Keith Park did not get the recognition that many felt he deserved after the Battle of Britain but this has now been rectified with the unveiling this morning of his statue on forth plinth of Trafalgar Square.
Rather than give you a historical recitation I think it better if those who got to see him in action should have their say. All things considered I thing Bader demonstrated a genersotiy of spirit that was notably lacking in a few others.
Park and 127 other New Zealander fighter pilots served during the Battle of Britain.
He was the only man who could have lost the war in a day or even an afternoon
Johnnie Johnson
The awesome responsibility for this country’s survival rested squarely on Keith Park’s shoulders. British military history of this century has been enriched with the names of great fighting men from New Zealand, of all ranks and in every one of our services. Keith Park’s name is carved into history alongside those of his peers.
Douglas Bader
If any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I do not believe it is realised how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save, not only this country, but the world.
Lord Tedder, Chief of the Air Staff
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC, RAF
Pithy Obama jokes -
Q: Why does Barack Obama oppose the Second Amendment?
A: It stands between him and the First.
Q: What's the difference between Rahm Emanuel and a
carp?
A: One is a scum sucking bottom feeder and the other is a fish.
Q: What's the difference between Greta Van Susteren and Barack Obama?
A: Greta only talks out of one side of her mouth.
Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted
felon?
A: A fund raiser.
Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet
and a penitentiary?
A: One's full of tax evaders, blackmailers and threats
to society. The other is for prisoners.
Q: What's the difference between a large pizza and the
typical Obama backer?
A: The pizza can feed a family of four.
Q: What's the difference between Simba and Obama?
A: Simba is an African lion while Obama is a lyin'
African.
Q: If Pelosi and Obama were in a boat and it started to
sink, who would be saved?
A: America !!
Q: What's the difference between Obama and Hitler?
A: Hitler wrote his own book.
Q: Why doesn't Obama pray?
A: It's impossible to read the teleprompter with your
eyes closed.
H/T Shelly
A few one-liners...part 3
41. The shinbone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.
42. I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
43. Good girls are bad girls that never get caught.
44. God must love stupid people. He made SO many.
45. The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!
46. Laugh at your problems, everybody else does.
47. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
48. Crowded elevators smell different to midgets.
49. Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity.
50. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
51. The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
52. The sole purpose of a child’s middle name, is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.
53. Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.
54. He who smiles in a crisis has found someone to blame.
55. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
56. Never get into fights with ugly people, they have nothing to lose.
57. It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end.
58. Some people say “If you can’t beat them, join them”. I say “If you can’t beat them, beat them”, because they will be expecting you to join them, so you will have the element of surprise.
59. Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?
60. Never hit a man with glasses. Hit him with a baseball bat.
H/T DML
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well..
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
H/T Roger J
