Choices

When I get dressed each day I am always faced, along with other decisions regarding the choice of attire, with the question of which balls to wear, steel or brass. There is a subtle distinction that is important to understand if one is to go properly equipped to meet the day.

Balls of steel are needed for jobs that entail moments of terror inspiring, mortal danger. They are a requisite for Rescue services, police forces and fire brigades and are seen as a “must have” in the logging, fishing and steel industries across the world.

The use of steel balls is not exclusive to heavy industries though. It is the rattling sound you hear when an elderly lady fights off a mugger, or a passer-by runs into a burning building to rescue a child.

Brass balls have different properties. They come with an air of cocky assuredness that could prove dangerous in a steel ball situation. They should be used for heated or polarised debates, wage negotiations and lobbying politicians. In domestic situations they are useful in encounters with landlords or noisy neighbours as well as being useful at gatherings like weddings or PTA meetings.

Extreme sports enthusiasts like sky divers, surfers and snowboarders are crazy! They are clearly wearing brass balls in steel ball situations and should check their warranties. It’s possible that any damage won’t be covered.

We were all issued with these at birth. If you don’t know where yours are, check the backs of drawers or under wardrobes and you’ll find them. They come in a leather pouch that is easily recognisable, and has either a male or female attachment.

It’s easy to tell who’s wearing what. Notice who smiles when the call to action comes. They are the ones thinking “Good choice today!”

Recurring Themes in History

Hi Folks.

Anyone who knows me will have heard of the Anti-Eviction Taskforce. I have always seen it as an “action group” of Occupy which has been a wonderful platform for a wide range of issues.  We are all aware by now of the multitude of sins that have been committed upon the people by the workings of a corrupt and unaccountable system. The good people who started this campaign against home evictions have found themselves entrenched with other aspect of the struggle, such as fracking and economic issues, and have kindly asked me to take the helm of this worthy campaign. (they are busy saving the world after all.)  Among the many assurances given by the current government before the election was the aspiration that people would not lose their homes. I don’t have the figures to hand, but I was witness to one of Alsops repossession auctions recently. There I met people who had indeed lost their homes, and all semblance of a normal life along with it. Soon after goes the hope of ever regaining what you lost as the burden of debt still weighs upon you and prospects for recovery are shredded by our current masters. I saw an article recently that stated that three people commit suicide in Ireland every day. I read another that claimed that there was no evidence that the rise in suicide was related peoples economic situation. History has shown the “dogs on the street” to be the heralds of true information, and they know otherwise.

A lot of people have told me that what occupy has done for them the most was to inspire hope. Hope seems to be a rare commodity in these oppressive times and is a real solution to many of lifes problems. I am honoured to accept this challenge in the hope that we can help to restore some of the hope that Enda Kenny and his cronies have dashed so cruelly. (I also note the bar has been set quite high by those who began this campaign, and wish them all the best in their various endeavours. Love and solidarity hugs to everyone who has made their voices heard through the many campaigns. Rock On!)

I have spoken to some of ye about a callout list before so if anyone has collected names for this, thank you very much and please email me at gillenh2012@gmail.com.

The plan is to put together a list of people who could show up at an eviction and physically prevent it from happening through non-violent civil disobedience. Lockons perhaps? 150 “visitors”?

Anyone interested in this kind of action please send  your name and number or some kind of contact, and what part of the country you are in to the above email,  message me on facebook, or I can be contacted by post at, AET Dept. Occupy Galway, Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland. Please put AET in the subject box for emails so you don’t get mixed up with the spam.

WARNING!!!!!!!!

Addition to this list should not be taken lightly. Actions of this nature have not been taken since the time of the Land League, and are likely to lead to arrest, court appearance and fines. (does that sound like the TV licence ad?)

I’ve heard Martin Luther King Jr. quoted a lot since I joined Occupy. “We have a duty to disobey unjust laws” seems to come up the most.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/AntiEvictionTaskforce