I remember the day when "No Platform " was reserved for violent fascists, denying them public speaking opportunities. But now it seems it is being used to silence debate. Currently there are some in the NUS ( National Union of students) who are opposing a plan to invite Nick Lowles director of the anti-campaigning group Hope Not Hate, to speak on an anti-racist platform because they claim he is islamophobic. His organisation I have supported because of its campaigns to counter racism and fascism, who has actually worked to challenge anti-muslim hatred and bias directed at them. This comes after a NUS LGBT officer called Fran Cowling accused Peter Tatchell - who has stood up for the LGBT community for the past 30 years,a hero of mine since his battle for bermondsey in the 1980's, risking his life and sustaining injuries, being mocked by rhe press, subjected to homophobic abuse by his political opponents, and arrested by the police as he fought for equality and free speech - of being racist and transphobic . Simply absurd and mindblowing. Two individuals who have stood yes against Islamist extremism, but equally against anti-muslim prejudice. For unity and solidarity. against all hate. It seems that anyone making the case for free speech or expressing an opinion nowadays contrary to those of others is subject to an intense, widespread and vitriolic attacks. Anybody who diagrees with them is blocked. They are branded racists, transphobes, bigots and sexists. in what seems like a witch hunt of McCarthyite dimension, aided by a virtual mob on facebook or twitter ready to back them up. When freedom of speech is systematically threatened like this, I think we have a bit of a problem. At the end of the day think the NUS should concentrate on opposing those Tory vermin currently in power, who are destroing everything fair and decent here in the UK and taking aim at real spreaders of hatred and fascist threat, organisations like the English Defence Leaque, Britain First and Pegida. We should not misuse the discourse of free speech.
As I write the Tory Government is trying to prevent local Authorities divesting from companies linked to Israels illegal occupation, and settlements on Palestinian land. Authorities which refuse to contract with such companies are also being targeted. This is a a direct attack on local democracy and decision making. This plan is a grave threat to the fight for Palestinian human rights and freedom of expression. An explicit authoritarian and draconian attempt to clamp down on the growing strength of the grassroot Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which aims to end government and corporate complicity in Israels violations of Palestinians rights. At the moment local authorities have the right to divest their pensions on an ethical basis if they wish. Its been part of our democracy for years and was vital in Britain's ability to boycott apartheid South Africa and help bring it down. Margaret Thatcher herself bought in an anti-boycott policy in 1988 aimed at restricting local councils from taking action against to end British complicity in Apartheid. So I guess it's a case of David Cameron and his swivel eyed Tory loons following in her footsteps. As can be seen on their relentless attacks on our Trade Unions and anyone who disagrees with them. Already eroding our own civil liberties now seeks to criminalise/ ban ethical behaviour. It should also be noted that more recently councils across the UK have adapted fair trade principles and removed tobacco and arms companies from their investment portfolios in response to local concerns. The Tories want us to turn a blind eye to corporate complicity in violating international law and to ignore peoples genuine concerns in favour of good relations with a notorious human rights abusing country. The UK Government should be welcoming any citizen initiative that helps stop our complicity in grave injustices. I believe seeking to outlaw this movement for justice will only make it stronger. Please take action and make your voices heard : send a message to the governments consultation on this issue as individuals or organisations, by Friday 19th February 11.45 pm. Here is a link :- http://www.palestinecampaign.org/protect-local-democracy-for-palestine/ and hereare two petition links I would be grateful for people to sign :- https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/121704
A Warmer Welcome is a benefit release for # refugees welcome http://www.refugees-welcome.org.uk because offering sanctuary to those in need is a proud British tradition. Protecting people who have fled their country because of well-founded fears of being persecuted for reasons of race, nationality and membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The refugee crisis will neither go away or simply diminish. As long as there is open conflict, poverty and countries with better conditions that will accept people, the problem will continue. It is our duty as fellow humans to welcome them and give sanctuary. We can not sit back and be indifferent. Remember refugees are a product of humanity's worst instincts - the willingness of some persons to oppress others, but on the other side of the coin is there is a willingness of many to assist and protect the helpless. A Warmer Welcome is a collosal cast of underground musical magic. From the mighty Astronauts, to Neil Campbell of VibraCathedral Orchestra fame, Zoviet France. Ashtray Navigations, the seminal Devotional hoolingan, Celt Islam. One Eyed God, I-Odica and Dog Dub, and local heroes to my neck of the woods Mwstard, and many more. When I say many more I'm talking of a staggering 110 tracks all for the bargain price of £5. A collection that spans all genres from Dub, Experimental, Ambient, Punk , Drone, Noise, all unifying for one cause there truly is something for everyone. The music I've heard so far is very special indeed, the result being an array of many different moods, that keep stimulating pace and releasing their individual power, because of the themes and motives, all banded together for a common cause.A dizzying array of diveristy and musical freedom. Strongly recommended you wont be dissapointed, as long as getting some fantastic music , you will be contributing to a great cause. Music to uplift and capture your soul, and help your fellow human at the same time , now that is what I call magic. You can have a free listen to most of the tracks in the following link, but once drawn in, I hope it will entice you to buy a digital copy of this fantastic piece of work, one love,solidarity, no borders are necesary fight the power. LINK HERE :- https://digitaldizzy.bandcamp.com/album/va--a-warmerwelcome
A quick plug for this exhibition, currently taking place in my hometown of Cardigan. Aberteifi, imaginative and innovative, well worth a visit, full of inspiring stuff, that celebrates the mythical allure of mermaids and the sea. It is worth noting that every water-based culture has their own mermaid stories, tales of Merfolk that are both magical, beautiful , mysterious and terryfying, the following is my own poetical response to the mermaids call. A lament for the Mermaids Out of our depths The mermaid swims Releasing salty tears Tries to embrace Our struggles and pain Visions of beauty Whose siren calls Tries to awaken us Carry us to imaginations depths On currents strong Beyond the world's confinement. Among the sea beds they dance Guided by constellations The swells of tangled threads Want to hold us gently close But are too afraid of being caught By natures tempests and fishing nets Cruel hooks and traps Wishing to remain immortal and free Elusive creatures of the sea. Long may Neptune offer protection sustain these senses of wonder voyaging among the oceans pathways dazzling spectacles releasing undulating light beyond shores of exploitation singing among fathoms deep resting upon pillows of pearls serenaded by underwater acoustics on sea foams of infinity the deep abyss of sanctuary.
( well it is that time of the year, for the lovers)
Love is delicate, love is strong, I never realised that It came in so many pieces, Whispering while we sleep, To fan dreams, to release a spark, To send some light, free us from the dark, In every country of the world Waits for travellers to call, Untreasured can get lost, Come apart, fade far away, As longing fingers reach out to touch, Can make hearts ache, like a snatch of song, Can open doors for both rich and poor, When people rise and fall love revolves, Scattered in millions of pieces, Allows feelings to run riot, You can share it if you wish, As the earth spins round.
Yes Jeremy Hunt's been caught lying again, claiming to have the backing of 20 NHS bosses for his decision to impose on junor doctors unravelled as at least half have said they never agreed to supporting the deal. Also a junior doctor has accused him of 'spin' manipulation' and lies', a Dr Rachel Clarke, interviewed by the BBC recently. Not the first time Hunt has been caught lying, further evidence that he simply cannot be trusted. But remains willfully arrogant, as he ploughs ahead trying to enforce a new contact, one that could see mass resignations, impose it against a peoples well, despite reaching any agreement. Tory democracy in action. He and his partners in crime, the Conservative Government will stop at nothing to privatise the NHS. He has continued to lie in the House of Commons and should therefore either resign or be sacked, actually if all Tories' resigned for misleading the public, their would not be any left in Parliament. Anyway his actions continue to expose their warped philosophy, and now the country as a whole are right behind the junior doctors, their fight is our fight. Ordinary people across the land supporting their plight. But the Tories will continue not to listen, try and crush everyone of us into submission, but we can't let them. The Tories are dangerous though, let's not forget this for a moment, they don't give a flying **** but we have to keep holding them to account take them on bit by bit, unless we want to sit back and stay silent allow the Tories to carry on creating a frightened , selfish, greedy society. Remember we might have another 4 years of their deceitfulness and crap unless we stop them. Jeremy Hunt and his chums cannot be allowed to simply get away with everything that they wish.
This video is intended to raise awareness of the thousands of avoidable deaths, that have happened as a result of welfare reform. Only today in the Independent newspaper there is a report of a mentally ill man who committed suicide because his benefits were stopped, allegedly murdered by the Government according to his sister.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/benefit- There have also been cases of peoples ESA being stopped despite their own doctors being adamant that they were completely unable to work. The flawed work capabality Assessment is also causing unecessary deaths by forcing the long term sick and disabled into work or work-related activity. It is currently causing untold fear and misery for the country's most vulnerable. It is supposedly designed by the Government as a way of assessing how an individuals disability or illness impacts on their daily life. It is not designed to diagnose or treat a medical condition. It is not supposed to add pressure and fear and contribute to peoples ill-being. How many more of us have to die? None of us want to be victims. We are brothers, sisters, mums and dad, friends and neighbours. But our safety nets, that used to be there are being torn to shreds, people are being left with no vestiges of hope. The welfare state was built on the idea 'from the cradle to the grave ', sadly this has now become a reality for many. Obviously there are hundreds and thousands of people who have not been killed by Ian Duncan Smith's Government, but one thing I am certain off, is the Work capabilty Assessment must come to an end in order to stop hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives from being a miserable daily battle for survival, and become more flexible for the needs of the most vulnerable. People who are sick need all the support they need. I sincerely hope people keep saying no, and rejecting the Tory's approved cruelty.
