Result leaves a pain in the neck 
GOODNESS, a few of the political pundits were caught out by Jeremy Corbyn’s huge victory in the Labour leadership election. A reader kindly sends us the comment by television political reporter Michael Crick – the one who keeps chasing folk down the street with his microphone – who months ago put on social media: “Under the law of leadership elections – that the freshest and/or youngest contender usually wins – you should bet on Liz Kendall.”

Blair’s aims lose value
A FEW folk were delighted with Jeremy’s win. As stand-up Mark Steel delightedly put it: “Can I be the one to tell Tony Blair he’s no longer allowed to be a member, as he doesn’t share the aims and values of the Labour Party?”

Still on the boil 
GOOD to see veteran Scots singers Artie Trezise and Cilla Fisher being inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame for their work with the now-defunct children’s entertainment group The Singing Kettle. We remember when they disbanded SK, reader John Neil couldn’t stop himself from telling us: “Some folk felt they had gone off the boil in recent years, while others felt they were still in their element.”

Family-friendly murders
DEBATE continues on whether video games are too violent and have an adverse effect on youngsters. Jordan Stratton puts it in perspective: “My parents never allowed violent video games – just family-friendly board games with questions like, ‘Who murdered this guy with a lead pipe?’”

Shopping scare
IAN Power was telling a friend that his girlfriend had just used a terrible four-letter word. After his pal tried to guess what it was, Ian had to tell him: “Ikea. We’re having to go there today.”

Gender equality crash landing
STORIES about equality remind a reader of years ago watching a television programme about women airline pilots with his mum and gran. He says: “My granny commented, ‘that’s a man’s job, not a woman’s.’ However my mother replied that she thought it was great, one woman and one man pilot in the cockpit, and I started to think she was becoming progressive and liberal.
“My granny then asked her, ‘what about two women pilots?’ My mother’s classic response was, ‘No. One woman and one man – you always need a man pilot, just in case something goes wrong’.”

The humour of Ralph Milne
THE untimely death of former Dundee United star Ralph Milne reminds a reader of Ralph launching his autobiography a few years back in a Dundee book shop. Ralph was discussing at the launch why he was never capped for Scotland when his phone rang, and he told the caller he would phone back. “Who was that?” asked one curious hack.
“George Burley,” replied Ralph. “Apparently he wants me on the next flight to Japan. Better late than never I suppose.”

Ridicule and respect 
WE asked what you would tell your younger self if you had the chance, and a reader writes to us: “Assert vociferously in 1998 that Scotland will not qualify for a major football tournament for at least another 18 years, and compare the ridicule you would receive then with the grudging respect you would get now.”