Random News Stories

[Junkenstein]

You could also quite reasonably question what credentials the man actually has to hold the office that he does.

Credentials? I'd figured the only credentials you need to hold any office is having fucked the right pig?

Well, yes. I'm sorry, I should have been clearer there.

The question here is, who's he got a picture of? And/Or who has a picture of him?

[Junkenstein]

China issues report on Human rights in the USA:

There were a total of 51,675 gun violence incidents in the United States in 2015 as of December 28, leaving 13,136 killed and 26,493 injured. U.S. police shot dead 965 people last year as of December 24.

No substantial progress concerning the economic and social rights of U.S. citizens were made, the report says. In 2015, more than 560,000 people nationwide were homeless, and there were still 33 million people in the United States with no healthcare insurance.

It also quotes figures to show that the United States continued to trample on human rights in other countries, causing tremendous civilian casualties.

From August 2014 to December 2015, the United States launched 3,965 air strikes in Iraq and 2,823 in Syria, causing an estimated number of civilian deaths between 1,695 and 2,239.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-04/14/content_24543320.htm

That last figure seems remarkably low.

[Pergamos]

We have a weird way of counting casualties, so most appear as combatants, not as civilians.

[LMNO]

i.e. If a drone killed them, they were combatants. Mostly.

[Junkenstein]

http://www.earthnutshell.com/stopping-all-stations-the-pyongyang-metro/

Detailed photo guide to the metro system in North Korea, Propaganda connoisseurs are in for a treat.

"Maximise increased production and saving of money" Kim Il-Sung giving an inspirational speech of efficiency to those working in fields of industry. Hyoksin Station, Hyoksin line.

[Cain]

Everything I've heard about North Korea suggests it read 1984 as a guide book.  Or else, Eric Blair was actually a time traveller who based his books on what he had experienced while travelling in contemporary DPRK.

[Junkenstein]

It really does impress me that this has all been done seemingly without any trace of irony. You often hear about NK propaganda but this really shows how prevalent it is within the culture.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Never underestimate the programmability of human beings. Most of them seem to actually prefer it to thinking. Homosapiens huge fucking brain has high energy requirements. Maybe natural selection is biased in favour of those who only use it for emergencies? 

[minuspace]

Well, what's missing from that picture is a time-piece.

Everything I've heard about North Korea suggests it read 1984 as a guide book.  Or else, Eric Blair was actually a time traveller who based his books on what he had experienced while travelling in contemporary DPRK.

How are they supposed to know it's not 1984

[Junkenstein]

Hmm.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/26/vicar-causes-anger-among-congregation-with-life-of-brian-screeni/

vicar has sparked controversy among his congregation by charging people £10 to watch controversial Monty Python film The Life of Brian in church.

OK.

He said: "Just as church buildings were the centre of all sorts of community activities in medieval times, we hope the film will bring in people who wouldn't normally think of entering this spectacular place.

"The Life of Brian caused upset when it was released almost 40 years ago. Most of us have grown up since then.

Good.

Half of the profits from ticket sales will go towards the continued upkeep and maintenance of the 174-year-old church.

....Where do the other half go?

On the whole, seems fairly admirable. While I wouldn't pay for the privilege, at least this is an attempt to do something with buildings that are pretty much irrelevant to the vast majority of people.

I'm kind of hoping for a bit of religious conflict out of this. If it works it would be great for them to show say, "Spotlight" or somesuch.

It's also just a cheap excuse to remind you all of this magnificent interview. How Cleese and Palin kept their temper is quite the feat. The looks that they exchange throughout it are just perfect.

"I'm suggesting Malcom, that we've made an advance...."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl8acXl3qVs

The Bishop featured is an interesting guy too. By "interesting" I mean "horrible scrote".

[Cain]

Any church which doesn't show a viewing of The Life of Brian is a church I don't want to be going to.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

http://gothamist.com/2016/04/26/labeouf_lookalike_roughed_up.php

I didn't even see the guy. I just see his fist coming towards me. It knocked me, and while I was falling down the stairs, all I hear was, "This is because you look exactly like Shia LaBeouf!"

[Junkenstein]

SHIA SURPRISE.

[Junkenstein]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-36167299

An MEP who dishonestly claimed almost £500,000 in expenses has been jailed for four years.
Peter Skinner, 56, who was Labour MEP for the South East from 1999 to 2014, was found guilty of three charges after a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
He claimed thousands of pounds for support staff, which actually funded jewellery, restaurants and hotel stays.
Skinner, of Snodland in Kent, claimed he had been confused over the rules, blaming European Parliament procedures

As far as excuses go, this one isn't the best.

[Cain]

He obviously didn't get the latest Labour Party memo - that the J00S are to blame for everything.