27/03/2020 – “What we’ve got here, is failure to communicate..” – theflint.org

The words of “(The) Captain” played by Strother Martin in the 1967 Cinema Production of “Cool Hand Luke”.

**Strother Martin as “The Captain”…”I believe I hear your mother callin’..”**

He was referring to the (apparently) recalcitrant “Luke” played by Paul Newman.

**Paul Newman as “Cool Hand Luke”…A hard-earned thirst….**

Compared to the prolific, dubious quality and often conflicting communications from our fearful/fearsome/fearless leaders and mainstream media, juxtaposed with the actions of those being led over the last 2 weeks, the cause of “The Captain’s” failure is an uncomplicated and simple one to recognise and articulate:

“..Some men you just cain’t reach!”

(In this instance “men” could also be variously substituted with “Entire populations”, “Nations” and/or “Politicians”)*

(I love brackets)

Moving right along..

The luckless Paul Newman “Luke” is not to be confused with this character from the minds and hands of Renè Goscinny (Asterix) and Morris 1955-1977.

**Lucky Luke and his unlucky backyard fence.**

The French text translates thus: “The man who shoots faster than his shadow”

Rebooted and adapted for the larger-than-(real) life caricatures of today: “The person who engages mouth before starting brain….”

I have often wondered if the cartoon character was inspiration for the movie and eventually, real-life.

And to complete the “life-imitates-art-imitates-life” round-trip, in commemoration of the life and works of Alberto (Albert) Uderzo 25 April 1927 – 24 March 2020 whom, together with Renè Goscinny created “Asterix”, here’s a couple of examples that typify their irreverent and insightful humour:

**From “Asterix and the Chariot Race” (2017)**

(Goscinny/Uderzo no longer wrote or illustrated the series at this time however, the commentary continued to reflect the“zeitgeist”and was delivered in a similarly humorous vein)

..And this from the original, ”Asterix the Gaul” (1959) exemplifies the ongoing, mutually-assured aggravation between “Fulliautomatix”, the village blacksmith and “Unhygenix”, the local fish monger…

Still on topic: I have cause to wonder if, once the outbreak subsides, whether we will have learnt (and hopefully integrated) what our parents and OCD peers have been preaching to us all along..

Basic hygiene.

And whilst I attempt to wage a battle against primordial urges and automaticity that seems destined to,

..here’s a few of my favourite tips on weekend activities to keep both hands busy thereby making touching your face difficult if not downright dangerous..!: