominator stuff plays well in a poll he has two serious problems ahead. Firstly, the shit storm he's unleashed here exposes the fact he's apparently on holiday and unavailable and someone will doubtless point out either now or in the future that he doesn't look much like a leader at this moment and - in any case - most successful leaders have been obliged to be inclusive. Even David Cameron worked hard to make the Conservatives a home for hoodies, gays etc. Cameron was mocked for how plausible he made that sound but he clearly was trying to be inclusive. Secondly, the Conservatives have a history of turning on the apparent leaders in waiting (especially those who've blatantly tried to oust the current leader). Heseltine's moment should have come when Thatcher was deposed but so many were against him that Major was installed despite the slender track record by comparison. So too Cameron arriving quickly to ensure that the Europhile Kenneth Clark (who made the "boy oh boy have you kept me waiting" joke about being the leader in waiting) was never going to lead them. Rant over But Boris isn't going to die soon IMHO.

Boris Johnson is mouthing off to make headlines and bolster his leadership campaign. I don't have strong feelings on a burka ban either way, I just think the outrage on the topic is ridiculous. It's a legitimate debate to be had, but the media seems intent on causing a furore around it to stifle the arguments - in much a similar way they did regarding immigration for years previous to the EU referendum and look how that blew up. The point was, whether you like Johnson (I don't) or not, the views he expressed are in touch with the majority of Britain (according to that Sky Poll).

BTW, Earl Cameron turns 101 today!

FTFY

Might wanna check the date on that one Creepz.

No it wouldn't. But well done for fighting for your beliefs.

Next person to 'like' one of my posts will be #2600. It could be YOU!

Apart from the DL Cup which is very well managed, I really can't enter these rolling deadpools. Fixed term pools suit me better, Sorry.

Meanwhile on this side of the pond, Boris compares women who wear the burka to "bank robbers" or "letterboxes". Maybe that's why he was resigned to losing his post....

The dreaded exam results are sent out today in Scotland. I'VE PASSED! ...by the skin of my teeth. 4 Higher passes was what I needed, and I got just that. 4 straight Cs. They're not good grades by any measure, but they're good enough. My new course starts next week

B-b-but I thought BOTH the Chuckle Brothers were already dead

Tested to see if the 'angry' one got it back down to 2,599. Didn't. Disappointed.

Matthew Perry recovering from abdominal surgery. Link

Stan Mikita, Slovak-born Canadian player who played for the Chicago Black Hawks (1958-1980), has died aged 78. Edit: Daily Mail obituary.