Borders. Monarchs. And heroes.

 Let’s start the day with a bit of Michael Rosen:

'Geography today,' said the King's tutor.

'I remember,' said the King, 'History is chaps and Geography is maps.'

'Yes,' said the tutor, 'though we might be talking about the chaps on the maps.'

'Go on,' said the King.

'Let's think about borders,' said the tutor.

'Yes,' said the King, 'they've been around for ages, haven't they? And we should respect borders.'

'Not really,' said the tutor. 'Borders are drawn on the map by whoever wins.'

'I had no idea,' said the King.

'Let me show  you,' said the tutor. 'You're sitting opposite me. Between us is a border. Now let's say that I want the border to be behind you. I'll just get up and draw the border there.'

'But now we're both on the same side of the border,' said the King.

'Yes,' said the tutor, 'and that's why I'm going to push you over that border. And now the border is between us once more.'

'And you've got the place where I was standing before,' said the King.

'As I told you,' said the tutor, 'borders are drawn by whoever wins.'

That’s the way it goes! 

Talking of monarchs, the Queen of Denmark has announced on television that she is going to abdicate in favour of her son. Now some people are saying that our own Charles should do the same. Here’s Simon Jenkins’ opinion on the matter.

I tend to agree with him but, being about half a year older than Charles I can fully understand his wanting to enjoy being king for a while yet. And maybe William might like to continue being a bright young hero without total responsibility a while longer too.

Anyway, it’s all nonsense in the modern age and we should think about retiring them all.

2023 ended with the news that another of my heroes, the journalist John Pilger had died. 

The renowned Australian journalist and documentary film-maker John Pilger has died aged 84, his family have announced.

A statement posted to his account on X said: “It is with great sadness the family of John Pilger announce he died yesterday 30 December 2023 in London aged 84.

“His journalism and documentaries were celebrated around the world, but to his family he was simply the most amazing and loved Dad, Grandad and partner. Rest In Peace.”

I was about to say I grew up reading John Pilger but that is not strictly true. I did read his reports in the Guardian through mybtwenties and beyond and then he disappeared. Unfortunately, John Pilger's Guardian column was axed when Viner took over in 2015.  

“But my written journalism is no longer welcome – probably it’s last home was The Guardian, which three years ago got rid of people like me and others in pretty much a purge of those who were saying what The Guardian no longer says anymore.” So wrote John Pilger in 2018

Yesterday someone posted that Jack Nicholson had died, another of my heroes but of a different kind. Later she had to retract it as someone else told her it was fake news. I can imagine Jack Nicholson giving an evil grin at that.

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!