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

Like A Puppet On A String

I had to laugh today when I read that young Arthur Batchelor, one of the sailors captured by Iranian forces a few weeks ago, could not return to his ship HMS Cornwall as planned, because he had "lost his passport".
You have got to feel a little sorry for this poor lad, he's had a rough time of it of late!

To begin with he is dispatched to participate in an unpopular, unwinnable, immoral, and completely illegal war. Then the poor boy is sent on a 'routine' boarding operation, physically nearer Iran than Iraq. Thanks to the wisdom of his commanders, he finds himself part of a group that ends up in disputed waters with no helicopter support, and easy prey for Iranian border guards.
The poor wee lamb then spent about 3 weeks enjoying the hospitality of the Iranians. Sadly for him, the Iranians did not provide him with facilities to match those at Abhu Graib, Bagram Air Base, or Guantanamo Bay. No orange jump suits or electrodes for our Arthur. They made him eat naan bread, play chess and ping-pong, forced him to be measured up for a suit, and gave him gifts. They also blindfolded him, and most heinously, took away his i-pod. To add insult to injury, he then had his neck "flicked" by a guard. Oh, and an Iranian guard said he looked like Mr Bean.
Ah, for the comforts of Gitmo, eh?
After surviving that ordeal, young Arthur returned home to be "debriefed" by the UK's Ministry of Defence. (At least the Iranians let him keep his briefs...)
The MOD decided to let Arthur and his compatriots sell 'their' stories to the press for a few gold coins, and then swiftly changed their minds, hanging him out to dry. Then the paparazzi plaster pictures of him, having a laugh about the ordeal with his mates in a nightclub, all over the country.

In the matter of a short month or two, the boy has went from poorly paid cannon-fodder, to heroic hostage, through wealthy celebrity, a Tarzan, and now on to national disgrace.

One can imagine that the last few weeks have been a bit of a steep learning curve for him. Possibly he has learnt that the establishment he is meant to serve so dutifully, is not so worthy of loyalty after all?

If I were him, I think I'd 'lose' my passport too.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_headline=arthur-s-my-tarzan&method=full&objectid=18854854&siteid=89520-name_page.html

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=449887&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true

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!

Iran and the UK Marines and Sailors.

I have not posted for a wee while, though I am sure no-one has missed me!

Anyway, I have just found out that the UK marines and sailors that were captured by Iran, and released unharmed, have been allowed by the MOD to sell their stories to the press!
One has to wonder why?
Well, no doubt one big reason is control. The stories of these military personnel would have come out sooner or later. As far as the MOD is concerned, these stories are better controlled while these people are still in the military. In fact, they near as damn it say so themselves in the linked article to the Plymouth Evening Herald.

A statement from the MoD said: "It was clear that the stories they had to tell were likely to have emerged via family and friends regardless of any decision the Navy took.
"It was therefore decided to grant permission to speak to the media to those personnel that sought it, in order to ensure that the Navy and the MoD had sight of what they were going to say as well as providing proper media support to the sailors and Marines...