One historical figure you find inspirational

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

" Madam, in the morning I shall wake up sober, but you will still be ugly "

Still my favourite. If he was still around, I'm sure he would do alright on the stand up circuit.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Nelson and Shackelton for me.

Mel Gibson is worth a shout - somehow managed to nearly gain independence for Scotland and America, fought a series of biker wars in Australia, single handedly sorted out a series of major crimes in Los Angeles and all while pissed.

 

[ROKERITE]

Martin Luther, risking his life by challenging what was beyond question yet corrupt and evil.

 

[GreersElbow]

Nelson
Luther-King
Cromwell

May I ask which Nelson - If Nelson Mandela then why? I mean, I don't get this love in. His views on African nationalism were just as bad as the oppressors. Then you'd want to meet Cromwell, who'd certainly have hated Nelson M.

 

[TSB]

May I ask which Nelson - If Nelson Mandela then why? I mean, I don't get this love in. His views on African nationalism were just as bad as the oppressors. Then you'd want to meet Cromwell, who'd certainly have hated Nelson M.

Horation Nelson. Thanks for your interest.

Or Nelson from The Simpsons. Either's fine.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Michael Collins

 

[Dandyman]

May I ask which Nelson - If Nelson Mandela then why? I mean, I don't get this love in. His views on African nationalism were just as bad as the oppressors. Then you'd want to meet Cromwell, who'd certainly have hated Nelson M.

Are willing to back up that absolute load of bollocks about Mandela ?

 

[Chicken Runner61]

"Men of England, heirs of Glory,
Heroes of unwritten story,
Nurslings of one mighty Mother,
Hopes of her, and one another;

What is Freedom? Ye can tell
That which Slavery is too well,
For its very name has grown
To an echo of your own

Let a vast assembly be,
And with great solemnity
Declare with measured words, that ye
Are, as God has made ye, free!

The old laws of England--they
Whose reverend heads with age are grey,
Children of a wiser day;
And whose solemn voice must be
Thine own echo--Liberty!

Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you-
Ye are many — they are few"

Shelley - The Mask Of Anarchy

 

[El Presidente]

Gladstone

 

[TSB]

Gladstone

 

[Brighton Breezy]

George Orwell.

If the thread had asked for more than one I'd have added Robert Tressell, Alan Turing and the members of the International Brigade who went from England to fight against Fascism in Spain.

I have also been fortunate enough, through work, to meet and interview a number of local war veterans with some amazing stories. Each one of the dozen or so I met inspired me with their bravery and modesty. A very humbling experience.

 

[GreersElbow]

Are willing to back up that absolute load of bollocks about Mandela ?

Go read about his time in the ANCYL and views on armed resistance, violence and African nationalism. Yes, the apartheid was a brutal regime that had to be bought down, but his youth wasn't sparkling clean. Perhaps my comment regarding his nationalist views being on par with the apartheid regime aren't accurate, but I standby questioning his beliefs which I believe are completely overlooked.

George Orwell.

If the thread had asked for more than one I'd have added Robert Tressell, Alan Turing and the members of the International Brigade who went from England to fight against Fascism in Spain.

I have also been fortunate enough, through work, to meet and interview a number of local war veterans with some amazing stories. Each one of the dozen or so I met inspired me with their bravery and modesty. A very humbling experience.

Orwell for me too, he'd be spinning in his grave if he knew how the world has become. I'm also interested in the International Brigade, particularly the anarchists point of view.

 

[Garage_Doors]

Sid Vicious.

 

[highway61]

William Tyndale

 

[essbee]

For me - The Rev Frank Collins

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/sas-hero-in-suicide-over-book-1198598.html

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I went to Auschwitz last month and learnt of an amazing tale. Every time someone escaped, ten people would be chosen to be killed. One man chosen begged the guards not to kill him because he had a young family. An onlooker, Maximilian Kolbe, offered to take his place. The man whose place he took lived until 1995 - 53 years later and died aged 95.

I found that act of self sacrifice hugely humbling and inspirational. Particularly as it happened among such dark times at a place which attempted to brutalise those imprisoned there in the most horrible, unimaginably evil ways. A real shining light of humanity and kindness.

 

[Return of the Rev]

joan of arc

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

James Whyte Black (invented propranolol and cimetidine, had no time for all the bullshit that operates in medicine in the UK). RIP Jim.

William Wilberforce (slavery, anyone? I guess it would help us stick to FFP . . . mmmmm)

Adrian Borland. Made beautiful music, till mental illness took him from us. He knew his fate:

Death on the tracks
It rattles down
Past silent yards
Through ghostly towns
Past disused towers
It powers by
It runs on time
It runs on lies

I think I hear the scream of brakes
And just up ahead the buffers wait
The terminal for this long dark train

Oops - that was a bit gloomy :-(

 

[The Birdman]

Duke Wellington followed by Sharpe

 

[Mowgli37]

William Tyndale

What did you think of the recent BBC documentary? A very good watch imo