R.I.P. Humphrey

Rickypt · #1 03-21-2006, 08:00 PM

I thought there would have been a thread on this already. I hope my cats live to be 18 or older.

(03-21) 07:31 PST LONDON, United Kingdom (AP) --

Humphrey, the stray cat who wandered into No. 10 Downing St., and lived with two British prime ministers before being evicted by Tony Blair, has died. He was about 18. Blair's office said late Sunday that Humphrey died last week at the home of a civil servant who had adopted him.

The black-and-white stray wandered into Downing Street in 1989 when it was occupied by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He was named in honor of Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Machiavellian civil servant in the sitcom "Yes, Minister."

He remained under Thatcher's successor, John Major, but moved shortly after Blair took office in 1997, prompting a Conservative lawmaker to ask in the House of Commons for assurances the feline was still alive.

Blair's wife, Cherie, denied reports her dislike of cats was responsible for Humphrey's eviction. Officials said Humphrey was suffering from a kidney problem and needed a quieter home in the suburbs.

In his heyday, Humphrey appeared regularly in the media, and once narrowly avoiding being squashed under the wheels of former President Clinton's bulletproof car.

His death prompted newspaper tributes to the feline with a knack for keeping Downing Street free of mice. "Political world mourns a killer named Humphrey," said The Times.

URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...i071003S58.DTL

DavidMn · #2 03-21-2006, 08:02 PM

I wonder why Mr Blair didnt want him?

Rickypt · #3 03-21-2006, 08:05 PM

Rickypt · #4 03-21-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I wonder why Mr Blair didnt want him?

It was his wife. She doesn't like cats.

DavidMn · #5 03-21-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

It was his wife. She doesn't like cats.

Oh ok. Well, at least he went to a good home.

madformac · #6 03-21-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I wonder why Mr Blair didnt want him?

I don't think its Labour party policy to look after the homeless.

Besides, he's already got one pussy in the form of Gordon Brown..

Rickypt · #7 03-21-2006, 08:12 PM

I guess I should say it was rumored that Blair's wife didn't want him there.

Rickypt · #8 03-21-2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madformac

Besides, he's already got one pussy in the form of Gordon Brown..

Do tell more. I know little about British politics.

And Humphrey was there first so I say the Blairs should have found another place to live.

DavidMn · #9 03-21-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madformac

I don't think its Labour party policy to look after the homeless.

Besides, he's already got one pussy in the form of Gordon Brown..

I was thinking the sane thing. How could a boring ass guy like John Major not have a problem with him. I would always watch him on tv and think to myself "Sir, when are you going to get a personality?"

GODDESS6 · #10 03-21-2006, 08:42 PM

poor kitty, R.I.P.

~

Rickypt · #11 03-21-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GODDESS6

poor kitty, R.I.P.

~

Yes, but also seems like he had a pretty great life.

Rickypt · #12 03-21-2006, 08:48 PM

Decide for yourself....does Ms. Blair like this cat?

GODDESS6 · #13 03-21-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Yes, but also seems like he had a pretty great life.

yes it does, i was just sitting here w/ my cat on my lap while reading it & it made me sad~ cats rock!!!

~

madformac · #14 03-21-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I was thinking the sane thing. How could a boring ass guy like John Major not have a problem with him. I would always watch him on tv and think to myself "Sir, when are you going to get a personality?"

Major was a boring chap really. Although it became clear years later that he had been shagging one of his ministers so he wasn't that dull I guess. Plus he's a fan of cricket, the gentlemans game, so he gets a vote for that.

Blair is deep down an honest guy I think. His problems are that he has been in power too long (it's not a maximum two term deal like the States, which is a good thing I think because you don't get Bush for yet another 4 years) and that he is easily led. He got on well with Clinton. Both men were very much alike in thinking I feel. But when Bill left town and old Cliff Barnes came in to replace him Blair started to kiss his ass for some reason. He let George talk him into invading Iraq (no doubt threatening to cut some trade links if he didn't, look at France for example) and Blair is tough with all leaders but Bush.. As Roger Waters wrote "The bulldog is a poodle sniffing 'round the scoundrels last refuge".

Gordon Brown is chancellor of the exchequer. Our guy in charge of finances and taxation etc. Since Labour took office in 1997 UK taxes have risen to double. We are the second highest nation in terms of taxation versus income. Britain is a very expensive place to live in relation to earnings. It seems the "deal" is that Blair will stand down about 6-8 months before the next election in 2008 and make Brown leader. Well I think you will see a change of party next time because, like all parties in power too long, the country gets fed up with them and demands change.

Rickypt · #15 03-21-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madformac

which is a good thing I think because you don't get Bush for yet another 4 years

The world couldn't handle such a thing.

Quote:

and old Cliff Barnes came in