Author: Anthony

Bishops use web to refute Da Vinci Code

To coincide with the film launch, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have launched a web site, Jesus Decoded, which (in the words of its rather precious front page) “provides information for anyone who wishes to know more about Jesus Christ due to claims that appear in current popular media”.

Still in doubt about what the USCCB thinks about the Da Vinci Code? Here’s the opening line:

Causing people to see something they never saw before in a five-hundred-year-old work of art which is among the most famous and reproduced of all time is an accomplishment of genius, if that “something” is a valid new insight. If it is not, then this kind of achievement usually goes by other names.

Catfight!

Victimisation

I see that John Reid has a suitably sinister photograph on the BBC News website, to illustrate a story about victims being given more rights over what happens to offenders. Next up: Modern Lynchings.

Beckham speaks

Speaking to the BBC, David Beckham says:

“It’s impossible to trust people for me. And I don’t like it being like that, I’m not that sort of person. But I’ve been made into that sort of person because there’s been so many things and so many people, not let me down but just sold lies on me, and I think that’s the tough part to do.”

Say no more, David, say no more.

Talkin’ World War II blues, part 1

Amazing that no-one has yet noticed the crassness of David Beckham’s pre-World Cup party, where the RAF will stage a fly past of … three WWII military planes. What a way to see the team off to Germany! Remember, lads, it’s an invasion of hostile Europe. Stick one to the Hun! What in the name of God are the RAF doing pandering to the stupid jingoism and WWII fixation of the Daily Mail brigade?

I guess we can be grateful it wasn’t ten German bombers.

Update: Even non-Brits just can’t seem to get over it. Terry Wogan has just referred to a German TV presenter, as Lord Haw-Haw on a horse. Ho, ho, Terry. Very witty.

Update 2: Apparently the fly-past is now not going to happen, at the Beckhams’ request.

European Parliament petition

Euro-MP Cecilia Malmstroem has launched a petition to keep the European Parliament in one place, rather than have it move for its plenary sessions to Strasbourg. An eminently sensible aim, and if you agree you can sign the petition here.