Samuel Pepys is probably the most famous diarist in history and his words are treasured throughout the English speaking world. A politician from the 1600's, he captured the spirit and soul of Britain in those days of an era we no longer recognise.
Read more: Diarists, propaganda and truth.... oh those pesky things called words!
My love of and for cricket started at an early age.
During WW2 the interstate cricket competition, The Sheffield Shield, was suspended. It resumed in the 1946/47 series and traditionally, the match between Victoria and NSW started on Boxing Day. I was 11 at the time and went to the game every day it was played.
Read more: I remember when... cricket was more than just a game
As Christmas comes. it is that time of year when Bing Crosby serenades us as we wander down the supermarket aisles throughout the world. His voice has almost become synonymous with the festive season.
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977 was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark warm bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, having sold over one billion analog records and tapes, as well as digital compact discs and downloads around the world.
Read more: I remember when... Bing Crosby ruled the airwaves
Only minutes before midnight on Christmas Eve, 1953, the engine driver of the Wellington to Auckland express train will notch back to walking pace in a remote area of New Zealand's North Island's 'volcanic plateau. Most passengers will be sleeping.
If the pandemic policy response had taken the form of mere advice, we would not be in the midst of this social, economic, cultural, political disaster. What caused the wreckage was the application of political force that was baked into the pandemic response this time in a way that has no precedent in human history.
Read more: Who Will Be Held Responsible for this Devastation?
It's tough being a bloke these days. It's tough being a woman these days. It's tough being a kid these days. In fact, life is tough for pretty much everyone who is " old school " conservative and has more than a few functioning brain cells left in their head. The simple job of living has become a government enterprise and is being rebranded as EXISTING. SURVIVING this insanity. We are living in a circus and fair ground where the circus reigns supreme and absolutely nothing is fun and it certainly is not fair.
Read more: Chains, Trains and being constrained. And elephants
The late and great George Carlin was as prophetic as he was a comic genius. Delivered in 2005, prior to his passing in 2008, this incredible piece rings more alarm bells today than all those years ago. In it he says "It's called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it." -George Carlin
When Dr Suess was " banned " by Cancel Culture I wondered why. His books were nonsense and delightfully foolish. Harmless fun. Simple words to delight and educate children in a way that entertained and put smiles on little faces.
In fact, being a Dr Suess fan all of my life, I have always had one of his books in my home and I am nearly 70. So why am I writing about frogs, footwear, fantasy and fluffy pillows? Well, read the article and you may understand,
Read more: Frogs, Fantasy, a good nights sleep and sturdy footwear. Oh, and sneetches.
Read more: I remember when... school holidays meant fun, freedom and forgetting rules
By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Investigative Laundrologist - “Warning: The following article is satire and uses exaggeration…
144 hits
Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is one of the most significant…
31 hits
In a time when truth gets fact-checked to death, rewritten, or quietly buried, it’s worth…
299 hits
From spark plugs to blockchains – decoding the energy behind the future - It’s not about…
334 hits
By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Investigative Laundrologist Dusty Gulch, 2025 – In a world where truth is…
27 hits
They say history repeats. But sometimes, it just whispers. In an age where speech is…
355 hits
When I tell people I’m a beek, inevitably the first thing they say is, “Yes,…
337 hits
When we look back at history, we often speak of "the old wise men" who…
371 hits
When dreams turn to infrastructure, who controls the future above us? In 1957, a lonely…
417 hits
Without a genuine love for our forbears, how can we truly love - or even…
436 hits
They didn’t storm the gates. They waited. While revolutionaries burned flags and shouted in the…
602 hits
RATTY NEWS EXCLUSIVE Operation Downstream: The Rise of the Feathernet Underground By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble,…
143 hits
By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Chief Correspondent, Fence-Sitter, and Eyewitness to History When the world teetered…
596 hits
Once we debated. Now, " they" accuse. And who are they? Talk about diversity.…
671 hits
Solar generators won’t run on moon-beams – they fade out as the sun goes down…
676 hits
In the 19th century, steam trains roared into history, their unstoppable might revolutionising travel and…
654 hits
There are stories we tell because they’re funny. And there are stories we remember because…
615 hits
As told by Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Chief Correspondent, Fence Sitter & Marmalade Analyst Before the…
542 hits
A few weeks ago, someone broke into my quiet little corner of the internet and…
514 hits
By Ernest ‘Ember’ McTail, Special Correspondent. Serious News Division of Ratty News The world watches. There…
494 hits
It began, as such stories often do, in silence and snow. Kananaskis, Alberta - a…
492 hits
As Australia faces economic collapse, and leaders like Donald Trump and Javier Milei take bold…
396 hits
In an age of civil unrest, burning cities, and bitter political division, the words “Give…
419 hits
Today, I am featuring an article written by our dear blogger Malcolm back in 2021.…
355 hits
June is Gay Pride Month. Flags fly, parades roll out, corporations update their logos, and…
443 hits
Written: 24 February 2025 This is a true story, about PP’s cancer journey. PP will…
384 hits
By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Chief Correspondent, Ratty News Dusk in Alice Springs. I, Roderick…
437 hits
The LA riots and Derren Brown's Remote Control (an episode from Trick or Treat where…
570 hits
An exclusive editorial investigation by Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Chief Correspondent, Ratty News Dusty Gulch - To…
462 hits