That old Christmas card list

Do you ever find an old Christmas card list – the one you wrote out in order to write your cards and make sure you didn’t forget Auntie Marje? Occasionally I come across one as I throw out more rubbish that has accumulated over the years and I’m horrified to realise that the list can be about equally divided into:-

Those who have since died;
those who have changed partner;
those who I’ve lost touch with;
those who I still send a card to; and
those whose names mean absolutely nothing to me nowadays.

Who were Michelle and Eddie????

Jiving for decent pensions: November 30 Strike and Protest

Video from UNISON Housing Association Branch picket and lobby in Islington yesterday.  Check out the formal report on the branch and regional strike here. Sarah is our Branch Finance Officer and a champion Jiver and instructor.

It was I think a useful "stunt" to capture people attentions. Shame I am am quite so useless at it!

UNISON Housing Association Pension Strike November 30

I had all the placards, banners, flags and leaflets etc at home, so I took a minicab this morning at 6.30am to the picket and lobby at Islington. It was a relief to see that there was 3 branch members waiting for me on site at 7am.  We then spent the next couple of hours busy setting things up. The concourse outside the Highbury and Islington Underground station and the traffic island is very busy and high profile.  We put placards, balloons and flags on railings, trees and street furniture.  While leafleting and talking to the public. 

There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction from commuters and passersbyes.  A few idiotic comments but so few as to be remarked upon. Unite members who were not on strike had taken leave in order to take part. Journalists from the "Morning Star" and "Inside Housing" came to visit and interview us.  As well as a Swiss journalist. We had "Jiving for decent pensions" lessons given free to pickets by Sarah, our branch finance officer, who is a Jiving Dancing champion and instructor (see next post).  I was  the only one who didn't mind the lessons being filmed despite me being completely rubbish at jiving!

There was also a successful branch picket outside Gem House in Aldgate.

Next some of us went to the local Islington rally outside the Town Hall, while I went to meet Gloria Hanson, the UNISON regional Convenor in Holburn. We took part with branch members in the march through central London. At the Rally in Victoria Embankment, Gloria was a speaker to the estimated 30,000 crowd. Afterwards we joined the UNISON picket line outside St Thomas Hospital which went on until 6pm. We had a little break to see a guest off but returned to the picket line later until it finished. Then a quick beer (or three) and home.  I'll post futher pics on the Strike day later.

Completely knackered but it was a really good day. I hope you-know-who-you-are: are listerning and will have the decency to give us pension justice. Go on - surprise us.

Nick Verreos Attends Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Backstage, Fashion Show and After Party Pics!!

Pink Fabulous, Ethnic Mixing Provides VS Supermodel Fabulousness, my New "Boyfriend", Mantilla 2.0, and my St. Louis Sister from Another Mother--Read on...

Presenting Pink: Nick Verreos at the "Step-and-Repeat" Pink Carpet, 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Lexington Avenue 69th Regiment Armory

About three weeks ago--on November 8th--I flew to NYC for some business pitch meetings. But there was something else I had to do: I was asked to do some "Backstage and Pink Carpet Coverage" for a new forthcoming fashion/lifestyle YouTube web show "LookTV" for the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show!

Heading Out: Nick Verreos, pink watch on wrist, Starbucks coffee in hand, red "Florence Italy Bag" in arm, ready to do my LookTV interviewing duties, The Marcel at Gramercy Hotel, NYC

Naturally, I was happy to oblige and provide my "OMG! I LUV Supermodels!!" self to all the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Fabulousness. As you know, the actual show was televised last night on CBS but yes, it was taped back in early November (it takes time to edit it and make it look even more FAB!).

Pink Robe Princesses: (Left to right) Models Caroline Winberg (Sweden), Julia Stegner (Germany), Cameron Russell (Boston, USA)

Trying to get to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show backstage area--even as "official press"--was like trying to get clearance to enter The Pentagon (I'm just assuming, since I've never tried to go to The Pentagon). After getting my photo taken, my ID checked (yes, I'm GAY and don't mind seeing half-naked girls, thank you VERY MUCH!), with my camera and sound men in tow, I was ready to head into the "Pink Chamber".

Backstage Madness: Backstage--as you can see above--was a madhouse. I had covered a VS Fashion Show Backstage before so this was "a piece of cake" for me--but even my "crew" was like "Oh Dear!": too many gorgeous women, too many reporters, too many make-up-and-hair people and too many Blackberry-carrying pr agents and model bookers trying to pretend to look busy. Of course, I began spotting all the VS girls: Adrianna, Alessandra, Candice, Chanel, Miranda (first names only!). I immediately got to work. At one point, as I was interviewing Miranda Kerr, a guy strolled on by us, and said "hey!" and gave her a kiss. It was Kanye West. Yes, kids, Kanye! (didn't realize he was shorter than me). Later, of course, he would be performing.

Pardon Me Gorgeous, Can I Interview You: Nick Verreos with model Shanina Shaik, from Melbourne, Australia. Shanina has the most delicious skin color, piercing eyes and beautiful hair. I soon found out why: her mother is of Lithuanian and Australian heritage, while her father has Pakistani and Saudi Arabian roots. Note to People Wanting to have babies: YOU NEED TO MIX. Mixing cultures gives you future Victoria's Secret Supermodels!

The $2.5 Million 2011 Fantasy Treasure Bra: On display backstage at the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. It was created by London Jewelers. Its President, the lovely Candy Udell was there--along with her big tough bodyguard (he was actually a total sweetheart).

I was backstage for about three hours, interviewing every girl I could get my microphone in front of--asking them everything from "How excited are you to be in the show?" to " Can you give us your best Bitchy/Sexy/Loving Look to the camera!". They were all a DREAM, and yes, supernaturally beautiful. Once you are back there, up-close-and-personal, you: A) realize they are Genetically-blessed "Super Creatures" all 6 feet and size ZERO of them, and B) That I am just a sub-human mortal who needs to hit the tread mill more often and stop my addiction to Fettuccine Alfredo!

Now, onto The Show!

David Paul and Nick Verreos, 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Lexington Avenue 69th Regiment Armory

Partners-in-VS Fashion Show Crime: I was lucky enough to have gotten TWO tickets to actually see the show (after I was done with my backstage filming/interviews), and so naturally, I brought my NIKOLAKI design partner for life, David Paul. He put on his best Zara jacket (he looks so handsome!) and we made our way to our seats.

The Performances:

Kanye and Jay-Z: Kanye West first performed by himself doing "Stronger"--wearing a black velvet and multicolored printed bomber jacket from the Versace for H&M Collection (which back then, hadn't even been out yet--naturally Donatella gave him one ahead of schedule). Then, he brought out "surprise guest" Jay-Z to do "N***** In Paris". I'm not necessarily a Kanye or Jay-Z fan (I'm more a Kylie type of boy!) so I had no idea what they were singing or rapping but the crowd was loving it, as we were all forced to get up and do our best head bobbing and arm up-and-down swinging. Needless to say, they were great!

Nicki Minaj did her "SuperBass" song during the last "Club Pink" section of the VS Fashion Show, which seemed great to have a fun and sassy ending to the entire extravaganza. I do know this song (thank you very much!) so I was singing along. Miss Nicki also had a bunch of hot-and-sexy dancers onstage with her as part of her performance.

My New Boyfriend: Adam Levine and Maroon 5 also performed and to be honest, they were MY favorite performers of the night (just because I really like the song "Moves Like Jagger" and I really, really like cutie Adam!). But yes, he's taken, as you can see from the above photo, with his girlfriend, Russian-born model Anne Vyalitsyna. They were SO cute together, especially when he kissed her on the cheek as she posed at the end of the Swarovski crystal covered catwalk.

The Fashion Show and Models:
The Show was divided into six different sections: "Ballet", "Super Angels", "Passion", "Angels Aquatic", "I Put A Spell On You" and "Club Pink". The Collection of Fantasy Couture Lingerie/Costumes/Sassy Sportswear was designed by Todd Thomas and its Creative Design Director was fashion editor and stylist Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou. Lots of the creations seemed to be sub-contracted out to many different designers and costume houses. They created some wonders, for sure!

Here were some of my favorites (with my "Nick VS Fashion Show and Model Scores"):

Mantilla LOCA--Doutzen Kroes (Netherlands): During the "Passion" section, Doutzen came out in this STUNNING oversized lace embroidered and Swarovski crystal-encrusted Mantilla and Peineta "Wing" ensemble. It was INSANE: this should seriously be Miss Spain's national costume for the next Miss Universe pageant! Oh, I forgot, she also wore Victoria's Secret Miraculous Bra and matching panty. VS Fashion & Model Score: 9.9

Catwalkin' In The Rain--Izabel Goulart (Brazil): This was one of my favorite pieces of the 2011 VS Fashion Show. This was during the "I Put A Spell On You" segment. She wore a custom striped bra and panty, Giuseppe Zanotti Designed black boots and TWO MOVING PARASOLS (!) attached to her back. These "Parasol Wings" were created by Ted Southern. I remember sitting there in the audience thinking "She's got TWO moving umbrellas as her Wings! You Go Izabel!". VS Fashion and Model Score: 9.8

Miss Oceania 2011: This was one of my favorite non-winged looks from the show, worn by French model Constance Jablonski in the "Angels Aquatic" section. The 2011 VS Fashion Show Run-of-Show Booklet (which was on my seat) credits this gorgeous beaded and feathered gown to Jolibe Atelier. Kudos on an amazing dress Jolibe Atelier, whoever you are: I need to see this gown on the next Miss Venezuela...or a really SCANDALOUS Figure Skater (a mini version perhaps?). VS Fashion and Model Score: 9.9

SuperWoman: Model Anja Rubik (Poland) is the DEFINITION of a "Super Angel" in this out of control ensemble. She's got the Victoria's Secret BioFit Bra and Incredible Panty (somewhere in there), a leather body suit and hand-painted (by Jeff Fender Studio) silk cape, all created by "By Barak" and thigh-high yellow boots by Zanotti. All on top of Anja's ZERO-FAT 5'10" figure that could make any woman--who might have a tinge of insecurity--not want to be within a mile radius from her. VS Fashion and Model Score: 10!

Inflatable Supermodel: When the beautiful Joan Smalls (USA) stomped onto the VS Fashion Show--wearing a blue Latex Bodysuit from "House of Harlot" and what seemed like just a regular ol' cape, something KRAZEE happened at the end of the runway: her damn cape inflated and stood horizontally erect for the rest of her walk! "Oh No She Didn't!" is what I uttered to David. I think EVERY Gay in the audience stood up and gave Joan a standing ovation right then and there. VS Fashion and Model Score: 10!

My New DIVA: I could barely talk when this STUNNING beauty stomped onto the catwalk. I was like "Who the H*** is that???" Her exotic face, her 6-foot long legs (she is actually 6 feet tall!), her 31.5" bust: 23" waist: 33" hips body (perfect for Haute Couture), her walk, everything was like she was a Goddess from the Amazon! Well, in fact, kind of: Lais Ribeiro is from Brazil, of course. Oh, and she's also a mom! VS Fashion and Model Score: 10!

St. Louis Star: Last but certainly not least was what I considered "The Star of the Night", model Karlie Kloss, from the Good Ol' U. S. of A! This was Karlie's FIRST TIME modeling in a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Why? She just turned 18 and well, you have to be 18-and over to model in the VS Fashion Show, so she finally made it! For her first time, Miss Karlie BROUGHT IT, huney! The walk, the come-hither wink, the playing to the audience to get them excited and the shaking of the hair as the "Beyonce Fan" hit her right at the end of the runway...it was as if she'd been doing this for AGES! To be honest it put some of the "old timers" to shame (not naming names, kids!). VS Fashion and Model Score: 10!

The After Party at Dream Downtown Hotel NYC:
After the show, David and I headed to the Dream Downtown NYC Hotel where the official 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show After Party was held. All the models were there--sans their costumes and runway creations of course.

What Models Wear to Cocktail Parties: Lais Ribeiro (Brazil), Emanuela De Paula (Brazil), Behati Prinsloo (Namibia), 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show After Party, Dream Downtown NYC

They were all in very chic cocktail dresses or long gowns (I know: gowns!). Also, it was interesting that I didn't see ONE model in a tight Herve Leger "bandage dress". A couple of years ago when I also covered the VS Fashion Show, EVERY other model wore one to the After Party. Not so much this year. Kanye was there at the After Party of course, holding court with a bevy of beauties and his friends, and so was Adam Levine (my cutie!), his girlfriend, model Anne V. and the rest of Maroon 5. I even spotted Donna Karan, HUNK of all HUNKS actor Joe Manganiello (OMG!) and bearded (trying-to-be-incognito) Jake Gyllenhaal.

Nick Verreos with model Anais Mali of France--I interviewed Anais backstage before the show so it was very nice seeing her after the show--she did an outfit change--from her pink VS robe to a long grape-colored satin gown with a high side slit with blue-green inside lining. Anais is another gorgeous ethnically-mixed model: her mom is from Chad and her dad is Polish.

St. Louis Beauty: I was so exited when I saw MY Star of The VS Fashion Show Night, the gorgeous Karlie Kloss. I had to stop her and annoy her with my gushing. Also, since she's from St. Louis Missouri and that's where I was born (I know!), I also wanted to give her some "St. Louis Kisses"!

Midwest Stunner: Karlie was SOOO sweet--no attitude, no "why are you bothering me, I'm at a party..." NADA. Her parents done taught her right. Simply beautiful inside and out--even in my brief meeting. Also, notice in the photo above, where her waist is, compared to me next to her: her WAIST is at the same level as MY CHEST! Those legs went on for FOREVER! Soon after that, David and I decided it was time to call it a night and end our amazing Pink-Fabulous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Day.

George Harrison; Musician and Humanitarian

10 years ago today the world lost a great musician, songwriter, film maker but above all a great humanitarian who’s Concert for Bangladesh started it all.

Harrison’s songs, which included “Within You, Without You,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “Something,” were among the gentlest and most meditative of the Beatles’ output.

“Here Comes the Sun,” for example, was written on a beautiful spring day in 1969 when Harrison left the Beatles business office feeling frustrated by nitty-gritty accounting details. He walked over to his friend Eric Clapton's house and strolled around the garden with a guitar. The result was one of the most buoyantly joyful of his songs:

“Little darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter/Little darling it feels like years since it’s been here/Here comes the sun. Here comes the sun/And I say ... It’s alright.”



The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that it brought together an extraordinary assemblage of major artists collaborating for a common humanitarian cause – setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher cause.

To quote the former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, “George and his friends were pioneers.”


Ravi Shankar

The concert was inspired by a great Bengali and musician, Pandit Ravi Shankar who wrote;

It was early in April 1971 that news reached me of an unfolding humanitarian crisis in my homeland of Bengal. My heart went out to the Bengali speaking people of Bangladesh and it was natural for me to reach out and want to help the refugees and the hundreds of thousands of little children.



On Sunday 1 August 1971, Shankar, Harrison and those "friends" – among them Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell and Ringo Starr – staged rock's first mass act of philanthropy, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Harrison, whom Shankar lovingly describes as "my student, my brother, my son, all combined," was enjoying his peak years as a solo superstar. His presence alone ensured that the concert was more than just a worthy cause, in accordance with what we might call Geldof's First Law of the Charity Gig: "The only responsibility the artist has is to create good art," says the man behind Live Aid. "They only fail when they create bad art."

May the many hands of Shiva continue to fill his pockets with goodies! As for George, his guitar still gently weeps.

Concert for Bangladesh;

http://theconcertforbangladesh.com/theconcert

See also;

A Day in the Life of Abbey Road

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2009/08/day-in-life-of-abbey-road.html

Alphabet Wednesday - T is for Tiger

T is for Tiger. Sadly they are becoming ever more rare.

Siberian Tiger -

Amur Tiger -

Bengal Tiger -

Sumatran Tigers -

For a lot more interpretations of the letter T please visit the ABC linksite.

Striking for Pension Justice on November 30

Today Wednesday 30 November UNISON and 36 other trade unions will be on strike and/or protesting to protect public service pensions from collapse. If these schemes go - then Pension Trust and Social Housing
Pension Schemes could be next
(Note could be – we simply don’t know what the fall out will be)

Some UNISON members may not even be in a pension now but one day they will want to belong to a scheme that is secure, affordable and will look after them and their family. The existing public service pensions are benchmarks for all schemes. Unless we win this fight then everyone’s future will be at risk. Members ask themselves “do they want to end their lives living in poverty?

Never forget that not a penny of the money that ministers are trying to take from pension schemes will go towards improving them, instead it will simply all go to the Treasury to pay for the excesses of the bankers.

The branch is organising two Official Strike pickets and lobbies - starting 7am in Central London

• · Circle Housing Group Headquarters in Islington Circle House 1-3 HighburyStation Road, London N1 1SE – 3 minutes’ walk from Highbury & Islington station.With “Jive for Decent Pensions lessons” at 11.00am Contact: John Gray 07432 150 530 

• ThamesReach in Aldgate Gem House, 122-126 Backchurch Lane, London E1 1ND – 3 minutes’ walk from Aldgate East Contact: Joel Bodmer 07891 941 376

UNISON have balloted 12 London based employers on Strike Action. See UNISON strike action 30 November FAQS 

Colleagues on the picket lines and lobbies will be handing out leaflets to non-union staff and members of the public explaining why UNISON members are taking action. It is expected that all schools will be closed.  

Other events

· TUC regional rally, assemble from 12 noon Lincolns Inn Fields, march 1.00pm to rally 2pm at Victoria Embankment, SW1. 

· Join local UNISON picket lines, NHS hospital lunch time protests and rallies where you live map of events. (branch press release)

Pageant Minute: The new Miss Spain is Miss Barcelona Andrea Huisgen

Una Diosa Española

Olé : The newly crowned "Miss Spain 2011" Andrea Huisgen Serrano, who represented Barcelona

This past Sunday, Andrea Huisgen Serrano, Miss Barcelona was crowned Miss España (Miss Spain) 2011, at the Palacio de los Sueños in Seville, Spain. She is expected to represent Spain in the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant next year (where she will be known as "Miss Spain 2012").

Gracias Chicos: Andrea Huisgen "Miss Barcelona" being crowned "Miss Spain 2011" by her predecessor, Paula Guillo (right photo, in red gown)

Andrea, who was studying law (don't they all say that?!--or engineering or bio chemistry!) and also modeling (of course)...

Modelicious: Model photos of the new Miss Spain 2011 Andrea Huisgen (as a blonde)

Andrea Huisgen stands 1.81 meters (5'11") and is 21 years old. She was born in Barcelona Spain to a German father and Spanish mother and speaks 4 languages--Spanish, German, English and Catalan.

Feathered Gown Queen: Andrea Huisgen "Miss Barcelona"--and soon-to-be crowned "Miss Spain 2011"-- in her ivory strapless "Princess" ball gown of satin and feathers with crystal thin belt. To be honest, I am not a fan of this gown but still, she looked very "Beauty Pageant Perfect". However, the look is a bit dated and well, about five minutes away from a Quinceañera. (Keep reading below for an UPDATE regarding their gown choices...)

At first when I saw photos the beautiful new Miss Spain, I thought "Boy, she's got kind-of a "Venezuelan" air to her...(in terms of her stance, aplomb, hair, make-up...). So, it came as no shock when (after a little web research--yes kids, I do my Homework!) I learned that she was trained by Venezuelan Pageant "Trainer" and Missosologist (Pageant Expert/Fan) Ricardo Rodríguez, alias El Soplón.

The Day After: The beautiful--and newly-crowned "Miss Spain 2011", Andrea Huisgen, being interviewed the following day after her win

Ricardo has been preparing her with oratory, runway, make-up and hair, protocol, as well as all the other necessary "classes" needed to have a winner. It payed off, because, yes, she won! Could Ricardo be the new Osmel Sousa?? One thing's for sure, his "Day Rate" should go up.

Top Three: (Left to right) First Runner Up (Primera Dama de Honor) Miss Las Palmas Aranzazu Estévez, Miss Spain 2011 Andrea Huisgen, and 2nd Runner Up (Segunda Dama de Honor), Ana Amparo Crespo

Peineta (Spanish Hair Comb) Bathing Beauty: The new Miss Spain, Andrea Huisgen "Miss Barcelona", in her Official Swimsuit Photo for the Miss Spain 2011 Competition

Blush Beauties: There were Ten Semi-Finalists and they all had to model in Swimsuit as well as Evening Gowns, of course. Interestingly enough, during the evening gown portion, all the Semi-Finalists wore gowns in the same color: nude/putty/blush.

One Shouldered Señorita: Andrea (above) wore a one-shouldered draped gown with Empire-waist crystal trim detail that was very pretty and seemed to be one of those "high-low" gowns. However, I feel if you're going to show a "high-low" (short in the front/longer in the back) gown, the difference should be greater. Here, it looks like her gown is too short. She still looked gorgeous though.
**UPDATE on the Gowns: I actually heard from her fabulous Pageant Trainer--"El Soplon", Richard Rodríguez --via Twitter (the beauty of Social Media!), who told me something I already suspected: that the gowns were sponsored and that they actually were "given" their gowns the day of, the actual pageant and therefore, the girls had "little choice".

Fashion Diva:

Hostess With The Fashion Mostess: María José Suárez, co-host of the televised "Miss Spain 2011" Contest (above with Agustín Bravo). María José is a TV Presenter in Spain as well as of course, a former Miss Spain (in 1996). The Spanish Celeb Magazines just LUV her! She also wins my unofficial "Best Dressed of Miss España TV Show" Award. Wearing the same blush-colored type gown as the Semi-Finalists during the contest, she still somehow stood out for her elegance and overall "I've Won Already Ladies!" pose. This gown fits her to perfection. Note to the new Miss Spain: it's not too short...you barely see the shoes! Good job María José!

Sequined Goddess: And above (as any good DIVA TV presenter, María José had an outfit change), she looks STUNNING in a gold-and-blue ombre sequined strapless gown. She's almost looking at the new Miss Spain as if to hint to her "Mija, THIS is the gown, you should wear next time...at Miss Universe!"

Felicitaciones to the new gorgeous Miss Spain, Andrea Huisgen!

Click below for video showing HIGHLIGHTS of the new "Miss Spain 2011", Andrea Huisgen, during the contest and being CROWNED:

Bush and Blair guilty by War Crimes Tribunal and Blair Foundation's petition

The result of what was reported at this post was guilty as charged for former US president George W. Bush and former Prime Minister Toni Blair.

"The accused are found guilty,” read an official media statement from Perdana Global Peace Foundation, organisers of the tribunal.

“War criminals have to be dealt with, convict Bush and Blair as charged. A guilty verdict will serve as a notice to the world that war criminals may run but can never ultimately hide from truth and justice,” the statement read."

Now the Blair Foundation asks us to sign a petition:

BWCF – THE BLAIR WAR CRIMES FOUNDATION

It is necessary to make leaders hesitate before indulging in “the paramount war crime” to quote the judges of Nuremberg, of “unprovoked aggression against a defenceless country”. Unless leaders fear that they might be tried for their war crimes, we will live in an increasingly violent world, where The Geneva Conventions are treated as a joke, the UN is of no account, and death, destruction, torture, and repressive policing are commonplace. At the moment such leaders enjoy more and more trappings of power, and retire with vast sums of money, houses, medals and lucrative contracts. A group of UK Citizens have therefore set up an organisation, “The Blair War Crimes Foundation”, to initially bring one such leader to justice as an example.

Petition on line at http://www.petitiononline.com/BWCF/petition.html .

John Pilger, David Halpin, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Ken Loach, Noam Chomsky, Richard Dawkins, Lindsey German, Ben Griffin, Dr Nawal Saadawi, Haifa Zangana, Mark Steel, Dr Kamil Mahdi, Bruce Kent, and other citizens of Spain, Argentine, USA, and UK, support a Blair War Crimes Foundation to seek signatures for a petition to the United Nations General Assembly and the UK Attorney General, to uphold the UN Charter, the Geneva and Hague Conventions, and International Law, and to indict Tony Blair for war crimes.

It is time for justice. The death of one 1.400 millions Iraqis and the pain of those who suffered torture, physical mutilations and many heinous crimes cannot remain unpunished. Do what you can and sign the petition.

It is about time that we, citizens of the world, take help creating a fair world.

Update: December, 2

Please sign the petition and if you're a blogger do a little post about it. It is very important to all of us.

I'll create a little text with the link to the petition so that people can copy and paste at blogs.

We are responsible and we have to demand accountability!

Newham Labour Group Statement on Pension Strike Tomorrow

At last night's meeting of Newham Labour Group the following statement was agreed unanimously. 

"We are proud of our Council staff who work extremely hard to deliver the high-quality services that our residents value, despite the savage and unprecedented cuts being imposed by this Tory-led Government.

At the same time, the pensions of Council staff in Newham and across the country are also under attack. Trade union members have a legitimate right to take action in defence of their hard earned pension rights, many of whom are low paid and cannot afford the proposed reform of public sector pensions.

We understand and share the anger felt by Council workers towards the Tory-led government's attack on their pensions and we sympathise with Newham residents who will lose out through the disruption to vital services as a result of strike action against this Tory-led government."

It is already existing Council Policy to oppose the attempt the wreck the local government pension scheme. See here and here.

Picture from the TUC March in March. This was the Newham assembly point outside Stratford Station. East Ham Labour MP Stephen Timms, Newham Labour Mayor Sir Robin Wales and members of the Labour Group, with trade unionists and Party members.