Friday 10th of February 2012
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Gus' Mission Statement

DRAWING BAD BLOOD

I know, I know, it’s easy to criticise and harder to perform. I’m the first one to admit it. But satire has been amongst us for a long time.

Even Shakespeare used it. I started in 1951.

Satire is often the last refuge of the oppressed.
Sarcasm is the sharp knife used by oppressors for mental torture.
Laughter is the best medicine as Buddhists would say although the Dalai Lama would not subscribe to either sarcasm nor satire.

But for us mere mortals with blackened souls, we need to refute the diet of anti democratic behaviour coming from “our

Satire vs. Fear

Indeed, satire is the only way to fight the never-ending excuses to install fear. Satire not only pushes the envelope it tears it too.

When governments of old tired of spending lots of resources to beat the public into submission, they created the court priest, who promoted a theology of obedience. Modern governments, by contrast, maintain power by exaggerating crises (or crying "wolf" about non-crises) -- and clamoring for "solutions" that would give them even greater amounts of power and resources. Both responses are propaganda strategies that exploit the public's psychological insecurities for the benefit of the rulers:

"From top to bottom, the government wants us to be afraid, needs us to be afraid, invests greatly in making us afraid," writes Senior Fellow Robert Higgs, in an insightful new article, "Fear: The Foundation of Every Government's Power."
How Rulers Exploit Fear

Jozef

Taste

Gus, while I generally agree with your thrust on issues I have to take up the issue of taste. I feel that the identity card cartoon was well out of order as an innocent man has died as a result of fear.

thank you readers, guests and visitors

A heartfelt thank you to all our readers, guests and visitors. At the moment I feel there is not much else left but to spread satire like butter on toast, to express our horror at the actions and porkies of our leaders — and the wishy-washy opposition (here and in the US) which I've been whispered in the corridors of underground secret rumours might improve somewhat soon. There is half a dozen coups being plotted against our Prime Meanster from his own ranks and as for little Geoge he'd better watch his bad-shot geriatric friend...

Anyway, I can dream... and thanks a million for being there. Gus

well said Gus .....

Well said Gus.

I think we should especially acknowledge David & Nigel for all their ongoing "backroom" endeavours to keep us "live" & also yourself for your endless supply of thoroughly accurate & enjoyable satire.  

As to our many readers, I'd like to encourage you all to think about more direct participation .... making comments, generating debate or writing blogs if you'd like try your hand.

And a "hello" to everyone from Margot & Hamish.

Cheers,

John.