Issuu

THE

WORD

Issue #69, Early October Edition 2021

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Gas prices to shoot up in October as families lose £20 a week Covid money

PAGE 6

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

SO LD O F F

Equality Democracy Truth Courage

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ANOTHER FINE MESS THE TORIES HAVE GOT US INTO

Our gas storag

e wa s so l d wit h

Tory blessing i n

2017

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Re - nationalise OUR GAS NOW

2021 IT'S HEAT OR EAT FOR MANY

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WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

WE HAVE VACANCIES IN IMPORTANT POSITIONS THE WORD is coming out again as a printed newspaper in time for the party conference season with an October 1 special edition. After that you can find The Word as a printed Sunday newspaper from the end of November. We will be in selected newsagents around the country. To get your copy of THE WORD please subscribe on our website at thewordmedia.org this will help us to be able to get it into a newsagent near you. The Word is currently seeking people to add to its team of volunteers, all of whom share our goals and aspirations. Training will be given.

- File manager - Information Specialist - Social Media Group Admins - Features Editor (no experience necessary) - Sports Writer (enthusiasm, wide interests) - Cartoonist and Humourist / Satirist Details/ Application to: info¤thewordmedia.org By Seymour Griffiths

FROM NOVEMBER THE WORD WILL BE OUT AS A NEWSPAPER EVERY SUNDAY

THE WORD will be in selected newsagents around the country

HOW YOU CAN HELP SPREAD THE WORD

WHO WE ARE Our abiding principles

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We are a collective of volunteers working cooperatively to produce a quality tabloid newspaper that comes from the principle of fairness. Where there is genuine discussion on the Left about any issue we attempt to give space to both sides of that debate. We stand in permanent opposition to the exploitation of people whether they be black or white, male or female, old or young. We have no time for racists, anti-Semites, islamophobe, sexists, homophobes, or bullies of any other kind. We object wholeheartedly to lies, wherever they originate, thus we have historically called out fakes amongst politicians, the covering up of scandals, particularly involving the abuse of children, by people in authority. We have also taken a stance on the way the right wing has used unfounded claims of anti-Semitism against the left... Our position on each of these issues has cost us dearly, individually and collectively, and in terms of reprisals from the rich and powerful. These attacks will not stop us fighting back. We understand that the evil of Thatcherism needs to be rolled back. We are very much a group of strong minded individuals but work together to create much more. Thank you for your support. By The Team

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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GARY SPEDDING UNDER INVESTIGATION BY LABOUR

WITCH-HUNTER BECOMES

THE WITCH-HUNTED

ary Spedding, Labour Party member and activist, has revealed on Twitter in mid-September that he is being auto-excluded by the party’s disciplinary unit. The accusations are not related to anti-Semitism. They insinuate that Spedding had supported the Green Party during a May 2021 by-election. Spedding protests his innocence – in contradiction of an explicit instruction not to discuss the charges publicly.

the Labour Party on these false grounds, an expulsion Spedding applauded. Press standards regulator IPSO, however, later upheld Sivier’s complaint against the Sunday Times about the shoddy and prejudicial way it had misreported his case.

This may sound tiresomely familiar, but what is different is that Spedding has a history of supporting the witch-hunt against supposed ‘anti-Semitism in the Labour Party’ over the last six years. Mike Sivier, writer of the popular blog, Vox Political, was repeatedly harassed by Spedding for months after being charged by the party with anti-Semitism. Spedding kept propagating false and unfair allegations levelled against Sivier by the witch-hunters. Sivier was ultimately thrown out of

When confronted on Twitter with his past behaviour, and suggestions he should apologise to people like Sivier, Spedding has simply doubled down. He seems incapable of putting two-and-two together. To emphasise, there is no reason to assume Spedding’s denials are false; he is almost certainly innocent of supporting opponents. The only evidence against him was that he shared a Green Party tweet on his Twitter feed – after the by-election. But somehow, the fraudulent nature of Spedding’s own case

MIK WRITEE SIVIER, POPUL R OF THE VOX P AR BLOG, WAS R OLITICAL, E HARASPEATEDLY SPEDDSED BY ING Spedding has thrown fellow left-wingers to the wolves, perhaps in the hope the wolves would be too full to eat him when he got to the front of the food supply. Sadly, the wolves are as ravenous for left-wing blood as ever they were. raises no doubts for him over the cases lodged against other leftists – including Sivier, even though the case against him was found to be based on misquotations, quote-mines, and selective interpretation. Spedding still refuses to apologise, and he obstinately accuses anyone making the suggestion of ‘bullying’ him. A likelier explanation for Spedding’s stubbornness is not that he feels bullied, but that in 2014 he was deported from Israel. This was due to his previous online activities supporting Palestinians, and so he has since made a big show of ‘fighting anti-Semitism’ to improve his image among Israeli customs officials.

By Martin Odoni

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Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

BBC Almost Admits ‘Dhouma Gas Attack’ Never Happened

n April 2018, the USA, UK and France launched joint airstrikes including ship based missiles against Syria in response to a putative ‘chemical weapons attack’ by the Bashar al-Assad regime on his own people in Dhouma.

Complaint against state broadcaster upheld that Radio 4 documentary was seriously flawed

The OPCW has been corrupted by US neoconservative interference since at least 2002. It had to change its chief director under pressure from Washington, after refusing to co-operate with demands to falsify evidence of Weapons of Mass Destruction against Ba’athist Iraq. Its word on any subject in which the USA and the UK take special interest cannot be relied upon.

MAYDAY: THE CANISTER ON THE BED. THIS DOCUMENTARY WAS FLAWED AT VARIOUS LEVELS

The evidence supporting this supposition has been heavily in dispute ever since; medical opinion of local hospital staff was that the victims of the attack were suffering from hypoxia due to breathing in brick dust, not exposure to military chemicals. Investigators from the United Nations’ subsidiary, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, also blew the whistle on the official narrative, drawing attention to falsification and burial of evidence within their own organisation.

The BBC, fulfilling its stand-

investigative ‘journalist’ Chloe Hadjimatheou, did not meet the Corporation’s editorial standards for accuracy, because it reported unsubstantiated claims as factual.

ard role of uncritical mouthpiece for the Conservative Party, always maintained the ‘Assad-is-guilty’ narrative. To this end, in November last year, it broadcast on Radio 4 a docu-

“Victims of the attack were suffering from hypoxia due to breathing in brick dust, not exposure to military chemicals”

mentary about the attack - Mayday: The Canister On The Bed. This documentary was flawed at various levels, the worst of which was an attempt to smear the whistleblowers at the OPCW. It insinuated that they had accepted $100k from Wikileaks to speak out against the prevailing narrative. There was, and is, no evidence whatsoever of

the whistleblowers making any such deal, or receiving any money from Wikileaks. The normally very conservative journalist, Peter Hitchens, to his credit, complained bitterly to the BBC about the misleading slant of the documentary. The BBC Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) found, at the start of September that Mayday, made by

But this chapter once again underlines that the corruption of the OPCW is only an extension of the usual corruption dominating global politics, and tirelessly defended by the very same corporate media that should instead be holding it to account. Most particularly, the BBC continues to be among the very worst media receptacles for upholding the wishes of established power. By Martin Odoni

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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INSTEAD JOHNSON JUST TURNS ON A TAP – A SMALL TAP

WE NEED TO OPEN THE DAM

oris Johnson really is the ‘gesture Prime Minister.’ At a time when goods shortages are really starting to bite around the UK, the estimated shortfall in Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers is approximately one hundred thousand.

All those who spent years saying Europeans were “stealing British jobs” are now finding that few Britons are willing or able to step up to the plate.

recruits. Why would anyone accept the disruption of moving to another country for the sake of such a short-term contract?

In order to alleviate this, Johnson’s Government is arMany of the HGV drivers ranging for five thouwho would be in line sand HGV drivers for such a deal will A GESTURE from overseas doubtless rememABOUT AS LIKELY to get a threeber the misery TO WORK AS month licence of the queues to come into for the ports FIGHTING A US the country to last winter, and ABRAMS COMBAT ship goods. shudder at the TANK BY thought of goBOMBARDING IT This gesture ing through WITH WATER is about as likely anything like to work as fighting it again. And if BALLOONS a US Abrams combat they spend three tank by bombarding it months in the UK, with water balloons. they will themselves become embroiled in living For one thing, five thousand with shortages. drivers will only scratch the surface of a problem that is growing There were many things every day with the enormous the UK should have been doing backlog. to prepare for Brexit, instead of just idly shuffling the national For another, this will not look feet and assuming that leaving very attractive to the putative would itself lead to some kind of

Why would anyone accept the disruption of moving to another country for the sake of such a short-term contract?

Promised Land. One of the most important was training and recruiting homegrown personnel to replace those we were certain to lose from essential industries.

All those who spent years saying Europeans were “stealing British jobs” are now finding that few Britons are willing or able to step up to the plate. The NHS and the haulage sector are

just the first of those industries that will hit that crisis point. Whether they support leaving the European Union or not, the people of the UK should speak as one on the reality of how it has happened. All should condemn the ill-planning and mishandling

of the Brexit process by the Tories. It has been an unmitigated shambles, carried out by talentless fools with little understanding of the scale of the task involved. By Martin Odoni

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Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

What is causing the

NO NOT BREXIT, ALTHOUGH IT IS MAKING THINGS WORSE IN THE UK

CURRENT GAS CRISIS?

he root cause of the gas crisis has nothing to do with Brexit, despite what many Remainers claim.

Instead, during the Covid-19 pandemic, industry declined globally as most countries observed lockdowns. Many gas-producing facilities fuelling industry thus went offline. Now that lockdowns are ending and industries are resuming, these suspended gas-producing facilities have to get started up again, and like steamrollers, they are slow getting up to speed. Thus gas production is slower than consumption for now, and reserves are being used up in a hurry. Russia in particular is having problems getting production back up to where it was two years ago. Russia is one of the biggest gas suppliers to Europe and Asia, so that leaves a big shortfall. This would have happened irrespective of Brexit. However, Brexiteers are also wrong to say Brexit is playing no role at all in the crisis. Partly, shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers in the UK is so severe that there are not enough to ship fuel tankers around the country - including gas transports. Moreover, as part of British withdrawal from the EU, the country left Europe’s Internal Energy Market (IEM) in January. The IEM has a ‘pool’ of shared fuel supplies that members have automatic access to. On leaving that mechanism, the UK became ‘uncoupled’ from the net-

Theresa May’s coalition-ofchaos… authorised Centrica to sell off 70% of the UK’s gas storage capacity.

work. The UK is therefore now allocated supplies via a slower, lower priority process. This will change when a new energy deal to access the IEM is agreed, but the earliest that might be finalised is March 2022.

So Brexit is crippling the UK’s response to fuel shortages, hence why prices are surging quicker here than in the EU, and why UK suppliers are folding unBREXIT IS der the pressure. CRIPPLING

THE UK’S RESPONSE TO FUEL SHORTAGES

Typically with troubles under Tory Governments, this could have been avoided.

A 2012 Parliamentary paper about the UK energy sector recommended doubling gas storage capacity by 2020. David Cameron’s administration ignored it. Then, in 2015, the National Grid carried out a study into likely effects of Brexit on the energy sector in the UK. The study warned that ‘de-coupling’ from the IEM network would lead to higher costs, although running out of gas was unlikely due to the high storage capacity the UK possessed. The country would have to lose 70% of its storage to suffer a supply interruption. Just two years later, Theresa May’s coalition-of-chaos interpreted this as a recommendation, authorising Centrica to sell off 70% of the UK’s gas storage capacity. So the UK’s entire gas storage capacity is now ‘exactly enough’ to cope, and no more, if prevailing circumstances are clement. Prevailing circumstances are not clement at all. We are falling just a few years after the misers in Government blindly removed our safety net. By Martin Odoni

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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MICROPHONES AND LOUDSPEAKERS CAN BE WORSE THAN USELESS

The Liverpool ARMS FAIR

o, there we were waiting for the march against The Arms Fair to reach us at the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool. I noticed that we were all being filmed from an area belonging to the Cathedral. Mate goes to investigate. This area, devoted, I suppose, to Jesus, was fenced off from the public. It was open only to the police. Who might see the film? In 1919 Liverpool police went

on strike in support of fellow workers who were on strike. As Minister of War Churchill sent a battleship and two destroyers up the Mersey in case they were needed to subdue who? The police! I remember Thatcher increasing the wages of the police as she used them against striking miners. Our current crop of Tories has not only not done that but has treated the police as an enforcement agency. Govern-

We took refreshment at a pub that had sort of heard of red wine but looked at you strangely if you did not ask for ale

ment wishes us to be docile. Is this the way to achieve it? If you see the police as bouncers should you not pay THE them well?

Getting tired marching we took refreshment at a pub that had sort of heard of red wine but looked at POLICE you strangely if you FEDERATION did not ask for ale. MIGHT CONSIDER It meant that two of us missed CorCHANGING ITS byn speaking.

The Police Federation might consider changing NAME TO BUY its name to Buy A A BOUNCER Bouncer. Having a That reminds chat with a bobby he me of a problem reminded me that they with demonstrations are no longer allowed to go on and marches. Microphones and strike. loudspeakers can be worse than useless. Still, that film nags me. I was wearing red. Did they pick Get famous people to speak me out? Might I have to go on and the listeners mutter among waiting for my Peerage; for my themselves. “What were they Knighthood; for my OBE? saying?”

Cliff Jones

Best banner by far? MAKE SCOUSE NOT WAR. By Cliff

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WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

BEST OF THE WEB the Atlantic OCEAN, likely causing explosions and send clouds of poisonous gas over the island, the Canary Islands emergency services warned this morning.

“Population will have to follow the authorities guidance and remain in their home with doors and windows closed,” the services said on their Twitter account.

Germany’s Social Democrats narrowly win election Germany’s centre left Social Democrats (SPD) are likely to start coalition talks with other parties after narrowly winning a knife-edge federal election. A short time ago the first official provisional result gave the party a 25.7% share of the vote, ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, which won 24.1%. It was the worst ever election result for the CDU, but it marks a dramatic turnaround for the centre left SPD. It is an historic defeat for the centre right Christian Democrats, who have held power for 16 years, an era-defining term of office for Angela Merkel. Although the SPD was the junior partner in two of her administrations, the party had long seemed unable to win an election. Under Olaf Scholz they

have achieved that, but only just. The former mayor of Hamburg, and outgoing finance minister is now in a position to lead coalition talks. Lava from volcano may reach Atlantic Ocean Emergency authorities early this week ordered people in an area on the eastern shore of La Palma island to lock down as the lava gushing from the Cumbre Vieja volcano approaches the sea. The 1,250°C lava may touch

Sydney gets date for freedom as virus cases fall Stay-at-home orders are set to be lifted in Sydney and surrounding New South Wales when the double-dose vaccination rate hits 70%. It comes as case numbers fell in the Australian city. NSW state premier Gladys Berejiklian said “quite confidently” that was now expected to occur on 11 October. Shuttered pubs, restaurants and shops will be allowed to reopen to the vaccinated while friends and families living across Australia’s biggest city will be able to reunite for the first time i n

more than three months. “It is just this week and next week that we have to hang in there for,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We are nearly, nearly there, and let’s not give up at the last minute.” Deputy premier John Barilaro said the “blueprint for freedom” would allow travel across N e w S o u t h W a l e s once 80% of over-16s are fully v a c c i n at e d , which is likely by the end of October. Labour leader says it’s ‘not right’ to claim only women have cervixes Keir Starmer, the leader of

the opposition Labour Party, claimed on Sunday that people should not say only women have a cervix, calling it “not right,” after one of his MPs received threats online for making the statement. When asked by BBC presenter Andrew Marr whether it was “transphobic to say only women have a cervix,” Starmer replied, “It’s s o m e thing that shouldn’t be said. It’s not r i g h t .” Pressed on whether someone who does think only women have a cervix would be welcome in the Labour Party, Starmer said, “We need to have a mature, respectful debate about trans rights and … bear in mind that the trans community

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

THE

WORD

ROLL ON THE CATARACT OPERATION I SAY

THE PATIENT’S EYE

earing a pair of spectacles I can see through despite cataracts, and according to the optician being “just legal,” I got into the car to drive home from our holiday on the East Anglian Coast.

The way I drive (legally) this reasonably easy journey can

A voice came on the Sat-Nav imploring me to go back and basically join in the accident

take five hours, with a couple of stops which prostate cancer sufferers need. My wife and I have special contraptions that mean we don’t need public toilets (a He-Wee and a She-Wee,) and which only require dense shrubbery. Together we stand back to back so that we have 360 degree vision – the panopticon. The AA had forecast very busy roads, so we set off as early as we could, taking a break after two hours. By the time we got to the A1 traffic was slow. There were cars crashing, lorries bumping, breakdowns every-

where, and men urinating by the roadside, hairy bums to the traffic. Just before one junction a police car siren-screamed its way between the two lanes and its driver threw down some traffic cones, and pointed to the exit which all were obliged to use.

map that shows where we are and what’s around us.

I realised I could not see well enough; “I need your eyes,” I said to my wife. Road signs had become invisible, the road atlas she had on her knee can’t be read whilst driving, “I NEED and the sun had begun to creep into the YOUR EYES,” I SAID front windscreen. Down came the flaps. TO MY I peered ahead.

We were then headed entirely the wrong way, and a voice mysteriously WIFE came on the car speakers imploring me to go The sun eventually back and basically join in went away and the car lights the accident. We’ve never used came on. We eventually joined the Sat-Nav before for direc- the A1 nearer home, but by then tions, merely as an on-board it was Friday Night Coming

Home From the South, and I got to our city where it was time to take your clothes off and go out on the town, trying not to fall off the kerb. We got home in the dark after ten hours on the road. The cat was pleased to see us. In a week’s time I will have one eye ‘done’ and then I’ll punch the corresponding lens out of my spectacles, enabling me to see with one and a half good eyes. A few weeks later the surgeon will do the other eye and I suppose I might punch the other lens out of my spectacles, just for laughs. By Patient.I

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WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

A RETURN TO THE PAST ISN’T WHAT PEOPLE WANT

Keir pulls Labour ever further to the right

ir Keir Starmer is making noises about cherishing Blair’s legacy. This is obviously a centrists’ wet dream and their eyes glaze over as they think about those three election victories. When you ask what the gains were for working people you always hear Sure Start and the Minimum Wage.

After that each person you ask may have one of two policies they recall but that’s it. That’s all there is to show for 13 years in government. Probe a little further and ask why over 5 million votes were lost between 1997 and 2010 and it is difficult to find any answer that refers to Par-

ty policy, it’s always the voters fault. Even Iraq is excused by reference to voters not understanding the need to bring Saddam to heel.

thought a second referendum was the right thing to do the damage the suggestion did cannot be denied.

What was made clear Anyway, for the at the 2017 election, hard of thinking, compared to the PROBE A somebody has LITTLE FURTHER 2015 one, was that done that thinking a return to the past AND ASK for them. There wasn’t what peoWHY OVER are many reasons ple wanted. 5 MILLION VOTES different people decided that LaPeople demand WERE LOST bour was no longer change - an improvefor them. ment to their lives. We might mull this over as Sir Clearly, the decision to Keir pulls the Party ever further support a second referendum to the right. made matters even worse; it was a huge mistake. Even if you By Ed Hunter

THE BREAKTHROUGH PARTY After 48 years in the Labour Party, and at the time the Secretary of a 3,000+ member Constituency Labour Party, I resigned from the Labour Party in December. I realised that I had no confidence in the values, the competence, or the integrity of the Labour leadership. Membership of the Breakthrough Party is so refreshingly different! The Steering Group are generally aged 25-40, brought into politics by Jeremy Corbyn. Some of us were in the Labour Party, but others were in other parties or in none. A couple of the Steering Group are former CLP Secretaries and veteran activists. We do not have a Messiah. Our Leader, Alex Mays, is hard working, inclusive, and quietly impressive. We have no rich backers. The question I am most often asked is “Where are the trade unions?” My response is “When a trade union decides to leave the Labour

Party, is it going to go through all the challenges and delays of setting up a new democratic socialist party, or will it attach to a demo-

Policy is made by online discussion on various topics. Policy is then agreed by the Steering Group.

cratic socialist party that is already up and running?” We are up and running, and we welcome all democratic organisations that choose to work with us. We are already planning for the next General Election, and for council elections next May.

We are a democratic socialist organisation. Our structure, and our discipline process, has learned from the mistakes of the Labour Party. Policy is made by online discussion on various topics. Policy is then agreed by the Steering Group.

Our Annual Conference currently planned for January will adopt more detailed policies. Above are the core policies voted on as the most important policies by our members. https://breakthroughparty.org.uk/

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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WORD

WATCH THIS SPACE

ON THE JUKEBOX TONITE!

n my Jukebox is every song and tune that has ever been recorded, and some which have not. Tonight I’m listening to songs about space. Most are pretty psychedelic, but that’s because I think I’m an old hippy as well as a cool dude. I’ll let you make your own mind up about that!

Space to Bakersfield – are you listening? Are you willing / are you able? This dreamy, hauntingly beautiful, psychedelic tune from Vancouver band Black Mountain is well worth putting on your playlist.

Charlie Watts – you played drums to the seminal space classic 2000 Light Years From Home. We will miss you, and I shall be ever grateful for that time you punched Mick – he surely had it coming to him. A lovely psychedelic track from a band attempting to find space for themselves.

By Jack in the Jukebox

Rocket Man, by the brother of my good mate Elton Jim. The bass, as it enters, is sublime. I’m told it’s a good bass, with expensive compression, through a superb valve amp. I drool.

Space Oddity by the guy who knowingly pinched my mate Dave Bowie’s name because his own had been taken by that actor in The Monkees. OK I’m bitter even if he isn’t. It’s still a very good tune and features a solo on acoustic rhythm guitar, which is actually colossal. Well done Jones.

Babylon Zoo – “Spaceman” was used for an advert, which I can’t remember. The video would do Talking Heads justice. Whacky or what.

Finally, one I still love though I don’t usually rate the singer, is A Spaceman Came Travelling. He sang Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah. So did I age 7 when I was in the school playground, albeit to a different tune.

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Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

DARK ALTERNATIVE DARKENED RHYTHMICAL ADAPTATIONS ON A THEME

THE BEAT FROM THE STREET MISFORTUNE SOULS OF

he Souls of Misfortune are a South West based band that describe themselves as ‘Dark Alternative’ carving out their own sound and music amidst notable covers of 80s New Wave dark classics such as Depeche Mode, The Human League, Killing Joke, and a whole host of other recognisable and notable tracks. They are a four piece band that formed in 2015 consisting of Andy Walton on lead Vocals, Ian Cooke on lead Guitar, Jon Owens on Bass, and Tamsin King on Keyboards. So, what to expect from an

SOM gig? Well, eclectic is certain- Owens strumming the Bass ly the word here both in musical in the style of The Stranofferings and the look that glers’ JJ Burnell, and last, but the individual band certainly not least, Tammembers portray sin King tickling the in themselves on electronic ivories in WELL, stage. a style akin to the ECLECTIC IS Human Leagues CERTAINLY THE Belting Ian Burden, and WORD HERE out darkened presenting a look BOTH IN MUSICAL rhythmical from the 80s OFFERINGS AND adaptations New Romantics/ on a theme, we Punk era that is THE LOOK have lead singer reminiscent of Patti Walton presentSmith in her prime. ing a classic Gothic/ New Romantic look that Having watched this band a actually works really well, Gui- few times already pre-lockdown, tarist Cooke representing 70s and recently sampling their wares Punk with a look not unlike once again in an atmospheric loThe Damned’s Captain Sensible, cal park during an outdoor gig in

the port town of Plymouth, I was once again impressed by the talent that was on offer. These guys certainly know their target audience and have a pleasing and variable set that appeals to the many genres they set out to entertain. Having performed at events throughout the UK, and regular attendees of the annual Whitby Goth Festival, they have one album entirely of their own tracks under their belt, which is generously available completely free of charge, and can be downloaded via their website at - https://www.soulsofmisfortune.co.uk

Notable tracks include ‘Carrie’ which has a definite air of Joy Division coming through both in singing style and musical beat and tempo, ‘La Luna Rising’, which puts me in the mind of Bauhaus, ‘Demonic’ which conjures up shades of ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees’, culminating in the final track of the album ‘This is How it Ends’, which is somewhat haunting if I do say so myself. You’ll also find a pleasant and interesting video of the self-penned track ‘The Shining Ones’, filmed at the Whitby Goth Festival itself, which takes place entirely on the top deck of a tour bus comprising the band along with a select number of guests. Sounding a little like ‘Letter from Hiro’ by the 80s band The Vapors, the video takes in some of the atmospheric sights of Whitby, which as anyone in the know would be aware was the infamous setting for Bram Stokers classic vampiric tale, Dracula. If you wish to know more about this band, and why wouldn’t you? Or perhaps may wish to book them for a performance at your own particular venue, then you can find them via their faceook page https:// www.facebook.com/soulsofmisfortune or of course by way of their aforementioned website. Darkly interesting… Photocredits – Greenbeanz Photography and Herr Arturo. By Adrian Angel

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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WELSH WATCH

LONDON MUST NOT HAVE ANY POWER OVER THE WELSH PARTY

A member of the Board of Deputies criticises Drakeford for speaking on the topic of Universal Basic Income at the shadow conference known as ‘The World Transformed’

ales has changed. I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth and I taste it on the air. The UK that once was is alchemically dissolving. The Nations of the UK move apart in response to the horror of December 12th 2019. The Tory coup of that year is eating its own children as the cut in Universal Credit, the taxing of the poor and the end of Furlough brings nigredo (decomposition) to us all.

In Northern Ireland we near the election of a Sinn Fein First Minister. In Scotland a Green SNP Pro independence administration is created.

Labour stalk our timelines the process towards an Independent Labour grows stronger as its momentum increases.

In Wales Plaid, Labour and Jane Dodds talk and discuss the path ahead. With 44 seats between them the path is open to a larger Senedd elected by a new electoral system that will keep the Tories out for ever.

As the Mab Darogan (leader of myth) returns to politics and Labour and Plaid talk we know there is no going back. The question asked by Gwynoro Jones and Alun Gibbard in their recent book ‘Whose Wales?” is being answered. Of course there remain within Labour and Plaid reactionary forces not seeing the path ahead and its possibilities.

Within Welsh Labour a head of steam builds up for an independent Welsh Labour Party with its own rule book. Its not only the Welsh Labour left that looks over its shoulder and through thought experiment envisages that the complaint of an English Labour member could give London Labour the right to suspend the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford.

It’s no accident that in the First Ministers role in that. It’s shape of things to come as quite clear which politics a member of the Board Von Zybil is on and it’s THE of Deputies criticises not the socialist one. TORY COUP Drakeford for speaking on the topic of a For the party that OF 2019 Universal Basic Inbrought devolution IS EATING come at the shadow such thoughts and ITS OWN conference known possibilities make it CHILDREN as ‘The World Transan embarrassing posformed’. sibility for Welsh Labour. Wales is to have a pilot UBI scheme and I am proud of our

As the agency workers employed by the same London

As Chris Bryant channels the reactionary social and unionist agenda of George Thomas from beyond the veil and the ‘blood and soil’ nationalists of a certain Jac-ass of the North channel, a straight, right, white male agenda for the Welsh National movement, there will be challenges and resistance. Yet the UK is over and there is no going back. The support for Welsh independence grows rapidly and it will be the socialists and the eco-socialists spread across three parties who will deliver it. The unintended historical consequences may well make Welsh Labour the midwife of Welsh independence and Max Weber would smile at the prospect, the Welsh Dragon is the deepest red... By Our Welsh Correspondent

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WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

JUPITER RISING

WITH A BIT OF SATURN PEERING THROUGH THE SEA FOG

he South Eastern sky was by now darkened and quite magical. Behind us the Southwold Lighthouse strafed the sky with its beams, and circled the little town with safety. Up on the balcony of our rented apartment, my disabled sisterin-law and her husband rested having come to celebrate our wedding anniversary with us, and managed their way up the many stairs.

While the ladies looked at the rooftops and sang songs from ‘Mary Poppins,’ I showed him the open sea from three different angles. Looking South East

All planets have a North

I said, “Look, up there is Jupiter, in Opposition to the Sun.” When any planet other than Mercury or Venus is “In Opposition” to the Sun, it means we can see its full brightness in the exact position the Sun would be 12 hours before or afterwards.

Therefore, look at the clock, adjust for Daylight Saving Time, and gaze where the Sun would if it were daytime. In truth we didn’t need to do any such thing. This King of the Sky was like a beacon. My Bro in law looked on his phone app

AN OBIT FOR THE KING OF THE 8BIT Sir Clive Marles Sinclair, entrepreneur, inventor, and widely credited as the man who brought personal computing into the home with his ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum and QL computers. Born 30 July 1940 in Richmond, Surrey to George Sinclair and Thora Edith Ella Marles, Sinclair is often cited as the very reason why many initially got into the idea of computers and programming, his tiny but innovative machines sporting 1K of memory initially (with the option of a 16K rampack), then 16K, 48K, and on up to what was then considered a massive and unnecessary 128K! A PC BIOS chip alone is now at least 512K… But Sir Clive did not only dabble in computers.

Before the days of the home computer, Clive Sinclair founded the Sinclair Radionics company and produced such little gems as the innovative ‘Black Watch’ which came ready assembled, or as a kit that you could build yourself, thus furthering the ‘hands on’ ethos that he always tried to encourage in his ever curious and growing clientele. When Sinclair’s home computers first hit the high street though they were like nothing anybody had ever seen before, and for the first time ever the power of the ubiquitous Z80

processor was suddenly at everyone’s fingertips, a fact often highlighted in practice with many a monitor screen in WH Smith on a Saturday displaying a repeating sentence bouncing up and down a screen, courtesy of some kid still cutting his programming teeth on the fledgling machines capabilities. The rest of course, is history. We moved on from the Z80 and gravitated to the wondrous capabilities of the 68000 series machines such as the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga, and then on upwards to ever dizzying heights that repeatedly defy Moore’s Law itself. But we never forgot who made it all possible. Sir Clive Sinclair. Rest in Peace, Sir… By Adrian Angel

and pointed it at the sky. “Yes,” he said. “That’s Jupiter.”

it sound like merely something false and not quite as good as that nasty “Clockwise” thing which we got originally from sundials, the shadows on which go Counter-Widdershins.

“By Jove,” I said. “That’s a good function, is it a free App?” It was, and he looked for Saturn, THE KING which is just past its So peering through OF THE SKY Opposition, so has the evening sea-fret was WAS LIKE dropped behind our beautiful Saturn, more A BEACON than a smudge, less than a Earthly orbit now, which means it is to heavenly lamp. We opened the right, as Planets oranother bottle of Red and finbit and generally rotate, in a ished that off just as we had the direction known as Widdershins, first, and rejoiced in wonders of when we look at the Universe the night sky. with our Northern bias. Christopher Ecclestone as Doctor Who There were no hangovers the famously informed us that “All next day, despite a lot of beer planets have a North,” when ex- and a bottle of wine each. Anplaining his lovely Salford accent. other time I shall explain how Since people have had clocks, this can be. Widdershins has become known as anti-clockwise, which makes By Sea-Side Sam

What about the hills? “Get out on your bike, leave the car at home, save the planet, feel the health benefits.” “But what about the hills” I can hear you say. (Ok and the rain, and punctures and traffic...) Well battery power solves the ‘hills’ problem, just notch-up the power and a hill seems to flatten out. 50 miles no problem, or more in Lincolnshire or Norfolk. Battery power also opens up new opportunities for personal transport that are maybe more useful than cars that can fly or personal jet-packs. Having spent a few days in a French city that is well laid out for segregated cycles and pedestrians, I’ve seen a few of the possibilities. In addition to electric motorbikes and scooters (sit-in) there were all sorts of electric bikes, with front-mounted cargo carrier, mini trailer, child carrying, even fitted with a front mounted lightweight passenger wheelchair. They zoomed around the city. More impressive was the range of stand-on scooters, from ordinary little ones up to all-terrain ones with disc brakes, lights, 30 mph! (Mmm that sounds a bit much in a pedestrian area!). But also the ‘one wheel’ devices. A single fat 15 inch wheel either with a footrest on each side or with a board on top. Yes, it sounds a bit impossible, but having an integral gyroscope for stability, the young guy just picked up his shopping basket, stood on the ‘one wheel’ and zoomed off. I liked it. On the subject of rain ..... well that’s another area that needs some development. As for punctures ... My road bike has solid tyres fitted. A bit more vibration, but no bother with bumps and even nails. And a passing thought, what of drones? Their capability increases daily. As an example a small company in Leeds is producing a meteorological drone that can take off from its base at predetermined intervals, rise to over 1km in altitude and return with weather data for a world-wide monitoring system. The skies and roads will be buzzing! Maybe we need to think about insurance...? By Ed Case

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

MAGGIE THATCHER, MORE AGONY AUNT ANSWERS FROM THE OTHER SIDE

Early October 2021

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WORD

Mad Madge Talks Across Oceans Of Time

The World View Of DAISY MAIL Dearest, my true friend. Thank you for letting me stay at your villa when they wanted to extradite me to face justice. No one remembers the real 9/11 - Must be something to do with the USA being backwards in their numbers. When you helped me with that coup against the democratically elected Government of Chili I killed 9800. My question is, why do the MSM ignore this? Yours, General Pinochet MAGGIE SAYS; Dear old Augusto I am sure you will be settled in in your own pit of Hell, after your spell of dinking my Whisky during house arrest in Surrey, Purgatory doesn’t seem so tedious. Of course the world has changed since our day, Right Wing Dictators used to have to win a Military Coup to gain power then, whereas now the Proles vote us in willingly. All we have to do is blame a

Good morning readers! I’ve just finished my Full English with a mug of Yorkshire Tea, fresh from the Pennines, that’s how to start the day. Then I catch up on all the news in the Mail or Express. First up is the Football, then the other sport, then the Telly pages, what’s going on in EastEnders and Corrie, Then the Politics. Brexit Remoaners still really boil my piss. I mean what are all these Politicians doing scrutinising Boris all the time, ‘JUST GET ON WITH IT!’ See Boris ain’t like them other politicians, he says it like it is, even if it’s in Latin, he’s smart. We need more like him. Like that Sir Alan Sugar off of The Apprentice, an entrepreneur, self-made working man. Sure he looks like a leathery old bollock In a suit but he takes no shit off no-one especially them Woke Marxist Libtards. So what if there are shortages in Tesco, all you need is meat and two veg and a loaf of White Sliced, and Toilet Rolls. Bloody Poppy avoiding Labour Party get my goat. I almost voted for that Tony Blair once, especially after he went after Saddam Hussein against the will of the people and the United Nations. They don’t like it up ‘em those Muslamics, coming over here just because of 20 years of bombardment, I survived the Blitz and I didn’t emigrate anywhere. I know the Conservatives have had to resort to Austerity because Gordon Bloody Brown caused the global banking crisis and they have doubled the National Debt but they are the party of the business classes like me. I don’t want to be paying tax so the sick and disabled and refugees can have a free run on benefits. Why should I? Anyway, got to get back to work, my boss is reviewing my zero-hours contract, I don’t want to piss him off in case he gives my job to an Afghan.

foreigner, especially Muslims, for everything and pretty much anyone right of Ghengis Khan walks any election. The MSM is just another tool in our Armoury. All hail Satan Dear Margarita I have just started a new job back at my old firm but they are not treating me so well because of my age. They said they would find me a mansion in Wilmslow but I have been given a council flat in Collyhurst. Have they no respect for the old? Yours, Ronaldo MAGGIE SAYS; ‘Em-vindo Ao Inferno’ dearest Cristiano. Your age is not the issue, it’s the fact you sold your soul to His Satanic Majesty so early in your career. Your return to Manchester is just the beginning of your torment, the clues are all there. Just have a look at the club crest, it’s got a bloody Devil with a burning hot Trident on it. And

the fans favourite chant involves building a bonfire and burning Scousers and City supporters on it. It’s eternal damnation all the way I’m afraid. Look on the bright side, being UK based means you won’t have to pay any tax. Dear agony Aunt I have now had my 93rd booster jab. Am I safe? I am so fed up with little pricks. Yours, Mrs Johnson, from Downing Street. MAGGIE SAYS; Carrie my dear, I’m sure you will be kept busy supervising your team of Nannies to look after Legitimate Nipper#8? while you are up the duff with Legitimate Nipper#9. Just steer clear of working class school kids, they are bound to be riddled and superspreaders. Once you’ve birthed 2 kids I’m 99% sure Hubby will take his little prick elsewhere, he has got form.....

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Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

BIZARRE NEWS ALIEN PENGUINS!! CLUE IN “We’re convinced the phosphine POO! finding is real. But we don’t know Experts have no explanation what’s making it. There are some of how to the chemical phos- anaerobic bacteria that produce phine exists on Earth as phosphine. It’s found in it is millions of miles pond slime and the WEIRD from Venus. The bofSTUFF FROM guts of badgers and fins are to study the THE INTERNET penguin guano.” lifestyle of gentoo THAT YOU penguins, which are He added: “It D ID N’T NEED may be to do with often found in the Falkland Islands, to defence or signalling TO KNOW find out how they proagainst competing bacduce the rare space chemteria.” ical. Traces of the chemical were Dr. Dave Clements, from found last year in layers of gas Imperial College London, said: surrounding Venus, which has a

similar atmosphere to Earth. WORKING UNTIL YOU DROP IS GOOD FOR YOU A study by scientists in the United States has suggested that too much leisure time is bad for people’s mental health. Findings showed that more than five hours a day of leisure time actually causes greater stress and lower wellbeing. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA assessed data from more than 21,000 people and found that those with a ‘moderate’ amount of leisure time had significantly better

wellbeing than those with too little or too much. The study’s lead author Marissa Sharif said: “In cases when people do find themselves with excessive amounts of discretionary time – such as retirement or having left a job – our results suggest these individuals would benefit from spending their new found time with a purpose.” CANINE KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE GROUND A Dog called Dazzle, stole the limelight during the Wom-

Mystic Mandy Horoscopes

the end of the year, so think CANCER June 21 - July 22 carefully before you commit You could get a bit aggresThis is already a time of yourself. Do you have to be sive today and for no apparsome upheaval but as Mars so blunt? Lucky pasta – Or- ent reason. Most likely it’s changes signs new challeng- ganic Fusilli. because feelings that have es are sure to arise. The good been buried deep in your news is they will be the kind TAURUS April 20 - May 20 subconscious have worked of challenges you enjoy, and The decisions you make their way to the surface and that you are good at solving. about a relationship over the now need to be dealt with. Unlucky re-shuffle – Cab- next few days could have Lucky vitamin supplement inet. Avoid philanthropic major repercussions before -Berrocca or Haliborange sports people the end of the year, so think carefully before you commit LEO July 23 - August 22 PISCES February 19 - March yourself. Do you have to be What you are planning 20 so blunt? And stop copying to do could be difficult, and Go out of your way to Aries. Avoid Complex Car- maybe even dangerous, help a friend come to terms bohydrates. but you will do it anyway. with their fears. Not only You’re in one of those moods will it be good for them but it GEMINI May 21 - June 20 where it really is all or nothcould be therapeutic for you With Mars moving into ing, though you won’t imagas well. You put on a brave the most dynamic area of ine for a single moment that face but you have anxieties your chart today you will be you’ll be the one who loses. like everyone else. Avoid the a non-stop whirlwind of ac- You arrogant Melt. Avoid Welsh. Lucky car – Ford Fi- tivity and you’ll accomplish the Dentist’s and Quick Fit. esta. in a matter of hours what it previously took days or even VIRGO August 23 - SeptemARIES March 21 - April 19 weeks to complete. Keep ber 22 The decisions you make up the Cocaine, the mania You cannot be in control about a relationship over the helps. Avoid Kebabs, Lucky of every event that happens next few days could have Isles – Shetland. in your life and what takes major repercussions before place today will remind AQUARIUS January 20 February 18

you of that fact. It will also remind you that chasing impossible dreams is not only a waste of time but a waste of money too. Spliff and Netflix! LIBRA September 23 - October 22

As one of the zodiac’s cardinal signs you rarely lack for confidence, but with Mars moving into your sign today your self-belief will go through the roof and head for the stars! What can you do with it? Anything you like, toss a coin. Lucky online Casino – Paddy Power. SCORPIO October 23 - November 21

There may be times today when you fear the worst for no good reason but it’s quite possible that a deeper part of your mind can sense

en’s All-Ireland T20 Cup semi-final match between Bready and CSNI after it ran onto the pitch and made off with the ball. The errant canine eventually gave up the ball and was led away from the field by his owner. The match commentator added: “I think we’ve retrieved the ball. It may need a clean. I think this has brought Covid regulations to a whole new standard.” The International Cricket Council (ICC) made light of the incident by naming the animal as its honorary player of the month.

there is danger ahead. Don’t hide yourself away from the world but don’t do anything risky either. Try Prozac or Diazepam. SAGITTARIUS 22 - December 21

November

You may care about a certain person but do you care about them enough to put all your plans on hold just to help them out of a negative situation that is entirely of their own making? Then again f**k them. Lucky raising agent Sourdough. CAPRICORN December 22 January 19

Cosmic activity in the career area of your chart will bring opportunities of one sort or another over the next few days. Be selective which of those you choose to move ahead with. If you want to get noticed try doing one thing better than anyone else. Avoid the Duchy of Lancaster.

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SATIRE

POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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THE

WORD

Early October 2021

Hammersmith:

POLITICS AND EVENTS

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Marseilles:

Glasgow:

Australia:

profit-greedy

the left wing leadership of

Former Scottish anti-apartheid

Australia

American company that took over

Marseilles bought up a branch of

49 NHS GP practices in February

McDonalds to give it a longer term

this year. Their track record shows

future as a community resource.

support to address their health needs. The

Centene

a company that puts profits before

pledged

Australian

Prime

pay

Minister Scott Morrison said the

campaigners are raising money to

indigenous communities reparations.

reparations scheme was intended

erect a statue of Nelson Mandela in

The

“to say formally, not just that we’re

Glasgow's city centre precinct

announced on Thursday that it will pay

deeply

happened, but that we will take

Australian to

government

named Nelson Mandela Place 35

reparations

people at every opportunity. It

Last December the franchise

years ago. It will stand where the

indigenous population who were

members

its

announced that they along with

owners announced the restaurant

apartheid South Africa's Scottish

forcibly removed from their families as

members and Hammersmith and

would be sold. Workers suspected

Consulate was. In 1993, shortly

children.

Fulham Save Our NHS have forced

they were targeted because of the

after his release Mandela visited

sorry

for

what

responsibility for it.” The which

Healing

Foundation,

represents

indigenous

strength of their union and led an

Glasgow to pay tribute to a city

More than 100,000 indigenous

communities, said the reparations

North Central London health

occupation of the building, turning

w h i c h

children — known as the Stolen

were “a major step in the healing

leaders have just decided to get

it into a foodbank during the

'refused

Generation — were taken from

journey of Stolen Generations

Centene out of two Islington GP

pandemic.

their families between the 1900

survivors”.

and 1970. Former Prime Minister

government to provide trauma

Kevin Rudd described it as a “great

support to those affected as part of

stain on our nation’s soul”.

the scheme.

surgeries as soon as July next year. Their contract renewal for a local

The

occupiers

known

surgery in Hammersmith was cut

'L'Apres M' offered a lifeline to

legitimacy

from 5 years to just 2 years - with

school drop outs and ex-offenders

stricter performance conditions.

in a deprived area of the city but

apartheid

police threatened to shut it down.

system,

See

https://tinyurl.com/52ued4aj

the and

declared us to be New September 2021.

Internationalist

free'.

Those who are still alive will now be able to claim AU$75,000 (£39,800)

reparations.

They will also be given

urged

the

THE

thewordmedia.org

POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

WORD

THE REAL 9/11 S

eptember 11 the Most of us

know this was the date of al Qaeda terrorist attacks on

the twin towers in New York, the Pentagon

and

Pennsylvania

which cost almost 3,000 lives, twenty years ago. What I was not aware is that it is the 48th. Anniversary of another event with very tragic consequences. This was when President Salvador Allende,

Latin

America's

first

democratically elected President, was murdered in a coup d’état. Prior to this the US Central Intelligence (CIA) plotted with after the

1970

Chilean

presidential

election to kidnap General René Schneider, the commander-in-chief of the Chilean Army. His defence of

the irresponsibility of its people. The

complicit in US machinations and

Chile's constitutional transfer of

issues are much too important for

the part played by Australian spies

power made him an obstacle to

the Chilean voters to be left to decide

working with the CIA has recently

ousting Allende. The kidnapping

for themselves.”

been revealed.

went wrong and he was assassinated by dissidents armed by the CIA.

The result of this US interference was that a group of military officers

President Nixon believed that Allende’s socialist and communist

See https://tinyurl.com/38cjr2wr

led by General Augusto Pinochet seized power, ending civilian rule.

More than 3,000 Chileans were

beliefs disqualified him from serving

killed along with hundreds of

as president of Chile. Even though so

See more @

thousands

many Chileans had voted for

https://tinyurl.com/bujbvfpb

kidnapped, and detained or simply

Allende

what

everyone

acknowledged was a fair election. Secretary

State,

were

tortured,

fastest growing economies and has

Pentagon and CIA.

overseen one of the fastest vaccination

For a fuller account go to: https://tinyurl.com/e3ue9k6f

'disappeared' in Pinochet’s 17 year There

were

other

nations

'reign of terror' regime. This was

stated “I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch a country go

roll-outs in the world, with more than 78% of the target population fully vaccinated by late July.

Chile today is one of the world's

Kissinger

connived to overthrow him. He

communist due to

who

done with the full support of the

Let us hope that the people of

Former Chilean president Augusto Pinochet was detained in London on 16 October 1998

The murdering terrorist of the real 9/11 UK magistrates ruled in 1999 that

Pinochet

that same year.

Instead of going to prison he

extradited to Spain, but it never

was welcomed to stay with

happened. The then UK Home

extreme

Secretary Jack Straw ordered his

Margaret Thatcher before being

release on health grounds in

freed by then Home Secretary,

2000,

controversial

Jack Straw. This was the same,

medical test stated Pinochet was

Jack Straw who oversaw the

not fit to appear before a court and

torture and kidnap on behalf of

he returned to Chile a free man

the USA OF PEOPLE from all over

after

should

right

wing

PM,

Chile continue to live in peace and each year September 11 becomes a less painful memory. John Wilkins

THE

WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

thewordmedia.org

THE

thewordmedia.org

POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

WORD

Mission Accomplished? Taliban replaced with Taliban A fter

four

presidents,

trillions of dollars spent,

millions of lives affected or

lost, and 20 years of conflict, the US and its allies have successfully

managed to finally remove Taliban from power and replaced it with Super Taliban, thanks to the poor exit and after care strategy from a conflict that most senior officials in all administrations regarded with pessimism and distaste. This has left the troubled country in deeper trouble than it was in 20 years ago when the invasion took place, rendering our sacrifice in vain” said a former marine who declined to be named. “Whilst there is no merit in continuing

with

the

war

Afghanistan, the exit which has created change with no change will go down in history as the most misinformed exit in history, thanks to the poor intelligence that informed the exit strategy,” commented Political

told the BBC the UK and Western allies

administrations were warned by US

defending his chaos. “The Afghan

Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001,

analyst Jacob Buthelezi. “American

have "sold the future of Afghanistan".

intelligence that the Afghan army’s

military

sometimes

women were effectively put under

resistance to the Taliban could

without trying to fight. “He insisted

house arrest as they were not allowed to work or have an education.

credibility has suffered a serious blow,” he said.

The allies, who boast of always

collapse “within days” after an over-

that ending U.S. military involvement

acting on credible intelligence could

hasty withdrawal, according to a

in Afghanistan now was the right

former CIA counter-terrorism chief.

decision.”

A senior Tory backbencher

not see the total collapse of

called it a "shabby withdrawal" while

Afghanistan after their rapid poorly

Gen Sir Richard Barrons, who was

planned withdrawal.

head of UK Joint Forces Command,

collapsed,

Both the Trump and Biden

Biden

challenged

the

premise that Afghanistan was going to “Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country,” said Biden

collapse after the Americans left the country.

“The war will grind on, with the edge

going

the

brutal

fundamentalist warriors of the Taliban, who will torture and slaughter even as they

Meantime the

repeal the advances

Afghan pop star

made

women’s

Anya Sayeed who

education

and

managed escape

secularism in any

from

form,” writes Eliot

Afghanistan described

the

Cohen

for

The

Atlantic.

Taliban's takeover as a "disaster" and said she "does not believe a

Gen Barrons said: "The withdrawal now is a

word" of the hard-line Islamist

strategic mistake. I don't believe it's in

group's promises to preserve the rights

our own interest."

of women and girls. She remembers that when they were last in power in

Everette Ndlovu

Answers • In which European country would you find the Dolomites?Italy. • Which zodiac sign is represented by a fish?Pisces. • On TV who played the title role in "Inspector Morse"?John Thaw. • In which sport is the Ryder Cup played for?Golf. • In the world of theatre,what is the RSC?Royal Shakespeare Company. • What was the sword of King Arthur named?Excalibur. • In which country is the airline KLM based?Netherlands. • In TV's "Keeping Up Appearances",

what was Mrs Bucket's first name?Hyacinth. • In which month of the year is Remembrance Day commemorated in the UK?November. • Which cricketing county plays its home matches at Trent Bridge?Nottinghamshire. • What temperature represents the boiling point of water in the Celsius scale?100 degrees. • On which day of the week does the Queen distribute Maundy Money?Thursday. • Who was the lead guitarist in The Beatles?George Harrison.

• What currency is used in South Africa?The Rand. • On a standard computer keyboard what letter is furthest to the right?P. • What was the name of the winged horse in Greek mythology?Pegasus. • What is the capital of Vietnam?Hanoi. • In the 1995 movie "Batman Forever", which villain was played by Jim Carrey?The Riddler. • Which author was responsible for the Inspector Wexford series of books?Ruth Rendell. • In chemistry, what is the opposite of an acid?An alkali.

• In which European country would you find the Dolomites? • Which zodiac sign is represented by a fish? • On TV who played the title role in "Inspector Morse"? •In which sport is the Ryder Cup played for? •In the world of theatre,what is the RSC? •What was the sword of King Arthur named? •In which country is the airline KLM based? •In TV's "Keeping Up Appearances", what was Mrs Bucket's first name? • In which month of the year is Remembrance Day commemorated in the UK? • Which cricketing county plays its home matches at Trent Bridge? • What temperature represents the boiling point of water in the Celsius scale? • On which day of the week does the Queen distribute Maundy Money? •Who was the lead guitarist in The Beatles? •What currency is used in South Africa? •On a standard computer keyboard what letter is furthest to the right? •What was the name of the winged horse in Greek mythology? •What is the capital of Vietnam? •In the 1995 movie "Batman Forever", which villain was played by Jim Carrey? •Which author was responsible for the Inspector Wexford series of books? •In chemistry, what is the opposite of an acid?

Questions

Answers 22

WORD THE

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

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POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

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WORD

THIS CASE COULD SET A PRECEDENT FOR US ALL ACROSS THE UK

MASTS BY SCHOOLS IS MADNESS

it must be stopped

arents are racing against time to secure a legal challenge against the decision of Brighton and Hove City Council (B&HCC) to grant planning permission for a 5G mast next to St. Peter’s Community Primary School in Portslade. Brighton and Hove City Council’s decision to allow a 5G mast next to St Peters, Portslade is under Judicial Review • October 1st is the deadline to concede that schools need

DO YOU THINK 5G MASTS SHOULD BE ERECTED NEXT TO SCHOOLS? PARENTS ARE FACING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS

consulting & precaution • Dutch Court rules should apply AS increased risk 50 WITH SMOKING times lower “WE ARE BUSY - REGULATION than UK safety WORKING MUMS, g u i d e l i n e s OF WIRELESS R ADIATION cannot be ruled WE CAN’T JUST IS LAGGING out 650m of STAND BY AND B E H I N D mast – Link WATCH THIS EVIDENCE OF Dec 2020 THE HAPPEN HARMS. F I S H E R S G AT E CASE – St Peter’s UK’s “ICNIRP” Primary School, s a f e t y Portslade • The close guidelines levels proximity of the school are not protective was not considered – - Court of Turin over 180 objections from rules their parents teachers and local assessment of non residents were ignored thermal science • Unsafe exclusion is inadequate i n d e p e n d e n t l y August 2020 Link calculated to touch r finfo.co.uk • US school buildings Court judgment were.not declared "Federal Court by Telecoms. Orders FCC to Explain Why It The height of Ignored Scientific mast E v i d e n c e Showing Harm from Wireless Radiation Link August 2021

reduced from 20m to 15m bringing radiation closer to children during application without issuing a new safety certificate. • Brighton Mayor Alan Robins, MP Peter Kyle and Councillor Les Hamilton supporting campaigners are in full agreement this mast should not have been passed by B&HCC. • The Stewart r e p o r t

commissioned by government in 2000 recommends permission is required by Head Teacher and parents for radiation to enter school grounds, this was not given, St Peter’s Head objected, she agrees precaution is required. S U P P O R T ACCOUNTABILITY FOR COUNCILS RELIANCE ON UNSAFE GUIDELINES PRECAUTION SHOULD APPLY MASTS SHOULD NOT BE PLACED NEAR PRIMARY SCHOOLS £40,000 needed to secure the case by Oct 1st 2021 PLEASE DONATE https://www. crowdjustice.com/case/ s t o p - 5 g - m a s t- by- s tpeters/ - WEBSITE https://fishersgatejr.weebly.com/ If Brighton Council concede then the funds will transfer to the case led by Michael Mansfield QC. https://www.crowdjustice. com/case/legalactionagainst5g

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Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

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VEGAN COOKING WITH CHRIS WILLIAMSON

Vegan Indian Potato Bake Ingredients 500g white potatoes, peeled, cut into 3cm pieces

500g orange sweet potato, peeled, cut into 3cm pieces 1 red onion, halved, sliced 10g packet fresh curry leaves 400ml can coconut cream 1/4 cup vegan korma curry paste 1 cup fresh coriander sprigs, to serve

Instructions Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Place potatoes, onion and curry

leaves in a 6cm-deep 24cm x 35cm baking dish. Toss to combine. Whisk coconut cream and curry paste in a bowl until

combined. Pour over potato mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with greased foil. Bake for 1 hour. Uncover. Bake for

Chris Williamson is the ex Member of Parliament for Derby North. He has had a varied career having been both a bricklayer and a social worker as well as a politician. Chris was unfairly purged from the Labour party for simply being on the left. He has been a vegan for many years and is also strongly anti hunting.

a further 15 minutes or until browned and potatoes are tender. Serve sprinkled with coriander.

thewordmedia.org

POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

THE

WORD

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY 1st -7th October

Broadwater farm riots

1st October 1946- The end of the Nuremberg Trials against the major war criminals of the Nazi Party 1957-

The

Thalidomide pregnant

launch

tablets,

women

for

the

given

morning

sickness. 1960-

Nigeria

gained

independence from Great Britain but still remained a member of the commonwealth. 1975- Muhammad Ali beats Joe

1976- Hurricane Liza hits La Paz,

Frazier after a halt is called after 14

Mexico killing hundreds and leaving

brutal rounds

thousands

homeless

after

breached the Cajoncito River 2nd October

1963Hurricane Flora kills 6,000 people in

1949- In The United States, Steel

Haiti, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago,

workers join 400,000 coal miners on

Grenada. This was one of the worst

strike demanding pensions, better

storms on record for deaths and

pay and working conditions. This

damage.

bought total to nearly a million workers on strike.

3rd October

Old Wembley 1932-Iraq gains independence from the United Kingdom

Soviet Union from the Baiknur Cosmodome in Kazakkstan.

1952- The UK tests its first atomic 1968- The first recorded case of

Bomb.

in Britain.

One of the babies died but the rest survived.

1978- Ann Dadds becomes the 2006- Julian Assange’s Wikileaks

the birth of live sextuplets in Britain. 1950- Legal Aid was introduced

injuries.

is launched. 1956-

The

Bolshoi

Underground.

Ballet

performed at Covent Garden in

1985- The Broadwater farm riots

5th October

Britain for the first time 1959-

The

first woman driver on the London

in London started after a resident

introduction

Postcodes in Britain.

1936- The Jarrow March began

Cynthia Jarrett died of heart failure

today. They marched from Jarrow in

after the Police burst into her home

the North East of England down to

during a raid.

London; they arrived on the 31st October.

4th October

They

were

marching

because of the lack of jobs. 1911- Britain’s first escalator

Nuremberg trials

opens at Earls Court, London 1921- Starving Russians are

1998 – Matthew Shepard, a gay student

the

University

Wyoming, is found tied to a fence 1969- The first episode of Monty

after being savagely beaten by two

Python’s Flying Circus is shown on

young adults in Laramie, Wyoming.

the BBC.

He died five days later.

refused help by the League of Nations

2015- The government brings in

7th October

a levy, where shops charge 5p for 1953- A

world

record

for

plastic carrier bags.

2000 : England play their last

marathon is set by British runner Jim Peters in the Turku Marathon in

match at the old Wembley stadium before it is due to be demolished to

6th October

Finland at 2:18:34.8

make way for the new Wembley of

Stadium. The match is between old

1957- Sputnik, the world’s first

Newcastle and Gateshead in England

rivals England and West Germany

artificial satellite is launched by The

leads to 53 deaths and hundreds of

which Germany win 1-0.

1854-

Wikileaks

The

Great

Fire

THE

WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

thewordmedia.org

UNDERCOVER POLICING INQUIRY

RELEASE REAL NAME OF 'VINCE MILLER'

CPI released the real name of

the

former

Special

Demonstration

Squad

officer known as HN354 - 'Vince Miller'. His real name, Vincent James Harvey, has been released several months after he was questioned by Counsel to the Inquiry, David Barr QC, during the last Inquiry hearings in May 2021.

proceedings. One of the women

active roles within our group.

'Madeleine', who had a relationship The Inquiry Chair, Sir John Mitting,

with 'Vince Miller' in 1979, significantly

Harvey exploited his false persona

Solicitors as soon as possible, as the

Vincent Harvey reflects on his past

evidence relevant to the period in

actions and today feels a deep sense of

which he served is being heard now."

initially refused to name Harvey after

disputed

testimony.

for his own gratification and deceived

describing

'Madeleine' gave compelling evidence

me and three other women into sexual

'unremarkable', despite the fact that he

that she had a relationship with Harvey

relationships. He reported detailed

Harvey had given 'Madeleine' and

the police service, becoming Tactical

initially admitted to two fleeting sexual

that lasted months, only ending with

information on every aspect of our lives

other activists a tale of woe of his early

Services Director of the UK National

relationships with activists who he had

his disappearance from the activist

- including physical descriptions of a

life in a children's home with resultant

Crime Intelligence Services (NCIS, later

spied on in his cover identity. A year

scene.

deeply personal nature. As a spy, 'Vince

psychological damage - a tactic used by

to become SOCA).

miller' effectively sought to undermine

many of these officers to bring their

the fight against racism and fascism and

targets emotionally closer, but at the

the struggle to create a just and equal

same time prevent questions about

Met's

world.

their past.

investigation into allegations of sexual

his

deployment

Harvey's

embarrassment and judgement, I hope

later Harvey, in his witness statement to the UCPI, mentioned two more instances of sexual contact with members public

'Madeleine' commented on the release of Vincent Harvey's name:

the

whilst

shame." Harvey rose through the ranks of

"Using the name of a

undercover.

In the early 1990's Harvey led the Operation

Pragada,

abuse and indecent images of children

dead child 'Vince Miller'

In spite of later having a senior high-

Kate Thomas at Birnberg Peirce

infiltrated my life and

profile career within the NCIS, with

Solicitors said “Madeleine, and all of our

Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual

neglected to

the lives of my friends

photos of him in the public domain he

clients, welcome the publication, at last,

Abuse

Why

mention them

Lambeth

care

(IICSA)

homes.

concluded

The that

for the purposes of

hypocritically sought anonymity, to

of Vince Miller’s real name - Vincent

'Opportunities to identify networks and

secret political surveillance

protect his privacy after abusing ours.

James Harvey. We encourage anyone

links between offenders were missed

concern and brings his

on behalf of the UK state. For

As his real identity and his past

with information about this man in

by detectives'. (1)

credibility into question.

three years he abused our right to

deceptions are revealed, Harvey can no

either of his guises that is of potential

privacy and betrayed our trust. He lied

longer hide behind anonymity and is

assistance to those affected by

Speaking on behalf of the NCIS in

Barr's questioning of Harvey was a

to us and manipulated his fake identity

now exposed to the public gaze. Unable

undercover policing to come forward to

2000, Harvey referred to criminal

tense moment in the Inquiry's

to gather information as he took key

the Inquiry or Birnberg

families, saying 'These are thoroughly

before

protect

himself

from

public

Peirce

unpleasant people who don't mind

WHAT THE POLICE SPIES CASES ARE ABOUT We now know that officers

disappearing;

they

own cause' (2). Ironically, the same judgement could be made about the

provided

an environment where police were

reinforce

adopted the identities of dead

intelligence in secret that led to

able to deploy resources without

other’s notion of

children and lied their way into the

hundreds of people being wrongfully

accountability and without scrutiny.

what

heart of protest groups. They spied

convicted; and they worked with

No court scrutinises the decision to

they think warrants

on anyone and everyone who was

private companies to create illegal

send in an infiltrator, despite the far-

infiltration.

involved in political dissent or who

blacklists, ensuring political activists

reaching effects infiltration has on

public who encountered these

posed a threat to the reputation of the

could not find work.

people’s lives and on movements for

spies, we will never

social change. The lack of scrutiny

know the full extent of

police; they spied on the families of those people; they formed intimate,

No scrutiny – The Regulation of

sexual relationships and lived with

Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)

subject to the whims and personal

women for years, even proposing

allows

opinions of the officers and the

marriage or fathering children before

intelligence” not evidence, creating

for

police

“gather

means operations may become

handlers, who may in turn

each

using any technique if it furthers their

behaviour

SDS officers and their managers. We again call upon the Inquiry to release names and photographs of the undercover officers. Without these, to jog the memories of members of the

their

deployments

into

campaign

groups and their impact upon the public.

thewordmedia.org

POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

THE

WORD

Angela Rayner

hits out at the Tories L

abour

deputy

reportedly

leader

told

reception for activists at

the

party

conference:

“We

cannot get any worse than a bunch of scum, homophobic, racist,

misogynistic,

and

absolute vile… banana republic, vile, nasty, Etonian… piece of scum.” For those who don’t know Angela Rayner’s back story, she was a single mum at the age of 5 and brought up 25 children on her own whilst studying for an astrophysics and knitting degree part time at night school whilst living in a

Was Angela Rayner right in calling the Tory party scum? Or did she mean to call the scum party Tory? Our readers agreed with Angela Rayner by a large majority. In order of voting

THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF WHAT THEY ARE IS AS FOLLOWS: TORY WAS AN INSULT (DERIVED FROM THE MIDDLE IRISH WORD TÓRAIDHE, MODERN IRISH TÓRAÍ, MEANING "OUTLAW", "ROBBER."

SCUM VERMIN SHITEHAWKS

GREEDY

PARASITES

LOWER THAN A SNAKES BELLY

LIARS

TWUNT, KILLERS

septic tank. (Our editor thinks this might

exaggeration.)

slight Rachel Reeves said she would not have called

We at the Word newspaper

feel

Johnson’s

Government “scum”.

that I would have used”, but added that is a matter for

she was being far

Which makes us

R a y n e r

too kind to them

all wonder just what

whether she

even

realised this was

side she is actually

gambit

for

the

leadership.

We all know Labour leader Sir

which side he is on.

Keir Starmer said the

The man is a dialectical

comments S h a d o w chancellor

apologises.

on?

an early political

were

“not language

misjudgement

the ending of, O r w e l l ’ s “A n i m a l F a r m . ” Instead

the

pigs

looking like men…

PARASITIC PLAGUE OF SCUMBAG, LYING, PIRATES

THE

WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

thewordmedia.org

MANCHESTER CITY DOMINATE CHELSEA BUT ONLY WIN BY A SINGLE GOAL

A 1-0 THRASHING?

Excellent start to a crunch w eek for City

CHELSEA 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY Saturday 25th September, Stamford Bridge

(Jesus 53) ometimes the biggest

Manchester

lie about a game is its

dominated the match, to the

second half when a

anticipation,

extent

City

one

completely

into

the

slightly

determined drive from

sometimes its outcome. This

embarrassed for Chelsea, who

Gabriel Jesus, perhaps

one was lied about by both.

looked excellent in every previous

City's outstanding player

game.

in the early season, clipped off

Their

felt

long

football

may

City's dominance.

The anticipation was that this

sometimes veer towards machine-

Jorginho to sneak past Edouard

But avenging their defeat in the

would be a very closely fought

like more than high-flair, but it has

Mendy in the Chelsea goal on 53

Champions League Final in May

battle of the most profound

been consistently positive and

minutes. From there, any hopes

will taste no less sweet for all that.

quality between two of the best

assertive.

were

that the face-slap of conceding

An excellent start to a crunch

sides in Europe, with a win either

timid, even passive, and allowed

might spur Chelsea into a more

week for City, who face Paris

way only being achieved by the

City too much freedom to take the

positive attitude proved forlorn, as

St.

finest of margins.

initiative. The puzzle was why City

City continued to dictate the pace

Liverpool in the days

had not broken through by half-

and the balance of possession.

ahead. Much to

time.

There was a composed ease about

mull over for

their control that bordered on

Chelsea

terrifying for watching rivals.

though,

In fact, while the scoreline

Here,

Chelsea

might suggest this was the case, it was

such

thing

really.

The puzzle was resolved not

Germain

and

who got a Jesus was unlucky not to add a

rather stern

second a little later, when his fine

r e a l i t y

effort was cleared off the line by

check at the

Thiago Silva. Jack Grealish forced

hands of the

two fine saves out of Mendy, and Aymeric Laporte will probably still

Champions.

be wondering on the day he goes to his grave how he managed to miss a sitter from six yards. Overall, it really was 1-0 going on 7-0, and the outcome was therefore a lie as well; 1-0 did not come anywhere close to reflecting

By Martin Odoni

Manchester Cit completely y dominated th match, to th e extent one e felt slightly embarrasse d for Chelsea

THE

thewordmedia.org

POLITICS AND EVENTS

WORD

Early October 2021

BHOYS NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR WINNING BACK THE TITLE

CELTIC 1-1 DUNDEE UNITED

impress was Uniteive very swift d's spirited re and to falling sponse beh early on ind

Sunday 26th September, Parkhead (Abada 16) – (Harkes 18)

CELTIC STUMBLE AGAIN I

recent

t is far too early to write

leadership of Callum McGregor,

falling behind early on, rallying to

them off in the title race

both out injured. When they

equalise

minutes

by surprise and did not initially

of course, but Celtic, on

return, you feel Celtic are certain to

through

impressive

seem sure how to respond.

performances,

within another

two

Celtic were taken completely

look

get better results, and more

header, this time full of agility from

United nearly took advantage of

determined to give themselves a

efficient performances. But the

Ian Harkes.

the confusion, and shortly before

mountain to climb later in the

drop-off in quality from first

half-time, they clearly should have

season. Certainly, there are at

teamers to back-ups in the Celtic

been awarded a penalty when

least three other clubs who look

squad looks as unsettlingly large

Cameron Carter-Vickers sent Nicky

likelier to offer a challenge to

as it has been in ten years.

Clark flying in the penalty area. The

Rangers on present form. One of them is the very team they faced here.

The injury issues for Celtic

Celtic should have won really. They took control early on with the

Juranovic, who had to be substituted.

Liel Abada header, they had far

Tangerine appeals.

be drawn from this match is that United at the moment have a

Albian Ajeti continued to

sounder defence than Celtic have.

look a very poor fill-in for

They defended with impressive

much For Dundee United however,

But

the unmistakeable conclusion to

Furuhashi, missing two pretty

opening goal through a powerful

goals.

referee somehow waved away were not helped by a heavy knock to the leg of Jurep

Celtic, on performarecent look dete nces, rmin to give ed themselv a mountaes i to climb n

open

diligence,

discipline

and

composure throughout a second half onslaught, and a point apiece

more of the play and most of the

with an exceptionally

was about the right outcome. And

good chances, they rattled the

gifted young squad,

that will bother Celtic, who remain

woodwork

this

in sixth, and one point behind

twice,

and

they

result

was

controlled the general sway in

further vindication of

midfield. But they were also sloppy

their

with the ball, lacked precision in

talented youngsters into the first

front of goal, were loose and

team at the earliest opportunity.

lethargic at the back, and were

Especially

clearly dreadfully missing Kyogo

United's

very

Furuhashi up front, and the

spirited

response

policy

United.

getting

impressive swift to

was

To repeat, it is far too early to write off Celtic, but they have a lot of work to do.

and By Martin Odoni

THE

WORD

Early October 2021

POLITICS AND EVENTS

thewordmedia.org

England World Cup winner dies aged 83

Rest in peace Sir Roger

Only thr England's ee of W Cup finali orld s George Co ts – Bobby Ch hen, arlt and Geoff on Hurst – re main

he former Liverpool and England

just two years later, scoring 31 goals in only

alongside his Evertonian England team-

international footballer, Roger

41 games on the way to winning the First

mate Ray Wilson, of parading the Jules

Hunt MBE, has died at home

Division title. In 1965, Hunt's goals helped

Rimet trophy around the ground.

after a struggle against a lengthy illness.

Liverpool win the FA Cup for the very first

He was 83.

time – the first major trophy the club won

However, in terms of pairings, Hunt

that was not the League Championship in

was probably more famous for his prolific

Hunt, nicknamed Sir Roger by

fact - and his firepower was again at the

striking

Liverpool supporters to reflect his

forefront the next year as the team became

playmaker Ian St. John. Together, they

gentlemanly manner, was born in 1938 in

Champions again. Just weeks later, Hunt

formed one of the most feared attacking

Cheshire. He was the club's top goalscorer

added three more goals as he represented

duos in the Football League.

prior to the recruitment of Ian Rush, and

England in the World Cup. Hunt played all

still holds the Liverpool record for goals

six matches en route to, to date, England's

in League football – 244. Signing for

only major trophy success.

Liverpool in 1958 as a 20 year-old, he

partnership

with

Scottish

Success after 1966 eluded Hunt's generation at Liverpool. He was ageing and becoming less effective, and so Shankly

became a star of the first great Bill

Before the Charity Shield match at

sold him on to Bolton Wanderers in 1969,

Shankly side, helping the club out of

Goodison Park a few weeks later – a

to the disapproval of many Liverpool fans.

the old Second Division in 1962, and

Merseyside Derby - Hunt had the honour,

In his 11 years at the club, Hunt had accrued a remarkable 285 goals in all competitions,

THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS KILLING FOOTBALL Derby County

obviously great at the moment for

The Latics also sunk from

new ground by successive property

in addition to 18 goals in 34 internationals for England. He remained a solid performer in the lower divisions with Bolton, for whom he scored 24 goals in three seasons.

Former Derby County chairman

Derby’s administrators, but they did

League One to the bottom of League

developer owners. Their current

Andy Appleby is looking into the

reveal last week that there is

Two, has faced the threat of

ground at Roots Hall has already

After retiring from football in 1972,

Rams’ current situation ahead of a

considerable interest in the football

administration and has seen late

been sold despite it being owned by

Hunt helped run the family's haulage

potential move to takeover the club,

club from various potential buyers.

salary payments.

the supporters. Current owner Ron

business. He maintained close contact

Martin is on course to make a killing

with the game though, especially

if the club die.

Liverpool.

according to Derbyshire Live. Even with England’s top scorer,

Steve Shipman, who helped

The Rams are officially in

Wayne Rooney as their manager

organise the demonstration, said

administration now and they have

Derby look like the end may be near.

protesters wanted the owners to "sell

been deducted 12 points from their tally in the Championship table as a result. While Derby could yet be handed further points deductions

the club". Oldham Athletic

situation in the league. The need to find a buyer is

Hunt's old strike partners, St. John, and

Bury finished the 2018–19

fellow England star Jimmy Greaves, both

season as runners-up in League

also died this year. Somewhat eerily,

More than 500 fans of Oldham

They carried a mock coffin

Two, earning promotion to League

Greaves, who formed a popular television

Athletic FC have protested outside

outside the Boundary Park ground

One for the 2019–20 season.

partnership with St. John in the 1980s and

its stadium against the club's

before the team's home match

However, the club were unable to

1990s, died just nine days prior to Hunt.

owners.

against Hartlepool United.

begin the season because of

over the coming weeks that will put them in an even more difficult

Bury

longstanding financial difficulties

Hunt's passing means only three of

Southend United

and, on 27 August 2019, were

England's World Cup finalists – George

Lemsagam family, from Morocco, in

Two demotions in two years and

expelled from the English Football

Cohen, Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst -

2018. Since then, the team has had

looking a good bet for a third.

League. Their ground at Gigg lane is

remain alive today.

nine managers.

Southend have been promised a

currently up for sale.

The club was taken over by the

THE

thewordmedia.org

POLITICS AND EVENTS

Early October 2021

WORD

The worst team in the EPL at the start of September is now one of the form teams

What a difference three weeks make ARSENAL 3-1 TOTTENHAM

Sunday 26th September, Emirates Stadium (Smith-Rowe 12, Aubameyang 27, Saka 34) - (Son 79)

The Gunners have the bragging rights

or both the North London

games and are playing some quite

from Spurs – particularly Harry Kane,

for both sides perfectly. It also sums

played a bit better, and Kane wasted a

'giants' it was as if the first

exhilarating

who had a dire match in general.

up where Spurs have started

couple of decent openings. But by

month of the season had

patches. Their victory over their

Kane managed to fall over the ball as

malfunctioning, and it is a sobering,

the time Son Heung-Min put the ball

never happened. Spurs had looked

bitter archenemies here was by far

Spurs were building an attack, and

ironic development. Basically, after

in the net with ten minutes to go, the

imperious at the start of the season,

Arsenal's best performance of the

Saka pounced, breaking downfield at

all the on-off transfer speculation

match was already long over as a

but now seem to be heading into

season – arguably their best since

speed. Attempting to redeem his

surrounding him in the summer, the

contest, and any further fightback

free-fall.

Arsenal,

who

football,

albeit

were

Mikel Arteta became their manager -

own error, Kane chased back, but

Spurs team have been misfiring ever

from Spurs, while creditable, would

(correctly) described on our website

with the match wrapped up before

managed to miss not one but two

since Kane returned to the starting

have been an injustice.

as the worst team in the

half-time. They are now just five

tackle attempts. Saka just shrugged

line-up. The implications of that are

League

points off top spot, and, ironically,

him off, worked his way into the area,

extremely unsettling for anyone

The Gunners have the bragging

throughout August,

now dead level with Spurs in the

and slotted a cool finish past the

connected with Tottenham Hotspur.

rights in North London, as they so

Premier have

suddenly

exploded into life over the last few

table.

unprotected Hugo Lloris.

Arsenal winners,

were with

easy Bukayo

often do. The

The goal summed up the first half

second

comparative

half

was

non-event.

a By Martin Odoni

Spurs

Saka, clearly now fully recovered from his penalty nightmare at

Euro

2020,

THIS IS WHERE THE MONEY GOES anchester United, for

takeover was controversial and

instance are one of the

has been extremely costly to the

richest football clubs

club over the years since. The

Paying interest on that debt has

around with one of the highest

majority of the funds the late

been the most significant burden.

starlet Emile Smith-Rowe to open

incomes of any in the world, raking

Malcolm Glazer needed came

the cost of interest to United is

the scoring. Smith-Rowe then added

in £627m in the last season

from loans that were secured

estimated at £704m. Around

an assist of his own fifteen minutes

unaffected by the coronavirus

using the club’s own assets as

£244m of the debt has been paid

later, setting up Pierre-Emerick

pandemic. But they are not free to

collateral.

off, while the club has also paid

Aubameyang to score a goal his own

reinvest all of that money back into

confidence has needed after a poor

the club because of the Glazer

start to the season.

family.

having a glorious match on the wing. It was his cross on 12 minutes that was swept home with aplomb by

£125m to Glazer family members in

Once

the

takeover

was

from Saka, but a comedy of errors

The very nature of the 2005

dividends.

complete, United, who had been debt free for decades, were

The third was a thing of beauty

hundreds of millions of debt.

immediately

plunged

into

The total cost (so far) of having the Glazers own United: £1.1bn.

Law and McDermott both diagnosed with mental degenerative illnesses

TWO MORE FORMER GREATS OF THE GAME DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA

McDermo tt: Battling is second nature

ore sad news has hit

road

British football, in the

demanding,

shape of two more former greats

changing and so {I} ask for

In fact, contrary to urban myth,

of the game being diagnosed

understanding and patience. I

the ball back in the 1950s-1970's,

with dementia. Denis Law, 81,

recognise

when Law played, was no heavier

one of the greatest players to

deteriorating and how my memory

than the modern ball. But it did

As McDermott implies, the rate

wear the shirts of Manchester

evades me when I don't want it to

have a harder, less flexible surface,

at which ex-footballers are being

United or Scotland, and the

and how this causes me distress in

which would have made impacts

diagnosed with these conditions is

1964 winner of the Ballon

situations that are beyond my

on player's heads less forgiving.

extremely worrying; it is more than

Law said in his statement, "The

D'Or, announced he was suffering

ahead

will painful

how

be and

hard,

you didn’t think about it. We just

until my condition was diagnosed

thought it was normal."

you don’t know what’s going on.

ever

brain

control."

from

The number of ex-players being

Just

days

later,

diagnosed

with

dementia

Alzheimer’s is frightening."

Terry

treble the rate across the rest of

McDermott, three-time European

society. At a time when football is

Champion and five-times League

under growing pressure to assess

Alzheimer's & vascular

In a later interview, Law stated

dementia. This was less

that he lays the blame for his illness

Champion

Liverpool,

the impact heading the ball has on

than a year after the

squarely on heading the ball so

announced that he was in the early

players, these very saddening

equally sad news that his

frequently throughout his career.

stages of Lewy Body dementia.

announcements are sure to add

old club mate, Bobby

“What else would it be? That was

McDermott, 69, said of the struggle

impetus to what is becoming a very

Charlton, had also been

what caused damage to the brain.

ahead for him and his loved ones,

urgent campaign.

diagnosed

You were heading the ball, which

"Battling is second nature. The

was quite heavy in those days, but

worst thing was,

with dementia.

The rate a t which ex-footba llers are being diagnose d these con with ditions is extremely worrying "

Football haunted by dementia c a se s once more

with

By Martin Odoni