As you watch the Aurora this evening, it’s worth reflecting that you’re getting a rare direct glimpse of the power of Nature. Those charged particles causing the atmosphere to glow came from a sunspot complex 17 times the diameter of Earth and traveled across 90 million miles at a million miles an hour. Without our magnetic field to protect us, our atmosphere would have been lost to space long ago. Those colours in the sky are Nature reminding us that we’re very lucky to be here amidst the violence. And perhaps therefore also reminding us not to shite it all up :-)
21 years ago today Rachel Corrie was killed by Israel in Gaza.
A letter to Rachel’s mother dated February 27th, 2003:
"Love you. Really miss you. I have bad nightmares about tanks and bulldozers outside our house and you and me inside. Sometimes the adrenaline acts as an aesthetic for weeks and then in the evening or at night it just hits me again - a little bit of the reality of the situation. I am really scared for the people here. Yesterday, I watched a father lead his two tiny children, holding his hands, out into the sight of tanks and a sniper tower and bulldozers and Jeeps because he thought his house was going to be exploded...
I was terrified to think that this man felt it was less of a risk to walk out in view of the tanks with his kids than to stay in his house. I was really scared that they were all going to be shot and I tried to stand between them and the tank. This happens every day, but just this father walking out with his two little kids just looking very sad, just happened to get my attention more at this particular moment...
When I come back from Palestine, I probably will have nightmares and constantly feel guilty for not being here, but I can channel that into more work. Coming here is one of the better things I've ever done. So when I sound crazy, or if the Israeli military should break with their racist tendency not to injure white people, please pin the reason squarely on the fact that I am in the midst of a genocide which I am also indirectly supporting, and for which my government is largely responsible.
I love you and Dad...”
Rest in Power Rachel Corrie
It’s extraordinary. Protesters demanding an immediate ceasefire — echoing the call of 71% of the public — are presented as a threat to democracy, but a Prime Minister who ignores the public and erodes their rights says he’s protecting democracy.
No person or institution is entitled to monopolise the truth. The truth is essential for humanity to fight manipulation and domination by powerful interest groups.
#FreeAssangeNOW
Whilst the House of Commons unfolds into farcical pandemonium, the collective punishment of the Palestinian people continues, Israeli bombs rain down on Gaza and the death toll rises.
No equivocation. No ambiguity. Stop the genocide. Ceasefire now.
"There is only one thing he is guilty of: telling the truth about war and the crimes of government..."
Join us 8:30AM outside the Royal Courts of Justice on 20 and 21 February to demand freedom for Julian Assange.
📽️A #DayX message from @jeremycorbyn.
@martinimarie I spent 25 hrs on a plastic chair in the waiting room of MAU with chest pain and breathing problems. I have a history of DVT and a Pro-thrombin gene mutation. It was a Pulmonary Embolism. Also sitting with me overnight was a 92 year old woman. The staff were great. #nhs 💙😢
Thank you everyone who has shared, commented and complained about the conduct of the Cllrs at the @Warwickshire_CC scrutiny meeting. I've been made aware that Cllr Golby has claimed that the sharing of her comments and the offensive and hurt this has caused is "harassment". She blocked me after I shared my thread so I haven't seen her statement. I have seen no harassment, only shock and hurt. Elected Officials should be held to a high standard. When they fail in their duties, break their code of conduct and cause harm to the people they represent, they should be held to account. This would be the case in any position but it is especially important in politics. It may have been a shock to Cllr Golby to be held to account over her actions. A knee jerk defensive response has followed. She should now reflect on her actions and whether she is the right person to represent her constituents. I hope an apology will follow.
MP on £118k can't afford mortgage.
Carers allowance( if you can claim it)is just over 4 thousand pounds a year, a year ! And unlike MPs, there are no subsidised meals, just food banks.