Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are to be burned in effigy tonight in Battle, East Sussex (site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066) as part of their annual Bonfire Night celebrations organised by the "Battel Bonfire Boyes".
For those American's not familiar with the event bonfire night is a celebration of Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November. It is a glorious expression of English anti-Catholicism and celebrates the gruesome execution of Guy Fawkes, a Catholic (terrorist!) who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Traditionally the highlight of the evening is the burning of an effigy of Mr. Fawkes, generally stuffed with straw, on a bonfire. Battle will be substituting Blair and Brown for reasons of their own. Had I known sooner I might have made plans to join their celebrations!
Fortunately, in the interests of multiculturalism, the education system is failing such a large percentage of students that very few young British citizens haven’t a clue as to the anti-Catholic elements of the holiday and just think it is about getting pissed and setting off fireworks.
For those American's not familiar with the event bonfire night is a celebration of Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November. It is a glorious expression of English anti-Catholicism and celebrates the gruesome execution of Guy Fawkes, a Catholic (terrorist!) who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Traditionally the highlight of the evening is the burning of an effigy of Mr. Fawkes, generally stuffed with straw, on a bonfire. Battle will be substituting Blair and Brown for reasons of their own. Had I known sooner I might have made plans to join their celebrations!
Fortunately, in the interests of multiculturalism, the education system is failing such a large percentage of students that very few young British citizens haven’t a clue as to the anti-Catholic elements of the holiday and just think it is about getting pissed and setting off fireworks.
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