Writer and activist Arundhati Roy, interviewed on Democracy Now on the tenth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, 19 March 2013. She also says Barak Obama is no different from Bush or Blair. Fresh evidence has been revealed about how M.I.6 and the C.I.A were told through secret channels by Saddam Husseins foreign minister and his head of intelligence that Iraq had not active weapons of mass destruction. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/18/panorama-iraq-fresh-wmd-claims despite this Bush and Blair led us into nothing more than organised mass murder.Their support for this unjust invasion has long been seen as morally indefensible. They are nothing more than war criminals. Long since the removal of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi people have experienced violence and political disputes. All they long for now is peace and security.
We are living in a world Where imagination is disenfranchised power takes its daily throne dictates to those down below With barrage of pictures words invading Poetry can at least mend, be a healer. Last night, went looking for reason Because nothing made sense anymore, How far are they gonna take us Before the push becomes too great, When we wake up in the morning And all are ideas are extinquished, Everything worth looking at Currently erased and vaporised pasturised and modified Sugar coating has its place but while world in division this poem has no room for it. As they try to forget your voice follow the trail of glistening strands, Where ink never dries all divisions cancelled out, takes refuge in language the politics of bardic dream. Refuse to be compromised easily controlled or manipulated keep your mind free, efferuvesent unleash all your buried treasure with free will, do not compromise release sincerity and passion.
Today I remember and pay tribute to Rachel Corrie, Peace activist and humanitarian. Her courage and determination and resistance on behalf of the Palestinian people will never be forgotten. R.I.P Rachel, she has inspired many of us and her spirit lives on.
Brutally murdered by the illegal occupation she was crushed to death by an Israeli armoured bulldozer in Rafah, Southern part of the Gaza strip, on March 16th, 2003. Justice has never been served for her, along with many others who have been killed under the Israeli regime. In 2005 Corrie's parents filed a civil lawsuit against the state of Israel. The lawsuit charged Israel with not conducting a full and credible investigation into the case and with responsibility for her death. They sued for a symbolic one U.S dollar in damages to make the point that that the case was about justice for heir daughter and the Palestinian cause, she had been defending. In August 2012, an Israeli court rejected their suit.
The struggle continues against demolition and occupation of Palestinian homes and lands.
Looking forward to seeing this new documentary by one of my favourite film makers Ken Loach. Which is in cinemas from today.
On all accounts an impassioned documentary about the spirit of unity which buoyed Britain during the war years. Carried through to create a vision of a fairer, united society.
'1945 was a pivotal year in British history. The unity that carried Britain through the war allied to the bitter memories of the inter-war years led to a vision of a better society. The spirit of the age was to be our brother's and our sister's keeper. Ken Loach has used film from Britain's regional and national archives, alongside sound recordings and contemporary interviews to create a rich political and social narrative. The Spirit of'45 hopes to illuminate and celebrate a period of unprecedented community spirit in the UK, the impact of which endured for many years and which may yet be rediscovered today. 1945 was a pivotal year in British history. The Unity that carried Britain through the war allied to the bitter memories of inter-war years led to a vision of a better society. The impact of this unprecedented community spirit in the UK, has endured for many years and which may be rediscovered today.'
Loach wants to follow up the general release, with Q &;A sessions to debate the feasibility of a new left party.
In the end Unity is strength, and I welcome Mr Loach's contribution,and support too, all those that fight back, but I do not look anymore to Parliament for rescue. Right now , in this age of austerity, our beloved Welare State is being torn apart, by a wrecking crew long past caring. We need a new spirit , a coalition of resistance, as the failure of capitalism implodes all around.
Meanwhile on the screens tonight, this evil spirit of nauseousness and nastiness, the smell of sulphur fills the air.
This should be watched with consideration to all other media accounts of rioting:
'The Battle of Trafalgar: An account of the anti-poll tax demonstration 31st March 1990, one that is radically different from that presented by TV news. Eye witness tell their stories against a backdrop of footage showing the days events as they unfolded. Demonstrators' testiomonies raise some uncomfortable questions. Questions about public order policing, the independence and accountability of the media and the right to demonstrate.'
Next month sees the introduction of the Bedroom Tax, a policy that seems to be in total chaos at the moment. We must not forget that the Poll Tax was eventually overturned because resistance was so high. When the bedroom tax hits us, again the people will not take it quietly. When people get the taste of bitterness and venom there will be implications, and it will not be pretty.
Bad poems I sometimes cut into pieces Don't like to throw them away, This one hangs by a thread Perhaps if I add a word like rescue It might just about save her Or a random phrase,a statement of intent, And if I now reveal, there is no spring Only the waiting and anticipation, Outside, knitted together, pencilled with menace. There is uncertainty in every thought These words could disappear in a moment, Tomorrow, could reappear in another arrangement Perhaps you will hear nothing, only emptiness Maybe this will be enough ,for this one to survive.
On 9th March the National Front will be holding a parade on the streets of Swansea, where they will be out spewing their brand of racial hatred. I will be going up tomorrow morning to stand with others in solidarity to to show that they are not wanted in Wales or anywhere else.
Their presence is an insult to all Welsh people who fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, and the many people maimed and murdered in the Swansea blitz.
The National Front are gathering as part of World WideWhite Pride Day , this is not about pride though just an excuse to promote their bigoted fascist ideals. I believe in freedom of speech but the National Front have no right to march, their insidious ideas a direct opposite to all that freedom stands for, they are an unapologetic neo-nazi organisation who would crush the diversity and openess that fly under freedom's wings. Their ideology linked historically in opposition to all concepts of fraternity and equality, brutally supressing all opposition and criticism.
Where they gather however small, their evil is released and must be oppossed. If such groups as the National Front, the English Defence Leaque and the British National Party and their various offshoots are not confronted then they will inevitably grow in size, look at Golden Dawn in Greece as a recent example.
These are some of the reasons why I am travelling to Swansea to vent my opposition to their insidious views.
Fighting fascism has long been a proud Welsh tradition. Wherever they emerge from their dark holes they have been face with loud hostile opposition. They are simply not welcome on our streets.
Their is verified information that the National Front will be forced to undertake a static protest in a back street car park near the strand area of Swansea. United Against Fasism will be holding a counter demo in the Strand Quay. So it is possible their will be a kettle situation, we must take their actions seriously and oppose any attempt to bring their hate to our streets.
Stay safe. No Pasaran.
Those who are weak don't fight.
Those who are stronger might fight
for an hour.
Those who are stronger still might fight
for many years.
The strongest fight
their whole life.
They are the indispensable ones.
(ah Ivor, I still miss ya, your lovely whisper, the harmonium drifting among the clouds,beyond the dark places, the joy of cosy notion, in the world you laughed at , but welcomed every glad day, ah Ivor, I'm still listening, to your sacrement so sweet, I go the fields find smiles flashing in the undergrowth in an afternoon beyond convention... )
READY
When the soldier arrived, I was ready -packed. He let me sniff his uniform. Thick fresh cloth,mid-blue. We set off through the spring fields. Imagine two men in a line moving through a land without trees, the only vertical objests. Clouds, fat sheep grazing, made another layer of country, and us two, moving pins. We should have swam, or slithered, to keep the landscape clear.We wandered on in circles, what was the hurry,the view stayed the same. I grew a thick beard and became a bush. He bedded me in, saw that I had everythin, shook my hand and meandered away. So here I was, near the sound of a stream. The land was still. A green bird hopped on my raised elbow, made a wispy nest in the crook then sat there singing and laying eggs and drinking the trears of happi- ness as they slid off my chin.
