Lansbury's Lido

Russell Brand (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) For a long time now I've had zero interest in politics. I suppose I had the stuffing knocked out of me by the incessant stream of left of centre associates that seem to be striving to get their credentials for joining the Soviet Union's League of Militant Atheists . Sadly some people when hearing about 'faith' or 'God' or the like compartmentalise it all into some 'God box' that demands the most strident ripost. They seem to lose the ability to reason and discern whenever God gets mentioned and treat everything linked to faith as a monolithic entity, which it isn't. And in turn they appear to me to become more infantile and stereotypical in their behaviour and manners. One or two excepted of course. But that's why I've had no interest in politics for a long time now. In the same vein the whole concept of celebrity bores me to tears. Take a 'celebrity' and it all comes down to behaviour...

Ain't it so.

The headlines at the BBC News website shout "London Marathon runner Mami Konneh Lahun misses flight" As a tribute to Mami Konneh, the runner from Sierra Leone I'd like to dedicate this fine tune. Related articles Police Still Searching for Missing London Marathon Runner Mami Konneh Lahun London Marathon runner Mami Konneh Lahun goes missing before flight home Police seek runner not seen since London Marathon Police claim London Marathon runner is still missing

As the Western powers seem determined to allow the flourishing of fascism in the Ukraine it's worth remembering the famous poem by  Yevgeni Yevtushenko . The poem Babi Yar speaks of the anti-semitism that led to the massacres of Jews, Gypsies and Soviets at Babi Yar in the Ukraine during the Second World War. BABI YAR By Yevgeni Yevtushenko Translated by Benjamin Okopnik, 10/96 No monument stands over Babi Yar. A steep cliff only, like the rudest headstone. I am afraid. Today, I am as old As the entire Jewish race itself. I see myself an ancient Israelite. I wander o'er the roads of ancient Egypt And here, upon the cross, I perish, tortured And even now, I bear the marks of nails. It seems to me that Dreyfus is myself. *1* The Philistines betrayed me - and now judge. I'm in a cage. Surrounded and trapped, I'm persecuted, spat on, slandered, and The dainty dollies in their Brussels frills Squeal, as they stab ...

Seems Nick Clegg is touting his party round looking for another host to latch onto. I wonder what the Labour leader's response will be? Ed MacDonald, or was it Ramsay Miliband? Related articles Nick Clegg: 'Labour have changed' Ed Miliband: No coalition with Nick Clegg Lib Dems axe pledges for coalition deal - The Times (subscription)

Utah Phillips (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I was watching BBC Question Time the other night and the great and the good were waffling on about removing the right of tube workers to withdraw their labour. Most of the Parliamentary politicos seemed to think restricting the right to strike for public transport workers might be a good thing. I expect our government of millionaires will be contemplating the same thing. After all they managed it with GCHQ. It reminded me of a quote from Utah Phillips which I couldn't quite remember so I posted this on twitter: The right to strike is not a right conferred upon the masses by the elite and is not theirs to withdraw Summed it up for me. Anyhow, here's the most excellent quote from Utah: The state can't give you freedom, and the state can't take it away. You're born with it, like your eyes, like your ears. Freedom is something you assume, then you wait for someone to try to take it away. The degree to which you resis...

Seems that someone else is getting involved in the saga around politicising OFSTED. Seems that David Laws is accusing Gove of acting politically over the appointments and de-appointments. Hold on, David Laws? Yes, that David Laws. Just to remind ourselves. Oh the integrity of them all!