http://ianrthorpe.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Ian Thorpe en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2013 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:36:23 GMT 2013-05-23T00:36:23Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2013 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981874413 Friends, If anyone is wondering what I am up to while Gather continues to move from SNAFU to FUBAR, I'm posting at these places, though I post little by way of updates at facebook (it's mostly automatic . . . Mon, 13 May 2013 17:49:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981874413 Ian Thorpe 2013-05-13T17:49:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867888 George Harrison was my favourite Beatle. he was my wife's too, but for very different reasons. In 1965, pissed off with what he considered confiscatory taxation by the British government -- a supertax . . . Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:59:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867888 Ian Thorpe 2013-04-09T12:59:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981861833 Not long ago, and with great generosity of spirit on my part considering the treatment I and my fellow Global Warming sceptics regularly get from the science Nazis at this site, I took the time to teach . . . Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:53:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981861833 Ian Thorpe 2013-03-21T10:53:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981856080                 A history - changing discovery that potentially offers humanity a totally free and clean energy source . . . Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:00:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981856080 Ian Thorpe 2013-03-04T13:00:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981854132 When a scientific dictatorship was first mooted over a century ago the great obstacle to " going beyond existing permissions " as supporters of global government coyly put it, in imposing authoritarian . . . Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:19:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981854132 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-26T12:19:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981853739 This article is for information only, apart from thinking we have never been told the whole truth about the attack on the World Trade Center, I do not have a strong position on any of the arguments that . . . Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:07:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981853739 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-25T11:07:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981851318 Hungary Destroys COMMENTING IS OPEN: As with yesterday's post, this is not my own work but found via Stumble Upon . I thought the content would be appreciated here where the techniques . . . Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:33:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981851318 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-18T14:33:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981850944 This is from Inquiring Minds a British site (thus currencies, spellings etc. are British) ( h/t Captain Ranty ) and I didn't check the arithmetic, so any pendatic sods out there, if you find . . . Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:24:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981850944 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-17T13:24:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981849552 (COMMENTING IS OPEN) It's all so predictable really. No sooner was the ink dry on Pope Benedict's resignation letter than the lefties politically correct lefties of the Anglosphere were screaming that . . . Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:55:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981849552 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-13T09:55:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981848107 COMMENTING IS OPEN: What if proof were discovered that God exists, but that He / She / It was something very different to the traditional western ideas of God. This new anthology which I am privileged . . . Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:19:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981848107 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-09T12:19:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847746 (COMMENTING IS OPEN) You know folks, were I not an avowed non - theist who believes pure chance plays a bigger part in ordering events in our lives than anything else, some of the amazing coincidences . . . Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:29:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847746 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-08T11:29:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847404 Forget the monetarists and the Keynesians, money is magic. Most of us remember from when we were very young, being told by our parents that money does not grow on trees. No it doesn't, if you are . . . Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:45:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847404 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-07T14:45:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981846612 Dancing W ith The Cosmos, originally part of my award winning Never Ending Story Collection is published here as a tribu te to Reg Presley , front man an d song writer of 1960s rockers The T roggs . . . Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:08:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981846612 Ian Thorpe 2013-02-05T15:08:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981841994 The World Economic Forum, another expensive jolly for smooth faced elitists, meets in Davos, the most expensive and exclusive of Alpine Ski resorts this week to plan the world's economic future, all . . . Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:22:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981841994 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-24T12:22:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981841612 A lot of people are worried about a legally enforced plan to implant RFID chips into everybody as part of the new social engineering program known as Obamacare. Being British I'm not making any comment . . . Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:57:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981841612 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-23T13:57:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981838492 As I wander through gather these days I often find myself thinking how medieval and parochial the 'liberals' and 'progressives are. No doubt many who wear those labels with pride would claim their political . . . Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:44:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981838492 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-21T13:44:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981838837 Whatever happened to all those millions of refugees who were going to be heading our way when they were made homeless by the effects of climate change? you might well ask. You probably wouldn't because . . . Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:57:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981838837 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-16T12:57:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981837085 It has become very fashionable to yell "conspiracy theorist" whenever anybody questions the official versions of current events, history, the failure to resolve problems, official cover ups and so . . . Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:56:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981837085 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-11T14:56:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981835556 Thanks to the fiscal-cliff deal (December 2012) which raised an extra $41 in taxes for ever $1 cut from public spending according to American economic commentators and the new Obamacare related taxes, . . . Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:08:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981835556 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-08T12:08:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834238 According to most books on twentieth century history, a Berlin bus ticket that cost 11 marks in 1920 would on the morning of November 22 1923 have risen in price to 1.2 trillion marks for the same . . . Sat, 05 Jan 2013 13:16:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834238 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-05T13:16:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981833753 Meanwhile, as the world’s most powerful economy is drowning in debt, President Barack Hussein Obama basks in the warmth of the beaches of Hawaii, at an exclusive resort way beyond the financial . . . Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:02:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981833753 Ian Thorpe 2013-01-04T13:02:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981828230 Merry Christmas or Good Yule to all my friends at gather and anyone else passing by, now here are some seasonally bad Christmas jokes (stolen from Christmas Jokes UK ) An honest . . . Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:39:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981828230 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-24T12:39:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981827209 For those who don't know, Kickstarter is a crowdsourcing website where people can solicit ideas for business products, raise funding for new ventures invite "the crowd" to collaborate in design projects. . . . Sat, 22 Dec 2012 12:48:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981827209 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-22T12:48:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981826630   Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds ninety five, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure Twenty pounds and five pennies, result Misery. . . . Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:36:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981826630 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-21T12:36:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981820329 This may be politically incorrect and in the worst possible taste but it made me laugh hysterically. How do you stop Mohammedans raping little girls? (Click through to find out)   . . . Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:00:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981820329 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-17T12:00:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981815198 Breaking news from the US – via Watts Up With That? : a leaked draft of the IPCC's latest report AR5 admits what the brighter lights amongst us have ben saying for a very long time: . . . Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:19:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981815198 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-14T09:19:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981813385 (Part one is of course the climate Change scare which so many people here are still hysterical about) Now to explode the myths behind the Mayan Prophecy.   Mayan Doomsday Prophecy? Rule 1,Never . . . Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:36:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981813385 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-13T10:36:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981811620   Do you ever think about your brain, how it works and how little about it is truly understood . Do you think your brain and mind are the same thing? This is a long but interesting post, worth . . . Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:01:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981811620 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-12T13:01:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981806021 First, I must say I am not a Chistian or, some might say, at best "cultural Christian," and yet as a libertarian I find myself often defending Christians against the sniping of the "human rights" . . . Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:10:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981806021 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-09T13:10:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981802451 TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN FEAR, EVERYTHING IS A THREAT (Anon.). Warmageddoninsts Still Will Not Believe Global Warming Was A Hoax. I recently looked at a post by a man who claims to be a "scientist" pursuing . . . Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:01:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981802451 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-07T12:01:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981800430 I promised some friends a set of really interesting posts but then certain cliques here pissed me right off. So here's something to purge the negative energy. If you read paragraph 1 and think you know . . . Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:09:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981800430 Ian Thorpe 2012-12-06T11:09:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981770029 Have a great Thanksgiving weekend everyone.               Here's a bit of whimsy for the weekend, you all deserve a laugh (well most . . . Thu, 22 Nov 2012 11:31:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981770029 Ian Thorpe 2012-11-22T11:31:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981768194 Until this week the name Marco Rubio was unknown to most of us The reason many people outside the USA are talking about Marco Rubio now is that when he was ambushed by an Obama supporting journalist asked . . . Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:53:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981768194 Ian Thorpe 2012-11-21T12:53:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981761943 I was going to post something really good, original and thought provoking but what I have seen here in the past few weeks made me decide it is time for a show of solidarity first. In future commenting . . . Sat, 17 Nov 2012 10:54:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981761943 Ian Thorpe 2012-11-17T10:54:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981742541 And so I bring you this comment from a disillusioned American who was asked by a reporter which way he would be voting. Voting? It's pointless OK. Re-electing Obama is like backing the Titanic up and . . . Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:28:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981742541 Ian Thorpe 2012-11-06T15:28:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981740635 Solyndra, a company set up with $500 million of Obama's stimulus money to make and sell solar panels that would generate electricity from sunshine and feed it into the national grid declared itself . . . Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:32:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981740635 Ian Thorpe 2012-11-05T10:32:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981736627 Can Mitt's Magic Underpants Save America From The Voting Dead? Just when you thought the American Presidential election could not go any lower the campaigns, having scraped the bottom of the barrel . . . Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:35:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981736627 Ian Thorpe 2012-11-02T15:35:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981718675 It's time to bring my ghost stories out again. This silly, spooky offering is in the style of the Great William Topaz McGonagall (reputedly the worst poet ever published in the English language) . . . Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:25:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981718675 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-31T14:25:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981733244 Those who are seen stomping around in full evangelical fervour mode praising The Obamessiah as loudly as they can and warnring us unbelievers of the fire and brimstone that will rain down on our heads, . . . Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:39:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981733244 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-31T12:39:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981727949  This is an old video I did back in 2002 or 3. I meant to post a Halloween vid today but was distracted. Oh well, I have a couple of days left. Sorry about the misalignment, I fixed it five times . . . Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:56:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981727949 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-28T13:56:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981726469 For three years the argument has raged; is Barack Obama a natural born American or a Kenyan. Now with the 2012 Presidential election campaign warming up I have photographic evidence that he is not a . . . Sat, 27 Oct 2012 11:39:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981726469 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-27T11:39:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981722596 The deeper we get into the economic mire the clearer it becomes neither left not right have the first clue how to set about getting us out. All they can offer are failed ideologies and a relentless . . . Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:13:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981722596 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-25T09:13:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981712028 Yes, you read the headline correctly, the scientists have been caugh out lying again. Actually they don't necessarily cause brain tumours and I have always stated that is the case. But like cigaretttes . . . Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:43:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981712028 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-19T13:43:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981474927 O, wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us An' foolish notion: (from Robert Burns' poem "To A Louse") A few months ago somebody I used to . . . Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:05:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981474927 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-14T14:05:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981691843 Global Warming Sceptics amongst us will have been told we "do not understand climate science" and that in climate science, "the science is settled" and all that is left to be done in order to save the . . . Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:27:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981691843 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-10T14:27:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981683239 Britain has some weird and wonderful place names. Often there are good stories attached to how hamlets and villages came by their names. One of my favoiurite names and stories is Pity Me. How would . . . Sun, 07 Oct 2012 14:02:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981683239 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-07T14:02:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981679609 The News Media last Thursday were full of reports on Syria's allegedly unprovoked mortar attack on Turkish territory which killed five civilians, including three children.Many of the more . . . Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:53:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981679609 Ian Thorpe 2012-10-05T13:53:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981669825 This very funny parody is not my work but the creation of my sister Sally who is happy for me to give it extra exposure here Three More Shades Of Grey By Sally Redfern I know . . . Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:49:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981669825 Ian Thorpe 2012-09-30T14:49:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981662892 On my last article posted here the thread got into an enjoyable discussion about conspiracies and rather recklessly I said I would put together post dedicated to showing the difference . . . Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:29:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981662892 Ian Thorpe 2012-09-26T13:29:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981627484 I have a recurring dream, that I awake to find my bed surrounded by large, scowling, heavy set men in black suits. They all crack their fingers in a menacing way and all of them have an unnatural . . . Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:26:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981627484 Ian Thorpe 2012-09-12T13:26:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981610958 The only entrtaining moment offered by the Republican convention last week was the argument between Clint Eastwood and the empty chair. The punch line was delivered on cue but was a bit of a letdown beacause . . . Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:36:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981610958 Ian Thorpe 2012-09-05T15:36:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981608275            Robotics engineeers at an international robotics and technology show recently exhibited latest advances aimed at allowing disabled people to have the same . . . Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:34:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981608275 Ian Thorpe 2012-09-04T13:34:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981590144 What a mess the modern way of discussing important issues has produced. based on a politically correct consensus and social engineering. Another user recently challened me to write an analysis of . . . Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:24:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981590144 Ian Thorpe 2012-08-27T14:24:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981561891 The idea that some watered down form of Marxism can relieve poverty while a system based on free enterprise, personal liberty and responsibility and small government can only widen the gap between rich . . . Sun, 19 Aug 2012 11:56:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981561891 Ian Thorpe 2012-08-19T11:56:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981532117 No matter what your feelings about the evils of smoking may be, if you love liberty and democracy it is still worth keeping an eye on how, where and when national and local government regulates smoking . . . Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:17:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981532117 Ian Thorpe 2012-08-09T13:17:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981507753 Tony Soprano once asked on of his sidekicks, "Which businesses are last to suffer in a recession?" It was a rhetorical question, Tony supplied the answer himself, "Gambling, prostitution and ours (meaning . . . Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:09:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981507753 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-31T09:09:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981495893  Scientists have "created" an artificial 'life form' that resembles an other-worldly alien from a sci-fi movie and has a name to match. But real-life scientists created the multi-limbed "Medusoid" . . . Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:22:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981495893 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-24T11:22:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981486256 Every time I see an article here on evolution by Darwinian natural selection, though I might read it I am usually reluctant to comment.  This is partly because I have found that most people . . . Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:06:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981486256 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-20T12:06:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981481389 ("Children always cling to nurse, for fear of something worse" - Hilaire Belloc) Many attempts have been made to find a convenient label for the New Politics. My favourite is Populist Authoritarianism . . . Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:49:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981481389 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-18T12:49:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981475116 Here are some quotes from a little book called 'Brit Wit' somebody bought me this week . Enjoy.... I couldn't warm to Chuck Berry even if I was cremated next to him -KEITH RICHARDS Never keep . . . Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:21:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981475116 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-15T14:21:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981473380   The weak evening light had hardly enough energy to crawl through the single, small, dirt encrusted window placed high in the cell wall. The inmate sat on the hard bench that served as a seat . . . Sat, 14 Jul 2012 12:39:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981473380 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-14T12:39:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981470894 Talk of self-loathing Jews is not uncommon and is in fact a staple of Jewish comedy. Self-loathing proles, working-class people who look back with contempt at the communities they had the misfortune . . . Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:55:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981470894 Ian Thorpe 2012-07-13T12:55:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981430049 The title is a phrase used to sum up the philosophy of Dr. Pangloss. "Dr. who?" you might well ask because few people today are likely to be familiar with Pangloss or his philosophies. Dr. Pangloss, you . . . Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:25:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981430049 Ian Thorpe 2012-06-26T12:25:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981255430 The global warming controversy has died down in most of the blogosphere but the Warmageddonists and prophets of doom here at gather continue to argue as fanatically and irrationally as they always have . . . Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:20:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981255430 Ian Thorpe 2012-04-11T10:20:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981247746  Did early humans really sacrifice and eat their King at this time of year? Ann Marcadia asked me this question last year and I becames so absorbed in revisiting the myths, the areticle was not finished . . . Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:20:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981247746 Ian Thorpe 2012-04-07T12:20:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981225233   Yes a racist murder case has gone virtually unremaked. I'm talking about here on Gather, not just the majority of US mainstream media. After all the self righterous screaming about Trayvon Martin . . . Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:13:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981225233 Ian Thorpe 2012-03-29T14:13:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981200763 I looooovvvve this picture:                         Mirrored sculptures by Scottish artist Rob Mulholland are on display . . . Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:00:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981200763 Ian Thorpe 2012-03-18T11:00:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981188166 Broadcaster, novelist and critic Melvyn Bragg has launched a fierce attack on militant atheists and in particular Professor Richard Dawkins, accusing him and those who follow him of “ignorance” . . . Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:31:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981188166 Ian Thorpe 2012-03-14T10:31:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981151486 The UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, has reported a number of abortion clinics and doctors to the police and General Medical Council. The clinics are at the centre of an investigation by a major . . . Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:27:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981151486 Ian Thorpe 2012-02-29T10:27:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981112143 Coriolanus is not my favourite Shakespeare play, nor is the main character a natural politician or even a sympathetic character. From the moment he walks onto the stage, the the Roman elitist flaunts . . . Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:33:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981112143 Ian Thorpe 2012-02-14T13:33:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981023211 As NASA and NOAA have finally admitted the real increase in global average temperature (rather than that predicted my mathematical models) is marginal I thought I would publish this poem by . . . Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:50:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981023211 Ian Thorpe 2012-01-14T11:50:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980975397 The question of what happens to us after death has been with us from the earliest times. Neolithic burial sites show that the rites involved with a person passing out of this life was believe to be going . . . Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:33:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980975397 Ian Thorpe 2012-01-02T11:33:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980965016 Christmas TV gets more and more banal as years go by, or maybe my expectations become more and more unrealistic. The highlight of this year however managed to surpass all expections. It was an adaptation . . . Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:24:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980965016 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-30T11:24:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980939840 I have come to the realisation as events unfolded in a couple of threads I entered recently that some gatherites seem to be suffering from a delusional belief that I take them or their comments seriously. . . . Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:08:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980939840 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-21T11:08:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980922835 We British endured thirteen years of Labour government nannying, with agents of the state constantly wagging fingers admonishing us to never take any risks, eat any unhealthy foods, drink any intoxicating, . . . Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:58:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980922835 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-17T13:58:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980912898 This is the time of year we all like to lighten things up a bit. So here's a heatwarming tale from Italy (unless you're a mouse namred Jerry) of a black cat that got lucky. An alley black . . . Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:17:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980912898 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-15T10:17:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980905609 I did think of calling this post "Faith, Theoretical God Particles and the High Priests Of The New Physics" Here's a bit from a report by the BBC science department: Physicists . . . Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:15:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980905609 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-14T13:15:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980894538 We have all encountered a few rats in our time, both the human and the long tailed variety. But don't be to quick to judge, a new scientific reports says rats are kind, empathic and nicer than we thought. . . . Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:36:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980894538 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-12T12:36:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980880880 We live in a surveillance society. We are watched every day by cameras in our towns and along main roads, details of our financial transactions and social interactions via the internet are saved to . . . Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:50:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980880880 Ian Thorpe 2011-12-09T11:50:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980810730 We can be sure times are hard when the BBC is promoting the toast sandwich as a healthy and nourishing meal. I beg to differ, it's chea but not a lunch, my alternative is much better for little . . . Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:55:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980810730 Ian Thorpe 2011-11-24T09:55:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980796921 No Logo author Naomi Klein has come up with a solution to climate change : it involves punitive taxation; massive wealth re-distribution from the poor, middle class and modestly rich to a handful of . . . Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:06:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980796921 Ian Thorpe 2011-11-21T10:06:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980762597 I didn't make up the bulletproof custard of headline (let's be honest you couldn't make this stuff up, it's too crazy). Real 'bulletproof custard' has been proposed in a science competition . . . Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:58:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980762597 Ian Thorpe 2011-11-13T11:58:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980748618 The widening gap between investment in job killing  technology  and in job creation for human workers makes nonsense of promises to "focus on job creation" and their exhortations to young people . . . Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:22:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980748618 Ian Thorpe 2011-11-10T10:22:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980726585              Pennywise Howling   Only dead fishes swim with the stream. Cantona.     One of my favourite modern . . . Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:59:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980726585 Ian Thorpe 2011-11-06T08:59:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980686555 Several legends cobbled together with a stitching of fiction writer's licence to make a ghost story for Halloween. Viking warriors, ancient tombs, fast cars, indredients for a tasty snack. And . . . Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:51:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980686555 Ian Thorpe 2011-10-30T11:51:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980659388 We have heard a lot of the protests against the banking and finance industry going on around the developed world. Occupy Wall Street is the best know and has received most media coverage. Shots of yuppie . . . Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:14:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980659388 Ian Thorpe 2011-10-26T10:14:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980615148 There is no doubt the global economic system has entered a downward spiral and will go round and round like a Scottish or Irish reel. As recent warnings by Bank of England chief Mervyn King and German . . . Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:49:58 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980615148 Ian Thorpe 2011-10-19T08:49:58Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980593479 The President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel made an extraordinary speech last year, condemning ours as " the first atheist civilisation ", which "has lost its connection with the infinite . . . Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:27:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980593479 Ian Thorpe 2011-10-16T13:27:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980426306 This week a impending sense of doom surrounding world financial centres as the prospects of recovery in the global economy faded and sytorm clouds loomed over Washington, London, Paris, Berlin, . . . Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:19:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980426306 Ian Thorpe 2011-09-29T13:19:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980205357 As Barack Obama’s administration lurches from one crisis to another, as David Cameron talks of Broken Britain but appears clueless as to how it might be fixed, as Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy . . . Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:12:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980205357 Ian Thorpe 2011-09-08T11:12:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980182029 Here's a story about an issue often forgotten when discussing climate realated matters. But it does show people who say it's all down to carbon dioxide are suffering from tunnel vision. . . . Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:02:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980182029 Ian Thorpe 2011-09-06T13:02:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980158599 A technique for winning arguments against those stubborn individuals who can’t tolerate anybody holding a different point of view to theirs or who will simply argue for the sake of argueing. Includes . . . Sun, 04 Sep 2011 09:55:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980158599 Ian Thorpe 2011-09-04T09:55:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980131455 Are we becoming too reliant on computers and the internet and what is the point of having at our fingertips so much poor quality information? “Oh just Google it.” is the all too . . . Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:04:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980131455 Ian Thorpe 2011-09-01T08:04:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980073437 Saw this from blogger Nulty Goes To Partick today. It has been reworded slightly for an international audience: The fugituve Libyan leader must be hiding in somewhere in Scotland. On my . . . Sat, 27 Aug 2011 08:11:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980073437 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-27T08:11:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980053805 Click the link to open in a new page a re - examination of the famous Milgram experiment. In the light of modern marketing and PR techniques that have revealed how willing many people are to follow . . . Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:40:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980053805 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-25T11:40:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980042795 Some American academics have expressed concern about infiltration of British slang words and colloquialisms that are finding their way into the pure and beautiful American language after being picked . . . Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:01:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980042795 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-24T14:01:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979993126 An appreciation of the British film "Never Let Me Go" starring Kiera Knightly, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield. The story starts off at a gentle pace as if we are viewing some period romance but soon . . . Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:06:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979993126 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-20T13:06:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979880263 The UK's premier news blog (not), Boggart Blog reveals exclusively for Gather readers the man who plotted and organised the destruction of London in an outbreak of lawlessness and criminality wrongly . . . Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:10:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979880263 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-11T07:10:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979858100 A team of Danish scientists have reported that fears of sea level rising due to melting on the polar ice caps may be misplaced. The team have been analysing 5000 year old samples of driftwood extracted . . . Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:03:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979858100 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-09T09:03:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979839156 So what's the difference between anarchists protesting spontaneously about injustice, over zealous policing, rising prices, unemployment and the political incompetence that created the debt crisis and . . . Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:06:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979839156 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-07T07:06:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979826374 As the latest episode of the slow motion train wreck officially known as the debt crisis begins to unfold the prospect of mass unemployment hangs like a dark cloud over many people. Naturally I hope . . . Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:23:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979826374 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-05T11:23:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979816646 (Sensible info about the panopticon art installation Another Place down at the other end) Ah, a jolly old day at the seaside. Let's have a look what's going on ...     . . . Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:30:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979816646 Ian Thorpe 2011-08-04T11:30:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979761620 Actually that headline is completely untrue but it got you attention. Think back to those iconic images of the corpses of dead Polar Bears (Awwwww) floating in the ocean back in 2004. We were told the . . . Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:35:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979761620 Ian Thorpe 2011-07-29T08:35:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979744835 When a character in a UK soap opera was being praised for being able to express her feelings through the written word despite lack of education, another character snorted: "Feelings, my shopping . . . Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:25:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979744835 Ian Thorpe 2011-07-27T12:25:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979710247 Completely predictably the leaders of Eurozone's solvent nations have cobbled together a deal to save the beleaguered Greek economy from defaulting on its debts. Predicable because firstly if Greece had . . . Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:00:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979710247 Ian Thorpe 2011-07-23T13:00:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979660508 I liked this so decided to post it here. Don't know who said it originally but anything that urges people to think for themselves deserves to be repated ad infinitum: Reading furnishes the mind . . . Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:28:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979660508 Ian Thorpe 2011-07-18T07:28:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979612216 One of the sciencyheads here once told me I did not understand concepts. I do of course, I just think they are worthless. Here's a Buddhist thought on the topic, I found in on Jenray's blog  Jenray . . . Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:42:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979612216 Ian Thorpe 2011-07-11T13:42:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979315050 The inventiveness in the excuses of those caught out by their own stuipidity are often  a gold mine to lovers of satire. The little cogs and piuleys of their minds must whirl . . . Wed, 11 May 2011 09:39:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979315050 Ian Thorpe 2011-05-11T09:39:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979307235 Good to see Barack Obama has joined the ranks of conspracy theorists. A clip of himn on the lunchtime news in the UK showed the President saying those people who are questioning the veracity of reports . . . Mon, 09 May 2011 11:35:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979307235 Ian Thorpe 2011-05-09T11:35:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979202071 Could You Hug A Tory (Conservative) asked a feature in The Guardian newspaper some time ago. Several typical Guardian writers describe their feelings of fear and loathing when, purely in the . . . Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:32:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979202071 Ian Thorpe 2011-04-08T13:32:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979168887 Yes, you read that title right. Eating a banana a day will expose you to more radiation than you are likely to get as a result of the Fukushima accident. A lot of people are worried by what . . . Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:36:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979168887 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-28T12:36:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979162582 This perhaps should not be a Losing Your Religion posts but I included it in the group because there's nothing irreligious about laughing and it has come about because of an exchange of comments in an . . . Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:03:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979162582 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-25T16:03:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979148921 To save the planet, which faces a food crisis as we look at the prospect of feeding 9 billion people, we need more CO2. Now this may seem a strange thing to say when 'scientists' are always . . . Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:28:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979148921 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-19T14:28:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979128259 Last night Prof. Brian Cox, astrophysicist and formerly keyboard player with rock band D'Ream (big hit: Things Can Only Get Better) kicked off a new television series, The Wonders Of The Universe ( episode . . . Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:54:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979128259 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-09T13:54:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979118401 A set of scientific experiments caried out in the 1980s changed physicists understanding of the nature of matter fundamentally. It may also, when put into perspective by history, prove to be the greatest . . . Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:55:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979118401 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-05T12:55:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979113042 A Freedom Of Information enquiry for evidence relating to the so - called Rendlesham UFO incident (often known as The British Roswell) in 1980 has revealed that top secret military and government security . . . Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:40:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979113042 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-03T12:40:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979110221 Scientists have been sneering at mysticism for years. We all know now of cource that to many science is just a mind control cult but I see a lot of people here asking for proof of things like the . . . Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:34:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979110221 Ian Thorpe 2011-03-02T12:34:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978828281   Happy Holidays to anyone who passes through my gather page so I guess that is Merry Christmas to most of you.  Time for a rerun of my favorite Christmas joke. . . . Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:45:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978828281 Ian Thorpe 2010-12-23T12:45:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978786609   Solstice fires burn bright as newborn stars shedding warmth where frost - wolf's icy breath silvers streams, kisses each leafless branch, making the eternal mother yield. Frosted . . . Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:59:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978786609 Ian Thorpe 2010-12-12T14:59:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978785979 After the Copenhagen fiasco many people wrote off the Cancun conference held this week as a waste of time, space and huge carbon footprints. But from Cancun comes news of what is probably the greatest . . . Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:10:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978785979 Ian Thorpe 2010-12-12T11:10:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978693761 An unashamedly poinless post because I needed to create an external link to the Boggart Blog post (link below) Slugs, snails, spiders, all things creepy crawly. Yeuch! But they can provide interesting . . . Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:38:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978693761 Ian Thorpe 2010-11-14T10:38:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978662975 When Barack Obama was elected in 2008 his victory was hailed as a repudiation of the Washington political establishment and their cosy collusion with banking and corporate interests. Now the Democrats . . . Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:06:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978662975 Ian Thorpe 2010-11-04T10:06:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978594933 On checking the latest posts on the climate change info groups I get notifications from I was surprised to see nobody had posted this item. 'Global warming is the greatest and most successful . . . Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:09:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978594933 Ian Thorpe 2010-10-12T13:09:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978497290 Après mon poteau précédent quelques commentateurs ont critiqué mon modèle de l'écriture  par proposant moi ont une maîtrise pauvre de l'anglais. Très . . . Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:47:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978497290 Ian Thorpe 2010-09-05T13:47:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978418936 Look in some parts of this site and you might well think gay rights and single sex marriage are the only problems humanity has to deal with at the moment. Look in others and you might well . . . Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:14:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978418936 Ian Thorpe 2010-08-03T11:14:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978411100 The "reply" button on comment threads is not working for me. I noticed this a few days ago but can't see any reason why it's happening. It is probably something to do with my security settings but I'm . . . Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:41:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978411100 Ian Thorpe 2010-07-30T12:41:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978362388 When my good friend Sheryl O visited Britain recently she was surprised by the way at a certain hour the streets of London or Glasgow would mysteriously empty, it became impossible to get a . . . Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:08:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978362388 Ian Thorpe 2010-07-11T12:08:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978361093 Having been thoroughly pissed off over the past few months by the odious and reprehensible hate spewing of the people in this community who like to style themselves "progressive liberals" I had almost . . . Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:05:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978361093 Ian Thorpe 2010-07-10T14:05:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978344310 This video is from Tiswaz  an anarchic 1970s UK television show for kids to teens (but grown ups loved it) Right now in Britain perhaps because we have rid ourselves of the authoritarian Big Brother . . . Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:18:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978344310 Ian Thorpe 2010-07-02T11:18:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978342324 Not long ago I became involved in a thread with people  who thought they were discussing economic philosophy. If fact they were simply doorstep evangelists for The Obamessiah and his loonytoons economics. . . . Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:56:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978342324 Ian Thorpe 2010-07-01T14:56:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978103270 As doomsday fans and those inclined to religious hysteria gear up for 2012 when all sorts of ancient and end of the world doomsday scenarios have predicted the world will end, this frenetically paced . . . Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:29:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978103270 Ian Thorpe 2010-03-14T15:29:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978052286 The World’s Strongest Beer Scottish microbrewery Brew Dog is making a stand for the pride of Scotland by launching a new beer that will be the strongest in the world, snatching back . . . Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:04:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978052286 Ian Thorpe 2010-02-17T11:04:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977979902 Ten 4 Ten   This verse work consists of ten parts, each poem being written in a different voice to tell from different points of view where the western . . . Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:53:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977979902 Ian Thorpe 2010-01-06T11:53:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977965889 The Little Cellphone - Christmas fiction with an ahh in the tail. Have you ever wanted to puke over those sentimental Christmas stories that were so popular in the 19th century. If you have you will love . . . Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:55:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977965889 Ian Thorpe 2009-12-28T13:55:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977961803 In these dire economic times remember a dog is not just for Christmas. Serve smaller portions and you will be able to have cold cuts on Boxing Day and mabe even make a curry with what's left. Happy . . . Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:51:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977961803 Ian Thorpe 2009-12-24T10:51:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977960422 It was Christmas Eve, and in a small, ramshackle house in the poorest street in town a light burned in an upstairs window. Inside a father was kneeling by the bed of his four year old daughter talking . . . Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:30:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977960422 Ian Thorpe 2009-12-23T10:30:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977958796   Be careful not to drink too much this Christmas. Last year I got so hammered I ended up dancing n a table in a cheesy bar - or as Americans call them, a delicatessen.   . . . Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:17:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977958796 Ian Thorpe 2009-12-22T11:17:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977957475 Did you hear about the Dyslexic Devil Worshipper? He sold his soul to Santa     The Tyranny Of Consumer Christmas Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:13:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977957475 Ian Thorpe 2009-12-21T15:13:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977866882 As usual this post, originally published at Boggart Blog is a bit late arriving at Gather. Following the shock of last week’s announcement that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 had been awarded . . . Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:02:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977866882 Ian Thorpe 2009-10-23T12:02:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977841015 The post is a bit late arriving at Gather having come as usual from my UK site Boggart Blog  where it was online on 4th Ocober to mark the 40th anniversay of the first episode of Monty . . . Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:22:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977841015 Ian Thorpe 2009-10-06T11:22:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977820717 No need to read this or comment, I only post here for the links now... This is another skewed news story that was first posted on Boggart Blog  my satirical blog on UK news. It is the . . . Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:35:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977820717 Ian Thorpe 2009-09-21T13:35:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977769803 In my very limited time on gather this last few days I've seen several questions posted by people who think they may have picked up some malware, a trojan or a worm, something nobody wants on their system. . . . Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:57:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977769803 Ian Thorpe 2009-08-11T10:57:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977764952 Another hilarious (if short) post from the pages of <a href="http://greenteeth.blog.co.uk/">Boggart Blog</a>, Britain's No. 1 comedy blog. Former U.S. President bill Clinton travelled . . . Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:58:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977764952 Ian Thorpe 2009-08-06T10:58:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977734059   Another post brought here to gather from the UK's top comedy blog Boggart Blog. Boggart Blog always strives to bring its readers the really big news stories, especially those concerning . . . Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:31:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977734059 Ian Thorpe 2009-07-10T13:31:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977724557 this article first appeared on my UK blog, Boggart Blog, which is referred to in the text. Here in the Boggart Blog editorial office we love flipping through the public sector recruitment supplement . . . Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:36:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977724557 Ian Thorpe 2009-06-29T13:36:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977713711 It is that time of year again when our thoughts turn to a recuperative and invigorationg trip to the sea shore. Whether your idea of a good holiday is losts of swimming, water sports, long walks . . . Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:40:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977713711 Ian Thorpe 2009-06-17T13:40:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977674612 Lend an ear as I tell of, Van Goch, the  artist cut his lug'ole right off Said his friend Gaugin I'm a reasonable man an apology would have been enough, Everybody knows the . . . Tue, 05 May 2009 15:26:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977674612 Ian Thorpe 2009-05-05T15:26:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977633660 Earlier this month my friend Sheryl O posted an article bemoaning the parlous state of science education in the United States. To give Shezza a little comfort and because Gather needs more silliness . . . Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:14:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977633660 Ian Thorpe 2009-03-22T12:14:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977624527   Ever since the dawn of human consciousness, when men first stood erect on the savannas of Africa and the steppes of Asia, the creatures of the overworld have exercised a powerful hold on the darker . . . Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:11:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977624527 Ian Thorpe 2009-03-14T13:11:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977620715 Although we seem to have got rid of the plagiarism police from here I'll just mention this post first appeared on my UK comedy news site Boggart Blog . The real reason for my doing this is . . . Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:28:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977620715 Ian Thorpe 2009-03-11T12:28:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977614220 Before we get into this post it must be made clear that it concerns a very serious issue, I am not the kind of cheapskate popularity seeker who would make fun of people with unusual names to get . . . Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:24:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977614220 Ian Thorpe 2009-03-04T12:24:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977605448 An article to interest those who have ever wondered what African people really think about the west. Nigerian polymath Dambisa Moyo in her book Dead Aid reveals the truth. Links to  . . . Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:34:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977605448 Ian Thorpe 2009-02-24T13:34:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977592576 Climate change is everywhere at the moment with the Green lobby even pushing a range of ethical, environmntally friendly underwear as acceptable Valentine gifts. But if a lad gave his lady ethical, . . . Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:10:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977592576 Ian Thorpe 2009-02-12T15:10:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977574367   Two hundred and fifty years ago today Scotland's national poets was born and after two and a half centuries his work, though deeply unfashionable by the standards of the modern literary community, . . . Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:24:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977574367 Ian Thorpe 2009-01-25T13:24:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977543519 That's all from me until next year so have a great holiday whatever you call it and however you celebrate. Here are a few things to raise a smile: Do you ever think how strange our attitude . . . Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:55:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977543519 Ian Thorpe 2008-12-23T10:55:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977539121 This post first appeared on Boggart Blog , the UK's top comedy blog where, we perhaps out to remind you the editorial policy can best be summed up in the phrase "We never sacrifice a laugh . . . Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:45:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977539121 Ian Thorpe 2008-12-18T12:45:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977533612  With somebody named Blagojevich in the news it seems a good time to introduce a you to a new new word, Blag. Blag, according to the Oxford English Dictionary is a verb that originated in . . . Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:19:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977533612 Ian Thorpe 2008-12-12T13:19:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977527736 Though worth reading for the laughs I'll be honest, this is a shameless plug for my friend Carla Dodd's new business. It is too late for me to get any of Carla's stuff sent over in time for . . . Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:28:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977527736 Ian Thorpe 2008-12-06T09:28:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977493128 I live near Top Withins, Wuthering Heights to lovers of dark romances (yes it's a real place) so that gives you an idea of the kind of landscape in which this narrative verse is set. . . . Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:39:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977493128 Ian Thorpe 2008-10-30T15:39:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977487491 A few of you have very kindly mailed to say you miss my whacky humour. OK, it's only a few but I know the rest of you are just too shy and retiring to mention it. In the past couple of months I . . . Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:49:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977487491 Ian Thorpe 2008-10-24T10:49:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977453386 On September 19 every year at Boggart Blog, the UK blog where my sister and I demonstrate day after day that it is perfectly possible to e completely, utterly and joyously mad while still being . . . Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:18:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977453386 Ian Thorpe 2008-09-19T12:18:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977440860 Following accusations in the U.S. media that Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin is a bad mother, the UK's top new media giant Boggart Network News (BNN) sent a crack(head) team of investigative . . . Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:14:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977440860 Ian Thorpe 2008-09-05T13:14:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977439481 An exclusive story from the Irish office of International news giant Boggart Network News  Indonesian Keyan Multi-national American Presidential candidate Barry O'Bama, . . . Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:17:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977439481 Ian Thorpe 2008-09-04T13:17:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977436790 Many people are still wondering why American Presidential Candidate John McCain picked Palin as his running mate and potential Vice President and will be shocked as I was to find the Palin in question . . . Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:39:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977436790 Ian Thorpe 2008-09-02T09:39:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977427760 For many years the Australians have given the impression that a great sporting rivalry exists between Australia and Britain. We British, like and indulgent Big Brother whose irritating younger sibling . . . Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:18:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977427760 Ian Thorpe 2008-08-22T12:18:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977420786 So that cute little Chinese girl who sang the solo at the Olympic opening ceremony and "won the hearts of the world," to quote one tabloid headline, was not all she seemed to be . The beautiful . . . Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:10:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977420786 Ian Thorpe 2008-08-13T15:10:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977412134 British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe is involved in a race against time to get her dodgy foot fit for the Olympic Marathon. And the Chinese authorities are involved in a race against time to get the . . . Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:36:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977412134 Ian Thorpe 2008-08-02T15:36:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977408871 Plenty of religious zealots have been styled "The Hound Of God" for their unrelenting pursuit of "heretics." With that in mind I wrote this piece of Doggerel to chronicle the efforts . . . Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:06:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977408871 Ian Thorpe 2008-07-29T11:06:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977407448 I was not going to do anything here today, I just checked in to look at my messages. In the inbox was a question from Dame Ruth, a very good question that deserved an equally good answer. So, opening . . . Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:39:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977407448 Ian Thorpe 2008-07-27T10:39:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977406306 A proposal put forward by a team of behavioural scientists at Cardiff University suggests the city should solve its binge drinking problem by redesigning streets so they are more user . . . Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:43:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977406306 Ian Thorpe 2008-07-25T11:43:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977402372 Complaints from the political correctness police that John McCain's jokes are racist, sexist and politically insensitive should be taken with a pinch of salt. All the prominent figures . . . Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:24:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977402372 Ian Thorpe 2008-07-20T11:24:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977394542 From Boggart Blog Reporter fatsally: The link between animals and bras, probably as old as the bra itself, though not as old as the ancient and exclusively make British sport of putting ferrets down . . . Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:37:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977394542 Ian Thorpe 2008-07-10T11:37:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977392734 The Republican lady promised me marshmallows, complains Blue Gal in this video blog .  I had to tell her "Beware of republicans bearing marshmallows". Remember the Stapuft Marshmallow . . . Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:26:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977392734 Ian Thorpe 2008-07-08T12:26:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977377404 There are many strange things going on in the world, unseasonal rainfall and catastrophic flooding in the American mid-west, drought in California, hoards of ravenous slugs eating our gardens in suburban . . . Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:55:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977377404 Ian Thorpe 2008-06-19T11:55:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977376449 "Scientists", bless them, have come up with "evidence" that the brains of gay men and heterosexual women are wired differently to the brains of straight men and lesbian women. Straight guys and lesbians . . . Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:09:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977376449 Ian Thorpe 2008-06-18T11:09:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977373912 Does hiring a hitman to kill your other half count as a home improvement? One woman thought so. Read the story at Boggart Blog Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:56:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977373912 Ian Thorpe 2008-06-15T12:56:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977360319 A great new idea for saving the planet didn't emerge last week. Instead a great idea for making lots of money by using lots of precious resources and lots of energy was presented as a breakthrough in . . . Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:38:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977360319 Ian Thorpe 2008-06-03T10:38:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977351299 It is simply unfair to ask politicians to debate a bill titled The human Fertility and embryo bill publicly, under the gaze of merciless comedy bloggers like myself, especially when that bill contains . . . Thu, 22 May 2008 13:00:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977351299 Ian Thorpe 2008-05-22T13:00:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977342772 While looking at Crooks and Liars yesterday reading comments on one of the articles which had suggested John McCain's belligerent stance on Iraq and commitment to "staying in" indefinitely . . . Sat, 10 May 2008 12:45:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977342772 Ian Thorpe 2008-05-10T12:45:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977340735 When it is late but you are not sleepy, that is the time a documentary about a bunch of religious nutters is very welcome. Last night was such a time for me and luckily Channel 4 obliged with a program . . . Wed, 07 May 2008 13:42:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977340735 Ian Thorpe 2008-05-07T13:42:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977329517 Cloned beef is on the way, it is safe to eat but is it necessary? The first beef from cattle that have been cloned rather than bred conventionally will be hitting supermarket shelves in the U.S.A within . . . Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:38:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977329517 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-22T11:38:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977313465 Why are there so many flavours of Gather Thought Police. And why do these people have in common that irritating trait of hitting the keyboard before they switch on their brain. Today someone called . . . Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:11:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977313465 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-13T12:11:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977307925 Thinking Outside The Bubble Readers who prefer a larger typeface with more whitespace between lines may like to read this article at Greenteeth Multi Media  The link opens the page . . . Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:14:58 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977307925 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-11T12:14:58Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977305868 Part 1 of 2 on the question that has kept scientists arguing for years - mostly because it belongs in the realm of philosophy. Lots of humour is this take on the topic. Readers who prefer an . . . Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:25:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977305868 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-09T12:25:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977305071 Who do we think is to blame for the financial crisis. The trade in financial derivities was crazy but was it the fault of governments because they failed to regulate, believing the promises of the . . . Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:34:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977305071 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-08T14:34:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977304024 As the topic of education (or lack of it) seems to come up ever more frequently in my comment threads and we seem to be losing sight of the fact that one of the great socially improving reforms of . . . Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:24:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977304024 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-07T13:24:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977303145 from BNN (Boggart Network News.) reporter fatsally (BTW in real life fatsally is my sister. It is a peculiarity of our American friends, I feel, that they see religious significance in odd shaped . . . Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:00:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977303145 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-06T13:00:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977300840 As Dubya ponders the failure of his missions to terminate ancient cultures in Afghanistan and Iraq and seeks to understand why his highly trained and expensively equipped army regiments have . . . Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:14:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977300840 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-03T13:14:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977299967 Part 4 and conclusion of the Series A Short History of Abortion and Contraception. Read earlier parts first: Part 1 Cavewomen and Contraception  Part 2 Bronze Age Birth Control Part 3 . . . Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:38:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977299967 Ian Thorpe 2008-04-02T11:38:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977298047 Part 3 of the Series A Short History of Abortion and Contraception. Read earlier parts first: Part 1 Cavewomen and Contraception  Part 2 Bronze Age Birth Control Readers who prefer LARGER . . . Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:32:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977298047 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-31T12:32:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977295677 TO READ Part 1 first follow this link   IF YOU PREFER to read long articles in larger print with more whitespace follow THIS LINK WARNING: In this article I will mention from time . . . Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:45:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977295677 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-28T12:45:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977294052 A LARGE PRINT version of this is available at Greenteeth Multi Media  Follow the link to open the pager in a new window. A button is provided to close the Greenteeth window and return you . . . Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:41:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977294052 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-26T13:41:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977292382 This post is being moved. A new link will appear here later Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:00:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977292382 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-24T14:00:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977290296 Peccavimus (we have sinned) The world spins endlessly around its dying sun in endless space. Seers and science seek a sign; are we alone or might we be mutations of an older race planted . . . Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:06:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977290296 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-21T14:06:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977289418 The Republican nominee, Senator John McCain was in London today, meeting people he may have to work with in a few months, his visit featured prominently in lunchtime news bulletins. This gave me my first . . . Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:56:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977289418 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-20T12:56:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977288619   I guess the McCartney divorce story has hit news bulletins around the world now...  Mr. McCartney was sleeping fitfully in his lonely bed, drifting in and out of dreams, taunted by . . . Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:52:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977288619 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-19T15:52:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977287578 What's the difference between a Christian and a stockbroker? The stockbroker knows he's lying Jesus died on the cross for your sins. So why beat yourself up with guilt? Enjoy your . . . Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:17:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977287578 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-18T14:17:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977286701 As some of you know I am a senior reporter for the Uberwald media corporation BNN (Boggart Network News) which is the news channel of choice for Boggarts, Bogles, President Bush, Scientologists and . . . Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:15:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977286701 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-17T14:15:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977285103 TOP COMEDY news of the week. The downfall of New York politician Eliot Spritzer this week reminds us how a name can affect a persons behaviour, what path they choose in life and ultmiately their fate. . . . Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:25:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977285103 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-15T12:25:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977284520 This is a story I posted on Boggart Blog three years ago, before I was at Gather. I exhume it now because a) its funny; b) the phenomenon is happening again I hear. Wild life experts around . . . Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:42:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977284520 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-14T15:42:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977280708 To be published this week, a new scientific study of sleeplessness lists amongst its findings that one common cause of sleeplessness is watching a television news bulletin before going to bed. The . . . Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:03:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977280708 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-10T12:03:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977279929 Overheard in Washington, Bill Clinton talking to a journalist ia a bar was heard to say: "I'll be straight with you buddy, if the phone rang at 3 a.m. Hillary is the last person I would want . . . Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:01:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977279929 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-09T15:01:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977279136 If someone tried to tell you God is a tea pot you would laugh, or I hope you would; most of you at least. But how can we possibly know that God is not a tea pot? A twentieth century philosopher, . . . Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:52:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977279136 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-08T12:52:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977278205 Silent Radio is a completely new concept in news and entertainment media. Absolutely nobody has ever done it before this week. We have had Silent Theatre of course, mime artists were one of the earliest . . . Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:27:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977278205 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-07T12:27:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977277174 Forty percent of German soldiers are overweight, a news story this week revealed. Given that ninety - seven percent of statistics are made up on the spur of the moment we should not take that figure . . . Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:40:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977277174 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-06T11:40:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977276363 Just came from Sheryl O's page where a post about blasphemy laws in the UK has moved to an Intelligent Design versus evolution debate. These always remind me of the fundie who visited my UK blog . . . Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:13:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977276363 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-05T15:13:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977275305 The Democratic Party claim their candidates lost the last two elections due to sharp practice, the hanging chad election in the state of Florida swinging the vote the Republicans' way in 2000 and . . . Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:04:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977275305 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-04T11:04:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977274379 If we were in the business of rehabilitating criminals in the prison system so that on being discharged they were equipped to take their place in society and earn and honest living how would we go about . . . Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:24:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977274379 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-03T12:24:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977273482 An idea that is not dangerous is not worthy of being called an idea at all: - Oscar Wilde. This is not a book review as such, after recently posting a review of a book titled How To Talk About . . . Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:44:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977273482 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-02T12:44:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977272766 Voices provided by Teri Thorpe - we had a lot of fun recording this. My wife is a trained singer so put a mic. in her hand and she comes over Maria Callas. So there was I saying, "Look its wannawannawanna," . . . Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:24:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977272766 Ian Thorpe 2008-03-01T13:24:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270907 Nothing new from me today as I have a stomach strain and it's playing havoc with my creative module. As many of my friends are guaranteed to have a well formed and well presented argument on almost . . . Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:12:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270907 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-28T12:12:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977268832 This week's unlikely star of YouTube is a man whose name is Bull's Tits, who wears a silly hat and is seventy three years old. Cardinal Diognigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Milian, who cuts such . . . Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:07:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977268832 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-26T12:07:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977267846 We Made Love I hate what Flash graphics does to video, this should be much better quality, but we get back to the refusal of the web gods to use professional tools. It is . . . Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:46:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977267846 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-25T11:46:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977266908 A TRIBUTE to and written in the style of the late great Spike Milligan probably the funniest man who ever lived, this story is based on a two minute monologue Spike performs on a 40 year . . . Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:35:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977266908 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-24T12:35:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977264233 One of the big news items of last week was the story of the baby about eighteen months old in Tennessee who was carried into the air by a tornado but safely deposited in a nearby field to be found by . . . Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:00:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977264233 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-21T13:00:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977263144 How To Talk About Books You Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard, English Translation published by Bloomsbury USA Reviewed by Ian Thorpe http://www.amazon.com/Talk-About-Books-Havent-Read/dp/1596914696 . . . Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:24:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977263144 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-20T11:24:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977260487 So the boy-candidate Barak Obama has chosen the phrase "Yes We Can," as his campaign slogan. Its a common enough phrase, uttered millions of times each day around the English speaking world . . . Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:50:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977260487 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-17T10:50:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977259205 A fascinating and disturbing television documentary last night dealt with infant evangelical preachers and focused particularly on seven year old Samuel who, according to his parents, has been preaching . . . Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:21:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977259205 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-15T12:21:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977258531 (Love looks not with eyes but with the mind: - William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream Act 1 scene 1) There was an Italian waiter who dated a girl named Ruth Slater, They did something . . . Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:11:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977258531 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-14T11:11:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977257624 Saudi Arabia's religious police have banned red roses ahead of Valentine's Day, forcing couples in the conservative Muslim nation to think of new ways to show their love. The Commission for the . . . Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:49:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977257624 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-13T11:49:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977255717 Politicians, medical experts and church leaders here in Britain are panicking about the binge drinking antics of teenagers. All around the country young people are getting rat-arsed and behaving in an . . . Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:44:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977255717 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-11T12:44:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977253088   FINGERS -the video (click this link) Fingers (text version for people on slow connections) Fingers hold your sandwiches And fingers scratch your head And fingers . . . Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:01:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977253088 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-08T12:01:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977251170 If individual liberty is the Golden Fleece of the civilised world are we in danger of surrendering it to Corporate and authoritarian interests and the dark forces of Conservatism. The enemy of the individual . . . Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:49:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977251170 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-06T11:49:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977250138 Some time ago my dear friend Sandy Knauer drew my attention to a quasi-religious organisation named Quiverfull. Sandy wanted me to have a shot at writing a satirical article ridiculing these idiots whose . . . Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:03:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977250138 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-05T12:03:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977249098 News broke today that a Beatles song is to be beamed into space to help aliens recognise that there is intelligent life on Earth. What the hell are they thinking of? If there are aliens out there . . . Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:16:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977249098 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-04T11:16:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977246429 I have not brougt any verse to Gather for a while, no reason except I lost interest in the site. Anyway, I decided its time to up my visibility so here we go...  Whenever our leaders make a . . . Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:32:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977246429 Ian Thorpe 2008-02-01T11:32:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977245518 About thirty - five years ago a TV drama imprinted itself on the national consciousness here in Britain because of the insight it gave into racial problems. It was titled "If There Weren't Any . . . Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:16:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977245518 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-31T12:16:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977243497 One of the big stories in the UK media over the last few days was the heartfelt complaint of senior news presenter Jeremy Paxman - "Paxo" - that his underpants do not support . . . Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:08:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977243497 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-29T12:08:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977242639 Today it became public knowledge that MacDonald's have become an official education service provider recognised by the UK government and as such, qualifications awarded in their training schools . . . Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:09:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977242639 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-28T13:09:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977236935 Rethinking My Beliefs As readers know I am not at all a religious person. The belief system I find closest to my view of life is Druidism. Now Druids have suffered a lot from the negative spin put . . . Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:32:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977236935 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-22T12:32:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977229568 Have you heard negative stuff about Facebook and wondered should you be there, or should your kids be there. Or are you not a member and wondering whether you should join the "coolest" of . . . Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:07:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977229568 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-14T13:07:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977225894 We should all be thankful Hillary Clinton's victory in the latest Democratic primary puts he back in the race to be the party's candidate in the U.S. Presidential election. I am no fan of Hillary, . . . Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:34:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977225894 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-10T12:34:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977224043 We heard through one of the nuttier radio stations Mrs. Thorpe tunes into that Tom Cruise is threatening to sue Andrew Morton, an author who specialises is unofficial biographies of the loonier fringe . . . Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:04:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977224043 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-08T13:04:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977219344 This is not one of my articles but an item posted by my sister at Boggart Blog our UK comedy blog. Is there an easy way to get rid of excess weight and ensure that bouts of over indulgence do not  . . . Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:41:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977219344 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-03T13:41:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977218307 Don't we love all the predictions that are trotted out at this time of year and all those talking heads who queue up to tell us what will happen in the coming months. They are never right of course, . . . Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:03:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977218307 Ian Thorpe 2008-01-02T13:03:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977215065 It may be in rather bad taste to mention this ? but when has that ever stopped me? We could not help noticing a sub-headline to on of the reports of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto read "Pakistan's . . . Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:54:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977215065 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-29T11:54:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977214386 Did you hear about the Zen Buddhist who went into Starbucks and said, "Make me one with everything." That's all I have the energy for today. Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:44:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977214386 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-28T12:44:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977211291 What the Dickens (A fragment of a previously unknown part-work by Charles Dickens, the manuscript was discovered during redevelopment of an old building in Clerkenwell, London) In the first chapter . . . Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:36:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977211291 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-23T13:36:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977206118 This is not Blasphemous, honestly. (Did someone say "Well there's a first for you Ian?" Infamy!) To help get into the spirit of Christmas I want to tell you about a series . . . Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:21:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977206118 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-17T12:21:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977203725 I am always gobsmacked at how each Doomsday Cult can manage to be crazier than the last. The latest, the name of which I forget for the moment, led by a self appointed Messiah called Michael . . . Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:09:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977203725 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-14T13:09:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977199771 How would you feel if someone close to your heart presented you with a bucket of shit for Christmas. Grounds for divorce, you might think, or at least a suspension of conjugal rights? Such a reaction . . . Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:32:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977199771 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-10T13:32:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977198056 More and more often we hear the phrase "the wisdom of crowds" being used to explain the stupidity of the Internet and those who profit from it. It is a stupid line in many ways, not least because . . . Sat, 08 Dec 2007 12:30:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977198056 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-08T12:30:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977197153 I could never quite make my mind up about Will Smith and until now never understood why. He was funny in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and as a stand up and turned in competent performances in films like . . . Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:23:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977197153 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-07T11:23:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977195021 We owe some sympathy to Maurice Fox a retired bus driver from Paignton, Devon, who likes nothing better than to enjoy a few drinks in the company of his friends at the local social club. Mr Fox has been . . . Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:38:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977195021 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-05T11:38:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977194262 Today’s revelation that chimps regularly outperformed human students in a series of intelligence tests comes as a blow to beleaguered education ministers trying to fend of criticism about failing . . . Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:14:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977194262 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-04T13:14:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192292 The world of epoxy – resin Devil’s Head collectors was set alight by news that Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne are selling their stuff in preparation for moving to a retirement bungalow in Bognor . . . Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:13:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192292 Ian Thorpe 2007-12-02T11:13:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977189932 OK, I know. That title is just calculated to  a certain type of person. But truly the dead can speak to us from the past of things in the present, as I will now prove. Alakazoo Alakazam! . . . Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:25:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977189932 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-29T13:25:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977184198 British Chain Store Marks & Spencer is putting J-cup bras on sale for the first time as customers demand larger sizes. The chain is trialling the garments on the internet before deciding whether . . . Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:04:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977184198 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-22T12:04:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977179888 Is there (or has there ever been?) a woman in your office or workplace, local pub or social circle, referred to as the local bike because "everybody could ride her?" It’s a simple . . . Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:54:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977179888 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-17T11:54:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977176071 Don't you get tired of all the "findings" published by "scientists" that eith tell us something we already knew, or report something so idiotic we are left wondering why we invest . . . Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:19:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977176071 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-13T12:19:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977173205 Munching my brunch of scrambled free range eggs on wholemeal bread and sipping my fair trade Orange Juice yesterday, I sumbled upon a TV show  in which a “western” Feng Shui expert was . . . Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:29:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977173205 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-10T11:29:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977171388 The bacon sandwich (or butty) to the British is not so much a snack as a national treasure. Slices of grilled bacon topped with ketchup or brown sauce laid between two slices of bread . . . Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:15:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977171388 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-08T13:15:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977165521 In the wake of some televised footage from Hollywood Celebrity Halloween parties which paid close attention to the costumes outfits paraded by some female celebs, religious fundamentalists have found . . . Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:38:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977165521 Ian Thorpe 2007-11-02T13:38:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977138360 This varticle first appeared on Boggart Blog   News that a group of firemen who, on being called to deal with a fire on public parkland and noticed a make homosexual couple getting jiggy nearby . . . Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:39:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977138360 Ian Thorpe 2007-10-05T12:39:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977128801 This site has a bizarre effect on me. For example, I have an outstanding invitation to join a group called procrastinators unite. It sounds right up my street and I ought to join but I just keep putting . . . Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:38:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977128801 Ian Thorpe 2007-09-26T12:38:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977123989 Osama Bin Laden is in love with George W. Bush? I know its hard to swallow but if this item from Scottish blogger nultygoestppartick can be believed then the world may be heading for an era of . . . Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:02:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977123989 Ian Thorpe 2007-09-21T12:02:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977108590 The First Stirrings of Cultural Conflict. It all kicked off on 9/11. But in order to understand we have to go back a while. Bahadur Shah Zafar looked out of his window on the morning of May 11, 1857 . . . Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:25:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977108590 Ian Thorpe 2007-09-06T12:25:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977093900 The Other Slaves – Part 1 On August 23, 2007, we remember the horrors of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The City of Liverpool, no more than forty miles from here, will have special reason to . . . Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:52:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977093900 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-22T12:52:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977093891 The Other Slaves – Part 2 The British Empire, built through the eighteenth century, was very big on freedom. Politicians loved to cite the Magna Carta in support of an Englishman’s rights. . . . Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:47:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977093891 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-22T12:47:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977089929 Recently I have been sharing a few laughs with Karen D, Ishbel and various other friends about the differences between American English and British English. It is not just in differences of understanding . . . Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:17:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977089929 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-18T11:17:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977088003 Those of you who read my articles might be surprised to learn that earlier today I was guesting on a Chistian Radio show for London's Premier Radio station. Even more strage, the producer Justin Brierley . . . Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:50:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977088003 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-16T11:50:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977082067 Just a quickie today everyone, first to introduce you to Wufweard the White, Theign of Sussex; a Brit Blogger with a great sense of humour and second to seek your opinions on an e-mail scam that landed . . . Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:06:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977082067 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-10T13:06:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977080923 After a lifetime of denouncing all things religious, it seems I may be due for a rethink. Having heard rumours over several weeks to the effect that rent-boy-bothering evangelical preacher Ted Haggard . . . Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:45:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977080923 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-09T12:45:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977075989 An American Evangelical "Rhinestone" Pastor was on tour in Britain a few weeks ago, his mission is to save our stools. Joel Osteen, leader of the independent Lakewood Church (independent, that . . . Sat, 04 Aug 2007 13:10:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977075989 Ian Thorpe 2007-08-04T13:10:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977052155 In the English speaking world outside America (yes, there is a world outside America) there has been a lot made of the fact that many Americans just do not know many basic things about American history. . . . Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:58:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977052155 Ian Thorpe 2007-07-10T11:58:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977045564 After the latest terrorist scares in Britain caused more disruption than the floods, veteran war correspondent Max Hastings said:  The flurry of precautions after terrorist alerts are almost . . . Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:48:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977045564 Ian Thorpe 2007-07-02T11:48:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977044060 In Britain we have a category of politicians we refer to as Former Future Prime Minister. These are people who have been spoken of by one faction or another as likely Prime Ministers before, usually as . . . Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:30:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977044060 Ian Thorpe 2007-06-30T13:30:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977037422 Hi, friends This is a very late call to poets on my "friends" list to submite anti war poems for pssible inclusion in a special feature in the July edition of the highly regarded e-zine Poetry . . . Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:44:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977037422 Ian Thorpe 2007-06-23T12:44:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977021893 The killjoy army seems to be unstoppable at the moment. Following news that the government plans to crackdown on "in the home drinking" because a civilised glass of wine with dinner might turn . . . Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:52:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977021893 Ian Thorpe 2007-06-06T11:52:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977019859 Some stories in the UK last week ought to remind us that freedom and democracy (or freeman moxy if you are American) is being eroded by creeping fascism. First story concerns the fatigued firefighters . . . Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:31:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977019859 Ian Thorpe 2007-06-04T12:31:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977008907 McDonalds are trying to use their corporate clout to have the word McJob removed from the Oxford English Dictionary. McLawyers are arguing in British high court that the term, which refers to an "entry . . . Fri, 25 May 2007 12:52:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977008907 Ian Thorpe 2007-05-25T12:52:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977006252 A headline in one of the UK's leading papers today, over a picture of an overturned and burned out tank in which six U.S. soldiers and an interpreter died told us that Iran is orchestrating . . . Tue, 22 May 2007 12:37:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977006252 Ian Thorpe 2007-05-22T12:37:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976955326 The issue dominating the news over the weekend has been the story of Faye Turney, the Roal Navy survival specialist taken prisoner and held in Iran and the way she was treated by the Iranians. This should . . . Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:27:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976955326 Ian Thorpe 2007-04-11T11:27:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976945099 A controversial but valid view of eighteenth century slavery.   Last week saw the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British Slave Trade and with it came a rush of politicians anxious to . . . Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:55:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976945099 Ian Thorpe 2007-03-29T11:55:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976939704 The title is a shameless parody of Steven R. Covey’s multimillion selling "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" of course. And why not, he is one of the leading exponents of a craft . . . Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:51:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976939704 Ian Thorpe 2007-03-23T13:51:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976935076 Lancashire Hot Pot (recipe with ridiculous backstory) The Industrial towns of Lancashire grew from villages in the eighteenth century and prospered in the nineteenth thanks to their proximity with the . . . Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:47:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976935076 Ian Thorpe 2007-03-19T13:47:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976926708 This is a story from the British courts, it should concern us all however. It is not particularly about the rights and wrongs of cannabis, it is about the exculsion of compassion and common sense from . . . Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:14:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976926708 Ian Thorpe 2007-03-08T13:14:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976911918 The first good thing that might possibly come out of this week's UNICEF report on the health and wellbeing of children in industrialised countries for the is that the embarrassment of being . . . Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:04:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976911918 Ian Thorpe 2007-02-16T12:04:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976906070 Cold Comforts are a series of recipes traditional in Northern England, Scotland and Ireland - and just the thing for the current spell of cold weather. View Picture I could not bear to think of my American . . . Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:44:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976906070 Ian Thorpe 2007-02-08T13:44:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976880674 I guess you would have to be some kind of idiot genius to buy a dead hamster thinking it was a 3G phone movie player, internet access, a million ring tones and various hands free, ears free, brain free . . . Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:16:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976880674 Ian Thorpe 2007-01-09T11:16:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976868094 It always happens at Christmas - or maybe Thanksgiving for you. You have worked yourself to a frazzle and driven everybody crazy trying to make sure things are perfect. And then one little thing goes . . . Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:14:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976868094 Ian Thorpe 2006-12-22T12:14:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976866633 Decriminalising Drugs and Prostitution.  In my previous article about the murders of six prostitutes in a mid - sized British town I suggested a way to solve the "crack - ho" problem is . . . Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:47:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976866633 Ian Thorpe 2006-12-20T12:47:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976862061 One story has dominated the news here in the UK for the past few days. This week we have learned of the violent deaths of at least three, probably more, young women who made their living as prostitutes . . . Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:09:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976862061 Ian Thorpe 2006-12-14T13:09:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976848018 The American love of flags is often remarked on by comedians all round the world. To help Americans of the patriotic right to kick their flag habit here is a very funny post by Liz Davies featuring . . . Mon, 27 Nov 2006 13:38:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976848018 Ian Thorpe 2006-11-27T13:38:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976846650 As the contraception & abortion war starts to wind up over in the USA again I thought I would highlight this very good post at G-O-B-shite, a new collaborative blog on blogspot. It is well woth . . . Sat, 25 Nov 2006 13:36:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976846650 Ian Thorpe 2006-11-25T13:36:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976836922 Click to view Fingers - The Video Fingers Fingers hold your sandwiches And fingers scratch your head And fingers pick your nose When you're lying in your bed Fingers play piano, trumpet . . . Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:29:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976836922 Ian Thorpe 2006-11-12T12:29:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976833237   1 November 2006 Its that time of year again when as a good pagan I should be recovering from my naked romp over Pendle Hill where on Halloween night we meet to cavort around under the . . . Tue, 07 Nov 2006 11:22:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976833237 Ian Thorpe 2006-11-07T11:22:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976828052 The Days Upon The Year Follow the road from Pendle, east through forest, moss and moor when overworld's portal hangs agape in the days upon the year, So many lonely travellers have passed that way . . . Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:41:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976828052 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-31T12:41:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976826573 This year's first Halloween special is just a bit of spooky fun. Read through the poem before you play the audio track though, the voice is so heavily distorted (deliberately, to make it . . . Sun, 29 Oct 2006 13:10:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976826573 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-29T13:10:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976822745 As promised I am bringing you a recipe to delight your friends after they have been out doing silly things on Halloween or for that matter indulging in any activity during the cold weather. But first let's . . . Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:58:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976822745 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-24T10:58:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976817675 There has been controversy over Madonna's decision to bring a little Fair Trade baby from a poor village in Malawi to be brought up as part of her family in England and America. People are asking . . . Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:54:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976817675 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-17T13:54:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976813322 It must be the greatest newspaper headline of all time and so long as there are such stories the traditional media has nothing to fear from us miserable rabble of bloggers. But can this story from The . . . Wed, 11 Oct 2006 11:30:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976813322 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-11T11:30:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976812612 I learned Iran's president Ahmadinejad is a fan of sixties rock music. There is nothing he likes better when relaxing than to listen to The Stones.................> > > > > > > . . . Tue, 10 Oct 2006 13:44:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976812612 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-10T13:44:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976810563 Not an original, this was sent to me by Canadian poet Reg Auffary  But I'm sure the insults listed below will make you all laugh. And there are a few absolute stonkers to file away for future . . . Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:58:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976810563 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-07T12:58:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976809093 According to the current issue of Biological Chemistry, research by Dr. Barbara Ehrlich of Yale University shows that too much testosterone kills brain cells. Another academic giving us food for . . . Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:55:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976809093 Ian Thorpe 2006-10-05T13:55:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976802815 I decided to post the first poem that ever earned me anything. A while ago I started to post a series of articles on reading and writing poetry with the hope of encouraging people who dismiss poetry as . . . Wed, 27 Sep 2006 13:26:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976802815 Ian Thorpe 2006-09-27T13:26:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976800496 Ian says: Sorry it has taken so long to get my responses to these comments up. For the first three weeks of September my network connection was down due to a major problem at the local network centre and . . . Sun, 24 Sep 2006 11:40:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976800496 Ian Thorpe 2006-09-24T11:40:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976799118 This poem should have been up yesterday but I am still catching up after a month of problems with the local network exchange. Ho - de - hum... Equinox When dawn rose on the twins your dance began, an . . . Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:09:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976799118 Ian Thorpe 2006-09-22T13:09:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976795304 Was the DOPE (Dear Old Pater Ecclisiasticus) right to say what he did about Islam? Resoundingly yes, bearing in mind it is only his opinion. Quite recently we British liberals were involved in fighting . . . Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:41:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976795304 Ian Thorpe 2006-09-17T12:41:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976790098 I just resurrected this article, changed the first paragraph which was obsolete and added a new link to an article by another writer on a sililar theme down at the end and posted it to some extra . . . Sat, 09 Sep 2006 13:24:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976790098 Ian Thorpe 2006-09-09T13:24:46Z