Homeless Children.

       Homelessness is part and parcel of capitalism, and the idea that somehow capitalism will sort the problem out, to me is naive. In this society, shortages mean higher prices, more profit, solve the shortage and you see an end to increasing prices, not good for capitalism. There always has to be demand to feed their insanity of perpetual growth. Everything they make has to become obsolete quickly, so that there is a demand for the next, “better”, “improved” “thing”. Think who gains from ever increasing house prices and ever increasing rents? Think of the money that pours through that “industry”. What would happen to that golden goose if everybody had a decent home?

      Tomorrow morning around 93,000 children will wake up as homeless, they will be scattered around in B&Bs and hostels, and often find themselves moving from place to place, an invisible army of damaged children, victims of capitalism and its insane policies of profit before people.

     Appealing for solutions to this problem from a bunch of very rich, pampered politicians, who are managers of this insane system, is asking the wolves to guard the sheep. The rules of the game are not set up to see that everybody gets their needs attended to, it is to amass as much wealth as possible in the hands of those who control the system. What pittance comes our way is grudgingly given after a struggle, and the corporate world, with the aid of the financial Mafia, is always trying to take it all back again. What quality of life we have, is not the fruits of capitalism, it is what we have managed to wrestle from the controllers of the system. We may create all the wealth in this world, but we allow it to be syphoned up to the parasite class that has its hands on the levers of power.

      So if your running to the ballot box to try to solve the problem of those 93,000 homeless children, then take it from me, you'll be running to the ballot box next time round to try to solve the same problem. Meanwhile, those 93,000 damaged children will be growing up to be 93,000 damaged people, with another invisible army of homeless children marching behind them.

 

HOMELESS.

Tenebrous spectres, they exist,   out there,

on the crumbling edge of chaos.

A father, a son, a brother,

a daughter, a sister, a mother.

Fragments of some shattered family structure;

waste products

from a society being driven to destruction

by a hurricane of greed

living a life that wears out life,

dying,

the devious death of exhaustion from existence.

 

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

 

Metropolis, The State.

     An extract from the film Metropolis this segment deals with "The State".

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And More On Greece.

      What is happening in Greece is both a struggle for the people of Greece and an opportunity, an opportunity to change the structure of their society to something much better.

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The Concept Of The Other!

       Today and then tomorrow, then it is the end of National Poetry Month. What will you do with all that extra spare time!!!!

Fashion Conscious.

Pretty pretty butterfly people

fluttering in the midst of

Armani, Gucci, Versace,

aimlessly ambling arrogance.

Each,   a born again narcissus

who venerate

their own frivolous existence.

Hearts saturated in self-adulation

oblivious to a brother's cry of anguish,

wrapped in a mind that failed to grasp

the concept of the other.

Pretty pretty butterfly people

fluttering in the midst of

Armani, Gucci, Versace,

how I long to see you live

for more than one brief moment

in reality's rigorous narrative:

perhaps to see Serbia's plight,

hear the Kurds cry,

feel enough of Iraq's pain

to make you question why.

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

People Versus The Financial Mafia.

        Greece is fast running out of money, during the month of May the Syriza government has to find the staggering sums of €750 million to pay the IMF, (international Mankind Fuckers) plus another €400 million in interest payments. May is considered an easy month, but June will prove to be more difficult as the sums are €1.5 billion to be paid to the IMF, €700 million to European institutions, and a further €500 million in interest payments. This is a monthly pouring of money out of Greece into the coffers of the financial Mafia. This from a country where the economy has crashed, where unemployment is sitting at over 27%, and youth unemployment is above 50%. social services have disintegrated, poverty, substance abuse, suicides, homelessness and sleeping rough have all rocketed. Physical and mental health problems have reached staggering proportions, in a collapsed health service. 

      To try to alleviate some of the suffering of the people of Greece, and to try to keep some of its promises to the people, the government has suggested that it lower some taxes to help the poorest, and raise the minimum wage and pensions for those on lowest pensions. Of course the Financial Mafia in charge of Europe, has condemned this action, stating that it is a backward step. Saying that this action would put their negotiations at risk. The financial Mafia in the shape of The Troika, (EC, European Commission, ECB, European Central Bank, IMF, International Mankind Fuckers) are refusing to pay Greece its entitlement of €1.9 billion profits made on Greek debt bonds, until it complies with its demands of “reforms”, which in reality means just get on and do as your told or go bust.

       The Financial Mafia are not in the least interested in the condition of life in Greece, or any other country for that matter, all that matters is that governments keep pouring public money into the bottomless pit that is the financial world. Even if it means that populations of entire countries slide into the morass of deprivation, so be it, all that matters is that the financial Mafia don't lose a Euro of their ill-gotten gains. This is capitalism at work, greed, inhumane treatment of entire populations, a total disregard for humanity in any shape or form, a financial war on people.   

 

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

Baltimore And Police Brutality.

An Appeal from Color Of Change:

      It has been more than two weeks since Baltimore police killed Freddie Gray and no officer has been fired, arrested, or prosecuted. Local officials don't even have answers to the most basic questions: Why did police violently arrest Gray? Why was this healthy 25-year-old's voice box crushed, his spleen ruptured and 80% of his spine severed after 45 minutes with Baltimore law enforcement? 1

       The lack of accountability for Gray's killing is unacceptable and the solution to Baltimore's policing crisis is not martial law or more militarized policing. Right now, we need widespread public pressure to ensure the necessary leadership and independent oversight to bring Gray's killers to justice and overhaul the Baltimore Police Department. Without independent oversight it's unlikely that Gray's killers will be held accountable. Local prosecutors work too closely with police on a day to day basis to hold them accountable — and they almost never do.2

Demand that Governor Hogan appoint Maryland's Attorney General to assist in the case.

      To be Black in Baltimore means every day is a risk. In a city overcome with racism, police violence, and a police union blocking reform,3 even the most simple activities — a walk down the street or the drive to work — could mean an unlawful arrest or deadly attack at the hands of law enforcement. According to an investigation by the Baltimore Sun, in just 5 years, 100 Baltimore residents have won $5.7 million worth of settlements relating to police brutality and civil rights. The stories are shocking, yet almost none of the officers were held accountable:4

• Jerriel Lyles, who was attacked by police on his way out of a convenience store: "The blow was so heavy. My eyes swelled up. Blood was dripping down my nose and out my eye.”
• Starr Brown, a pregnant woman slammed to the ground and kneed in the back by police after calling them for help: "They slammed me down on my face...The skin was gone on my face"
• An 87-year-old grandmother, who was attacked after calling an ambulance for her wounded son, was told: "B****, you ain’t no better than any of the other old black b**** I have locked up.”

       Following Freddie Gray's killing, a community tired of living under siege and facing decades of employment discrimination and decimated public housing is rising up to demand change.5 Last night, as the National Guard moved into Baltimore, images of militarized police tear gassing and beating protestors, fires, and outrage once again flashed across our TV screens. The best way to restore peace to Baltimore is for Governor Hogan and local leadership to undo the structural racism targeting its people. But right now, police are preparing to announce even harsher measures to crack down on the protests — like a curfew for youth6 — that will likely continue to escalate an already unacceptable level of confrontation and violence between police and citizens.

       Protestors in Baltimore are showing the same courageous resistance and vision for a better country that we see coming out of Ferguson, Madison, New York, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and other cities across the country. And just as in Ferguson, justice for the brutal police killing of Freddie Gray depends on Governor Hogan's leadership to do more than ramp up law enforcement.

Tell Governor Hogan and Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby to bring in Attorney General Brian Frosh to help secure justice for Freddie Gray.

Thanks and peace,

References

1. "Nonviolence as Compliance," The Atlantic 04-27-2015 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4768?t=6&akid=4316.2196388.TAFzlj

2. "Why I Don’t Trust Baltimore Prosecutors with Freddie Gray Case," Legal Speaks 04-22-2015 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4769?t=8&akid=4316.2196388.TAFzlj

3. "Maryland Cop Lobbyists Helped Block Reforms Just Last Month," Intercept 04-28-2015 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4770?t=10&akid=4316.2196388.TAFzlj

4. "Undue Force," The Baltimore Sun 09-04-2014 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4771?t=12&akid=4316.2196388.TAFzlj

5. "Baltimore’s shame is America’s shame: How job flight and police brutality spelled doom for Freddie Gray’s neighborhood," Salon 04-28-2015 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4772?t=14&akid=4316.2196388.TAFzlj

6. "Gov. Larry Hogan promises more than 1,000 additional troops, vows to prevent rioting," The Baltimore Sun 04-28-2015 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4773?t=16&akid=4316.2196388.TAFzlj

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

Lest We Forget.

      We must keep hammering home the real reasons behind the First World War, the blood that was shed for empire, markets and resources, and oil was one of those resources that the British empire wanted, and was prepared to let hundreds of thousands die in unbelievable horror, to attain that wealth. To the imperialists, people were expendable, and to the modern imperialist, they still are.

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

Poison Romace.

Saw this on arrezafe, Jack Vettriano with a difference?

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To Say, "This Is Mine".

   Just a couple of days left in this National Poetry Month.

A Scarred Heart.

I tossed a heart at life

saw it dance in the morning sun

watched it through a field of nettles run

felt it warmed by passion's breath

heard it crack between love's teeth

was proud, as it turned its back on fear

sighed so when it near' drowned in an anguished tear,

scarred and bleeding it came back, aged like wine,

with a quiet pride I said, "This is mine".

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

May Day, May Day, May Day.

       May Day, Workers Day, Labour Day, call it what you will, but it is Our Day. A day of celebration, of all our struggles, victories, and a chance to renew old friendships. Take to the streets, pick up a leaflet, a book, chat, celebrate with friends and comrades.

Here are some of the events celebrating this May Day in Glasgow.

Today (Glasgow TUC) event, Tuesday, 28 April, 12 noon People's Palace/Winter Gardens G40 1AT.

Friday, May 1st. May Day, there will be stalls in Buchanan Street at Gordon Street, come along, bring the kids, bring noise, bring what you would expect to find, meet and chat, discuss what matters to you. there will be people, books leaflets and other bits and pieces.

Later on May 1st.

Friday 1st May 2015, 6.30 - 9.00pm
Gilmorehill Centre, University of Glasgow
      Document Human Rights Film Festival in association with Screen Seminars at Glasgow University and Glasgow Human Rights Network present a May Day screening of Miners Shot Down, a documentary about the 2012 Marikana mine massacre in South Africa, which is currently winning prizes at film festivals around the world. Thirty four workers were killed by police during a strike at the mine. The British lawyer representing the families of those killed, James Nichol, will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening, chaired by Dr David Archibald.

Sunday 3rd May, organised by Glasgow Trades Union Council, march and rally. Assemble 11.00 for 11.30 at George's Square,
Rally at 02 Academy, Eglinton Street 12.30.

GLASGOW Friends of May Day
Download the Glasgow Friends of MayDay Celebration Programme here

A wee blast from the past, Glasgow May Day 1962.

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TTIP Must Be Stopped.

       The corporate/financial Mafia hope to have TTIP all wrapped up and functioning by October. That's not a lot of time, we can't wait until then, and then start to complain when TTIP moves in and kicks us in the teeth. We have to continually keep pushing to get this take over by corporatism flushed down the tubes.  Sign the petition HERE:

This appeal from 38 Degrees:

       Big corporations are staging their biggest power grab yet - with TTIP, the dodgy EU-US trade deal. But this week, we have a chance to deal a blow to those trying to get the deal passed without a fuss.
      On Wednesday, MSPs will vote on whether to reject the worst parts of TTIP. They’ll be voting on the part of the deal that lets private companies like McDonald’s sue our government if they raise the minimum wage. [1] The vote won’t stop TTIP. But it’ll send a very clear message - that together we’ll stand against corporate power.
      We need our MSPs to be there, and to vote the right way. The vote’s on Wednesday so we don’t have much time. Can you email your MSP today? Click here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/msps-stop-TTIP
       It would be a nightmare scenario for corporations is every MSP turned up on Wednesday. They don’t want to have to defend their flagship trade deal. So together, let’s make sure every MSP is there. And let’s get as many as possible to listen to their constituents and vote the right way.
      It’s no surprise that public pressure against TTIP is growing across Scotland. This dodgy deal could make more NHS privatisation inevitable. And it could hand American corporations the power to sue our Scottish government if Holyrood passed laws they didn’t like. Plans to de-privatise our services would be scuppered. [2]
        The vote this Wednesday is a huge opportunity for us to raise the political stakes on this dodgy trade deal before next year's Holyrood election. The more of us who email our MSPs, the clearer the message: we won’t sit back while our democracy disappears into corporate hands.
      Please click here to tell your MSP to turn up on Wednesday and vote to on principle against TTIP:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/msps-stop-TTIP

Thanks for being involved,
Jen, Nat, David and the 38 Degrees team
NOTES
[1] The report being discussed on Wednesday is the result of months of work by the parliament to find out whether TTIP really threatens our democracy - and the conclusions are stark.
     The report recommends that ISDS, the part of the deal that lets companies sue our government for ‘lost profits’, should be scrapped. It says that TTIP could harm our environment and food safety, and could allow runaway privatisation of our services. MSPs will be voting on whether they agree with this report.
You can read the full report here:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_EuropeanandExternalRelationsCommittee/Reports/eur-15-02w.pdf
Or find a handy summary by Global Justice Now here:
http://www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/2015/mar/17/our-response-holyroods-ttip-report
[2] Liz Murray: It’s more than just the NHS that’s at risk in Scotland from TTIP:
https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/liz-murray/it%E2%80%99s-more-than-just-nhs-that%E2%80%99s-at-risk-in-scotland-from-ttip

 

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

Ending This Infernal Night.

      Four more days left of National Poetry Month, four more poems, so here is today's.

An Unjudging Eye.

All that happens under this unminding sky

appears to be seen by an unjudging eye,

pitiless famine spread by unbridled greed

as the powerful pillage with unprincipled speed.

See war and hunger sour this lovely land

with crippled justice making a fragile stand,

pompous power sail in manner grand

selfish duplicity the helmsman's hand.

What now to the common man is due

is grasped by a wealthy swaggering few,

still compassion turns a blind eye

to let the many, in poverty die.

Observe greed and tyranny strutting bold

until perfidious men all power hold

who seal the power with stolen gold

their tale of treachery seldom told.

Blind to honety's wasted light

the rich can't see poverty's plight

nor hear youth's anguished tear;

greed has dulled their listless ear.

When will justice spread her light

putting selfish greed to flight

crushing tyranny with righteous might,

ending this infernal night.

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

We Are Being Conned.

      As all of the competitors in the present Crooks and Liars competition, (the general election), continue to spout the need for “cuts”, which translates into cuts in our standard of living, the claim is the same, these are tough times, and we have to make sacrifices. Tough times for who, and who is doing all the sacrificing?

     Since “the crisis” of 2008, the UK's wealth has rocketed, before that “dreadful” event, to get into the UK's richest 1,000, all you needed was a paltry £15 million. Today, according to the Guardian commenting on the Sunday Times UK Rich List, to get into that club you need a personal wealth of at least £100 million. According to that list, the top 1,000 have accumulated a combined wealth of £547 billion, this is more than double what it was just ten years ago. Poor ordinary struggle millionaires just can't make it any more. The number of billionaires in the UK has risen from 104 last year to 117 this year. Since 2010, bankers salaries have risen by 35%, FTSE 100 directors have had to get by on an increase of 14%, while MPs are struggling with a modest 11% increase.

       Compare these figures with those that refer to us, the ordinary people, the people that actually create all that wealth. We have seen wages cut, frozen, or had trifling increases of 1%, like teachers and nurses. On top of this we have had rising inflation, rocketing energy prices, cuts in social spending with the inevitable destruction of social services and our standard of living. Since that excuse for austerity, “The Crisis”, we have seen our incomes fall by more than 3.5% in real terms. And proof of the pudding, we have seen food banks pass the 1 million mark.

      Now ask yourself, who is seeing the “tough times”? Who is doing the sacrificing? A bigger question is, do we NEED austerity, or is it just a dogma being forced on us, so the the rich can continue to get richer, while the poor get poorer? After all we live in a very rich country, and the figures prove that it is getting richer at an incredible rate. The problem is that it is all going in the one direction, the wrong direction, upwards. 

      Let's take control of all that wealth that we create, and spread it among our own people. We don't need, nor do we gain by increasing the number of billionaires. We don't need FTSE 100 directors, top bankers, and we certainly don't need nor do we gain, by having MPs. MPs are people that the Crooks and Liars competition proves to be the best liars in the country. They need us, we don't need them. It is a massive con perpetrated by a small bunch of exceptionally rich and greedy people, it is not an inevitable, set in tablets of stone, system. Like all man made systems, we can destroy it, we can create a fairer and more just system, one based on co-operation, sustainability and fairness, why are we waiting?

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

Medical Murder Of Mumia Abu Jamal.

Stop the attempted murder of Mumia
through medical neglect! 

Demand that Mumia be released
to a hospital immediately!
Keep the pressure on!
 APRIL 25, 2015 UPDATE:   U R G E NT ►
Mumia's Condition Grave 
Take Action NOW!

On Friday, April 24, Mumia Abu-Jamal was visited by his spouse, Wadiya Jamal, who reported that his condition has worsened.
She saw him again today and he appears even more gravely ill. Everyone is asked to call the prison and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections immediately.
If they hang up, call again. Please continue to call on Sunday, Monday and throughout the coming week.

Mumia was released from the prison infirmary three days ago even though he was in no condition to be in general population. His request to be seen by independent medical specialists was denied by the PA Department of Corrections. Yet he is in need of 24-hour care and supervision. He is too weak and in this state he may not be able ask for help. He may lose consciousness.  

This is what happened before he was rushed to the hospital on March 30 when another prisoner, Major George Tillery, complained to the guards that Mumia needed immediate medical attention. In retaliation the prison moved Tillery to another unit.

Mumia has severe swelling in his neck, chest and legs. His skin rash is worse than ever with open sores. No longer in a wheelchair, he can only take baby steps. He was nodding off during the visits with his wife and unable to feed himself. These are symptoms that could be associated with hyper glucose levels, diabetic shock, diabetic coma, and with kidney stress and failure.

Please call the numbers below, and any other numbers you have for the Prison and the Governor. Along with Mumia's name his prison number is AM 8335 Call local news sources in your area that would report on this crisis. Share this email with your contact lists. Get out the information via any social media you use especially Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #MumiaMustLive.

Demand that prison officials call Mumia’s wife and his lawyer Bret Grote to discuss his condition. Demand that Mumia Abu-Jamal see a competent doctor immediately, that he be taken to the hospital for emergency care and not be left to go into a diabetic coma.

It is clear that Pennsylvania prison officials are intent on carrying out their plans to murder Mumia through medical neglect. This situation is urgent.  Every call matters  Every action matters. We need to be in the streets. Call your friends, your neighbors. We must speak out now before it’s too late.

1) John Wetzel Secretary of the Deparment of Corrections ra-crpadocsecretary@pa.gov
717-728-4109 • 717-728-4178 Fax
1920 Technology Pkwy, Mechanicsburg PA 17050

2) John Kerestes, Superintendent SCI Mahanoy: 570-773-2158 x8102
570-783-2008 Fax
301 Morea  Road, Frackville PA 17932

3) Tom Wolf, PA Governor: 717-787-2500 • governor@PA.gov
508 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120

Susan McNaughton, Public Information Office PA DOC
DOC Press secretary: 717-728-4025  PA DOC smcnaughton@pa.gov

sbensinger@pa.gov
Department of Corrections Deputy Press Secretary
717-728-4109 • 717-728-4178 Fax
1920 Technology Pkwy, Mechanicsburg PA 17050

Public Information Officer, SCI Mahanoy,
Jane Hinman  570-773-2158; then dial zero
SCI Mahanoy: 570-773-2158 x8102 • 570-783-2008 Fax
301 Morea  Road, Frackville PA 17932

Central Office by phone:  (717) 728-2573

Michael Klopotoski, Deputy Secretary Eastern Region
(717) 728-4122 or 4123

Theron Perez, Chief Counsel, PA Department of Corrections (717) 728-7763

Shirley Moore Smeal, Executive Deputy Secretary (717) 728-4110

PA Department of Corrections General, News, etc: ra-contactdoc@pa.gov

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National Security And Child Abuse.

 

       Though most of us find the Crooks and Liars competition, (the general election) similar to an avalanche of bullshit, our babbling brook of bullshit, the mainstream media, are covering us in shovelfuls of the crap. This of course knocks a lot of other stuff off the front page, and keeps the smoke and mirrors functioning well.

       On of the subjects that our lords and master are very keen to keep of the front page is the long running saga of paedophiles in high places. The whole sorry mess of Savile and his closest friends and acquaintances, all shuffling their vile way of life through the corridors of power, is something that they will do anything to keep in the locked cupboard. When anything surfaces connecting our "good and great" to this deep dark secret, it is dismissed as groundless or worse. Then when they die, we find, oh well, there might have been something in his life, that was slightly "askew", Leon Brittan comes to mind, then we find that Lord Jenner, might have "blotted his copy book", but alas, he is too sick to testify, how very convenient. Most sane and rational people will accept that there has been far, far too many instances of leaks and cover-ups in this vile secret of our "betters" for there to have been "no case to answer". Let's raise the roof on this matter, after all it was working class kids that were being brutally abused by those so called "upper class" and wealthy.

This from A World To Win:

      -------The broadcaster then drove the question home, and asked if there had been a “big political cover-up”. Tebbit was vaguely forthcoming: “I think there may well have been. But it was almost unconscious. It was the thing that people did at that time.”

      Concurrent with this informal admission is a video clip that is equally casual in its admittance of cover-ups and impunity for high-up paedophiles. A short extract from the Michael Cockerell documentary Westminster's Secret Service broadcast by the BBC in 1995 is available on YouTube. The clip shows an interview with Tim Fortescue, a Whip under Edward Heath between 1970 and 1973. In it, he revealed that MPs came to him if they were:

 “in trouble … it might be debt or it might be small boys. They would come and ask if we could help. If we could, we did, and we would do everything we can because we would store up brownie points … If we can get a chap out of trouble, he will do as we ask for ever more.”

       Fortescue is referring to the practice known as the little black “dirt book” which contained information about MPs, and which was used as a method of political control. One could almost call the MPs who “got into trouble with small boys” state-sponsored paedophiles.-----

Read the full article HERE:

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