It was something along the lines of "Rest in peace, you sad old b@stard", but not actually that.

I didn't notice it until Czech mentioned it...

+ FORZA LA VIOLA +

I can't believe what I've just read.

Inter Bhoy, you've stooped really low. You've overstepped the mark, sir, and you've shown great prejudice in your own post. My family heritage is staunchly Catholic. I'm, like you, of no religion personally. I am agnostic about the existence of all metaphysical entities, from musical notes and numbers all the way up to God. If you think your base drivel about religion is going to prevent me from saying my view that the Papacy is the most blasphemous religious institution from a purely doctrinal sense, you've got another thing coming. It might not be the most appropriate time to make those remarks, but frankly I tire greatly of the mindless multitude pretending to be upset about the death of a very spoilt old man they didn't know.

I've no problem whatsoever with being called a bigot. I am a bigot. Just ask anyone who knows me in real life! And further than that, I am a loudmouthed, arrogant, opinionated, ranky, stanky ar5ehole! I don't flinch about who and what I am. I am not a bedwetting attention wh0re who likes to have a fashionably outre opinion. I am not needy to the point of being the little dog that starts a fight expecting other little dogs to come to my aid. My beliefs are fact-based, backable and solidly coherent. How bigoted of people to not tolerate bigots!

When Marcelo's death was announced, I thought it was someone being silly. I couldn't really believe it. It's quite a common reaction to when someone you admire dies suddenly and shockingly. That was my gut reaction - it was a big shock. Sorry about that - maybe I shouldn't have said it. When I realised it was true, I expressed great sadness and still-almost-disbelieving astonishment about the tragic loss of MPC many times. I miss Marcello's posts a great deal and I resent you reminding of a daft comment I made (and struggled to recall) alongside your opposition to my completely unrelated comments about the Pope, together with a highly juvenile logic supposedly relating the two.

Well done, Mr or Mrs Moderator, for editing Inter Bhoy's post. It probably would've offended me even more. How dare you question my feelings about MPC's death on that dreadful basis!

Mezz. I wrote RIP you old hag which is not supposed to be negative, and it wasnt my signature. I said the same when the old lady died in England

Spinoza, I thank you for your wonderful, eloquent rant. It now shows that whereas your first post may have been a warning shot, your second displays a verve, conviction and lunacy that only a forum could provide platform for. It’s not everyone who could openly come out and admit not only to being a bigot, but a foaming mouthed one who refutes such rabidly dangerous entities like musical notes and numerical systems though, as you say, it is hypocritical for bigots not to permit bigger bigots spout whatever guff they have to air.

As for stooping low, may I remind you that (insensitive, unhearing bigot bit aside) it was you who took an inappropriate (only in respect for those who believe in it all) opportunity to take not only a swipe at, but to forward the idea of mass annihilation of the RC church and all its members. Apart from leaving me with quite a considerably smaller Christmas present list, it would also remove the greater part of my two football teams.

Living in Italy I, too, am now getting a bit jaded with the supposed national mourning, especially by a country whose populace sees the inside of a church only when there’s a wedding or a funeral attached to it. I do, however, feel for my parents and other members of my family who genuinely love and appreciate their church as they are saddened by recent events even more than I would have thought possible, but that’s where I defend the ‘each to his own’ of it. I don’t want to get into a spat with you, or anyone else, about it. Too many wee dogs biting each others’ @rses could get a bit messy.

Regarding the Marcello thing, I am sorry for even bringing him into it. I was only trying to get at you, though your original comment did travel with me for a while, but I do admit it was a bit of a low blow. Mutual apologies proferred/accepted.

And by the way, Ed didn't touch a word of the original post. Thank you for that.

Saul Bellow

American novelist, aged 89. Also a bit of a goer having fathered a daughter aged 84.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/4414977.stm

Prince Rainier of Monaco, aged 81.

The Earl of Shaftesbury

Almost certainly murdered, aged 66.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4415251.stm

quote:

It’s not everyone who could openly come out and admit not only to being a bigot, but a foaming mouthed one who refutes such rabidly dangerous entities like musical notes and numerical systems though, as you say, it is hypocritical for bigots not to permit bigger bigots spout whatever guff they have to air.

Refutes?

Oh dear me, no. I said 'agnostic'. Refuting things outright requires a leap of faith that agnostics, by their very nature as, er, agnostics, don't do. I'm not an agnostic about every subject under the sun by any means, but all manner of metaphysical things, including obviously God, I'm merely noncommittal about. Numbers are very controversial entities, believe it or not. But then there are some very clever people who say numbers are no more controversial than tables and chairs. Who knows? So many clever arguments, it's so difficult to make one's mind up - education leads to agnosticism (not having a clue), which is a smashing paradox.

I am prepared to apologise for saying the RC Church and its followers must die a la the Pope. That was a bit harsh. But any religious body of doctrine that places an oligarchical intermediary between God/Jesus and His subjects isn't Christianity. This revolutionary idea marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of Modernity. That says it all. And I am NOT a Protestant!

Can't we stop the bitching yet? The world's too...round for all this. Let's hold hands, sing rejoiceful songs and dance around in circles fellas.

I've got a Monacon (or whatever you call them) staying at my house now, and he was most upset at the passing of Rainyhay today. Best Wishes to Paul Hunter too.

Dear me, it's like listening to Big Ron pontificating about racism.

I'd stick to worshipping your own God (the God of lost opportunities, Fergie) if I were you. Ignorance is obviously bliss for you and ignorance about Christianity is probably no great loss, but the idea that the Church (or porentously "oligarchical intermediary") has nothing to do with Christianity is simply poppycock.

Indeed. This one could run and run but after last night I've simply run out of energy. In some ways it ended Modernity and put us back in the Middle Ages.

"Porentously" is a jolly interesting word, George. Particularly funny alongside Big Ron (didn't he share you're [sic] talent for rubbish grammar and making up words?) and poppycock. Your post is the world's greatest proof of reincarnation; no one could get that dumb in just one lifetime. Your every post is an exercise in literary impotence. What possessed you to think that you were capable of being entertaining or interesting to read? When I want your monkey-brained opinion I'll rattle your cage, okay? Else, spare me the unpleasantries of being soiled by your all-besmirching intellectual malfeasance and provincial, juvenile blather.

"Literary impotence, intellectual malfeasance and provincial blather"? The portentousness quotient isn't getting any lower, is it? When not doing the invaluable work of pointing out typos, you write like a chap who's been given a thesaurus, but hasn't quite learnt how to use it.

In all likelihood Spinoza thinks a Thesaurus is a long extinct dinosaur. And "long extinct" rather sums up the fellow's barmy, verbose and irrelevant views. Out of about 300 pupils at my secondary school I teach at least half a dozen sixteen year old "wits" who write just like him. They expect extra marks for being pompous. Sadly they lose marks for being thick.

Spinny old boy...Back in your box!

Ta!

Let's throw this Polly Toynbee comment from The Guardian into the ring.

She really has opened a can of worms here.

I'm not a Catholic by any means but how does she know that the Papal ban on condoms has killed millions of Catholics? There are no figures. Similarly, she quotes the number of clergymen accused of sexual abuse but not convicted.

But when I get to the bottom I realise it's only just a feminist dyke having a rant.

Very politically correct there, Bracey.

quote:

Originally posted by Dels2:
Very politically correct there, Bracey.

As per usual, my dear

quote:

She said:
Islamic groups are sternly warning the Vatican to stand firm against liberal influences on homosexuality, abortion, contraception and the ordination of women

Islam allows conditional abortion (the condition being that it is done very early) and unconditional contraception.

I'm not sure exactly what she meant by ordination of women...

Bottom line is she should get her damn facts straight before throwing round accusations.