Runner,

Looking back, I don't think we agree on anything. I don't think, as you seem to, that pretty much everybody is corrupt - "almost all politicians, academics, clergymen, teachers, doctors. nurses, labourers" - that does not leave many of us out.

So you hate and mistrust everybody ? No surprises there. Strange for a professed Christian, to hate so much. But it explains a lot.

Our Covid-19 death toll has now passed 500. And 175,000 in the US, or 350 times our toll. Ghastly. I suppose the difference is that in Australia, we have relatively strong and determined leadership, which doesn't experiment with people's lives by pro[osing dick-brained ideas. So we will come out of this much more quickly than the poor people in the US. Biden will have his work cut out for him, not helped by the despicable attitude of people like you.

Joe

mhaze, why do you get everything so wrong? From your misguided views on Covid-19 to Donald Trump, you just can't get it right.

The latest from The Donald, he is out there praising the far right and the Neo-Nazis with their off the planet pro Trump QAnon conspiracy theory, mhaze are you a believer in QAnon? According to these ratbags a high ranking government official known by the code name "Q" shares information about the anti-Trump "deep state", often tied to satanism and child sex trafficking. According to Trump these ratbags "like me (Trump) very much". Trump likes to retweet QAnon, and its adherents flock to his rallies. An FBI bulletin last May warned that conspiracy theory-driven extremists had become a domestic terrorism threat. The bulletin specifically mentioned QAnon, not forgetting these ratbags are dangerous Trump supporters.

Foxy,

Again, the physical attributes of Lisa Gherardini (the women in the painting) isn't the point here. The point is that people like Paul and many others only look for the bad in things ie the cracks in the artwork.

I find the Mona Lisa very powerful and, as I said, in the flesh, quite moving. The women looks at you with a knowing smile, serene in some knowledge only she has.

I saw your Rosetti work in Canberra a couple of years back at the pre-Raphaelite exhibition. I have to say I was underwhelmed. My taste goes more to the more realistic, mundane depictions of the world eg Mariana by Millais http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_(Millais) which was at the same exhibit.

In that vein, my favourite works of all are Vermeer's Milkmaid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Milkmaid_(Vermeer)) and 'Mother And Child XI' by Cassatt (http://www.marycassatt.org/Mother-And-Child-XI.html).

Still, thankfully, its all in the eye of the beholder. But again, the physical attributes of the subject are, to my thinking, by-the-by.

Well Paul, since I've never mentioned QAnon, I'm not sure how I could have got "everything so wrong". Another one of those things you just imagine?

So no, I haven't given QAnon a second or even first thought. And if you read or see the actual Trump quotes on this, neither has he. But that's not what those you rely on to tell you what to think are telling you so its not really your fault that you're headed off down another garden path.

BTW Paul, I pointed out that those privileged people you so despise ("opportunities only reserved for the privileged class") overwhelmingly support the Democrats. I couldn't help but notice (and smile) that you ran a mile from that observation.

mhaze,

"I (mhaze) pointed out that those privileged people you so despise ("opportunities only reserved for the privileged class") overwhelmingly support the Democrats. I couldn't help but notice (and smile) that you (Paul) ran a mile from that observation."

I didn't see it as necessary to comment on your observation, as its most likely, like your opinions, wrong. If you can provide anything like creditable evidence for your observation, the I'll consider it, and I don't mean any of your usual "The Donald said...." stuff, that's not creditable evidence, it usually a lie.

How would you know what I think of the 'Mona Lisa', cracks and all. It would have to be streets better than any portrait of YOU done by any Leo De Winkski!

mhaze,

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And as I
stated earlier - the Mona Lisa to me looks "aged",
and old, - its colours - dull.
A representation of that century, I guess.
Whereas Rosetti's work is vibrant, sensual, alive,
the colours and the detail - captivating, haunting.

I prefer art that grabs me. The Mona Lisa doesn't.