It's been a rather surreal year, what with my partners having spent nearly half of it stuck in hospital here in West Wales. Despite this there have been much musical pleasure that has been released in the last year, that have given me some kind of respite, thankfully. Most of the following I actually have copies of, some kindly copied for me, I do like to support musicians, the following are some of my musical highlights in no particular order.
1. Datblygu - Porwr Trallod
2. Sleaford Mods - Key Markets
3. Fundamental - A Philosophy of Nothing.
4. Suns of Arqa - All is not lost but where is it?
5. Asian Dub Foundation - More Signal More Noise.
6. Gwenno - Y Dydd Olaf
7. Cosmo - Hiraith
8. Selector - Subculture
9. The Ex - The Ex live at BIMHUIS (1991 -2015)
10. Efa Supertramp - Rhyddid yw y Freuddwyd
11. Sendelica - Anima Mundi
12. Killing Joke - Pylon
13. Seckou Keita - 23
14. Bjork - Vulnicura
15. Tinariwen - live in Paris.
All in all not a bad musical year roll on 2016. Sorry that this post was just a boring list, check the artists out, on the net, you will not be disappointed, well maybe.
Today on December 27th 2008, Israel began an intensive campaign that would last 22 days, combined with a ground invasion which they called 'operation cast lead,' It would lead to death and destruction and international condemnation and protests and would be met by Palestinian resistance in Gaza. The conflict resulted in between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, most of them innocent civilians. The horrors inflicted remain indelibilly embedded in the minds of all Gazans. Crimes against humanity were committed with the use of chemical and biological agents, like white phosperous, leading to symptoms that medic al professionals had never seen before. Burning flesh to the bone. Also there was deliberate targetting of civilians and vital infrastructure. Six years later, Gaza still relies on international aid for day to day activities, including the most basic needs such as food and drink. 75% of homes destroyed are still waiting to be rebuilt. Leaving many people still displaced. The people of Gaza left with a legacy of poverty and economic injustice, 80% of the population lives under the poverty line. 1.8 million of people in Gaza still locked in like animals by Israels illegal blockade, that prevents them from access to essential goods that are needed to rebuild and sustain life. In a sense the war never ended. People still demanding justice, because without justice, peace will remain a distant illusion.
No apologies - stuff you Cameron , just like Tony BLIAR before you, and all the others who mouth about Christian values, whilst being the biggest hypocrites alive.
In the second year in succession Cameron has referred to Britain as a christian country, A privileged PM peddling platitudes to the poor with his Christmas message. He talked of the poor and homeless, the vulnerable, but forgets to mention how he punishes the poor with cruel sanctions and delayed benefits, or the thousands of families his government has condemned to homelessness, temporary accomodation or hostels, while new tower blocks are built for rich speculators. He also mentioned NHS staff and refugees, a really nauseating mixed bag . Reflecting on values like peace, mercy and goodwill, traits that he definitely does not possess. He failed to mention that is his government's policies that increase hunger, poverty and desperation, whilst destroying services that the poorest in society rely upon,all for the worship of money. May he heed the following words.
Luke 18: 24-34 (22 ) " When Jesus heard this. he said to him, " You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." (23) When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. (24) Jesus looked at him and said " How hard it is for the rich to get to heaven." (25) Indeed, it is easier for a camel, to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of god.
So Mr Cameron may your Turkey give you salmonella,
and your Xmas lights all short,
may your presents all be socks,
and your sprouts as hard as rocks,
may your dinner guests all suffer wind,
and your quail eggs all be rotten,
let your yule log be too wet to burn,
and your sky box blow a fuse,
may you get so drunk you forget the company you keep,
and the party piece you re-enact with the pigs head centrepiece.
Apologies, as Tory government keep inflicting us daily with their inhuman policies. I truly find it hard to understand how anyone can continue to support them. Cameron and his party's policies, continue to be dangerous, , intolerant,and out of touch, continuing to serve vested interests that create added burdens to all those suffereing at the present time. But maybe their arrogance and their recklessness will be what eventually brings about their downfall. Maybe they might change direction, halt their miserly ways, I don't hold my breathe, we have to keep pushing them though. Anyway not sure how often I will be able to use or have access to computer in coming days, so as crimbo overtakes, lets reclaim this period for the masses, and remind ourselves that goodwill is the basis of mutual aid, let us follow the redistributive example of Kropotkin Claus, and keep on building and creating a future that we can all share. Oh and let the principles of solidarity remain for life, not just for one day, so in this season, lets us embrace this reason, lets not follow the whims of those who wish to command and control, keep spreading peace and goodwill to your fellow woman /man. Lets try not to forget at this time of year, those who have nothing to celebrate, allow them to overcome obstacles as they face hard times that lie all around. Thanks to all that have dropped on by, solidarity.... heddwch/peace, remember mutual aid, the gift that keeps on giving. lets forever decorate the future with equality and allow us to cherish the value of cooperation instead of following paths of greed. Lets hope too that all the worlds disorders somehow right themselves in the coming months ahead, as we continue to spread our messages of love and hope,and gather, renew our strengths.
Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating, happy holiday's, whatever you happen to subscribe to.
Today the great mother, gives birth to the sun king, in the middle of winter, the spark of life returns, releases chords of merriment, feelings of peace and goodwill, threads of hope glisten in the air, so take time, to magnify the light, we can share between ourselves. this earth so precious, rekindles, maintains the balance, breathe in, breathe out, love forever restores, keep heart wildly open, spread generosity and compassion, open portals of survival, on this shortest day of the year. ( happy winter solstice, heddwch/peace)
I remember 1984, when we fought for our lives, when the enemy within, were the rulers of the land, who took away our opportunities, robbed us of our jobs, so we fought back strong, for our communities, and our class. 30 years have passed, and politicians continue to plunder, bringing fear across the land, aided by right wing press, delivering austerity politics , designed to tear lives apart, it's all still out of order. as they return us to yesterday, slip us back in time. As miners bid emotional farewells, after working their final shifts, like those that walked before them, let their struggles continue to inspire, as the rich keep getting richer, because of opportunist interest, the poor get poorer, our government turns blind eye, tension fills the air again, because we're slipping back in time. And as they dismantle our sustenance, steal our dreams away, cut our welfare state, the ghost of Margaret Thatcher lingers, her legacy still doing the rounds, now is the time to seize close, all the hope you can find, bury the iron lady's memory, forever deep down a mine shaft, with strength we can move forwards, forge a new future bright, stop them from slipping us back in time.
Today would have been the birthday of the late great Phil Ochs. This was the gut who wrote all the political songs that people loved, that could have been written today, that people hoped Bob Dylan would write. He did all he could to change the world in the 1960's. With his plaintive voice and passionate opinions, best known today for the many protest songs he wrote on war, the championing of civil rights, pacifism , social justice and revolution.Most of Phil's songs were very political, some humorous and some very serious. He wrote about the topics of the day Viet Nam, hungry miners, and personalities such as Billy Sol Estes, William Worthy and Lou Marsh. In 1967 he signed with A&M Records where his first release was "Pleasures of the Harbor" in which he used heavily orchestrated arrangements for the first time. Some fans criticized this change, while others accepted it. Phil continued to perform and to travel around the world. While in Dar Es Salaam, he was mugged and lost the top three notes of his vocal range. This event seemed to send him on a downward spiral. His last years were troubled ones. He suffered from manic depression plus an affinity for the bottle. He committed suicide on April 9, 1976 at the age of 35. Many of Phil's songs have been covered by other artists. Some of his best known songs are: "Changes", "There But For Fortune", "I Ain't Marching Anymore", "Draft Dodger", "Small Circle of Friends", Crucifixion" and "When I'm Gone".
However depressed I personally get because of social injustices, the weight of the world, life in general , his songs that could have been written a moment ago, still have so much relevence, reminding us what we can do while we are still here.
Here was a man who while alive, did more for peace than any soldier did for war. Nearly 40 years after his untimely death he continues to influence with his beautiful haunting voice. "A good song with a message can bring a point more deeply than a thousand rallies."
As winter, takes effect, the impacts of the cuts are increasingly visible as more and more people struggle to make ends meet. The impacts of austerity on ordinary people is plain to see. Because of the tory's dangerous scroogeconomics policies, there is increased insecurity, as energy prices rise,and benefit cuts continue to have impact on peoples lives, combined with the the rising cost of living.
Combined with savage attacks on our welfare state, brutal new sanction regimes, Zero hours contracts, insecure work, benefit delays, this time of the year will be very hard for many.
There has to be a better way, there is a growing movement protesting and saying a loud no, to this governments cruel and unfair agenda.
As Christmas descends on us again, lets not forget the fact, that poor are getting poorer, the rich getting richer, so happy crisis and a happy new fear, bah humbug. Lest us forget that the seeds of a better society already lie embedded in the contradictions of the current one
Here's an alternative Christmas Carol that I've posted before, that I hope will keep your sprits warm.
Solidarity.
A Silent Night this Christmas : The City of Bethlehem prepares for a scaled down Christmas celebration in the face of continuing Israeli violence. Faced daily with a massive concrete segregation wall, that zig zags around Bethlehem, placing fertile Palestinian land on Israels, seperating Palestinian families from each other, from their jobs, hospitals, schools, churches and mosques. My heart and soul continues to ache for the people of Palestine. The impact of occupation daily bringing it's heavy burden. In Bethlehem now peoples journeys blocked by checkpoints and thirty foot high slabs of concrete. Nothing calm, nothing bright.
There have been heavy rains,
but a flame is burning as the planet rotates,
togetherness is far more than just a word,
it keeps us alive, keeps us afloat,
in each sky there is a sea,
and in each awakening there is a tear,
we roll on waves of uncertainty,
looking for reason, in every season,
in unity's dance, every drop of rain,
trickles down vessels of the heart,
releasing songlines to the spirit,
to allow the glow of love within to shine,
allow the afternoon to leap,
give strength as the world turns,
storming the impossible,
with sufficient precision,
from the declivities that surround,
our paths are level, we walk in union,
sharing dreams on the crossroads of forever.
( Jane incidentally is my partner, who has been stuck in hospital for last 5 months)
Errico Maletesa ,was a Italian anarchist militant, writer and thinker who was born on this day in 1853. Imprisoned many times for his revolutionary activities and his ideals, and repeatedly forced into exile.He was in fact imprisoned a total of 12 years during his long career. In 1876 he helped develop a theory of anarchist-communism. Active in the International Anarchist movement from the time of the First International in 1871, he was an organiser of numerous demonstrations, radical newspapers and workers insurrection in Europe and Argentina. He was also a dynamic speaker and propogandist.
He happened to be a wealthy man, but decided to put his entire fortune at the disposal of the cause, spending it all on radical endeavours, until he was buried in a paupers grave at the age of 78 after having been under house arrest by the fascists in Italy
Malatesa is still rightly celebrated today because above all, beyond being a writer of articles and pamphlets, he exemplified his thought in deed, his ideas backed up by action, and driven by his fierce commitment to freedom.
" By anarchist spirit I mean that deeply human sentiment, which aims at the good of all, freedom and justice for all, solidarity and love among the people, which is not an exclusive characteristic only of self declared anarchists, but inspires all people who have a serious heart and open mind." - Errico Maletesa (Umanita Nova; 13/4/1922)
An Afghan girl smiles, as refugees wait to enter Moira refugee camp on Lesbos Island Greece. When refugees arrive in Lesbos they are separated by nationality. Syrians go to Kara Tepe camp, where most people stay in shelters, while other refugees , mostly from Afghanistan , are assigned to Moira camp. People moving back and forth from these camps can cause delays and backdrops. According to Greek Law only the mother and father are recognised as legal guardians. Many underage children are thus seperated from their relatives upon registration. The seperation can last for as long as it takes for the minor to be transferred to an open reception facility for UAMs. This can take two weeks to a month on average. When people arrive they have nothing but the clothes they wear to protect them from the elements. Many having drowned in their attempt to reach Greece. Moira, where long lines, squalid conditions and limited supplies have created what many are calling the world's worst refugee camp a living hell, overshadowed by razor wire. A repositary for human suffering. Many forced to sleep out in the open, people in the 21st Century forced to lie on a few rags on the ground. Despite her dreadful conditions and the unknown future waiting for her ahead, this girl was still able to smile to the camera. I see this smile, and I want to return one back. I hope that all the other children around her on their long journeys of hardship, find a place of safety happiness and security, but these people are not ok, despite the smiles of innocence the future holds only uncertainty. Now among winter, with Christmas coming , young and old struggle to adapt to the cold nights, we cannot forget their plight and their desperate struggle. Photo :- Colleen Sinksy
The hauntingly beautiful picture above is by Syrian artist Tammam Azzam, with his personal tribute to Gustav Klimt's " The Kiss" which he has retitled "Freedom Graffiti. "Since seen by millions across the globe, as it has been virally shared across social media. It is superimposed on a bullet ridden, war torn building in Syria. Using Klimt's idealistic vision, from the ashes of destruction, the first thing to rise is creativity, the urge to overcome pain and heal. Love is stronger than hate. The struggle continues until the face of the earth becomes the face of love. This love needed so much now to lighten the pain and suffering of this country, this artwork a magnificent reminder of the power of the human imagination, leaving a glimmer of hope to those that remain. These shattered lives, need hope, and their homes to be rebuilt again, and an end to their suffering. No more bombs to fall.
Sad to hear that John Trudell that acclaimed Native American poet, recording artist,vietnam vet, actor and activist whose international following reflects the universal language of his words, work and message has passed away from cancer aged only 69. Trudell (Santee Sioux) was the son of a Sastae Sioux father and Mexican Indian Mother. After leaving the military he gave his life to one of full time activism, becoming a spokesperson for the Indian Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971. He then worked with the American Indian Movement (AIM), serving as Chairman of AIM from 1973 - 1979. He was part of a group of Native American activists who occupied Alcatraz Island in 1969. In February of 1979, however, a fire of unknown origin killed his pregnant wife, his three children and mother-in law. It was through this horrible tragedy that Trudell began to find his voice as an artist and poet, writing, "to stay connected to this reality".
The filmaker Heather Rae spent more than a decade making a documentary about him, which was released in 2005 Trudell.
The intention was to demonstrate how his political and cultural activities were tied to contemporary history and inspired people.
He has campaigned for the release of the Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted in 1976 for the 1975 shooting of 2 FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Many believe this conviction was unjust and like many of his forefathers he has been treated abysmally so on February the 4th there will be an international day of solidarity for him
Leonard Peltier though imprisoned for over 35 years, aged 71 and in poor health, is still full of hope. Like Trudell he believes that they are stronger than the miserable conditions that unfortunately they find in their reservations, and the terrible poor conditions their communities live among.
A website dedicated to him can be found here. http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Trudell himself used a powerful fusion of poetry and music to spread his message. A prolific poet who combined spoken word with music over 12 albums, and actor who starred in several films. Of himself he declares " I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly losing its understanding of being human." His writings that started as therapy have become acts of war speaking out against injustice in humanity's name, through the experience of his community and that of his ancestors. He became a powerful champion of indigeneous rights and was part of a growing force for change. His voice empowering, inspirational and necessary.
John Trudell aged 25
"As human beings, we are given the power of intelligence. And, when we understand and respect that power by using it clearly and coherently as part of our thinking process, we will be able to create solutions to the problems that confront us individually and collectively."
- John Trudell, (Oct 12, 2008.)
.
Here was a man who felt and witnessed tragedy, who continued to act and think consciously, be a defiant thorn in the side of authority who refused to be shut up or let his independent voice be drowned out. It is people like him that for me makes me believe in humanity. With his soft spoken voice his words resonated, and echoed with wisdom, using words as weapons of survival. He also said when he was younger "he fought for a revolution that he believed would lead to freedom. " Well throughout his life he continued to do so, fighting against injustice, racism . he has burnt his nations flag, this dissenting troubadour waged his war, remained human, and free.
It is sad to have to say goodbye to this charismatic outspoken voice of passion and integrity.
So long brother, safe journey, humanity is strong because of voices like John's.
" No matter what they ever do to us, we must always act for the love of our people and the earth. We must not react out of hatred against those who have no sense. "- John Trudell
My partner has been stuck in Glangwili General hospital for last 5 months, looked after by an amazing compassionate dedicated staff. That help deliver a personal touch, that doctors have not the time to. It saddens me though that our cruel Tory Government are planning to force nurses into debt of at least £51,000 by making them pay the entire bill for their training, even though nurses at the moment spend 50% of their training time working for the N.H.S on clinical placements and their starting salary is £22,799 as spelled out in George Osborne's spending review last September. Ask your MP to stand up for the N.H.S and its nurses. This plan will make recruitment even harder for the N.H.S, and putting the N.H.S workforce under increased pressure, but that is probably the Tory's big plan. Already there is a crisis with more patients and less staff, with the service stretched to breaking point and running out of cash. Nurses are already underpaid for the life-saving work they do and now the Tory's want to allow them to start their career in debt, if they are not put of training altogether. These bursaries offer a lifeline, allowing individuals to attend university and meet their extensive and demanding clinical placement hours. It allows nurses to devote their ability to care, the plans will mean that many people from poorer backgrounds will be unable to fulfill their dreams. The Tory's are trying to destroy our beloved health service, their plans are simply unfair and wrong, we cannot allow them to achieve their aims, working with health workers and the unions we must fight together to stop this from happening. Their plans are simply unfair and wrong and disgraceful. Nurses are the N.H.S's pride, our lions, I am extremely grateful for all that they do.
Theresa
May is preparing to abandon plans for a British Bill of Rights after
Britain leaves the European Union, Government sources have suggested.
Ministers have confirmed that the Government's plans to scrap the Human Rights Act have been shelved until after Brexit. However sources say that the plans may
now be abandoned entirely because Brexit will significantly strengthen
the sovereignty of British courts. This could have huge implications for rights protections in the UK and across Europe, Theresa May plans to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights.The Prime Minister plans to fight the 2020
election on a platform of leaving the European Convention on Human
Rights (ECHR). The PM plans to “lift and shift” rights protections so
people in the UK can only seek rights protections in UK courts. If
correct, this would be the first time that any major party has promised
to take the UK out of the ECHR altogether. The ECHR is an international treaty which the United Kingdom signed
up to after World War II. It contains a list of human rights and
fundamental freedoms necessary to live a dignified life. The UK was instrumental in drafting the treaty and was amongst the first signatories in 1950. It came into force in 1953. The government had promised to replace the Human Rights Act with a
“British Bill of Rights”, but those plans appear to have been put on the
back burner since the UK voted to leave the European Union earlier this
year. The Telegraph reports that May “has decided that she cannot start
that fight with the prospect of negotiating Britain’s exit from the
European Union set to dominate Parliament over the next few years.” The report goes on: A senior Government source said: “We would have been
looking at having a huge row with a Parliament to get through the
Cameron plan and we might even have failed. A clean break is by far the
best option and, if we put it in the manifesto, even those Tory MPs who
are squeamish about the idea will have to get behind it. A manifesto
pledge also means the Lords will have to let it through eventually. All
the signs are that the Prime Minister is up for this.”
The 2020 Election is still just
under four years away, and much could happen between now and then –
particularly given the uncertain politics of Brexit. This report could
be no more than a “balloon” being raised to see how people react. It
could also be no more than an attempt to address concerns to the right
of the Tory Party that the Bill of Rights plans seem likely to be
seriously delayed.
However, May has advocated ECHR-withdrawal before,
so this would be a consistent move. If it is true, then it could signal
a very significant change to UK human rights protections, as well as a
potential major blow to the Convention system which the UK helped
create.
Human rights do exactly what they say, they are rights that belong to all people by virtue of being human. We must continue to stand together for the protection of human rights, for the protection of all.
On December 8, 1987, 16 year old Palestinian schoolboy protestor,Hatem Abu Sissah is killed by Israeli soldiers, he had simply gone to join with hundreds of others, demonstrating against their ongoing occupation. On December 9th an Israeli truck crashed into two vans carrying Palestinian workers, killing 4 inhabitants. It would act as a final straw and catalyst for the days of rage that were to follow. It would ignite the first intifada in Israeli-occupied Palestine, a popular uprising that would see many Palestinians uniting in a campaign of resistance against the Israeli occupation. Spreading initially from the Jabaila refugee camp, throughout the occupied territories, the Gaza strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It would lead to a general strike, refusal to pay taxes, a boycott of Israeli institutions and riots which lasted until the early 1990s. In Arabic intifada means to rise up or to shake off. It would embody the struggle of the Palestinians to win basic freedoms long denied by Israel, against policies of exclusion and domination, against a background of oppression.and the denial of basic freedoms. In the days and years that followed, almost daily clashes with Israeli soldiers would occur and would catapult the Palestinian cause onto the international stage and into the hearts of millions of television viewers across the globe as they resisted a colonial military power that had been occupying their land by force since 1967. While the First Intifada is largely reduced to images of Palestinian boys throwing stones at Israeli tanks, women were at the helm of resistance. It would result in a total of 1,489 Palestinian lives being lost along with 185 Israelis. Some years later on September 13, 1993, the uprising would end with the Oslo Peace agreement between the PLO and Israel, that would bring the Palestinians dream of Independence in the West Bank, and Gaza one step closer, but was followed again in September 2000, with a second intifada.
The intifada transformed relations between occupiers and occupied. As the resistance went on month after month . year after year, the Israelis came to realise that they could neither dominate nor expel the Palestinians.
This was not the first time that Palestinians rose up in protest, In 1935, when Palestine was still under British colonial rule, it was British forces that killed, injured and arrested thousands of Palestinians fed up with colonialism and occupation. And it was British colonial lawmakers who instituted practices such as administrative detention, detaining people without charge or trial a practice which was then adopted Israeli policy, that is still being used against Palestinians today.
Palestinians still have to take principled methods of non-violent civil disobedience, that includes general strikes, boycotts of Israeli products, refusal to pay taxes, hunger strikes, along with graffiti, and spontaneous demonstrations to allow their plight to be recognised by the world.
Many believe that it wont be long until a third intifada comes to call. How many more intifada's must be fought until real justice for the Palestinian people prevails and the world finally witnesses an end of illegal Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian territories.?
Datblygu a favourite band of mine , seminal Welsh post-punk legends, have just released their latest album. It is called Porwr Trallford ( Tribulation Browser) A continuing journey of the magical force that is Pat Morgan and David Rupert Edwards, delivering again a smouldering sound of truth. Dave like a lot of us has unfortunatley has over the years had to battle and endure mental illness, but despite it all, with this record, he keeps delivering a poetical depth of beauty and raw honesty. I confess now that I personally know Dave,and over the years and so have witnessed his strength, his friendship and love, that has carried and lifted me, kept me afloat in my own periods of darkness. But at the end of the day, if you want hear some truth. switch off the mainstream news, seek out this record full of lyrical beauty, of musical depth, and emotion, carried in the medium of the Welsh ,a message that will also enable you to fall in love with this rich language. When the lights continue to go on and off, here is a light that delivers truth and soul. So if your into christmas, I can think of nothing better to send than this wonderful record, that truly deserves a much wider audience, with messages of hope, taking in Jack Kerouac, Richard Burton, broken britain, alcohol ,lust, life and loss, a passionate voice from here in West Wales, a clear ember from the soul, that will leave you blinded with beauty as the world's dark shadows drift. All in the beautiful medium of the Welsh language. This is truly a beautiful gift of a much needed poetical genius. So diolch yn fawr, thank you very much Pat and Dave, I continue to love your journey and gift immensely, I will end with a quote from Mr Edwards - "there's no need to analyse, feelings so pure." Seek this record out I guarantee it will not offer you any disappointment. I for one will continue to love Datblygu's music ureservedly. a band that almost stopped me going completely insane.
Some musical respite among the darkness. Full of cold at moment, but I keep looking, and at the end of the day another world is possible, we should not allow fear to rob us of this potential. Politicians are leading us currently in the wrong direction, they can be averted though by building on the struggle for a different kind of world. Lets not be puppets attached to their strings, seek new possibilities, keep on longing for a more beautiful world, abandon their shackles, their greed and need for war, overcome their barriers, yes truly another world is possible. All the best heddwch/peace
On this day December 4, 1969, Chicago Black Panther Party Chairman, revolutionary and activist was assasinated by the Chicago Ploice Department in collusion with the F.B.I.
Just 21 years old Hampton was a dynamic young activist and one of the founders of the Chicago Rainbow Coalition, that sought to unite the Black Panthers, and the American Indian Movement in one common struggle.
Many saw him as the next possible Martin Luther King or the next Malcolm X, or perhaps the next great leader of Black Americans.
Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs of Maywood, Illinois, he became involved in the civil rights movement, joining his local branch of the National Association For the Advancement of Coloured People. (NAAP ). His dynamic leadership and organisational skills led him to rise to the position of Youth Council President.
He sought to unite people through socialism, against the capitalist system, fighting against racism and discrimination through practice and deeds, seeking to find solutions that would improve poor and working peoples lives, through struggle, without getting bogged down in watered down reformity. He sought to do this through observation and practice. A dangerous message then, still is today I guess.
His organisation provided breakfasts for poor school children and a free medical clinic for those that needed it. Hampton himself also taught political education classes. He also managed to persuade two of Chicago's most powerful street gangs to stop fighting one another.
His attempt at unification of different peoples struggles bought him to the attention of J.Edgar Hover and the F.B.I. During an early morning police raid, he and fellow Black Panther Mark Clark were shot down dead in a hail of bullets. Hampton was sleeping in his bed. This was seen by many at the time as a serious attempt to undermine the Black Panthers powerful message.
Although many years have since gone since his passing, the peoples love for this man remains strong. His powerful message remains strong. People still fighting discrimination and ongoing racism.
In 2004 the Chicago City Council passed a resolution commemorating December 4 as Fred Hampton Day.
" We got to face some facts. That the masses are poor, that the masses belong to what you call the lower classes, and I talk about the masses, I'm talking about the white masses, I'm talking about the black masses, and the brown masses, and the yellow masses.
We've got to face the fact that some people say you fight fire best with fire, but we say you put fire out best with water. We say you don't fight racism with racism. We're going to fight racism with solidarity.
We say don't fight capitalism with no black capitalism, you fight capitalism with socialism. "
- Fred Hampton.
A brother who fought the oppressor,
who attacked the suppressor,
people continue his fight,
discrimination has not ended,
nor has the struggle.
the dream of freedom is kept alive,
some people pay the price,
when they try to fight back,
you can kill a revolutionary,
but you cant kill the revolution.
the spirit, lives on. I am a revolutionary - Fred Hampton
Yesterday in a mad rush for war, we saw reason crushed, after a peacemakers son, ** made the case for air-strikes in Syria, saw the house of commons applauding, exploiting issues of terror for political gain, deciding to send hawks of war, instead of peaceful wings of doves. Men and women in London, once again drawing maps, to serve their own interests, instead of yours and mine, actions that can't be unmade, allowing the odour of death, to be cast upon foreign land. Not in our names people cry, they dont support this government, and are not sympathetic to terrorists, simply don't want more bad news, in the coming months after December, will continue to work for peace's endurance, for friendly shadows to be shared among us all.
David Cameron recently said that those who oppose bombing in Syria as terrorist sympathisers, he has since refused to apologise. Power has simply gone to the head of this Typical Eton bully boy, he shows utter contempt for many people in Britain who simply do not want the bloodshed of innocents to be shed. It seems that he is incapable of listening to those that do not share his illogical point of view. He is clearly a laughing stock, worrying though with such a dangerous level of power. It makes him out as contemptible and desperate as he makes this awful slur on those trying to deliver peace. We should not be enslaved by this horrible hypocrite, we should carry on being human, and working for peace, if they ignore us later as I fear M.Ps will, we must strive to beat them with a more reasoned response. In this present time his marks unhelpful and deeply offensive. Follow people of principle instead of those who continue to unleash their arrogance and wilful disdain for others opinion. Does he not realize or has he just turned blind, started listening to outside agendas, that the bombing of innocents is what most reasonable people would consider to be acts of terrorism. Scapegoating people is not a way to win an argument, it is simply name calling of the worst order, he should be treated with all the contempt that he deserves. Please tell me what is so wrong about standing up for the values of peace and justice? What about the terror Mr Cameron that you have unleashed on the poor, homeless, diadvantaged here in Great Britain?
Today is the 11th anniversary of one of my favourite singer songwriters death. On the eve of a possible drawn out war, remember to keep love in your hearts. Blessed are the peacemakers.
I wanted to start December with a happy optimistic post, but as the UK prepares to exercise its historic role on the people of Syria, and warmongerering M.Ps join in to push us into committing itself to airstrikes here's this post instead. The conflict in Syria is already 4 years old, the revolutionary Kurds have been fighting against Isis all this time have been ignored time and time again, as they make their stand in places like Kobane and Rojava on the Turkish border. If we want to take sides, if any at all, why are we not backing the PKK, who want a future that is not dictated by either fundamentalists or imperialists, or anonymous who are taking on Isils propoganda wing. Furthermore in the past two months alone Israels armed forces and armed civilians have killed 108 Palestinians, the vast majority simply executed, and also over 2,000 Palestinians have been arrested, at least 350 of them being children. No emergency debates about this in our great Houses of Parliament. Politicians however like to start wars, and are quite prepared to ignore chaos and misery elsewhere, perhaps it serves their warped objectives. While I understand that the brutality of Isil and Assad must be stopped, I feel we must try and find peaceful solutions that challenge too the UK/NATO imperialist policy of supporting Turkey/Saudi Arabia etc etc.that will not mean the loss of innocent lives, allowing us to enter into another drawn out grubby little war, that will have terrible consequences, that will probably act as a recruitment call to Isis's death cult, they do not care who is killed, what terror is wrought, it will just serve their twisted purpose. Lets stop their supply of arms yes, by stopping all arms and munition sales to the region, and cut of their supply of money by stopping Turkey and surrounding states bringing them oil.This is how we can truly help the Syrian people, after all it they that we are supposed to be helping. It is these people in the region that truly matter, if we are to deliver them from the evils of both Assad and Isis. Oh yes their a lot of oil in this region, oil of course means profit, that's why Cameron perhaps forgets about Erdogen's violent suppressions, Israels illegal occupation of the Golan heights on the Syrian border. The whiff of hypocrisy abounds. Do we simply forget the tragedies of Iraq, Serbia, Afghanistan, Libya. Does history has to repeat itself, I don't think Cameron's call is a considered one at all, as for terrorism it will certainly increase the likelihood of it coming here to Britain. I do not see how it can possibly have any positive contribution to our national security. Lets not forget how Cameron was in a similar rush to lead us to war in Syria in 2013, that time on the side of ISIS or whatever they were called then. Thousands have taken to the streets in recent days voicing their objections, clearly saying no to the imminent threat of war, but the peoples wishes are wilfully ignored by Cameron and his allies, surprise, surprise. We have no money for welfare, but suddenly have more than ample for another deadly war, but Cameron and his allies do not seem to give a damn, as they continue to press forward with their deadly plans, that will only serve to endanger Syrian civilians, already in a perilous situation.. Who in their right minds can support Cameron's plans, propping up a multinational imperialist agenda. leading us into a probable unwinnable war Said it before, I guess (but the world does this to me unfortunately) my mind truly boggles at the moment, it truly does. heddwch/peace. Black Sabbath - War Pigs
Today marks the 80th anniversary of Fernando Pessoa's death the great Portugese, poet, writer, philosopher. Just recently rediscovered his book The Book of Disquiet courtesy of my dear friend Dave Datblygu,a book I have read in many different versions,various translations a timeless tome to loneliness, melancholy, failure and the human condition I am often drawn to these subject matters. Like many of us, he spent much of his time in isolation, seemingly talking to himself. Living in a series of rented rooms in Lisbon, chain smoking, drinking heavily,mainly writing, reading and leading an introspective life, with a keen interest in the occult, he had a correspondence with the magician Aleister Crowley.Fernando considered himself as an outsider looking in on life in Lisbon.
In the opening lines of one of his best known poems, The Tobacco Shop, he wrote :- I'm nothing, I'll always be nothing, I can't wait to be something, But I have in me all the dreams of the world.
When Pessoa died in 1935 a few years short of 50 he left behind lots of unpublished writings. The Book of Disquiet is undoubtedly his masterwork. He worked on it over three decades, in the end their was no definite order of its 500 or so sections, no order achieved or even hinted at, a random note to self. In the book he took on many identities and personalities, eradicating any traces of autobiographical feeling and experience, he seemed to be possessed by different characters and fragments of personae that he found within himself. Significantly one name soars above the rest a ' Bernardo Soares' an assistant bookeeper in Lisbon.
It is a self depreciating reflection on the sheer distance between the loftiness of feeling and the humdrum reality of life,meandering in sequences of unpredictablity, this book is a classic of existentialist literature. Many people are still discovering this wonderful melancholic writer, conjurer of deep imagination.
So thanks /diolch Dave and if like me you are of a contemplative disposition, then this book I heartily recommend. It will truly change the way you see things.A beautiful journey nevertheless...
In the meantime here's an extract :-
" It's one of those days when the monotony of everything oppresses me like being thrown into jail. The monotomy of myself, however. Each face, even if seen just yesterday, is different today, because today isn't yesterday. Each day is the day it is, and there was never another one like it in the world. Only our soul makes the identification - a genuinely felt but erroneous identification - by which everything becomes similar and simplified. The world is a set of distinct things with varied edges, but if we're near-sighted, it's a continual and indecipherable fog. I feel like fleeing. Like fleeing from what I know, fleeing from what's mine, fleeing from what I love. I want to depart, not for impossible Indias or for the great islands south of everything, but for any place at all - village or wilderness - that isn't this place. I want to stop seeing these unchanging faces, this routine, these days. I want to rest, far removed, from my inveterate feigning. I want to feel sleep come to me as life, not as rest. A cabin on the seashore or even a cave in a rocky mountainside could give me this, but my will unfortunately, cannot. Slavery is the law of life, and it is the only law, for it must be observed, there is no revolt possible, no way to escape it. Some are born slaves, others become slaves, and still others are forced to accept slavery. Our faint-hearted love of freedom - which, if we had it, we would all reject, unable to get used to it - is proof of how ingrained our slavery is. I myself, having just said that I'd like a cabin or a cave where I could be free from the monotomy of everything, which is the monotomy of me - would I dare set out for this cabin or cave, knowing from experience that the monotomy, since it stems from me, will always be with me? I myself, suffocating from where I am and because I am - where would I breathe easier, if the sickness is in my lungs rather than in the things that surround me, I myself who long for pure-sunlight and open country, for the ocean in plain view, and the unbroken horizon - could I get used to my new bed, the food not having to descend eight flights of stairs in the streets and entering the tobacco shop on the corner, not saying good morning to the barber standing outside his shop. Evdeerything that surrounds us becomes part of us, infiltrating our physical sensations and our feelings of life, and like spittle of the great spider, it subtley binds us to whatever is close, tucking us into a soft bed of slow death which is rocked by the world. Everything is us, and we are everything but what good is this, if everything is nothing? A ray of sunlight, a clud whose shadow tells us it is passing, a breeze that rises, the silence that follows when it rises, ceases, one or another for a few voices, the incidental laughter of the girls who are talking, and then night with the meaningless, fractured hieroglyphs of the stars."
In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly called for this day the 29th of November to be an annual observance of International Solidarity with the Palestinian people. An observance I mark daily. I acknowledge too, all those who have struggled for the Palestinians cause and all the Palestinians who have had to live and endure life under occupation, as refugees and in exile. A solidarity that sadly is still so much needed because Israel continues to daily violate their basic human rights with impunity. In the last few weeks alone we have seen more Palestinians shot down and killed ( young and old) the continuation of home demolitions, the seizure of their land, and the continued seige of Gaza and the West Bank. This injustice and suffering must cease. I passionately believe it is a moral and humanitarian responsibility to share their burden. As individuals we should pressure our governments to compel Israel, the occupying power to abide by International law to put an end to its daily violations and illegal aggressive destructive practices that disregard international law. The occupation of Palestinian territory ( the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the open prison of the Gaza strip ) must cease, along with the punitive arrests, unfair treatment and excessive use of force. It is our duty to support their struggle through boycott, divestment and sanctions, to continue to share their story's, about these proud people who refuse to lie down, whose spirit refuses to be defeated, whose pain must end. With solidarity and humanity, and pain in our hearts we must keep trying to bring an end of their collective punishment. I realise that their are wars and turmoil all around us at the moment, in places like Syria and the recent terrorist atrocity in Paris but we must not allow them to distract our attentions from the Palestinians. The human tragedy of Palestine is ever so real, we cannot be deaf and blind to their plight.
Black Friday, people in such a rush like the world is suddenly going to end, the heat is on to buy more and more crowds pushing, shoving for deals galore cash registers flashing, money overflowing as people grab things they don't really need. Black Friday, black bloody night with the tories daily stalking our lives, creating consumer madness people driven to despair, fighting for a bargain instead of for their lives. Black Sunday, Black Monday, Black Tuesday on and on as they push us to breaking point; turn our days dark in the middle of the day I see red, but carry on walking, I have no time for over consumption bottle open still have to be careful. I really do not understand this joyless frenzy given over to the temple of greed and hopelessness fighting for brands that I've never heard of I prefer to spend my days following love, will ignore this nightmarish capitalist rush wake up when all over, with some spare change
Currently the warmongerers are gathering planning to bomb Syria. Tomorrow though will see thousands on the streets in towns and cities across Britain urging David Cameron not to bomb Syria, and try to prevent him from leading us into another dangerous war. Partner ill in hospital at moment otherwise I would be marching too as I did with millions of others against the Iraq war, we must not forget that the UK has been bombing other countries for a decade and a half, the cost millions of innocent lives. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results meets Albert Einsteins definition of madness, Air strikes in Syria could risk devastating consequences. Let us remember this is not te only country facing evil at the present time, we cannot afford to allow innocents to be collectively punished. War is an act of terrorism too, only on a bigger budget. Do we stoke and inflame an already perilous situation that could result in Isis's disease spreading further, acting as a recruitment to this death cult. Here is John Pilger, a man I have admired for a long time, who always has the courage to speak the truth as he sees it. A true inspiration. Here he speaks on Isis, Syria, the press and Jeremy Corbyn. Blessed are the peacemakers. You can lobby your own M.P here :- http://stopwar.org.uk/resources/petitions/stop-the-bombing-of-syria-now-lobby-your-mp-now
Golden brown and silver foil, took some dear friends far away, a deadly seducer of illusion, freezing and numbing souls forever, sending senses into endless sleep, sweet brothers to run out of steam, having released poison into veins, voices left eternally in disarray.
In the morning and dusk, lights went out, compasses lost, in cold sweats, demons vapour called, sadness became a pleading cry riding on waves of oblivion, spreading sorrow and tears, shooting up deadly obsession, instead of love, destruction called, navigating kinsmen to goodbye's door. I remember now as November rain falls, how their breathes slipped away, memories that still run deep, seduced and taken into infinite depths, crying inside, but lost outside, innocents who pushed too hard, who speak to me now only in dream. May perilous journeys act as warnings, because Mr Brown is such bad company, a negator of life a creator of ruin, leaving to many holes of emptiness, a beautiful flower when grown in the wild, but on the streets, spreads to much hurt.
In the present climate our lives are currently being saturated by round the clock fear. Scaremongering headlines fill our homes and our public spaces. The fear of war, the fear of terror, the fear of this and that, your neigbours, your community. Crisis and panic is all we seem to talk or care about. Horror after horror, catastrophe after disaster, cruelty and tragedy impose on all or waking days. It seems to be the new order of the day. Perpetrated and spread by the media, the usual suspects the Daily Fail, the Scum, the Daily Express etc etc, CNN, Fox, the BBC, most of Murdochs outposts of bile. We should not forget about Paris, Syria, Palestine ( replace with any random country) whatever stirs our hearts, what has happened cannot be simply wiped out, but surely it is time now to start losing our fears. We must remember that in reality , in everyday our everyday lives are remarkably safe, but the threat of terror abounds and is cultivated, a fear that does us no good. It is important to reflect of course, but we should not get fixated, we should try to carry on doing what we normally do, here I am again in the library, later might have a cold beer, go for a walk, smoke a joint, have a nap, maintain my inner being, will try not to be consumed by fear. Give it a try and while your at it, stop spreading it. Remember that fear is a lucrative business, and that people are daily getting richer from it, don't allow it to take control, that enables the terrorists and dirty politicians to win. Do not lose your resolve, your convictions and faith, refuse to stigmatise, do not allow the good to become the bad, this enables the bad to become even more powerful. It is time though for the start the war coalition to be stopped. Remember when we lose our fear, they lose their power.
( a rather silly ode, composed this morning) Oh Jeremy Hunt, I'll be rather blunt you really are a complete Tory c***t it is not junior doctors that are a threat to patients the true danger lies with you and your friends cutting funds and asset stripping, tearing apart our beloved NHS because your conning us, letting this essential service to be broken carving it up, allowing its put upon workers to carry on choking your laugh is like bad medicine, poison for our soul you refuse to face our questions, your simply out of control you continue to use damaging words against health professionals won't meet demands, reach out and find some concessions but we will keep pleading for more consistency as we rage and rally against your toxicity cos Jeremy Hunt, you really are a stupid runt I hope the people of this land give you a shunt.
