Note: this is a humorous post from Cleese...try not to read too much
into it, eh?

John Cleese on the Syrian Crisis
EUROPEAN THREAT ALERTS - 2013
by JOHN CLEESE

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria
and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to
"Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to
"Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit
Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out.
Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody
Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning
level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "****ed Off" to "Let's get
the *******s." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they
have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror
alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France
are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent
fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing
the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to
"Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective
Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance"
to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher
levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only
threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy.
These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish
navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Once "sort of English" Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security
level from "No worries" to "She'll be right mate". Two more escalation
levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this
weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever
warranted use of the last final escalation level.

Regards,

John Cleese ,
British writer, actor and tall person


And as a final thought ... Greece is collapsing, the Iranians (Persians)
are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 430 B.C.