Sunday, March 30, 2003
Wouldn't it be good if the US government sorted out the mess it makes in one war before starting another?
I was thinking about the freedom the Iraqi people are going to get. Freedom from Saddam, yes, that would be good - though I'm not at all sure that what they'll get to replace him will be much better.
But they'll also get freedom to mourn the loved ones killed by US & UK bombing. Freedom to die slowly from the effects of depleted uranium. Freedom for children to pick up left over 'bomblets' from US & UK cluster bombs. Freedom to die of cholera because the water and sanitation systems have been knocked out by US & UK bombing. And freedom to start rebuilding their homes, businesses and shattered lives.
Its not the US & UK governments who pay the real price for this madness.
I was thinking about the freedom the Iraqi people are going to get. Freedom from Saddam, yes, that would be good - though I'm not at all sure that what they'll get to replace him will be much better.
But they'll also get freedom to mourn the loved ones killed by US & UK bombing. Freedom to die slowly from the effects of depleted uranium. Freedom for children to pick up left over 'bomblets' from US & UK cluster bombs. Freedom to die of cholera because the water and sanitation systems have been knocked out by US & UK bombing. And freedom to start rebuilding their homes, businesses and shattered lives.
Its not the US & UK governments who pay the real price for this madness.
Friday, March 28, 2003
Someone is going to get rich out of the war.
Yesterday I wrote about arms contracts. I looked up the Hellfire missile that the US military has ordered. Hmm. Not what I want for Mothers Day!
Yesterday I wrote about arms contracts. I looked up the Hellfire missile that the US military has ordered. Hmm. Not what I want for Mothers Day!
Starhawk is in Palestine, supporting the peace activists. Here she writes about freedom, colonialism, Palestine and Iraq.
The kind hearted leaders of Britain and America are still promising freedom to the Iraqi people. But the Iraqi people seem reluctant to trust them. I wonder why? Surely it couldn't be because they've been told this and let down before? In New York, those seizing their democratic right to voice their opinions are being given the respect they deserve. Not.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Spent some time tonight watching the war on television. It made me feel sick. If it made me feel like that, how must it be for the Iraqi people?
The reporter was saying that the grudging statement from the US that they might have fired the missile that destroyed a row of shops and killed at least 14 ordinary Baghdadi people contained no hint of regret. Instead they just accused the Iraqis of placing their weapons close to residential areas, so trying to pass the blame. Maybe there were gun implacements nearby, but that doesn't make it ok to fire on or near civilian areas. The fact that it was an 'accident' doesn't make it ok either.
Then there is news that a column of Iraqi military vehicles is heading south from Basra. I asked myself, if I was a soldier dug in in Basra where I had the advantage of being able to fight in the streets, would I want to hop into a truck and head out into the open desert where my enemies waited with really big sticks and fighter planes? I don't think I would. The reporter said that as visibility was poor due to the weather, perhaps the Iraqis thought they would be able to slip off into the wilderness and launch surprise attacks on the UK and US troops. I wonder how, with such poor visibility, the US & UK forces can be sure that the vehicles are military. Anyway, they're bombing them to hell, just in case.
I thought to myself, if I were a reluctant Iraqi citizen in a city being bombed, and I decided to trust the leaflets the planes had been dropping, to believe that the Americans and the British forces didn't want to hurt me, and there was no clean water, and my children had been crying in fear for 3 days and I hadn't slept and I 'd heard that the Iraqi army was defeated in the south and the British were in control, and that aid was arriving there in ships, and my neighbours were planning on fleeing the city, might I go with them? I might.
Been looking at some stuff about the arms trade. CAAT have a report about the trade between Britain and Iraq through the 1980s. There is also an interesting item about how arms sales increase after conflict and what good publicity it is for arms manufacturers when wars show off Patriots etc.
A British government report of 2001 tells us how responsible their arms sales policies are:
"We are active members of all the key regimes that work to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Australia Group (which deals with chemical and biological weapons). And we are signatories to key arms control treaties, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Ottawa Convention on landmines, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention". (read it all here).
Of course, Britain is only the second largest arms dealer on the planet. The US has the biggest slice of the cake. Here are todays arms contract announcements. I wonder how long this lot will last them for?
"Hellfire Systems L.L.C., Orlando, Fla., was awarded on March 24, 2003, a $33,374,202.99 firm-fixed-price contract for production of 867 AGM-114K3 Hellfire II laser guided missiles, 53 AGM-114M Hellfire II blast fragmentation warhead missiles, and 35 TGM-36E3 Hellfire II training guided missiles. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2005. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year."
And what about this one?
"McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $21,802,281 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-01-C-0040) to exercise an option for 20 all-up-round Harpoon missiles, 11 containers and 11 launch lug kits for the government of Oman under the Foreign Military Sales Program."
(Both quotes from the defenselink website)
The reporter was saying that the grudging statement from the US that they might have fired the missile that destroyed a row of shops and killed at least 14 ordinary Baghdadi people contained no hint of regret. Instead they just accused the Iraqis of placing their weapons close to residential areas, so trying to pass the blame. Maybe there were gun implacements nearby, but that doesn't make it ok to fire on or near civilian areas. The fact that it was an 'accident' doesn't make it ok either.
Then there is news that a column of Iraqi military vehicles is heading south from Basra. I asked myself, if I was a soldier dug in in Basra where I had the advantage of being able to fight in the streets, would I want to hop into a truck and head out into the open desert where my enemies waited with really big sticks and fighter planes? I don't think I would. The reporter said that as visibility was poor due to the weather, perhaps the Iraqis thought they would be able to slip off into the wilderness and launch surprise attacks on the UK and US troops. I wonder how, with such poor visibility, the US & UK forces can be sure that the vehicles are military. Anyway, they're bombing them to hell, just in case.
I thought to myself, if I were a reluctant Iraqi citizen in a city being bombed, and I decided to trust the leaflets the planes had been dropping, to believe that the Americans and the British forces didn't want to hurt me, and there was no clean water, and my children had been crying in fear for 3 days and I hadn't slept and I 'd heard that the Iraqi army was defeated in the south and the British were in control, and that aid was arriving there in ships, and my neighbours were planning on fleeing the city, might I go with them? I might.
Been looking at some stuff about the arms trade. CAAT have a report about the trade between Britain and Iraq through the 1980s. There is also an interesting item about how arms sales increase after conflict and what good publicity it is for arms manufacturers when wars show off Patriots etc.
A British government report of 2001 tells us how responsible their arms sales policies are:
"We are active members of all the key regimes that work to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Australia Group (which deals with chemical and biological weapons). And we are signatories to key arms control treaties, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Ottawa Convention on landmines, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention". (read it all here).
Of course, Britain is only the second largest arms dealer on the planet. The US has the biggest slice of the cake. Here are todays arms contract announcements. I wonder how long this lot will last them for?
"Hellfire Systems L.L.C., Orlando, Fla., was awarded on March 24, 2003, a $33,374,202.99 firm-fixed-price contract for production of 867 AGM-114K3 Hellfire II laser guided missiles, 53 AGM-114M Hellfire II blast fragmentation warhead missiles, and 35 TGM-36E3 Hellfire II training guided missiles. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2005. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year."
And what about this one?
"McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $21,802,281 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-01-C-0040) to exercise an option for 20 all-up-round Harpoon missiles, 11 containers and 11 launch lug kits for the government of Oman under the Foreign Military Sales Program."
(Both quotes from the defenselink website)
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Hypocrisy rears its ugly head again. One rule for them.. discusses the treatment of prisoners of war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
Here's a picture that speaks volumes.
Monday, March 24, 2003
I stumbled over blue witch a couple of weeks ago, but only just found time to go back tonight. She found a site that gives you biorhythm readings - or tarot, runes, whatever. I checked it out and was impressed. It showed my rhythms to have been on highs over the last few days - which seems just about right given how busy I've been and all the lovely people I've seen. A sociable, active few days. Anyway, I put the link to the biorhythm site on the left at the bottom so have a go, see what you think.
Discountblogger left a bad-tempered message in my guest book, in response to my comment about his attitude to the death of Rachel Corrie on 16th March. She was killed defending Palestinian houses against Iraqi bulldozers. There is an article in yesterday's Observer about her. I advise discountblogger to read it. Discountblogger's attitude, of 'what did she expect defending terrorists' shows ignorance and insensitivity. Far from defending 'terrorists', she was trying to make the lives of ordinary Palestinian people a bit safer. Does db also think that the deaths of troops killed in action (or in accidents!) are just what they should expect, and therefore not worth respecting? I doubt it.
I believe all these deaths are tragedies.
While we're on the subject of Palestine, I'll share with you a bit of John Pilger,
"No fuss is made about the Middle East's only genuine nuclear-armed power, whose murderous invasions of a neighbouring country, all of them in violation of at least 6 UN resolutions and overwhelmingly condemned by the UN General Assembly, have been carried out with impunity. This is Israel, whose terrorism, known as self-defence, is underwritten by the United States." (p37, Hidden Agendas)
I heard on the news tonight that US troops were finding gas masks among the equipment left behind by fleeing or surrendering Iraqi troops. The newscaster (BBC1) suggested that this was because the Iraqis intended using chemical weapons. But I'm not so sure. A little bit more Pilger; here he cites reports in Newsday and the Daily Mirror in march 1991,
"As the ceasefire was signed, a column of Iraqis retreating from Kuwait City along the Basra road towards Iraq were attacked by American carrier-based aircraft. They used a variety of rockets, cluster bombs and Napalm B, the type that sticks to the skin while continuing to burn." (p49) Pilger goes on to say, "As the first pictures appeared on American television, the White House justified the attack by referring to the dead as 'torturers, looters and rapists'. However, it was obvious that the convoy included not only military lorries, but civilian vehicles: battered Toyota vans, Volkswagens, motorbikes. Their occupants were foreign workers who had been trapped in Kuwait: Palestinians, Bangladeshis, Sudanese, Egyptians and others." (p50)
It seems to me that the Iraqi soldiers might have been expecting to be attacked with chemical weapons by the Americans. After all, there is a precedence for it.
I believe all these deaths are tragedies.
While we're on the subject of Palestine, I'll share with you a bit of John Pilger,
"No fuss is made about the Middle East's only genuine nuclear-armed power, whose murderous invasions of a neighbouring country, all of them in violation of at least 6 UN resolutions and overwhelmingly condemned by the UN General Assembly, have been carried out with impunity. This is Israel, whose terrorism, known as self-defence, is underwritten by the United States." (p37, Hidden Agendas)
I heard on the news tonight that US troops were finding gas masks among the equipment left behind by fleeing or surrendering Iraqi troops. The newscaster (BBC1) suggested that this was because the Iraqis intended using chemical weapons. But I'm not so sure. A little bit more Pilger; here he cites reports in Newsday and the Daily Mirror in march 1991,
"As the ceasefire was signed, a column of Iraqis retreating from Kuwait City along the Basra road towards Iraq were attacked by American carrier-based aircraft. They used a variety of rockets, cluster bombs and Napalm B, the type that sticks to the skin while continuing to burn." (p49) Pilger goes on to say, "As the first pictures appeared on American television, the White House justified the attack by referring to the dead as 'torturers, looters and rapists'. However, it was obvious that the convoy included not only military lorries, but civilian vehicles: battered Toyota vans, Volkswagens, motorbikes. Their occupants were foreign workers who had been trapped in Kuwait: Palestinians, Bangladeshis, Sudanese, Egyptians and others." (p50)
It seems to me that the Iraqi soldiers might have been expecting to be attacked with chemical weapons by the Americans. After all, there is a precedence for it.
It was quite a full-on weekend. On Saturday I joined over 1000 others to protest against the war at RAF Menwith Hill. Even though it has the 'RAF' title, it is actually an American National Security Agency base. The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases can tell you more. They have been campaigning for a long time and have amassed lots of info about these bases. There's a good report on the demo on Indymedia.
The mainstream media - especially BBC tv - made light of Saturday's protests. They briefly mentioned the march in London and the one at RAF Fairford. Threy mentioned how much smaller the London was than the march on Feb 15th, but failed to point out that many thousands of others attended protests across the country.
The mainstream media - especially BBC tv - made light of Saturday's protests. They briefly mentioned the march in London and the one at RAF Fairford. Threy mentioned how much smaller the London was than the march on Feb 15th, but failed to point out that many thousands of others attended protests across the country.
Friday, March 21, 2003
When I got home last night, after several hours of marching round Leeds, I wasn't at all surprised to see that the BBC news was entirely focused on the flash bang of attacks on Iraq, and was not covering AT ALL the protests that were taking place around Britain, and around the world.
I'm currently reading John Pilger's 'Hidden Agendas', so expect quotes and commentary over the coming days/weeks. In the Introduction, Pilger quotes from Bertolt Brecht's 'The Solution':
The Secretary of the Writers' Union
Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee
Stating that people
Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only
By redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?
Well, they could try that, but there's really no need when they have the mainstream media salivating over the military and effectively 'dissolving' the people by ignoring them.
I'm currently reading John Pilger's 'Hidden Agendas', so expect quotes and commentary over the coming days/weeks. In the Introduction, Pilger quotes from Bertolt Brecht's 'The Solution':
The Secretary of the Writers' Union
Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee
Stating that people
Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only
By redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?
Well, they could try that, but there's really no need when they have the mainstream media salivating over the military and effectively 'dissolving' the people by ignoring them.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
I finished reading Philip Pullmans Dark Materials Trilogy today, and recommend it to everyone! Although primarily aimed at teenagers, it really does have enough going for it to interest anybody. Pullman discusses the nature of consciousness, religion, love and death, while taking the reader on a nail-biting journey through multiple worlds. The Christian church isn't too impressed by these books though! Read some feedback.
Interesting article here about how the right/racists are using environmental problems as yet another stick with which to beat the poor. Thanks to Padacia for spotting it.
Picked this little nugget up from Bud.
Well, they're all set to do it. Bomb innocent Iraqi people, that is. Despite the opposition of millions of people around the world. I'm pleased to say that my MP voted against war and against Tony Blair - even though my MP is a Labour MP. Not that it made any difference. Many MPs voted with Blair simply because there was little point in voting against him. He was going to do it anyway, and they have to be seen as supporting the troops.
BBC news tonight says that public opinion is swinging towards a war - but significantly, they have changed the question they have been asking. They (media in general) are now asking people if they support the troops. Most people, of course, say they do. They are worried, like the MPs, that to continue opposing war would be seen as disloyal to those in uniform. But thats not the same as asking if they approve of the war. Today, many school children and students walked out of classes to protest. If the war starts tonight, as seems likely, then tomorrow people all over Britain, and probably all over the world will walk out of workplaces in protest.
In going ahead with this illegal war, Blair and Bush have ensured that the first casualty is democracy.
Well, they're all set to do it. Bomb innocent Iraqi people, that is. Despite the opposition of millions of people around the world. I'm pleased to say that my MP voted against war and against Tony Blair - even though my MP is a Labour MP. Not that it made any difference. Many MPs voted with Blair simply because there was little point in voting against him. He was going to do it anyway, and they have to be seen as supporting the troops.
BBC news tonight says that public opinion is swinging towards a war - but significantly, they have changed the question they have been asking. They (media in general) are now asking people if they support the troops. Most people, of course, say they do. They are worried, like the MPs, that to continue opposing war would be seen as disloyal to those in uniform. But thats not the same as asking if they approve of the war. Today, many school children and students walked out of classes to protest. If the war starts tonight, as seems likely, then tomorrow people all over Britain, and probably all over the world will walk out of workplaces in protest.
In going ahead with this illegal war, Blair and Bush have ensured that the first casualty is democracy.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Well, we've known for a while that Bush was determined to attack Iraq come what may. The US has ridden rough shod over the UN but has the cheek to say that France is undermining the UN. Now the countdown has begun.
Tonight British parliament will vote on Blair's plan to take part in military action against Iraq. I hope they vote against, though I don't have much faith that it will make the slightest bit of difference.
Last night Robin Cook made an excellent speech. He makes all those important points, asks the pertinent questions. Read it.
Tonight British parliament will vote on Blair's plan to take part in military action against Iraq. I hope they vote against, though I don't have much faith that it will make the slightest bit of difference.
Last night Robin Cook made an excellent speech. He makes all those important points, asks the pertinent questions. Read it.
Monday, March 17, 2003
I've read a few articles and blogs this morning that talk about if/when Bush wins a war on Iraq. WINS????. What does that mean? Is it a competition? Whoever can make the loudest bang is the winner? Whoever can kill the most BABIES is the winner???
I read on discountblogger that peace activists who are killed defending "terrorists" get what they deserve. Where is your sense of humanity, discountbloggist? Sometimes I really despair.
I read on discountblogger that peace activists who are killed defending "terrorists" get what they deserve. Where is your sense of humanity, discountbloggist? Sometimes I really despair.
Through dark hours she watches
the face
of silent sleep. The breath
of innocence
chokes in the shadow of giants.
the face
of silent sleep. The breath
of innocence
chokes in the shadow of giants.
Today's Guardian comments on Bush and Blairs weekend jaunt to the Azores: "The deliberate scuppering of the UN diplomatic process and the launching of war against Iraq in the next few days without explicit UN authorisation cannot be supported. But this is exactly what is now likely to happen after the US and British decision, announced last night in the Azores, to set a 24-hour deadline for a majority UN vote in favour of sending a war ultimatum to Saddam Hussein". There's democracy for you. And Bush and Blair are calling Chirac intransigent!
Referring to to a statement due to be released later today here in the UK regarding the legality of a war on Iraq, the Guardian goes on, "Resolution 1441, upon which their case mainly rests, invoked, embraced and superseded all previous Iraq-related resolutions. It specifically did not authorise the use of military force. If it had, it simply would not have been passed."
Referring to to a statement due to be released later today here in the UK regarding the legality of a war on Iraq, the Guardian goes on, "Resolution 1441, upon which their case mainly rests, invoked, embraced and superseded all previous Iraq-related resolutions. It specifically did not authorise the use of military force. If it had, it simply would not have been passed."
Saturday, March 15, 2003
A Taste of Honey.
Albert Einstein wiped his forehead with a large white handkerchief as he stirred the mixture in the large black cauldron. Alfred Nobel nodded to him as he came into the kitchen carrying a box of cedar logs.
“ This should last the night,” he said, and started piling them around Albert’s pot. Albert grunted an acknowledgement and turned to reach for a terracotta jar that stood on the table behind him. He scooped out a handful of rose petals and threw them into the bubbling cauldron.
Alfred pulled out a chair, sat down, and settled his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his spread palms.
“It will work, you know, Alfred,” came a woman’s voice from the doorway. “By midnight our brew will be ready. We can begin dispersing it immediately, and it should have affected the whole planet within twelve hours.”
“Ah, Marie! You were quick. Did you get everything then?” asked Albert.
Marie Curie took off her rucksack and dropped it on the table in front of Nobel. He began unpacking it as she crossed the room to put the kettle on. Wrapped in paper packets, he found sweet smelling herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme. Leaves and twigs of rowan, apple, almond. And several jars of honey. Albert added them all to the contents of the cauldron.
Giving it a final stir, he joined his friends at the table where Marie was now pouring tea.
“ We should have done this years ago,” mumbled Alfred through a mouthful of chocolate biscuit. “Would’ve saved a lot of trouble in the long run.”
“The boss wouldn’t let us, would he?” protested Albert. “Said we shouldn’t interfere!”
“There’s no point in arguing about it now, is there?” cut in Marie. “We’re doing something now, and that’s what matters”.
Alfred turned the television on, watched only a few moments of the news programme that was showing pictures of soldiers cleaning their weapons, before switching to MTV where Kylie Minogue wriggled in gold shorts.
As midnight approached the soup in the cauldron began to release a scent of such rich sweetness that the trio at the table gasped. The aroma aroused in each of them a profound sense of optimism and joy. They smiled at each other. Yes, this was the right thing to do. And it was going to work.
They rose from the table and together lifted the pot from the fire. They carried it outside to where Friedrich Nietzsche and Jesus were waited with large watering cans.
“Ready lads?” asked Marie.
“Sure are!” replied Friedrich. “We’ll have this sorted in no time.”
He held the first can steady while Alfred and Albert filled it with the hot, pungent brew. They filled all four cans then they all hugged each other before Friedrich and Jesus pulled on thick gloves, picked up a can in each hand and disappeared down the garden path and into the mist at the edge of their world.
In the desert it began to rain. Soldiers on watch became aware of a gentle aroma spreading through the warm air, as a fine mist of strangely iridescent liquid drifted down around them.
In country after country people breathed in the fragrance, strangers unaccountably grinning at strangers.
Across the planet the soft mist condensed on every surface, penetrated each crack and crevice.
The liquid trickled down gun barrels, seeped into heavy ammunition crates.
When the soldiers saw that all their bullets, all their missiles, had turned into jellybabies they laughed. And then they began to eat.
Albert Einstein wiped his forehead with a large white handkerchief as he stirred the mixture in the large black cauldron. Alfred Nobel nodded to him as he came into the kitchen carrying a box of cedar logs.
“ This should last the night,” he said, and started piling them around Albert’s pot. Albert grunted an acknowledgement and turned to reach for a terracotta jar that stood on the table behind him. He scooped out a handful of rose petals and threw them into the bubbling cauldron.
Alfred pulled out a chair, sat down, and settled his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his spread palms.
“It will work, you know, Alfred,” came a woman’s voice from the doorway. “By midnight our brew will be ready. We can begin dispersing it immediately, and it should have affected the whole planet within twelve hours.”
“Ah, Marie! You were quick. Did you get everything then?” asked Albert.
Marie Curie took off her rucksack and dropped it on the table in front of Nobel. He began unpacking it as she crossed the room to put the kettle on. Wrapped in paper packets, he found sweet smelling herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme. Leaves and twigs of rowan, apple, almond. And several jars of honey. Albert added them all to the contents of the cauldron.
Giving it a final stir, he joined his friends at the table where Marie was now pouring tea.
“ We should have done this years ago,” mumbled Alfred through a mouthful of chocolate biscuit. “Would’ve saved a lot of trouble in the long run.”
“The boss wouldn’t let us, would he?” protested Albert. “Said we shouldn’t interfere!”
“There’s no point in arguing about it now, is there?” cut in Marie. “We’re doing something now, and that’s what matters”.
Alfred turned the television on, watched only a few moments of the news programme that was showing pictures of soldiers cleaning their weapons, before switching to MTV where Kylie Minogue wriggled in gold shorts.
As midnight approached the soup in the cauldron began to release a scent of such rich sweetness that the trio at the table gasped. The aroma aroused in each of them a profound sense of optimism and joy. They smiled at each other. Yes, this was the right thing to do. And it was going to work.
They rose from the table and together lifted the pot from the fire. They carried it outside to where Friedrich Nietzsche and Jesus were waited with large watering cans.
“Ready lads?” asked Marie.
“Sure are!” replied Friedrich. “We’ll have this sorted in no time.”
He held the first can steady while Alfred and Albert filled it with the hot, pungent brew. They filled all four cans then they all hugged each other before Friedrich and Jesus pulled on thick gloves, picked up a can in each hand and disappeared down the garden path and into the mist at the edge of their world.
In the desert it began to rain. Soldiers on watch became aware of a gentle aroma spreading through the warm air, as a fine mist of strangely iridescent liquid drifted down around them.
In country after country people breathed in the fragrance, strangers unaccountably grinning at strangers.
Across the planet the soft mist condensed on every surface, penetrated each crack and crevice.
The liquid trickled down gun barrels, seeped into heavy ammunition crates.
When the soldiers saw that all their bullets, all their missiles, had turned into jellybabies they laughed. And then they began to eat.
Today several thousand people took to the streets of Leeds to protest against war on Iraq. We brought the city centre to a standstill as the march wound around the shopping area. As we walked up towards a rally in the park, car drivers honked their horns in support. In the park local MPs addressed the crowd. When we got home I switched on the tv to see what coverage the march got on the local BBC news. It got NO COVERAGE AT ALL. Media, eh? Fortunately, they have put a report on their website.
Want to find some excellent music that sings its opposition to war?
Want to find some excellent music that sings its opposition to war?
Friday, March 14, 2003
Had a busy couple of days. On Wednesday we had student elections here, to run the student union for the next year. Several of us volunteered to come to work and spend the evening counting votes. This year, the Exec have worked really hard to raise the profile of the union and encourage students to get involved, and as a result the numbers voting almost doubled from last year. It was still only about 11%, but thats a great improvement on 6%. Anyway, we made a big deal of the count and set up a big screen in one of the bars to display the results. It was a fun and exciting night.
And I've been busy with an email conversation with my newly discovered 3rd cousin. We're still filling gaps in each other's knowledge, but know for sure that we are related. We share the same great grandad. One of the most amazing aspects of the story is that her family live in the same area as some of mine!
And I've been busy with an email conversation with my newly discovered 3rd cousin. We're still filling gaps in each other's knowledge, but know for sure that we are related. We share the same great grandad. One of the most amazing aspects of the story is that her family live in the same area as some of mine!
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
George Monbiot writes about the US reasoning behind an attack on Iraq in today's Guardian. Read his article 'A Wilfull Blindness'. He eloquently explains the drive to global dominance.
Dick Cheney, Jeb Bush and other influential US politicians aim to control our planet. Read what they have to say, if you dare. Its scary stuff.
Dick Cheney, Jeb Bush and other influential US politicians aim to control our planet. Read what they have to say, if you dare. Its scary stuff.
Monday, March 10, 2003
I was feeling a bit miserable earlier today, due to a certain absent man, but I'm cheered up and excited now having been emailed through the genesconnected website. A long lost relative!
A couple of years ago I put my family name - Impiazzi - into a few search engines and found a branch of the family that had lost touch with my branch. In fact, they thought they were the only Impiazzi family. It turned out they were the offspring of my grandfather's brother.
Tonight I was contacted by a woman whose mother was an Impiazzi. We're still trying to piece it together, but at the moment I think she might be descended from a previously unknown (to my branch) brother of grandad.
I've done as much research into the family origins as I can on the internet without spending any money. What I really need to do next is go to London and check the old parish records, as well as the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registry. I need to find out what great grandad's first wife's maiden name was - I think she was English, and they probably married in the 1890s, shortly after he arrived in London. And I want to find out when exactly he came to England from Italy. I know that the family was registered as Impiazza, rather than Impiazzi, in the 1901 census. It would be interesting to find out why and when the name was changed. Also, there was a brother of grandad who changed his name completely and disappeared. How would I find out what happened to him? I suppose there must be some records somewhere if he changed his name officially. Great grandad married again, after Eugenie, wife no 1, died, and we know he had 2 daughters - although now I'm beginning to wonder if there weren't more offspring! Watch this space...
A couple of years ago I put my family name - Impiazzi - into a few search engines and found a branch of the family that had lost touch with my branch. In fact, they thought they were the only Impiazzi family. It turned out they were the offspring of my grandfather's brother.
Tonight I was contacted by a woman whose mother was an Impiazzi. We're still trying to piece it together, but at the moment I think she might be descended from a previously unknown (to my branch) brother of grandad.
I've done as much research into the family origins as I can on the internet without spending any money. What I really need to do next is go to London and check the old parish records, as well as the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registry. I need to find out what great grandad's first wife's maiden name was - I think she was English, and they probably married in the 1890s, shortly after he arrived in London. And I want to find out when exactly he came to England from Italy. I know that the family was registered as Impiazza, rather than Impiazzi, in the 1901 census. It would be interesting to find out why and when the name was changed. Also, there was a brother of grandad who changed his name completely and disappeared. How would I find out what happened to him? I suppose there must be some records somewhere if he changed his name officially. Great grandad married again, after Eugenie, wife no 1, died, and we know he had 2 daughters - although now I'm beginning to wonder if there weren't more offspring! Watch this space...
I think the phrase " Whew, I'm bushed" has taken on new meaning recently. From being tired it now suggests to me being bullied/bribed/bombed. Bushwhacked!
Well, I didn't get to see my man this weekend. His working hours mean I don't see him during the week - very early start so he's usually in bed by 9pm - and as I'm at my place looking after our son, its difficult for me to squeeze in a visit to him. Actually, I don't think he wants visits from me. I suggested it a couple of weeks ago - that I knock off work a little bit early (he lives near my workplace), and call in to see him before going home. But got no encouragement at all. It seems we only get to see him when it suits him. So yesterday I sent him a text to try and tempt him, but no reply. Last weekend he told me how much he hates 'routine'. I thought at the time that he probably meant he wasn't going to spend every weekend with us. Anyway, I like some routine in my life - you need it when you're a single parent! I don't have the luxury of deciding to ignore my responsibilities and commitments. Most of the time I wouldn't want to. He confuses me though, because I do believe him when he says he doesn't want anybody else, but sometimes I wonder whether he wants even me. And as for his relationship with his son? I really don't understand.
Windy morning, whipping my hair all over the place. Maybe I should have worn a hat. I once went and had a really short haircut because the wind was driving me mad.
Sunday, March 09, 2003
When my maystar template did appear, I realised it needs a bit of tweaking - nothing wrong with the design, but needs work to keep my blogs accessible. Which might take me a while given my minimal skill with html. Sooo its back to the green one for now!
I got in touch with an old friend through friends reunited on Friday. He used to be in a band called the Cuddly Toys, back in the early 80s. He gave me the sad news that the singer, Sean Purcell, had died back in '95. He couldn't have been more than 40. A real shame. Anyway, Cherry Red Records released a 'Best of' cd a couple of years ago, which I just ordered from Pinnacle. I suppose I bought it for sentimental reasons - I'm not sure that the music will really have stood the test of time. We'll see!
I got in touch with an old friend through friends reunited on Friday. He used to be in a band called the Cuddly Toys, back in the early 80s. He gave me the sad news that the singer, Sean Purcell, had died back in '95. He couldn't have been more than 40. A real shame. Anyway, Cherry Red Records released a 'Best of' cd a couple of years ago, which I just ordered from Pinnacle. I suppose I bought it for sentimental reasons - I'm not sure that the music will really have stood the test of time. We'll see!
Saturday, March 08, 2003
Feeling adventurous, I've installed a new template - one of Maystar's lovely creations, though I'm not optimistic about it working, given that I've spent the past week trying to add links to the old template that just haven't appeared. I wait and hope.
The local news is full of stuff about Stop the War marches happening across the region. One in Sheffield, one in Manchester (I think). There's one here in Leeds next Saturday. Bush and Blair are dead set on war though. How can they back down now?
I spoke to Sgt Mark yesterday, back from Afghanistan. He's got some time off, and will visit me soon to take me out for the meal he promised me. I'm looking forward to hearing all about a soldier's life, and the state of Afghanistan.
The local news is full of stuff about Stop the War marches happening across the region. One in Sheffield, one in Manchester (I think). There's one here in Leeds next Saturday. Bush and Blair are dead set on war though. How can they back down now?
I spoke to Sgt Mark yesterday, back from Afghanistan. He's got some time off, and will visit me soon to take me out for the meal he promised me. I'm looking forward to hearing all about a soldier's life, and the state of Afghanistan.
Friday, March 07, 2003
Aargh! Been trying to fix a couple of things on my template for days, but the changes don't seem to end up on my page. The link to schnews at the top of the page is all wrong, though it is right on the template!! And I also made the Guestbook logo smaller, but that hasn't happened either. Grrr.
The price of freedom - read about the US and its own special brand of democracy.
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Yesterday I was on a trade union course. There were people there from a few different unions and several workplaces. There was a woman who works at Menwith Hill spy base. When she said where she worked there was a sharp intake of breath round the room. I didn't get to speak to her - she was on a different table to me - but the course runs for 5 Wednesdays so I expect I'll get chance at some point. I want to ask her whether or not it bothers her conscience working there. I couldn't do it. Menwith Hill will be involved with the US's 'star wars' programme. And it is currently listening in on people's phone conversations, intercepting emails etc.
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
I don't want the government to spend my taxes on war. I don't want my money spent on killing Iraqi people. £3.5 billion is what they reckon a SHORT war will cost. Meanwhile, schools and hospitals struggle to make ends meet. University tuition fees are set to price all but the richest kids out of higher education. But it seems none of that matters as long as Iraq is destroyed. Yesterday Jack Straw admitted that the bottom line is really that the British government don't want to upset the US. Its all about economics, isn't it? The US wants to control the world economy. The US wants to tell everyone else what they can buy and what they can sell, who they can associate with. And if those other countries don't toe the line, then trade and/or aid are removed. Control freakery taken to its extreme.
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Here's a story for you. A true story.
When I was 14, 25 years ago (am I really that old??), I had a crush on a boy at school. Mark, blonde hair, blue eyes, a bit of a bad lad. I don't think he even knew I existed. I used to write his name on my pencil case, surrounded by little hearts. Aww! The years rolled by, school finished and out into the big world we all went. I moved to London for a few years, but came back in 1985 to stay with my parents while I scraped the money together for a trip to Australia. A few days before I flew to Perth, in March 1986, I was out at Scrumpy's, a rock club in Leeds, and who should I come across but Mark. Still blonde and blue eyed, but also rather drunk. We chatted, drank more beer. By 2am I was drunk enough to accept his offer of a lift home. Yeah, stoopid, but I was young and foolish in those days. So off we went, on his motorbike. It seemed to be going alright until Mark noticed a police car that had pulled onto the road behind us. Now, I wasn't sure that it had particularly noticed us. They might have just been driving along the same stretch of road. But Mark thought otherwise. Of course, he didn't want to get pulled up. So he shot off up the road. The police obviously decided to follow us. Mark took the bike across the middle of a roundabout. Which was rather muddy. We ended up in a heap in the middle of the roundabout. We were muddy but unharmed. The police arrived and hauled us up out of the mire and into the back of their car. Mark was breathalised and was well over the limit. The police took me home, then drove off with Mark.
Five days later I flew out to Australia and forgot all about it.
Then last November I got an email via Friends Reunited from Mark! Thats nearly 17 years after 'the night of the roundabout'. He wrote that he had joined the army shortly after that night, and had been a soldier ever since - a sergeant now. He was due to go out to Afghanistan and wanted me to write to him. Well, I had to think about it for a while. After all, I've spent most of my adult life protesting about military action in various forms. I found I had quite a major prejudice against soldiers that needed examining. So I decided to give him a chance as a person, and stopped myself from assuming he must be a warmonger just because he had chosen to be a soldier. And so I wrote to him.
Last night I got a phone message from him to say he is back in England. He had promised me a night out, a meal at a restaurant of my choosing, so now I'm waiting for him to call back so we can arrange to meet up. My sister suggested he might be fat and bald now. Hmm. He's told me he loves to surf, and does so whenever he gets any time off. I can't imagine a fat surfing soldier! But bald...Maybe. I expect I'll find out soon enough (although I heard something on the news last week that all Forces leave had been cancelled because of the Iraq crisis). Surely he has to get a bit of a break after 4 months in Afghanistan! I'm looking forward to talking to him about that. I don't know what soldiers do, really. And an eye witness account of the current state of Afghanistan should be very interesting.
When I was 14, 25 years ago (am I really that old??), I had a crush on a boy at school. Mark, blonde hair, blue eyes, a bit of a bad lad. I don't think he even knew I existed. I used to write his name on my pencil case, surrounded by little hearts. Aww! The years rolled by, school finished and out into the big world we all went. I moved to London for a few years, but came back in 1985 to stay with my parents while I scraped the money together for a trip to Australia. A few days before I flew to Perth, in March 1986, I was out at Scrumpy's, a rock club in Leeds, and who should I come across but Mark. Still blonde and blue eyed, but also rather drunk. We chatted, drank more beer. By 2am I was drunk enough to accept his offer of a lift home. Yeah, stoopid, but I was young and foolish in those days. So off we went, on his motorbike. It seemed to be going alright until Mark noticed a police car that had pulled onto the road behind us. Now, I wasn't sure that it had particularly noticed us. They might have just been driving along the same stretch of road. But Mark thought otherwise. Of course, he didn't want to get pulled up. So he shot off up the road. The police obviously decided to follow us. Mark took the bike across the middle of a roundabout. Which was rather muddy. We ended up in a heap in the middle of the roundabout. We were muddy but unharmed. The police arrived and hauled us up out of the mire and into the back of their car. Mark was breathalised and was well over the limit. The police took me home, then drove off with Mark.
Five days later I flew out to Australia and forgot all about it.
Then last November I got an email via Friends Reunited from Mark! Thats nearly 17 years after 'the night of the roundabout'. He wrote that he had joined the army shortly after that night, and had been a soldier ever since - a sergeant now. He was due to go out to Afghanistan and wanted me to write to him. Well, I had to think about it for a while. After all, I've spent most of my adult life protesting about military action in various forms. I found I had quite a major prejudice against soldiers that needed examining. So I decided to give him a chance as a person, and stopped myself from assuming he must be a warmonger just because he had chosen to be a soldier. And so I wrote to him.
Last night I got a phone message from him to say he is back in England. He had promised me a night out, a meal at a restaurant of my choosing, so now I'm waiting for him to call back so we can arrange to meet up. My sister suggested he might be fat and bald now. Hmm. He's told me he loves to surf, and does so whenever he gets any time off. I can't imagine a fat surfing soldier! But bald...Maybe. I expect I'll find out soon enough (although I heard something on the news last week that all Forces leave had been cancelled because of the Iraq crisis). Surely he has to get a bit of a break after 4 months in Afghanistan! I'm looking forward to talking to him about that. I don't know what soldiers do, really. And an eye witness account of the current state of Afghanistan should be very interesting.
Monday, March 03, 2003
Had a lovely birthday weekend! Saturday night at The Wardrobe. A few drinks including a cocktail or two, good company, good music. When I got home a 2am there was a strange black cat in the house. It ran off as soon as I walked through the door. It must have been a friend of my cat because she was just sitting on the sofa, completely oblivious. On Sunday we went to see 'Catch me if you can', which I really enjoyed - although it would have been better without the little gang of kids next to us who talked all the way through the film! Did a bit of shopping too. I bought myself the new Nick Cave cd, 'Nocturama', and Nelly Furtado's 'Whoa Nelly'.
My dog has just discovered the joys of sticking her head out through the cat flap. Her head just about fits and she can observe the goings on in the street - well, she can see who walks past the gate anyway. Best of all she can ward off the neighbours' pesky tabbys. It looks SO FUNNY though!!
My dog has just discovered the joys of sticking her head out through the cat flap. Her head just about fits and she can observe the goings on in the street - well, she can see who walks past the gate anyway. Best of all she can ward off the neighbours' pesky tabbys. It looks SO FUNNY though!!
