Showing posts with label anrchy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anrchy. Show all posts

Monday 11 May 2020

Asbestos Repeat.

 
       As a young apprentice I worked in the shipyards, when the use of asbestos was wide and lavish. Its effects are still being felt today. To me, to a degree, the asbestos scandal mirrors the coronavirus pandemic, but to a slower degree. There was medical papers written and advice given on the dangers of asbestos as far back as the 20's, but the governments of the world ignored all that and it wasn't until around 1970, that a ban was started to be imposed. This was after countless deaths from the incurable lung disease of mesothelioma, the reason for its continued use, against 50 years of medical advice and lobbying from trade unions, was that it was an excellent insulator and very cheap, in monitory terms, but expensive in human suffering and deaths, to ban it would obviously hurt the economy. Today thousands of people still die from asbestos related illnesses.


      More than 39,000 American lives are lost to asbestos-related disease every year. Asbestos facts and statistics summarize the devastating impact the toxic mineral has had in the U.S. and around the world.
      The same factors are still driving the governments policy today on the coronavirus, it is hurting the economy, so we must get people back to work. So some will die, to the capitalist that is a risk worth taking. Just as deaths from asbestos killed thousands but the economy must be saved, now it is covid19 that is killing thousands, but the economy must be saved.

       It is estimated that an average of 13 people a day in the UK die from conditions caused by previous exposure to asbestos – more than double the number of people who die on the roads.

      The first health fears associated with asbestos were raised at the end of the 19th century. Asbestosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that causes shortness of breath, severe coughing and other damage to the lung was described in medical writing in the 1920s.
       For how long and how many more times will we tolerate the economy being put before the health and well-being of the ordinary people? Why should we tolerate the price of shares and the profits for millionaires/billionaires to be placed ahead of the life of ordinary people?  Refuse to go anywhere near your employers profit making machine until your are completely satisfied that it is 110% safe for you to do so. My belief is, that safety guarantee will never materialise under the capitalist economic system. Change the system if you wish a safe working environment, that's the only answer worth considering. Generations of ill health and deaths from working conditions must surely by now, have convinced you of that fact.

When the Time-Bomb Goes Off

The bike just sits there,
dust covering its lovely sheen,
puffing up the Fintry Hills
well, it’s no longer my scene.
Y’see, as a Clydeside apprentice
I proudly learnt the tradesman’s skill,
little did I know then
the price, asbestos lungs that kill.
Now I just sit here through the painful day
gasping each mouthful of air, wondering
how can I make the bastards pay.
They new it was a killer
a time-bomb in our lungs
but, because it was so quick and cheap
they firmly held their tongues.
So what, if it cost the workman’s life,
there’s always a couple of new workers
in the care of the worker’s wife.
Please try to understand my anger
as I and others bear their cost,
a slow death from asbestos lungs,
a vibrant life lost.
Anguish for family and friends,
all in the name of profit;
now that really does offend.
Our anger without direction
is a blind archer behind the bow,
we have to use our anger
to smash the status-quo.

 
Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk    

Saturday 19 October 2019

Thomas Muir Festival 2019.


         Thomas Muir, one of Scotland's many principled radicals, one of those severally dealt with by the authorities he challenged, is being celebrated in a festival at the end of October until the end of November. Well worth marking your diary.

Thomas Muir Festival 2019.

Whats on / All Events
         Events and times may change, please check website and/or our facebook prior to attending an event, to make sure times & details are up to date

Thomas Muir Symposium:  Tuesday 22nd. October.
‘Commemorating Thomas Muir:
Past, Present and Future’
Drawing on speakers from Scotlands’ academic community, secondary school pupils and members of local history societies. Afternoon includes talks and music
Where: St Ninians High, Kirkintilloch
Time: 12.45pm to 4.30pm
Free: Booking required -

University of Glasgow Thomas Muir Lecture. Thursday 31st. October
on Democracy and Civil Society
Inaugural Lecture: Professor Sir T.M. Devine, 'Unyielding Power: Foundations of Elite Supremacy in Eighteenth Century Scotland'
Where: Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Time: 6pm Free (Booking essential)

2019 East Dunbartonshire Schools
Art Competition & Exhibition, 16th.-24th. November.
Finalist Exhibition: Art work short listed and selected by a panel of judges. Over all winning pupil and school will be announced.
Ages: P1 to S6
Where: Thomas Muir Coffee Shop, Bishopbriggs, G64 1RP
Time: 9.30am to 4pm (Mon - Sat) Free (Drop in)

Michelle McManus
& The Flaming Blackhearts in Concert. Friday 29th. November.
Unique, intimate venue with superb acoustics
Support: Jo Mango
Where: Cadder Church, Bishopbriggs G64 3JJ
Time: 7:00pm for 7.30pm to 10.15pm
Price: £14 + booking fee

 Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk 

Thursday 8 May 2014

Freedom Of Expression.

        Keep the web free and open. Freedom of expression is not something to be overseen by corporations, nor state apparatus.



Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Saturday 20 July 2013

Support For Royal Mail Workers.


       Subject: Bridgwater Royal Mail strike still on: solidarity needed!

Friends,
       Hours of talks on the Bridgwater Delivery Office Royal Mail dispute, that took place in London on Monday and Plymouth today, have broken down without agreement.
      This means that the three day strike starting at one minute past midnight tonight, Wednesday, is on, to continue for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
       We are still holding a solidarity hour between 8am and 9am every morning to which we would be delighted to welcome visitors and especially other trades unionists. The picket line gets going around 5am.
       Messages of support can be sent by e-mail direct to me: any donations to the Bridgwater strike fund, which is now open, can be sent to Dave Wilshire at CWU, 20 Church Rd, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, BS5 9JA.
     Financial support is now becoming important to maintaining the excellent morale of the 110 Bridgwater strikers.
      Please make any cheques out to "CWU Bristol and District Amal" and send to the above address.
 

See you on the picket line!

The next national talks on the Bridgwater dispute between the CWU and Royal Mail are set for London on Monday.

Dave Chapple,
Shop steward/branch chair

0777 6304 276