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.
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