tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55553512011-12-19T11:40:24.352Zrandom blogs of a vaguely political natureJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-81807579970329901282009-09-16T18:16:00.002Z2011-08-18T00:43:31.210Z

Here is an interesting blog posting about James T Bone, author of The London Perambulator - the book I stole the title from for my film

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-50892047351227696682009-09-16T17:56:00.002Z2011-08-18T00:40:48.638Z

Green Living - Out and About - Will modern-day flaneurs help rebuild fragmented communities? - The Ecologist

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-67183695312868391322009-01-09T18:11:00.000Z2009-01-09T18:11:38.815Z

This article came in on the National Psychogeographic newsfeed - looks at a new development in Spa Fields Islington and how the structure relates to the psychogepgraphy of London. Spa Fields is somewhere I keep being drawn back to - the collision of radical history, mythology connected to springs and wells, pleasure gardens and transgression and how this seems indellably imprinted on the

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1707975133806590222009-01-04T13:49:00.000Z2009-01-04T13:51:01.105Z

Community chest - New SatesmanLiana WoodPublished 11 December 2008Observations on local organisersMore than 1,300 people crowded into York Hall in November for the 12th Annual Assembly of the East London Communities Organisation (Telco). Among the groups represented at the venue, an old Victorian baths in Bethnal Green in the East End of London, now transformed into a modern leisure centre, were

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-26003891140523708082008-09-22T13:56:00.002Z2008-09-22T13:59:38.313Z

Buyer Found for Newcastle UnitedAn end is in sight for the Geordie Nation's woe. A Nigerian businessman says he is leading a bid to buy Newcastle United. "The consortium has raised £350m," said the chief executive of NVA Management Chris Nathaniel in an email requesting bank details into which to transfer the necessary funds.Sounds like an offer too good to refuse and he is even offering a 1%

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-91792116901298875102008-09-05T21:45:00.001Z2008-09-08T12:19:09.372Z

Squatting guide | libcom.org

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-4149880709386462312008-09-05T21:44:00.001Z2008-09-08T12:19:32.028Z

Shelter England - Squatting

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-14008867913114456982008-09-05T21:43:00.000Z2008-09-05T21:43:03.442Z

Advisory Service for Squatters - SQUATTING IS STILL LEGAL

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-17866048322470875572008-09-05T21:41:00.000Z2008-09-05T21:41:35.676Z

Advisory Service for Squatters - Home

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-4979483082864384162008-09-01T00:13:00.001Z2008-09-08T12:16:58.125Z

Liberal Conspiracy | creating a new liberal-left alliance

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-86251686994215585742007-07-31T10:42:00.000Z2007-07-31T10:43:26.886Z

Russell Brand Neo-Situationist RevolutionaryI've long been of the opinion that had Lenny Bruce found his way to Paris and mated with a drunken Guy Debord then the resulting child reared in front of a flickering screen irraditing the infant's brain with images of 'Ripping Yarns' and 'Pete and Dud' followed by 'Black Adder' and 'Filthy, Rich and Catflap' for dessert with Radio 4 on in the

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-28359156144863622912007-06-28T12:14:00.001Z2007-06-28T12:19:08.071Z

The New Wave of the Free SpiritA new wave of protest movement is emerging in Europe that does much to harken back to the "revolutionary millenarians and mystical anarchists of the middle ages" (Norman Cohn).The Hamburg and Dresden for Free collectives engage in bold, often humorous actions underpinned by a belief that goods should be held in common. They raid expensive supermarkets dressed as

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-33596764893000328792007-06-27T16:09:00.000Z2007-06-27T16:11:12.782Z

Marsh Lane Land Grab - appeal for helpI received this by email from the New Lammas Land Defence Committee."As we expect you already know, on 12th June the LB Waltham Forest’s Planning Committee granted approval for part of our former Lammas Lands at Marsh Lane Fields on Leyton Marshes to be fenced off from public use in order to relocate some of the Manor Gardening Society allotment-holders from

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-40123422815771833092007-06-10T10:43:00.000Z2007-06-11T14:32:02.073Z

Taking LibertiesYou must go and see the film 'Taking Liberties', essential viewing. It's far from flawless, in fact technically it's all a bit sloppy. But the film is driven by a strong and compelling polemic that the Blair government are slowly eroding our basic civil liberties. Whether you believe that we are already living in a police state or not the argument put forward in this film will

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-5601545410108520662007-04-09T21:13:00.000Z2011-12-19T11:40:24.359Z

A parasitic blog on Oliver Kamm’s "A parody of democracy" A good day for political bloggers. In Oliver Kamm’s Guardian column instead of justifying slaughter in Iraq and the genocidal policies of the IMF he turned his myopic sight on the desperately important question of the quality of political blogs. Brilliantly crap stuff it is too. I shall critique it and in the process prove both us right

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-81589173592899416322007-04-05T18:28:00.000Z2007-04-06T17:15:08.172Z

Is it time to rejoin The Labour Party?I received an email from the Labour Leadership campaign of John McDonnell MP today urging non or lapsed Labour Party members to rejoin the Party in order to vote for him in the forthcoming Labour leadership election. Unlike in the past, there is no cooling off period between joining and voting - i.e. they're no longer worried about entryism by Trots. The only

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-26720054673866160772007-03-08T01:20:00.000Z2007-03-08T01:28:52.374Z

Overheard the Choice FM afternoon show the other day in a shoe shop on the Lea Bridge Road (about 2pm). The DJ was complaining about what he perceived as racism in a chewing gum advert where a white woman sings in a mock Jamacian accent. He got quite worked up about the issue (possibily quite rightly) and urged his listeners to complain to Ofcom "remember what happened with Shilpa", he

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-46701096908927666682007-03-08T01:16:00.000Z2007-03-08T01:19:29.518Z

Confessions of a climate criminal - #1Ordered takeaway from local Thai restaurant. This was delivered to my door in a thick plastic carrier bag and consisted of 6 plastic containers with lids (which I have rinsed out and intend to re-use somehow to assuage my guilt – not sure whether this is more ethical than recycling though), two small polystyrene tubs (one containing sweet chilli sauce, the

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-69121949491988578732007-02-13T01:17:00.000Z2007-02-13T13:29:17.392Z

What’s left of the Left?I turned out to the splendour of the ICA’s Nash Room on a Monday night for the same reason as I assumed other people would go – to see that traitor of the left Nick Cohen publicly crucified on the painted stucco walls. The title was a ruse, the 1968 New Left sub-plot merely to draw this Quisling out into the open to be held to account for his support for the invasion of

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1226423878337436792007-02-08T17:43:00.000Z2007-02-08T17:46:08.885Z

No 10 rejects police state claim Tony Blair has rejected claims that the UK is a "police state for Muslims" as "categorically wrong".Abu Bakr, who was arrested, questioned and then released without charge over an alleged kidnap plot, made the remarks on BBC Two's Newsnight. But the prime minister's official spokesman said anyone arrested in a police state would not have been freed and allowed to

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-47030452187763902832007-02-08T00:02:00.000Z2007-02-08T00:04:34.260Z

Politics in LeytonstoneAt one entrance to Leytonstone tube station the Socialist Workers have a stall with their papers on and a lady is giving out fliers for a meeting organised by Respect starring Gorgeous George Galloway MP (I thought the SWP didn’t believe in bourgeois democracy). Titled "British Politics after Blair", it’s taking place at the al Badr Hall on Lea Bridge Road on Friday

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-36486448844790612052007-02-05T17:43:00.000Z2007-02-05T18:14:54.683Z

The Guardian reports that the American forces in Iraq are concerned that Iraqi insurgents (who would be called 'freedom fighters' in any other scenario) have acquired anti-aircraft missiles. This development is deemed newsworthy enough to make the lead story in the International section of the one of Britain's leading papers. Now considering that the US and Britain have been dropping bunker

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1124123834448202162005-08-15T16:29:00.000Z2005-09-03T12:22:17.903Z

London Bombings ConspiraciesNow that the dust is starting to settle in London following the bombings of July 7th and failed/faked ones of 21st July I’ve been able to contemplate some of the various theories about what actually happened.Firstly let me state I’m no conspiracy theorist, they are an interesting distraction away from the so-called expert analysis that anyone with half a brain can see

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1110887841919815612005-03-15T11:57:00.000Z2005-03-15T11:57:21.920Z

Subvert, Goswell Road, EC1 Originally uploaded by soapbox.

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1106937120093443402005-01-28T18:24:00.000Z2005-01-28T18:32:00.093Z

this is a letter I sent to The Guardian - a futile gesture as the paper is a front for a bourgeois conspiracy to suppress the voices of the oppressed - but it made me feel better anyway. Re: Payback time for those who gained in the housing boom Dear Editor Ms Toynbee has fallen into the trap of narrowing the debate on housing into those who own property, so-called key workers, and people on

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1105212877211474422005-01-08T19:34:00.000Z2005-01-09T12:41:19.796Z

fathers4justicePA020204_450x308[1] Originally uploaded by soapbox. Fathers4Justice, Countryside Alliance, UK Independence Party and the British National Party are probably top of every lefty's hit list (after Blair). The mere mention of their names is enough to have Guardian readers spewing into their muesli. But they represent the true radical fringe in British politics and must be claimed as

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1104246662512988802004-12-28T15:11:00.000Z2004-12-28T16:33:12.730Z

Indymedia - Newsreal Originally uploaded by soapbox. Sing along with George and Tony as they take their routine on a tour of Iraq, Afghanistan with dates pencilled in for Iran, Syria and North KoreaGeorge and Tony: The George and Tony ShowThe George and Tony ShowGeorge: I’m thick as shitTony: Yes I knowGeorge: We’re the new Reagan and ThatcherTony: I’m thinnerGeorge: I’m badderTony: He’s a

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1089567711277057762004-07-11T17:37:00.000Z2004-07-20T18:52:13.360Z

Fair Price Day I'm all in favour of Buy Nothing Day, but may I propose another course of action for those sad souls who need to shop to make themselves happy or who are drawn to GAP woollies. Fair Price Day where we offer to pay retailers like GAP a fair price for their products based on the cost of the sweatshop labour + transport from across the world + few pennies for their UK staff +

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1088350730203666062004-06-27T15:36:00.001Z2004-06-27T17:31:30.856Z

The Importance of Lampoonery “It’s their lying. Conniving conflict-of-interest-laden greedy evil doing that’s the problem.” This sentence was found in a review of Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 by B. Ruby Rich. It’s is used in the context of Moore’s reliance on lampoonery to attack America’s ruling elite. It is followed up with the question: “Does humour enrich outrage or diminish it?”. The

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1086010060884805632004-05-31T13:24:00.000Z2004-05-31T13:29:29.416Z

Manifesto for Mayor of London After a process of absolutely no consultation with anyone whatsoever and about ten minutes thought here’s my plan for London. The congestion charge zone to be grassed over and populated by herds of municipal goats Abolition of all private property and relaxing of planning regulations to allow people to construct Yurts wherever they deem fit The office of Mayor

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1085839641602311162004-05-29T14:06:00.000Z2004-05-30T16:27:47.016Z

The Strange Allegiances of Labour Friends of Israel Perplexed by The Labour Government’s position on Israel, i.e. unquestioning support for Sharon’s slaughter of the innocents? Well maybe this lot can help explain. In the words of their own website: “Labour Friends of Israel is a Westminster based lobby group working within the British Labour Party to promote the State of Israel. Founded in

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1084893213957886362004-05-18T15:12:00.000Z2004-05-18T15:13:33.956Z

FIVE WAYS TO SAVE THE WORLD 1. Use a goat to cut your grass, dispose of household waste, provide milk and when it starts to get old and useless eat it. Share a goat with a neighbour or even the whole street. Why not start a ‘Neighbourhood Goat Scheme.’ 2. Travel to work on a Space Hopper. This cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and keeps you fit. Its also fun, you’ll be fitter and happier,

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1084109986446109092004-05-09T13:39:00.000Z2004-05-17T16:32:27.926Z

THE G.A.D.A.F.I MANIFESTO We have toiled within the narrow frameworks of political debate laid out by party politics and propounded by the media We have been numbed by the inane-ness and banality of TV and multiplex cinema We have marched, protested, squatted and written angry letters of complaint Taking our inspiration from the minstrels who defeated the mighty Burgundian army at Berne and

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1061661972993072922003-08-23T18:06:00.000Z2003-08-23T18:11:58.300Z

WMD IN THE UK The US and UK forces have so far been unable to find any WMD in Iraq but the UK appears to be awash with them. Maybe they’ve been looking in the wrong place all along. For any prospective weapons inspector, despotic regime or international terrorists, here’s a brief guide to Weapons of Mass Destruction in the UK. 1. Faslane Naval Base Sadam’s Scuds may have gone rusty but the UK

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1059503663567095802003-07-29T18:34:00.000Z2003-07-29T18:34:50.820Z

The Oxford Street Intifada! To meet Marks and Spencer on Oxford St (Marble Arch end), Saturday August the 2nd, 12pm. Come for a day of protest against leading corporate sponsors of the apartheid state of Israel. Direct actions to be taken against Marks and Spencer, Selfridges, stores selling Caterpillar clothing and other supporters of the Zionist regime. Come along, bring your friends

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1059323563741220302003-07-27T16:32:00.000Z2003-07-27T16:33:12.520Z

The following is a response from the Mayor of London's office to my Blog on Planning Gains: Dear Mr Rogers Thank you for your email to Ken Livingstone on the subject of planning obligations. You may not know this but the provisions for entering into legal agreement for the interest of good town planning were introduced into planning in 1971, now known as s. 106 of the 1990 Town and Country

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1058655605302626252003-07-19T23:00:00.000Z2003-07-19T23:01:53.026Z

Key quotes: Tony Blair's speech to US Congress “History had better forgive us, because nobody else will…..” Blair on ... freedom Our ultimate weapon is not our guns but our beliefs and like Sadam’s weapons we have no idea what or where they are. Our values are the universal values of the human spirit and anywhere, any time, ordinary people are given the chance to choose, the choice is the

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1057793038972741922003-07-09T23:23:00.000Z2003-07-09T23:25:45.853Z

TELL US ABOUT THE PLANNING GAIN KEN So we're about to get another glass and steel phallus buggering the skyline of London, the Guardian tells us today. Nothing unusual there except that this one is causing a stink because its parked right outside the front door of our beloved Tate Modern. Shock horror how could this happen to one of the most historically important and culturally sensitive parts

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555351.post-1057617398094533902003-07-07T22:36:00.000Z2003-07-09T23:26:25.640Z

Comedy Terrorism Since Aaron Barschak, 'the royal party intruder', got the party games going at Prince William's 21st birthday bash by donning a toga and sporting a false beard and promptly got arrested, his antics have been splashed over every paper in the land, caused heated debate in parliament, and now a top ranking Peeler has lost his job. He claims to be a comedy terrorist and suddenly

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440524257138574864noreply@blogger.com0