Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th April, 2018.

13th April, 2018.

Morning, afternoon, evening … 

Which is always something that’s mildly tickled me.

The sheer reach of Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar means I’m getting read by people across the planet.

By people across different time zones.

So … ?

Well … it’s tickled me.

But it does mean saying ‘Hello,’ in a video, rather interesting.

~≈§≈~

By the way, have you been keeping an eye on the news?

You’ll be aware — if you have — that there’s increasing demands for action against President Assad’s forces: in reply to his apparently use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Personally?

I really don’t care for the idea of the UK joining any such action.

There’s possibly lots of arguments for doing so.

Assad’s a nasty piece of work: and the war is harming civilians.

Wars ALWAYS harm and kill civilians.

But I personally feel there’s arguments against: even if they’re rather simplistic ones.

One … ?   Is simple precedent.   

We did nothing after Saddam Hussain’s regime used chemical weaponry agains the small town of Halabja.

Even when the Western Allies invaded Iraq — in the First Gulf War — they went in being able to show the Ba’athist regime had invaded Kuwait.

Even the Second Gulf War — where the evidence of the regime’s ownership of weapons of mass destruction was extremely shakey — Tony Blair at least tried to persuade the Bush Administration that getting UN approval would be good publicity.

The situation in Syria, now?   And the West’s response to it?

I see there’s on-going investigations of President Trump’s election campaign: whether there was Russian involvement with the President’s campaign, or had Russian help.

I believe the West’s response to the situation in Syria has more to do with President Trump’s political problems at home, than it does with any defence of innocent civilians.

That it is spin, in other words.   It’s the Trump regime’s attempt to look tough on Russia.

That is NOT a good reason for military action, or for Britain’s involvement*.

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) The USA dropped the world’s largest non-nuclear weapon: on 13th April, 2017.   On a province in which country?

Q2) 13th April, 1919, saw the birth of actor, Howard Keel.   Who did he play, in Dallas?

Q3) 13th April saw the sixth attack committed by the suspected Cambridge Rapist.   In which year of the 1970s?

Q4) During the American Civil War, which side occupied Raleigh in North Carolina: on 13th April, 1865?

Q5) Finally … ?   The then leader of the Labour Party resigned: on 13th April, 1992.   Who was that leader?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 12th April, 1981, saw the launch of the first Space Shuttle mission.   Which Shuttle was launched: the Enterprise, Columbia or Endeavour?

A1) The Columbia.

Q2) Dr Jonas’s Salk’s vaccine was declared safe and effective: in 12th April, 1955.   What did it vaccinate against?

A2) Polio: or Poliomyelitis, to give it its full name.

Q3) Which cosmonaut was the first person to be launched into space: on 12th April, 1961?

A3) Yuri Gagarin.

Q4) 12th April, 1925, saw the birth of puppeteer and animator, Oliver Postgate.   The animation firm he formed with Peter Firmin was called what?

A4) Smallfilms.   (Ivor the Engine, Bagpuss And Noggin the Nog are still some of THE finest things my generation will have seen on TV.)

Q5) Finally … The Royal Ulster Constabulary received the George Cross: on 12th April of which year?

A5) 2001.

Here’s a thought …

“I do not feel like spending the rest of my life writing books that no one will read. It is not as though I wanted to write them.”

Samuel Beckett, 13 April 1906 – 22 December 1989.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        I ALSO believe that Jeremy Corbyn has a minor point.   Theresa May’s government, much like Tony Blair’s before it, seems to be waiting for American instructions on what to do.   Many of us voted to leave the EU, as they object to external controls on Britain’s decision making.   I felt our involvement in the Second Gulf War was — likewise — us acting on foreign instructions.   Any action on Syria, today, would be Britain acting — again — on American instruction.   I, personally, object.

†        That it is, Olga^, THAT it is … !

‡        Probably helps to transfer your iTunes library as well, Debbi^: then point iTunes at it, afterwards.   (Hark at me!)

^        Sorry about the political rant, but the whole Syria thing — even where I think it’ll lead to another Homage to Catalonia — is … something we should have nothing to do with.