My OperaThe Old Shell Game
Sunday, April 27, 2008 11:35:34 PM
HG: "Roll Up! Roll Up! Come and try your luck with Honest Gordon!
Ah! You have a lucky face Sir. Try your hand at the shell game.
Three peas and three walnut shells."
Punter: "I haven't played this version - what does the red pea represent?"
HG: "That Sir is the long-term unemployed"
P: Oh! OK! I'll give it a go"
HG: "Here's the red one Sir. Keep your eye on it. Round and round we go -
where it ends up nobody knows. Take your pick Sir."
P: "That one I think!"
HG: "Oh bad luck Sir it's a green one."
P: "So who are they then? What does the pea represent that is?"
HG: "That Sir are those on training. Not even unemployed now.
13 weeks of non-employment.
Care to try another Sir? Double or Quits?"
P: "Rather!"
HG: "Keep your eyes on the two shells. Only two this time.
50% chance of success. Can't be fairer than that can I?"
P: "That One!"
HG: "Oh Sir! It really isn't your day. Another green one - new claimants these - been off the register for 13 weeks."
P: "So is there really anything under that last shell?"
HG: "That's only for me to know son!"
Just another example of the sleight-of-hand being played on you the UK taxpayer. Of course it doesn't matter if they spin everything and you can't tell truth from fiction. After all we have a lame duck PM at the moment and knives are being sharpened.
One of those would-be assassins is Jack Straw, former NUS president. He would make a fine PM - as an MP he supported student loans and the general indebtedness of student kind. If he can turn his coat against those who elected him what more qualification does he need?
Ah! You have a lucky face Sir. Try your hand at the shell game.
Three peas and three walnut shells."
Punter: "I haven't played this version - what does the red pea represent?"
HG: "That Sir is the long-term unemployed"
P: Oh! OK! I'll give it a go"
HG: "Here's the red one Sir. Keep your eye on it. Round and round we go -
where it ends up nobody knows. Take your pick Sir."
P: "That one I think!"
HG: "Oh bad luck Sir it's a green one."
P: "So who are they then? What does the pea represent that is?"
HG: "That Sir are those on training. Not even unemployed now.
13 weeks of non-employment.
Care to try another Sir? Double or Quits?"
P: "Rather!"
HG: "Keep your eyes on the two shells. Only two this time.
50% chance of success. Can't be fairer than that can I?"
P: "That One!"
HG: "Oh Sir! It really isn't your day. Another green one - new claimants these - been off the register for 13 weeks."
P: "So is there really anything under that last shell?"
HG: "That's only for me to know son!"
Just another example of the sleight-of-hand being played on you the UK taxpayer. Of course it doesn't matter if they spin everything and you can't tell truth from fiction. After all we have a lame duck PM at the moment and knives are being sharpened.
One of those would-be assassins is Jack Straw, former NUS president. He would make a fine PM - as an MP he supported student loans and the general indebtedness of student kind. If he can turn his coat against those who elected him what more qualification does he need?
