The only music I really had access to when I was younger was my Dad’s record collection. He didn’t have much in the way of vinyl, maybe enough to fit into a couple of cardboard boxes and most of it had been played to death or had been scratched by us as kids. It sat… Continue reading The dark side of the early eighties
Category: Peace
19, Paul Hardcastle
I first heard this record round my cousin Paul’s house in Ipswich after it was released in 1985. Paul was a townie and a casual, unlike me and my brothers who where from a rural village in Essex. Never as well dressed, we were as unlikely to wear electric blue cords or Fila tracksuit tops… Continue reading 19, Paul Hardcastle
Robert Runcie MC, Great Britain becomes a traitor
Robert Runcie spent his entire life serving Great Britain. During the second world war he saw action as a tank commander throughout Europe, demonstrating outstanding bravery on two occasions in March 1945 that would earn him the Military Cross. Despite heavy and sustained enemy fire the young Lieutenant ignored overwhelming danger and rescued a crew… Continue reading Robert Runcie MC, Great Britain becomes a traitor
“Our boys in action!” Woop Woop!
As the tabloids scream with excitement, “Our boys launch submarine missile attack on Gaddafi”, an important question has to asked. Where is this latest spark of genius going? We could do what we did in Iraq the first time around in the early nineties. Make a lot of noise with tanks and planes then leave… Continue reading “Our boys in action!” Woop Woop!
War, there’s something for everyone
A few years ago I wrote about The sanitisation of war, how our media have come to depict warfare in general as not only just, but as a simple story of good against evil in the manner of a Commando comic. On page 47 of today’s free Sport magazine, the Royal Air Force have taken… Continue reading War, there’s something for everyone
The sanitisation of war
When I was younger I used to read small colorful comic books about war called, Commando. You can buy them concatenated as huge volumes in bigger bookshops. Gripping and predictable stories from all wars about fighting and destruction. I couldn’t get enough of it, the struggle between good and evil laid bare by Tommies with… Continue reading The sanitisation of war
Herosim is easy to deal with
I was reading a list of names yesterday, members of the armed forces who have died whilst serving in Afghanistan. Each one of them leaves behind a lengthy and complex network of friends, family and loved ones who will spend the rest of their lives thinking about them. With each death, the years of history,… Continue reading Herosim is easy to deal with
Sgt Steve Roberts
I was thinking about Sgt Steve Roberts this morning, the soldier from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment who died in Iraq because he didn’t have body armour to protect him. What upsets me most about his death is the waste involved, his life was simply squandered due to a lack of resources. He didn’t die… Continue reading Sgt Steve Roberts
The farce of the Saddam Hussein trial
What’s that Saddam Hussein trial all about? It’s only the end of the first day and it’s already clear that the whole affair is going to descend into shambles. I really can’t believe that it’s come this far anyway, this man simply isn’t worth the cost of the new courthouse and luxury prison accommodation that… Continue reading The farce of the Saddam Hussein trial
Religion in politics
“Today, millions of Americans are saddened by the death of Terri Schiavo. The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak. In cases where there are serious doubts and questions, the presumption should be in favour of life.” – President George W Bush. Fine words coming from a man… Continue reading Religion in politics