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Home About Us Events & Activities Contacts	FIGHT THE BAD FIGHT Theatre's response (or lack of) to the war. Brian Logan Time Out 5-12 December, 2001 Should theatre be responding to the West’s attack on Afghanistan? And if so, how? Since hostilities were declared two months ago, we’ve heard more about how war has diminished people’s appetite for theatre than about how theatre might diminish the appetite for war. Says Lisa Goldman, artistic director of the Red Room theatre company and organiser of Artists Against the War, "There’s been some intelligent debate going on in the newspapers. But where’s the debate in the theatre? I haven’t had a sniff of it". In fact, there have been sporadic responses, from Goldman and beyond. A month ago, the Royal Court hosted a benefit for the Stop the War Coalition, which featured performances of Caryl Churchill’s devastating ‘Far Away’ and Tony Kushner’s ‘Homebody/Kabul’. But, notwithstanding director Ian Rickson’s claim that to respond to the war is "absolutely a responsibility of the Royal Court", the theatre currently cites no concrete plans to do so. Last month, the Soho Theatre hosted a brief season of 10-minute plays by Roy Williams, Tanika Gupta, Shan Khan and others written in a matter of hours to respond to the day’s news. Every playwright chose to tackle September 11 and its consequences. Artists Against the War, however, remains the theatre world’s most concerted response. It’s no surprise that Goldman is involved. With one of her co-founders, the actor Tam Dean Burn, she participated in artists’ campaigns against the Gulf War, and as Red Room head honcho she runs among the most politically committed companies in Britain. (Their most recent hit was Kay Adshead’s asylum seeker monologue, ‘The Bogus Woman’). "I see the role of art", she says, "as being to engage in areas of public debate and provoke questions". Goldman is upbeat about prospects for Artists Against the War, despite the theatre world’s sometimes lacklustre answer to appeals for assistance. "The most common response that we get is silence and a complete lack of engagement with what we want to do", she reports. Spurred to form the movement by "anger and sadness that millions of people were going to needlessly die, and that the most powerful country in the world was making war on the most down-beaten", she now perceives widespread unease with the war and finds it "very hard to believe that anybody in the arts could support it". Those who actively oppose it do so on several fronts. Artists Against the War constructed an 18ft George W Bush for last month’s Hyde Park demo. They have a stall outside Tate Modern and are organising art exhibitions to promote the cause. Benefit gigs and roving cabaret nights are planned. Royal Court playwright Rebecca (‘Yard Gal’) Prichard is co-ordinating a project to infiltrate guerrilla anti-war playlets into public places. Kay Adshead is writing a play that Goldman describes as "a jigsaw piece", whose many sections can be performed independently; Goldman hopes that dissident artists nationwide will do so long before the work is complete. Anti-war theatre, she argues, demands "new ways of presentation, because of the necessity to communicate more directly". She talks of "public portable pieces that can be used in a campaigning way", and of making theatre "in the spaces between theatres". When considering a response to the conflict, Abigail Morris at Soho Theatre reached similar conclusions. "It wouldn’t have been right to commission a new play as such. The situation was changing so quickly it demanded an immediate response: snapshots, viewpoints, particular emotional reactions." The writers who contributed to the informal season that followed - its hastily devised pieces were staged at lunchtimes in the café beneath the theatre - "looked at the emotional contradictions of this war. Theatre’s job is to render it human". But Morris declined Goldman’s invitation to affiliate to Artists Against the War, because "I didn’t know if I was or not". But she’s pleased that Soho Theatre has commented on the conflict. "I think that the ‘What can I do? I’m so unimportant’ mindset is really unhealthy. If we all do a little something, who knows what ripples we might create?" Goldman agrees, with the coda that to "do something" is an obligation, not an option. "If this war carries on, it’s our failure, and we should accept responsibility for the deaths of those people. I feel that very strongly. Now, art in itself is not going to stop the war, let’s face it. But people can stop the war through their movements and their dedication, and art can be a very important part of that." STOP THE WAR COALITION BULLETIN 27th November 2001 The Coalition should build on the success of the 18th. The war is not over in Afghanistan, let alone dangers facing countries such as Somalia and Iraq. Keep active! The Coalition steering committee met at the weekend and discussed the November 18 demonstration, the present international situation and our plans for the future. November 18 was an outstanding success, in terms of the breadth of the turn-out, the numbers involved, and the strength of the platform of speakers. It was now clear that the war does not look like coming to an early end, even in the limited sense of the conflict in Afghanistan, in the near future, despite desperate media attempts to spin developments there as a "victory". The greatest dangers are of continuing conflict within Afghanistan, with major US and British military intervention, leading to a worsening humanitarian situation and a revived civil war between different factions, and an extension of the war to other countries. Iraq is now clearly a target for increased US/British military action, and Somalia and the Sudan are also being mentioned. At home, the war is being used as a cover for a continuing attack on civil liberties. The world situation therefore remains deeply threatening, and calls for continued campaigning by the Coalition and all those opposed to the war. It was generally agreed that as well as trying to broaden the Coalition still further to include all those who want to "stop the war", we should seek to "deepen" the Coalition as well, in terms of helping develop an understanding of why this war is occurring and what its implications are for the world and Britain's place in it - although it is recognised that there may well be different points of view on these questions. NEWS RELEASE: Monday 19 November 2001 MEDIA CONTACTS: Lindsey German 07810 540584 and Andrew Murray 07773 764455 * Stop the War Coalition demo - how many turned out? * "Police figures for anti-war demo lack all credibility" * The anti-war movement, the police and the numbers game The Stop the War Coalition today criticised police for grossly underestimating the numbers who turned up for Sunday's anti-war demonstration in London. "No one doubts that Sunday's demonstration was easily the largest anti-war event yet held in Britain," said Lindsey German, convenor of the Stop the War Coalition steering committee. "Police estimates of 15,000 lack all credibility. "Police estimated the last major national anti-war event in London, on 13 October, at 20,000. Organisers estimated 50,000. According to newspaper reports, this Sunday's demonstration was considerably larger - we believe twice as large - as last month's, yet police would have us believe it was 25% smaller. "As the march left Hyde Park, police told organisers that their initial estimate, at that time, was 30,000 - that is, 50 per cent larger than the march on 13 October. We indicated immediately that we believed the number to be much higher. It appears that police estimates were downgraded after the demonstration. "Could it be that the police succumbed to political pressure from Downing Street to massage the figures downwards?" "Our estimate of 100,000 was based on extensive and separate counts made by organisers who repeatedly walked the length of the march and who, later, viewed the full crowd overflowing Trafalgar Square from all angles. "It took more than two hours for all the marchers to exit Hyde Park - twice as long as on 13 October. "The real news is that anti-war feeling in Britain is clearly on the rise and the size and diversity of the demonstration confirmed that reality - clearly, an uncomfortable one for the government." Notes: The march was organised by the Stop the War Coalition and supported by a wide range of peace and political organisations, community groups, trades unions and individuals (including CND, Labour MPs, RMT, ASLEF, the Muslim Parliament, the National Civil Rights Movement, the Newham Monitoring Project, the London Council of Mosques, Labour Against the War, Media Workers Against the War, Lawyers Against the War, and Artists Against the War). Excerpt from The Independent, 19th November, 2001 London anti-war march attracts 15,000 protesters War on Terrorism: Demonstration by Julia Stuart " ... Under a heavy police presence, the campaigners started their march towards Trafalgar Square. One group of students pulled a 25ft Grim Reaper on a wooden trolley. Two members of Artists Against The War stood on the pavement of Piccadilly operating the skeletal fingers of an enormous puppet whose face was half that of bin Laden and half that of George Bush. 'They're both doing the same thing, killing people,' said one of the artists. ..."
Go to top of the page	FILMMAKER TAHMINEH MILANI FACES EXECUTION Iranian Filmmaker Tahmineh Milani, who was arrested then released on bail earlier this autumn, faces execution if convicted in an upcoming trial in Tehran. Ms. Milani was arrested on the orders of Iran's Revolutionary Council as she was promoting the film The Hidden Half, which she wrote and directed. The Hidden Half depicts internal struggle within Iran soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Ms. Milani has been charged with supporting factions waging war against God, and misusing the arts in support of counterrevolutionary and armed opposition groups. The Revolutionary Council has previously ordered the arrest of journalists and other cultural figures, but this is the first time it has taken direct action against a filmmaker. One of Iran's best-known filmmakers, Tahmineh Milani has written and directed films including The Legend of a Sigh (1991), What Else Is New? (1992), and Two Women (1999), in addition to The Hidden Half (2001). She is well-known for taking strong feminist positions in both films and public appearances. Mr. Mohammad Khatami, the President of Iran, personally supported Ms. Milani's release on bail. Like all domestically produced Iranian films, The Hidden Half went through intense censorship processes. It was then approved by the Ministry of Culture and released to theatres. For the director then to be arrested for the content of the film seemed, as Mr. Khatami himself put it at the time, unfair to say the least. An article offering more information about Tahmineh Milani's case appeared in the October 26, 2001 edition of The Los Angeles Times. Facets Multimedia of Chicago released a declaration of solidarity with Ms. Milani signed by dozens of filmmakers from around the world. Facets Multimedia co-ordinated this declaration of solidarity because of long-time commitments to promoting and distributing Iranian cinema, to human rights, and to the freedom of artists. The declaration has been sent to Mr. Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Mr. Mohammad Khatami, the President of Iran; Mr. Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, the Head of the Judiciary; Mr. Masjed Jamee, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance; and many other dignitaries and interested parties. The Declaration of Solidarity reads as follows: As fellow members of the film community we were outraged to learn of the recent arrest of Tahmineh Milani by the Islamic Government of Iran. This is the first time the current Iranian government has taken such action against a filmmaker. Although she has been released on bail, charges against her have not been dropped. We wish to express our solidarity with her. John Akomfrah, Jamsheed Akrami, Angela Alston, Roy Andersson, Ben Barenholtz, Alan Berliner, Hisham Bizri, Peter Bogdanovich, John Boorman, St. Clair Bourne, Geoff Bowie, Catherine Breillat, Alden Brigham, Charles Burnett, Laura Colella, Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia Coppola, Guillermo del Toro, Jonathan Demme, Dominique Deruddere, Carlos Diegues, Faye Dunaway, Morgan Evans, Leonard Farlinger, Harun Farocki, Ivan Fila, James Fotopoulos, William Friedkin, Richard Fung, John Gianvito, Jill Godmilow, Marina Goldovskaya, Gaylene Gould, Lina Gopaul, John Greyson, Rajko Grlic, Erik Gunneson, David Hare, Joseph Hillel, Agnieszka Holland, Ted Hope, Richard Horowitz, Magnus Isacsson, Sharifa Johka, Jennifer Jonas, Jon Jost, Peter Kaufman, Philip Kaufman, Kees Kasander, Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Kastenbaum, Ali Kazimi, Hanif Kureishi, Valerie Lalonde, David Lawson, Richard Leacock, Ang Lee, Helen Lee, Spike Lee, Nancy Lefkowitz, Mike Leigh, Joshua Leonard, Steven Lippman, Lech Majewski, Dusan Makavejev, Chris Marker, Loren Marsh, Lucrecia Martel, Pier Marton, Jim McKay, Nina Menkes, Joe Moulins, Jag Mohan Mundhra, Alice Nellis, Jan Nemec, Denise Ohio, Katrin Ottarsdottir, Raoul Peck, Robin Wright Penn, Sean Penn, Marguerite Pigott, Mark Rappaport, Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Julia Reichert, Francoise Romand, Shiva Rose, Ken Russell, Helma Sanders-Brahms, James Schamus, Richard Schenkman, Paul Schrader, Barbet Schroeder, Sandra Schulberg, Martin Scorsese, Peter Sellars, Franci Slak, Steven Soderbergh, Ines Sommer, Stanislav Stanojevic, Jos Stelling, Oliver Stone, Leslie Thornton, Blaine Thurier, Jacob Tierney, John Walker, Karen Walton, Elizabeth Westrate, Bellamy Young. Statement from Afghani women on Northern Alliance takeover of Kabul "The people of Afghanistan do not accept domination of the Northern Alliance! Now it is confirmed that the Taliban have left Kabul and the Northern Alliance has entered the city. The world should understand that the Northern Alliance (NA) is composed of some bands who did show their real criminal and inhuman nature when they were ruling Afghanistan from 1992 to 1996. The retreat of the terrorist Taliban from Kabul is a positive development, but entering of the rapist and looter NA in the city is nothing but a dreadful and shocking news for about 2 million residents of Kabul whose wounds of the years 1992-96 have not healed yet. Thousands of people who fled Kabul during the past two months were saying that they feared coming to power of the NA in Kabul much more than being scared by the US bombing. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda will be eliminated, but the existence of the NA as a military force would shatter the joyful dream of the majority for an Afghanistan free from the odious chains of barbaric Taliban. The NA will horribly intensify the ethnic and religious conflicts and will never refrain to fan the fire of another brutal and endless civil war in order to retain in power. The terrible news of looting and inhuman massacre of the captured Taliban or their foreign accomplices in Mazar-e-Sharif in past few days speaks for itself. Though the NA has learned how to pose sometimes before the West as "democratic" and even supporter of women's rights, but in fact they have not at all changed, as a leopard cannot change its spots. RAWA has already documented heinous crimes of the NA. Time is running out. RAWA on its own part appeals to the UN and world community as a whole to pay urgent and considerable heed to the recent developments in our ill-fated Afghanistan before it is too late. We would like to emphatically ask the UN to send its effective peace-keeping force into the country before the NA can repeat the unforgettable crimes they committed in the said years. The UN should withdraw its recognition to the so-called Islamic government headed by Rabbani and help the establishment of a broad-based government based on the democratic values. RAWA's call stems from the aspirations of the vast majority of the people of Afghanistan." Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) November 13, 2001 Go to top of the page
Home About Us Events & Activities Contacts	Hugh Mendes: Go to top of the page
Home About Us Events & Activities Contacts	Free The Balham One A satire by Rob Young I am a huge fan of George W. Bush and particularly admire the way he uses a decent and civilised defence policy to attack thousands of shifty looking foreigners. So much so, I have decided to embrace his own philosophies into my own life, here in Balham. Last Tuesday, at 0900 hours, I put my jacket into the dry cleaners, to remove an ink spot from the arm. I was served by a sultry and exotic lady, of Asian origin, who wore a Manchester United shirt without any irony whatsoever. She wrote the word 'soiled' on my garment, which personally, I thought was an overstatement. Her assistant sulked in the background - a middle aged fellow sporting a deeply suspicious beard, of unknown origin. He spent his time stacking heavy boxes of carpet cleaning fluid as part of the store's '2 for 1' promotion. My suspicions were instantly raised on noticing that, despite the abundance of cleaning fluid, the store's own carpet was dirty. To add insult to injury, when my jacket was returned the following day, the stain upon the arm had accidentally spread. Though the Asian temptress and her surly assistant apologised profusely, even offering to buy me a brand new jacket and festooning me with vouchers, I could not suppress the feeling that I had been irretrievably wronged. Indeed, it felt like I, not the jacket who had been soiled. I felt entirely justified in augmenting a heroic retaliation plan - and gave it the (I thought) catchy title of 'Operation Eternal Vengeance'. On watching the couple's store from my Ford Mondeo, I begun to suspect the '2 for 1' carpet cleaning offer was, in fact a smokescreen for weapons of mass distraction and that the aforementioned facial hair was home to something far more dangerous than dandruff and rice. Also, I read recently that Asian ladies have certain customs relating to their genitalia, in that they use them to have joyous sexual relations with their own (arranged) husbands - which I feel is an invasion of my own human rights. It was time to take action, for truth, for justice and most of all, for the children. I arranged a strategic precision bombing campaign from a height of 250,000 feet, using weapons which cause no mass destruction whatsoever. I also organised a carpet bombing campaign against the carpet-cleaner window display. Though unconfirmed reports indicate that the so-called dry cleaners remain intact, the friendly fire accidentally wiped out half of Balham Leisure Centre, two Steiner nurseries and (sadly) the local KFC. I still wear the jacket. From the Balham 1. Trial Date TBC. Military 2-step 1 leg lags behind news footage boot fetish bleeding soles swollen flesh fish hums mixed up with madefaction salt wounds weep as desire tears the sea through the udder of the city whoosh groans thuds through the gasp between hands and knees it’s tingling boomps-a-daisy body doubles covering up weeping sores cowering they taught you to suck up to one eye swaying in the storm skies swarm electric lactates dugs lacerate huge hands massive feet sitting duck shocking fuck shooting up lay me down poppy on my burka © Paul Hill Pick At The Scab Challenge me or control me? Engage me or dismiss me? Educate me or condescend me? Make me ask questions or keep me guessing? Make me aware or keep me stupid? Give me broad-vision or keep me blind? I pick at the scab and try to understand, When did I consent to have you fuck with my mind? © Stephen Walton Spellbound Celebrate your freedoms! The ones we choose to give you. Show you the lifestyle that you can aspire to. Go have some fun! We have entertainments planned for you. Don't take life seriously! Until we tell you. Only concern yourselves with the issues we choose to show you. Live in your box and we will think for you. Think out of your box and we will control you. Question your lives and we will correct you. Deviate from your path and we will deny you. Co-operate with us and we will reward you. Don't fear your enemies, we are here to protect you. Who are your enemies, the ones we kill for you. Enjoy your lives by the rules we make for you. Enjoy your lives, we are here to guide you. © Stephen Walton Jacques Lacan said: "Propaganda doesn't exist!" Hackers, show your navel-fist! You are a capitalist! Jacques Lacan said: "Utopia doesn't exist!" Enemy of the state, show your nipple-fist! You are a monarchist! Jacques Lacan said: "The woman doesn't exist!" Cyberpunks, show your clitoris-fist! You are a revisionist! Jacques Lacan said: "Panama doesn't exist!" Ladies and Gentlemen, show your finger-fist! You are an opportunist! Jacques Lacan said: "Terrorism doesn't exist!" Colonel, show your belly-fist! You are a materialist! Jacques Lacan said: "You, beef, do not exist!" White supremacist scum, show your penis-fist! You are a relativist! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz Put the rich under the bridge! Mozambique! Put the cars up the arse! Canada! Put the mum in bubblegum! Marocco! Put the job out of the mob! Mexico! And put the queen in a burning limousine! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Put a dead cat in your bed! Uzbekistan! Put Tony Blair on the electric chair! Peru! Put a carrot in the arse of a parrot! Sierra Leone! Put a pie in the ear of a spy! Monaco! And put the queen in a burning limousine! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Put a dog in clash with a hog! Japan! Put a gun in the navel of a nun! Bangladesh! Put a table in Bush's mouth - if you are able! Rumania! Put the Lord in a witches' court! Egypt! And put the queen in a burning limousine! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz All dead people are happy. W-w-w-w-w-w-w! They got in their mouth a nappy. L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l! Just Truman is very depressed. Hey! Because of the Japans repressed. Hey! All dead people are glad. M-m-m-m-m-m-m! They fuck with Jesus in bed. D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d! Just Stalin is very sad. Hey! Because he is grey and mad. Hey! All dead people are very relieved. Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z! Death is the greatest gift. R-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r! Just dictators scream and cry. Hey! And everyone knows why. Hey! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz A girl with a chain Entered a plane To proclaim: "I hijack this plane!" Innocent civilians, ah! Innocent civilians! Guards with big guns Thought at once: "It's our last chance …" And fell into trance. Innocent civilians, ah! Innocent civilians! A stewardess In a cool dress Made a huge mess: She tried to undress! Innocent civilians, ah! Innocent civilians! A pilot with a tie Whispered: "Bye-bye, I loved to fly … I'm gonna die!" Innocent civilians, ah! Innocent civilians! But a Muslim pilgrim Who was quite grim Told: "Fuck you cretin! Break off this spin!" Innocent civilians, ah! Innocent civilians! And all business-class Sat on their ass And said: "Pass me a glass! Stop the fuss!" Innocent civilians, ah! Innocent civilians! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz Brothers and sisters! You have to know: The police is not defending the rule of law. They are always acting as a fucking gang, Or an invading army ready for a filthy bang. Fukuyama: Bow! Wow! William Gates: Crow! Crow! Crow! Brothers and sisters! You have to know: All white law is a racist and sexist blow. And all prosecutors and judges are blowflies Telling nothing but bloody and shitty lies. Jesse Jackson: Bow! Wow! Ivan Ivanov: Crow! Crow! Crow! Brothers and sisters! You have to know: All racist law has to become a blown up row. And all cops have to vanish once and for all. This is our nearest and dearest goal. Mohammad Omar: Bow! Wow! Emma Goldman: Crow! Crow! Crow! Brothers and sisters! You have to know: Your consciousness must permanently grow, Grow, grow, grow, grow and then blow up … Slaves and exploited, immediately stand up! Mr Goodwin: Bow! Wow! Jiang Zemin: Crow! Crow! Crow! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz Where is a revolutionary college?! (Hitwords! Talent! IMF!) What is educational inconvenience?! (Soros! Watchers! Nash!) All genuine rebellious knowledge (Daisy! Garbage! CIA!) Originates in direct experience. (Chelsea! Telex! Jack!) Go, Mr, go For Death Row! The theory and methods of revolution (Halcon! Peapod! Dort!) Are known solely in uprising. (Dake! Wetsu! NTT!) Stop all forms of brain-fucking-pollution! (Siemens! Rhost! Emm!) And the world becomes very surprising. (Fetish! Locks! BND!) Go, Mrs, go - For Death Row! Forget number, techniques and language! (Nuclear! Hmong! Bess!) Fight work, agriculture and time! (Rivera! Faber! DSD!) Vomit on a dead-animal-sandwich (ID! Gulf! Flame!) And stop producing a pacifying rhyme! (Scully! York! Nike!) Go, mister, go - For Death Row! Free your mind for mad creativity! (Armani! Patel! Trump!) Be a blackbird and fucking all right! (Gamma! Tyrell! DST!) The highest peak of disloyal activity (Digicash! Yukon! Bob!) Is revolutionary suicide! (Cohiba! Merv! FBI!) Go, Mrs, go - For Death Row! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz Everywhere lethal injection! Everywhere electric chair! Everywhere just disinfection And fucking Tony Blair! Masuda, Bubba, Mexico, Pixar, Texas, NORAD. Everywhere only journalists! Everywhere just henchmen! Everywhere bloody specialists And miserable fascist Schengen! Shaldag, Tarawa, Kosovo, Badger, redheads, zipgun. Everywhere just tolerance! Everywhere doggy shit! Everywhere consumerist ignorance And snobbish cubist meat! NATOA, Siemens, Comirex, Humint, Steak Knife, OTAT. Everywhere just musicians! Everywhere NASA-spies! Everywhere lipstick politicians And scumbag embassy-guys! SATCOMA, UTU, Europol, Archives, SAMU, SAS. © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz To practice rebellious spit Is as lovely us touching your clit … It keeps you incredibly fit! Isn't it a real hot hit? You, fucker, are a doggy bone And I'm a flying stone! I'm a cyborg with a dildo below … My body is a kind of death row … I'm an anarchist black crow In the state of shitty white snow! You, fucker, are a doggy bone And I'm a flying stone! Everybody is just in jail. I am constantly under blackmail … Hey, wake up all male and female! For whom am I writing this mail? You, fucker, are a doggy bone And I'm a flying stone! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz Johnny Rotten is already rotten. Pete Townshend is very rich. Lora Logic is nearly forgotten. Paul McCartney is a son of a bitch. And they all fly for fun with a gun To bomb Afghanistan! Salman Rushdie is a pike and not writer. The Spice Girls are simply bullshit. Joe Strummer has never been a fighter. Britney Spears only touches her clit. And they all fly for fun with a gun To bomb Afghanistan! Raymond Pettibon is a fashionable fellow. Julian Schnabel is fat as a swine. Stockhausen is nothing but shallow. Mick Jagger is just fucking fine. And they all fly for fun with a gun To bomb Afghanistan! Rod Stewart is an old donkey. Kate Moss cleans her lovely ass. Marylyn Manson is an idiot-yankee. Wim Wenders is puffy under his dress. And they all fly for fun with a gun To bomb Afghanistan! Kim Gordon has bought a villa. Liam Gallagher vomits all day. Tarantino looks like a yuppie-gorilla. Madonna is made of shitty clay. And they all fly for fun with a gun To bomb Afghanistan! Tom Cruise is a little bastard. Georg Baselitz is a bold cock. Eminem is stinky custard. Alex Garland is a filthy sock. And they all fly for fun with a gun To bomb Afghanistan! © Alexander Brener/Barbara Schurz Nursery War Crimes Jack & Jill went up Capitol Hill, To wretch a hail of slaughter, George gave Jack the green light to commence the bombing, And accepted civilian casualties were invevitable. Twinkle, twinkle, Osama, The Whitehouse Cowboy has a shiny Tin Star, With Lightning Strikes and Covert Operations, Washington is sponsoring your assassination, Twinkle, twinkle, Osama, The Whitehouse Cowboy wonders where you are? Tony, Tony, most sincerely, How your popularity grows, Did Alastair tell you, The War is your Oyster? How your transparency shows. Georgy Gorge-y, hungry for retaliation, Wants retribution not procrastination, Unite the world in amoral aggression, To avenge the dead in the name of religion, Georgy Gorg-y, wants annihilation, The Dollar is mightier than your Nation. © Stephen Walton Towers of Babel Cities burning, Nobody talking, Everyone watching, Kami-Kaze, eye for an eye? Bird of prey, The play for today on CNN & Sky, Kami-Kaze, eye for an eye? Perception is truth, what is the prize? people will die, Kami-Kaze, eye for an eye? The Propaganda of hate, Nike & Coca-Cola, Star spangled banner, Kami-Kaze, eye for an eye? Bombs on the Hills, Hunger in the camps, Smoke in the sky, Kami-Kaze, eye for an eye? What have we gained? What will we breathe? People will die, Kami-kaze, Rest in peace? © Stephen Walton A positive LSD story ... "Today, a young man on acid realised that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration. That we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we're the imagination of ourselves." ... "Here's Tom with the weather .." - Bill Hicks, 1961-1993