Yesterday …
…Andy Flannagan wrote of ’the soap opera of personality politics’ for ‘Premier Christianity: ‘… we must resist this temptation to create pantomime villains and comic heroes…’
Boris Johnson is returning to London from his Caribbean holiday in his bid to return to Downing Street.
…The US congressional panel investigating last year’s Capitol riot subpoenaed Donald Trump: ‘You were at the center of the first and only effort by any US President to overturn an election…’
Pantomime villains… comic heroes?
…Reading Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Remarkable Rocket’. There’s a conversation between the fireworks. Self-important Rocket says that Cracker is selfish because he’s happy:
‘What right have you to be happy? You should be thinking about others. In fact you should be thinking about me. I’m always thinking about myself, and I expect everybody to do the same. That is what is called sympathy. It’s a beautiful virtue, and I possess it in a high degree.’
Political pantomime villains and comic heroes?
…We saw ‘Breaking the Code’ at Sheringham Little Theatre. The play told the story of Alan Turing… his education… brilliant mind… significant role in breaking the German Enigma code in WWII… pioneering work in computer development… homosexuality… tragic death.
The fascinating story was well told. Turing was remarkable man of huge significance… neither pantomime villain nor comic hero… perhaps a victim of his genius and sexuality?
This morning…
….Jesus’ story: The proud Pharisee prayed: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’’ He thinks he’s the hero… It’s more like pantomime…
‘The tax collector ‘dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’’
Musing… comic heroes, pantomime villains… Boris Johnson, Donald Trump… Oscar Wilde’s rocket… Alan Turing… Jesus’ insight… humility, honesty, integrity…
malcolmsmusings.org 