Veterans For Peace UK members John Bourton and Daniel Lenham each gave a fascinating talk at the Hexham Debates recently on ‘how to turn your child into a killer’ and ‘moral injury’ respectively. (See video above). John discusses ‘the psychological processes that go on to turn you from a child into a killer, which, essentially is what basic training […]
I have just (belatedly) read David Hare’s highly praised, ‘provocative’ 2004 history play about events leading up to the invasion of Iraq, ‘Stuff Happens’. It contains verbatim public statements made by Bush, Blair and other leading characters’ real life counterparts but Hare has stated that for the behind the scenes conversations he used his imagination, which is entirely acceptable as […]
Outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday there were jubilant scenes from his supporters as Alexander Blackman (formerly Marine A) had his murder conviction for shooting dead a man wounded in a helicopter attack in Afghanistan reduced to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to a ‘combat stress disorder’. Among those celebrating were Royal Marine veterans vocal […]
So. I’ve been analysed And diagnosed With ‘undesirable personality disorder’ Examined for danger And found ‘unsafe for use’ I’ve been ghosted Labeled an ‘unperson’ Unworthy of interest Sent to Coventry Expunged from history Left freezing in the blast Of your Siberian indifference You have averted your gaze. Like a king, Withdrawn your favour. Kafkaesque I’m left wondering What the charges […]
I don’t want a pretty boy Who’s prettier than me With flowing hair And pools for eyes And ‘sensitivity’ Who’s always writing love notes And romantic poetry And saying that His ‘heart’s desire’ Is to be with me Who loves romantic gestures And boasts of how he yearns To hold me close forever Oh how my stomach turns! A man […]
‘Hey there ‘Buff-coat’! I know you! We were once comrades Brothers good and true We fought side by side In England’s bloody war Do you not remember me? Let me tell you more We marched along together Through England’s hill and vale And when we got to Putney We told a signal tale Our case was truly stated We thought […]
I’ve decided never to do anything I don’t want ever again as my New Year’s resolution! I don’t like making New Year’s resolutions actually so I’ve failed quite early on there – but from now on I won’t be doing a single thing I don’t want to! I don’t do much I don’t want to as it is to be […]
I met him on a train Heading out of Waterloo He was suited and booted A City gent through and through Late thirties maybe Coiffed to the nines He said ‘isn’t it dreadful These trains are never on time’ I replied ‘damn right! We need to stop rationalising The whole fucking network Needs nationalising!’ He looked at me Like I’d […]
This Trump ‘locker room’ banter controversy is really making me glad I know the decent men I do. Men who naturally see women as fellow human beings and who realize that masculinity is completely unrelated to machismo. It’s the real Lynx effect – and boys, it can never be sprayed on. And you just know Trump and his ilk would […]
Amnesty International report: Syrian rebel groups “committed serious violations of international humanitarian law” Syrian rebel groups backed by the U.S. and its allies “have committed serious violations of international humanitarian law, including abductions, torture and summary killings,” according to Amnesty International. A report by the leading human rights organization details how extremist rebel groups have taken over large parts of […]
He’s like a postmodern minstrel (he even has a ukulele which is a bit like a lute) wandering from town to town sharing his thoughts, stories and insights; sparking deep thought in his audiences and managing to be both profound and playful – the man’s a fucking genius!
Humanity, on the brink of extinction, is on trial for the consequences of its actions, represented by one man, David Carniste, the defendant facing a jury of non-human animals. Charges also include racism, sexism, homophobia, and the speciesism propelling humanity’s decline. Consumerism is also on trial, and the arms trade. This must watch short film, written and directed by Maxime Ginolin, […]
