Entire Gaza convoy now on indefinite hunger strike

Although there is an media blackout from the BBC when it comes to what is happening in Palestine and Gaza city, who would have thought it but the media blackout seems to now cover the humanitarian convoy itself.

After doing a quick search of google news - no news team, no news agency seems to be covering this anywhere. apart from PRESS TV that is.

The convoy is currently stuck in southern Jordan, near Aquaba - where they had hoped to board ferries taking them into Egypt. according to sources travelling with the convoy they have now been denied access by the Egyptian authorities.

A press release from Bristol Gaza link released yesterday (25Th December) suggests that the entire convoy team will now be on indefinite hunger strike.

George Galloway MP said yesterday with an interview with PRESS TV:

"It's a strange Christmas for us. We are stuck in Aqaba. 500 people, 210 vehicles, hundreds of tons of aid which is desperately needed in Gaza," Galloway said in an interview with Press TV on Friday.

Now the convoy and all the aid sits on a dockside in Aquaba.

Monica Margaret Jones, press correspondent for Bristol Gaza Link and Viva Palestina convoy member relays the message that:

"Tomorrow the entire convoy membership, regardless of faith background, will begin an indefinite hunger strike.

The convoy organisers yesterday held what was described as a 'tense' meeting with the Egyptian consul in Aqaba, in the course of which they were told the hundreds of tonnes of medical and other humanitarian aid could only be handed over to the Gazans if it was carried through the state of Israel and handed over to the United Nations Works and Relief Agency (UNWRA)"

"Convoy members do not accept this way of doing things. They regard the Palestinians as a sovereign people, who have the right to receive community based people-to-people aid in any way they see fit. They do not wish to collaborate with the Israelis, seeing them as responsible for the Gazans' suffering in the first place"

She goes on to talk about the wall surrounding Gaza:

"An iron wall is now being constructed around Gaza, to further cut off the people there. The hardened steel barrier has already been sunk more than 30 feet into the ground to prevent goods being carried into Gaza from Egypt through underground tunnels. Construction has begun above the surface.."

"It's very sad," says Bristol member David Cole, when asked his opinion of the stalemate in Aqaba.. "It's sad that we've got as far as we have, only to be told by the Egyptians we're not welcome. It's sad for the Palestinian people. Whether it's Christmas for them or not, they badly need this aid. We need to be strong, and pray."

"It's just not right," added Siba (age 19), the youngest member of the group from Bristol, who has driven a van carrying aid from Bristol to Jordan.

It is still hoped that the Egyptian authorities can be induced to change their minds.

Gazans have taken to the streets today to protest over the wall, the siege on Gaza and the stopping of the convoy.

You can contact the Egyptian embassy here and ask them to allow the convoy access to deliver the much needed aid to the people of Gaza.

UK? Contact Media, Government & MPs
& Contact the Egyptian Consulate in London
No. 2 Lowndes St. London, SW1X 9ET
Tel: 020 7235 9777 – Fax:020 7235 5684
consulate.london@mfa.gov.eg & eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg

VIVA PALESTINA PROGRESS & SANTA CLAUS

BBC report on a story that allows you to track Santa on google earth:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/241481.stm

But 19 days on into the convoy to end the siege on Gaza, still receives no mention BBC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmoeBlKzy9Q

Is the convoy not newsworthy? 200+ vans,trucks and lorries taking aid to the people of Palestine?
Real people suffering, but hey don't worry: Santa's on his way... :(

FREE PALESTINE!

I wonder if Santa gets stopped at border controls?

CUSTOMS OFFICER: got any id?

SANTA: well no I don't carry ID, well you see I'm against ID -have you heard of www.no2id.net ??...

CUSTOMS OFFICER: I don't give a shit mate. ID or your not going anywhere buster.

SANTA: Don't you recognise me? I'm Santa! and anyway, look I haven't got time for this, bit busy you know what I mean?

CUSTOMS OFFICER: no ID, no entry...

SANTA: but think of the children man.

CUSTOMS OFFICER: oh go on then. but your the last one through...

GAZA CONVOY: hi we want to enter to take humanitarian aid to people in Gaza

CUSTOMS OFFICER: look don't try and pull that one on me, I've just had the same shit with the guy with the white beard. You ain't coming in. YOU MUST THINK I'M STUPID TO FALL FOR IT AGAIN!

However some good news:

The convoy pleas Egypt to open the Rafah border, and now they have got through!

Mike Ford, The Bristol evening pest and the rumour mill.

some more information about the ongoing Mike Ford 'saga'

The Bristol evening post after using 'mike ford' can now be seen to be absolutely PATHETIC. Pandering to a reader who relies on no factual basis whatsoever.

Shame on the Bristol evening post, I'm surprised after recent incidents involving the post, (namely taking photos at a funeral when not asked to) they are even allowed to continue to post their puerile vomit, maggot infested tripe each day.

I'm very interested to know what their real readership is each day. Also a source tells me that they only have 4 full time journalists these days. With Mike Norton at the helm steering the Bristol evening post ship, it would seem that they cannot avoid crashing into an iceberg forever.

I have recently spoken to a few sources close to 'Rob Green' and I am told that this is nothing more than a rumour. Personally I feel quite sorry for the guy, being associated with publishing such filth in the Bristol Evening Post.

So how was this link made between 'Rob green' and 'Mike Ford' ?
Well after speaking to people who know him, this petition board could have got the rumour mill moving:

So I understand, and am told; This association between 'Rob Green' & 'Mike ford' is completely incorrect and has no factual basis whatsoever.

Also I must say, shame on the Bristol evening post for letting this shit go on for so long, and considering this 'mike ford' character has insulted quite a few people in Bristol with his consistent ramblings and general shit speak I think the evening post has the duty to reveal who mike ford is. If innocent people are being labelled as being mike ford then this has got way out of hands. it is now up to the Bristol evening post to identify who Mike Ford is. Also, this is supposedly supposed to be a newspaper?! what the hell are they doing?

As I understand it, the Bristol evening post is really in the shit financially, and are desperate to get whoever reading their puerile nonsense each day. I also understand that for each time someone goes on the website, they get ad revenue per click from advertisers. This would also help to explain why they would create such a furore with this mike ford character.

It could even possibly be one of the Bristol evening posts regular journos posing with this pseudonym. But who knows. It is now the duty of the Bristol evening post to reveal who the mike fraud really is, before this gets way out of hand.

So to make it completely clear, ROB GREEN IS NOT MIKE FORD. However, what this does highlight is the Bristol evening posts lack of responsibility to the community and to their readers and also for the content that they 'produce'

Rob Green today goes onto say on a forum board:

Hi all,

Rob Green here... you know the '21 year old Robert Green from Bracknell'. I am indeed a pint pulling Business Enterprise student from UWE, and you are of course spot on in that I worked on UWE's own radio station Hub Radio. Unfortunately for you lot, that's where it ends.

I came across this rumour mill just this morning when a friend from Bristol contacted me, turns out there has been a gross case of mis-identity, mistaking myself for this Mike Ford chap, who has clearly touched a few raw nerves whilst perched on his anonymous BEP soap box.

Having a quick search, I've found countless forum comments / blogs / wikipedia entries and even petitions to try and oust Mike Ford as Rob Green, and frankly, I think its appalling that some of you have dug long and hard to find snips of my personal information to post in the public domain without thinking for a moment about your actions. I've received anonymous messages and even heard today that my contact details are posted somewhere on the Bristol web, so I would just like to say now that anyone who has promoted this information publicly, please have the decency to remove it.

You are all clearly intelligent, media literate people - judging by how well you are networked into online Bristol. This rumour needs to be quashed now, and in future rather than letting coincidences and curiosity get the better of you, perhaps think about just how powerful the net is and what the consequences may be from flippant comments devoid of any fact.

Just on another note, I think its a pretty poor show from the BEP for letting this get out of hand to such a degree (surely there are moderators and an online team? Correct me if I'm wrong).

I have posted this comment on the Bristol Traffic blog, and would appreciate it if you could all post it where necessary.

Have a great Christmas, Bracknell ain't all that bad but its certainly not a winter wonderland ;)

Cheers,

Rob

Edited by: rob green on 24-Dec-2009 13:08

Edited by: rob green on 24-Dec-2009 13:09


Now is the time Bristol Evening Post to own up to the mistakes before this gets any worse. Put the profit margins down for a minute and realise the mistakes that have been made. This is not news, it never has been. Get the journalists out there investigating and finding out what is really going on in Bristol Mike Norton!

and anyway, the stuff 'ford' contributes to the BEP is awful anyway. And to think someactually pay to read such tosh!

Strike action balloted at university of Gloucestershire -people before profit.

University life has really changed. I would suggest that a new focus has been put on profit rather than on education, firmly putting profit before people.

As Tony Benn explained in the film 'sicko' <---Link here people are being shaped to fit the system rather than the system changing for people. This I can see right at my university. What I suggest is that any staff cuts at UWE should be actively opposed by staff and students alike. We are currently paying £3200 in tuition fees per year and this amount is significantly higher for international students. (around £9000 so I am told)

We have the right to shape how our institution should be run. With the increasing pressure on lecturers to manage their time more effectively and the selling off of St Matt's and transferring of students from st Matt's to frenchay, things could get pretty grim for us - the students.

An article published in the Guardian today outlines the plans to cut funding in higher education which will adversely effect us the students and of course our education that we receive. Not only that, I think we will also see a shift away from 'widening participation' -one of the main ways in which I managed to get into university. As I have mentioned previously, this is NOT a criticism of any of my lecturers. I have learnt so much. This is a criticism of government and of Mis- management and the shifts towards profit making we have seen in recent years.

We must stand united if cuts are to be taken. We must defend our education and defend the brilliant staff that teach us. We must not as students, simply sit back and allow these things to happen. Student's united have a very powerful voice indeed!

PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT!

We won't pay for their crisis!

I have just read this on Bristol Indymedia:

We won't pay for their crisis!

An Extraordinary General Meeting of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Gloucestershire has voted unanimously to ballot for industrial action. The university is in financial difficulties after years of much-publicised mismanagement. Staff and students have no confidence in senior management and refuse their proposal for compulsory redundancies: we won’t pay for their crisis!

Ballot for industrial action at the University of Gloucestershire: we won’t pay for their crisis!

An Extraordinary General Meeting of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Gloucestershire has voted unanimously to ballot for industrial action. The university is in financial difficulties after years of much-publicised mismanagement*. Staff and students have no confidence in senior management and refuse their proposal for compulsory redundancies: we won’t pay for their crisis!

The saveUoG campaign ( http://saveuog.com ), run by staff and students, opposes all attacks on education at the University of Gloucestershire and is committed to defending the jobs and conditions of everybody who directly contributes to education: students, cleaners, academics, porters, and all support staff. An injury to one is an injury to all.

The UCU EGM passed 16 motions: it noted the de

terioration of the university’s situation while in the charge of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia Broadfoot (unanimous); it called for a management efficiency review (unanimous); it called for a ballot on industrial action if the threat of compulsory redundancies isn’t withdrawn by 31st December (unanimous); and, for – at least – the fourth time, a meeting voted no confidence in Professor Patricia Broadfoot and her senior management team (unanimous).

Local news report: http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireh....html

* See, for example, http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?section...5&c=1

http://saveuog.som

Related Link: http://saveuog.com

My Christmas statistics for year 2009: step off the treadmill?

Scarily, we are now going to be entering a new decade... ten years of my life seem to have just vanished. Crime has gone down, CCTV has gone up. terrorists came, and then they left again. buildings have gone up, and wages have gone down.

But its not all bad, there is light at the end of the tunnel, a glimmer of hope shows us the way. The age of enlightenment is nearly upon us...

well maybe. But for now here's yet another Christmas, yes that time of year is upon us again, the ritualistic, capitalistic nonsensical panic driven time is here again...

What should I buy, will they like that? have I spent enough to counter balance what they have bought me? How much wrapping paper will I require? I'm sick of standing in queues.. etc etc you know the picture because were all trapped within it aren't we?

Well no actually. this year I have decided to press the abort button. Yep. No presents. none give, not one received. How do I feel? well less stressed and my bank account seems to have remained the same. Some of you reading this may call me a scrooge, etc. But is there a time when we must step off the treadmill of life and observe our manic purchasing that happens year after year? all those unwanted presents and even those cans of lynx that aunt (insert name here) always buys you year after year, because they really don't know you at all.





So why do we do it? why carry on? well perhaps one explanation, is because we don't know any better. another one could be because we all egg each other on, and if you don't buy someone something then they can't and then we as a nation of shoppers may not cope.. Arghh!!

and also, think of the economy. Yep the poor sad lonely economy. Imagine how the economy would feel at this time of year.

BREATHE......

Anyway, here's my Xmas 2009 stats for this year to prove my point. And hey, its not about not doing Christmas altogether its just steeping back stepping off the treadmill, saving some cash for things that really matter and lastly but most importantly for me: spending the time more productively around friends and family doing things together.

CHRISTMAS REPORT 2009

presents bought: 0

presents received: 0

Time wasted in seemingly endless queues: 0 days 0 hours 0 minutes

cans of lynx received from people who know nothing about me: 0 cans

wrapping paper used: (metres) 0 metres

forced to listen to god awful Christmas music in shops : 0 hours 10 minutes
primark bags viewed in street: 50+ bags

time spent listening to Rage against the machine: 4 hours 50 minutes

time spent putting up Christmas tree- only to take it back down again 3 weeks later: 0 minutes 0 hours

time spent with family and friends: priceless - 2 days 0 hours 0 minutes
time spent in the snow: 1 hour 40 minutes

time spent making stuff: 3 hours 20 minutes

Happiness rating (out of ten) 8/10!



Try it. Why not step off the treadmill? I know its difficult to take the plunge, but no one will think any less of you! plus you get to save money that would often be spent on shit that people didn't even want in the first place and gets thrown away.

Why not see how it goes? rather than spend the last month of the year panic buying 'gravy powder' and trying to chase that must have toy for (Insert name) present.

If your like me and wonder why we do it year after year, then join me, take the plunge. honestly it feels great.

And if anyone calls you 'scrooge' etc, remind them that scrooge is a made up character there to provide panic buyers with a sense of rationality in what they are doing.

also tell them there a sheep who just follows the rest of the flock into the slaughterhouse (whoops I mean Cabot circus)

Step back, relax and enjoy life. and have a great xmas and new year. I hope it is different from last year, and the year before that. See you next decade :)

RAGE against the machine - number one... Smash banality

In a world created incorporating so much banality, I'm proud to hear Rage against the machine number one....

There's the key, but now you have to walk through the door yourself! Wake up :)

“One of the great things about young people is that they do question, that they do care deeply about justice, and they they have open minds.” #Zach de la Rocha#

Personally, I haven't bought music for around 8 years. I bought the rage song for 29p from amazon. my reasoning for this, is that I'm so past being annoyed by all the banal culture and the rest of the shite that comes with this. The 'mishmash' of culture/pop and art drives me mad. I live in hope that people get themselves educated to work out the games being played, even the ones involved in the ratm/xfactor sony debate!!

A world which is full of mediocrity and banality is one in which I cannot stand, especially when we have so many talented people, with such a creative talent desperate to get out..

And the best we can do is have some simulated, manufactured pop freaks walking onto television keeping people watching: isolated,alone, separate and mindless consumers? fair enough everyone has to the right to watch trash, but if only they knew what was REALLY happening in the world, I think it could be a better place. For me buying the rage single was much more than music. It was an idea. a dream. a desperate hope of mine that people will wake from this corporation owned nightmare.

Also, Ratm are one of my favourite bands and have been for sometime. But I think you are completely right, its a simulation, out to make hard cold cash. But on the flip side an alternative number one of 2009! this also shows to me the power of people, people united.

When I mention keys and doors, I guess again I live in hope that a lot of people who hadn't heard of Rage before or the culture, politics and ideas behind it will perhaps awaken and see an alternative world.... I hope that the ideas and politics behind rages music will inspire people to take a stand, for what is right and what is just.

I fully recognise the games being played here though. a simulation of rebellion in order to make hard cold cash..

Hope you are well. The snow has started to fall in Bristol, so it appears to be a very bizarre Christmas indeed!

HO HO HO... Merry Rage-mas!

The Veil of illusion...

Consume, conform, collapse: is this the future? Perhaps.

On the front line in a information war, sometimes I think to myself - what am I fighting for?

The truth I seek, if it is ever to be found; is of how populations live unheard - and the world spins around.

People united: Banality we fight it - reclaim the power, hour after hour.

Gatekeepers we are, to protect the illusion, the media spreads lies - adding to the confusion.

I do what I do,with desperate hope, sometimes I struggle - it's difficult to cope.

The thing that keeps me going is humanity, the world I live in - breeds insanity.

Pulling the veil of illusion from everyone's eyes, revealing the truth and the ongoing lies.

PEOPLE PUSHING BY

walkin the streets, with nowhere to go
the more I hear the less I wanna know
a lyrical exchange for a brief few minutes
a life taken so quick, can't believe its finished

but we must carry on, and remember the name
I cant explain how I feel, I just remember the pain
Im angry as hell, and dont know who to blame
things in bristol... will never be the same.

you were always welcome at our table, you wouldnt hurt a fly
there were times I was in a rush and I had to pass by
thinking of you, I sit here: it makes me want to cry.

people pushing by, not a moment to spare
I want you to know, I wasn't always there
but I will never, ever stop to care.

We must build our community and look after each other
Bear you were great, im proud to say my brother.

let's build a world full of compassion!
Much love Bear, rest easy man. x :))

Rest easy Bear :)

If you are from Bristol and have ever gone out on the town for a drink, then you may have met 'bear'

Alan Smith, unfortunately died the other day.

HE WAS VERY TALENTED. ALL FROM THE TOP OF HIS HEAD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FlbB9gUF0M

Bear was great, he often was also referred to as: 'excuse me' because of the way he went to you and said: 'excuse me would you like to hear a poem. Sometimes the poems were absolutely brilliant.

So I have heard recently he was beaten up in Bedminster and it seems he never recovered from his injuries.

Take it easy Bear, you will be missed by many I am sure.

Take it easy weary soul, living life - rock and roll
always there to speak your mind, learning stuff I never thought id find
your poems were great, an enjoyment for all of us
don't know what happened - all that fuss makes me mad, scream shout and cuss But anyway like I said, I cannot believe you are dead.
I'd happily listen and take on whats said.. take it easy, lets break bread..

Another street soldier dead, Brizzle will not be the same :(
always remembered, never forgotten.
Much love x

Copenhagen!

Off to Copenhagen tonight...

Photos, news and more to follow...

Much love to everyone :)