Saturday, 13 September 2014

Drape the Drones Event - Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September 11.30 Aberporth/Cardigan



Saturday September 20th -Sunday September 21st
Please keep  these dates in your diary!

We in Wales  will be joining  others across the world  to mark  this years International Day of Peace by  campaigning against militarism, war preparations and armaments with a particular focus on drones at Aberporth  and the Trident  nuclear weapons system and its replacement.
Drones are currently being 'tested' for the British army at Aberporth in Ceredigion, West Wales, and this will be the venue for the main protest on Sunday 21st September.
'Warm up' events in Cardigan town  will take place on the previous day.

Details:

1.Saturday 20th September
Vigil/leafleting

Following successful  anti-Nato vigil at Cardigan Town hall, this event will focus on   the military drones at Aberporth. Trident and its replacement, ant-militarism and war in General.
Contact Bob Doyle : bobdoyle70@yahoo.com

At 12. midday  there will be a special (and beautiful) 'Drape the Drones' focus at the same venue with 'Wool against weapons'  knitting will be on display, , singing and bubbles.

It is hoped that following these events, the good folk of Cardigan will  be better informed about these issues  and feel encouraged to  come to the main event on Sunday.

2. Sunday 21st September
Entrance  to Parc Aberporth Drones ' Centre of Excellence' ( from the main road A487. Post code sa43 2BN

11.30 Assemble
12.00 midday - 1.15 pm
This positive event will include songs, poems, speeches and music  followed  at 1.00 to 1.15   by a knitted  photo call around the roundabout at the entrance, and with your help a noisy finale.

Please come along and join me.
Bring shakers, drums, musical instruments for a noisy big finish and show - and feel our strength . Please come and join me.



Friday, 12 September 2014

Childhood under seige



This animation was made in response to the crises in Gaza. These drawings are original  pictures by Palestinian children from the area which depict both  the brutalities experienced in the 2008 war  and their hopes and dreams for the future.
During the most recent conflict one child died  every hour in Gaza and every child there, aged  6 and over has already  experienced 3 or  more wars.
Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli-imposed blockade  remains and  will ensure that children growing up in Gaza with continue to live  through extreme hardship.
The focus of this piece is to grow, spread and strengthen awareness of the Palestinian struggle for freedom so that there can be a positive and just future.

Animation by Plastic Horse
Sound Design by Giacomo Trivelli
Written and produced by Katie Clark

There are over 800,000 children living in Gaza, they make up more than half of the population. They  remain a source  of  optimism and much courage, the world should not forget them as they are forced to  live out their lives  in the ruins of a concentration camp. Their rights to education curtailed with closures and curfews of schools and classes, leading to insecurity and dermoralisation combined  with home demolishments, arbitrary arrests, checkpoints, and the wall, daily they are witnewss to injustices and oppression.Today it is these children  who are still paying the highest  price of this conflict.
Yet despite all this these children remain a source of optimism, hope and much courage.  My dream is that  they all  grow up and find their much deserved freedom.

Lessons


Lesson 1 :- Resist

Lesson 2 :- Rebuild

Lesson 3 :- Boycott

Lesson 4 :- Resist

Lesson 5 :- We build life


Tuesday, 9 September 2014

The B.B.C is like an advertising agency that makes us believe in distortion


According to the BBC,  the economy is growing, there are more jobs than ever and the banks are our friends, and they keep telling us  about some rich  individuals who are expecting a baby, that their mum is a bit cross, seemingly furious because opinion polls seem to suggest that the vote for Scotland's  independence is getting close,  hardly any coincidence.
Last week hardly a muster of the daily protests against Nato in South Wales, and nothing on the enormous protests that took place in defence of the NHS. Do they tell us that Corporal Clegg is a plonker, that his puppeteer Cameron seems intent on taking us back to the 1980's, to many of us his daily onslaughts as bad as is hero Thatcher. The BBC seems to waffle, waffle, waffle, then add some bollocks,  then waffle some more. Don't get me started on their pathetic reportage on the siege of Gaza, an illegal occupation that is still happening now. their reportage one-sided, another contortion in entirety.
There is  something rotten going on here. There hiding all the real news from us, we have become their stooges, they want us to stop questioning,  they just want to hypnotise us with banality and lies. The effect of their  manipulations, is that it produces distortions that are not characteristic on the fibres of truth in which we live and breathe.
So lets start ignoring them, I already have,  we have the internet, books and many other sources of  alternative media and information, so use  them. Time to switch the brainwashers off.
Rant over here's a bit of music.

The Weary Blues - Artie Matthews (1915)


Sunday, 7 September 2014

Dream Strategies


 Poem written after attending Anti-Nato Peace Camp
 in Newport, South Wales 30/8/14 - 5/09/14
 where I joined  groups of individuals,
 gathered to say no to austerity, yes to welfare, no to warfare.

I used to be asleep
Forever I would dream,
Last week got lost in live stream
At a camp that awoke
Rushing and gurgling
With defiant necessity,
As art of communication
Was relearnt, again and again
Beyond consensus
In syncopated time,
A dedicated lifeforce
Beyond copyright
Every voice released
A beautiful gentle sigh,
No gods, no masters
The earth listened
As we sent out love letters
From our hearts,
And the sun shined
Whispered thanks.

Thursday, 4 September 2014

Subcomandante Marcos - In our dreams we have seen another world


Marcos spokesperson and 'anti-leader' of the Zapatistas, has become an icon of the global anti-capitalist struggle - a 'postmodern Che Guevara,' as one journalist put it. He's refused to disclose his identity though the Mexican government says he is Rafael Sebatian Guillier Vicente, formerly a professor in Mexico City. He has written more than  two hundred essays and stories and published more than twenty books. His words have always bought me comfort and have been a source of much inspiration. Another world is not only possible it is inevitable.

'In our dreams we have seen another world, an honest world, a world decidedly more fair than the one in which we  now live. We saw that in this world there was no need for armies, peace, justice and liberty were so common that no one talked about  them as far-off concepts but as things were named in this world. And in this world there was reason and goodwill in the government, and the leaders were clear-thinking people; they ruled by obeying. This world was not a dream from the past, it was  not something that came to us from our ancestors. It came from ahead, from the next step we were going to take. And so we started to move forward to attain  the dream, make  it come down and sit at our tables, light our homes, grow in our cornfields, fill the hearts of our children, wipe our sweat, heal our history.And it was for all.  This is what we want. Nothing  more, nothing less. Now we follow our path toward our true heart to ask it what we must do. We will return to our mountains to speak in our own tonque and in our own time. Thank you to the brothers and sisters who looked after us all these days. May your footsteps  follow  our path.

1994


;;

Monday, 1 September 2014

Noam Chomsky (2014) "The Future of Humanity"



Reloaded


' If someone was watching this from Mars, they'd think this species was insane.'

Friday, 29 August 2014

Some aphorisms from the diaries of Mark Twain on my 47th birthday


                                                       Mark Twain

' The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much : if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little.
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of ourselves and how  little.
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person.
There are several  good protections against temptations, but the surest  is cowardice.
Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.

(um I've been cat sitting in Wood Green in North London.)


NATO comes to Wales to plan War : Join others from across the country to say no.


Next week, heads of governments from more than than 60 countries  will descend on Newports Celtic Manor Park for NATO's latest gathering.
I will be heading down too, on Saturday  to join a week long peace camp protesting against its plans. At the moment the two cities of Cardiff and Newport are in lock down to try to prevent  people opposing NATO's presence and dubious agenda, at a cost of millions  in this age of austerity.
A national demonstration will be held tomorrow Saturday 30th August http://bit.ly/1qhhA07


It is hoped that thousands of people  from Wales and across the country will  embark  on a series of protests across the two cities, and attend an alternative counter summit that will be taking place. I have packed my  tent to join others at this Peace Camp http://bit.ly/1libFb4
Hopefully NATO will receive  a clear message of defiance to their plans, saying no to a summit that takes place only weeks after the centenary of World War 1, which forever serves as a reminder of the bloodshed and horror that empire,militarism, nationalism, and yes organisations like NATO help to perpetuate.
It is heartwarming to learn that a  non religious/non partisan vigil for peace  in support of  the opposition to the NATO summit, will be taking place in my hometown of Aberteifi/Cardigan, West Wales from 11 a.m to 1.pm on the Guildhall steps.
An alternative message of peace must be delivered.

http:www.nonatonewport.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/478707445588453







Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Dear Darling


We can cite the tens of thousands of working families relying on foodbanks, the sick and disabled people commiting suicide because of benefit cuts, the rising numbers of children in poverty.
Britain on its  way to being the most unequal country in the world according to Oxfam, pensioners being payed the lowest pensions in Europe while the income gap rockets between working people and a super wealthy elite, who use their power and influence to maintain the status quo.
Alex Salmond smashed you to bits the other night, seeing you as an opponent  who sides with the tories, that would push us all further into poverty.
Your message appalling  for someone who is supposed to  be  in opposition to the Conservatives and their cronies. Darling, your message simply appalling. xx

Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Time to end todays modern slave trade.


For over 400 years  more than 15 million, men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the deadliest chapters in  human history.It is a sad fact  that there are more people in slavery today  than during the entire period of the International Slave Trade.
The United Nations defines slavery as " when someone is coerced against their will into making money for someone else.            
According to the International Labour Organisation, almost 21 million people are enslaved into forced  labour worldwide generating an estimated $150 billion in illegal profits each day, forced  into labour in the global economy.
They are exploited  by private individuals or enterprises,with economic self interest and moral convictions cast aside, many of todays' capitalist corporations, still turn a blind eye, still profiting from peoples misery and exploitation. Sadly too  4.5 million are victims of forced sexual exploitation.It is such an unfortunate fact that modern day slavery helps too, to fuel corruption and organised crime. Over 130 goods from more than 70 countries are still produced  by forced labour.
Despite being  remembered on the International Day for the Rememberance of the Slave Trade on August 23 every year, when  on this day  in 1791 the slaves of Saint Dominique (now known as Haiti) began an uprising. though courageous, it did not bring  down the slave trade, .
We must today provide safe harbours, make sure that victims forced  into illegal activities are not prosecuted
and that that are provided  with shelter,treated with respect and dignity  and the means  to escape their oppression, and given the means and assistance available to try and help them rebuild their lives.
We should continue  to be asking large companies to take action to ensure that as consumers we are contributing to the end of modern day slavery instead of propping it up.
Let us remember too as NATO meets next week in Newport, South Wales, UK, that its core member states play central roles, and are complicit in many of the causes of conflict that lead to slavery and trafficking.We should not forget that NATO is nothing more  than a war machine, whose entire raison d'etre, is to start wars ,and fuel the voracious appetite of the arms industry, acting belligerently like modern day slave masters, who only show contempt for their slaves.
It is time this distortion is stopped now. End the suffering and exploitation of people across the globe.

A couple of useful links:-

http://www.stopthetraffik.org/

http://walkfree.org/

Sunday, 24 August 2014

Carnival Escapology


                                Image of  Notting Hill Carnival.
                                ( Where I returned from earlier, me old mate ken sent me)

Sometimes the weight of the world
feels like an inflatable balloon, filled,
                                      with tears,
leaving a permanent scar,
like a tatooists signature.

But cordial jet streams, pass upstream too
heaving with notations, admission price zero,
turning down streets, flowing with rum
the afternoon thunders along, with the pulse
                                              of adventure.

We join a carnival, follow sweet, perfumed air
a procession of celebration, high on hope,
dancing to the throb of bass and drum
voices laugh and sing, together we dance
as strong community spirit, is shared.

We drift, deeper and deeper
get lost in mists of perambulation,
to find  the source within to rekindle
                                        and save,
to store in our hearts, waves of spirit
that we hope, may never be erased,
from the rivers to the sea
in synchronisation we are free.
                       

Thursday, 21 August 2014

Keep up the pressure on Companies that invest in killing Palestinians.


As news reaches us that the ceasefire has been broken again it is vital that we keep  on the pressure of Companies that invest in Killing Palestinians.
Sadly at least 2,0016 Palestinians including 541 children, 250 women and 95 elderly men, have now lost their lives so far, and as  many as 10,196 others have suffered injuries in Israels onslaught.

Please Watch :-

https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/499555155717914624

Please sign :-

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/israel_palestine_this_is_how_it_ends_loc/


Please sign :-

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/murder_made_in_britain_loc/

Please keep up the Pressure

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/israel_palestine_this_is_how_it_ends_pa_3

Many thanks

heddwch/peace.




Tuesday, 19 August 2014

His Hands Were in the Air, R.I. P Michael Brown; Let Justice be served



Song by David Roviks

R.I.P Michael Brown, unarmed African American teenager executed in broad  daylight by racist cops on his way to visit his grandmother in Ferguson, Missouri..For more than a week now, we have witnessed the rage on the streets of America, days of unrest as we see angry  confrontations between protestors and police, nighttime clouded in tear gas and anger.
Sad as all this is, the cops are now trying to lay the blame on the victim, spreading a dubious story that the young man, had supposedly shoplifted a cigar from a convenience store. Well the cop that killed him .knew nothing of this allegation, which as it turns out, happens to be completely false. The search for justice seems to be lost, with the Ferguson Police Chief,Tom Jackson  and his police department leaving the impression that they really don't give a damn.
I fear the rage will continue and many more flashpoints will occur, it has exposed the ugly underbelly and racism that still exists in American society, Ferguson just the latest in a long list of African Americans, being treated with suspicion, recklessly, unlawfully killed by the police.
If the end results, mean that the actions of the police on the streets are now being called into question, then that is good.
But before Obama jets over to us, to meet other World leaders, at the NATO gathering in Newport South Wales to apparently try and build some stability in this unpredictable world( but in many peoples eyes, a gathering of leaders, that are seen as solely responsible for the chaos of our times), perhaps it is time for Obama to look for a change in his own backyard, and start addressing the root problems that still  sees his one nation divided. Until he tackles his hometurf, the backlash of a communities anger will continue to rise.He has to try and overcome the appalling record of injustice that still exists in  today's America.
Until then  voices of condolences are just empty gestures, and justice is far from being served.


Thursday, 14 August 2014

Never give up hope




Never give up. They were born to make life, and they are. Palestinian children  from Gaza, smiling  in despite of  the destruction all around them (13/9/14). In sad and desperate times, these children  still cling on to hope. Despite experiencing excruciating,  times of misfortune, they keep on smiling.
It takes great  courage to stay  delicate in a world this cruel.
They stay human, but lets not forget our silence allows us to consent to their dreams being torn apart.

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

Robin Williams ( 21/7/51 -11/08/14) R.I.P Some Personal thoughts on depression.


                                          Peter Weir Dead Poets Society 1989

Sad to hear of the passing of the comic Robin Williams,a sad loss indeed. My heart though goes to the many who have been effected by this story. The millions of individuals whose stories and voices are never heard. We can  never really know or understand  the suffering of others. But the reality is that daily people suffer, many in silence, with no support. We must keep working on our self-awareness, drop the shame and the guilt. I am sorry to have to say this, but there is no easy way of coping daily with an illness that causes exhaustion, physically and mentally. Many people  still live with undiagnosed  or untreated depression, often masked by self-medication of alcohol or drugs. There are no magic formulas, but I guess the strength of others can help, and it is always good to swim along waves of pride, love and hope.
 Often when we are alone and in despair  it is easy to get lost, find ourselves in rooms  that  offer no means of escape, so I can understand why some people choose to let go. But I remember too, that some of us find ways to cope, paths of living and endurity, and survival, but even then we are left to our own devices, have to do it all on our own.
I remember today all the victims, that this government of ours has caused  with blood on its hands, stopping essential services to those that really need it, the cutting off of benefits to the marginalised and the walking wounded. I remember the outsiders, the stigmatised, the branded, the unloved, the unwanted. The devastation  daily caused to lives already finding  it difficult to cope, their lives a daily battle, a continuing battle of the wits. We need to find ways to be there for them, if they talk, then we must listen, don't judge, give them your opinions. A hug perhaps, maybe some reassurance, but remember you are never in their shoes. But we should not give up on them, allow them to breathe in  a little hope. Personally the black dog still comes a barking, I can never  know when it will appear, in the meantime I try to engage with time, patience and kindness, find ways to express some of my inner angst, and at the end the day, I tend to think,that what the world really needs is a restart, some much needed compassion and peace.

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

For the children of Gaza - Onslaught Press



I am very honoured and privileged to be included  in this new book published by Onslaught Press, http://onslaughtpress.tumblr.com/trade for the children  of Gaza, with a poem published under my actual name in  an anthology of poems and art work. Great to be part  of a project that has been released so quickly, with  some well chosen  poems, all powerful and moving stirring in their own way. You can  contribute yourself by buying a copy here.http://onslaughtpress.tumblr.com/trade

Below is the preface written by the editors, Mathew Staunton and Rethabile Masilo.

preface

Operation Protective Edge, described  by US Secretary of State John Kerry as "Israel's  appropriate and legitimate effort to defend itself" from Hamas rocketeers and tunnel builders, is now in its fourth week. Unfortunately for the  civilian population of Gaza, however, there is little  in this operation that could reasonably be considered  defensive. The destruction of Gaza's civilian infrastructure and its only power station, the targeting of schools, hospitals, mosques, fishing boats, orchards, and the beach  is more about making life intolerable for Gazans than it is about ending  rocket attacks.
The civilian death toll, and the number of child casualties in particular, make  it difficult to see this as anything other than collective punishment. And yet we  are asked everyday to believe that these casualties are ' legitimate, 'unavoidable', appropriate', 'justified', 'necessary', and 'reasonable' and that children are dying because they are being used as 'human shields'.
Suffering is increasingly mediated by diplomats, official spokespeople, broadcasters, news corporations, community leaders, spin doctors, and legal tams, but  usually with no more than a passing commentary. We see more and more pictures of dead children on our screens and in our newspapers but the texts and speeches  that accompany them are  full of ambigious and misleading words, or words with no meaning at all. Sometimes there are so many dead children that it is more expedient to forget about words alltogether and simply use numbers.
The contributors  to this book are  telling the story of our anger and disgust and horror. You will not be surprised to discover that there is darkness in many of the texts that follow. But there is also joy and beauty. Its aim is much less to  accuse than to paint a correct picture of what most of the world seemingly does not see,  or chooses not to see, and we think that a right recognition of the reality  of Gaza today needs to be accompanied by the right remedial action. Such action is in the hands of all of us, even if the leaders of the world, who are indeed in the best position  to act, do not.
What is at stake in Gaza goes well beyond the politics of sides and enters the consideration of crime and of killing. There are many accomplices on both sides and as in any crime, they, too must be held accountable. Bishop Tutu has said that "if you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of  the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." The work presented here  by many artists and writers from all corners of the world attempts, unlike the non-actions of those who actually have political clout and power, to choose the side  of the oppressed.
Suddenly in the face of these killing, it does not matter that tunnels have been dug, or that rockets are being launched at Israeli cities. Even if you are right; what suddenly matters is choosing to kill your opponent, who is weaker.

Mathew D. Staunton & Rethabile Masilo

You can see much more on their facebook page

 https://www.facebook.com/onslaughtpress

I can send a PDF too anyone interested.

Link to poem of mine included, originally posted here on this blog:-

The Night is Long Faced

http://teifidancer-teifidancer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-night-is-long-faced.html



Saturday, 9 August 2014

The Case for Cultural & Academic Boycott of Israel with intro by Ken Loach



Solidarity with all those marching for Gaza and Palestine today.
Silence is complicity. The chance to be a force for good in the world is there for the taking. I hope more join Ken Loach and others willing to  speak their minds - movement and momentum is everything.

Friday, 8 August 2014

Long March on Newport



In September 2014 (4th and 5th) NATO will bring its summit to Wales. Throughout Wales  opposition grows, peace activists and members from a wide section of our communities are  already spreading an alternative  message across our land, with campaigners starting  of on a 192-mile Long March  On Newport  inspired by the Chartist Uprising.
We have a long proud tradition of standing up for peace, against injustice, this is what I hope the walkers will bring to mind. Ordinary people reflecting a different view, another path. Against militarism and institutions that perpetuate violence on a global scale. As heads  of governments from 60 countries head  to Newport, at Celtic Manor Resort I sincerely hope that the people of Wales, are joined in solidarity from people from all walks of life who  want to see an end to aggression perpetuated by alliances forged with imperialistic agendas, that seem to serve only their own self interests, profiteers of war and poverty, with the added obscene  costs of this summit in these austere times, a clear message of defiance and resistance must be delivered. To demand a world without bosses or bombs.
Marchers  plan to  start from the Eisteddfod in Llanelli today to arrive in Newport on August 29 ,the day  before a planned  demonstration in the city, I hope to make the journey at some later stage too.

More Details here:-

http://notonatowalk.org.uk/

https://network23.org/StopnatoCymru/en/whats-planned/

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

B.B.C Censorship at Welsh National Eisteddfod



While everyone  is crying for Peace and crying out for Justice and crying out for justice, heard about this worrying incident at the Welsh National Eisteddfod yesterday, a choir called Cor Seingar from Carmarthenshire was wearing pro-Palestinian badges and the BBC told them take the badges off or the BBC would not broadcast their performance.
The BBC has said that this was just a misunderstanding but the choir disagrees, and the choir is taking it further. All they were doing  is wearing badges as a gesture of support and solidarity.http://www.golwg360.com/newyddion/Cymru/158944-bbc-yn-rhwystro-perfformwyr-rhag-dangos-bathodyn-palestina
I'm not sure if I can  trust the Beeb at moment, because  this is the same BBC where Lyse Doucet said that the ceasefire in Gaza means that the Arab fishermen can go back fishing on  the sea normally again. What she or the BBC do not say is that  the Palestinians are not allowed to go out beyond 250 metres off the beaches, and have not been allowed to do this since 2007, because of the illegal blockade thrust upon them. Its all reported as if nothing  was wrong in Gaza prior to 4 weeks ago, and the same  BBC  that uses its news services to spread its messages of jingoism in support of things that only readers of the Daily Mail would want to hear about.

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

The Ballad of Rivka and Mohammed - Leon Rosselson



Leon Rosselson has written a powerful new song about Gaza. A song from the heart for all of us, which you might like to share.
A song which tells the story of two children in different wars.

Sunday, 3 August 2014

We Never Forget


Contribution to letter to Unknown Soldier Project

http://www.1418now.org.uk/letter

We build anniversaries, to remember horror,
as genocide still brings its daily misery,
we should never forget, anybody's senseless slaughter,
all those tragically killed  in patriotic disguise.

The innocent victims, the fallen, the walking wounded,
all those that do not return home, those that mourn,
the many  voices, silenced and stilled,
their names and stories forever  touch and live.

We remember as long as dead names are coughed out,
as time moves on, locomotive  tracks of destruction still created,
as days stretch,  we  do not follow complicity with silence,
remind ourselves  of senses of humanity, left scattered and slain.

We remember too, all those who refuse to fight,
branded cowards, treated like an enemy,
as they battle for a world of peace,
against brutal threads that leave us numb.

With these memories, we continue to share,
spreading the fever  of anger, across many lands,
all loss  is  like a ruined tunnel of light,
a centenary later, we again chant words of peace,
swimming together, desperately under dangerous sky.

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

HUG A TERRORIST





In a video  meant to draw attention to innocents killed in Gaza violence.Two Canadian schoolgirls, described as Palestinian Syrians  are warmly embraced by Toronto strangers, when they hold up a sign saying ' HUG A TERRORIST'.
As Gaza and Palestinians   resist the  continual terrorist  attack  and brutal emotional and physical abuse, that has resulted in  a toll  of 1000  plus deaths, thousands  injured, nearly  all of them civilians,  and mostly  women and children,  the full destruction of the City, the world is finally experiencing a  rude awakening.
This war on  Gaza has been justified under the pretext of fighting terror, yet children are the main victims.
Only yesterday Israel  shelled  a U.N school in Gaza, killing 16. Where Palestinians had been sheltering after being told to  evacuate their homes. Women and children, killed while sleeping.
Clearly a crime against humanity.
Let me ask you,WHO ARE THE REAL TERRORISTS?

Monday, 28 July 2014

Vi Subversa ( Frances Sokolov Sanson;b; 20/6/34) - Song: Persons Unknown



Born of East European Jewish parents. Spending two years in Israel in the late 1950's, before returning to the UK. Artist, poet, performer, visionary. Lyric  writer, singer and front person for seminal band the Poison Girls, the first anarchist feminist rock band, which between  1977 and 1989 was a potent force in the international peace movement playing hundreds of gigs in the UK, Europe, Scandivania and the USA. A truly amazing, inspiring individual. Here's to all the persons unknown.

This is a message to persons unknown
persons in hiding / persons  unknown
survival in silence isn't good enough no more
keeping your mouth  shut / head in the sand
terrorists and  saboteurs / each  and every one of us
hiding in shadows / persons unknown

hey there mr average/ you don't exist/ you never did
hiding in shadows / persons unknown
habits of hiding soon will be the death  of us
dying in secret from poisons unknown

this is a message to persons unknown
strangers and passers-by / persons unknown
turning a blind eye / hope  to go unrecognised
keeping your secrets / persons unknown

housewifes and prostitutes / plumbers  in boiler suits
truents in coffee bars / you think  you're alone
big men on building sites/ sick men in dressing gowns
agents in motor cars who  never go home

women in factories / one parent families
women in purdah / persons  unknown
wild girls and criminals / rotting in prison cells
patients in corridors / persons unknown

statistics on balance sheets / numbered and rubber-stamped
blind and invisible / you're  lost in your homes
liggers and  layabouts / lovers on roundabouts
wake  up in the morning with persons unknown

accountants in nylon shirts / feminists in floral skirts
nurses for when it hurts / persons unknown
astronauts and celibates / deejays and hypocrites
Liars and lunatics / persons unknown

hopefully  on football pools / teachers in  empty schools
kids into heroin / not yet fully grown
typists and usherettes / black men who can't forget
the lonely who long for persons unknown

closet idealists /  bald-headed realists
rastas and bikers / the voice on the phone
pimps and economists / royalty and communists
rioters and pacifists /persons unknown

visionaries  with coloured hair / leather boys who just don't care
garter girls with time to spare / persons unknown
judges with prejudice / dissidents and anarchists
policemen deal dirty tricks to persons unknown

strikers and pickets / collectors of tickets
radical architects / the queen on her throne
soldiers in uniform / sailors and stevedores
 beggars and bankers / perjurors and men of law

football crowd hooligans / bunkin' of scool again
workers down tools again / united's at home'!
smokers with heart disease / cleaners of lavatories
the old with their memories /persons unknown

flesh and blood are who we are / flesh and  blood are what we are
flesh and blood are who we are / our cover is blown
flesh and blood are who we are / our cover is blown
flesh and blood are who we are / flesh and blood are who we are
flesh and blood are who we are / our cover is  blown


 
Poison Girls - Persons Unknown
 

Saturday, 26 July 2014

The Real NATO Agenda



On 4-5th September NATO meets at the Celtic Manor in Newport South Wales. Supposedly meeting to strengthen partnerships and forge alliances around issues of national security and protection of vital resources, this video  reveals for the first  time  the Real NATO Agenda.
Wales  could see its  biggest protests in a generation as  world leaders  meet  planning  their war on the world.
War is the enemy of the poor. At this years  summit the US will be pressuring Western Powers to increase their already huge military budgets at a time when poverty and inequality are soaring. The worlds 85 richest  people have as much as  poorest 3.5 billion.
Money into war is money out of our communities. In the UK, 500,000 people had to resort to food banks last year.
None of the cuts would be necessary if the sums Britain spends  on its military and armanents were invested in social need instead of the war machine.
This autumn the powerful will make their voices heard at the NATO summit. We must make sure  that the voice of the millions  around the world who need peace and justice  is also heard.

Some useful links:-

http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

http://www.cnduk.org/

http://www.no-to-nato.org/

http://www.nonatonewport.org/

The protests have already started. Yesterday there was a successful event in Cardiff, where protestors  managed to disrupt army recruiters, managing to close down  the "Career Centre" for 2 hours. Onwards to NATO.


The message on the banner translates as :-

' WHEN THE WEALTHY WAGE WAR, IT'S THE POOR WHO DIE.'

Friday, 25 July 2014

Arhundati Roy (24/11/61) - 'Colorful demonstrations and weekend marches are vital but alone are not powerful enough to stop wars."


' Colourful demonstrations and weekend marches are vital but alone are not  powerful  enough to stop wars. Wars will be stopped  only when soldiers refuse to fight, when workers refuse to  load weapons onto ships and aircraft, when people  boycott the economic  outposts of Empire that are strung across the globe."

Reprinted from :- Public Power in  the Age of Consent.

Thursday, 24 July 2014

The Tories can they sink any lower?


Yes they definitely can...first we have the news that the Tories pocketed £160,000 from a mate of Putins - and that  over 400 Russian  oligarchs have been given visas for a million squid a go. This after Camerons sanctimonious  rant about sanctions over the Malaysian airline atrocity. It turns out that amongst the hundreds of fat defence contracts signed with Russia,  was one for  anti-aircraft components. We sold Putin anti-aircraft componements! ( Remember it was the tories  who also flogged   some camouflage gear to A CERTAIN  S. Hussein just in time for the first Gulf War, which left our own soldiers short, forced to  buy their own gear. But then I would expect nothing less than the Tories. To see the full extent of Cameron's hypocricy, as he mumbles and makes calls for sanctions, see how he still receives backhanders and his governments  continuing complicity  in Israels brutal assult on Gaza.

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

Rage


Click on Pic to enlarge.
here are the  132 Children killed in Gaza by Israel's Operation Protective Edge.
More  details here.:- http://bit.ly/1yYwLy9

Finding  it increasingly  hard to quell my rage. It is not healthy. Who will bury the children when their parents are already dead and  there is nobody to bury them. Who will kill the sniper that kills those children of the parents that are already dead? Who is goin to mourn them? I will. Who will forgive? Not me. I have so much to say, but nobody seem to be listening. It is beginning to really  is anybody listening. This pain is really starting to hurt.
I guess I need to take a deep, deep breath and then  continue to keep pushing.

Tuesday, 22 July 2014

All born equal?

 
As the Royal family-  and its cheerleaders at the BBC celebrate Prince George's  First Birthday... the above is just a reminder about what has already been said. As people celebrate, remember too the children  dying across the world because of hunger and starvation, the children  currently being killed by genocidal repression. The BBC continues its fawning, bring out their sycophantic royal slime  Mr Nicholas  Witchell,  not a pretty picture, why are not the people revolting.  laters..off in search of a sick bag.

Sunday, 20 July 2014

Every walk to the woods is a religious right - John Burroughs ( 3/4/1837 - 29/3/1921)


" Every walk to the woods is a religious right, every bath in the stream  is a saving ordinance. Communion service  is at all hours, and the bread and the wine  are from the heart and  marrow of Mother Earth. There are no heretics in Natures church, all are communicants. The beauty of natural   religion  is that you have it all the time;  you  do not  have  to seek it afar off  in myths and legends; in catacombs, in  garbled texts; in miracles of dead saints  or wine-bibbing friars. It is of today; it  is now and here; it is everywhere."

- John Burroughs :- American naturalist, reprinted from essays in Naturalism 1920

You are a Prisoner of your own mind.



" The church, the state, the school, the magazine, think they are liberal and free !

It is the  freedom of a prison yard."

- Henry David Thoreau

(12/7/1817 - 5/5/1862)

Friday, 18 July 2014

If Israel Bombed Your Home, What Would You Do?



A weeklong bombing campaign by Israel has pushed Gaza's biggest hospital  to the brink - beds filled with the critically injured, the wails of relatives filling  the air and supplies running short. Because of Israels military campaign the civilian death toll is rising. In many cases no warning, as peoples homes destroyed, innocents killed. A sea of bodies children killed whilst sleeping in their beds. If this happened to you, would you not resist, defend yourself?
In  Israels case in open violation of international law, carry on their mission to destroy, business as usual as they blame victims.
Last night, Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza. At  the time of writing 250 Palestinians have been killed, many of them women and children.
We need to tell our  government to stop this  atrocity now, join the demo tomorrow, and spread  the word to anyone you know that enough is enough. Thousands will be marching  from Downing Street  to the Israeli Embassy, in a demonstration organised  by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends  of Al-Asqa, CND, The British Muslim initiative, Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Forum in Britan and  the Muslim Association of Britain. It is also supported by an unprecedented alliance of faith organisations, Trade Unions,  civil society and Peace organisations.
Tell your M.P  to act now,  my own Mark Williams M.P for Ceredigion  has already written to me  expressing his condemnation of the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.http://act.palestinecampaign.org/lobby/crisisaction/,
The media must be forced to tell  the truth  about what is happening in Gaza, even though over 5,000 people protested outside the BBC  HQ earlier this week  their coverage of  the ground invasion has been business as usual. We must  keep up the pressure, and confront the BBC's bias. Israels siege and occupation of Gaza must end. Acoss the world people want justice, peace and freedom for the Palestinians.

Thursday, 17 July 2014

I'm tired, but not not quitting yet.


Sometimes just opening your eyes in the morning can feel like the most painful thing one can do, but as the sun shines,  there is a realisation that somewhere outside, their are thousands suffering constantly  far more than we can ever we can ever realise. People constantly tired because their  hopes are daily being taken away by tyranny.With weary hands  some of us reach for pen, because bad behaviour often makes us tired of waiting. Now is the time to get rid of  greed and oppression,to awaken  thoughts of gladness, to fight the lack of sympathy and empathy that governs our lands. I'm tired of waiting, for people to awake, but if your listening world, I'm not giving up yet, so will hang around now, wait for some change.

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Assata Olubala Shaker (b 16/7/47) - She who struggles, Poet , Revolutionary



Assata Olugbala Shakur was born JoAnne Deborah Byron  on July 16, 1947, in Flushings, Queens Jamaica, New York. a descendent of slaves..Following her parents’ divorce in 1950, she moved with her mother and maternal grandparents to Wilmington, North Carolina. Shakur spent much of her adolescence alternating residences between her mother, who remarried and returned to New York, and relatives in Wilmington.  
Shakur enrolled in Borough of Manhattan Community College before transferring to City College of New York, where her exposure to Black Nationalist organizations profoundly impacted her activism. Shakur attended meetings held by the Golden Drums, where she met her husband, Louis Chesimard. Members of the organization familiarized her with black historical figures that resisted racial oppression and social violence. 
She also began interacting with other activist groups and subsequently participated in student rights, anti-Vietnam war, and black liberation movements.  During a trip to Oakland, California in 1970, Shakur became acquainted with the Black Panther Party (BPP). She returned to New York City and joined the Harlem branch. Shakur worked in the BPP breakfast program but grew increasingly critical of the BPP because of their reluctance to collaborate with other black organizations. 
Shakur left the BPP in 1971 and joined the Black Liberation Army (BLA), which the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) branded an anarchist group.Adopting an African name,   oin  1971she took on Assata, meaning 'she who struggles,' Olugbala, meaning 'love for the people,' and Shakur, meaning 'the thankful.
An inspiring individual she was the first woman to be placed on the FBI's most wanted  Terrorist list,   In the early 1970', several false criminal accusations for murder, robbery and kidnapping were bought against Shakur. All except one were later acquitted or dismissed. In 1973, Shakur and two other friends were cornered by state troopers on the New Jersey Turnpike, and became involved in a shootout where she was  severely wounded, apprehended and charged  for the murder  of  Werner Foerster, a New Jersey State Trooper. Although Shakur  protested her innocence, and subsequent medical and forencic evidence  indeed  proved it was not possible for her to have  shot the state trooper, she was however convicted of the murder.
She was incarcenated  in several prisons throughout the 1970s  until she managed a daring escape in 1979  from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey with the   help of three BLA members on Nov. 2, 1979., and has managed to live in exile  in Cuba since 1984  where  she  still  lives; .She is recognised  by the Cuban Government as a revolutionary fugitive in exile, venerated by supporters, the Cuban Government continue to contribute to her living expenses, and  she  is regarded as a living link  to  a revolutionary era.
The FBI's animalistic hunting of her resumed after nearly 40 years when it labelled  her a terrorist, offering $2 million for her capture,  still reminding the world, and becomming a symbol of America;s gaping racial divide, reminding us that the oppression  of Black women by America is far from over and to many the world over she continues to remain an inspiration to all lovers of freedom,  as a courageous fighter, liberator and hero, and is defended by many who do not want to see her returning to a prison cell.
Assata learned that no one has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to their oppressor; she learned that our oppressors are never going to give us the education needed to overthrow them. She learned that socialism isn’t just a white man’s concoction, because she studied the works of African revolutionaries and the goals of African liberation movements, as well as those of other colonized places. She learned that socialism was not an evil ideal designed to strip us of our freedoms, as we are told; because Assata knew that under capitalism, we don’t have any freedoms but to starve, to be homeless, or to be thrown in jail for being poor. Assata teaches us all that socialism can and will be achieved when the oppressed peoples of the world join together in struggle for a future free of exploitation.
She has since continued to dedicate  her life to challenging injustice, advocating  on behalf of those persecuted using her skills as a writer, artist and poet. In 1987 she published a powerful memorable book 'Assata Shakur - An Autobiography' where she outlines her beliefs, and the book contains many of her poems, two of which I include here. In this book she also writes from a perspective whose life continues to be on trial.
 From Assata’s story, we are able to learn what it means to be motivated by a deep love for the people and the struggle for freedom—and what it means to embody a determined and unbreakable spirit in the face of crackdowns and government repression designed to stifle and destroy the movement. Account after account from Assata’s comrades and fellow revolutionaries describe Assata as a light, a positive spirit who remained disciplined and committed to the struggle despite incredible hardships.
Long may Sister Assata Olubala Shaker retain her freedom and we carry on breaking down the chains.

" Nobody in the world, nobody in history has ever gotten their freedom  by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them."

- Assata Shakur

Affirmation - Assata Shakur


I believe  in living
Ibelieve  in the spectrum
of Beta days and Gamma people.
I believe in sunshine
windmills and waterfalls,
tricycles and rocking chairs.
And I believe that seeds  grow into sprouts.
And sprouts  grow into  trees.
I believe  in the magic of the hands.
And in the wisdom of the eyes.
I believe  in rain and tears.
And in the  blood of infinity.

I belive in life.
And I have seen the death parade
march through the torso of the earth,
sculpting  mud bodies in its path.
I have seen the destruction of the daylight,
and seen bloodthirsty maggots
prayed to and saluted.

I have seen the kind become the blind
in one every lesson.
I have walked on cut glass.
I have eaten crow and blunder bread
and breathed the stench of indifference.


I have been locked by the lawless.
Handcuffed by the haters.
Gagged by the greedy.
And, If I know any thing at all,
it's that a wall is just a wall
and nothing more at all,
it can be broken down.


I believe in  living
I believe in birth
I believe  in the sweat of love
and in the fire of truth.


And I believe that a lost ship,
sneered by tired, seasick sailors,
can still be guided  home
to port.

Love is Contraband in Hell - Assata Shaker

Love is contraband in Hell,
cause love  is a acid
that eats away bars. But you, me, and tomorrow
holds hands and makes vows
that struggle will multiply.
The hacksaw has two blades.
The shotgun has two barrels.
We are pregnant with freedom.
We are a conspiracy.
It is our duty to fight for our freedom
It is our duty to win.
We must love each other and support each other.
We have nothing to  lose but our chains.

Reprinted from :-

Assata An Autobiography (1987/2001)

Here is a link to a campaign that continues to support and  defend her:-

http://www.assatashakur.com/


"Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them."  - Assata Shakur




Tuesday, 15 July 2014

How to make an online BBC complaint


Noam Chomsky, John Pilger and Ken Loach are among more than 40,000 signatories who have signed an open letter to the B.B.C calling on its journalists to reflect  the reality of Gazas occupation while reporting on Israels current assault.
MPs have also  signed the letter  which will be delivered to the B.B.C today (15 July) during a protest  outside its  Portland Place,  London  headquarters.

See http://www.palestinecampaign.org/chomsky-pilger-loach-call-bbc-reflect-reality-gazas-occupation/

Please keep signing and sharing this
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/sign-open-letter-bbc/


A lot of people  are not very familiar with doing online complaints to  the BBC. Really quite simple, and quite effective, for those unable to get to demonstrations that the BBC does not deem important to cover.
They have a statutory duty to reply to complaints to protect the so called independence of the BBC. Sometimes watching the BBC news I have to awake myself  up from the utter pointless of it all. Fawning excuses for News about  Royal  family, minus their excesses.  They used to say it had a left wing bias, I only see a right wing drift. If we don't complain nothing will change.

( I have used below  the Today programme as an example.

Click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/#anchor

Have you read our page ' What happens to your complaint
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/ - Click  "Yes"

Which service is your complaint about? Click "BBC News (TV, Radio and website)"

What is your complaint about? Click "Radio News"

Which radio station is your complaint about? - Click "Radio 4"

What  is the programme title? Start to type "Today" ( after  the first  few letters, an  option list will appear; click  on "Today")

When was it broadcast? Put in the date (15 07 2014 for example)

How  did you watch  or listen to the programme? -
Click the correct option

How far  the programme did the issue happen?-
You can ignore this. Just go to the next question

What is the best category to describe your complaint?
- Click an option

Have you contacted us before about this complaint? - Click "No"

What is the subject of your complaint?
Type for example " Yolande Knells  reports from Gaza"

Type your complaint into the box

Now click "GO TO YOUR DETAILS

On  the next page it asks: Do you want to receive a reply?

- Click Yes

On the next  page you Put in all your details

Are you under 13? Click "No"

Next Question - Where do you live? - Click your country 

Next Question - For UK users - please provide the first half of your post code.

Then click : GO TO REVIEW AND SUBMIT - This allows you to check and if necessary edit what you have written.

When  you are satisfied with it  - Click SUBMIT YOUR COMPLAINT

Finished, Job done!!

Some time later usually within a few  hours , you will receive  an automated acknowledgement.

In  due course (this could be a few days, weeks or even months, depending on the subject matter!!)

You will  then receive a reply.. pass it on.  It keeps  the BBC busy, and allows us the opportunity to take the BBC to account!!

(Thanks Elizabeth)


Monday, 14 July 2014

Peace Vigil - Aberteifi/Cardigan, West Wales.


Just drawing attention to a local event in my area where people can come together in protest against all wars. Possibly there will be those here who will explain the different struggles the road to peace can take. With more  and more people speaking out against wars destructive force, the road to some for justice can also be achieved. A strong reminder too, for whoever goes past that there will always be  people, ever vigilant in their stand against war.

Saturday, 12 July 2014

Charlie Haden (6/8/37 -11/7/14) - Silence R.I.P


Double bass player and Jazz icon who helped change the shape of jazz, has sadly passed away aged 76. In his own words last year he said " I want to take people away  from the ugliness and sadness around us every day and bring beautiful, deep music to as many people as I can." An avant garde icon, I am thankful  for  the magnificent music that he bought to my table, combined with his wonderful creativity, passion  and political conviction.
Charlie Haden Rest in Peace.


Charlie Haden and Chet Baker - Silence


Friday, 11 July 2014

What's the difference between Palestine and Israel.


This post is dedicated to my mum and dad, and all those others perplexed by my take on recent events.
For Fuck's sake, the difference  between the Palestinians and Israelis is that the Palestinians have no military base - the struggle is akin   to David and Goliath.  WE,  I and other colluders - gave away Palestinian land in  1948 -  when we had no right whatsoever to do so - it was underhand shenanigans - and as it has turned out highly dangerous and volatile.
The recent attacks by Israel have been described as COMBAT?
A funny form of COMBAT, because where for instance are the Palestinian warplanes? Where is the Palestinian army? Where are  the Palestinian tanks?
At the end of the day Israel  murders and the world's governments are silent ( not just silent but complicit in it from  the start - the US arming Israel to the teeth so as to have another strong Military in the Middle East?
Don't look at the BBC to find this out, they will not point out that a society that supposedly values and  is apparently prepared for peace, it's people celebrate the murder of innocent civilians.
The mainstream media, wants us to demonise the victims. Israel denies and ignores all international law, continues to steal land, the Palestinians, those on the other side so to speak, remain imprisoned. bombarded by air, sea, and land.
So mum and dad if you have read this far, this is why I wont shut up. All human but the real difference between Israel and Palestine should not go by unnoticed. These are the real barriers to peace.
Remember too, that civilians are dying. Israeli airstrikes  in the past few days have killed at least  83 people, including 21 children aged 16 and younger.
More than enough reasons for us not to remain silent.

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

Support the strike on 10 July



Pay freezes and below inflation pay rises have reduced public sector workers pay  by 20% since the rotten coalition Government came to power in 2010 Public sector pensions have  been attacked and public services  have been slashed across the country. So this is why I will be  supporting up to 2 million people out on  a coordinated strike action across the country tomorrow  being planned by  among others the  NUT, GMB, FBU, PCS . Lets make sure  that the strikers  are supported in our communities. Remember that they are fighting for us all, as they give the coalition a message that they can't ignore.
We should also remember those unemployed existing on depivation levels, with benefit sanctions,  the thousands of workfare victims, the disabled under attack, all those suffering under the coalitions draconian policies. The Tories and their friends  are not looking after us but  together in solidarity we can, they can't ignore us, when they see us all fighting back.

 
 

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Tears of Gaza: The video social media keeps removing!



Tears of Gaza:
The video that social media keeps removing. Please share it while you can.
Be moved by this video, its why we continue to love and support Palestine and Palestinians and Sorry for the ugliness but this is the the horror and terror visited daily on Palestine. Children and civilians living in fear. So bloody sad.


This is not the sunshine, this is Gaza being bombarded!