Posted By Frank Hague
"Order the signal, Hardy."
"Aye, aye sir."
"Hold on, that's not what I dictated to the signal officer.
What's the
meaning of this?"
"Sorry sir?"
"England expects every person to do his duty, regardless of race,
gender,
sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability. What
gobbledygook is
this?"
"Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities
employer
now. We had the devil's own job getting 'England' past the censors, lest
it
be considered racist."
"Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."
"Sorry sir. All naval vessels have been designated smoke-free working
environments."
"In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the mainbrace to
steel the men before battle."
"The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the
Government's
policy on binge drinking."
"Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it. Full speed
ahead."
"I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch
of
water."
"Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history.
We
must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest, please."
"That won't be possible, sir."
"What?"
"Health and safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness.
And they
said that rope ladder doesn't meet regulations. They won't let anyone up
there until a proper scaffolding can be erected."
"Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."
"He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the fo'c'sle Admiral."
"Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."
"Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environ
ment for the differently abled."
"Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to
hear
mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral by playing the
disability card."
"Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under-represented in the
areas of
visual impairment and limb deficiency."
"Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."
"A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the
crew
up the rigging without crash helmets. And they don't want anyone
breathing
in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"
I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to
stand by to engage the enemy."
"The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."
"What? This is mutiny."
"It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged
with
murder if they actually kill anyone. There's a couple of legal aid
lawyers
on board, watching everyone like hawks."
"Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"
"Actually, sir, we're not."
"We're not?"
"No, sir. The Frenchies and the Spanish are our European partners now.
According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this
stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."
"But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."
"I wouldn't let the ship's diversity co-coordinator hear you saying
that
sir. You'll be up on disciplinary."
"You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your King."
"Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural
age. Now
put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules."
"Don't tell me - health and safety . Whatever happened to rum, sodomy
and
the lash?"
As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu. And there's a ban on corporal
punishment."
"What about sodomy?"
"I believe it's to be encouraged, sir."
"In that case .kiss me, Hardy."