Daily Star's 'Text Maniacs' column returns with unedited reader messages covering a range of topics from coast guard pay to House of Lords expenses, tributes to Ann Widdecombe, and criticism of political figures.
Coast Guard Pay vs. House of Lords Expenses
Reader Betty Boo questioned the proposed scrapping of the £11 call-out pay for coast guards, suggesting instead to stop the £300+ per day payments for members of the House of Lords. "All they do is grunt 'Here Here'. Absolute waste of space!! Unlike our coastguards you cannot put a value on their work," she wrote.
Rainbow Flag Debate and Ann Widdecombe Tribute
Anna from Lowestoft responded to a previous commenter, saying: "John challenger don't you dare label rainbow flag wearers as freaks, some of us do have morals you. I was appalled and sickened by Ann Widdecombe's murder as the next person." Several readers paid tribute to the late Ann Widdecombe, with Bamtaman calling her "beautiful inside and out" and Mussyi expressing disbelief at her murder, wishing for justice.
Political Donations and Pandemic Contracts
Another reader criticized politicians for focusing on Nigel Farage's £5 million gift before becoming an MP, while ignoring billions of pounds in taxpayer money given to elite companies for protective clothing during the pandemic that was never recovered. The reader called this "utterly unbelievable."
Starmer's Promise to Veterans
Billy criticized Labour leader Keir Starmer for promising to meet veterans of nuclear bomb fallout but not showing up. "This wimp of a man has to be the lowest of the lowest to see them men on news night upset hang your head in shame u-turn starmer," he wrote.
England Flags and Local Council
J Smith from Northwich complained that their local Labour council (Cheshire West) ordered residents to take down their England flags, expressing disbelief at the decision.
Victoria Beckham's Reaction to England Goal
Bill Shredder commented on a photo of Victoria Beckham looking unmoved during an England goal while her husband David roared, suggesting she was thinking: "Oh no, he'll want to get frisky with me later now!"
World Cup Observations
Big Les dismissed Norway boss Stale Solbakken's complaint about a ball hitting a wire, saying: "We had a job seeing the players let alone a wire (poor loser)." Cobbler noted that white jerseys have apparently won every knockout game in the World Cup, including Spain against France, and hoped this continued for England.
Harry Styles Ticket Prices
Brian Linford from Pontefract criticized Harry Styles for high ticket prices ranging from £146 to £279 for standard, £466 for VIP, and £700 for premium, saying he has "ostracised the fans" and "bleeds fans dry."
Handshake Nostalgia
Dave from Chorley lamented the loss of proper handshakes, recalling the last one he saw in 1977 between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson at the Duel in the Sun at Turnberry. "2 proper men, proper sportsmen. Rip handshakes," he wrote.
Social Battery Terminology
Tets expressed confusion over modern terms like "social battery" and "energy wall," calling them "gobbledygook."
