For some reason, my fifth grade history teacher never taught the class about former British Prime Minister Bonar Law. Possibly because introducing a figure named Bonar Law would have had a more disruptive effect on the class than pulling the fire alarm. When I finally got around to looking him up today, I was shocked to learn that his name was actually “Andrew Bonar Law.” Seems to me that you might find the campaign trail a bit more manageable if you didn’t have to go around town putting up signs that said “Bonar” everywhere, but maybe he liked a challenge.
Some choice lines from his wikipedia bio, which fortunately only refers to him by his full name:
- “Following a deadlock between Austen Chamberlain and Walter Long, the two candidates agreed to stand down in favour of Bonar Law” Headlines screaming “Candidates to stand down in favor of Bonar Law” were hopefully trumpeted in 68 point font the next day in the papers
- “Bonar Law said that “there were no lengths” to which Ulster could go and not receive his support.” Ulster replied, “That’s easy for you to say…”
- “Bonar Law found Farquar too “gaga” to properly explain what had happened, and dismissed him.” I have no idea who Farquar is, but modern politics sorely could use more gaga exchanges between guys with names like Farquar and Bonar
- “Bonar Law’s estate was probated at £35,736.” Yeah Frank, I’ll get to that this afternoon as soon as I’m done probating Old Man Bonar’s estate…
In conclusion: Bonar Law.
22 responses so far ↓
1 Incurable Insomniac on Feb 13, 2009 at 12:40 pm
There’s a Tennessee politician whose name is Bill Boner. I’m glad I’m not one of his kids. I wouldn’t want to live in Tennessee.
2 Chris Hughes on Feb 13, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I kid you not, I know someone named Colin (pronounced Colon) Manlove.
3 jason on Feb 13, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I expect your 9 page theme on Bonar Law vs. Ape Law on my desk in the morning…
4 John Marte on Feb 13, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Our local sheriff is named Rod Johnson. He’s been re-elected repeatedly.
5 puerileuwaite on Feb 13, 2009 at 1:50 pm
From what I could gather from other sources* (* nearly as credible as Wikipedia), Bonar Law reputedly:
- refused to engage in bi-partisan exchanges, despite the Farqaur rumours; he was a political straight-shooter all the way
- with the exception of Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher, he was notorious for refusing to stand in the presence of ladies; for some odd reason he would wait until approximately 5-minutes after they left the room
6 Tom Servo on Feb 13, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I miss you mike. <3<3<3
7 Remmie Barrow on Feb 13, 2009 at 2:36 pm
No one wants to live in Tennessee.
8 Incurable Insomniac on Feb 13, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Yeah. Stillwater, Oklahoma is bad enough.
9 Nick Fechter on Feb 13, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Ivan Jagginoff
And that’s all I have to say…
10 OxfordProle on Feb 13, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Conor, thanks to your posts in the past couple of days, I’ve wasted an absolutely obscene amount of time on Wikipedia. In addition to the “Unusual Deaths” article from yesterday and today’s Bonar Law, here’s a small sample of tangentially-related topics I’ve perused on Wikipedia when I should have been working:
Throat cancer, Bootle, foot drop, putrefaction, the Siege of Drogheda, organic farming, Bruce Lee, Steve Irwin, Bolshevik, kabuki, fatal hilarity, chess (and the “Bathroom Controversy of 2006″), Hypathia, decapitation, Tennessee Williams, Disraeli, scuba diving, the Darwin Awards, and bacon (that last one may not be your fault).
Thanks, Conor.
11 Chibi Soma on Feb 13, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Is he Dudley Manlove’s grandchild, bychance?
12 Mr. Alexander on Feb 14, 2009 at 7:15 am
In spite of all the good-natured ribbing, we should thank Bonar for revolutionizing modern campaign tactics. Do you know he was the first to post political advertisements in public restrooms, inviting his constituents to enjoy a good time and providing them with his campaign hotline? He was also known as having the widest stance on the Sceptred Isle…
13 awfulgoodmovies on Feb 14, 2009 at 8:48 am
Aren’t the Brits better known for keeping a ’stiff upper lip’?
14 AJ on Feb 14, 2009 at 9:35 am
Ugh. As a Brit……UGH!
15 AJ on Feb 14, 2009 at 9:36 am
Never heard of this man with the name that would make a bunch of school kids snicker……
Seriously, in all my history lessons, we never touched on Bonar Law.
16 MonkeyCheezPants on Feb 14, 2009 at 11:03 am
There’s a street in Berkeley called Bonar Street. I giggle like a schoolgirl every time I cross it.
17 MikeH on Feb 14, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Here in Maine during the 2006 election for governor, incumbent JohnBaldacci was challenged by Chandler Woodcock. I think he lost only cause nobody in the state could face having a Gov. Woodcock.
18 DaveL on Feb 15, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I have a friend from Scotland who says Farquar is pronounced (in Scotland) “Farker,” which seems to me to add to the hilarity.
“Farquar?”
“No, Bonar!”
19 R.A. Roth on Feb 15, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I don’t get it.
Dick Penis Name
20 Mandrake on Feb 15, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Quote:
“Following a deadlock between Austen Chamberlain and Walter Long, the two candidates agreed to stand down in favour of Bonar Law”
What no jokes about Long-Bonar debates? And is it too crass to make a “local erection results” joke? I say no.
21 Rubicon on Feb 16, 2009 at 6:56 am
Bonar Law? Wow, the Nanny State is really regulating everything now.