Here is the News

I remember as a child, our house always had newspapers. There were the daily newspapers and there were the weekend newspapers. Each was purchased seemingly by habit. The People was the weekend read, while the Daily Herald was the staple diet in the week. A truly socialist newspaper and it was the only newspaper that was acceptable in our household. The news was broad in coverage and all encompassing. There was also the Mirror but while it would be purchased from time to time. It was never read or held in the same sort of reverence as was the Daily Herald.

I remember asking my dad, why we always chose the Daily Herald and not one of the other papers to be seen on the counter in the newsagents. He said something that was lost on me at the time but seems so profound now. He said something to the effect 'Its written in simple language, its honest and the truth is all important'. Contrast and compare that with the newspapers of today and its very evident, that truth and honesty are lacking.

With the eventual demise of the Daily Herald, came the now grudgingly acceptable alternative newspaper the Daily Mirror. The remnants of the Daily Herald was sold and then later relaunched under the name the Sun. I don't think that there is any need to say any more about the Sun. Other than its has become the most despised publication. One that has brought about the derogatory term of 'tabloid journalism' to describe the worst aspects of today's press. What has happened is that the 'news content has been subverted' and celebrity gossip columnists now provide a whole spew of meaningless drivel. Which has been drip fed to the masses until it has become, like a drug, an all important need, to be fed day by day. 

Now the newspapers are in the hands of billionaires. They are used to control the readerships opinion. No longer is the news reported verbatim and truthfully. Now it is biased,  given a political spin. No longer fair and objective reporting that is based upon facts. Gone are the days of any semblance of editorial independence. Now its even prepared to break the law by paying bribes to people in public office and the phone hacking scandal, that has brought misery to thousands of lives.  

I have not purchased a printed newspaper for years and I can't see my position changing any time soon.  But for a long time I have pondered how this situation could be put right. The costs of printing and distribution mean that there is little chance of a new national newspaper coming about. But as technology moves on, things are changing. Now through social media everyone is a potential editor, everyone is a potential publisher. On Facebook, links to websites are the norm. 

What I would like to see is a news aggregation website. But one where the content would provide a honest and truthful reflection of the current news.  Where the readership also provide the links to the content. Lets say that one of the tabloids publishes an article such as the recent David Cameron conference speech. That is full of spin and lies.  The readership would be encouraged to provide a link that would point to a more truthful and honest appraisal.

But to gain a significant on-line readership would require much more than just a focus on UK political comment.  Typically the arrogate news site would publish links to articles on national and international news. Including political events, business, finance, crime, disasters, health, medicine, science, technology and not forgetting sport. Plus a 'colour supplement' section on food and cooking as well as the arts. Typically the on-line content would be divided into sections for each of those groupings. It would require a background editorial team to draw together and evaluate the external content.

There are parallels to be drawn with Jeremy Corbyns desire to return to a truthful, honest political system. It would be good to provide an antidote the tabloid press and encourage them to do the same. While on here we publish our thoughts and aspirations, we need to go much further and spread the message in a more inclusive way.

So imagine how I felt when I read this.....

Welcome to Momentum!

Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader has transformed into Momentum - a network of people and organisations that will continue the energy and enthusiasm of Jeremy's campaign.

What does Momentum want to do?

Organise in every town, city and village to create a mass movement for real progressive change.

Make Labour a more democratic party, with the policies and collective will to implement them in government.

Bring together individuals and groups in our communities and workplaces to campaign and organise on the issues that matter to us.

How will Momentum do this?

Organise events, rallies, meet ups and policy consultations to encourage mass mobilisation for a more democratic, equal and decent society.

Encourage those inspired by Jeremy Corbyn's campaign to get involved with the Labour Party. Assist members in making their voice heard in Labour Party debates.

Facilitate and coordinate people to build new and support existing organisations that can make concrete improvements to people's lives. Through these actions, we aim to demonstrate on a micro level how collective action and Labour values can transform our society for the better.

Who runs it?

Formed as a successor to the Corbyn campaign, Momentum is in the process of setting up governance arrangements to represent its supporters amongst the Labour Party membership as well as the wider social movement which is springing up. As it grows, Momentum will develop democratic governance structures at every level of the network.

What is the relationship to Labour and Jeremy Corbyn?

Momentum is the successor entity to the Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader campaign but it is independent of the Labour Party's leadership. It will work with everyone who supports Jeremy's aim of creating a more fair, equal and democratic society.

So what do you think.

http://www.peoplesmomentum.com/

A walk along the River Derwent

We had a walk alongside the (Derbyshire) River Derwent towards the Cromford Canal. And the autumnal display was breath taking.

 Mags and Poppy walking along into the sunset. The last of the summer green, the deep rusty browns, the yellow and gold all combine to give a wonderful day out.

The footpath sweeps through the light and shade with a golden canopy that is combined with a path paved in gold.

 

We sauntered along in the dappled shade with the leaves all back lit and glowing.

 

As the sun gets lower, the shadows get longer.

 

The autumnal colours of the trees contrast well with the sandstone of the buildings. 

The driveways into some of the properties were illuminated by the reflections of every shade of yellow, red and gold. 

 

The mist starts to flow over the distant hills and to tumble down into the valley below.

New cruising opportunity?

Now its time for something completely different... 

Its been almost a month since my last posting. Been a bit busy looking for a something different. We still have our boat 'Rosie' which we use for cruising round the UK from Spring through to the Autumn. However, last year we went cruising in the car to Spain for the winter. This year we will be cruising down south in Europe once again. UK, Holland, France, Spain, Portugal, Spain, France, Holland and back to the UK again. However, this time we will be winter cruising in our Mobile Home!

So we have been looking for a name for the Mobile Home. 'Bessie' seems to be the obvious choice as it is a Bessacarr.

Thomas the Tiny Terrorist

While we were moored up at Oozells Street in Birmingham. I heard a shrill and angry voice wafting across the waterway. 'Thomas, will you come away from the edge, you will fall in the water' implored the voice. Looking out of the window, I can see Thomas is aged about 6 years with his mother trailing some yards behind. The pair were walking along the off side towpath heading into the centre. Thomas is slowly veering towards the edge and then veering away. Each time Thomas goes towards the edge, the voice is calling out to him.  

Suddenly Thomas turns around and starts walking backwards. With a defiant look upon his face, he starts veering to and from the edge. The voice continues to implore him to behave and to look where he is going. Thomas is one of those challenging little bastards, the one that a good old fashioned smack would go some way towards helping him to 'adjust' his somewhat wayward nature.

Suddenly, while still walking backwards, Thomas veered and missed his footing and he went into the canal arse first. His long suffering mother was there in an instant and had him by the scruff of the neck. She hoisted him out in one swoop. His legs did not touch the towpath before a couple of good smacks were suitably planted on them. Thomas was now making all the noise.

However, this time they were retracing their steps back along the towpath. Mother was not best pleased and just as Thomas was about to throw a tantrum as he folded his arms and screwed up his face. There came a well placed kick to the tiny terrorists arse, It was without a doubt one of the best I have ever seen. It was a thing of beauty. it was administered with all the finesse of  a master in arse kicking.  It also helped Thomas to resume his walk along the towpath.

I wanted to cheer and jeer at the little shit, but I did not want to spoil the mothers moment, f reward which I understand is known as karma.

Its been a year.

It's almost a year since we lost our old dog. If you are not a dog person you will not understand. If you are a dog person you will know of the joys of having a loyal friend who is just happy to be with you.  Not a day goes by without some comment or reference to Abbey being made, she had that sort of impression upon us.

Abbey who was deaf and at best only partially sighted had an undiminished sense of smell, she could detect a chocolate being unwrapped at fifty paces. The skills in her nose was allied with an indomitable spirit. She had been ill a month previously and we moored our boat as close to the vet as we possibly could. 

However, with the same dogged and indomitable spirit, she recovered well, but being an old dog, illness had taken its toll. She continued to enjoy more good walks where we would leave her to follow her nose and like dutiful staff we would just follow on behind her. If she got tired I would gently carry her back home across my shoulders.  Which she quite enjoyed, she also enjoyed the odd trip out sitting inside the two wheeled shopping trolley!

However, a short while later she suddenly appeared to be unwell again and gave the impression of being quite frail. So another trip to the Vets who once again provided sterling service. In a consultation and various test that took about half an hour to conduct. It was thought that she had suffered a stroke. Medication and advice was given to us and for a couple of days she seemed to gradually improve again and appeared as stalwart as ever. She would only pee and poo outside, even when we had to help her to her to get to her feet.

I want to put on record the wonderful service and treatment provided by Glenthorne vets located in Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter.

As was her habit she waited a month until another Sunday morning arrived. This time she had gone down hill once again. We were soon on our way to Glenthorne but this time in Uttoxeter. It was a heartbreaking moment for us, but it was the last kindness that we could do for our old companion. Abbey was put to sleep and we held her for our final moments together. We asked for her remains to be cremated and her ashes to be put in a casket so that she can continue her travels with us on the boat. Which she does from a position next to the boat stove, which was her favourite spot whether the fire was lit or not.

On our way back to the boat with our hearts full of sadness we saw the most amazing deep crimson sunset. There is an old story about the rainbow bridge and our pets waiting at the other side for us to arrive. I don't know that I believe in such stories. But I do know that Abbey left in a blaze of glory and left an Abbey sized hole in our hearts.

You can read a bit more about her Here.