Plymouth CND Quiz Night

Friday night's Quiz Night staged by Plymouth CND went off quite well considering none of us had organised such an event before. Despite us not having as many people turn up as we would have liked, the evening was a success. We raised a little money, and most importantly, everyone had a good time.

I had the dubious honour of being the compere for the evening, reading out the questions through a microphone in my think Scottish brogue. Pleasingly, I was understood most of the evening!

To save embarrassment, the names of the members of the PCND team who came in last with a score of 13 out of 50 will be withheld. Their efforts won them the booby-prize, which to be fair was far too good for them!

Afterwards, a couple of us went to the Princess's place and talked the night through with a bottle of vodka, in between sessions on the guitar. The following day I awoke at 2pm, which was slightly problematic as I was supposed to be at meeting at 12... Hopefully I will be forgiven as this is something I am not known for - missing meetings, or staying up all night drinking vodka.

Hopefully we will be able to use the venue we had on Friday again, for other events. Next time we will have to promote the event a bit better, and time it better. I don't think it did us any favours that Friday was the start of half-term, and the Bank Holiday. One or two of us aired the notion of putting on an open mic/karaoke night, which I think is a fantastic idea. I can just see myself scaring the punters with a punk version of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'!

Who said political activism can't be fun!?

Plymouth CND at the Lord Mayors Parade

Despite the best efforts of Plymouth City Council to ban us for being "too political", anti-nuclear activists took part in the annual Lord Mayors Parade, carrying the Plymouth CND message. In line with the declared 'maritime' theme, we carried an 8ft paper-mache submarine and banners requesting the use of the seas for peace. We were generally well received, and up until the Sandra-incident, I personally experienced no negativity from anyone. On one or two occasions I heard parents explaining to their kids "It's a nuclear submarine, darling. It's about the bombs."

At another point, a council employee doffed his hat to us and clapped us as we walked past.

According to some of my colleagues, we would have been booed 10 years ago. The people of Plymouth are coming round to the dangers of Trident on their doorstep, on all our doorsteps.

We are winning.

Sandra Leslie Is Barking.

For the last several months, probably approaching a year now, myself and a couple of other activists I work with have been the target of slanderous and hate-filled diatribes from one Sandra Leslie. I have been accused of being a bully, a fascist, a nepotist, a fifth columnist, a boss's pet, a homophobe, and a few things more besides. Sandra has taken to emailing all and sundry in Trident Ploughshares and CND about my so-called crimes, as well as posting them on her public websites. As I have the full support of National CND, and the TP Core Group, I have not felt the need to respond to Sandra's vindictive missives, until today.

Things took an unsettling turn for the worse on Saturday, when Sandra actually physically attacked the Plymouth CND procession in the Lord Mayor's Day Parade, in front of scores of onlookers. Leaping in amongst our group, she started screaming "Nazi's!" at the top of her voice at us, myself and Mark in particular, before starting to physically attack the paper-mache submarine that I and another colleague were carrying. This carried on for several hundred yards along the route, with pleas for her to cease and desist falling on deaf ears, and only seeming to enrage her more. Without a doubt she had completely lost the plot, and was immune to reason or placation. It was decided that the best course of action was to remove ourselves from the procession, Sandra effectively managed what Plymouth City Council have failed to do for the last couple of years - prevent Plymouth CND from completing the Parade. No doubt she is proud of herself. All this after spending months accusing us of "sabotage"!!!

On her website, a new comment has appeared with regard to Saturday's debacle. Incredibly, she accuses us of persecuting her! As if it was us who attacked her as she took part in a procession! She also makes up some fantastical story about a shop refusing to serve myself and Mark because of our "nazism". Truly the workings of a delusional mind. What actually happened, was that after our group had removed ourselves from the Parade due to Sandra's harrassment, we planned to go for a drink in the Barbican. While Peter, Ian, and young Marc went into town in search of a cash-machine, Mark and I went to the nearby Spar to get cigarrettes and some chocolate. While we were waiting outside the Spar for the rest to appear, Sandra came striding across the road shouting about "Nazi's", "stalking", and "persecution". She accused of us stalking her, of mounting a "campaign of hate" against her, and various other allegations too silly to mention. She then, rather shamefully, started ridiculing Mark's mental health, and his bi-polar condition. No-one overheard Mark or myself "abusing", "degrading", or "petrifying" Sandra, because this did not happen. It was Sandra who was engaged in these acts, while Mark and I refused to lower ourselves by retorting to her poisonous and hate-filled vitriol. After she left, we went back into the shop for more chocolate. The shop assistants served us with no problems.

Sandra's behaviour on Saturday was nothing short of shameful. Fortunately, a good portion of the march had already been completed by our group before this sordid episode transpired, and her actions did not ruin an otherwise excellent day.

There is one part of her recent web-comment that is accurate, I did take video footage of Sandra losing the plot and calling all and sundry "Nazi's", not to mention her nasty verbal attack on Mark. If I can figure out how to post it, I will in due course. Until then, anyone wishing to view Sandra's mad behaviour can email me and I will send the clip as an attachment.
Peace

One Million Blogs For Peace.

While looking for blogs for peace today, I stumbled upon an initiative called "One Million Blogs For Peace".
The rather obvious idea, is to get one million bloggers to agree with their pledge, which states -

"I believe in the immediate withdrawal of all foreign combat troops from the nation of Iraq. I believe in using my blog, in whole or in part, as a tool toward this end."

Hell yeah, count me in.

Feel free to join up too - http://bluepyramid.org/peace/

Trident Ploughshares Blockade at Aldermaston.

Earlier this week I was at the Atomic Weapons Establishment(A.W.E.) at Aldermaston in leafy Berkshire, in order to take part in a non-violent blockade organised by Trident Ploughshares.

About 10 of us set out on the Monday for Reading, where we would be staying the night. We arrived late in the evening, thanks to the Easter holiday traffic, to find some 50-60 odd activists all hard at work plotting, scheming and rehearsing for the following days actions. After a hastily devoured meal, we got ourselves organised, and assumed roles for the blockade. After planning to get myself arrested, I found that it would be impractical as I was the only designated driver for the minibus we had hired! I had to contend myself with the role of getaway driver!



The Police were outside when we awoke, and they followed us closely as soon as we left. Sure enough, within about 15 minutes we got the flashing-blue-light treatment and were pulled over. This was not good news, as I had in my bus the arrestables for the boilerhouse gate, who were sitting in the back nursing an arsenal of lock-on tubes! A Policeman beckoned me out of the bus. He informed me that under section 163 of the Road Traffic Act, he was entitled to pull over "any car, at any time, for any reason". I do not recall him explaining his particular reason. Fortunately they did not search the bus, and the Police allowed me on my way after taking my details and checking my documents. He asked where I was going, as if he did not know, and when I told him I was going to Aldermaston to take part in a peaceful demonstration against illegal nuclear weapons, he said 'so long as it isn't violent'. And thus began this Officer's education in the non-violent principles inherent in Trident Ploughshares actions.



Anyway, we got to Aldermaston with the Police still on our tail like a smell you can't shake. With the Police so close, the original plan of stopping at the gates to allow those blocking to hop out and lock-on was likely to be thwarted as soon as attempted. Plan B was hastily conceived on an Esso forecourt under the watchful eye of the Thames Valley Constabulary. We pulled out and headed for the Boilerhouse Gate. As we approached, we noticed that some of our colleagues were already there making a vivid, and colourful presence with banners and music. Traffic was slowing, and the Police were still behind us. Thirty yards or so from the gate, I stopped, and out jumped the brave S, to stand in the road in front of the Police car, arms out-stretched like Jesus, allowing me to nip on nearer the gates to dump my other passengers and cargo unimpeded. And as you can see from the photo above, it worked a treat. It took me an hour to walk back after I had found somewhere to park the bus! Still, it gave me a chance to check out the scenery, and see the traffic chaos that the actions at our gate, and elsewhere at other gates, was causing. A lot of people work at Aldermaston it seems, certainly a great deal of construction work is going on. And was going on long before the parliamentary vote on Trident replacement took place.


I believe 14 people were arrested during the actions on Tuesday. All of whom will take to court the argument that they are acting to prevent crime, not cause it. This blog salutes them.

Apart from delays, little actual harm came to the dastardly activities beyond the electric fences of Aldermaston nuclear weapons factory. But we made some ripples, we publicised the issue, and raised awareness, and that will have to do for now, until we have enough numbers to shut these places for good.
They are preparing for horrific crimes at Aldermaston, and we the people have a right, if not a duty, to try and stop them. They are after all our government, representing us. And if we do nothing, they will drag us with them into barbarity and genocide.


This action was one of a hundred ways you can protest against possession of nuclear weapons, but by god, it has to be the most fun! And the most inspiring and invigourating. Almost without fail, the most interesting and jolly-well-decent people I meet, are anti-nuclear activists. It is always a pleasure to spend time with such sincere and honest souls, to compare notes, to exchange tips, tales and jokes, to create music, share food, and make contacts.
Sure beats sitting at home writing letters, or indignant emails and blogs!

Smash the BNP?

I'm bothered this evening by something I read earlier on Indymedia UK. In an article entitled "BNP Paper Stall Smashed", there is a report of some self-styled anti-fascists using violence to stop the BNP selling newspapers and handing out leaflets in Selby, Yorkshire.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/356362.html?c=on#comments
Is violence, or "extreme prejudice" as the author of the article calls it, the answer to the BNP?
Personally, I think not.
In recent years, the BNP have tried to change their image, ditching the skinheads and jackboots, for pin-stripe suits and 'electoral respectability', whatever the hell that is? My concern is that violence against the BNP gives them a victim status that they do not deserve, allowing them to claim 'martyrdom' and greater public support, while simultaneously casting those opposed to fascism as the 'thugs'. No doubt many a left-hating tabloid would have a field day doing just that. I can just see the Daily Mail waxing lyrical about the "new nazis" of the militant left! It would be a mistake, in my humble opinion, for the left to pick up the discarded jackboots of the BNP.

Another concern is that of increasing the cycle of violence. It does not take a great leap of imagination to think how the BNP would exact it's revenge on those who would smash up their stalls etc. Will this only lead to the hospitalisation of anarchists, socialists, and other left-wingers in return? I will most likely be involved in the running of a stall this weekend, for Plymouth CND. I hope the actions of some anti-fascists in Selby does not lead to the legitimisation of political violence in general. A movement born of violence will be a violent movement. And as a man of peace, I do not wish to be part of a violent movement.

I have always felt that the hateful and racist policies of the BNP, or any other bunch of right-wing nut-jobs, can be easily defeated with a calculater and an etch-a-sketch. The BNP will be defeated once and for all, once the ideology has been exposed and dissected for the worthless trash it is. If we cannot beat the BNP in straight debate, then we really are in a fine pickle!

My educated guess is that many, if not most BNP voters, and possibly even rank and file members, are not natural fascists or racists, but members of the working class disillusioned, quite rightly, and registering their anger, with the main political parties, in particular the Labour Party. And if these BNP members and voters are fascists, they will have been turned that way because of a system that dissed 'em.
The Left has to get out there, and tackle this disillusionment. Win, in the common vernacular, the "hearts and minds" of those flirting with the BNP. It should be easy. A little flexing of our intellectual muscle, as opposed to our fists. Fighting fire with fire will only see us get burnt. Let us not become what we despise.
"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless whether the destruction is wrought in the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of democracy and freedom?" -Gandhi
Peace, Love, Freedom, and Tolerance
John

Flying Gas-Chambers

Let's talk nuclear bombs. Let's talk about the criminal conspiracy to commit genocide that is the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system.
Britains Trident submarine fleet is coming to the end of it's operational life, and the question of "replacement" is to be decided during this parliament. Already Phony Bliar and Gordon Brown-nose have spoken out in favour of a new generation of nuclear weapons. They have said there will be a debate, but those of us that take an interest in these things are pretty sure that the decision has already been made, and just awaits a rubber stamp from those sheep we call Members of Parliament, the same people that voted for the war in Iraq. This is why I think that it is a mistake for CND to campaign for a parliamentary debate and vote in the House of Commons. The House of Commons is distinctly lacking in judgement, not to mention morality. The House of Commons is where the turkeys vote, without fail, for Christmas!

At the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, building work is already taking place, and nuclear scientists are being recruited, despite the fact that Mr Blair says that "no decision" has been taken. Yeah, right. It is obvious, that without a concerted effort, a new generation of nuclear weapons will be presented as a fait accompli before too long. There are a great many reasons why this is bad news for us all.

It is estimated that a new generation of nuclear weapons will cost the UK tax-payer somewhere in the region of £76 billion! This is, according to a recent article in the Guardian, about the same as an effective fight against climate change would cost.
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,1939422,00.html
It is said by many that climate change is the single biggest challenge facing mankind today, and recent reports reckon that the cost of replacing Trident "could almost guarantee emission reductions from 150m tonnes of carbon a year today to the necessary level of around 60m tonnes by 2030."
Mutually Assured Destruction is not going to "deter" Mother Nature. The increasingly hostile climate is something that we need to fight against as a planet, and not as a plethora of armed and hostile nation states.

The other supposed challenge we face, is the threat of "terrorism". No amount of nuclear bombs could prevent the 9/11 atrocities, nor any such future outrage. No 'death-loving terrorist' is going to be detterred from their deeds by the threat of nuclear annihilation.
Indeed, in October 2005, Tony Blair also came to this conclusion, "I do not think that anyone pretends that the independent nuclear deterrent is a defence against terrorism".

Also, according to the government’s Strategic Defence Review 1998, "there is today no military threat to the United Kingdom or Western Europe. Nor do we foresee the re-emergence of such a threat". This is reiterated by a Defence Select Commitee Inquiry, "Witnesses to our inquiry did not believe that the UK currently faces a direct or impending military threat from any of the established nuclear weapon states".
Before his mind was warped by ambition and power, Gordon Brown was once quoted as saying that Trident was "unacceptably expensive, economically wasteful, and militarily unsound".
He could have added counter-productive, immoral and illegal.

To my mind anyway, the immorality of being prepared to use what someone once termed "flying gas-chambers" is clear. Nuclear weapons kill indiscriminately, and have no place in a society proclaiming itself "civilised". They are, in fact, the ultimate terrorist suicide bomb. For what is terrorism? According to my dictionary, it is the threat or use of violence in pursuit of a political aim. Nuclear bombs are literally terrifying. Mutually Assured Destruction is suicide on a massive scale.
The International Criminal Court also decreed in 1996 that "the use of nuclear weapons would generally run contrary to International Humanitarian Law". Nuclear bombs cannot be used without causing untold harm to innocent non-combatants, and are therefore illegal under International Covenents that the UK is signatory to.
Replacing, or upgrading Trident would also be a clear breach, both materially and in spirit, of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that the UK is also a signatory of. Under the terms of the N.P.T. all nuclear weapons states are under an obligation to pursue, "in good faith" the "elimination of nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament". Moreover, in 2000, the UK and the four other declared nuclear weapon states signed a final document giving "an unequivocal undertaking to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals".

Nuclear weapons are also counter-productive, for, if the UK envisages at least another 50 years of British security being based on threatening other populations with mass destruction, then we encourage other states to do the same, and thus paradoxically we increase our security risk rather than decrease it. This was succinctly explained by Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Joseph Rotblat, "If some nations — including the most powerful militarily — say that they need nuclear weapons for their security, then such security cannot be denied to other countries which really feel insecure. Proliferation of nuclear weapons is the logical conclusion of this nuclear policy’.
The truth of this argument can now easily be seen by recent developments with Iran, and North Korea. Other countries will likely follow suite, either inspired by our rhetoric of "nukes guarantee security", or scared by our complete disregard for International obligations. Not to mention our war-mongering against defence-less countries, like Iraq.
The more countries have nuclear weapons, the more likely that they will be used, whether by accident or design.

Opinion poll after opinion poll has shown that the majority of people in the UK are in favour of nuclear disarmament, but yet the politicians in this so-called democracy pay no mind. It is highly unlikely that the government will do the right and decent thing, and consign the UK's nuclear monstrosities to the dustbin of history.
That is why I have concluded that it is incumbent on us, the electorate, the citizens of this nation, to force the government to bend to reason and logic, to sanity.
There are groups that are attempting this as we speak, groups like Trident Ploughshares and BlocktheBuilders. I support their efforts completely. BlocktheBuilders in particular, exist to attempt to prevent the building work for the next generation of nukes at AWE Aldermaston, using Non-Violent Direct Action. They deserve our support, and they need our help. A certain Martin Luther King once said something like, "I wondered why someone didn't do something to advance Peace. And then I realised, I AM someone".
http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/
http://www.aldermaston.net/campaigns/tng
We CAN make a difference!
Let's roll.