Author Archives: odeboyz

How Desegregation worked: Tchula, Mississippi

“We even had… a swimming pool We weren’t allowed to swim in it but it was there… When we had desegregation the whites filled it with cement to stop us using it.” Chris McGreal Tchula ‘We tell our kids, leave … Continue reading →

Posted in History, local politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Softly I walked on this good earth.

As a child my insouciance was palpable I crawled everywhere for a while Then I learned to stand and walk Later, ran to school in the rain. As a young man, I worked for others Vicissitude ever changing my thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

David Cameron and Equality

“What on earth are the Tories doing speaking about equality? It’s not their issue.” To this I say “nonsense”. We’re not just the party of the first Jewish prime minister and the first female prime minister;… David Cameron* David Cameron … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Philosophy meets religion

Because there are many religions is it the case that there must be at least one god? (Chris)

Posted in Philosophy, Religion | Tagged | 1 Comment

Iraq 2003-15: a wordless poem

       

Posted in History, War | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Retirement

Recently, well at the September AGM I carried out my last duty as the PETRA Chair, and after giving the committee my last ever monthly Chairs report – my 147th in the 13 years I held the position as Chair, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Philosophy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Supermarket Conversation

A woman in a supermarket is following a grandfather and his badly-behaved grandson. He has his hands full with the child screaming for sweets, biscuits, all sorts of things. The grandad is saying in a controlled voice: “Easy, William, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged | 2 Comments

Bungling Boris

Ever ready to shoot from the lip From a man who can’t comb his hair “Bungle” looks a dopey drip So ignorant he would make a Saint swear. Rude to those who wear a corduroy jacket From a lad who … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Politics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The British Government’s response to the Jewish refugee crisis 1933-9

British governments are not moral beacons when dealing with refugee crises. The current (2015) British government’s toxic position on Syria closely resembles the Jewish refugee crisis of 1933-9. Nazi efforts to make Germany ‘Jew free’ accelerated throughout those years. Despite … Continue reading →

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English Football Triumphs

“Aguiero and Mata restore English pride” (Guardian Sport, October 1). Must have been the inspirational half-time St Crispin’s Day speech by Peligrini and van Gaal.* *None of those named are English Letter by Mike Hine Guardian 2nd October 2015 (Chris)

Posted in Humour, Sport | Tagged , , | 4 Comments