Germinal

I have been reading Zola's "Germinal".
Like Jack London's "People of the Abyss" this is a description of the conditions of the working class at the turn of the last century. Although it is based on research, the narrative is itself fictional.
Although it describes in detail the conditions of poverty in which workers in France were living, it also offers a vision of a possible future in which these old conditions will be swept away.
As well as being a month in the Republican French calendar, "Germinal" also suggests a new beginning.

Damned lies and statistics

The BBC repeat with glee the statistic that one in five pensioners are millionaires. The problem is that the "statistic" is fraudulent.

It refers to the number of pensioners who live in a household which has a value of a million pounds. The pensioner themselves may have access to a value of a million, or half a million or a fraction of a million or just plain nothing.

And yet this is one of the many lies being used to justify cutting the winter fuel allowance.

Never mind that many pensioners will die of hypothermia, they can just be branded "millionaires" and that is the end of any public sympathy.

Ending the winter fuel allowance will also affect the four-fifths of pensioners who are nothing like millionaires but forget about them.

Labour has to take tough decisions. No politicians will die of hypothermia so it is not that tough for them.

OFSED Bullies

The government has made one small step towards stopping OFSTED bullying of teachers but even that is too much for the Tories.

Conservatives argue that parents will be unable to understand a comment about a school that is more than one word long!

Most of us can understand whole sentences. 

Classroom Teacher Manual

Chief Hypocrite

Boris Johnson and the Chief Rabbi think the pathetic reduction in arms for Israel is appalling.
.
They give hypocrites a bad name.

Why have neither of them been arrested for hate speech?

Apparently, God wants the Israeli Defence Force to kill children in Gaza. I have my doubts.

Winter Fuel Payments

Whoever is in power, pensioners will have to fight for their rights.

A very nice message on eBay

Hello there. I write to say how much I have enjoyed listening to the iterations of "Brevity". Recently I finally got round to listening to the audiobook version of "Murder From Beyond The Grave" and very much enjoyed that too, so much that I write to ask whether the other Durrington Detective Agency stories are, or will be, available on audio CD? 

The deterioration of my eyesight over recent years means that reading is now difficult, time-consuming and not pleasurable. I am enjoying getting back into stories via audiobooks. The fact that the other Durrington Detective Agency tales are short stories is no problem, they could all go onto one (or more) CDs. It would simply need a list of the stories just the same as a book has a Contents page. Please let me know how this idea appeals to you. With many good wishes, John Slater.

I sent a link to the only existing Durrington Detective Agency CD. If it sells by jingo I will record more!

The Phonetics Essay

"You're looking very pleased with yourself."

 "I've just got my essay on phonetics back from Doctor Fox. It is an alpha."

"Bravo, Charlie. I only got a Delta. He said it was unoriginal, like an echo of the textbook."

"I wouldn't worry about old Fox, he's a Trot you know."

"Fox? Trot? Is that why he was excluded from the golf hotel?"

"Anyway never mind about that. I've met a new girl from India. Her name is Juliet."

"Oh I know her, big girl isn't she?"

"Only 81 kilo or so. Mike from Lima used to go out with her but she ditched him in November."

"Oscar?"

"No Oscar wouldn't go near her because he said his papa in Quebec, between you and me he is a bit of a Romeo, he forbade it."

"Why are you travelling on the bus anyway?"

"The old Sierra is in the garage to have the engine looked over. What is that you are drinking?"

"Tango. Victor gave it to me. You know I can't resist a man in uniform."

"Victor eh. Remember how we ribbed him because he couldn't spell whisky?"

"Well, you wouldn't need an x-ray to tell he was a Yankee. Even though his grandmother was a Zulu.

"Anyhow this is my stop. Catch you later."

 

 

 

 

Sussex Alerts - Sussex Police arrest nine people in connection with recent protests

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Tuesday 13th August 2024

Sussex Alerts - Sussex Police arrest nine people in connection with recent protests

 

 

Sussex Police arrest nine people in connection with recent protests

 

Sussex Police has arrested nine people in connection with a number of protests across the county last week.

 

Following criminal disorder seen around the country, commonly fuelled by misinformation and threatening language online, Sussex Police and its partners have carried out a huge amount of work to protect our communities and identify those involved in linked unlawful activity.

 

Nine people have now been arrested as part of that operation.

 

On 4 August, a 43-year-old man from Bognor Regis was arrested on suspicion of publishing or distributing written material about racial hatred. He has been released on bail. 

 

On 4 August, an 18-year-old man from Haywards Heath was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and released under investigation while enquiries continue. 

 

On 7 August, 45-year-old of Hayling Rise in Worthing, and a 42-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of sending offensive messages by public communication work, following concerning social media posts.

 

The first male was jailed for 14 weeks on Friday (9 August). The second man was released with no further action. 

 

On 8 August, a 53-year-old man from Aldwick was arrested on suspicion of racial hatred in relation to a YouTube video sharing the locations of hotels housing asylum seekers across the UK. He has been released on bail.

 

On 9 August, a 40-year-old man from Crawley was arrested at a protest in Crawley on suspicion of threatening/abusive behaviour contrary to the Public Order Act. He has been released on bail. 

 

On Saturday, 10 August in Crawley, a 30-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of sending false information with intent to cause harm. He has been bailed pending further enquiries, with strict conditions not to post on social media. 

 

On Saturday, 10 August, a 62-year-old man from Seaford was arrested on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred and released on bail while enquiries continue.

 

On Sunday, 11 August, a 53-year-old man of Old Mill Close, Portslade, was arrested and charged with affray, assaulting an emergency worker and common assault, relating to a counter protest in Brighton on Wednesday (7 August).

 

He pleaded guilty to all charges at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday (12 August) and will appear for sentencing at a court to be confirmed on Tuesday (13 August).

The Geordies United Will Never be defeated

The BBC could not ignore the massive anti-racist mobilisation.
"The Geordies United Will Never be defeated" was one slogan of solidarity.

Trade unions, anti-racist groups and the general public responded to the fascist provocations.

The trade unions are founded on the principle of unity.

Bad news for Fascist Farage and Elon Musk.

Fascists outnumbered by anti-racists

The BBC reported on the fascist demonstrations in the UK. There were far more anti fascist protestors of course. #ukriots #racists #Antiracism 

Fascist Farage has been accused of inciting racist violence but remained as an MP. Elon Musk has cheerfully allowed those who incite violence to use X (previously called Twitter). It’s hardly likely he will go to prison either. #Racist #NigelFarage #farageriots

The millionaires have plenty. Why pick on the pensioners?

The National Pensioners’ Convention is calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reconsider her shock decision to end ‘universal’ winter fuel payments.

The move will hit millions of older people who are just above the income threshold to qualify for pension credit - effectively imposing a harsh means test on those already struggling next winter.

NPC General Secretary Jan Shortt said: “This is devastating news for millions of older people whose income is literally just a few pounds above the threshold to receive pension credit. 

“These people are already barely able to make ends meet – this move effectively wipes out any benefit they receive from the triple lock increase on the state pension.

“I seriously believe the Chancellor has underestimated the harm her decision will cause to older people still struggling with energy costs, and facing higher rates in October.  It is absolutely shocking that the new Labour government should treat older, vulnerable people in this manner.  The triple lock alone will not enable them to keep up with energy bills.”

The millionaires have plenty. Why pick on the pensioners?

#worthingflash

King Trump

God Save our gracious Trump

Long Live our noble Trump

Long may he reign.

And they call themselves republicans!

Shooting Trump

Shooting Trump is the stupidest thing to do. 

It would make a martyr of him. 

It also distracts attention from the insurrection of January 6th 2021.

Nato marks 75 years of hypocrisy

What on earth is the use of NATO?

Although it opposes Putin in Ukraine, it is blind to the atrocities committed by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza.

Why? Because Israeli is defined as a "friendly power" and "friendly powers" can engage in genocide without NATO turning a hair.

The bombing of a childrens' hospital by Russian forces is rightly condemned as a war crime. Similar bombings by Israel are met with a deafening silence from NATO.

NATO members have also been happy to sell weapons to Israel. The hypocrisy is palpable.

 

A tale of two hospitals. One in Gaza and one in Ukraine.

Centrism

"Centrism"  means appealing to the so-called "middle ground" in politics.

It is perfectly clear that "centrism" has allowed the Fascists to make gains in France. People no longer believe that any politicians will make any difference to their lives and this has led some people to believe that the far right are at least suggesting some radical solution even if it is a particularly ridiculous one.

And the Fascists have also made small gains in the UK. The pathetic 5 seats of Reform UK has been built up by the media as a triumph for their policies of "using migrants for target practice" or believing it would have been better for Britain to obey Hitler than to go to war with him.

If Labour paid more attention to the needs of the working class, they would no doubt be denounced as "extremists". It was the "extremism" of the 1945 Labour government which gave us the National Health Service. 

Pants on Fire

The Tories have produced Boris like a rabbit out of a hat. Just to remind people about Partygate just before the election. #partygate #torybastards #election #BorisJohnson

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Socialist-Reviews-Mr-Derek-McMillan/dp/153905019X

Robbers

Audio Story

There were people in the house when we arrived home. We came into the living room and they were sitting there as bold as brass on our sofa. One of them was smoking. SMOKING in the house! He was ignoring the absence of ashtrays and using the carpet instead. He seemed at home.

“Robbers!” shouted Angelina.

The couple looked at us in some surprise.

Audio Story

A Bit of a Pickle

"A bit of a pickle" audio story

 “I think I've got myself into a bit of a pickle, Lance.”

My brother, Gordon, is the only person outside the world of PG Woodhouse who could get himself into “a bit of a pickle.” He had been playing away from home and needed a couple of days to 'sort everything out' as he put it. I did not rate his chances very highly.

“The thing is, Lance, I need a bit of a favour.”

“Yes,” I said cautiously.

"A bit of a pickle" audio story

Dave's Contraption

Dave's Contraption

The Twittens of Durrington

The audio version of "The Twittens of Durrington" is available on Spotify. 

We shall see!

Reform UK "not zombies" claim

Reform UK has responded to the numerous racist, islamophobic and disgusting tweets by its candidates by saying "Our candidates are not zombies." 

You could have fooled me. #election #reformuk #racism #islamophobia 

 Farage has blamed the vetting company he employed 

Party Games

"Party Games" at the Connaught Theatre is a remarkable comedy. However,  it also has  a question, "What if the devil were advising the PM?"

The character of Seth (the Satanic adviser played by Ryan Early) is a composite figure with the eccentricity of Dominic Cummings and the abrasiveness of Alistair Campbell.

The character of the prime minister (played by  Matthew Cottle) is a parody of Boris Johnson but it develops a more nuanced role as well.

Seth persuades the leader of the fictional "One Nation" party to have a manifesto which offers precisely nothing but has a lot of verbiage.

The jokes relating to the 4th of July general election are virtually adlibbed and had a response from the audience which must have been very satisfactory to the cast.

As for the finale, you'll have to see it yourself. It is remarkable. 

Ian Gribbin Nazi

Surprise Reform UK candidate. 

A Reform UK candidate claimed the country would be "far better" if it had "taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality" instead of fighting the Nazis in World War Two.'
'In posts from 2022 on the Unherd magazine website, seen by the BBC, he said Winston Churchill was "abysmal" and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.'

Like a fool, Farage did not disown him but made a muddled attempt to justify him. 

Farage is a National disgrace

Farage is in the debate on the #BBC but the Nazis do not have a single MP. 

It’s a novel way to commemorate D Day to have the bastard child of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun on TV.

The Big Lie

"A lie can be half way round the world while the truth is still getting its boots on" (Mark Twain)

Every reader of the disgusting Tory press, every ignoramus in the country now knows for a fact that Labour will costs £2000 on your tax bill. This has been verified by treasury civil servants. 

The only problem is that the treasury civil servants have denied that these are their figures, the Tories have inflated the amount substantially.

The best time for this big lie would have been on the eve of poll when the opposition did not have time to reply.

Not only is Sunak a liar (after all he is a politician) he is also an incompetent liar.

Colonel Hathi and National Service

National Service. 

"Now the aim of our patrol is a question rather droll, for to march and drill over vale and hill is a military goal."

Not only that but the Tories grabbed all the front pages of the newspapers with their lunatic scheme.

Justice for Pensioners

Whoever wins the election, pensioners will need to take them warmly by the throat to get justice. 

There is a magic money tree for war, the army and national service but no money for social services, the NHS or pensioners.

National Service

National Service is a new form of assisted dying for younger citizens. 

It is not likely Rishi’s dream will come true but how many slogans of Tory backwoodsmen will he adopt before 4th July?

Want one of these? Then vote for National Service

Election

Genocide

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/international-court-seeks-arrest-warrant-against-israel-pm-netanyahu-over-alleged-gaza-war-crimes/ar-BB1mI6CO

Biden has decided there is no genocide in Gaza but there is genocide against Israel. Strange.

"The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced he is seeking arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as several Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes."

According to Wikipedia, "Genocide is the intentional destruction of a people in whole or in part.". You were saying, Biden? Are Palestinians not people? Are they not starving? Are their children not being murdered wholesale?

The genocide Biden hasn't noticed.

Infected Blood Scandal

Is it too cynical to think the government is dragging its feet so that more of the people they would have to compensate will have died? 

Red in the face

It looks as though protestors have thrown a pot of paint over the latest toadying portrait of the king. Good for them. 

Militant Left

Some of the best times of my life were when I worked for Militant (now "The Socialist"). The Irish section of the Committee for a Workers International is "Militant Left".

Happy May Day

Happy May Day. 

'Rise like Lions after slumber In unvanquishable number,

Shake your chains to earth like dew,

Which in sleep had fallen on you ,

Ye are many—they are few.’

Shelley