Worrying For Mankind

It might be said that the residents of Chez 0ddness are a little less "normal" than average. And I don't just mean the people that live here. No no, that includes YOU as well, for reading and understanding quite what it is I am ranting and raving and blah'ing about. And this point is reinforced every single time you come back.

You know who you are.

But the press over the last few days is giving me worry that my scale is broken. See, while I might not display things like Common Sense or Foresight (which are over-rated anyway) I like to think I have enough smarts to keep me going through life.

So, for those of you that think you might be a sandwich short of a picnic - think again.

Nearly quarter of Brits think Churchill a myth: poll
Posted Mon Feb 4, 2008 11:41am AEDT

Britons are losing their grip on reality, according to a poll which shows nearly a quarter think Winston Churchill was a myth, while the majority reckon Sherlock Holmes was real.

The survey found that 47 per cent thought the 12th Century English King Richard the Lionheart was a myth.

And 23 per cent thought World War II prime minister Winston Churchill was made up.

The same percentage thought Crimean War nurse Florence Nightingale did not actually exist.

Three per cent thought Charles Dickens, one of Britain's most famous writers, is a work of fiction himself.

Indian political leader Mahatma Gandhi and Battle of Waterloo victor the Duke of Wellington were also in the top 10 of people thought to be myths.

Meanwhile, 58 per cent thought Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective Sherlock Holmes actually existed, and 33 per cent thought the same of WE Johns' fictional pilot and adventurer Biggles.

UKTV Gold television surveyed 3,000 people.

- AFP
OK, so first up, I'd like to know who the hell they surveyed. You can bet they either stood outside the Mental Ward Inpatients and asked those coming out in a straight jacket, or outside the Doll Office, asking every Tom, Chav and Sally these questions. More's the point, what the fridge-magnets are they teaching in school? You may recall last St. Georges Day the kids did NOTHING regarding this day, but they are quite happy to teach German Christmas celebrations, learn about the Hindu Gods and observe the other random holidays out there. The people on this list should be common knowledge to every person in this fricking country.

When the boy gets in, I'm going to ask him about them, and ask if he's even HEARD of them. Seriously, I can see why more and more people are starting to Home School now. If my son ever asks about the mythological Winston Churchill, he'll be buried under history books quicker then you can say "Get to grips you stupid arse schools"

Of course, it doesn't just stop at schools. The idiots are everywhere. Especially those that love the red tape and the fricking "ooooh be careful" mentality that's out there. For instance.
LONDON (AFP) - A traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake race in Britain was tossed off the menu due to overbearing health and safety regulations, newspapers reported.

The fun event in Ripon, northern England, is an annual Shrove Tuesday charge along a city street by schoolchildren, choristers and office workers, flipping pancakes as they go.

But the organisers felt forced to scrap the merriment this year due to the sheer cost of complying with regulations.

Organiser Bernard Bateman said Harrogate Borough Council wanted to charge them 250 pounds (490 dollars, 335 euros) to close Kirkgate Road.

Insurance risk assessments and paid medical staff in case of any injuries or accidents would also have been required.

"The main issue is the cobbled street that people could slip on. This stupidity never happened previously. It's a shame these issues stop the children enjoying such a traditional event," he told The Times.

"The policing costs are just as bad. The police wanted in excess of 1,200 pounds, which is just ridiculous."

The race, revived 10 years ago, is started by ringing Ripon Cathedral's ancient Pancake Bell, which has rung for 600 years.

New-fangled health and safety regulations are regularly blamed for ruining seemingly harmless traditional British fun events, triggering tabloid newspaper blasts at bureaucrats.

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Pancake Day, traditionally celebrates indulgence before the annual Lenten period of abstinence in the Christian Church.
But it doesn't stop there! No No!
The Sun: A barmy council has banned local artists from displaying paintings behind glass – in case they fall and hurt somebody.

Another reason given was that someone might HEADBUTT a picture and cut themselves.

So works can no longer be hung at the library in traditional frames.

Ray Lovelock, of Flitwick Arts Society, Beds, said yesterday: “It’s health and safety gone mad.

“We were told that a painting could fall on someone – or a viewer could hurt themselves by headbutting the glass.”

Bedfordshire County Councillor Bob King yesterday said: “Paintings in glass frames are dangerous.”
Please, for goodness sake, would the person that has stolen common sense from everyone please return it. Today would be good, but within the next week is fine too.

OOOOH I forgot to add: Go and read This Post over at Nee Naw, just to show how fricking stupid we're becoming. "Quick, sue someone because it'll make me rich and I am a greedy self-centred arsehole!"

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4 Responses to “Worrying For Mankind”

Shiny Demon said...

Yes but 42.95% of statistics are made up on the spot.

The Random One said...

I tend not to believe these polls =D

Err, what I want to know is: Who headbutts glass?

Adullamite said...

Time travel is not new, I first learned about it in 2387. If only I had brought the instructions I could get back there.....

Adullamite said...

oops, wrong post!

Anyway, dafties abound in politically correct days. It is all about money, nothing else.