At 6:30 pm two men at London’s Victoria station were wearing blazers, medals and maroon berets. The Parachute Regiment, WW2. They had been manning their little stand collecting money since before 9:30 when I passed them on they way to work. Behind them are photos of men at war, smiling, exhausted and bloody. They are… Continue reading Blazers, medals and maroon berets
Category: Peace
Chickenhawk, Robert Mason
“The Cav raced up the valley, at least eighty ships, at low level, and fast. The gaggle flew over us and continued north to their assigned objective. Minutes later, the last of their formation disappeared, and the roar silenced….. I admit that I felt a sense of pride on seeing my old unit. They were… Continue reading Chickenhawk, Robert Mason
I like Cherie Blair
If there’s one thing that has always amazed me in politics – it’s the good Tory wife. There was that period in the 80s and 90s when the news was filled with stories of Tory MPs cheating on their wives with an array of sexy young things. More often than not the week would end… Continue reading I like Cherie Blair
The Army are not to blame
The humiliating treatment handed out to Iraqi prisoners of war by a handful of British soldiers last year was, and still is, a shameful disgrace. There are no two ways to look at the final result, it’s embarrassing and potentially dangerous for both Great Britain and the British Army. That’s even before we even get… Continue reading The Army are not to blame
Prince Edward. A pathetic, weedy individual
Today saw the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. Lets think about what that means, the sheer scale that is six million people, the death, the terror, the hate. For all the wrong reasons the Holocaust is without doubt the most significant event of the last century, and like most people… Continue reading Prince Edward. A pathetic, weedy individual
Happy New Year everyone
I’ve just written some stuff about how 2004 has been a great year for us, but with recent world events in mind it all seemed a bit smug so I decided not to bother. I hope that next year the rebuilding will not be hampered by selfish western bickering about who’s paying for what –… Continue reading Happy New Year everyone
A freebie for CND
I heard on the news this morning that Red Ken is allowing CND to use a building in London, I don’t know which one, for a meeting without having to front the usual £20k. He’s faced the usual criticism from Shagger Norris and other Conservatives about personal interests and such like, but are the Tories… Continue reading A freebie for CND
War is not heroic
Do you ever get the feeling that war has somehow become acceptable part of western life? This got me thinking the other day, dangerous as that might be, about where the horrific violence of war gained itself such a good reputation. Maybe it was World War 2, the clean cut epic struggle of good against… Continue reading War is not heroic
Private Lee O’Callaghan
Private Lee O’Callaghan is the 63rd British soldier to die in Iraq since the conflict began. His picture stared out at me from the front pages of the Metro, a face full of hope as well as the cynicism and sense of humour that makes the British Army what it is. As usual in reporting… Continue reading Private Lee O’Callaghan
Godspeed You Black Emperor,Yanqui U.X.O (2002 / Constellation)
Yanqui U.X.O is the bands second proper album and was recorded by the legendary Steve Albini in Chicago. The record centres around a common theme of destruction from the air, the sleeve notes inform that UXO means ‘Unexploded Ordnance’, landmines, cluster bombs and other niceties. With war looming on the horizon the whole thing seems… Continue reading Godspeed You Black Emperor,Yanqui U.X.O (2002 / Constellation)