Monthly Archives: May 2007

Family Day: statistics

Posted on May 27, 2007 by Charles Lambert

According to research conducted by Vincenzo Mastronardi of Rome’s La Sapienza, a murder is committed within the walls of the Italian family home every other day (to be precise, 174 in Italy in 2005). The most murderous group is composed … Continue reading →

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Commonplaces

Posted on May 26, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Ever since I came across W.H. Auden’s commonplace book, the name of which I forget, I’ve been collecting extracts that appeal to me in one way or another. It’s the most impersonal, and knowing, form of autobiography there is, and … Continue reading →

Posted in auden, commonplace, lessing, religion | 2 Comments

FAITH

Posted on May 26, 2007 by Charles Lambert

A flame that believes in everythingcould burn the world, its house,the husk of wood round the heart.Tinder that sucks up that moisture is a lie. It would never take fire.A flame that believes in everythinghas its own explaining to do.The … Continue reading →

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Revealed truths 1 and 2

Posted on May 22, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Fundamentalists in Israel have complained about the use of cotton and linen in the same garment, as this is contrary to Talmudic law. The clothing retailers Zara, with 30 stores in Israel, have complied and removed the garment.An Egyptian theologian … Continue reading →

Posted in crank, religion, revealed truth | 2 Comments

Where are you, UN observers, when we need you?

Posted on May 22, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Ten days ago, Palermo elected its new mayor. The choice wasn’t particularly mouth-watering. In the blue corner, for Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition, a man of no obvious merit other than a slightly oily bella figura and a clean police record. In … Continue reading →

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No, no regrets…

Posted on May 19, 2007 by Charles Lambert

This cartoon is a wonderful example of the way in which the nature of what we understand when we see something can be gradually transformed by a series of minuscule shifts in representation. If you could find anyone in the … Continue reading →

Posted in blair, bush, cartoon, steve bell | 2 Comments

Blair leapfrogs new boss

Posted on May 18, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Alexander Chancellor, in today’s Guardian tells an amusing tale about Tony Blair being reprimanded by Cardinal Hume for taking part in mass at his wife’s church. Hume pointed out that Blair, as an Anglican, had no right to his sanctimonious … Continue reading →

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Celebrity

Posted on May 18, 2007 by Charles Lambert

I’ve made it! The GoogleAd up at the moment is a link to David Gest’s site. I’m not allowed to tell, or even ask, you to click on it, but I’m sure you’ll need no encouragement. Joan Collins was on … Continue reading →

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Good riddance to…

Posted on May 18, 2007 by Charles Lambert

…the Reverend Jerry Falwell. His vile homophobic ranting preaching career started in the abandoned Donald Duck Bottling Company. Would that it had ended there.

Posted in death, falwell, good riddance, homophobia | 2 Comments

The Scent of Cinnamon: second review

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Well, it’s not exactly a review, more of a generous nod in my direction. But it has very good things to say about the anthology as a whole, and I am sandwiched between William Trevor and Alice Munro in an … Continue reading →

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