Yesterday evening, my son was watching Walt Disney Studios’ 1973 release of Robin Hood on DVD. What caught my attention was this bit of dialog between Robin Hood and Little John at the beginning of the movie:

(Little John) You know something, Robin? I was just wonderin’. Are we good guys or bad guys? You know. I mean, uh, our robbin’ the rich to feed the poor.
(Robin Hood) “Rob”? That’s a naughty word. We never rob. We just… sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.
(Little John) Borrow? Huh. Boy, are we in debt.

This bit of dialog was from 36 years ago, but I could imagine it happening back in the White House around mid-January of 2009.

The Mandarin

The Mandarin, whose real name is 吏恆, joined the order in 1309, and introduced the Gormogons into England during the 18th Century.

The Mandarin enjoys spending time with his pet manticore, Βάρἰκος, or Barry (who can be found in the Bestiary). When not in the Castle…well, frankly, nobody is quite sure where he goes.

The Mandarin popularized the fine art of “gut booting,” by which he delivers a powerful kick to the stomach of anyone that annoys him. Although nearly universal today, the act of gut booting or threatening someone or something with a gut boot is solely due to him.