Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th March 2024.

29th March, 2024.

Right … it’s now Good Friday … !

Yay.

At least ‘Yay’ … in theory.

I went into Romford, yesterday: to try and sell the laptop.

And got nowhere!

Quite what I’m going to do now … ?

I don’t know!

~≈🤨≈~

I’ve got to confess, I’m not especially religious: although I’ve found prayer useful, occasionally.

But … ?

I’m also very aware that the US sees religion differently to the UK.

Here, it’s usually seen as a private matter you generally don’t talk about.

Over there, it’s more openly discussed: although I don’t know if Debbi, my one regular comment, can confirm that.

At ANY rate?   Religion in the States seems to be more openly discussed … and more openly involved with politics.

I know I still see the occasional reports of preachers, priests and pastors endorsing one side or another, one policy or another.

Most presidents seem not to want to discuss their particular beliefs: sensibly.

They want to appeal to as many voters as possible: whilst keeping an eye on the US First Amendment, the Constitutional amendment that mandates a separation of church and state.

But … ?

One thing that has come to my attention … ?

Is potential Presidential candidate, Donald Trump … is now selling copies of the Bible.

This, to me, is hugely offensive.

He’s doing this not out of any genuinely held beliefs … but to raise money for his political hopes, to pay off his court costs, and to dupe his Christian voters: to get them to vote for him by convincing them he’s a believer.

The man is a genuine villain: one that’s ignorant of a quote from Dune:

“When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way.   Their movements become headlong - faster and faster and faster.   They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget [that] the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it’s too late.”

And equally ignorant of John 2:15-16:

“15        And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

16        And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”

Trump’s about the money: not the beliefs.

~≈📜≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum*, Olga† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with Olga and Debbi scoring five out of five, and Mum on one!.

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

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

Q1)        29th March is Youth Day.   Where: the Philippines, South Africa or Taiwan?

Q2)        The last US troops left South Vietnam.   On 29th March of which year of the 1970s?

Q3)        The first legal same sex marriages in the UK took place on 29th March, 2014.   Where: England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland?

Q4)        The Prime Minister of the UK invoked Article 50: on 29th March, 2016.   Which Prime Minister: Theresa May, Boris Johnson or Liz Truss?

Q5)        Finally … ?   29th March, 1935, saw the birth of singer, Ruby Murray.   She’s best remember as rhyming slang for what: ‘Curry’, ‘Hurry’ or ‘Slurry’?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        Vince Vaughan was born on 28th March, 1970.   He played Lester Long in which 1998 film: A Cool, Dry Place, Psycho or Clay Pigeons?

A1)        Clay Pigeons.

Q2)        28th March is Serfs’ Emancipation Day.   Where: Russia, Tibet or the UK?

A2)        Tibet.

Q3)        28th March, 1979, saw the then British Prime Minister, lose a Vote of No Confidence.   Which British Prime Minister?

A3)        James Callaghan.

Q4)        An earthquake hit Sumatra on 28th March, 2005.   Sumatra is mostly in which ocean: the North Atlantic, Indian or South Pacific?

A4)        The Indian Ocean.

Q5)        Finally … ?   The Treaty of Florence was signed: on 28th March, 1801.   It ended a war between France … and where: the Republic of Venice, the Papal States or the Kingdom of Naples?

A5)        The Kingdom of Naples.

Here’s a thought …

“I don’t know any theory. Knowing the theory does not mean anything.”

Vangelis, 29 March 1943 – 17 May 2022.

And a song …

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

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!

†        I have to admit, Olga: I had a disappointing day on the laptop front!   The rain in Romford, didn’t help, either!   We’ll have to see if I can still see it through Facebook.   If I get any luck, there … … I’ll be very surprised!

        You’re right: if they get Barcelona-Sants looking like that, it’ll look superb.   But I get the impression it’ll be like many other public work: and take a while!   (Brentwood Station’s on what’s now called the Elizabeth Line: building that seriously overran!)

‡        That it is, Debbi.

        If it’s any consolation?   The news reports have said the accident could have been caused by contaminated fuel: contaminated fuel that’s clogged up one of the engines, and knackered — sorry, ruined — the steering.   I suspect, though, that we’ll only get definite results once any investigations are done.   If it’s any help?   The ship’s black box has been recovered: that should help … 

        Now … about Trump …