There’s no reason to take Western powers’ ‘motives’ in Syria at face value. ALISON BANVILLE reports from Damascus
Tag: Alison Banville
BSNews talks with Pierre le Corf
BSNews co-ed Alison Banville: “While on my recent trip to Syria I met the fabulous Pierre le Corf, who has not only helped so many children who have suffered in the conflict there, but has also opened an animal sanctuary in Aleppo. I put to Pierre while filming him that many people would ask why, amidst so much human suffering, he would choose to help animals? His reply was both moving and profound.”
Dispatches from Damascus. Part Two
Can you imagine being invited into an English school on the spur of the moment and getting a welcome like this?
Dispatches from Damascus. Part One
USA, France and UK paid a collective cost of around $1.4 billion to fire their cruise missiles. It cost Syria about $1.4 million in air defence technology to defend itself against the attack. Call me a cynic but this looks awfully like a massive western money laundering operation to benefit Raytheon, Boeing and other corporate interests in the military industrial complex.
Boyfriend Material
He wasn’t boyfriend material He was too easy to draw into my orbit With only the gravitational pull Of my indifferent erotic ozone. I didn’t mean to do it I didn’t even direct it at him The aroma of it just hit his nostrils and he Followed its scent In a neanderthal stupour It wasn’t flattering He was just obeying […]
One
Life ain’t a major arcana It’s a flipped up board and spinning dice Life ain’t pre-written drama It’s the Universe in a grain of rice That’s wrong! It’s in ‘a grain of sand’ But it really means the same The Beauty and the Mystery Dwell not inside the brain The Great Imagination Is imagining the Mind Enfolding and unfolding In […]
Is BBC Panorama just a useful propaganda tool?
ALISON BANVILLE takes to task the BBC flagship programme over its investigation of British foreign aid diversion to extremist groups in Syria
BSNews talks with writer, historian and activist, Dean Henderson
On 30th October 2017 BSNews eds had the honour of interviewing the legend that is writer, historian and activist, Dean Henderson, who hooked up with us direct from deepest Missouri.
The Libertine Lover
Sometimes I think – I love making love with a man who is sensitive, Who can hold a conversation about The important things afterwards A man interested in my psyche As well as my body and who conveys That sympathy in the depth of his embrace And the tenderness of words whispered in Poignant communion Then sometimes I think – […]
Keeping Secrets: Theresa May, Manchester and the Corporate Media
Back in 2011, my BSNews co-editor, Mike Raddie, reported to the Metropolitan Police that suspected British citizens were providing funding and support for the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). Two weeks later, after no response from The Met, Mike contacted them again to be told that his report had been logged, but that the content was redacted. This was ‘unprecedented’ […]
‘Stuff Happens’ in the Theatre of War and Drama
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 […]
Ghosted
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 […]