Remembering Vittorio Arrigoni (4/2/75 -15/4/11) - Stay human

Today I remember the life of Vittorio Arrigoni  a renowned Italian human rights/ peace activist, who served as a volunteer for the International Solidarity Movement, who worked closely with the fishermen and farmers of the occupied Gaza strip. Who for ten years worked for the recognition of Palestinian rights under Israeli occupation.
During the Israeli offensive against the Gaza strip in 2008-09 he acted as a human shield while working with the Palestinian Red Crescent humanitarian organisation. He was also abroad the 2008 Free Gaza Movement Vessel and was imprisoned in Israel several times. He also worked as a freelance  journalist for the Italian daily IL Manifesto and for his own blog Guerilla radio. His daily dispatches written between bombing raids and patchy internet access ended with the plea - "Stay human." which became the motto of anti-israeli peace protests in his native Italy. His authoritative and deeply moving eyewitness accounts were published in 2010 under the title Gaza - Stay human.
On April 14  2011 he was kidnapped and the next day brutally murdered by militants in Gaza, which caused international outcry and was unanimously condemned by both Hamas and the Palestinian National authority. A senseless, shocking mindless act.
Known for his infectious smile, and deep humility and the tattoo he bore  on his arm of the word resistance written in arabic. Along with his dedicated support of the Palestinians, who embodies many of the qualities that draw people to Palestine - his immense bravery - against the odds - when confronting incredible violence and his unwavering determination to stay human and loving in the face of inhumanity towards the very end. He remains a hero to the Palestinian people and many others across the globe.

Cassetteboy vs The Snoopers' Charter

Currently going viral, new one from Cassetteboy.
If your not worried about the Investigation Powers Bill ( aka the snoopers charter) you obviously don't know enough about it.
The Investigators Poers Bill will make us less safe and less free. It will force communication companies  like Sky, BT, Google and facebook to collect and hand over details and record everything you do online. All  of this will be logged abd analysed and used to build an intimate picture of your life, as a means of keeping us under control. 
It is a dangerous piece of legislation, which is also a human rights issue, who knows  how your data could be used if the information they hold on you got into the wrong hands, the Governments hands already pretty dangerous. At the end of the day it could needlesly violate your rights.
Visit  https://www.privacyinternational.org and join the campaign against the Governments sinister new snooper charter.

Hope is in the air

    France

As spring awakens, tens of thousands of people have recently occupied the streets of major European capitals. People taking to the streets to protest against their governments and call for the resignation of their political leaders.
In Reykjavik, Iceland mass protests bought down their Prime Minister in wake of the Panama papers and in London similar demonstrations have taken place demanding that dodgy Dave Cameron resigns. While in France a burgeoning movement of anger has emerged  known as uit Debout ( up all night ) that has swept the country people's assemblies have been organised and city squares have been occupied inspiring the world. And in Athens, Greece refugees have marched to demand open borders and respect for their human rights and dignity.
We are witnessing a resurgence of mass protests, an unprecedented escalation in large scale citizen protests, movements building for a better future, trying their best to achieve social change. People not usually interested in politics interested in this spirit of change. People connecting and joining the dots, demanding another way, it seems like an impossible spirit to kill. Diverse in their goals but unified by their people power but all motivated by a strong desire for change.
The long history of social movements that have the ability to transform our lives is a notable one, that seek to end the rule of money so that people and planet come before profits. With the impact of austerity hitting us all hard, causing economic hardship and unfairness the inevitable results are these waves of rebellion. 
The mainstream media seems intent on ignoring these mass protests,  but the spirit is growing and spreading, hope is alive and in the air, people now boiling  with rage  but with the desire  to construct something  brand new, from the  bottom up, whilst despising a system  made  by the elite for the elite, a system that everybody is beginning to realize is broken and cannot be fixed.
As our leaders continue to treat us as dirt, want us to remain broken, together we will rise and in solidarity we will find our strength. With resistance, triumph and compassion I have a strong belief that our futures can be changed for the better, forwards we move, our roads are clear. All these things give me hope as I write. One of lives lessons is always moving on.
These movements have no limit, no borders and belong to all who wish to be part of it. 
This spring  hope is well and truly in the air.
As  the late singer  Phil Ochs once said  "In such ugly times the only true protest is beauty."
I will end with the following poem by Emily Dickinson :-

Hope is the thing with feathers


" Hope  is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without words-
And never stops -at all -

And sweetest - in the gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm - 
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I've heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

   Great Britain

Tory leader continues to treat us as idiots.

Tory leader  who looks like a train continues to treat us as idiots, as he tries desperately to react to the public's disgust at his and others tax avoidance and evasion. He has announced that HMRC will be working with the National Crime Agency to lead a wold class task force to investigate allegations of tax dodging and money laundering bought to light by the leak of 11 million  files by a Panama Law firm.
But Cameron in charge does not exactly inspire much confidence - a man who has made a career out of advising people on how to  dodge tax who once publicly stated that the whole concept of tax was ' legalised extortion.' 
And so the story keeps on running, since he has not drawn  a line under the story, we all now know  how much money he has been  making, profits made  and how supposedly bloody transparent he is. Now that we have started we will continue to keep asking much needed questions.  Each day he looks more and  more at unease , the case of Dave a man who looks like a train continuing to treat us all as idiots. We should keep pointing out to him  how big money has continually corrupted and tainted British politics. This is a man who has had the audacity to cut the benefits of disabled people  who cannot dress or look after themselves , while the tax payer continues to  pays him around 53 k a year to help him and his wife (Samantha worth in her own right £29 million ) to dress and look after themselves. David Cameron cannot keep  on treating us as idiots, with added lies and expect the people to continue to trust him. His ethics and morality have now been called into question and it is clear that he is not passing the test as he continues to  be evasive and defensive and his obvious unwillingness to be straight to the public that he supposedly serves . because of this his credibility now lies in shatters as his policies continue to lead to direct cuts in services and benefits that are hurting millions of people right now  in Britain. No wonder that Dennis Skinner had the tenacity to call him ' Dodgy Dave" and did not to withdraw the remark and then subsequently got kicked out for speaking the truth. Thank Dennis.
Yes dodgy Dave by name and nature  I hope that he will continually be given the shunt and shown all the derision that he deserves. Even he admits he could have handled this affair much better, it just shows yet again how his government is run for the privileged few and not for the majority of the population.

Dennis Skinner on dodgy Dave
 

Let us hope that this sorry affair will lead to new rules being put in place , that lead to more openness and transparency that enables the British public to know more about the dubious nature of our leaders business dealings.
Old research also reveals that wealth does not trickle down - it just floods offshore :-- http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jul/21/offshore-wealth-global-economy-tax-havens/
In response to his gaffes a large scale public call for a general election in 2016 is now going viral. British patience has finally reached  its limit. 
It also comes as no surprise to learn that as our Tory Government destroys  our steel industry, that  Margaret Thatcher a political hero  of Cameron's who herself contributed  to the destruction of the coal industry and society as a whole, also benefited from not paying no tax. It has been revealed that her own children will continue  to avoid millions in inheritance tax since  their mothers house in Belgravia, London, was registered  to an offshore trust yet still taxpayers had to fork out for the cost of her funeral  three years ago this month. Has it not always been the case up to now  of one rule for some and a completely different one for the rest of us less fortunate. Sadly tax avoiders  usually need to be pushed before they can change their attitudes.
In the meantime  when Cameron's election leaflet pops through our doors in the next few days printed by a German printing company you can send it back to the following address and the Conservative Party will get the 'bill for the postage.

Join the peoples Assembly on Saturday 16th April.
Time to rise up and revolt.

http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/hhje

Cannabis - Time to change the law.

In light of Howard Marks's passing this great advocate for the legislation of cannabis, is it not time to change the law. It is a fact that 45% of us here in Britain have tried it, and a majority of 47% currently support its legislation. As seen in the Independent newspaper on Saturday.
Is it not time that the UK reformed its cannabis policy speak out about its continual prohibition and offer direct comparisons how UK citizens are treated unfairly compared to our equals in Spain,  Uruguay, Canada, Jamaica, and a growing number of US states. 
At the moment Cannabis consumption, possession and supply are currently illegal under current UK legislation. Possessing or cultivating any form of cannabis  without a home office licence, anywhere in the UK is prohibitive. I personally believe the law to be an arse, surely now is the time for change. The war on drugs costly, stupid and counter-productive.
Up to £900 million could be raised annually through  the taxation of the regulated cannabis market, which demonstrates a  potential  revenue that at the very least deserves further investigation, it could be such a good thing as our economy because it certainly needs all the help it needs.
This combined with  much evidence  in the safety and efficiency of cannabis  for medical relief, that helps  people enormously suffering  from Alzheimers, cancer, chronic pain, Chrones disease and multiple sclerosis.
We should rage  against its continual suppression, the criminalisation of people, simply because of their use of it. The country is awash with booze that personally has not served me too well, at least with  the use of cannabis I have been at least able to feel some benefits, especially in relation to ongoing depression issues.
It would be a step in the right direction because at the moment  so many creative people stuck in prison for no reason, apart from  being caught in possession of an innocent herb, at the at the end of the day our current  drug policies have made things even more bad, since  more dangerous drugs are available on the market than weed unregulated that makes a mockery of our current drug laws.
I would add that I personally believe that cannabis has the capability to heal the world, which makes it an  incredible commodity.
Many people still using it for pleasure, as part of an essential lifestyle decision, prohibition has not curbed its use one iota , in fact I would argue that in a sense it has made it more popular  which makes it more appealing in the sense of a 'forbidden fruit' especially to youth. 
Legalise, regulate it and tax it now , let society as a whole profit from its use instead of criminal gangs.  The benefits of marijuana as effective treatment alternatives are plain to see, not only to individuals but to society as a whole.
It would ultimately would contribute to reduced crime and the protection of our civil liberties. It is so necessary and the only way forward , I hope that Mr Howard Marks as he moves skywards would agree with my words. Who the hell are the legislators who can tell me or you what I  or you can or cannot do with our own minds and bodies. 

Goodbye Mr Nice aka Howard Marks ( 13/8/45 - 10/4/16)

Sad to hear that Howard Marks - A.K.A Mr Nice - has  passed away of  inoperable  cancer at the age of 70. The father of four  was born in Kenfig Hill, Wales in 1945  and went on to study at Oxford University at Balliol college where he took nuclear  physics, and later got  post graduate  qualifications in philosopy  he was also a fluent Welsh speaker and practicing Bhuddist.
As a drug smuggler he found infamy however, asnd was sentenced  to 25 years inprisonment , realeased on parole in 1995 for good behaviour.
In his 1996 autobiography Mr Nice he wrote with humour and unashamed bravado  about his life and the sheer scale of his daily deeds and escapades involving a whole  host of characters ranging from the C.I.A. M.I.6.  the P.L..O. the I.R.A to the mafia.
Mr Nice was one  of 43 aliases  he used  which struck  a chord in the public imagination.

A man I was fortunate to meet, at a speaking tour and remember rushing up to him at Hay -on - wye  one year in order for him to sign some king size rizlas of mine, and amiable friendly bloke I could not   hope to have encountered. Mischeivious twiknling eyes and warm handshake
On his release he became a notable campaigner  for the legislation of cannabis and toured a comedy show, a man regarded as a true  modern day folk hero, counter cultural  icon and loveable rogue. A  life spent indulging in all things good, friendship, laughter music and of course drugs.
A man of very few regrets he will be remembered with fondness. He certainly lived quite a life.
Reflecting  on his crimes he said " Smuggling cannabis was a wonderful way of living -  perpetual  culture shock, absurd amounts of money,  and the comforing knowledge of getting so  many people stoned."
Still passionate about the issue he stood for Parliament on four seperate occassions on the single issue of the legislation of cannabis.
He had completed eight cycles of chemotherapy  and had initially responded well, but alas his condition finally succumbed. He died  surrounded by loving family members at his Bridgend  home  in the early hours of Sunday.
One of his last acts was to set up  the Mr Nice foundation, to ensure causes dear to him continue to get support. It is still outrageous that after his death  the innocent little drug that is cannabis is still illegal, and that the war on drugs is still not succeeding. Let us hope that in the coming years, legislation is finally achieved,  that it becomes controlled and sanitised .
Howard Marks, Mr Nice, R.I.P keep on rolling deep. Hashes to ashes. 
Stoned immaculate. Do not go gentle into that good night.

Zounds - Subvert

Some musical respite, dedicated to all those whistleblowers that keep on exposing illegal and unethical acts. And to those currently  blocking Whitehall, because Cameron must go. Good luck to all those that hit back against a not fit for purpose government. Songs of freedom will continue to roar, signifying the soul of solidarity.  Standing strong, spouting subversion, spreading salvation supplements. Blistering  blossoms of the heart, releasing compassion and realization, sweeping away the veils of injustice, absorbing  and reflecting the  mirror of our souls. Often silenced swept under carpets, a mass that refuses to be kept hidden, with wild abandon, keeps awakening.

Time for David Cameron to go.

I would like to say that this is unbelievable, but at the end of the day they are all the same lying bastards. Since the beginning of the week we now know much more about David Cameron's financial affairs, after pressure he has now reluctantly admitted to owning a stake in an offshore business owned by his late father, as named in the recent Panama leak.
Currently bleating on about how it was all above board - oh the poor thing apparently paid his tax on it, and sold his stake for a measly £30,000  before taking office. Just a matter of loose change for somebody  prepared to rob of others far more deserving than he could ever be.
Thankfully not a lot of people agree with his bluster at the moment, after  lying and deceiving the British public for years, his lies over profiting from tax avoidance just a tip of the iceberg, many people now simply have had enough and are now currently calling for his resignation, but this man has no respect, so it is not very unlikely he will do the decent thing, so  perhaps he will need an extra shove or two.
This man's credibility now lies in complete  shatters, lets hope we follow Iceland's example and show him the doorstep , but we are  witnessing a British Prime Minister  who would not understand  truth, if it gave him a severe kick in the head, a morally corrupt individual, but I would remind you  that this is what Tory's seem to be to me most of the time. So a case of business as usual then.
Iceland though proudly would not put up with their crooked Prime Minister so neither should we, so I will be supporting the call today for this liar and hypocrite  to resign, a man who has benefitted from offshore tax havens while over the years has lectured us about how morally wrong it is. He is currently trending across social media and this time it does not involve farm animals,  I wonder what his dad would say, oh hang on probably  something like this " Hey kid, set up an offshore company, avoid your taxes and sing the Panamanian National Anthem." hey he might decided to do the decent thing,  even then though he will probably try to blame someone else,   " Oi Jeremy Corbyn, it was your bloody  fault." I can hear him fecklessly saying.
Yes we're all in it together,  but how the hell have we ever put our trust in someone  whose entire lifestyle has been paid for, from fee paying education, university, even his first forays into work, paid for by his fathers wealth gained from offshore trusts. I will return to an old catchphrase yes the mind truly boggles.   
What is incredible as well is that MPs have already snubbed a 190,000 strong petition calling for no confidence in him  because his policies have been causing such  devastation to the poorest in society for the past  five years, at end of day displays their arrogance too. 
Like the worlds rich and powerful  though, he plays by a different set of rules. At the end of the day it's plain to see that  he is a money driven lying sanctimonious piece of  **** what other  qualities would we expect , well done to all those who voted him into power , but an excuse  I can find, in the fact that he lied to get in and thus manipulated the public, oh eck the list  goes on an on, good luck to those who get rid of him,  for many taxpayers faith in the system is already tested, and  no longer actually have any faith left in their leader, surely now it is time for Cameron to go. Fingers crossed. It would be truly wonderful 3 years after Margaret Thatcher's death that he is finally hoisted by his own greedy damaging petard.

Another world is possible. ( a poem)

( A poem that arrived earlier as I drifted between cynicism and pessimism.)

Another world is possible.

As they sell our dreams down the river,
For tiny crocks of silver and gold,
Remember another world is possible,
Waiting patiently for you right now,
A brand new system, another way,
With precision will repair the faultlines,
Wash away the corporate stains,
Rid us of  greedy capitalist contamination,
Beyond Panama, the rich will no longer gain,
Across the globe reconciliation coming,
To strengthen paths, release equity on earth.
The tears of the needy and oppressed replaced,
Injustice crushed, victims again to smile,
Carefully we can mend and rearrange,
Planting seeds of opportunity and hope, 
Piece by piece push things back together,
Replace the current walls of division,
Love across nations forever reborn,
Where no one waits for a return to war,
Another world is possible, 
Unstoppable and unavoidable,
A fairy tale of precious attainability,
To be reached and seized right now.

..

Palestinian Children's Day

Today marks Palestinian Children's Day as called for by the late PLO chairman Yasser Arafat 11 years ago.
Not actually a day of celebration however but serves to mark the horrific treatment of Palestinian children by the occupying Israeli authorities. Daily children detained, by Israel forces isolated, threatened and terrorised, forced to admit to crimes that they never did. Many left traumatised, from which some never actually recover. 
In 1989 a UN Convention was made on the tights of the child. It stipulated that  children have the right to the best possible health, clean water and the right to play. "Children should not  be arrested, detained, imprisoned only as a last resort for the shortest time possible. They must be treated  with respect and care and kept in contact with their family." it read.
In 1990 Israel signed this convention, making it responsible  to guarantee these rights to Palestinian children in the occupied territories. Sadly since then this  UN Childrens rights declaration has been constantly violated and the  the rights of the child not recognised.
Children  under the age of 18 make up almost 2 million of  a total 4.29 million Palestinian population in the West Bank and the Gaza strip.
Israel currently holds around 6,900 Palestinians as political  prisoners, among them include  470 children. Most of the cases involving children, involve stone throwing, a minor action when one considers  that when these incidents do occur, it is against one of  the most powerful armies in the world, committing violent incursions into towns and villages. The crime of stone throwing could lead to an eventual prison sentence of twenty years imprisonment.
Also because of grinding poverty, and lack of education many children  forced to work on the street, as vendors or porters in busy towns. Economic stress on families means children are increasingly forced to work to earn extra income , often absent or dropping out of school as a result. Schooling and education badly effected remaining often incomplete or interrupted. In addition after recent conflicts many hospitals and clinics were destroyed thus depriving children of their right to health.
While children should enjoy the highest forms of protection according to human rights, international law and regulation, even in times of war or armed conflict - Israel  continues to violate the rights of Palestinian children everyday. Observance of Children's day in Palestine helps attract  international attention to the problems faced  by children currently living under occupation.  The vulnerabilty  of the Palestinian child is unfortunately. more acute than ever, continuing to face poverty, violence, and threats to basic rights . In Gaza , the main source of drinking water continues to be safe, as a result childrens health is put at risk.
This sad reality all  denies the Palestinian child the joy of living an innocent childhood .  The Palestinian child lives a life unlike any other child, symbolising the life of suffering under occupation, that  destroys their dreams as well as their well- being,  let us hope that in the future conditions of freedom and dignity are restored, that give opportunities to grow, in a healthy normal way in what has up to the present day been  denied to them, let's hope rain down.