Journal Entries
Inside Falluja
Posted Apr 16, 2004
This has to be the most harrowing report I have read yet from Iraq:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-2-95-1843.jsp
It comes from the incredibly brave Jo Wilding, a volunteer caring for the sick and wounded in Falluja, while the US Forces kill and maim hundreds for no understandable gain.
I warn you to bring both tissues and sick buckets to the screen before reading it. It is that appalling...
Matholwch /|\.
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Latest reply: Apr 16, 2004
Stonehenge
Posted Mar 4, 2004
I am writing to engage your support in the campaign against the draft A303 Trunk Road (Stonehenge Improvement) order on the following grounds:
1. The proposed highway scheme would cause considerable environmental damage to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and the archaeologically and environmentally important surrounding area. According to the Stonehenge Management Plan, prepared for UNESCO: "The Stonehenge World Heritage Site is internationally recognized as an outstanding archaeological landscape. Inscription on the World Heritage List places Stonehenge, with Avebury and its associated sites, beside other World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value such as the Pyramids in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Wall of China." As people would not accept building a new four-lane highway through the middle of the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, or the Great Wall of China; we should not accept this at Stonehenge either.
2. The proposed highway would have negative impacts on the internationally important rivers Till and Avon, noise impacts on Stonehenge and local communities, and a number of other adverse environmental impacts that the Highways Agency's plans do not properly consider or address.
3. The proposed highway would be over twice as wide as the existing one. This would encourage traffic growth (part of the reason for its proposal is the Government’s intention to relieve congestion on the M4 and other London to South-West routes), causing knock-on safety problems elsewhere along the A303 route and in neighbouring communities.
4. The proposed highway contravenes a number of important policies and plans, most notably the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan, but also planning policy guidance notes.
5. The plan is opposed by the Council for the Protection of Rural England and the National Trust.
6. A variety of alternative plans for Stonehenge have not been explored, publicized, or costed out. I believe it is contrary to European environmental law to pursue the current highway scheme before other alternatives have been properly considered.
7. The proposed cost is conservatively estimated by the Government at £200 million. If the plan is opposed on the ground, by the expected thousands of protestors, this cost will double at least.
8. The project involves ploughing an 80m wide, 40m deep, 2.1 km long trench across the world heritage site, laying a four-lane tunnel into it and then covering it over. This will take several years and cause immense disruption to the local environment, not to mention the sensitive archaeology of the area.
9. The site is also becoming recognised as a centre for celebration and worship by the UK’s growing pagan community. It, and the ancient landscape around it, is seen as sacred land and should not, therefore, be desecrated by the proposed scheme. To ignore this could be seen as religious discrimination, after all would you build a four-lane highway through the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral? There is a significant commitement within the pagan community to oppose this plan by any and all means possible.
10. Amongst the Druid Groups opposed to the plan are; the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids; the British Druid Order; the Albion Conclave; The Loyal Arthurian Warband; and many others. These represent many thousands of members across Britain and indeed, the world, all of whom regard Stonehenge as a sacred temple.
I would be grateful if you would put this case, in your own words and based upon your own research to your local MP.
We know that the Government is holding a public inquiry into the plan, at which objections will be discussed. However, we seriously doubt that, given their history, the many realistic alternatives will be explored in any detail.
Thanks,
Matholwch /|\.
Discuss this Journal entry [10]
Latest reply: Mar 4, 2004
Life goes on..
Posted Feb 14, 2004
I'm not going to be posting regularly for a bit, we have had a death in the family (not immediate family but close enough).
Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.
Discuss this Journal entry [5]
Latest reply: Feb 14, 2004
A poem for Imbolc
Posted Feb 2, 2004
Bridey’s Song.
In the morning song I hear her,
Laughing by the water,
Every time she comes along,
She will sing a different song,
Which is why I’ve never caught her.
At the sunrise she is near me,
Whispering while I’m sleeping,
When I get out of my bed,
The poems have all fled,
Or strangely have no meaning.
Bridey, oh my Bridey!
Do you know what you do to me?
Thanks for all that you have said,
This golden fire in my head,
And for singing your song through me.
I am madden by her teasing,
Though I find it oh so pleasing,
I stumble and I break,
Throughout all the songs I make,
Yet her allure is unceasing.
Maybe one day she’ll reward me,
Near the end of this life’s journey,
Let me drink once from her grail,
Before my wit and reason fail,
And hear her song through clearly.
Bridey, oh my Bridey!
Do you know what you do to me?
Thanks for all that you have said,
The golden fire in my head,
And for singing your song through me.
Imbolc Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.
Discuss this Journal entry [3]
Latest reply: Feb 2, 2004
Strange Truths
Posted Jan 30, 2004
Does anyone else see the strange truth arising out of the Hutton report and its immediate aftermath?
On one hand we have the BBC:
1. They published a report they believed at the time to be true. Cynics could say they wanted it to be true because it made good copy.
2. As a result some goverment Ministers and flunkies were embarrassed and upset.
3. Once it was shown that the BBC report was based on questionable, and maybe untrue intelligence their top management resigned.
On the other hand we have the Government:
1. They published a dossier they believed at the time to be true. Cynics could say they wanted it to be true because it made a solid support to their policy regarding Iraq.
2. As a result many doubters in parliament were swayed to support the government's policy, the country went to war and thousands died.
3. Once it was shown that the dossier was based on questionable, and maybe untrue intelligence they tried to blame everyone else but themselves, shrugged their shoulders and moved on.
Which organisation retains its honour?
As an aside a dedicated and highly effective public servant was exposed, betrayed and left to die a sad and lonely death.
Sombre Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.
Discuss this Journal entry [11]
Latest reply: Jan 30, 2004
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