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Whirlpool 3 - UNCOMMON SENSE
Uncommon Sense by Gregory Sams
also Amnesty International Concert, Paris, December 10 1998
Read on THINKERS! |
| Now this IS rock and roll! Underground/fringe arts and movements are a positive sign of
people power when coupled with peace.
Variety is the spice of life.
People power has already proved itself an
alternative to politics on more than one occasion. |
The Book should be in every home.
Mail order Cheque or P.O.
for £8.00 incl. (overseas send £8.50) to Chaos Works,
2 Trevelyan Gardens, London NW10 3JY.
include your address
http://www.xaos.demon.co.uk
(entire book now on line!)
also visit the fractal gallery at http://www.tarcl.com/greg |
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If you have an independent
publication/website of your own it is more than worth getting in touch with Chaos
Works publishing for all the latest information. A trial outlet in the Portobello Road
sold over a hundred preview copies of "Uncommon Sense" in two month. A further
250 were preview sold through the Anjuna flea market in Goa and at selected weekend events
in London. These received strong response - many classing it firmly among the best books
they had ever read. It seemed to touch a pulse in those who read it - responses such as
"thank you for putting it into words" and "I knew what you were saying but
had never actually realised it" are common. |
"Uncommon Sense
(The State Is Out Of Date)" by Gregory Sams is a book that every single person who
has ever had an idea should read because it makes obvious sense with added good humour. I
devoured it and bought a couple for some friends. It’s easy and interesting to read
and if you’re like just about every thoughtful person that I’ve ever met at gigs
you’ve probably got a lot of the same attitude in you.
 Together with the "positive apathy" of the
general public to the state is the convincing argument that the state, a mechanism for
managing society, is an out-of-date structure that can be shown by logic, common sense,
and modern science as destined to fail regardless of the integrity of its rulers, or the
specific mandate by which it rules (the vote, heredity, divine right, brute force etc).
For me, personally, Gregory Sams speaks my language and shares the common sense that I as
a reader can relate to. He joins Martin Luther King, Bill Hicks and my mum as being just a
few of the people (including my favourite bands) that have made complete sense to my life
- something that a politician of any ilk has failed to do. (Minxy)
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The so called "United" Kingdom
will soon become part of Europe. Will we be known as "incontinent"? Having
looked at a map I discovered that (gasp!) we've actually been part of Europe for millions
of years! Being all for unity I thought it was a nice gesture that various "World
(chortle!) Leaders" decided that unity was the way forward. That the countries of
Europe should stop their traditional racism towards each other, that we could all become
one big loving family of brothers and sisters, that the united wealth of Europe could
quickly help the united poor of Europe, and so on. Then I woke up the next morning and
realised that all the countries of Europe are plagued by recession, unemployment, health
service and education traumas, homelessness, poverty, crime, crippling defence budgets,
racism etc - none of which localised beauracracy is able to deal with and that the idea is
that we join them all together to make one big continent where everything is on a larger
scale and the people that are answerable are further away. The countries where people were
actually allowed to decide whether they want this to happen to their future held
referendums. Where the people said "no", they held another one because they got
the answer wrong! Millions of others depend on the media to inform them of latest
developments, as they have no choice. The money and paperwork wasted on joining together a
lot of countries that are, er, joined together could have been used to help people. |
And another thing. Bullying. It's not big
and it's not clever. How despicable the big kid at school who ruins the life of the little
kid who has to provide sweets and money that he can't afford ...or else. Our sympathy is
with the despair of the little kid who is in an impossible situation. Bullying is big
business and done on a large enough scale, it is known as "banking" and on a
larger scale still, the "third world debt". "Interest" is very aptly
named. As a money making venture, it is one of the most interesting parts of business, as
it seemingly has no common sense thinking from a humanitarian view. Which is a shame
because "can't pay, have NO money" prisoners often cost taxpayers more than
their original debt to stay in our overcrowded jails... Hmm... |
And another thing. If we are more
intelligent than animals (arguable) why do they apparently not care what breed
(nationality?) each other are when they meet, let alone which colour (and let's face it,
they come in a wider range than humans). Is that why aliens are often green or blue? |
I don't believe my spirit was destined
for earth sometimes. But then I remember that Earth is the planet with rock and roll as
part of the entertainment, and realise that, yup, this may have it's downs but there are
so many "ups" that it's glorious.
The planet is a gun boat in a sea of
fear. 21st Century Planet Earth - a.k.a. Armageddon - so many people feeling alienated and
wanting peace. Surely it's not too late for us all to be friends? |
Jeudi Dec 10 98, Palais Ominisports
Paris Bercy - human rights and personal
heights... Activists are gathered in France's capital city to celebrate one of this
centuries great, positive achievements - The Declaration Of Human Rights. More logical and
human than any state could dream of hoping to be, Amnesty International are also staging
their second celebration show in ten years - the previous one was in Chile. Although that
country was simultaneously in the news on the subject of human rights in the media the
link wasn't generally commented on. At Palais Omnisports Bercy are the
real "world leaders" (musicians included, as usual) but as yer Heads Of State
types are not renowned for giving a shit about individual human beings their absence of
high profile is no surprise.
It's a personal height to emerge from the labaratory bright lights surrounding the actual
stadium to a bowl of around 16,000 (?) people, united in the care that they have for their
brothers and sisters around the planet, and so obviously "up for it" with regard
to having the best night out possible! The sight and sound of their thousands of heads and
arms swaying, singing, dancing and cheering Peter Gabrial and Youssou N'Dour was a
spectacle, as in fact, was the on stage performance! Rhytmic, melodic, enegetci and (I
admit - for me personally) surprisingly brilliant. I expected a good night out, but this
was better than I thought. Between tonight's many performances was video foootage from
Chile, plus short films and messages of support, about Amnesty International and The
Declaration of Human Rights. Bruce Springsteen was over the the occasion (dunno if he's
already performed or not when we got there). Next up was Shawnia Twain, huge in USA with
her a.o.r. soft rock. She proved her respect for human rights not only by showing her
alliegiance to the cause, but by also performing only two songs - I admire her greatly for
both. Next up, Alison Morrison (as the nice lady next to me kept calling her). Alanais
Morissette, received a rock star's welcome then prowled and howled her way through a fine
and powerful set. Much of the between set speech was in French, shame on me that I am
capable of ordering beer and finding a toilet but not much else. Big respect to the
audience, who punched the air and yelled their allegiance at every opportunity. Then
another Rock Star welcome, heck they even turned the house lights down properly, Plant
& Page rocked the stadiums foundations royally - legendes in the flesh. Rock and the
people who make it are as timeless as the respect afforded it's rhythm & blues roots -
the crowd obviously knew that and roared their approval. Then there was a quiet, filmless,
brightly lit pause in the proceedings which meant a slight loss of momentum immediately
before the next act, like a car engine cooling ...but as soon as house lights dimmed the
atmosphere went from 0 to 60 in five seconds, then exploded as Radiohead took to the
stage, slowly fading out as "Lucky" faded in. It was already a memorable night, now it was
unforgettable, especially during "Last Exit...", a huge dark space lit like a
sky, with lighter flames as star. You could hear a pin drop at one point. Eerie magic.
Radiohead, good sound people, that sound good. The audience didn't want them to go, they
were obviously the main attraction for many. A heart-stopping "Street Spirit"
bought a stunning set to a close and although some of the crowed left after (they had been
there for over six hours already, in fairness!) many stayed for a grand finale which
included Youssou N'Dour, Tracy Chapman and Peter Gabriel.
Those that stayed after that (THOUSANDS) were the luckiest of all because for me
personally, along with Radiohead, Asian Dub Foundation were the other highlight of the
evening - surely the UK's premier 21st Century crossover punks, they turned in an
adrenaline-pumped set that sparked some of the most energy and excitement seen all night.
FREE SATPAL RAM and make this performance count! (In March 1998 ADF and Primal
Scream played a benefit gig to raise money for Satpal Ram's supporters). You can write to Satpal Ram c/o E94 164, HMP, Frankland, Brasside,
Durham DH1 5YD.
Satpal Ram is serving a life
sentence for defending himself against a racist attacker. On 16th November 1986 Satpal went for a meal at the Sky
Blue Restaurant, Lozells, Birmingham. Satpal
was attacked by a group of six white people who threw plates and glasses at him. One of
the men broke a glass and stabbed Satpal in the face. After being stabbed twice, Satpal
took out a small knife which he used at work to open packages and tried to warn off his
attacker. The racist continued to attack Satpal who, bleeding and in fear of his life,
fought back in self-defence. In the struggle the attacker received two knife wounds. The
attacker, who refused medical treatment,later died. Satpal was later arrested on a charge of murder.
Satpal's Defence Lawyer
Satpal was given only one 40 minute consultation with his barrister shortly before the
trial during which he was advised to change his plea from "self-defence" to
"provocation". He was also advised not to speak in his own defence. Satpal,
thinking his lawyer was acting in his best interests, complied with both of the above.
The Trial
Most of the prosecution evidence came from the group that attacked Satpal. Because some of the defence witnesses, i.e. restaurant
staff, spoke mainly Bengali and were not fluent in English, an interpreter should have
been provided. Satpal's defence lawyer did not insist on this and, subsequently, vital
evidence was not understood. The judge said he would interpret but had no knowledge of
Bengali.
Satpal convicted of Murder
Due to the mistakes of the judge and
Satpal's defence lawyer, he did not receive a fair trial. The all-white jury found Satpal
guilty but were never asked to consider the racist nature of the attack or if Satpal's
actions were taken in self-defence. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life.
It took almost ten years to get an appeal which
Satpal lost. The appeal judges only took evidence from the group that attacked him!
Satpal Ram has consistently fought his
conviction. As a result he has been labelled a 'disruptive prisoner.' He has suffered
solitary confinement, beatings and has been moved
from prison to prison (spending time in practically every prison in Britain), a strategy
designed to undermine his struggle. Satpal's spirit however, is not broken.
He is constantly reading and educating himself
and has steadfastly supported other prisoners'
campaigns including those of the 'Bridgewater Four', the 'Birmingham Six' and Winston Silcott. His parole hearing only came up in December 1997, Satpal having already served
a year over his recommended tariff.
Satpal has had a rough ride at every stage. His
case is another example of why we have little
confidence, especially as Black or Asian people, in the ability of the criminal justice system to deliver any actual justice. We got
involved because we want to see Satpal
released. What happened to him could happen to any one of us.
Satpal defended himself against a racist attack
for which he was ultimately sentenced to life
imprisonment. We say again: SELF DEFENCE IS NO OFFENCE.
Asian Dub Foundation
The campaign to free Satpal continues. If you'd
like to send letters of support please write to:
Satpal Ram
E94 164
HMP Full Sutton
Moor Lane
Stamford bridge
York YO4 1PS
For more information, visit the Free Satpal Ram Campaign Website or
contact:
The Free Satpal Campaign London,BM Box
4661,London, WC1N 3XX
The Free Satpal Campaign, Handsworth, Birmingham,
B19 1NH. Pager: 04325 355717
E-mail: adf@easynet.co.uk
To link to this page, use the URL http://www.asiandubfoundation.com/satpal/
I will never forget this night and am so happy to have been here. I will never forget that
all humans have rights and I hope that in the future, people will find it amazing that
we needed charities and events to do right while those in so-called-poweer licensed
themselves to do wrong.
Respect to all involved.
Minxy
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