[blml] Bible

[David Burn]

[JF]

Would you agree with the following?:

It is not illegal to give MI to the opponents

[DALB]

Don't be silly. Of course it is illegal to give MI to the opponents. Nothing
can justify or excuse doing that, whereas giving UI to partner may be (and
often is) excusable, even if it is not justifiable. I mean, sometimes at the
table you have to think, but you never have to tell the opponents an
untruth. And it never hurts anyone to give UI to an ethical partner, whereas
it usually hurts someone to give MI to an innocent opponent. The people hurt
are the opponents, and as has been pointed out by Eric on several occasions,
they may not even know that they have been hurt. Is that good for bridge?

Now that the Bible has found its way into this discussion, the words of
Chesterton seem appropriate for what I assure you will be my last message on
this topic:

Antichrist, or The Reunion Of Christendom: An Ode

"A Bill which has shocked the conscience of every Christian community in
Europe." - Mr. F.E. Smith, on the Welsh Disestablishment Bill.

Are they clinging to their crosses,
F.E. Smith,
Where the Breton boat-fleet tosses,
Are they, Smith?
Do they, fasting, trembling, bleeding,
Wait the news from this our city?
Groaning "That's the Second Reading!"
Hissing "There is still Committee!"
If the voice of Cecil falters,
If McKenna's point has pith,
Do they tremble for their altars?
Do they, Smith?

Russian peasants round their pope
Huddled, Smith,
Hear about it all, I hope,
Don't they, Smith?
In the mountain hamlets clothing
Peaks beyond Caucasian pales,
Where Establishment means nothing
And they never heard of Wales,
Do they read it all in Hansard
With a crib to read it with -
"Welsh Tithes: Dr Clifford Answered" -
Really, Smith?

In the lands where Christians were,
F.E. Smith,
In the little lands laid bare,
Smith, O Smith!
Where the Turkish bands are busy
And the Tory name is blessed
Since they hailed the Cross of Dizzy
On the banners from the West,
Men don't think it half so hard if
Islam burns their kin and kith
Since a curate lives in Cardiff
Saved by Smith.

It would greatly, I must own,
Soothe me, Smith,
If you left this theme alone,
Holy Smith.
For your legal cause or civil
You fight well and get your fee;
For your God or dream or Devil,
You will answer not to me.
Talk about the pews and steeples
And the cash that goes therewith,
But the souls of Christian peoples...
Chuck it, Smith!

David Burn
London, England