General Election - Coming Soon - 11th September

[bgd]

The pope? He lives in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. 'Primo' real estate as they might say in Rome
Damn, he even has a private Swiss mercenary army. Hardly the life of a 'humble worker'.

For his predecessors I would agree. However the current incumbent actually lives in a guest house rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. The army comes with the country I would think

[ecureilx]

For his predecessors I would agree. However the current incumbent actually lives in a guest house rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. The army comes with the country I would think

And probably one of the few VIPs, political or religious, who took a simple car while going about this non-official duties, while visiting Sri Lanka.



Even for the other visits in Sri Lanka, he was using a standard Army Land Rover, in lieu of the Pope Mobile. And rumour has it that while in PH, he was a bit miffed when the natives built a custom Pope Jeepney- with Crystals etc. And still used the Nissan Pickup Pope Mobile for most events

[JR8]

Let's hope he is more kosher than Mother Theresa, as she is generally regarded as having been a 'front to back', pious but living in a palace, fraudster.

I sense people like the idea of a role model living a life of self-denial and modesty, and they like to buy into it; it makes them feel good about themselves, perhaps... ??

--- There's a story blowing up in the UK right now re: an idiosyncratic woman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camila_Batmanghelidjh, running a charity doing charitable acts for disadvantaged youth, whilst in fact running her own unaccountable mini-kingdom, generously funded by the government with tax-payer funds. 'Buying yourself into the moral nobility on the back of the hard-working man'. Is it a form of modern co-dependency, the hippy era redux for the 2010's... ? Like 'Fair-Trade', or buying strips of far away jungle in order to rescue it. Denying of ourselves, and if the exploiters get rich off the back of it, 'we did our best, our intentions were noble, so I can cast off my 21st century guilt', for today.

The curious thing with Ms. Batmanghelidjh is how so many people wanted to believe in her. Be photographed with their arm rather awkwardly and inappropriately draped around her - garnering a bit of moral stardust. It reminds me of religion, in the absence of evidence you have to have faith.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politic ... s-den.html Do a Google/Image search and you'll see several pix of her alongside Cameron the PM... that's how far her star rose. And still these people refuse to face their own vanity and folly and accept that she is a fraud.

--- The church raises church taxes alongside payroll taxes in many countries in Europe. Germany, Austria, parts of Scandinavia, and that's off the top of my head. You can opt out of them, but let;s hope your head of HR isn't devout.

'A German bishops' decree which has just come into force says anyone failing to pay the tax - an extra 8% of their income tax bill - will no longer be considered a Catholic.' [continues] - Ah spiritual blackmail... how noble hehe... but what does the Pope do with all this money?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19699581

[ecureilx]

but what does the Pope do with all this money?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19699581

Well, feed the poor, and do flood relief ? Good deeds ..








On a lesser note, the same church also refuses to baptise children if one of the legal / registered, official, real-not-so-rich parents is not Christian, but .. baptises children of rich folk's illegitimate children .. maybe I am off track on that, but the rich still get away with their wants and need .. Rant off

[nakatago]

Timely: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/a ... -gods-bank

[JR8]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/a ... -gods-bank
Yep, the Vatican have their own bank. Read the above to see what a godless operation it is...

The Church of England own more land that the Crown (i.e. a LOT!), and they have their own stock-brokers too. Not the likes of a 'Treasury Desk' managing internal funds and funding, but an entire stock-broking company working solely on investing the Church's vast funds.

Now, what's that passage from the bible?

'"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." ' - Matthew 19:24

p.s. It's a novel idea the church doing charitable works, I can't say I recall when that last happened on any memorable scale. My experience of them is the opposite, constantly begging for money so they can 'repair the church steeple' or what ever.

[the lynx]

Funny that the big churches beg money or instituted monthly GIRO payments for new church building fund and it seemed even more ironic that the church-goers are more willing to part with their money for more air-conditioning, uber modern architecture, and swanking auditorium complete with world-class PA and lighting system as the 'sanctuary' - all this, while poor small churches, with leaking roofs and rotting wooden walls, with small humble congregation to match (why are we surprised?) are struggling to get funds even from their denomination parent.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And to think. None of 'em are going anywhere when the lights do go out.

[nakatago]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank
Yep, the Vatican have their own bank. Read the above to see what a godless operation it is...

Wow, it's like I didn't post anything. Oh, wait, I did.

Timely: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/a ... -gods-bank

[Barnsley]

Parliament dissolved .....

Election within 3 months

Roll on day off work/in lieu

President Tony Tan Keng Yam, on the advise of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, Aug 25, said the Elections Department in a statement.

The general election must be held within 3 months of the dissolution of the Parliament.

[ecureilx]

Parliament dissolved .....

Election within 3 months

Roll on day off work/in lieu

President Tony Tan Keng Yam, on the advise of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, Aug 25, said the Elections Department in a statement.

The general election must be held within 3 months of the dissolution of the Parliament.

so the September 12 bet seems to be a winner

[sundaymorningstaple]

Friday, Sept 11 is polling day. Confirmed.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Will this be Singapore's 9/11?

[the lynx]

Be careful, gramps. Otherwise you will have helicopters hovering outside your window with spot light into your house!

[calugaruvaxile]

Be careful, gramps. Otherwise you will have helicopters hovering outside your window with spot light into your house!

why? after F1 by night they want to try NDP by night, too?