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Joe Biden speaks as he meets with law enforcement officials in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington Alamy Stock Photo

US President Joe Biden declared ‘fit for duty’ after annual medical test

Doubts over Biden’s fitness to continue as president for another four years have grown as November’s election draws closer.

US PRESIDENT JOE Biden “continues to be fit for duty”, his doctor wrote after conducting an annual medical examination that is being closely watched as the 81-year-old remains committed to seeking re-election in November.

Doubts over Biden’s fitness to continue as president for another four years have grown as November’s election draws closer. The oldest president in US history, Biden would be 86 by the end of a second term, should he win one.

“President Biden is a healthy, active, robust, 81-year-old male who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency,” his doctor Kevin O’Connor said in a six-page memo on the president’s health, following a physical that lasted more than two and a half hours.

His memo added that Biden “feels well and this year’s physical identifies no new concerns”.

Dr O’Connor wrote that the president is adjusting well to a new device that helps control his sleep apnoea and has experienced some hip discomfort but also works out five times per week.

Biden’s latest physical mirrored one he had in February last year when Dr O’Connor described Biden as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House duties.

Still, voters are approaching this year’s election with misgivings about Biden’s age, having scrutinised his gaffes, his coughing, his slow walking and even a tumble off his bicycle.

His mental fitness was called into question recently after a special counsel report advised that he not be prosecuted for mishandling classified documents while he was vice-president because a jury would see him as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory”. 

That report also noted that Mr Biden could not recall defining milestones in his own life such as when his son Beau died or when he served as vice president.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Dr O’Connor was one of a team of 20 different medical specialists who helped complete the physical.

Asked why Biden was not undergoing a cognitive test as part of the physical, Jean-Pierre said that Dr O’Connor and Biden’s neurologist “don’t believe he needs one”.

“He passes a cognitive test every day, every day as he moves from one topic to another topic, understanding the granular level of these topics,” Jean-Pierre said.

“This is a very rigorous job,” she added.

After the medical examination yesterday, Biden returned to the White House and attended an event on combating crime and suggested that when it came to his health “everything is squared away” and “there is nothing different than last year”.

He also joked about his age and people thinking “I look too young”.

Former president Donald Trump, 77, is the favourite to win the Republican nomination later this month, which would bring him closer to a November rematch against Biden.

Trump was 70 when he took office in 2017, which made him the oldest US president to be inaugurated, until Biden broke his record when he was inaugurated at the age of 78 in 2021.

Dr O’Connor’s report said that Biden’s stiff walking was no worse than last year and was the result of arthritic changes in his spine. He said the president also noted “some increased left hip discomfort”.

There were no signs of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or other similar conditions in what the report called an “extremely detailed neurologic exam.”

Last summer, Biden began using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine at night to help with sleep apnoea, and Dr O’Connor wrote that the president had responded well to that treatment and is “diligently compliant” about using it.

Many Americans, including Democrats, have expressed reservations about Biden seeking a second term during this autumn’s election. Only 37% of Democrats say Biden should pursue re-election, down from 52% before the 2022 midterm elections, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research.

Biden counters that his age brings wisdom, and he has begun to criticise Trump for the former president’s own recent public gaffes.

With reporting from Press Association. 

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:11 PM

    Man gets cooler by the day

    602
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    Mute Mitch Connor
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:24 PM

    When he appears in an amusing picture with Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellan, the internet may break down.

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:36 PM

    It’ll damn near explode Mitch

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    Mute John Pepper
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:37 AM

    Sheepohile

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    Mute Ib Jorgenson
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    Jan 8th 2014, 1:29 AM

    Versus his predecessor this Francis bloke creates more pr spin than fatboy slims turntables, its a pity its all fake having a new friendly face GM unfortunately does not change the reality of what goes on day to day with the Catholic Church

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    Mute Anto Curran
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:10 PM

    Awaits the usual backlash against the pope lamb-basting him for another publicity stunt

    276
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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:56 PM

    Lamb-asting? Lol!

    51
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    Mute declan hegarty
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    Jan 8th 2014, 6:42 AM

    Maybe he will make a guest appearance on Shaun the sheep

    5
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    Mute Heather Sinnott
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:27 PM

    Defo best Pope ever

    208
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    Mute Mitch Connor
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:34 PM

    I dunno…

    Pope Boniface VIII was all the rage in the 1200′s.

    Everyone thought he was King sh*t of f*ck mountain.

    57
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    Mute Cowenwatch
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:20 PM

    Pope Joan was pretty legendary too!

    37
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    Mute Seamus Dooley
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:27 PM

    Ewe people and ur puns…..

    194
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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:37 PM

    Now that is a good pun

    42
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    Mute Aoife Mulqueen
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:52 PM

    he’s quite the pun-dit…

    *bows*

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Jan 8th 2014, 4:23 PM

    He has a hoult of the left leg of the lamb of God….

    1
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    Mute Anna Kavanagh
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:56 PM

    Leader of the flock.

    111
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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:42 PM

    Pope returns Mary’s lost item.

    108
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    Mute mister
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:28 PM

    And to think that poor animal’s next public appearance will probably be in a Lidl freezer cabinet.

    107
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    Mute James Kiernan
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:12 PM

    Not a baaaaaaad idea

    93
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    Mute R
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:47 PM

    He’s really showing up the last Pope.

    93
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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:33 PM

    Pope carries a future member of the Irish electorate on his shoulders.

    64
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    Mute Frank Barry
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:11 PM

    Its the lamb of god

    55
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    Mute skeyes
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:18 PM

    Get the flock outta here Frank!

    61
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    Mute Andrea McElroy
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:28 PM

    get outta here ya baaaaaaaaacksturd.

    12
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    Mute hairy mary
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:51 PM

    A baby sheep? Hello are we all in pre school? Would it be a called a lamb by any chance

    52
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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:35 PM

    Yep, it’s called a lamb in the hashtag and in the body of the text for the article. It says baby sheep in the headline just to mix it up a little bit. (it’s a sign that it’s been a long day when using a synonym for ‘lamb’ qualifies as ‘mixing it up a little’…)

    92
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    Mute Tom Finnerty
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:50 PM

    Have you ever been on a farm Christine?

    3
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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:31 PM

    The pope looks more than a little sheepish.

    52
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    Mute Greg Devoy
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:26 PM

    Mutton Head :)

    52
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    Mute Yvonne Nally-Preston
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:42 PM

    Ewes are all very funny …..

    51
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    Mute Debora Tobin
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:50 PM

    I love a shoulder of lamb too.

    49
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    Mute Jimmy coogan
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:40 PM

    Is that a sheep on your head?. No no it’s just the way I brush my hair .

    42
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    Mute Joanne Sarah
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:49 PM

    I first heard this joke in a Zig and Zag annual! Winner!

    17
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    Mute United Farmers UFA
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:57 PM

    This pope will reform the church and get young people back to the faith. Hope he visits Ireland soon.

    42
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    Mute DarthTempus
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:35 AM

    Young peiple are free from indoctrination and dogma now. They are smarter and will not.

    16
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    Mute Burnt timber
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    Jan 8th 2014, 2:47 AM

    I’d like to print this picture off and get it lambinated.

    42
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    Mute Sister Bonjela
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    Jan 8th 2014, 2:33 AM

    Mary had a little lamb
    The Pope gave them his blessing.
    He took them out to dinner
    The lamb wore mint sauce dressing.

    41
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    Mute Liz (10) (^_^)
    Favourite Liz (10) (^_^)
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    Jan 8th 2014, 4:25 AM

    Sister Bonjela you are on a role XD

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    Mute Fergus Behan
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:21 PM

    Love this guy, its funny but serious shit is also his gig and I Know that the message is about the poor.

    40
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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:27 PM

    Sweet lamb of Jesus – Francis is our shepherd.

    33
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    Mute Shelly Levine
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:24 PM

    Every time he speaks for the poor or lambastes (no pun intended) the rich power hungry you would think it’s directed at this sad little place. One word: Respect.

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    Mute Lindsey O Connor
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    Jan 8th 2014, 1:52 AM

    Best. Pope. Ever….

    23
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    Mute James Patrick Smith
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:28 PM

    P.R Pope is just a song and dance man for Vat-Corp and unfortunately plenty of people are falling hook line and sinker for the stunts.

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    Mute Greg Devoy
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:52 PM

    Couldn’t agree more Jim, Next he will be saying some populist shit about Gays being human and the like !!

    24
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    Mute Harry Webb
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    Jan 8th 2014, 5:49 AM

    I think James and Greg that there is there some sour grapes on your part. This man has a sense of humour! Why take everything so serious!

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    Mute James Patrick Smith
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    Jan 8th 2014, 2:10 PM

    @ Harry the New Pope might be more popular than the Emeritus Pope but the organisation he leads hasn’t changed and the track record of that crowd in the Vatican is no laughing matter. It is of course something that should be taken seriously but some people don’t like to acknowledge the truth and would rather protect their faith by not reconciling the truth and the facts because it would disenfranchise their religious views that most likely have been engrained from childhood so they bury their heads in the sand like an ostrich and take it out for the PR stunts to reinforce their faith keeping them ignorant and blind to the Vatican’s appalling horrendous crimes.

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    Mute Donal Mullen
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:17 PM

    Have you heard about this beast that’s goin’ around terrorisin’ sheep?…

    22
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    Mute Stephen Barry
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:51 PM

    mutton dressed as lamb

    16
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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jan 8th 2014, 2:55 PM

    Mutton dressed WITH lamb!

    1
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    Mute Darren Walsh
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:35 PM

    I think that’s Chris the sheeps lamb from father Ted lol

    14
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    Mute conor hickey
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:04 PM

    Who’s for BBQ?

    14
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    Mute Matt
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:57 PM

    How could you eat the baby lamb?

    13
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    Mute Some Feen
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:25 AM

    BBQ he said

    11
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    Mute kieran fitzgerald
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:32 AM

    Symbolic of how the church wants people to be.

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    Mute Rachael Lawlor
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:15 PM

    You are not a lamb of god (magdalene sisters) ;)

    8
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    Mute Michelle Dooley
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:03 PM

    That’s not funny!!!

    24
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    Mute Billy Kavanagh
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:23 PM

    He’s modeling the new alternative for the pediophillic priests in his church. It’s not a boy but it’s still a kid. Baaaaaastards!!!

    8
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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:52 PM

    Bespectacled man checks pope’s friend’s pulse.

    8
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    Mute Joe O' Callaghan
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:50 PM

    To be honest it looks more like a kid (baby goat) than a lamb

    8
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    Mute Anne Hannigan
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:19 PM

    Nicely put scaldychops, decent human xx

    7
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    Mute Jane Travers
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    Jan 7th 2014, 10:39 PM

    Poor little lamb. I wonder if it peed on the pope’s neck?

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    Mute Daniel Dunne
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:54 AM

    You wonder or hope Jane?

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jan 8th 2014, 2:58 PM

    Was wondering the same, Jane. That happened to me at a petting farm. Morto I was!

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    Mute Anne Roberts
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    Jan 7th 2014, 9:08 PM

    No no no , I’m not going to go there,

    7
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    Mute Dolores Heery
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:48 PM

    What’s that….in sheep’s clothing!

    6
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    Mute Liz (10) (^_^)
    Favourite Liz (10) (^_^)
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    Jan 8th 2014, 4:27 AM

    I feel quite wooly headed.

    4
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    Mute Michael Looney
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:54 AM

    Breaking news!! Town runs out of children uses lambs instead!!

    4
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    Mute James Patrick Smith
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:43 PM

    UN condemn’s the Vatican for Human Rights abuses the other week.

    What did Vat-Corp do step1 publish a statement the long and short we are not financially liable (forget the so called moral responsibility)

    Step 2 within a hour or so the Pope had a PR picture with three homeless people and a nice little doggie.

    Now what has he really done other than a couple of optimistic words and not living it up like Pope Emeritus.

    (I believe a lot of people didn’t like the Harsh German Pope and didn’t want to be seen slating him but are expressing it by going OTT on the Argentine PR Merchant)

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    Mute nigel foudy
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    Jan 7th 2014, 11:55 PM

    Minx please leave the building, Lamb coats are back in business… Wait for it Wait for it

    4
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    Mute DarthTempus
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:35 AM

    Wolf in sheeps clothing

    2
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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:44 AM

    Like a lamb to the ……………

    1
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    Mute George Augustine
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    Jan 8th 2014, 7:52 PM

    I am sure he follows the true master be simple, that’s takes all worries bring happiness

    1
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    Mute Darren Torpey
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    Jan 8th 2014, 9:18 AM

    New Papal scarf

    1
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    Mute John Pepper
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    Jan 8th 2014, 12:35 AM

    Sheepophile

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    Mute Michael Mulry
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    Jan 8th 2014, 9:26 AM

    What did the Pope say to his friend?…I love ewe.

    1
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