This cartoon by Dave Brown from The Independent relates to news that former U.S. president Ronald Reagan has been honoured with a statue in London.
We see three pigeons sitting on a branch above the statue. One says, "My fellow pigeons ... we begin bombing in 5 minutes!"
EXPLANATION
On August 11, 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan, while running for re-election, was preparing to make his weekly Saturday address on National Public Radio. As a sound check prior to the address, Reagan made the following joke to the radio technicians:
My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.
The joke was a parody of the opening line of that day's speech:
My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you that today I signed legislation that will allow student religious groups to begin enjoying a right they've too long been denied — the freedom to meet in public high schools during nonschool hours, just as other student groups are allowed to do.
Contrary to popular misconception, the joke was not broadcast over the air, but rather leaked later to the general populace. [Source: Wikipedia]
You can listen to Reagan's quip here.
Of course, the joke here is that the pigeons will be crapping all over the statue, as pigeons tend to do.
ALSO READ
• Ronald Reagan honoured with London statue (The Guardian)
• Ronald Reagan statue unveiled at US Embassy in London (BBC News)
• 10ft statue of Ronald Reagan is unveiled in London (Mail Online)
