Thu 12th Sep 2024 09:58
I've expressed myself badly John...no offence intended.
I should have primarily referred to those who are currently hate-mongering, and promoting such ideologies; it's happening right under our noses as we speak.
There's clearly a hierarchy of racism in British politics which is allowing those horrors to repeat themselves...we close our eyes to it at our peril.
Comment is about SIEGE OF LENINGRAD 1941-44 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Wonderful poem, Michael. I like the rhythm and the intriguing content. Read it several times.
Comment is about “Resurrection” (blog)
Original item by Michael Morales
What would have been your alternative, Uilleam? To allow Nazism to roll unopposed across Europe?
Comment is about SIEGE OF LENINGRAD 1941-44 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thu 12th Sep 2024 08:51
Thu 12th Sep 2024 08:33
"We WON’T tolerate bullying in the health force" they say.
In the UK, if you're a woman, don't report your boss / es for not doing their job, or you might find youself in gaol on trumped up charges...allegedly.
Comment is about The Bridge (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Thu 12th Sep 2024 08:25
Thanks John.
Those who hypocritically and self-righteously indulge in "manufacturing consent for war" should reflect on the horrors you describe.
Comment is about SIEGE OF LENINGRAD 1941-44 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you, Graham and M.C. Yes, I think 'futile' is the word, Graham. A fascinating story about your granddaughter - let us pray that her generation will have more sense. I believe that they will.
War usually comes about because strongman leaders think they can get away with it, and ordinary people on both sides pay the price. Its important to say that the responsibility for death and destruction lies with those who started the war, not with the country which is forced to fight back and defend itself.
And thanks to Manish, Rick, Nigel, Aisha, Hélène, Steve, Tom, Stephen A and Holden for liking this.
Comment is about My Enemy (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thu 12th Sep 2024 08:01
Hello Lynn, no I don't live there...but I've been there on holiday twice.
I'm as "Engl-ish" as they come, (whatever that means?) but like many folk in certain parts of England, I'm of "Iri-sh" Catholic background...and I'm trying to teach myself Irish...let's just say it's a "work in progress".😊
Comment is about THE FANCY TALKING MAN (blog)
Original item by lynn hahn
Hello Uilleam
Thanks for the reading my poem!
Such a good Irish name! Do you live there?
Comment is about THE FANCY TALKING MAN (blog)
Original item by lynn hahn
Wed 11th Sep 2024 23:00
Bullying...a lot of it about...some very subtle....even when you think you're amongst friends.
Comment is about The Bridge (blog)
Original item by Rasa Kabaila
Wed 11th Sep 2024 22:55
Thanks Hélène,
Dance then wherever you may be...I'll give it a go, but my knees!😊
Comment is about Truly Glorious, Simply Peace (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Wed 11th Sep 2024 22:46
There's no such thing as someone who's perfect, mouse.💐
Comment is about Image (blog)
Original item by mouseinmypocket
Wed 11th Sep 2024 22:42
You got me there Rick, right to the end!
Comment is about A Perfect World (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
Wed 11th Sep 2024 22:40
Thanks Lynn; there's a lot of them around at the moment!
Comment is about THE FANCY TALKING MAN (blog)
Original item by lynn hahn
Rachel Reeves claimed £4,400 in energy bills expenses before cutting Winter Fuel Payments
The Chancellor is under fire over claims of hypocrisy as her own expenses history comes to light.
By Christian Calgie, Senior Political Correspondent
Comment is about Think This Through (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. We are here and it is now.
Comment is about Truly Glorious, Simply Peace (blog)
Original item by Hélène
War has always been a feature of humanity's existence, more's the pity. It can be argued that there are "necessary wars" and
that better things come from them. The tragedy lies in the
ongoing variety of reasons for their start, often clashes of
individual interpretations about "rights" and land-grabbing envy,
not forgetting religious dogma, creating the aggression that
follows the desire to succeed in dominating others. And so it
goes on. As the song asks: When will we ever learn?
Comment is about My Enemy (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Probably one of the worst uncaring political measures of any era.
And just look who voted it through. The largesse spread
elsewhere only exacerbates the dismissive contempt in evidence.
Society that treats its old folk and its animals badly is the home of malevolent minds that have no place in our lives.
Comment is about Think This Through (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
I keep in mind the all-embracing words from the late lamented
Irish comic/raconteur Dave Allen: May your god go with you. 😇
Comment is about The sign of the cross (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you very much, Stephen! I almost thought it went unnoticed.
Comment is about Evergreen (blog)
Original item by Manish
Wed 11th Sep 2024 10:08
Very poignant Stephen. My 10-years old granddaughter came home from school absolutely astounded that in WW1 on Christmas Day the opposing sides played football and swapped cigarettes before resuming hostilities the next day!!!
Your poem reminded me how futile all this bloody mess has become.
Bravo as always my friend
G
Comment is about My Enemy (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks Stephen.
His appearance at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry dripped with arrogance. He made it very clear that he had more important things to do than be there and showed so little regard for the bereaved, survivors and residents that he couldn't even remember how many people had died.
Comment is about Pickles (blog)
Original item by Steve White
I don't know why, but I love the concept of a 'mediocre bench', Manish.
Comment is about Evergreen (blog)
Original item by Manish
I think you've summed him up, Steve. He was MP for my parents' constituency of Brentwood and managed to send a 'personal' letter to my dad two years after he had passed away.
Comment is about Pickles (blog)
Original item by Steve White
Ah, the temptations of nostalgia, John. Best to steer clear now, as you say.
Well penned as usual.
Comment is about A Challenge (blog)
Original item by John Gilbert Ellis
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 that last line speaks volumes
Comment is about I'm not your soldier, I'm your son. (blog)
Original item by Keletso
Tue 10th Sep 2024 19:56
Thank you so much, Manish, I'm truly grateful for your kind comment! 😊
Comment is about Beacon. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Many thanks Arrianna for your lovely comment. 🙂
Comment is about Look At Me (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
Thank you very much Graham and Tim for your kind comments, it means a lot to me.😊
Comment is about Evergreen (blog)
Original item by Manish
I agree with Graham, brilliantly done!
Comment is about Beacon. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Tue 10th Sep 2024 13:33
Thank you so much, Graham, your encouragement means a lot! 😊
Comment is about Beacon. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
Hi John,
Excellent poem.
"Between my finger and my thumb the squat pen rests, 'I'll dig with it'
And so you do.
David RL Moore
Comment is about And Dante (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Very cleverly put together H
Good words!
Comment is about Beacon. (blog)
Original item by Holden Moncrieff
A like for sheer audacity (and bravery)! Well done.
Comment is about Sonnet No 333 (blog)
Original item by Andy Millican
Thank you Holden and Clare!
"Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy."
William Butler Yeats
Comment is about And Dante (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Good to see you still writing. Brilliant, as always.
Comment is about And Dante (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I suppose my view being brought up in the UK the spiders here pose less "threatening" behaviour. Still all creatures deserve a chance at survival which is the very nature of their "threatening" behaviour.
Thank you for reading another one 😊
Comment is about Saving spiders (blog)
Original item by Luke
A smile from some wit -
We all need more of IT
(Keep them coming).
Comment is about Rumours (blog)
Original item by Rick Varden
Spiders are part of the chain of numerous earthly existences
and have their place. They help keep the balance of a healthy natural world. It is only when they become immediately
"threatening" that there is a reason to see removal/disposal.
A glass tumbler and a piece of stiff cardboard are useful aids
to the safe performance of this action.
Comment is about Saving spiders (blog)
Original item by Luke
Thanks, Rick. Look out for the coming "Winter Trees" - also
short (certainly shorter than the season it describes)! 😉
Comment is about AUTUMN TREES (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Thank you so much for the feedback Tom Doolan, Tim Higbee. I really appreciate it. 🙏🏻
Comment is about Je t’adore. (blog)
Original item by Clare
David RL Moore
Thu 12th Sep 2024 10:51
Hi John,
The horror that lies behind the words you have written opens a vast chasm which is painful to peer into.
Your reading is excellent. It is challenging to read such words in a fitting way. Pace, breathing and tone are important factors which lend to integrity. I struggle with reading my scribbles aloud so appreciate when I hear people get it right.
For anyone who might be interested in the repetitive and often hypocritical nature of war and judgements thereof, there is an excellent documentary series on BBC 4 (iplayer) called "The Corridors of Power". Although it focusses heavily on US foreign policy in recent history it highlights international intransigence and our own culpability in the suffering of millions.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0020xmq/episodes/guide
I found it fascinating, especially accounts of conflicts I had been involved in. Seeing our stupidity from a distance is revelatory, although I know many of those involved saw much stupidity at the time. It's a shame that politicians don't have their offices moved to the front lines in such times. It might change their understanding of their actions and decisions.
Excellent short poem John, straight to the point!
David RL Moore
Comment is about SIEGE OF LENINGRAD 1941-44 (blog)
Original item by John Coopey