Monty Python Communist Quiz sketch

Of course, Coventry City did win the F.A. Cup in 1987, beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 after extra time.

Reb (snakehunters) there is an interesting comment there at the end , "no one leaves this show empty handed, so we are going to cut off his hands".

Heck, the man does not even look like a muslim.

Maybe they are taking the piss.

Happy New Year to all Blog of Blogs readers!

Francisan Church, Francis Street, Wexford, Ireland

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Communist Christmas Song

Happy f****** Christmas. I hope you have a roof over your head, some heat, someone to hug and something to eat.

The New Colossus by Emma Lazerus

The New Colossus by Emma Lazerus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"


I posted this wonderful poem before but the post seems to have dissappeared. Weird things happen on blogger sometimes.

Kirsty MacColl - Days

Rest in peace Kirsty.

Oh dear, this just isn't cricket!

Prince of Wales, his ex-mistress and their motor car attacked by students.

Prince Charles, who was in a Rolls-Royce on his way to the theatre with Camilla, said he "totally understood" the difficulties police faced.
The Met Police is to launch a major criminal investigation into student disorder in London over the last month.
MPs pushed through plans to raise the maximum tuition fee level to £9,000.
But 21 Lib Dems voted against the proposals, slashing the government's majority.

Thugs

Thousands of students had gathered in London ahead of the vote before the demonstration turned violent.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said the royal route was cleared in advance.
Protesters largely took over Parliament Square and pressed against police lines in front of the Houses of Parliament.

Mounted police were used to control crowds, at one point charging a group of protesters. Hundreds were contained on Westminster Bridge for a time by officers.

Protesters threw flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls, according to police. After nightfall, riot police forced back protesters who were smashing windows at the Treasury and the Supreme Court.

Then at 1915 GMT, protesters launched an attack on the royal couple's car as it passed along Regent Street. The Rolls-Royce was kicked, splashed with paint and a window was smashed.

Met Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson called the attack shocking and said the couple should be commended for their fortitude.

He also said the route was thoroughly checked up to the last minute and his officers had shown "commendable restraint".

He said royal protection officers were put in a difficult position by the unpredictability of the "thugs".

Protest organisers from the Education Activist Network said there had been no call to attack the prince's car.

Mr Cameron called it a "very regrettable lapse of security" and said lessons must be learned.

"Let's remember that this was not the fault of the police," he added.

"Responsibility for smashing property, for violence, lies with the people that perpetrate that violence and I want to see them arrested and punished."

Clarence House has refused to comment on reports that the Duchess was poked with a stick, but did say the royal couple were unharmed and attended the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium as scheduled.

David Cameron: "There were quite a number of people who clearly were there wanting to pursue violence"
A former head of royal protection, Dai Davies, said he was surprised by the apparent lack of strategy.

"One of the principles of protection is to have alternative routes and I would have expected there to be at least three different routes," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said it was regrettable the heir to the throne could be surrounded by agitators and that people's first instinct was to blame the police.

Labour leader Ed Miliband joined the condemnation, saying the attack was "totally unacceptable" and the wider vandalism was inexcusable.

Students have criticised police tactics, particularly of holding demonstrators in a small area, known as "kettling".

Simon Hardy, of the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts, said: "The violence we witnessed yesterday from the police, before anything had been done by the protesters, is typical of how the Met has responded to these demonstrations.

"They turned up in riot gear, with horses, batons and shields. They said they wanted people to leave to Victoria Embankment and then 'kettled' them and then started beating people.

"Anyone who tries to resist is then told they are being violent."

But the Met Police Federation said officers acted with professionalism and selflessness and that, if they had not, the consequences would have been "unthinkable".

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating a claim that 20-year-old Middlesex University student Alfie Meadows suffered serious head injuries after being hit on the head with a police truncheon. The Met Police referred the incident to the commission, which is appealing for witnesses, early on Friday.

The IPCC said it received three further complaints about the Met Police at Thursday's protests.

21 Lib Dem MPs voted no
8 Lib Dem MPs either abstained or were absent
6 Conservative MPs voted no
2 Conservative MPs abstained

Scotland Yard updated figures of the injured to 12 officers and 43 protesters and said of the 33 people arrested, most were released on bail and no-one has been charged.
The Met launched an investigation into student disorder seen across London between 10 November and 10 December.

A small but vocal demonstration of about 100 people chanted about tuition fees as the prime minister arrived in the Harehills area of Leeds for a speech.
Don Foster, one Lib Dem MP to vote for the rise, has had a rock thrown through his office window.
Cambridge University student Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, apologised for climbing the Cenotaph, a memorial to Britain's war dead, calling it a "moment of idiocy".

Business Secretary Vince Cable said the Lib Dems were still "united" despite the rebellion.
Only 28 Lib Dem MPs - fewer than half - voted for the government's plans for tuition fees. Six Conservative MPs voted against. Three ministerial aides resigned.

The package of measures will see fees rising to an upper limit of £9,000 per year - with universities charging more than £6,000 per year told to protect access for poorer students.

Interesting that the prince said nothing about understanding the 'difficulties' faced by the students.

Click here for more on this entertaining little diversion!

The Consolation of Dogs

She's gone lads,
daunted by the ardent flame
that burns in me this time of year.
I won't pretend that I don't miss her.

So it's down you you my friends,
to fill the gap that's in me here.

So draw breath, puff out your chests,
the finest pair of harrier dogs that ever
coursed the glens of Leinster.
O ye pluck the heart strings
of everyone who sees yas.

Rejoice, for I deny humanity,
I'd rather a sailor or a tinker be
than ever again to lose ye.
I'd rather be homeless and in poverty,
I'd ransom all my property.

We'll run along the shore
from Cahore to Carnsore to Tramore
my constellation of consolation
flashing black and white,
scattering magic dust,
entertaining children.

Our names will live forever.


by Rory Stafford 2002

Rudeboys in Belfast 1988

My photographer neighbor Padraig Grant was wandering around Belfast in 1988 when these three boyos asked him to take their photo.

I saw this in Padraig's exhibition during the 2009 Wexford Opera Festival and fell in love with it.

BOMBER performed by Girlschool

I always have to stand up when I hear this song (written by Lemmy of Møtorhead). I don't know why but it reminds me of some friends of mine.

Those girls sure can play !

Hey Fatso,you know where you can stick that cheese!

Our unbelievably stupid, lazy and arrogant government led by old blubber faced baby buffalo Brian Cowen is planning massive cutbacks in the forthcoming budget, set for December 7th 2010.

There is an air of deperation about the country now with all kinds of Casandras predicting all kinds of dark and doom laden scenarios, from 10 billion in cuts in the next 12 months to those fascists from the International Monetary Fund coming in and taking over the country to floods and hurricains. Even the X-factor audience seem to think that this year's series (on UK and Irish TV at the moment) is pretty shit, and if the X-Factor audience is not happy then we KNOW things must be getting bad.

To Socail Welfare recipients, most of whom lost between 10% and 20% of their benefits last year and who can expect to be hammered again come December all I can say is DONT PANIC because the government is going to give us all a nice big lump of Cheddar Cheese.

I am not sure if there is a vegetarian alternative cheese subsitute for those vegans and lactose intolerent among the country's poor.


Thank God for Brian Cowen, that's all I can say and God save Ireland!

Here is how the English Daily Telegraph reported the news.

The Beatles, Dear Prudence

B a b

A bee and a fly.. what is the main difference between them?

It's dignity.

Try to make a fly get away of your nose using your and, and do the same with a bee. What would happen?

The fly will fly away and even would return back to annoy you. But the case is completely different with the bee. It will quickly bite you that will cause its immediate death.

It's not so important for a fly if it was stirred by a hand or even chased to be killed. It will just run away. But it's a big insult against a bee's dignity just to be stirred by a hand. It will turn back, defend itself, attack, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, it will sacrifice its own life to protect its dignity.

So, what is the reason behind this great difference?

It's all about the place where they live in. The ordinary place of a fly is dirt, rubbish and horrible smelling stuff. But the ordinary place of a bee is gardens, flowers and wonderful smelling roses.

People aren't so different from this little comparison between flies and bees.

Be a bee, not a fly.

A story

I'm not sure if it's a fictional or a true story, however it gives a great lesson for our lives.

"

"Papa, look! It's a tree. Papa, look! A bird. Papa, look! A car! "

The father looks at his son and smiles, then turns his head to the amazed people around and smiles too.

"Is he lunatic?" A man whispers. Another woman looks with eyes full of sympathy. The rest of the people around the father and the son in the train were just looking amazed of the sentences of the son!!

Any ordinary person would give a hasty judgement and think of this 32 years old man as a lunatic or that he has some disability in the mind.

But when people around know that this man was blind for the 20 past years, and had just performed a successful surgery that brought the light back to his eyes, they will fully understand his great happiness and would even share him his feelings.

"

Lesson: Don't judge other people only from outer appearance. Slow down. Collect enough information. And finally form your personal perspectives about things around you.

Urban_Underclass,

Love ya. Love green.

Missing having a computer around...fer sure

Only a game?

The English take the World Cup seriously. This is a lovely picture of England football manager Fabio Capello during England's 0-0 draw with Algeria the other night. (Click on image to view detail).

On the far right is goalkeeper Rob Green, relegated to the bench after his monumental fuck-up cost England what would have been an undeserved win against the United States. He seems to have the face of a man who knows his life is ruined already, hopefully his loved ones are looking for a good therapist.

The three boys on the right look pretty tense too, unlike Green they are at risk of being asked to go out and play. They look like they would rather be somewhere, anywhere else.

Capello is upset because his players, none more so than star striker and Shrek look-alike Wayne Rooney seem to have forgotten how to play football. Here's a picture of Rooney telling the TV cameras what he thinks of the England supporters after they booed them off the pitch. He has since apologized.

While the team may not be very entertaining, the hysterical media reaction to their lack-lustre performance surely is. They seem to take no comfort from the fact that the French team is playing and behaving even worse than their own.

Daddy, get the pressure washer on this one.

The official USA Father's Day is 06/20/2010 for the year, 2008 year...2010 year. But, I'm in to Father's Day today, so Happy future Father's Day to you men.

Me? I was too young to remember the actual presence of Dad. I think he was whisked away in a sailing vessel right after my conception...may be. Daddy did give me my name, which has caused many a worrisome note from people, who are certain I'm Jewish. Also, some think I'm Native American from my thick hair. And...some call me comrade or commie, because I naively speak to communists.

Therefore I shall tatter on with wisdom passed on to me from the Irish, my mommy's side.

~here is where I pull from memories~

Momma gave me the famous Irish headshake and the secret society of the Irish rulebook at age 11, while I was incarcerated for being homeless and allowed two visits from her.

~here's some chips. want a bite of my day old sweet roll?~

About being Irish, always smoke properly like a lady, and when your done, place the spent remainder securely in arms reach . She was really cute about that.

One famous Irish told me, that Irish songs and poems belong in bars. So I learned to read sheet music early on.

My Irish high school sweetheart taught me that going to formal dances includes plenty of fasteners connecting your gown to your undergarments. He was a good man. We broke-up on prom night.

Any darker secrets you'll have to get from Rory, the blog administrator.

Give us here at Blog 'O Blogs the story of your father or mother, if you'd like. We'd love to read about it and get to know you better. I know I would.

Happy Father's Day month.
~moonlitetwine~

2nd Sunday in June

Happy Father's Day Men.

~at least, I think it's Father's Day in the US.~

Peace

Part 1 Tribute to MYST ~ Van Morrison ~ Into the Mystic ~ Enjoy your fli...

A SONG FOR YOU - Leon Russell & Friends (1971)

Terrorism In International Waters

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed regret after at least nine people died when troops stormed ships trying to break the Gaza blockade.

But he said soldiers had been defending themselves after they were "clubbed, beaten andstabbed".

Pro-Palestinian campaigners say the soldiers opened fire unprovoked when they landed on the aid-carrying ships.

The six-ship convoy had set out to carry 10,000 tonnes of aid from Cyprus to Gaza, despite repeated Israeli warnings that it would not be allowed to reach the territory.

In a statement, Mr Netanyahu defended the Israeli operation, saying troops were attacked when they landed on the largest of the six ships in the flotilla.

"They were mobbed. They were clubbed, they were beaten, stabbed," he said.

Organisers of the convoy have strongly denied the Israeli account.

Arafat Shoukri, of the Free Gaza Movement (FGM) which helped organise the convoy, said those on board one ship had told them by telephone that Israeli helicopters had arrived.

"Then we started to hear screams, shouting, shooting everywhere," he said. "We heard some of them shouting 'We are raising the white flag, stop shooting at us'."

He said Israeli claims that activists had pistols and other weapons were "cheap propaganda".

Audrey Bomse, also of the FGM, told the BBC that the activists were "not going to pose any violent resistance".

Israel says it allows about 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week.

But the UN says this is less than a quarter of what is needed.

Source: BBC News

Thinking for a while, I can say nothing but "This Is Terrorism!"

If we followed the story claimed by Israel we'll find out that the following is what happened;

-The 6 ships of "Freedom Convoy" headed to Gaza stripe to deliver 10,000 tonnes of aids to the people of Gaza.

- Before entering the territorial waters of Gaza stripe or these of Israel the Israeli marine and air forces stormed the ships of the convoy.

- As the Israeli commandos landed on the ships of the convoy from helicopters they were "beaten and stabbed."

- Israeli commandos "repelled" the attack by shooting randomly which caused approximately15 persons to die and wounding at least 30 of the members of the "Freedom Convoy", and wounding 10 Israeli commandos.

- Israeli marine forces escorted the 6 ships of the convoy into the port of Ashdod.

This is the story told by Israelis. If we analyzed this story, assuming that it's true, we'll find out the following;

a) The "Freedom Convoy" was delivering aids for Palestinians in Gaza, not weapons.

b) Israeli forces landed on the ships in international waters. This point is so essential. So, I'll focus on this point legally..

According to the 87th and 90th articles of the "United Nations Convention On The Law of The Sea" we can read the following:

"The high seas are open to all States, whether coastal or land-locked. .."

"Every State, whether coastal or land-locked, has the right to sail ships flying its flag on the high seas."

If we read the 89th article we'll find out a very important part..

"NO STATE MAY VALIDLY PURPORT TO SUBJECT ANY PART OF THE HIGH SEAS TO ITS SOVEREIGNTY."

According to these articles of the international convention we can easily realize that Israel has no right to question, investigate, search or stop these ships, as they were sailing in high seas. But what happened is exactly the contrary according to the narration of Israelis..

At the moment when Israeli troops landed on the ships they were out of the Israeli sovereignty. It was an illegal act, and is considered to be an apparent violation of the 89^th article of the interntaional convention. This is called in international law rules as "Piracy". When the Israeli troops attacked the ships of the convoy they were exactly like any pirate who attack a ship in the sea. Israeli soldiers started the hostility just by their landing using their helicopters on the ships when they were in high seas.

What I imply is so clear..

If we assumed that the Israeli story is true, "Israeli combat airdrop over the ships WHEN THEY WERE IN INTERNATIONAL WATER , beating and stabbing by members of the convo, then shooting and killing over 10 members by Israeli soldiers", we will understand that what Israel did was a war crime and actual terrorism, and what was done by the honorable men and women on the ships of "Freedom Convoy" was the actual self-defense.

Now, all free men and women in this world must question all claims of Israeli intentions to make peace. Is that true that Israel really need peace? They are disrespecting all international law rules. They attack ships in high seas, they rig passports of other states to commit an assassination in another safe sountry, they kill children women and children, they attack hospitals and schools, they build settlements over the occupied Palestinian lands. Should we believe their lies anymore?

Listening to the Vibes...Van Morrison, please come home.

Incredible information! Evidently, Van Morrison's music is being pulled from YouTube. These facists are surely warring. Who?

I'm trying to speak softly, but I'm angry. When trying to find some Van Morrison stuff sung by the artist himself, I opened a website. It explained that Warner Brothers has pressured YouTube into removing Morrison's material. Other recording artists are being removed, too, such as The Rolling Stones.

I found Van Morrison's, "Moondance", original on an FM Radio site. I cannot bring it over here, but here is the http:

http://djallyn.org/archives/3466

It must be Wabbit Season!!

Opps, Texas Did It Again, singalong

American Civil Liberties Union:
Stop extremist takeover of textbooks

I agree with anyone saying that textbooks are a tool and not an all encompassing manual for a classroom teacher. But, when textbooks in the USA are riddled like an old coffee can after target practice at your Uncle Nelson's farm, it's time to reload and reposition.

I also agree, that ACLU was pretty lame during the Bush Administration and to an extent, still is. However, very capable men and women are successfully pressing the ACLU to oppose, "new ideologically-tainted standards for Texas' public school textbooks." ACLU.org

Let us be effective in this principled cause, this honorable, ageless cause for the right of children to learn the entire story of history.

As that old 1960's song by Brotherhood of Man says, "For united we stand, divided we fall. And if our backs are ever up against the wall, we'll be together you and I".

Workers Republic - Wexford IRSP Newsletter #2

(click to enlarge)

Where to Now?

Opinions wanted on what to do with this blog, I am pretty open-minded as long as it remains progressive and left wing.

any ideas?

Free Aafia Siddiqui - PROTEST 27.3.10

The Irish Republican Socialist Party have arranged a protest in solidarity with Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, to be held at the United States embassy in Dublin on the 27th March at 2.30pm. We would encourage all Republican, socialist and anti-war activists to attend this protest and show their opposition to the American imperialist intervention in the Middle-East and to demand a stop to the internment and torture of innocent people like Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is a citizen of the United States and of Pakistani origin. She is a scientist educated at MIT and Brandeis University.

Dr. Siddiqui was abducted in Pakistan in March 2003 for no known reason and was sent to Afghanistan where she was held secretly for 5 years in Bagram prison. Bagram prison, often described as the ‘forgotten Guantánamo’, is notorious for the brutal treatment and torture of those held there. Her detainment in Bagram is something the US. government denies but her presence there has been verified by former prisoners held at Bagram.

At the time of Dr. Siddiqui’s abduction she was with her 3 young children. She has no idea what has become of her two youngest children, one being just a few months old at the time, while her 7 year old son was interned with her and subjected so similar abuse and torture.

On February 3rd 2010, Dr. Siddiqui was found guilty by a court in New York of attempted murder while she being detained. She was accused of taking an assault rifle off of a US. army officer in an interview room and firing the weapon at members of the US. military and FBI personnel who were all present. Yet Dr. Siddiqui’s finger prints were not found on the weapon in question, no bullets were found, no shell casings, no bullet holes and none of the people present in this meeting room were injured...that is except Aadia Siddiqui who was shot in the stomach and almost died from her injuries.

The conviction of Dr. Siddiqui in her show trial was nothing but an attempt to cover up the abused and horrors that she has suffered. She was never charged with any offence while detained. It is also important to realise that this is all too common place in the Middle-East and Dr. Siddiqui’s story is just one of many similar instances.

We demand her immediate release and for her to be re-united with her children who are still missing. We demand an end to America’s imperialist intervention in the Middle-East which has brought a wave of death, destruction, pain and torture to the people of that region.

http://www.cageprisoners.com/prisoners.php?id=1367

http://www.draafia.org/


End Capitalism! End Imperialism!

Irish Republican Socialist Party

------------------------

ADDENDUM 28/3/2010:

CLICK HERE FOR A REPORT ON THE PROTEST AND PHOTOS FROM THE REPUBLICAN SOCIALIST FORUM

One Milk. One Drink.

Remarkable Discovery
Bottled Milk

This little baby cow will soon grow up.
It will be amazing.
Why?

It will be grazing on Iowa grasses,
growing and becoming a major contributor to
natures own way.
www.iptv.org/mtom/
archivedf...m?Fid=374

New Flag

Click on image to enlarge

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. I made a new flag to hang over Free Wexford. I think it is astonishingly beautiful.

Giving Happiness

Two old men, one room, in a hospital. Both of them are seriously ill. The first of them cannot leave his bed or even move, the second was allowed to set on a chair one hour everyday in front of the only window in the room. A friendship arises between them. The second man was describing for his friend everyday the wonderful things he sees through the window .. Kids playing merrily, ducks swimming in the beautiful lake, families in small boats, green trees and blue sky. The man was happy for hearing about these beautiful things that he cannot see.

Weeks passed, and the man who was describing the beautiful scenes died. The other man was sad for that.

Other days passed, and the man asks the nurse to be transfered to the other bed to be close to the window. And it was. He made his best to look from the window. He wanted to see the beautiful scenes and remember the good days he passed with his room mate. Little by little he lifts his body on the bed, he turns his head to the right to look from the window, and ... he was shocked. A high cement wall was standing in front of the window and blocking the sight. The man was amazed. He couldn't understand why his room mate was describing things that do not really exist.

He told the nurse about everything, and the amazement of the nurse was grater. She said: "He was blind!".

---------------------

It's a story I heard in the Friday preach, and I liked it so much.

Do the charity even if you will not take anything for it.

Give happiness to others even if you cannot have it for yourself.

Irish Republican Socialism - My Two Cents

The following in a comment I recently made on the blog The Pensive Quill on the post Dis/topia [sic]ness. It pretty much sums up where my head is at politically. In other words, in flux.

Antony,

This blog is very interesting lately. I am currently ploughing my way through 'The Lost Revolution' by Hanley and Millar. Very educational. I am currently at the stage of the Provo/Official split and it has given me an insight that I think is relevant to the comments on this thread.

Sinn Fein/IRA in the 1960s was the true inheritor of the republican tradition of Wolfe Tone, the Fenians and the IRB, and like them in the 1960s were seen by the majority of Irish Nationalists north and south as being somewhat eccentric, not necessarily bad, or even wrong, but dreamers who would be better off turning their attention to bread and butter issues. Except for rare moments of crisis, this is the way republicans always have been seen (and are seen now).

Anyway in the 1960s, the IRA either out of genuine idealism, or political opportunism starts to move to the left, which causes a lot of internal strife, just as this is coming to a boil the whole civil rights thing explodes. IRA membership mushrooms and the split occurs. Here's my point, the Provos were not only not Republican Socialists, the majority of them were not even Republicans. I've put the word majority in bold for good reason, yes a significant minority were republicans, who either did not buy into the socialism or who ended up on the Provo side because of personal or neighborhood loyalty. But the majority ended up in the provos because they wanted civil rights and to defend their homes and loved ones, not because they were committed republican revolutionaries. Now that they've got their civil rights, they are happy to return to being bourgeois nationalists.

I think Larry's FF in the South SF in the North is totally understandable. Both parties pose at being republican (waving tricolours, attending republican commemorations) while at the same time are quite willing to persecute and imprison (and in the case of FF, execute) former republican comrades. In a way SF are worse because they pretend to be socialists something FF tend to avoid doing (although there was Bertie Aherne's bizarre claim to being a socialist some years back).

As for the Officials/Worker's party, well they are a ghost party, bled white by splits and the fall of the Berlin Wall. I have read their newspaper and seen some blogs, I've even talked to ghostly voices down a telephone, but I've never seen or touched a WP member since the Democratic Left split.

Personally, and I expect to be shot down over this, at this stage of my journey though the weird and wonderful world of the Irish Left, I think the remnants of the old Republican Spirit, if they remain anywhere, are in the INLA/IRSP. That said the recent decommissioning is hard to fathom. But if they exist anywhere I hope they have learned that for a revolution to succeed you need the support of the mass of the people, plus a fair measure of the security forces of the state. Perhaps at some times in the 1970s and 1980s such a situation almost existed in Ireland. Maybe the troubles really were a lost opportunity, but I don't believe the majority of the provos were ever really revolutionary and now they are certainly no different from FF, FG and Labour in the south.

Rory

The Canticle of the Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
all praise is yours, all glory, all honor,
and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
All praise be yours, my Lord,
through all you have made,
and first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day;
and through whom you give us light.
How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor;
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
All Praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and the stars; in the heavens you have made them,
bright, and precious, and fair.
All praise be yours, my Lord,
through Brothers wind and air, and fair and stormy,
all the weather's moods,
by which you cherish all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he, how cheerful!
Boisterous and strong.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through our Sister
Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers
and herbs.
All praise be yours, my Lord,
through those who grant pardon for love of you;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy are those who endure in peace,
By You, Most High, they will be crowned.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,
From whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your will!
The second death can do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks
And serve him with great humility.

- Saint Francis of Assisi

Another Crazy Idea , Two

Basketball Rules in Palestine

Republican Communist Network

18 May 2009

Originally published in Emancipation & Liberation Issue 10, Summer 2005.

1.Israelis have the right to play on both sides of the court, whereas Palestinians can only play on their own side.

2. For security reasons, Palestinians do not have the right to pass the ball between players, the ball could hit an Israeli player.

3. There will be no basket on the Israeli side.

4. Israel is allowed to shoot at any time, even during time-outs.

5. Palestinians are not allowed to have supporters. Only Israelis should be supported.

6. Israel selects the press and what the press reports.

7. Israel encourages Palestinians to shoot into the Palestinian basket. Players who refuse will be nominated as terrorists and will not be allowed to play.

8. Palestinian players are allowed to leave the field but can not return. One exception: A Palestinian can be replaced by an Israeli.

9. Israel selects and instructs the referees, and tells them to look away.

10. Israel selects the captain of the Palestinian team.

11. Israeli faults and Palestinian good plays will not be shown on TV.

12. Israel takes the money sponsors pay to Palestinians.

13.Only Israeli players get refreshments.

14. Palestinians are required to play, when and where designated by Israel.

15. Rules only apply to Palestinians. Israelis may change the rules during the game and are not required to advice the Palestinians of the changes.

Written by Dror Feiler, an ex-Israeli para from kibbutz Yad Hanna, now living in Sweden. He is a member of European Jews for a Just Peace. Published in New Interventions, Volume 12, no.1, Spring 2005.

http://republicancommunist.org/blog/2009/01/11/basketball-rules-in-palestine/

Another Crazy Idea

I am so tired of the wringing of hands and the doing of nothing about the continual strife on the subject of the Muslim religion, whether it is a worthy and justifiable way to believe. It's more tiresome the see and read about people being killed, maimed or wounded over territory and calling it religious vestage. It is the undercurrent surrounding the religious battle in the Mid East.

In fact, the hand wringing and toe stomping by the all goodly people has done nothing at all. To this day, one region, that of the Palestine Territory is putting to shame the entire Northwestern Quadrant of the Earth, excluding most of the oceans therein.

There are a few simple solutions that can be taken right away, those that will help Palestinians live more vibrantly.

1. Don't even worry about a truce at this time.
2. Accept that the Israeli Government will continue its pace at destroying any hope Palestine and the world has for an independent nation.
3. Be prepared to do whatever is possible to see to it that Palestine prospers and at a rate that is sound: morally, emotionally, spiritually and financially.

With these three precepts at hand, there are so many opportunities for Palestine to become successful.

I like to keep this simple. I have some fabulous notions. Many are unconventional. So is true of life, it seems.

Please comment if you feel so inclined, guests and blog co-authors or contributors.

US HIV/AIDS Ban Lifted

BBC E-mail: US lifts HIV/Aids immigration

** US lifts HIV/Aids immigration ban **The US lifts a 22-year immigration ban that stopped anyone with HIV/Aids from entering the country.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/americas/8438865.stm >

What a significant event from the Barak Obama Administration!I know there will be lots of homecoming celebrations during the next few weeks. This is such good news.

Irish Atheists Challenge Blasphemy Law

From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)!


An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website.

Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court.

The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI.

The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to €25,000 (£22,000; $35,000).

The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs.

The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January.

Atheist Ireland responded by publishing 25 quotes it considers anti-religious on its website.

The group said its aim is to have the law repealed and to attain a secular Irish constitution.

Chairman Michael Nugent said it would challenge the blasphemy law through the courts if it were charged, the London-based Guardian newspaper reported.

"This new law is both silly and dangerous," he said. "It is silly because medieval religious laws have no place in a modern secular republic, where the criminal law should protect people and not ideas."

Atheist Ireland says it will hold a series of public meetings around the country to launch its campaign.

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Considering my recent release from of the song "Gold Plated Jesus" I'm with the Athiests on this one!

Atheist Ireland website click here!