todays gag..ish! Trafalgar 2005 A conversation between Admiral Nelson and Captain Hardy. Nelson: Order the signal, Hardy. Hardy: Aye, aye, sir. N: Hold on, that's not what I dictated to the signal officer, what's the meaning of this - 'England expects every man to do his duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability'. What gobbledegook is this? H: Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had a heck of a job getting 'England' past the censors, lest it be considered racist. N: Gosh, Hardy, hand me my pipe and tobacco H: Sorry, sir, all naval vessels have been designated smoke free working environments. N: In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle. H: The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It's part of the Government's policy on binge drinking. N: Good heavens, Hardy, I suppose we'd better get on with it. Full speed ahead. H: I think you'd find that there's a 4mph speed limit in this stretch of water. N: Dammit, man, we are on the eve of the greatest sea fight in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest, please. H: That won't be possible, sir. N: What? H: Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness. And they say the rope ladder doesn't meet regulations. They won't let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected. N: Then get me the ships carpenter without delay, Hardy. H: He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the fo'c'sle, Admiral. N: Wheelchair access? I've never heard of anything more absurd. H: Health and Safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled. N: Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of that word. I didn't rise to the rank of Admiral by playing the disability card. H: Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under-represented in the area of visual impairment and limb deficiency. N: Whatever next? Give me a full sail. The salt spray beckons. H: A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and Safety won't let the crew up the rigging without crash helmets. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts? N: I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to engage the enemy. H: The men are a bit worried about shooting anyone, Admiral. N: What? This is mutiny. H: It's not that sir, it's just that they are afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of lawyers on board watching everyone like hawks. N: Then how do we sink the Frenchies and the Spanish? H: Actually sir, we're not. N: We're NOT? H: No, sir. The Frenchies and the Spanish are now our European partners. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation. N: But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil. H: I wouldn't let the Ship's Diversity Co-ordinator hear you saying that, sir. You'll be up on a disciplinary. N: You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your King. H: Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest, it's the rules. H: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu. And there is a ban on corporal punishment. N: Now what about sodomy? H: I believe it is to be encouraged, sir. N: In that case, kiss me, Hardy. |