Ko-fi

Wednesday 27 May 2015

The Frack Stops Here 2... #FrackStopsHere




Details on how to arrange travel for the fracking planning-decision days in Preston, Lancashire 23-26 June 2015. The 23rd is the big one and a nation-wide day of solidarity and resistance to fracking in the UK so if you can't make it, you can always do something where you live and share messages of solidarity on social media. #FrackStopsHere



Friday 15 May 2015

SOS for Democracy...

Is our system of government in trouble and in need of an intervention?  

Our method of government (the system of administration in place to fairly and wisely look after things like health, education, defence, care, infrastructure etc.) appears to have been switched/hijacked/stolen or otherwise come under the control of corporate interests and is no longer performing as representative of the people at all. 

The projects, plans, deals, bills and laws being pushed through (that can and do harm citizens) are evidence that it is in no position to save itself. It grows ever more undeniable and obvious that the generally understood meaning of 'Democracy' ...is NOT what we are witnessing and living. It barely sustains us and allows suffering that WE as the citizens, would not permit.

IF we were truly represented:
-how could our most vulnerable be targeted with austerity that results in genuine suffering, whilst the very wealthy and corporations are allowed to escape paying taxes that would mean we don't need austerity?
-how could our system of healthcare be allowed to fall into the 'at risk' category for finances when it is an essential for all lives? WE would not have accepted the ridiculous terms dictated by Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) that require only specified (expensive) contractors for work and put our hospitals into high-interest debt over 25-60 years?
-how could a once respected profession be stripped of integrity and reduced to entertainment and manipulation rather than factual, accurate NEWS reporting? Most of the 'media' that the majority take in (TV/Newspapers/Magazines/Books) and have taken to be true - is owned by 4 corporations with investment interests across a broad range of industries - industries it would serve them well to share good things about ie: fracking is good, TTIP is good, war is necessary (along with the arms trade it profits), privatisation is a better option?!
-how could an unwarranted 'dash for gas' be happening and putting so many people at potential risk from unconventional energy techniques like fracking? Individuals and entire communities across the country worried and unclear - asking for a pause in the dash; time to consider all the implications and for a report back on what can truly be expected. Who wouldn't insist on a report (without bias) that is transparent, full and clear?

-how could the evidence that points to crimes against our children, not have lead to immediate action to safeguard others? Evidence buried for years, stories silenced, victims/survivors ignored or worse and criminals protected; that is the story on the paedophile investigations. There is every reason to believe that a child is suffering now and yet there is no urgency. That many of the crimes have involved individuals and premises that are associated with the government - makes me certain that this government, the last and many before that, are not governments of WE the People. WE would not hesitate to safeguard a child, the moment we became aware they were being harmed.

At some point very soon, the 76% of eligible voters in the UK who did not put an X in the box for the party now in government - will need to work together; to make clear that the active support of just 24% of the population does not give this government the right to impact all of us.

Thursday 14 May 2015

Monday 11 May 2015

Gathering Ourselves...


There will be many ways to react to this awful election result; that does not represent the will of the vast majority (only 1/3 voted to have this government). At local levels, creating strong local networks that can assist those affected by policies, improve community awareness of the impact of those polices, skill-share, react quickly and link with others nearby and nationwide when larger actions call for it - seems a good project.
I was very inspired by this beautiful reaction by community organisers locally in Blackpool - made me think it would be of worth to have local gathering places for alternative thoughts, everywhere ...not under any other banner or cause - just gather, connect, share and plan:

Saturday 9 May 2015

There's no Time...

There is too little time - we cannot wait 5 years. David Cameron formed the government the day of the the election results (despite it being VE Day & the Queen having a bit on)... already he is instigating cuts to welfare and looking to reinstate fox hunting and the clashes today with police in London, were met with a level or ready-brutality and intolerance. As planning for frack sites across the country come to councils now, they will be helped-along their way with Conservative zeal.


We know that this is bad - I had hoped though that there might be a moment to pause, to catch our breath and to find some way of uniting our fractured pieces - torn apart and scattered after politics caused rifts and divisions amongst people who were each simply aiming for better in their own way,
The wrongs and rights we see are not the same but everyone I know who is standing against fracking, standing against harsh austerity or looking to find a better system whilst trying to break down the old... is doing so because sitting on the sofa and swallowing the lies and myths and spin just wasn't tolerable anymore. No-one is acting in self-interest or with ill-intent - I may not agree the methods, reasoning or approach of all but I hugely respect any that got up to act.
I hope we find our MASS of 'we the people' - because this is not the time to go it alone, not the time to argue over anything that compared to where we stand now - cannot matter as much.
Where now, how now? No idea but I do know that we need each other more than ever.
NAMASTE x

Fin...

Just after 7am 8th May 2015 the election in Tatton was over...



It was hard to hold back when we did the speeches at the end - but the audience by this time consisted solely of exhausted 'counters' who had worked throughout the night to get the counting done. They were fuelled by Haribos & bananas and lovely humour with each other... the genuine human faces in a room where those with the Blue Rosettes, stalked like lions waiting for dinner.

The Knutsford Guardian reports it here:
[Green Party candidate Tina Louise Rothery said The Green Party was only just beginning to get its messages out, urgent messages focusing on the need to consider “the resources we all depend on to survive” and the importance of nurturing and protecting them.
She added: “No matter how good it is in Tatton I think perhaps the voters here need to be considering beyond the borders of this very privileged and lovely place – that it isn’t the same everywhere.
“For my first effort in politics it’s been a fascinating learning experience, and I go out of this perhaps a little disappointed in some of the democratic process, particularly the media treatment of the whole thing.”]


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