This piece stems from a strategy review I wrote looking at how the two of us behind this blog, and our sister publication At the grassroots, can make the best use of our time and energy in what’s most likely be a very turbulent year.
Dave, never forget that a festering pile of shite makes the best fertiliser! We are going to take that shite and break it down till it's been all gobbled up by microorganisms, which will turn it into their own shite - i.e. nutrition for the healthy soil of the future! Magic - da-dah!
I have had a life of activism too, CND, PPU, Trade Union (Civil Service, in social security), all involved locally and at times regionally and nationally, as a rep or in the publications bit. I managed to fit folklore/song/tales in, and fabric crafts,with my full time job for 25 years. Ill health led to early retirement , but I kept up the crafting and peace work. Once the kids were grown, I started volunteering in the local community centre. They helped me in hard times - I was happy to contribute in return. En route, I'd learned to proof read, copy edit, quilt, knit, hand weave on sticks, chair meetings, take minutes, report on conferences, speak in public, draw up simple motions and basic
Constitutions, do double entry book keeping and act as a small group treasurer (a job that, once known, never ends. I did it for 3 separate trade union branches and 1 patchwork group, plus as an auditor for 2 trade union branches). It saved me from secretary and chair however! I was, briefly, an accredited lay minister too, but abandoned that together with my faith when I tired of the gulf between text and practice, and the limitations exercised over non church members.
But I refuse to give up. My politics have veered from student liberal to voting for left wing preferred, or on occasion "no suitable or competent candidate", then a couple of years with Labour, until Blair drove me out with his decision to withhold money from women's refuges, as he didn't seem to think it was necessary. The war would have had the same effect of course. I voted Green for a while, then I had 2 decent candidates standing, so could actually vote in good faith (!) for a couple of elections, and I rejoined having read Corbyn's electoral policy. And left on his departure.
I'm now the anarchist I've probably really been since I ran away at age 5 from the nursery my parents put me in at the holiday camp in Folkestone, where I climbed the wall. They made me apologise for that. I met a lot of anarchists at Leeds University, and have enjoyed the books I've bought since from publishers, who kindly send me regular emails......... Arthritis limits my mobility, but Zoom ensures lectures, meetings, and even conferences are within reach, although I grit my teeth at the number of emails arriving daily, to say nothing of how many include a request for a donation, varying from £2 (entirely reasonable) to £100 (totally out of question, who do they think I am?).
I am a 76 year old university drop-out, with a mind of my own, stubborn, but willing to work on causes and for campaigns without insisting every other person has to have the same opinions, views, politics, attitudes, or beliefs that I have. I'm good at minding stalls and handing out leaflets whilst others march too! Never say die. Do what we can, not what we can't.
Dave, never forget that a festering pile of shite makes the best fertiliser! We are going to take that shite and break it down till it's been all gobbled up by microorganisms, which will turn it into their own shite - i.e. nutrition for the healthy soil of the future! Magic - da-dah!
I have had a life of activism too, CND, PPU, Trade Union (Civil Service, in social security), all involved locally and at times regionally and nationally, as a rep or in the publications bit. I managed to fit folklore/song/tales in, and fabric crafts,with my full time job for 25 years. Ill health led to early retirement , but I kept up the crafting and peace work. Once the kids were grown, I started volunteering in the local community centre. They helped me in hard times - I was happy to contribute in return. En route, I'd learned to proof read, copy edit, quilt, knit, hand weave on sticks, chair meetings, take minutes, report on conferences, speak in public, draw up simple motions and basic
Constitutions, do double entry book keeping and act as a small group treasurer (a job that, once known, never ends. I did it for 3 separate trade union branches and 1 patchwork group, plus as an auditor for 2 trade union branches). It saved me from secretary and chair however! I was, briefly, an accredited lay minister too, but abandoned that together with my faith when I tired of the gulf between text and practice, and the limitations exercised over non church members.
But I refuse to give up. My politics have veered from student liberal to voting for left wing preferred, or on occasion "no suitable or competent candidate", then a couple of years with Labour, until Blair drove me out with his decision to withhold money from women's refuges, as he didn't seem to think it was necessary. The war would have had the same effect of course. I voted Green for a while, then I had 2 decent candidates standing, so could actually vote in good faith (!) for a couple of elections, and I rejoined having read Corbyn's electoral policy. And left on his departure.
I'm now the anarchist I've probably really been since I ran away at age 5 from the nursery my parents put me in at the holiday camp in Folkestone, where I climbed the wall. They made me apologise for that. I met a lot of anarchists at Leeds University, and have enjoyed the books I've bought since from publishers, who kindly send me regular emails......... Arthritis limits my mobility, but Zoom ensures lectures, meetings, and even conferences are within reach, although I grit my teeth at the number of emails arriving daily, to say nothing of how many include a request for a donation, varying from £2 (entirely reasonable) to £100 (totally out of question, who do they think I am?).
I am a 76 year old university drop-out, with a mind of my own, stubborn, but willing to work on causes and for campaigns without insisting every other person has to have the same opinions, views, politics, attitudes, or beliefs that I have. I'm good at minding stalls and handing out leaflets whilst others march too! Never say die. Do what we can, not what we can't.
Ignoring the government, the DC Swamp and the MSM will get you above the perceived turbulence.