THE
WORD W
Rich old man dies aged 99
Issue #60, Early April Edition 2021
FREE!
Equality Democracy Truth Courage
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
thewordmedia.org
BORIS JOHNSON’S OVENREADY LIE SETS NI ON FIRE
DIVIDE AND RULE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
BELFAST BURNS: The next generation takes up where their parents ended
PAGE 3
2
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
PHILIP, BORN PRINCE OF GREECE & DENMARK, DIES AGED 99
Man who was never king
P
hilip was the great, great, grandson of Queen Victoria, and a member of the Royal Greek and Danish royal families though he renounced both thrones upon taking up British citizenship, . He was also of the House of Battenburg, rulers of Hesse in Germany, whose British branch changed their name to Mountbatten. Philip grew up away from Greece, in Germany, France and England. A suitable aristocratic lineage to marry the great, great, grand-daughter of Queen Victoria, Elizabeth of the House of Windsor (peviously Saxe-Coburg) another German lineage.Germanic monarchs have ruled Britain since 1714, replacing those of Dutch lineage at that time. Encouraged by his uncle Louis who had hopes for a Mountbatten rather than Windsor monarchy, Philip took
an interest in Elizabeth, his thirdcousin, when he was 14 and she was nine. They began to communicate regularly, and their romantic relationship, began when he was an 18 year old in the Royal Navy and she was 13 and when she is said to hgave f allen in love with him. Engaged when she was 21 and he was 26 they married soon and after and over 73 years they wee together they had three sons, one daughter, eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and one great grandstepson. He died two months short of his 100th brithday, after being ill for three months having picked up an infection in hospital. As has been the case for thousands since Covid-19 reached the UK, it is expected his funeral will be somewhat subdued. By Windsor Brown
Too much royal syrup YOU are not alone if you are feeling sick from BBC’s surfeit of Royal grovelling. So many viewers are annoyed by the wall-towall excess that the Beeb has opened up a dedicated complaints hot-line. If you want to tell them ENOUGH! just click on the picture below.
POLITICS AND EVENTS
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
3
PAYING THE PRICE OF THE OVEN-READY BREXIT BORDER LIE
Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into Johnson
W
So far the rioters, from both sides, appear to be teenagers, too young to remember the bombs and shootings carried out by their elders. But it already looks much the same as in the early days with hijacked buses set ablaze in the road and police kitted in riot gear from top to toe.
After nearly 30 weary years of bloody war the factions edged towards power sharing and friendly trade relations with booming fellow EU country southern Ireland, Eire. Brexit put the peace in doubt. Northern Ireland as part of Britain was out of the EU, while Eire would remain firmly in. Reintroducing a border spelt trouble which Tory PM Theresa May struggled and failed to fudge as Boris Johnson swept
»
Anyone with an ounce of sense knew this was yet another of his lies
hat started eight days ago as serious street disturbances had escalated by Thursday into sectarian attacks over a so-called ‘Peace Wall’, metal barriers and gates erected during the country’s decades of murder and mayhem to keep apart Unionist and Nationalist communities.
her aside with his promise of an “oven-ready deal” that would cut through the red-tape. A fix was easy-peasy he assured everyone. It was win win, with no losers..
PRINCE PHILIP – VICTIM OF THE SYSTEM? As Leftists we at The Word are not royalists, or fans of hereditary systems. Far from it, but we don’t lack empathy and compassion either. As the media machine kicks in with relentless tributes to Philip Mountbatten, née Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderberg-Glücksburg what can it have been like being born into such a colossal institution? He was born to a Prussian/Danish/Russian family as an immigrant in Corfu, where cruelly as a child he was separated from his family when they were deported. He dumped in boarding schools, including paramilitary bootcamp at Gordonstoun, which he allegedly enjoyed Philip joined up as a Jolly Jack-tar and at the age of 18 started dating his 13 year old cousin Liz. In order to avoid any impropriety, the Second World War kept him busy, where he served bravely and had the option of a Royal Navy career. In 1947 he gave up all of his inherited titles, benefits and Naval career, to take up British Citizenship and marry Liz, now a respectable 21 to become the royal equivalent of a Househusband, with no formal role or rights in the British Royal or political system. He spent the next 74 years in semi-retirement greeting grinning plebs with: “And what do you do?” He lived in luxury none of us will ever experience. He occasionally said mad racist and sexist things, but he kept himself busy, was an outspoken naturalist who enjoyed shooting tigers and pheasant and sometimes campaigned for young people.
Anyone with an ounce of Unionists believe they have sense knew this was yet another been abandoned, the hated naof his lies, along with his tionalists have been hanpromise to end Brusded the prize and the sels’ bureaucracy fire bombs and stoBORIS while maintaining nes began to rain JOHNSON SWEPT down and the smooth trade with the rest of Peace Wall gates HER ASIDE WITH Great Britain. All rammed open. HIS PROMISE OF lies. AN “OVEN-READY On Thursday, DEAL” Now that it has 19 policemen sunk in that a borwere reported to der does exist – even have been injured unseen in the Irish Sea – it bringing the total to 74, still means Northern Ireland is and for the first time in six years being treated as separate from water cannon where wheeled Great Britain. The fragile peace back into service. has been smashed.
As though they learnt nothing from the past the politicians and police are once again trotting out their trite mantra about violence and law and order believing it will make a difference. They will be ignored as they were before. The politicians lied and are reaping the whirlwind. Boris’s guilty government needs to act before Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists are forced into taking up sides. The fix Boris said was not needed had better be magicked up before the country is plunged once again into bloody war. Going by the government’s record of incompetence the future does not look good.
4
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
WHAT HAPPEN
EVENTS THAT ECHO THROUGH HISTORY EVENTS THAT ECHO 11th April 1981- The Brixton Riots in London after the arrest of a black man. 2019- Julian Assange is forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and arrested by the police. 2019- The ex Pope Benedict XVI blames the 1960’s sexual revolution for some of the sexual abuse by the catholic priests 12th April 1919- In Britain, a 48 hour week is brought in with a minimum wage by Parliament. 1931- The Spanish voters reject the monarchy. 2009The Mexican ambassador asks the US to stop sending guns and cash into the country as he believes it being used to fuel the drugs wars there. 13th April 1570- The birth of Guy Fawkes at his home in York. 1922- Birth of Novelist John Braine, Author of books including- room at the top and Life at the Top. 1936- Luton Town Footballer Joe Payne scores 10 goals in one match against Bristol Rovers at
the age of 22. 14th April 1912- RMS Titanic hits an ice
in the North Atlantic at 11.40pm and sinks in the early hours of the 15th April.
1939- Author John Steinbeck publishes his book- The grapes of Wrath.
1973- Watergate Scandal, acting FBI director L Patric Gray resigns after admitting he destroyed evidence
Rid politics of the pyschopaths - politicians outlaw elected representatives making money from politics. We enable jobs to be kept open after the term in power. How much more strongly would a politician fight if they knew they had to return to being an ordinary individual?
So many of us remain disillusioned with politics after the anticlimax of the Corbyn years. Nothing has changed. Careerist scum still enrich themselves on the back of our work. Blairites still vote against the working class and are rewarded by big business. Yet, there is a way through this. We need democracy rather than a system that gives a choice of two competing negatives. We simply need to cut out the sociopaths and psychopaths that have the conceit to rule over the rest of us. The collective name for these dregs of humanity is “politicians.” Few, if any, have skills or knowledge other than the ability to manipulate and ride to power on causes they do not believe in. At the turn of the 20th century in Britain we created a “Labour party.” The yearning was this would be different; this would be a party of ordinary working people beyond the grasp of our rulers.
At the same time we reform the civil service to take away its elitism. The MSM could be made honest by banning ownership by billionaires. Allowing only co-operatives would ensure a fairer balance. Over 100 years later little has changed. We had hope when the safe, slightly innocuous, middle class, Attlee became P.M. and again when the safe, slightly innocuous, middle class, Michael Foot became leader and once again when the safe, slightly innocuous, middle class, Jeremy Corbyn, became leader… As we were holding huge rallies packed with enthusiasts the hired hands of capitalism fought back. The USA is undoubtedly the piratical home of the genre. The command went out to its client colony Israel. The plot was hatched. Aljazeera caught them at it
with “The Lobby” documentary. It made little difference. Paid Blairites in regional Labour offices saw their chance. Socialist became a synonym for anti-Semite. Gleefully, the MSM joined in. The innocuous, middle class, Corbyn crumbled like a sandcastle at high tide. We got Starmer: a Blair clone with a charisma bypass. But we can change this. We adopt the only Chartist principle never implemented of an annual Parliament. We do not allow politicians to stand for more than one term. It becomes a social duty for ordinary people to stand. We
This is only a start. Avarice and propaganda have led us to believe we live in a democracy. This is not so. A system with only two real choices between similar groups of sociopaths ruled by a hereditary head of state is simply not democracy. What we have is the aftermath of the battle between Feudalism and Capitalism. Rather than allowing ourselves to be divided by forming ever decreasing sized parties, we join together in a single movement for democracy.
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
NED THIS WEEK
THE
WORD
5
THROUGH HISTORY EVENTS THAT ECHO THROUGH HISTORY 16th April 1987- Conservative MP Harvey Proctor is accused of committing acts of gross indecency on two teenage boys and is taken to court. 2009- Secret memos are released by Barack Obama that shows the previous administration permitted the CIA to torture the al-Qaeda suspects they were holding in Guantanamo Bay and other secret locations. Obama ruled out prosecution against those the took pert in these actions. 17th April 1951- The Peak District become the first National Park in the UK 1956Premium saving bonds are introduced in Great Britain. 1969- Bernadette Delvin, Peoples Democracy activist, becomes the youngest woman to become an MP at the age of 21. 18th April 1955- The death of Albert Einstein at the age of 76 1999A convoy of ethnic Albanian refugee are mistakenly bombed on by
NATO. The Yugoslav officials say 75 people were killed.
15th April 1989- Hillsborough disaster. 96 people died and 766 injured
from crushing at a FA Semi final at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.
1960- Ten of thousands march with CND in protest against Nuclear weapons ending with a rally in Trafalgar square.
‘HERO’ OF JALLIANWALA BAGH WAS A MASS MURDERER On the 13th of April 1919 more than 15,000 unarmed men, women and children gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh, in English, a high walled garden, about 200 metres square. The event was to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi and to peacefully protest at the arrest of two popular leaders of the Indian Independence Movement, Satyapal and Saifuddin Kitcgghliew. People wanted their country back from British rule. That morning BrigadierGeneral Reginald Dyer had bought in new rules: Indians could not leave the city without a permit, they were not allowed to meet in groups of more than four, demonstrations or processions of any kind were forbidden and if an Indian went out after 8pm they would be shot. An hour into the festival and without warning Dyer ordered his soldiers to lock all
the exits and block the main entrance before opening fire on the trapped men, women and children and even those simply passing through on their way home from prayer . The number of people who died that day depends who you believe. The Indian National Congress said 1,300, a British inquiry into the massacre claimed it was 379 who died
from gun shot wounds or were trampled to death in the stampede to escape. Frantic to survive some even jumped into the well in the garden. The bodies of 120 people were found piled up on top of each other in the well. A curfew had been declared, which meant that the injured were left to die where they fell.
The Government tried to suppress the details of the massacre, but word got out and soon there was outrage.
The Indian administration and princes also provided large amounts of food, money and ammunition.
Britain did not get to know of the massacre until nine months later in December.
More than 43,000 Indian soldiers died fighting for the British Empire.
Dyer was forced to resign from the army, but he thought he had not done nothing wrong and he was considered a hero in the House of Lords.
It all began in the 1700s when the British first arrived Britain arrived and began ruling over the poor.
During the First World War, Britain used more than a million Indian soldiers and labourers to help the war effort.
This was easy as India was not united and local princes were richly rewarded and left in power as long as they enforced British rule.
6
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
BEST OF THE WEB
Further 19 officers injured A council of unionist groups have said that its members were not involved in the recent violence sweeping across Northern Ireland and reiterated their support for a peaceful solution to Belfast’s post-Brexit arrangement.
none of their associated groups have been involved either directly or indirectly in the violence witnessed in recent days,” the statement read, adding that people should remain vigilant of fake publications and urged unionists not to be drawn into violence.
In a statement released at noon local time on Friday, the Loyalist Communities Council, which represents the views of unionist paramilitaries, said they were seeking an end to the recent violence which has resulted in the injury of many police officers and civilians, but claimed their groups had not been responsible.
Without condemning the violence, the council says it hopes the legitimate concerns of unionists are not “allowed to be framed in terms of criminality.”
“The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) can confirm that
The statement contends that there has been a “complete failure” to understand the concerns of loyalists “as people and equal citizens”. Accounts shut down
by Facebook after UK competition watchdog intervenes Facebook has removed 16,000 accounts linked to Facebook groups and Instagram profiles, after the UK’s Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) intervened, holding the company to a pledge to take action against fraudulent activity.
Announcing the situation on Friday, the CMA declared that the accounts linked to groups behind “fake and misleading reviews” were removed, with Facebook agreeing to make further changes to its existing systems that identify, prevent, and remove fraudulent content on its platform
Thousands flee as Caribbean island volcano erupts La Soufriere volcano on the Caribbean island of St Vincent “explosively” erupted this morning, spreading ash across surrounding villages and forcing thousands to flee to safety.
the cabinet-making plant in Texas where he worked, killing one person and wounding six others before he was taken into custody yesterday.
In a press conference today, journalists were told that the eruption was “likely to continue for days and possibly weeks”.
Four of those wounded in the shooting at Kent Moore Cabinets, a warehousesized facility at an industrial park in Bryan, Texas, were rushed to area hospitals in critical condition, the police department said on Twitter.
This morning’s blast sent plumes of hot ash and smoke 6,000 metres into the air, the local emergency management agency said. One dead and several injured in Texas shooting A gunman opened fire at
It is the latest of several mass shootings in the United States over the past three weeks.
The suspect was being held on $1m bond facing murder charges, Brazos County jail records showed.
THE NIGHTMARE OF ENDLESS TORY RULE bombing of London. Indeed, Hitler, Pol Pot, Amin, and a whole host of other brutal and incendiary rogues would probably wholeheartedly approve of ‘This’ Prime Ministers belligerent actions.
How can it be that we find ourselves in the place that we are right now, stuck in a nightmare of unimaginable proportions where a man, a proven racist, misogynist, homophobe and philandering liar, holds the office of the most powerful person in the land?
destructive
And yet he continues to still lead our country? Seriously, I’m not sure who I am more angry with at right now the Tory government itself for its woeful ineptitude and seemingly endlessly deleterious skulduggery, or the idiots out there that keep voting them into office.
This is also a man that has killed more people than Adolf Hitler did civilians in the
Ladies and Gentlemen we are living in a perpetual nightmare from which we seemingly cannot awaken,
Have we all gone stark raving mad? Most people with the good sense already knows this buffoon’s track record of course, but even though it’s probably pointless to go over it all again, this is a Prime Minister that made decisions that led to the untimely deaths of over 150,000 people.
His government has actively destroyed the lives of countless sick and disabled welfare claimants, and led to the deaths of at least 150,000 more people by way of its
punitive and welfare reforms.
because someone gave us all a heavy dose of sleeping tablets and told us they were sweeties. Indeed, our country is in the grip of a pandemic that is very likely to get worse again sometime soon, but we are still led by an imbecile who, by his own admission, wants to become the ‘King of the World’, a veritable ‘Lord Farquaad’ who thinks he’s bigger than he actually is, and who by stealth and guile has convinced his fawning supporters and sycophants that he actually is, while stealing from the public purse to keep his rich friends happy. By Adrian Angel
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
7
LEAVE WHAT YOU CAN AND TAKE WHAT YOU NEED
COMMUNITY CUPBOARD VOLUNTEERS UNDETERRED BY EVICTION WARNING
A
We are determined to continue helping people. Inspired by a group in Saltburn, we will put the cupboards in private gardens instead. Thanks to local spirit and enthusiasm, our first location was sorted within the day!
small group of friends started sharing food this Februray using a disused BT phone box at the Headland. Called ‘Headland Community Cupboard’, the idea is simple: leave what you can, take what you need. The box opposite the Ship Inn was cleaned up, a sign was fixed to the door, and a crate of food was balanced on some bricks. Nearby homes were leafleted, and a Facebook page was set up to promote it. There were plans to decorate it and fit some small shelves inside. People filled up the box
several times a week, and the food was taken quickly. One person even left a heartfelt thank you note (pictured). As foodbanks in town struggle to keep up, we were are determined to continue until last week when BT fixed an eviction notice to our phonebox, saying unless
we get council permission to ‘adopt’ the phonebox, it will be ripped out. The council refused, to help saying unattended food is unsafe, and if the project fails it could cost them money. Hunger is a worse threat to health and safety than any
hypothetical risk.
Here are a few ways you can help: Leave food in the cupboard (address here), or email us to donate (below)
The Community Cupboards in Newcastle and Alnwick have also been targeted for eviction, despite sharing food for years.
Host a cupboard in your garden, leaflet or promote on Facebook, join our group to help tackle food poverty in Hartlepool!
Such notices did not appear on nearby unused phoneboxes, only those used as Community Cupboards.
Find us on Facebook ‘Headland Community Cupboard’ By Lauren Conway
Leroy Logan MBE – first chair of National Black Police Association Jon Snow of C4 news interviewed Leroy Logan an retired Police Superintendent with 30 years experience.
People feel they are freer to voice extreme ideologies and this is reflected within the police today.
Snow first asked Leroy for his reaction to the conviction of Nazi sympathiser PC Ben Hannam, and how his extreme views were missed.
But he conceded missing Hannam’s right wing links might have been due to the pressure on supervisorsr. His sergeant was “round me like a rash” and very “prescriptive” in how he should act. Senior staff used to closely monitor officers under them. Leroy felt that the MET believes “all is well in the organisation” even though this is an insult to people’s
Leroy said the issue of race was not on the Metropolitan Police’s agenda due to poor vetting procedures and lack of quality of leadership. The ‘moral compass of police culture had moved to the right.
intelligence when all the figures show the disproportionate use of stop and search, handcuffs and tasers against black people. This is a “systemic and structural failure” in the organisation with “senior officers in denial”.
1983, leaving his prestigious job as a research scientist, inspired to change it from within after the wrongful arrest and harsh treatment of his father
Independent oversight of policing is needed as it cannot be left to police itself.
Tthe recent report into Racial Disparity he said he fears it will “set racial equality back for decades”.
Asked by Jon Snow if he would join the police today he replied “In all honesty I would have to reconsider”. Leroy joined the police in
He said the chairman of the report, Tony Sewell, was
the wrong person as he had for many years stated he did not believe in any institutional racism or systemic failures in addressing racism. Nor does Sewell believe in unconscious bias and seems to have selected people because they agree with his views.
TV series, Small Axe: Red, White and Blue created by Steve McQueen.
8
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
JOIN THE PICKET TO GET NURSES THEIR PROPER PAY NURSES’ STANDARDS OF LIVING HAVE DECLINED TO AN UNRECOGNISABLE LEVEL
ONE PER CENT IS A FLAGRANT INSULT!
H
stealth become an unattractive, low paid and stressful job with huge life/death decisions to make and overwhelming responsibilities.
aving recently returned ‘from retirement to the nurses register to help roll out the vaccine programme, one thing struck me - the pathetic wages that registered nurses are paid. The other shock was that so few of them seem to want to fight for the salary they are worth.
In the 1970s student nurses were paid to train and were offered low cost accommodation. Tuition fees didn’t exist. Once qualified they had no heavy The Chartists published their six point People’s Charter in 1838, demanding radical changes to electoral procedure, including Universal Suffrage. Five of are their demands are now embedded in law (nobody seems to want annual elections, thankfully!). The Charter foreshadowed many of the rights we now take for granted – and the Chartists were perceived as radical outlaws by the Establishment of their time. In this spirit, I have consulted NHS staff and Campaigners, and together we have drafted a Charter for the NHS, which seeks to both protect and positively change the best institution we have…
debts hanging over them, and they knew they would have a reasonable standard of living in line with the job we did.
a modest house and run a car. There was even the odd holiday. Life was good and we were valued members of society.
In fact, it wasn’t long before, even while single they could buy
But of course, since then the profession has slowly and by
Pay has not kept up with inflation. Nurses’ standards of living have declined.
workers were lauded by the public on doorsteps everywhere. The reality of the mayhem they worked in was shown on the news, but Johnson and his Cabinet of shysters and rogues denied them a decent standard of living and merely slapped them after they had clapped them.
In the 70s and early 80s we were oblivious to food banks and it was never the case, as a staff nurse, to have to live with parents. Fast forward to 2021 & the insulting pay award that came after a year of front-line
Political nurses are few and far between, but there are some out there trying to make a difference. Let’s hope they organise and unionise. By Candy Gregory / Save Our NHS in Kent (SONiK)
An NHS Charter for the 21st Century 1) Free Training for Nurses and Care Staff Our Health Service is understaffed, and we need to encourage more people to enter this worthy profession without leaving them in debt. And a real pay rise, NOW.
6) Full Nationalisation of the NHS. And any and ALL outsourcing of Healthcare related contracts to be fully transparent and subject to independent review.
2) An up-to-date, full service hospital for every town/population area with a population of 250,000 This is self-explanatory. A&Es, for example, are being closed as you read this. 3) All PFI Contracts for Hospitals to be suspended, and investigated.
mess. Tax-avoiding Big Business will be able to fund this project with ease. 5) Re-nationalise Opticians and Dentistry. Why are eyes and teeth privatised?
Both Labour and The Conservatives have a LOT to answer for regarding these contracts.
4) Integrated Social Care to be provided by the NHS, and publicly funded. Social Care is an outsourced
Some of these demands will cost money, but we have that in abundance – it just needs to be redistributed. Ignoring these demands will cost LIVES. By James Corbett / Campaigner who walked from Glasgow to London for the NHS
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
9
THE CRISIS BEGAN WHEN BORIS COULDN’T MAKE A DECISION
The Patient’s Eye
I can take another 400 days
M
roasting old vests and socks for their nutritional value. We get Tesco deliveries.
y journey as a patient began about eight years ago. I had an inoperable, incurable, and aggressive form of cancer.
I can stand another 400 days of personal lock-down if that is what it takes. The ultimate fifth wave of infection and death, lack of PPE, leaving international borders open for far too long, and not providing airport hotels for necessary fliers, are entirely the fault of the PM.
A course of drugs was prescribed with a three monthly injection designed to starve the cancerous cells so that they settled down and stopped reproducing everywhere. I was given moderate failure. radiotherapy throughout the THE ULTIMATE summer of 2013, There were FIFTH WAVE operations to see if killing WILL ENTIRELY the ‘Mothership’ designed to would cause alleviate issues BE THE FAULT the satellite but the cancer OF THE PM clusters of cancer cannot be to die back. It was simply‘removed a moderate success, and consigned to which also means it was a history. This history is
doomed to continue until it kills me or something else does. Either way I’m not particularly enamoured of the prospects. If my cancer could live quietly, and grow slowly, I would settle for that. The problem is that strong newcomers tend to make a great fuss to the detriment of others. Ask the
Palestinians or Aztecs.
Doubts over vaccines, loss of medical personnel and failure to reward workers for their sacrifices will ensure we DAYS LENINGRAD have a crisis lasting as WAS LOCKED long as did Leningrad.
900
So I’ve had 1460 days with compromised immunity. 400 days have been spent hiding from Coronavirus, our own strong newcomer. Leningrad locked in for IN FOR 900 days during the Socks for lunch dear? Second World War, eventually By Patient.I
Increasing benefits will save lives When I started training as a psychiatric nurse I soon realised just how much mental health and physical health were linked to poverty, inequality injustice, social exclusion, racism, sexism, trauma and inhumanity. A decade before Covid-19, using an armoury of brutal, oppressive, impoverishing measures, including austerity; privatisation; sanctions; stolen pensions; cuts to services, benefits, rights, liberties, freedoms - even school dinners; welfare reforms and antidisabled, anti-immigrant and anti-benefit-claimant hate
inciting rhetoric, scapegoating and propaganda, the Tories intensified their war on disabled people’ and attacks on the poor. Attacks Disabled People Against Cuts had consistently warned were designed to be punitive. Deliberate, deadly political choices and policies resulted in 250,000 avoidable, preventable deaths of disabled people. In 2017 the BMJ reported on 120, 000 extra deaths directly related to cuts in health and social care.
In 2019 the Institute for Public Policey Research reported
on a further 130,000 preventable deaths due to austerity.
Under the Tories we have also seen rising infant mortality for poorer mothers, deaths on the streets for homeless people, falling life expectancy, rising levels of mental health issues and suicides. In response a Suicide Minister was appointed, without any increase in funding to replace the cuts in support services and beds let alone enough funding to boost mental health provision in line with rising demand. Cuts to benefits are resulting
in increased poverty, hunger, malnutrition, homelessness, etc., which in turn make worse the trauma, mental and physical health impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and the lockdowns. Together this represents a very real threat to all our lives, as well as the harsh reality of business closures, redundancies, jobs and income loss lack of social contact and support, not to memtion dealing with long covid. To protect your mental health and help others by fighting this human rights-violating government.
To protect the rights and lives of all: • NoMoreBenefitDeaths • StopTheCuts • EndAusterity • EndInequality • 20More4All • ScrapUniversalCredit • RaiseBenefits • SaveLivesNotProfits
10
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
CORBYN’S ‘INCENDIARY’ CODE IS SECRETLY STILL USED
HOWLS OF SILENCE!
U
NDER pressure from legal action into releasing its Code of Conduct for antisemitism cases, the secrecy around the Labour Party’s disciplinary cases procedure has finally been opened up.
antisemitism. Strangely, the revaltion that Keir Starmer’s Labour is using exactly the same document has been met with a deafening silence.
Shortly after it was issued – and under the pressure of the massive attacks The release on its own code – revealed that the Labour adopted HOWLS OF code was exactly the IHRA OUTRAGE the same code ‘definition’ in full AGAINST CORBYN, that was created and the code was BUT TOTAL by then-general assumed to have SI LENCE NOW secretary Jennie been withdrawn. Formby and her team under Jeremy But the IHRA Corbyn’s leadership. document itself says that it is not designed to be fit When announced the code for use as a legal document. was the target of loud and concerted attacks from Labour Skwawkbox understands MPs and Zionist opponents that the party found the code of Corbyn’s leadership. They was essential in order to apply claimed it ‘watered down‘ the IHRA working definition in the International Holocaust any legally-reliable way. Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) ‘working definition’ of So Labour has kept using
Resist socialists to challenge 300 council seats Newly formed socialist group, Resist, is standing 300 candidates in May’s local council elections. Founder and former Labour MP Chris Williamson said: “Our candidates will be pushing for local authorities to use the powers available to them, but not used, to address the housing crisis, stop the cuts and start improving councilrun public services in consultation with local people. A radical rethink by local authorities is needed to stop the malaise.
it, competently or otherwise, to choose and judge cases where members are accused of antisemitic conduct – but without the accused or indeed anybody outside the Labour hierarchy knowing about it except in references in occasional hearings of the party’s disciplinary National Constitutional Committee.
Antisemitism Code under Corbyn the outrage was poisonous
Alex Barros-Curtis, Labour’s lawyer, said in recent evidence to the High Court that the code was kept secret because it was regarded internally as ‘incendiary’. Now, under pressure of an impending court case, the party has been forced to come clean. You would expect the news that Labour was been secretly using such a villified code to be big news, but so far, in more than a week since the code was disclosed, there has been not a bleep from the usual suspects.
The same Code, used secretly , under Starmer not a word Presumably the code that To read more on this and was so vile under Jeremy many similar articles go to Corbyn is okay under Keir Skwawkbox. Starmer? By The Skwawkbox
Teachers fund critical charity A RECENT article in The Daily Telegraph newspaper claimed that the Kirklees branch of the National Education Union (NEU) gave £3,000 to Purpose of Life, a charity based in West Yorkshire. This same charity later published online the name of the teacher at the centre of the row at Batley Grammar School who has now taken himself and his family into hiding in fear of their lives. As well as accusing the teacher of ‘terrorism’ and ‘insulting Islam’, the group’s chief executive, Mohammad Sajad Hussain, said that the charity would not work with the school again until the teacher is ‘permanently removed’.
The Kirklees branch is, of course, the same uniion branch which is ‘supporting’ the teacher through the disciplinary
process initiated by the school. Quite why it thought that this substantial donation was an appropriate use of its members’
union fees remains unclear. Les May of Northern Voices blog
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
11
IT’S ALL ABOUT DUOS THIS WEEK
ON THE JUKEBOX TONITE!
T
he Jukebox has every song you ever wanted to hear on it, singles, out takes, album tracks, live versions, songs they sang walking home after a few bevvies, appearances on ToTP
Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams are made of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, but mainly Annie for me
Listen to each of them and weep – then listen all over again. Love, Jack in the Jukebox By Jack in the Jukebox
Simon and Garfunkel, once known as Tom and Jerry - I’m playing their folk song Scarborough Fair and their existential hit, America, (Kathy, I’m lost I said, though I knew she was sleeping / I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why…)
Bob and Marcia – Young, Gifted, and Black written by Nina Simone, but this version by Bob and Marcia was the Soundtrack to summer 1970 for me Flanagan and Allen – Run Rabbit Run – I used to sing this as a child, to my toy rabbit
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers – Islands in the Stream, oooooh luscious
Probably for later on when the bar is full, Becker and Fagen (Steely Dan) with Haitian Divorce – I’m not going to explain what a steely dan is, you’ve either used one or you haven’t, but the guitar solo has a story all of its own
THE
WORD
12
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
FORGOTEN BANDS TV SMITH – NOT IN MY NAME
SOCIALIST LEANINGS
T
im (TV) Smith, born 5th generally right-wing rule April 1956 in Romford, and the seeming apathy that England. Frontman of currently surrounds it. the seminal Punk band The Adverts (1976-79), TV Smith’s With songs such as ‘The Explorers (1980), and Cheap Immortal Rich’, ‘I Delete’, (1986-91), followed up ‘Useless’, ‘Generation Y’, by a prominent and the deliberately solo career that royalty free ‘Not SMITH IS still sees him in my Name’ in THE PERFECT performing his impressive to this day at repertoire, Smith EXAMPLE OF the age of 64. is the perfect A MAESTRO OF TV Smith will example of a THE PROTEST no doubt be maestro of the SONG most notably protest song, remembered for playing across the the 1977 Adverts globe to a devoted fansingle ‘Gary Gilmour’s base in his own socio-political Eyes’, but his credentials style, and coming across not as an anti-Tory left-leaning unlike a punk version of Bob performer are second to Dylan. none, with many of his songs obvious stabs at Not in my Name! the establishment and privilege under elitist, and he cries.
»
ABOUT THE SONG The song, an internet only anti-war release, is pretty much self-explanatory from its obvious lyrics, playing on the questioning of authority and a denial of the horrors and the illegalities of war itself and the conveniently topical requirement of having to show your ID wherever you go, with Smith stating his objections clearly throughout and saying that these things are all taking place without his consent. Not in my Name! he cries. And not in ours either, TV. It’s a great song that’s well worthy of a listen, and probably more poignant today than it’s ever been, I’m sure you will agree… By Adrian Angel
You can say that again A man I once knew bought an old stone house. The windowsills were stone, the main hall had stone floors, the staircase was made of stone. One day he heard his son playing electric guitar on the second floor of the house, and loved the echoes, the reverberation of the notes all the way down the staircase.
He organised that a microphone should be set up right at the bottom of the house, to feed back to the studio he had upstairs, and enable him to feed back that particular and peculiar echo he had discovered.
»
Music would not be the same without some kind of spatial effects
There are all sorts of delay, echo, reverbs you can get, and as my friend did, make. Music would not be the same without some kind of spatial effects. I recorded a drum kit in a stone cellar which I initially thought was far too small. Knowing as I do how to place microphones, I set up no fewer than thirteen of them around inside, and far away from his drums. If he’d had a slightly bigger kit, I would have had to use fifteen microphones. One day I’ll tell you how I do it, but every one of those mics gave me a different version of the sound I wanted. I recorded one song with just two of them on. It was wonderful. I used all thirteen on another song. It was different, but wonderful. The echo I’m going to feature
instrument you began with, but is that such a bad thing? You’re creating music.
today is a very old one – the Watkins Copicat. It possesses an ever moving tape loop and plays back the sound you put in a number of times, rubbing it out after the last time. Thus you play a note – Pom – and hear “Pom, pom pompom.” By which time you have played more notes – Tiddly – and get back
“ Tiddly/tiddly/ t i d d l y/ t i d d l y ” now all running into each other as the musical phrase is longer.
I RECORDED A DRUM KIT IN A CELLAR WHICH I THOUGHT FAR TOO SMALL
The danger is that you begin to play the echoes rather than the
You can also add this crazy effect to vocals, individual drums (though it can get messy) or the room in general. To be continued …. Griffith the Producer
By Seymour Griffiths
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
13
SEALIFE MOVING TO THE POLES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE
Beginning end is R
towards the apocalypse. Seabed trawling releases as much carbon as aircrafts, but that isn‘t the only concern.
ecent reports in mainstream media express concern over research showing that sea life that can are abandoning the tropical regions of the oceans. Those unable to do so, are simply going extinct. The report Climate Change Drives Poleward Increases and Equatorward Declines in Marine Species, published in the journal Current Biology on March 26 2020 is a year old, and the data of concern was compiled well before publication. This is a real sign of the beginning of the end. The end for those who want a civilisation where we mght
of the here
choose a peaceful life and build a better world. For thosewho enjoy the opportunity to abuse and exploit, Right Wingers, also have a dark future ahead when the early opportunity for them to see the suffering of others gives way to reality.
What are we doing to avoid a living hell? By we I mean the government which is elected to serve the nation and act for our future. The answer is less than nothing, and indeed their efforts to maintain inequality and privilege are accelerating
We have a need to move to renewable energy, and we have a large underemployed population whch could work to do this. The political Right would rather have an underpaid servant popuation in a world being destroyed than a genuine working class able to hold their heads up high working to give our children a future. By Alisdair Bye
Buying Property in Portugal The most common traps are planning permissions and habitation licenses. Lots of extensions and expansions are done without planning permission. Even entire houses sometimes have no planning permission.
are the annual charges? When the roof needs repair, as one day it will, who pays?
The local authority may not have taken enforcement action because the seller has a relation of their dreams, for a reasonable price. They did not know on the Council. In a society that a motorway was which sometimes has going to go through large families, almost DO NOT it until they everyone has a USE THE submitted plans for relation on or in SAME LAWYER an extension to the the council. But the AS YOUR council. moment a foreigner SELLER is there, the protection Since 1951 any is withdrawn. There new home has to have are horror stories of enforcement action taken a declaration that it has been inspected by the council and against new foreign buyers. complied with the law on the One family bought the home date of inspection. Since 1974
The estate agents have an interest in keeping property prices sky high, because they are often on 6% of sale prices.
Are the other flats occupied? If they are not occupied by “normal” people, that is a danger sign.
there has to be a technical report about the materials and systems used in the building of the property.
lack of the correct documents will cause you huge trouble. It may even ruin your lives, particularly if you ever need to sell.
Failing which, there should be an “exemption certificate” showing that the property was a house before 1951.
Do not use the same lawyer as your seller. The seller is Portuguese. The lawyer is Portuguese. You have no idea what side the lawyer is on – but probably not on yours!
Many sellers cannot produce these documents and say “It will be all right”. It may have been all right for them. When you try to do anything with the property, the
In apartments, check out the general state of repair. Who manages the property? What
The best advice is to rent for six months or a year, and get your eye in on the real prices. Once you have Portuguese speakers who will help you, have them enquire in local cafes and local shops for properties that may be for sale. You cut out the estate agent, and you will pay much, much less. By Charles James
14
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
IT HAS SPARKED A NATIONAL OUTCRY OVER ANTI-ASIAN BIGOTRY
USA News - Racism against Asian-Americans and Asian people
R
acism against AsianAmericans and Asian people has become front-page news in the US in recent weeks, with a mass shooting at a Georgia massage parlour leading to the deaths of six Asian-Americans.
Although the shooter in this instance didn’t actually hold anti-Asian beliefs and his motivations came by all accounts from religious shame and hatred of sex workers, it has sparked a national outcry over anti-Asian bigotry. Discrimination and hate crimes against KoreanAmericans, Chinese-Americans,
»
Japanese-Americans, Filipinos, and other groups has soared since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The belief that the coronavirus has its origins in China is the leading hypothesis (though some have pointed to the virus coming to China from Europe), but the World Health Organization has debunked the idea that the idea the virus was the result of a lab leak. This has not stopped rightwing and pro-war news outlets and political leaders in the US from not only repeating this, but suggesting in some cases that the virus was deliberately
Covid virus was deliberately created by the Chinese and unleashed on the world ... a claim stoked by Trump
created by the Chinese and unleashed upon the world.
Americans during the Second World War was so extreme that Franklin Delno Roosevelt, the This rumour, stoked by most left-wing president in US Trump, has led to the rise in history, imprisoned them in racist assaults against camps during the war. Asians in America The Vietnamese regardless of War also resulted DISCRIMINATION in hatred against n a t i o n a l i t y, AND HATE CRIMES V i e t n a m e s e . with Chinese restaurants and HAVE SOARED SINCE C o r p o r a t i o n s elderly Asianand also THE START OF THE Americans scapegoated CORONAVIRUS highlighted in C h i n e s e PANDEMIC ugly videos. immigrant workers in the Although many 19th century, leading people have attributed to a total ban on Chinese US anti-Asian bigotry to immigration. In the 1980s, white supremacy in general, Japan’s rising economy led to historically, racism against widespread fearmongering that Asians in the US has been the country would take over directly linked to economic the world. Japanese cars were exploitation or imperialism. smashed in US streets. Hatred
of
Japanese-
Today,
elites
in
both
political parties, Democrat and Republican, are stoking hostility against China, with all manner of sins including blaming America’s opioid addiction epidemic on imported fentanyl instead of US drug companies. Chinese students and visiting professors are smeared as spies for the Communist Party, and attempts have been made to close down lectures. American liberals and leftwing people have thrown their support behind the AsianAmerican community in recent weeks, but not many have challenged the foreign policy narratives that have created the conditions for it. Unless this changes, anti-Asian hatred is sadly likely to continue. By Hal Conte
Laying the groundwork for the the Nazis to flourish control of money, seen as a direct threat in terms of power.
The Munich putsch aimed to establish ‘The Greater German Reich’. Having failed in an attempted coup November 1923, these events were later portrayed as a heroic struggle by the nine prosecuted leaders. The move inspired and encouraged by Mussolini taking power, in his march on Rome in 1922 which brought his fascists to power. The Post WW1 treaty of Versailles gave the economic imperative of handing massive war reparations to Germany.
Giving monetary considera -tions prominence in Adolf’s borderline biblical treaty Mien Kampf and his appeal to 50,000 followers and giving blame to genocidal intent. They
manifested in the Holocaust of Jews, Gypsies, communists and anyone deemed inferior, disabaled, or opposed to the Reich’s ideology. The Jews, in their economic success and
The so-called ‘Big Four’ France, sought Protection from against further German aggression. The Italian priority of a land grab and expansion of territory. In Britain Lloyd George’ wanted to support Germany’s rebuilding, with future trade in mind. America under non-interventionist Woodrow Wilson wanted ‘A new world order’ under his 14 point plan and the foundatio of the League of Nations. Russia opted out of the Post War Conference with its 1917
Revolution in full swing and finally ending the Romanov Dynasty with the Bolsheviks and Vladimir Lenin. The economics of the time, seen as crucial in preserving peace and preventing the rise of the Nazis. The Jews were seen as the biggest fly in the ointment because of their economic power. The word Holocaust originally referred to the burnt officerings on an altar has become synonomous with German Nazi regime policy of genocide against the Jews.
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
15
Mad Madge Talks Across Oceans Of Time BOJO’S DIARY A daily insight into the mind of the former Daily Telegraph columnist and comedy act.... Saturday 27th Mar – Easter Hols, Huzzah! Time to kick back after a long term at Hogwarts. Had a cheeky Gin and Tonic or two at lunch, just to take the edge off. Carrie and Junior Dr Pfeffel played in the garden. Sunday 28th Mar - Easter Hols, Huzzah! Time to kick back after a long term at Hogwarts. Had a cheeky Vodka or two at lunch, just to take the edge off. Carrie and Thingemebob played in the garden. Monday 29th Mar – Easter Hols, Huzzah! Time to kick back after a long term at Hogwarts. Had a cheeky Whiskey or two at lunch, just to take the edge off. Bloody Daily Mirror banging on about me Rogering some Totty in the past and funding her business. Can’t a chap have 6 or 7 peccadillos these days. F**k it I’m 12 points clear in the polls. Carrie took some Valium and Tequila and had an early night. Tuesday 30th Mar – Easter Hols, Huzzah! Time to kick back after a long term at Hogwarts. Had a cheeky bottle of Vodka or two at lunch, just to take the edge off. Carrie and Little Thingy are social distancing from me. Wednesday 31st Mar – Easter Hols, Huzzah! Time to kick back after a long term at Hogwarts. Had a cheeky bottle of Absinthe at lunch and a couple of lines of Columbian Marching Powder, just to take the edge off. Went to Waitrose to get Easter Eggs for my 7 or 8 kids and stock up the drinks cabinet. Thursday 1st Apr – Easter Hols, Boo! I’d rather be back at work. Carrie locked the drinks cabinet. Felt shakey all day. Ate a whole box of Wotsisnames Farley’s Rusks. Feeling low. Friday 2nd Apr – Yay it’s Good Friday, the Christian Deathcult’s celebration of the Crucifixion. I joined in by eating a Hot Cross Bun.
FROM BEYOND THE WALL OF LOST SPIRITS, LOOSED TEMPORARILY FROM THE HORRORS OF ETERNAL TORMENT, AUNTIE MAGGIE ANSWERS YOUR LETTERS. Dear agony Aunt I have just spent £70,000 on makeup. Can I claim it back on expenses? Yours, Priti Patel Well it would seem that you take your personal appearance very seriously and for someone in the public eye that is understandable. I was always immaculately coiffured and made-up, even when We became a Grandmother live on TV. In your case, though, the whole image is destroyed by you droppin’ the ‘g’ at the
end of words, it’s incredibly irritatin’ and makes you sound like an Essex Housewife, albeit a sinister and controllin’ one. Dear fantastic ghostly person Are covid passports a good idea? I would have loved to have brought them in. A Bliar Tony, Tony dearest Tony my proudest achievement was when you exchanged your immortal soul for the cause of Thatcherism. You see it’s a long
term thing, longer than my time on earth, but it’s gratifying to see the youngsters, Boris and Sir Quiff, pushing ahead with unfettered capitalism and the erosion of civil liberties. Uncle Adolf sends his regards. Dear Margaret What is the weather like where you are now living? Yours faithfully, the British tourist board. Dark and gloomy, just the way I like it, dark, gloomy and very hot!
16
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
BIZARRE NEWS
Revolting Boats in Florida
Authorities in the US state explained that the 40-foot boat fell from a trailer in Crestview and ended up sideways across lanes of traffic, causing hours of tailbacks. The Fire Service warned people to expect displays, writing on social media: “Expect delays at the Crestview MM56 Overpass going westbound. A considerably large boat is blocking westbound traffic.” There were no injuries as the boat fell, although many social media users have pointed out similarities to the road blockage and the giant container ship that has been wedged across the Suez Canal in Egypt. One Twitter user wrote: “Boats around the world are trying to duplicate their kin’s successful blocking of the Suez Canal.” Another added: “Have we considered the possibility that it’s an uprising?”
A round up of Internet News you didn’t need to know..... Chilly Dip
Arthur Guerin-Boeri set the record last week by swimming 394 feet underneath a lake in Finland. Guerin-Boeri completed the swim in three minutes with just a single breath as he took to the water without flippers or gloves, although he donned a wetsuit for the chilly challenge. Guerin-Boeri said: “There is fear, anxiety and it’s something I dreaded quite a bit but it was a calculated risk for which I was prepared. Rhea birds Rampage
Up to 20 of the birds have been spotted at Maple Cross in Hertfordshire, according to the local police force. Officers tried to identify the owners of the birds but have now come to the conclusion that the flightless creatures are effectively wild.
Police spokesperson said: “Inquiries are ongoing, but if you think you may be able to help with this, please get in touch. Unfortunately we have received reports of them attacking dogs and deer, so we ask that dog owners are vigilant when out walking.” OO Bond Binge
Culture website NerdBear.com is seeking a candidate to watch every single 007 film, from 1962’s ‘Dr. No’ to 2015’s ‘Spectre’ in celebration of the release of the new Bond flick ‘No Time To Die’. The successful applicant will receive a four-figure sum as well as an Amazon gift card so they can rent all of the films. Amar Hussain, the founder of NerdBear.com, said: “While we wait for the release later this year, we thought it would be fun and a pleasant distraction from
Mystic Mandy Horoscopes Peter Mandelson’s nonjudgemental, societal categorisations, based on the geometry of celestial bodies at the 1/12th phase of the Earth’s annual passage relative to the Sun. Astrological Spin Doctoring at its finest. Your Stars explained.....
apparently
Aries (Mar20 -Apr 20) Aries loves to be number one, so it’s no surprise that these audacious rams are the first sign of the zodiac. Bold and ambitious, Aries dives headfirst into even the most challenging situations.
clone yourself just to get everything done? That’s the Gemini experience in a nutshell. Appropriately symbolized by the celestial twins, this air sign was interested in so many pursuits that it had to double itself.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Taurus is an earth sign represented by the bull. Like their celestial spirit animal, Taureans enjoy relaxing in serene, bucolic environments surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas, and succulent flavours.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Cancer is a cardinal water sign. Represented by the crab, this crustacean seamlessly weaves between the sea and shore representing Cancer’s ability to exist in both emotional and material realms. Cancers are highly intuitive and their psychic abilities manifest in tangible spaces: For instance, Cancers can effortlessly pick up the energies in a room.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Have you ever been so busy that you wished you could
Leo (July 23 - August 22) Roll out the red carpet because Leo has arrived. Leo
is represented by the lion and these spirited fire signs are the kings and queens of the celestial jungle. They’re delighted to embrace their royal status: Vivacious, theatrical, and passionate, Leos love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate themselves. Virgo (August 23 – September22) Virgo is an earth sign historically represented by the goddess of wheat and agriculture, an association that speaks to Virgo’s deeprooted presence in the material world. Virgos are logical, practical, and systematic in their approach to life. This earth sign is a perfectionist at heart and isn’t afraid to improve skills through diligent and consistent practice. Libra (September 23 - October 22) Libra is an air sign represented by the scales (interestingly, the only inanimate object of
Covid to offer this opportunity to a movie buff.” You’re Nicked
Kingston Police Service revealed that officers stopped a Biker after spotting the shoddy number plates. An image of the plate showed that the number played had markings for Ontario but featured the slogan ‘Live Free Or Die’, which can be seen on number plates in the US state of New Hampshire. Additionally, the driver also misspelled the word ‘free’ in his bogus plates. Squirrel seen stealing parcel
Noemi Gutierrez was sitting outside her house with her family when they noticed the animal approaching the Amazon parcel that had been dropped off at a building across the street. The family recorded video footage of the squirrel grabbing the zodiac), an association that reflects Libra’s fixation on balance and harmony. Libra is obsessed with symmetry and strives to create equilibrium in all areas of life. Scorpio (October 23 November 21) Scorpio is one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac. Because of its incredible passion and power, Scorpio is often mistaken for a fire sign. In fact, Scorpio is a water sign that derives its strength from the psychic, emotional realm. Read your sign’s full profile here. Sagittarius (November 22 December 21) Represented by the archer, Sagittarians are always on a quest for knowledge. The last fire sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius launches its many pursuits like blazing arrows, chasing after geographical, intellectual, and spiritual adventures.
the package before fleeing to the top of the building with it. It is not the first time the squirrel has committed theft, as Gutierrez suspects that the same creature stole tortillas that had been left on her porch last year. Zoo comes to rescue of man bitten by snake
Medics contacted the Riverbanks Zoo in the US state of South Carolina after a patient reported that he had been bitten by his pet green mamba, a venomous species of snake native to Africa. Sean Foley, curator of herpetology at the zoo, revealed the importance of treating the snake owner as quickly as possible. He said “[If] you get bitten by a green mamba without antivenom, your chances of survival are very low. The bite victim is expected to make a full recovery and is back at home with his snake. Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) The last earth sign of the zodiac, Capricorn is represented by the sea goat, a mythological creature with the body of a goat and the tail of a fish. Accordingly, Capricorns are skilled at navigating both the material and emotional realms. Aquarius (January 20 February 18) Despite the “aqua” in its name, Aquarius is actually the last air sign of the zodiac. Aquarius is represented by the water bearer, the mystical healer who bestows water, or life, upon the land. Accordingly, Aquarius is the most humanitarian astrological sign. Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Pisces, a water sign, is the last constellation of the zodiac. It’s symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, representing the constant division of Pisces’ attention between fantasy and reality. As the final sign, Pisces has absorbed every lesson — the joys and the pain, the hopes and the fears — learned by all of the other signs.
thewordmedia.org
SATIRE
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
17
18
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
thewordmedia.org
Hope and Good News
Sri Lanka Workers took part in the Global Week of Action, by addressing factory owners directly and demanding they do justice by them.
The Star garment workers from Katunayake in Sri Lanka rallied last Saturday and managed to secure a victory. The factory owners promised to pay their previously denied back wages. Collective action works! UK Funding of ￡120 million made available by the Department for Transport for local authorities to buy zero – emission buses. This could provide 500 such buses as part of the aim to introduce 4,000 of these greener vehicles under the wider ￡3 billion national bus strategy announced earlier. Iceland HÚSAVÍK, known as the "whale capital" of Iceland, is a popular site for visitors to whale watch. Due to Coronavirus, the number of people visiting the island has decreased over the past year. Without the loud noises from construction and cruise ships, the stress hormone levels in the whale population have decreased. Whale hunting has also been made extremely difficult due to COVID social distancing regulations.
Heimir Hardarson, the captain of a whale watching boat, predicts a decrease in commercial whaling in the future: "We got a new perspective, and it's just in that time that we realised really that our land is beautiful, our water is good and also that people were interested in whales." A decrease in whaling is not only good for the whales but also minimizes Iceland's carbon footprint.
South Australia Less than two decades ago, South Australia generated all its electricity from fossil fuels. Last year, renewables provided 60% of the state’s electricity supply. The remarkable progress came when national climate policy was not really present. Why was this possible? Often governments need enough political power to push through changes despite opposition from established fossil fuel interests. They must also watch the energy market closely to prevent and respond to major disruptions, such as a coal plant closing, and help displaced workers and their towns deal with the change. South Australia shows how good public policy can enable dramatic emissions reduction,
even in a privately owned electricity system. This provides important lessons for other governments in Australia and across the world.
Ecuador I write this in the hope that Ecuador has elected a government that wants to return to the successful years of progress, under the now exiled two-term President Rafael Correa.
His latest kindness? Last week, he showed up at Los Angeles’ Malibu Community Labour Exchange and began handing out cash to job seekers waiting in line outside the non-profit.
pulp became a small forest, with 60% greater canopy coverage reaching 4 times as high than the non-treated area, which mostly remained filled with invasive grasses and weeds.
Helping others has been an important part of Van Dyke’s life for decades. He’s known for spending over 20 years volunteering at LA shelter The Midnight Mission and spokesperson for a number of charities.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/4mf2kayb
His protege Andres Arauz a 36year old left-wing candidate, from the Union for Hope (UNES) California hosts a total of coalition, is favourite to win 151,278 homeless individuals. This Ecuador Presidential election on represents 20% of all homeless April 11 - after securing a strong first people in the United States. There round victory. are approximately 10,980 homeless veterans His opponent is from the centre right Guillermo Lasso Costa Rica & coffee: (Creating Opportunities (CREO) , Humans can be perked up by a but the key will be the votes from cup of coffee but a new study Yaku Perez who only failed by shows that for trees, a bit of 0.1% to figure in the final electoral caffeine is just as good. run-off. He represents the indigenous Pachakutik party. Tropical forests can regrow much faster when running on the I hope in the next edition I can caffeine from coffee pulp, a waste report the election results as product from coffee production. This was found in a direct caseGOOD NEWS control study of degraded tropical land in Costa Rica. Los Angeles 95-year-old Dick Van Dyke has Indeed, a report from the been caught doing all sorts of good British Ecological Society deeds over the years. claimed the area treated with
Colombia & coffee Coffee husks, a papery material surrounding the prized beans, are being turned into resilient, light, and versatile building materials that can make the panels of a house for as little as $4,500. The Bogota-based firm, which tried to develop a material from rice fibre, palm fronds, sawdust, and even recycled plastic, eventually settled on coffee husk for its availability, fire resistance, and insect/ waterproofing. Another benefit? Utilising coffee husks would stop them ending up in landfills where they would add to the methane emissions of the country. Stop Press Virginia: Virginia confirms abolition of the death penalty. Ralph Northam, Virginia's democratic Governor has made the state the 23rd to do so.
THE
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
WORD
19
Women who made a Difference S
imone Segouin (b. 3 October 1925), also known by her nom de guerre Nicole Minet, is a former French Resistance fighter.
Simone was born in Chartres, France and grew up alongside three brothers. She was close to her father, a decorated soldier during World War I. She attended school until the age of 14, at which point she began work on the family farm. She was only 18-years-old when the Germans in 1940 marched into France and began a brutal occupation. Her love of her country and admiration for her veteran father made Simone was determined to find a way she could help, even as a teenage girl. Her first act of rebellion was to steal a bicycle from a German military administration, and to slice the tires of all of the other bikes and motorcycles so they couldn't pursue her. She joined the Francs-Tireurs et Partisans, a resistance group and took the nom de guerre Nicole Minet. Simone was provided with false identity papers showing Nicole Minet to be from the Channel port of Dunkirk. This was a wise move because the port was bombed at the beginning of the war so it was impossible for them to verify her papers.
ing Simone is pictured tak 19, 1944 st u g u A in s ri a P f o n o the liberati While helping capture German troops in Thivars, she fell in love with Roland Boursier, commander of the resistance operation in her home
town. He was in hiding after killing a group of German soldiers. Since he could not leave his hiding place in the countryside, Simone became his courier, taking messages to the main Resistance group. She went on to have six children with Roland. However the couple never married, and all of the children bore Segouin's name. She used the stolen bike to deliver messages between Resistance groups. Then after intensive military training to be a combat soldier she carried out multiple acts of sabotage against German targets. She was an extremely fast learner and quickly became an expert at tactics and explosives. She led teams of Resistance fighters to capture German troops, set traps, and sabotage German equipment. Later her deeds escalated to derailing German trains, blocking roads, blowing up bridges and helping to create a German-free path to help the Allied forces retake France from the inside. Simone was present at the liberation of the historic city of Chartres on 23 August 1944. She gained international notoriety when photographs of her by American photographer Robert Capa were published in Life
weeks after the capture of 25 German soldiers in which she took part. He concluded his piece on her by noting: I could find no trace of what is conventionally called toughness in Nicole. After routine farm life, she finds her present job thrilling and exhilarating. Now that the war is passing beyond her own home district she does not think of going back to the farm. She wants to go on with the Partisans and help free the rest of France After helping to liberate Chartres, Simone linked up with France’s 2nd Armoured division, heading towards Paris with de Gaulle. Paris was still a battle zone, as outnumbered German troops fought a rearguard action. Simone was in the thick of that action. Two days later she was at the liberation of Paris. She was never caught and was promoted to lieutenant and awarded several medals, including the Croix de Guerre. After the war, she studied medicine and became a paediatric nurse. She is still going strong, and this October (2021) she will turn 96. She now lives in Courville-surEure, where a street was recently named after her. Mayor Frederic
Hallouin described Simone as “A rebellious spirit, a strong character certainly, who took her father’s example and rejected the enemy occupying our country.” Simone said, “I’m very glad to know that people are not indifferent to this period of my life.” In 2020, the Village Hall in Thivers was named after Segouin. About four years ago the British military charity Soldiering On presented her with an international award. It stated: “The award is in recognition of your exemplary courage and devotion to the vital work carried out by the French Resistance during the Second World War. They were an inspiration for your fellow countrymen and women and to those of us in Britain, more than 70 years ago and they continue to be to this day. We in Britain are still keenly aware of the vital role played by yourself and your comrades in weakening German morale…, often at great personal sacrifice. The French Resistance and your part in it proved critical in supporting our armed forces, especially those stranded behind enemy lines.” A modest heroine of our time.
20
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Vegan recipes As The Word Newspapers usual recipe writer, Chris Williamson, has not provided his usual Vegan recipe we have been forced to find another source. In the interests of balance we bring you........
JACOB REES-MOGGS SPOTTED DICK Ingredveise4 nts
Ser Ingredients ur 240 g plain flo der 1 tsp baking pow Pinch of salt 120 g suet rown sugar 80 g soft light b 120 g currants n, grated Zest of ½ lemo ice ½ tsp mixed sp 200 ml water utter 50 g unsalted b rup 4 tbsp golden sy 300 ml custard greased You will need a basin. 1 litre pudding
Instructions Sieve the flour and baking powder together into a large mixing bowl with the salt. Add suet, sugar, currants, lemon zest and mixed spice, and just enough water to make a soft dough. Mix together with your hands. Put the dough into a greased 1 litre pudding basin. Drop into a steamer over boiling water. Cover the saucepan and cook for 1 1/2 hours ensuring the pan doesn't
boil dry. Top up with boiling water if necessary. Remove wrappings and cut the pudding into 4cm slices. Place flat on each plate and serve with a knob of butter and drizzle with golden syrup, with custard on the side. For this dish, we use a vegetable steamer sitting over a saucepan but you could use a colander.
thewordmedia.org
THE
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
WORD
21
SCIENCE PAGE
A tiny, wobbling muon just shook particle physics to it s core
T
he results from one of the most hotly-anticipated experiments in particle physics are in, and they could be about to fulfill every researcher's wildest dreams: They maybe, perhaps, could break physics as we know it.
Evidence taken from the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago appears to point to a miniscule subatomic particle known as the muon wobbling far more than theory predicts it should. The best explanation, according to physicists, is that the muon is being pushed about by types of matter and energy completely unknown to physics. If the results are true, the discovery represents a breakthrough in particle physics of a kind that hasn't been seen for 50 years, when the dominant theory to explain subatomic particles was first developed. The teeny-tiny wobble of
the muon — created by the interaction of its intrinsic magnetic field, or magnetic moment, with an external magnetic field — could shake the very foundations of science.
long awaited not only by us but by the whole international physics community," Graziano Venanzoni, co-spokesperson of the Muon g-2 experiment and physicist at the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, said in a statement.
EARTH NEARLY LOST ALL ITS OXYGEN 2.3 3,000-year-old 'Lost Golden City' BILLION YEARS AGO discovered in Egypt
A
rchaeologists have found a "Lost Golden City" that's been buried under the ancient Egyptian capital of Luxor for the past 3,000 years, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced Thursday (April 8). The city, historically known as "The Rise of Aten," was founded by Amenhotep III (ruled 1391-1353 B.C.), the grandfather of Tutankhamun, or King Tut. People
"Today is an extraordinary day,
continued to use the "Golden City" during Amenhotep III's co-regency with his son, Amenhotep IV (who later changed his name to Akhenaten), as well as during the rule of Tut and the pharaoh who followed him, known as Ay. Despite the city's rich history — historical documents report that it was home to King Amenhotep III's three royal palaces and was the largest administrative and industrial settlement in Luxor at that time — its
Brain meshed with computer S
SAN FRANCISCO, California — Elon Musk’s startup devoted to meshing brains with computers was closer to its dream on Friday, having gotten a monkey to play video game Pong using only its mind. Musk has long contended that merging minds with machines is vital
if people are going to avoid being outpaced by artificial intelligence. A video posted on YouTube by the entrepreneur’s Neuralink startup showed a macaque monkey named “Pager” playing Pong by essentially using thought to move paddles that bounce digital balls back and forth on screen.
A
remains eluded archaeologists until now. "Many foreign missions searched for this city and never found it," Zahi Hawass, the archaeologist who led the Golden City's excavation and the former minister of state for antiquities affairs, said in a translated statement.
new study pushes the permanent rise of oxygen in the atmosphere to 100 million years later than previously believed.
Chemical signatures locked in rocks that formed during this era had suggested that by 2.32 billion years ago, oxygen was a permanent feature of the planet's atmosphere.
Earth's transition permanently hosting oxygenated atmosphere was a halting process that took 100 million years longer than previously b e l i e ve d , according to a new study.
But a new study delving into the period after 2.32 billion years ago finds that oxygen levels were still yo-yoing back and forth until 2.22 billion years a g o , when t h e planet fi n a l l y reached a permanent tipping point. This new research, published in the journal Nature on March 29, extends the duration of what scientists call the Great Oxidation Event by 100 million years. It also may confirm the link between oxygenation and massive climate swings.
to an
When Earth first formed 4.5 billion years ago, the atmosphere contained almost no oxygen. But 2.43 billion years ago, something happened: Oxygen levels started rising, then falling, accompanied by massive changes in climate, including several glaciations that may have covered the entire globe in ice.
22
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Business Quiz Questions • Which small British company collapsed in 1990 with massive debts leading to the flight of its CEO, Asil Nadir to Cyprus? • Who was made the Small Business Ambassador to the UK Government under Prime Minister David Cameron? • The standard rate of VAT increased to 20% in 2011, what was it previously? Korea) Seoul (South
•
KFC
•
• Which 'dragon' made her name by turning Bombay Bicycle Club into the largest chain of Indian restaurants in the UK? • Apple was named the most valuable global brand in 2015, which brand came second? •Name the world's largest cosmetics company? • Which business group owns the clothing retailers Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, and Topshop?
• Bunnings Association of Securities Dealers • Quotations (National • Amazon.com • Arcadia Group
• The NASDAQ Stock Market is an American stock exchange; what does the 'Q' stand for in the acronym NASDAQ?
Automated Quotations)
• Jeff Bezos had s reported wealth of over sixty billion dollars in 2016, what made him rich?
• L'Oreal • Sarah Willingham • 17.5% • Karren Brady
• What was founded by American Harland Sanders during the Great Depression?
• Microsoft
• Following its recent takeover, what name is DIY chain Homebase to be rebranded?
• Polly Peck .
Answers
• Samsung is an Asian company with headquarters in which city?
thewordmedia.org
THE
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
WORD
23
The Bulldozer Companies That Were Most Complicit In Israeli War Crimes In 2020
T
he bulldozers that displaced the most people overall were manufactured by JCB (UK), Caterpillar (US) and Volvo (Sweden). The
company
that
was
complicit in displacing the most children was JCB. The bulldozers that affected the most people overall were manufactured by Hidromek (Turkey) and JCB.
BIASED REVISIONS MADE TO TWO PEARSON GCSE TEXTBOOKS ON THE MIDDLE EAST
A
report (Censorship of UK School Text Books on the Middle East) by the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) has uncovered bias that has been introduced into GCSE textbooks on Middle East history. They found hundreds of changes in two books published by Pearson, averaging over 3 alterations per page.
The examinations at which these textbooks are targeted are sat by thousands of GCSE and International GCSE students annually. The changes to the books were made at the instigation of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and UK Lawyers for Israel. The report of this investigation finds that changes have been made to what facts are presented, what interpretations given, and what language employed. In almost every case the alterations move these books towards supporting an Israelfriendly version of that history, and away from presenting the Palestinian narrative. The report notes that despite the scale of the
changes the books carry no notice that they have been revised. For further details see the BRICUP report, the accompanying press release from BRICUP, and the report in Middle
East Eye. The report’s authors call for the books’ immediate withdrawal. Subsequent to the publication of the report National Education
Union (NEU), the UK's main teaching union, has expressed concern about the findings and the editorial process that led to the changes. The NEU has said it will be contacting the publishers.
24
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Top 5 ironic deaths for crooked politicians
As voted on by our readers
thewordmedia.org
1 Boris Johnson Not, as you would expect, dying of a heart attack whilst doing something nasty to a pigs head but kicking the bucket of the virus that his incompetence has allowed to kill thousands. This was by far and away our reader’s most popular choice.
2 Tony Blair
4 Owen Smith
Suffocated by a room full of £50 notes. The greediest Bliar of all politicians. This fake Socialist usually tops our polls of evil. Blair is reputed to be worth around £450 million. He made his pile on the deaths of tens of thousands of poor people throughout the world by helping the American Empire in its wars.
Best remembered as the charisma free right wing Labour M.P. who challenged Corbyn for the leadership but had to bribe people with free ice creams to attend his rallies. He later left politics for a lucrative job with Pfizer. You voted that his end should be from an allergic reaction to the jab.
5 Benjamin Netanyahu The corrupt but many times elected P.M. of Israel. An ironic end would be run over by one of the bulldozers his Government uses to destroy Palestinian villages.
3 Priti Patel Done in by an eyebrow pencil. If you have been following the news you would know that she put in an expenses claim of £77,000 on purchases from SP Beautiful Brows in March last year. Other expense claims included £900 at a pub in Oxford, £5,400 in Primark, £849.50 at Sports Direct and £1,000 at the Folkestone Garden Centre.
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
THE
WORD
25
WITNESS THE EASTERTIDE CHAOS OF
'KILL-THE-BILL' IN MANCHESTER!
THE CARN PEOPLE S AGE OF DOWN AN ITTING A MEGAPD USING HONE!
I
wandered into St Peters Square at lunchtime on Easter Saturday with a sense of foreboding and trepidation. I was anticipating the presence of an unruly mob, committing gross acts of anti-social behaviour and sporadic violence. I wondered to myself what I was bringing upon my own head by walking these broken streets! And, sure enough, what were the debauched scenes that I beheld? I'll tell you what! I saw, crowds of several thousand people, not one of them more than three metres away from the nearest person! During a pandemic, dammitall!!!! Okay, so admittedly the minimum distance people can stand from each other is two metres, but still, you know, it was wrong because, you know, reasons. And what else did I witness along with this outrageously, sociallydistanced crowd, almost all of whom were wearing facemasks? What else? I'll tell you what else! I saw them brandishing placards and speaking very, very loudly through megaphones. That's what!
Okay, so they weren't trying to hit anybody with the placards, and I suppose it's not the first time people have used megaphones to amplify their voices at one of these “demmonn-stray-shunn” thingummies. But they were loud! It was, oh, really quite annoying. Well, okay, so I suppose if it had really been unbearable, I could have just, you know, wandered off somewhere else, but why should I? I'm allowed to stand in the middle of a public square admiring the very few statues and blocking up the tramlines if I like. Curiously, I didn't see anyone blocking up the tramlines all day, which was a bit of a shock. Oh, and then this rabble of brutes went marching! Yes, they marched all the way to the Crown Court, holding up the Easter weekend traffic wherever they went for spells sometimes in excess of two whole minutes! And then, what did they do at the Crown Court?!? I'll tell you what they did!!! They... sat on the steps up to the entrance, and... er, did more speeches through a sound system that wasn't really working very well. How irresponsible! Well,
okay, actually quite peaceful and non-violent, but, you know, outrage anyway because, er, other reasons. And then... THEN! They marched back to St. Pete's and did more speeches! The uncivilised bastards! It's a wonder the city of Manchester is still standing... And what I noticed all the way through witnessing this havoc was that the police presence was extremely slight. Only a handful of officers were allocated to either the Square or the Crown Court, compared with the dozens allocated on previous occasions that turned violent. There's a clear lesson for us all from this, I think. An unthinking leftie would answer, “Maybe that a lower police presence provokes less of a backlash from the crowd?” but that is not the lesson I mean. I haven't actually figured out which one I do mean yet, but hey, it's definitely a better lesson, because even more reasons. By Martin Odoni and Clare Bickle
26
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
thewordmedia.org
Saturday’s football
MANCHESTER CITY 1 LEEDS UNITED 2 S
tuart Dallas scored an injury-time winner as 10man Leeds United beat runaway leaders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. Dallas gave the visitors a surprise lead three minutes before the break with a low shot that went in off the inside of a post. However, the dismissal of skipper Liam Cooper for a tackle on Gabriel Jesus before the opening period was over appeared to have given the visitors an impossible task. City predictably dominated the second period but were made to wait until the 76th minute for their equaliser, when Ferran Torres drove home his first Premier League goal since December.
Swansea end a run of four successive
defeats with a 3-0 win at Millwall
A
ndre Ayew curled home an opener in first-half stoppage time as the Swans scored their first goal in five games.
Jamal Lowe struck a second with 15 minutes remaining to cap a fine counter and ease Swansea nerves, before adding his second with a smart finish.
DERBY 0 NORWICH 1 Championship leaders Norwich edged past struggling Derby to move within two points of securing promotion back to the Premier League.
ACCRINGTON 1 WIMBLEDON 5 AFC Wimbledon moved out of the relegation places with a 5-1
victory over Accrington, marking their biggest win of the season.
SOUTHEND 0 CRAWLEY 0
P
hil Brown started his second spell in charge of Southend with a goalless draw against Crawley at Roots Hall. Brown, who previously spent five years at the club,
replaced Mark Molesley as Shrimpers manager on Friday. But he had to settle for a share of the spoils on his return as struggling Southend failed to win for the 10th home game in succession.
CELTIC 6 LIVINGSTON O ames Forrest and David Turnbull netted to reward first-half dominance.
J
and a late Ryan Christie finish sealed a convincing victory as Livingston capitulated.
A Jack Fitzwater own goal, a Mohamed Elyounoussi double
There was an injury concern for Celtic as Forrest was forced off on his
LIVERPOOL 2 ASTON VILLA 1 Trent Alexander-Arnold scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool came from behind to beat Aston Villa and end a run of six consecutive defeats at Anfield.
first league start since September. Fifth-place Livingston remain four points clear of St Johnstone after a first defeat in three Premiership outings.
THE
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
WORD
27
Rachael Blackmore wins Grand National on Minella Times
The first ever female grand national winner. The event has been held since 1839.
Heart of Midlothian:
Robbie Neilson's side clinch Championship
H
earts have been crowned winners of the Scottish Championship following draws for both Raith Rovers and Dundee.
Premiership.
Robbie Neilson's team earn promotion at the first time of asking on the back of relegation from last season's curtailed
However, with Raith being pegged back by Arbroath and Dundee's stalemate with Morton, Hearts clinched the title.
Hearts beat Alloa Athletic 60 on Friday to leave them needing just two points to secure the title.
Terrible England torn apart
Women’s football
as Parris is lost in France
G
oals in each half from Sandy Baltimore and Viviane Asseyi put the hosts in control in Caen. Kirby's spot-kick reduced the deficit with 11 minutes remaining, but Marie-Antoinette Katoto's close-range effort three minutes later sealed victory. Nikita Parris and Beth Mead also had chances well saved by
France goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin.
E
Pauline
Temporary boss Hege Riise, who is also leading Team GB at this summer's Olympics, is likely with the Lionesses creating a host of chances only to be denied by a fine performance by goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin. Ironically Parris did not have one of her better games for her country and England really do seem to be going
Women’s rugby union
backwards since the departure of Mark Sampson as manager. They looked really vulnerable at the back without the injured Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze. France seemed to tear them apart with ease.
ngland secured their place in the Women's Six Nations final as a flurry of late scores helped them to a nine-try victory in Italy. In a slow start for the Red Roses, Emily Scarratt and Vicky Fleetwood benefited from Italian mistakes for the side's only first-half tries.
England improved when replacements came on after the break and scored four tries in seven minutes, with Abby Dow crossing twice in Parma.
28
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
thewordmedia.org
W i l d A b o u t t wo H a r r ys E
ngland made one change from the side which beat Albania 2-0 with Ben Chilwell replacing Luke Shaw. Both players clearly competing for the Left Wing Back position, and both providing good account when offered the chance. England have some very talented skilful players. Something is missing. Poland were also missing something, and not just Robert Lewandowski, currently recognised as the world's best player. The first half had some demonstrations of his dribbling ability by Raheem Sterling, though the only real product was the Penalty which Kane then scored for England to take the lead. A close look at replays might have noted no contact, this game had no VAR. There was a show of skill from the likes of Mount, Fo d e n and Rice, though t h e
movement off the ball & lack of real connection are areas to improve. The start of the second half saw a spark of life from Poland who showed they could put England under pressure. The pressure led to an error by Stone, with Arek Milek then setting up Jakub Moder who finished with a well placed curving shot. At this point with the score equal the Poles seemed to again sit back, though this might have been in part to the effort of Harry Kane who began leading from the front. A corner led to a winner from England's other Harry who, after a slight push on the opposing defender, found the room to slam the ball home. England top the group after three games, nine points, two points clear of Hungary and five points ahead of a Polish side which had been billed as their main opposition. by Mo Rehman
Scotland h rescue F
or the second World Cup qualifier in under a week, another sterile first half Scottish performance was redeemed by a muchimproved second. But with two draws from their opening two matches, the Scots can hardly call
Sterile first half Scottish performa nce.
themselves the-block.”
Israel we better-quality Aviv, then at showing m before half-ti given them w go in the fi
THE
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
Early April 2021
WORD
29
Qatar 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Uneasy times for Irish Republic continue D
half-stumble-halfthemselves again “Quick-out-of-
ere, if not the y side in Tel t least the side more urgency ime. Their lead, with a minute to first half by a
mighty long-range strike by Dor Peretz, was a fair reflection of the opening 45 minutes. Scotland massively stepped it up after half-time, and were able to draw level 11 minutes into the second half, through a well-crafted
strike by Ryan Fraser. From there, both teams had their chances, but neither could break through again. Tricky opposition, but two points lost again by Scotland. By Martin Odoni
Despite making a powerful start in the friendly against World Cup hosts Qatar, played in Debrecen, the Republic of Ireland once again ended up frustrated as their long run without a win continued. The Irish fielded eight changes from the horror show against Luxembourg. And they got exactly the start they were desperate for when James McClean's shot took a cruel deflection that carried into the Qatar net on just four minutes. It precipitated a much better first
half display in which they could easily have added to their lead. But after half-time, the Irish began to look increasingly legweary, and Qatar took swift advantage, equalising just two minutes into the second half through a fine strike from Mohammed Montari. From there, the Irish found they could not rediscover their earlier rhythm. There were chances to each side late on, and a draw was about right. It all adds up to another winless venture for a team who
have yet to register a first victory under coach Stephen Kenny.
Long run without a win extended against Qatar
30
THE
WORD
Early April 2021
POLITICS AND EVENTS
thewordmedia.org
Wales maintain good form A
A somewhat badtempered international saw Wales claim a narrow but priceless three points in their campaign to reach a rare World Cup Finals. It was certainly not as pretty or convincing a victory as the friendly win over Mexico a few days earlier. The Czechs dominated the first half and wasted several fine opportunities, and both teams were reduced to ten men as frustrations began to boil over. Critical mass was reached just three minutes into the second half, when Czech forward Patrik Schick was given a straight red card for thrusting a hand into the face of Connor Roberts. Roberts certainly did his opponent no favours by making, not so much a meal, as a fourcourse banquet of going to ground. Even so, by the letter of the current law, Schick had to go. Roberts in turn got his marching orders in the closing stages when the referee ran out of patience with him for a string of offences. If Wales could be forgiven for feeling a bit down at losing their
one-man advantage without having turned it into goals, to their credit, they responded superbly. With nine minutes remaining, a tremendous ball into the Czech Republic box from the left flank by Gareth Bale was met with a stupendous header by Daniel
James that powered into the net for what proved to be the only score. Overall, the Czechs can feel unlucky, but Wales are now right back in the chase for a World Cup place from Group E.
Heineken Cup Round Up T
least eventful match had promised a classic, Leinster & Toulon. Toulon unable to field a team due to Covid risk, Leinster progressed without playing. Jonny Sexton & teammates will have to show themselves worthy against their next opponents. Lyon showed real flair. Toby Arnold, former sevens player for New Zealand essential to both early tries. Current champions Exeter responded with brute strength, 6'7" 18stones Lock Forward Jonny Hill crossing the line twice. Even when Exeter backs scored it was forward domination leading the way. Exeter scored seven tries to win 47-25. Their next opponents are Leinster. Gloucester's strength was insufficient to beat a combination of favourable bounces of the ball, flair, and resolute defending by La Rochelle. Flanker/ Centre, Fijian Levani Botia combined back & forward skills being part of tries scored and providing the turnover which ended the match. Gloucester 16 La Rochelle 27.
was the pick of Bordeaux's three tries. Bordeaux 36-14 victors. Racing 92 Paris were missing their Scottish star, Finn Russell, for the visit of Edinburgh. Racing were not only more capable but a spun one handed offload from Virimi Vakatawa was typical of the joie de vivre in a team on its way to a 56-3 victory. Next an allFrench game against Bordeaux.
Llanelli Scarlets were overrun by Sale Sharks 57-14. U.S. fly half AJ McGinty's try, six conversions, five penalties, 32 of Sale's points. The loss of the Scarlets young centre Jonny Williams, who's had injury problems this season, made things worse. Sale will play La Rochelle in the 1/4 final. Bristol Bears led through Henry Purdy's try for most of the first half. Bordeaux showed resilient defence. Although Mathieu Jalibert scored 19 of their points, a fine driving run from deep by South African Hooker Joseph Dweba slicing through the defence
Keith Earls & Gavin Coombs both scored two tries for Munster in a match neither side deserved to lose. The difference was the France & Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont at his brilliant best as his side were 40-37 victors. Powerful wing Paolo Odogwu put Wasps ahead. Fullback Matteo Minozzi showed esquisite skill then dropped the ball crossing the line before he'd ground it. Minozzi's mistake proved costly. Clermont had flashes of skill before Kotaro Matsushima's try in the last minute put Clermont through for another all French 1/4 final against Toulouse. by Susan Port
FOOTBALL RE SU LTS WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Tuesday 30th March Wales Wednesday 31st March Northern Ireland Scotland England
1-0
Czech Republic
0-0 4-0 2-1
Bulgaria Faroe Islands Poland
FA PREMIER LEAGUE: Tuesday Saturday 3rd April Chelsea Leeds United Leicester City Arsenal Sunday 4thApril Southampton Newcastle United Aston Villa Manchester United
2-5 2-1 0-2 0-3
West Bromwich Albion Sheffield United Manchester City Liverpool
3-2 2-2 3-1 2-1
Burnley Tottenham Hotspur Fulham Brighton & Hove Albion
FA WOMEN'S SUPER LEAGUE: Reading Chelsea Everton Women Brighton & Hove Albionn Bristol City Women Tottenham Hotspur
0-5 6-0 3-1 1-0 0-4 0-3
WestHam United Birmingham City Aston Villa Man. United Arsenal Manchester City
THE
thewordmedia.org
POLITICS AND EVENTS
N
orthern Ireland got off the mark in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers, securing a first point from two games. Also captain Steven Davis set a new record number of international caps for any British player – 126, moving one ahead of England's Peter Shilton. But there was little else of note in a sadly tedious match against Bulgaria in Belfast, as two teams
Scotland on improved form against Faroes T
The Scots finally registered their first win in Group F of the World Cup Qualifiers, with a quite routine 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands. It was an improvement that had to be seen, in light of the opposition, but it gives Scotland some desperately-needed impetus after opening with two draws. John McGinn, increasingly looking like the most critical attacker in the Scottish line-up, was once again the star of the show, with a brace of goals, including the all-important early
WORD
31
Northern Ireland continue stumbling
0-0
he Scots finally registered their first win in Group F of the World Cup Qualifiers, with a quite routine 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands. It was an improvement that had to be seen, in light of the opposition, but it gives Scotland some desperatelyneeded impetus after opening with two draws.
Early April 2021
opener, a nice first-time finish from Kieran Tierney's cutback.
By Odoni
Martin
After both sides exchanged chances to trouble the scoreboard operator, Tierney set McGinn up again with a delightful cross so well-placed, when it reached McGinn, he could hardly miss. Newcomer Ché Adams then got in on the action with a brute of a strike from twenty yards, before Fraser added a fourth with a header with twenty minutes left. It was still not a great showing from Scotland, who will be disappointed not to have added any late extra goals, and concerned that the Faroes created four or five presentable chances of their own. But the win lifts them into the 'wild-card' second place in the Group, just ahead of Israel and Austria.
The win li them into fts 'wild-cardthe second pl ' ac in the e Group
lacking quality or teeth cancelled each other out. Had Northern Ireland won, it would have been fair, as they dominated the attacking statistics; 70% possession, 14 shots to 3. But truth to tell, they were the better team only by default. The high point of the match from an Irish perspective was a first half header by Stuart Dallas against the Bulgarian crossbar. But
in injury time, the Irish had keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell to thank with a very fine save to keep out a great header by Dimitar Iliev. Northern Ireland's chances of making the World Cup are already fading, as Italy and Switzerland both have one hundred per cent records from three games and two games respectively. Northern Ireland are also still winless in 90 minutes under manager Ian Baraclough from eleven matches.
Better att a display, bcking against w ut o oppositioeful n
Racism rears
otball re fo e u g a le s a re o m e c n it s ugly head o
turns
“Valenc players w ia off the fie alked ld in after Mou protest ctar Diakhaby comp of receivin lained g racial insu a lt”
Ethnic abuse in Spain and England
on marred Easter weekend
T
ottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez has shared an image on social media of various examples racial abuse he has received over the Internet. Sanchez punctuated the post with a clearly-hurt comment, “Nothing changes.”
The Easter weekend, with the return of the league program after the International break, was not a good one for racial relations in football. The day before Sanchez revealed the abuse he took, West Bromwich Albion striker Callum Robinson got similar mistreatment after his team's surprise win 5-2 at Chelsea. West Midlands Police have been called in to investigate. And in La Liga in Spain, Valencia players walked off the field in protest after Mouctar Diakhaby complained of receiving a racial insult during a defeat by Cadiz. The comment was apparently made during a heated confrontation with Cadiz defender Juan Cala. The players returned to the field to
“Callu Robinsomn
got sim mistreatm ilar ent a his team' fter surprise w s in”
complete the match eventually, at Diakhaby's insistence, when it became clear that Valencia might be face a points deduction if the game was abandoned. This has all added up to an Easter weekend that was not a good way for domestic football to resume. By Martin Odoni