Today would have been the birthday of the late great Phil Ochs. This was the gut who wrote all the political songs that people loved, that could have been written today, that people hoped Bob Dylan would write. He did all he could to change the world in the 1960's. With his plaintive voice and passionate opinions, best known today for the many protest songs he wrote on war, the championing of civil rights, pacifism , social justice and revolution.Most of Phil's songs were very political, some humorous and some very serious. He wrote about the topics of the day Viet Nam, hungry miners, and personalities such as Billy Sol Estes, William Worthy and Lou Marsh. In 1967 he signed with A&M Records where his first release was "Pleasures of the Harbor" in which he used heavily orchestrated arrangements for the first time. Some fans criticized this change, while others accepted it. Phil continued to perform and to travel around the world. While in Dar Es Salaam, he was mugged and lost the top three notes of his vocal range. This event seemed to send him on a downward spiral. His last years were troubled ones. He suffered from manic depression plus an affinity for the bottle. He committed suicide on April 9, 1976 at the age of 35. Many of Phil's songs have been covered by other artists. Some of his best known songs are: "Changes", "There But For Fortune", "I Ain't Marching Anymore", "Draft Dodger", "Small Circle of Friends", Crucifixion" and "When I'm Gone".
However depressed I personally get because of social injustices, the weight of the world, life in general , his songs that could have been written a moment ago, still have so much relevence, reminding us what we can do while we are still here.
Here was a man who while alive, did more for peace than any soldier did for war. Nearly 40 years after his untimely death he continues to influence with his beautiful haunting voice. "A good song with a message can bring a point more deeply than a thousand rallies."
As winter, takes effect, the impacts of the cuts are increasingly visible as more and more people struggle to make ends meet. The impacts of austerity on ordinary people is plain to see. Because of the tory's dangerous scroogeconomics policies, there is increased insecurity, as energy prices rise,and benefit cuts continue to have impact on peoples lives, combined with the the rising cost of living.
Combined with savage attacks on our welfare state, brutal new sanction regimes, Zero hours contracts, insecure work, benefit delays, this time of the year will be very hard for many.
There has to be a better way, there is a growing movement protesting and saying a loud no, to this governments cruel and unfair agenda.
As Christmas descends on us again, lets not forget the fact, that poor are getting poorer, the rich getting richer, so happy crisis and a happy new fear, bah humbug. Lest us forget that the seeds of a better society already lie embedded in the contradictions of the current one
Here's an alternative Christmas Carol that I've posted before, that I hope will keep your sprits warm.
Solidarity.
A Silent Night this Christmas : The City of Bethlehem prepares for a scaled down Christmas celebration in the face of continuing Israeli violence. Faced daily with a massive concrete segregation wall, that zig zags around Bethlehem, placing fertile Palestinian land on Israels, seperating Palestinian families from each other, from their jobs, hospitals, schools, churches and mosques. My heart and soul continues to ache for the people of Palestine. The impact of occupation daily bringing it's heavy burden. In Bethlehem now peoples journeys blocked by checkpoints and thirty foot high slabs of concrete. Nothing calm, nothing bright.
There have been heavy rains,
but a flame is burning as the planet rotates,
togetherness is far more than just a word,
it keeps us alive, keeps us afloat,
in each sky there is a sea,
and in each awakening there is a tear,
we roll on waves of uncertainty,
looking for reason, in every season,
in unity's dance, every drop of rain,
trickles down vessels of the heart,
releasing songlines to the spirit,
to allow the glow of love within to shine,
allow the afternoon to leap,
give strength as the world turns,
storming the impossible,
with sufficient precision,
from the declivities that surround,
our paths are level, we walk in union,
sharing dreams on the crossroads of forever.
( Jane incidentally is my partner, who has been stuck in hospital for last 5 months)
Errico Maletesa ,was a Italian anarchist militant, writer and thinker who was born on this day in 1853. Imprisoned many times for his revolutionary activities and his ideals, and repeatedly forced into exile.He was in fact imprisoned a total of 12 years during his long career. In 1876 he helped develop a theory of anarchist-communism. Active in the International Anarchist movement from the time of the First International in 1871, he was an organiser of numerous demonstrations, radical newspapers and workers insurrection in Europe and Argentina. He was also a dynamic speaker and propogandist.
He happened to be a wealthy man, but decided to put his entire fortune at the disposal of the cause, spending it all on radical endeavours, until he was buried in a paupers grave at the age of 78 after having been under house arrest by the fascists in Italy
Malatesa is still rightly celebrated today because above all, beyond being a writer of articles and pamphlets, he exemplified his thought in deed, his ideas backed up by action, and driven by his fierce commitment to freedom.
" By anarchist spirit I mean that deeply human sentiment, which aims at the good of all, freedom and justice for all, solidarity and love among the people, which is not an exclusive characteristic only of self declared anarchists, but inspires all people who have a serious heart and open mind." - Errico Maletesa (Umanita Nova; 13/4/1922)
An Afghan girl smiles, as refugees wait to enter Moira refugee camp on Lesbos Island Greece. When refugees arrive in Lesbos they are separated by nationality. Syrians go to Kara Tepe camp, where most people stay in shelters, while other refugees , mostly from Afghanistan , are assigned to Moira camp. People moving back and forth from these camps can cause delays and backdrops. According to Greek Law only the mother and father are recognised as legal guardians. Many underage children are thus seperated from their relatives upon registration. The seperation can last for as long as it takes for the minor to be transferred to an open reception facility for UAMs. This can take two weeks to a month on average. When people arrive they have nothing but the clothes they wear to protect them from the elements. Many having drowned in their attempt to reach Greece. Moira, where long lines, squalid conditions and limited supplies have created what many are calling the world's worst refugee camp a living hell, overshadowed by razor wire. A repositary for human suffering. Many forced to sleep out in the open, people in the 21st Century forced to lie on a few rags on the ground. Despite her dreadful conditions and the unknown future waiting for her ahead, this girl was still able to smile to the camera. I see this smile, and I want to return one back. I hope that all the other children around her on their long journeys of hardship, find a place of safety happiness and security, but these people are not ok, despite the smiles of innocence the future holds only uncertainty. Now among winter, with Christmas coming , young and old struggle to adapt to the cold nights, we cannot forget their plight and their desperate struggle. Photo :- Colleen Sinksy
The hauntingly beautiful picture above is by Syrian artist Tammam Azzam, with his personal tribute to Gustav Klimt's " The Kiss" which he has retitled "Freedom Graffiti. "Since seen by millions across the globe, as it has been virally shared across social media. It is superimposed on a bullet ridden, war torn building in Syria. Using Klimt's idealistic vision, from the ashes of destruction, the first thing to rise is creativity, the urge to overcome pain and heal. Love is stronger than hate. The struggle continues until the face of the earth becomes the face of love. This love needed so much now to lighten the pain and suffering of this country, this artwork a magnificent reminder of the power of the human imagination, leaving a glimmer of hope to those that remain. These shattered lives, need hope, and their homes to be rebuilt again, and an end to their suffering. No more bombs to fall.
Sad to hear that John Trudell that acclaimed Native American poet, recording artist,vietnam vet, actor and activist whose international following reflects the universal language of his words, work and message has passed away from cancer aged only 69. Trudell (Santee Sioux) was the son of a Sastae Sioux father and Mexican Indian Mother. After leaving the military he gave his life to one of full time activism, becoming a spokesperson for the Indian Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971. He then worked with the American Indian Movement (AIM), serving as Chairman of AIM from 1973 - 1979. He was part of a group of Native American activists who occupied Alcatraz Island in 1969. In February of 1979, however, a fire of unknown origin killed his pregnant wife, his three children and mother-in law. It was through this horrible tragedy that Trudell began to find his voice as an artist and poet, writing, "to stay connected to this reality".
The filmaker Heather Rae spent more than a decade making a documentary about him, which was released in 2005 Trudell.
The intention was to demonstrate how his political and cultural activities were tied to contemporary history and inspired people.
He has campaigned for the release of the Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted in 1976 for the 1975 shooting of 2 FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Many believe this conviction was unjust and like many of his forefathers he has been treated abysmally so on February the 4th there will be an international day of solidarity for him
Leonard Peltier though imprisoned for over 35 years, aged 71 and in poor health, is still full of hope. Like Trudell he believes that they are stronger than the miserable conditions that unfortunately they find in their reservations, and the terrible poor conditions their communities live among.
A website dedicated to him can be found here. http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Trudell himself used a powerful fusion of poetry and music to spread his message. A prolific poet who combined spoken word with music over 12 albums, and actor who starred in several films. Of himself he declares " I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly losing its understanding of being human." His writings that started as therapy have become acts of war speaking out against injustice in humanity's name, through the experience of his community and that of his ancestors. He became a powerful champion of indigeneous rights and was part of a growing force for change. His voice empowering, inspirational and necessary.
John Trudell aged 25
"As human beings, we are given the power of intelligence. And, when we understand and respect that power by using it clearly and coherently as part of our thinking process, we will be able to create solutions to the problems that confront us individually and collectively."
- John Trudell, (Oct 12, 2008.)
.
Here was a man who felt and witnessed tragedy, who continued to act and think consciously, be a defiant thorn in the side of authority who refused to be shut up or let his independent voice be drowned out. It is people like him that for me makes me believe in humanity. With his soft spoken voice his words resonated, and echoed with wisdom, using words as weapons of survival. He also said when he was younger "he fought for a revolution that he believed would lead to freedom. " Well throughout his life he continued to do so, fighting against injustice, racism . he has burnt his nations flag, this dissenting troubadour waged his war, remained human, and free.
It is sad to have to say goodbye to this charismatic outspoken voice of passion and integrity.
So long brother, safe journey, humanity is strong because of voices like John's.
" No matter what they ever do to us, we must always act for the love of our people and the earth. We must not react out of hatred against those who have no sense. "- John Trudell
My partner has been stuck in Glangwili General hospital for last 5 months, looked after by an amazing compassionate dedicated staff. That help deliver a personal touch, that doctors have not the time to. It saddens me though that our cruel Tory Government are planning to force nurses into debt of at least £51,000 by making them pay the entire bill for their training, even though nurses at the moment spend 50% of their training time working for the N.H.S on clinical placements and their starting salary is £22,799 as spelled out in George Osborne's spending review last September. Ask your MP to stand up for the N.H.S and its nurses. This plan will make recruitment even harder for the N.H.S, and putting the N.H.S workforce under increased pressure, but that is probably the Tory's big plan. Already there is a crisis with more patients and less staff, with the service stretched to breaking point and running out of cash. Nurses are already underpaid for the life-saving work they do and now the Tory's want to allow them to start their career in debt, if they are not put of training altogether. These bursaries offer a lifeline, allowing individuals to attend university and meet their extensive and demanding clinical placement hours. It allows nurses to devote their ability to care, the plans will mean that many people from poorer backgrounds will be unable to fulfill their dreams. The Tory's are trying to destroy our beloved health service, their plans are simply unfair and wrong, we cannot allow them to achieve their aims, working with health workers and the unions we must fight together to stop this from happening. Their plans are simply unfair and wrong and disgraceful. Nurses are the N.H.S's pride, our lions, I am extremely grateful for all that they do.
Theresa
May is preparing to abandon plans for a British Bill of Rights after
Britain leaves the European Union, Government sources have suggested.
Ministers have confirmed that the Government's plans to scrap the Human Rights Act have been shelved until after Brexit. However sources say that the plans may
now be abandoned entirely because Brexit will significantly strengthen
the sovereignty of British courts. This could have huge implications for rights protections in the UK and across Europe, Theresa May plans to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights.The Prime Minister plans to fight the 2020
election on a platform of leaving the European Convention on Human
Rights (ECHR). The PM plans to “lift and shift” rights protections so
people in the UK can only seek rights protections in UK courts. If
correct, this would be the first time that any major party has promised
to take the UK out of the ECHR altogether. The ECHR is an international treaty which the United Kingdom signed
up to after World War II. It contains a list of human rights and
fundamental freedoms necessary to live a dignified life. The UK was instrumental in drafting the treaty and was amongst the first signatories in 1950. It came into force in 1953. The government had promised to replace the Human Rights Act with a
“British Bill of Rights”, but those plans appear to have been put on the
back burner since the UK voted to leave the European Union earlier this
year. The Telegraph reports that May “has decided that she cannot start
that fight with the prospect of negotiating Britain’s exit from the
European Union set to dominate Parliament over the next few years.” The report goes on: A senior Government source said: “We would have been
looking at having a huge row with a Parliament to get through the
Cameron plan and we might even have failed. A clean break is by far the
best option and, if we put it in the manifesto, even those Tory MPs who
are squeamish about the idea will have to get behind it. A manifesto
pledge also means the Lords will have to let it through eventually. All
the signs are that the Prime Minister is up for this.”
The 2020 Election is still just
under four years away, and much could happen between now and then –
particularly given the uncertain politics of Brexit. This report could
be no more than a “balloon” being raised to see how people react. It
could also be no more than an attempt to address concerns to the right
of the Tory Party that the Bill of Rights plans seem likely to be
seriously delayed.
However, May has advocated ECHR-withdrawal before,
so this would be a consistent move. If it is true, then it could signal
a very significant change to UK human rights protections, as well as a
potential major blow to the Convention system which the UK helped
create.
Human rights do exactly what they say, they are rights that belong to all people by virtue of being human. We must continue to stand together for the protection of human rights, for the protection of all.
