Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:12 PM

Ruth: Ya done good, gal.

See my post on the "evaluation" thread. Well done Ruth. The next gin is on me.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Peace
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:05 PM

Ruth: Ya done good, gal.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:05 PM

"Ever thought of doing your own research?"
-Folkiedave

I was thinking the same thing in regard to mr harris, there's no lack of material out there about anti racism, politics in music and the musicians, and, of course, the BNP.

Sharpen your pencils, you have one hour, there will be a test to follow..

"There is NO future in verbally abusing Mr Harris"
-Leadfingers
of course there's not, why waste the future. What's done is done, and I have no regrets about doing it, and now it's on to the next thing. As I think I stated somewhere, I"ve been in the anti racism field for a few years now, this another front to be fought on, we do need to get the message out there.

Stand and Be Counted!

Olivia Beak (Ms)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:01 PM

Malcolm, I never said Steve was the only perseon etc etc. But the constant Mudcat disease of tearing down things because they are not exactly as you would have done them, or do not speak specifically and directly to your narrow little perspective, or even of attacking things of which you have no direct experience, has got very old.

We did an event that was hugely successful. One person left after about 20 mins because it didn't work for him, but instead of talking about the event's positive side, and where we go from here, we are caught in the usual Mudcat circular arguments in which we keep trying to engage those whose experience of something is either very limited, or non-existent (how many people have expressed an opinion on this thread who weren't even there, for heaven's sake?) But god knows lack of knowledge doesn't stop many Mudcatters from having an opinion, and certainly from expressing it.

You're right, John - this thread was a complete waste of time, but not for the reasons you cited. But well done being one of those who has successfully derailed it.

I'm done - this is an important issue and I have people in the real world to talk to.

Thanks for everyone who DID come to the FAF launch, and who helped to make it such a success.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:56 PM

I am remiss. I must have missed this. Please provide supporting documentaion for these arguements.

Ever thought of doing your own research? This is how.

Go to Teribus's posts. Click on the name Teribus. That brings all his posts up. Choose a few and get a flavour of his opinions. Decide for yourself.

Whatever you do, watch him change the goalposts when you disagree with him.

Do the same with John McKenzie.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:50 PM

Bloke from Poole makes a very good point ! There are too many people being Unneccessarily virulent to those who they think are not quite in step ! There is NO future in verbally abusing Mr Harris , just because you dont like what he says ! It devalues YOUR argument and reduces you to the same level as Griffins mobsters .

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:48 PM

Blinkered vision is a terrible thing and more than a few people are afflicted with it...

It's rather like those who chose to laugh at the funny little man with the Charlie Chaplin moustache, and we all know where that led, and there were those who laughed at the somewhat comic posturings of Idi Amin, and we all know what he was capable of. Next we'll be told that it's alright, we've spoken to representatives of the BNP, and they're not as bad as we first thought, so let's just try to get along.

I think I just made myself sick just thinking about
'trying to get along'

The answer is, to oppose the BNP and their sort in anyway possible, the ballot box, music, speaking out, and disrupt (peacefully, if possible)any events held by the BNP. FaF is a fine place to start your actions.

Stand and Be Counted!

Oliva Beak (Ms)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: gnu
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:45 PM

Richard Bridge... "Teri and Giok are notoriously right-wing, but their resistance to criticism of the BNP is a worrying new dimension to their oddity."

I am remiss. I must have missed this. Please provide supporting documentaion for these arguements.

Thank you in advance.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Bloke from Poole
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:41 PM

"Guest" above was me. Using a different PC while mine is trying to recover from a disk crash.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:38 PM

Everybody is right wing compared to you Richard.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:37 PM

Morris dancers have already had to endure Jay Rayner's likening us to the Nazis, and the attempts by BNP to get into Morris and folk more generally, are known by many.

I have seen the FaF thread grow, and knew about the event, but I didn't really think the info I saw made it clear what it was about. It came across to me as an event preaching to the already converted.

Maybe that was the intent, and I don't doubt Ruth's comments about the turnout, but I am finding myself increasingly turned off from FaF by the attitude of some - to be a fair, just a handful, but a noticeable handful, on this thread.

To win the battle, it is necessary to win the the support of the majority - who are reasonable, would like to be informed in a sensible manner and who prefer explanation and argument to shrill bully-boy shrieks of "if you're not for us, you're against us".

The likes of Ollie Beak - and even Ruth (what makes you think Steve Harris was the only one to leave, or not just turn up? Badmouthing him because he had the balls to stand up and say that he left, and the courtesy to explain why, doesn't do anyone any favours) - are not going to endear uncommitted people to FaF.

Let's be thankful for Eliza's cool head.

I am glad that the concert was successful, and got a wider coverage than expected. But if supporters of FaF insist on acting like a bunch of extremists, the message will be lost. Can we afford that?

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:29 PM


What a complete and utter non-issue

Of course. Musicians who say they've had their work snatched from under their noses and used without permission are just making it up, aren't they? Just like the 6 million nazi murders didn't happen either.

It's a funny thing but roots-based music is coming out of my radio all the time. Must be cos I don't and won't let the BNP have it . . .

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:28 PM

Teri and Giok are notoriously right-wing, but their resistance to criticism of the BNP is a worrying new dimension to their oddity.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:28 PM

As I had other commitments I missed the F A F launch , but would be interested in getting a fistfull of the F A F Stickers that were (I gather) available at the launch .

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:28 PM

Actually, Ms (not Mr) Beak is laughing her head off rather than waste time getting her knickers in a twist. The one thing that bothers me I have already stated, but I'll repeat myself..... is

"Sorry, basically I'm an apolitical animal..."
- John MacKenzie

There you go, you've said it yourself, that being so, stay out of the fight and don't try and tell me and others what we should be doing, what we shouldn't be doing, what we should be saying and what we shouldn't be saying, oh, and where this thread should reside.
I'm being polite again (sorry Folknacious *LOL*), but I think my drift is fairly obvious.

(ain't cut and paste wonderful? *LOL*)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:19 PM

Oh dear, we are getting our knickers in a twist aren't we?
I am entitled to have a point of view on the matter. same as you are. If you don't want to listen to it, don't read my posts then.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Stower
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:18 PM

Teribus, look at my previous posting and follow the links, then you will clearly see "Just what exactly are the lot of you getting into such a lather about."

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Stower
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:16 PM

What I forgot to mention in my post above was that I was at the Sidmouth FAF launch. It was wonderful. There was a buzz around me in the queue before it started. I found myself speaking with overseas visitors who knew about the BNP and the threat they pose. In my row during the gig there were several murmurs of approval around me, both at the quality of the music and at the comments musicians made. Joan's speech was brief without being terse, with good points clearly made as to the purpose of FAF.

It ended with a standing ovation. For a few minutes afterwards, people around me, who had never spoken to each other before, discussed how good and important the issues/gig were.

I think that counts as a success.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Royston
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:15 PM

Well done Mackenzie.

Your stated position is that you don't think this topic should be discussed here. Someone suggests that you only need not discuss this, if that's what you believe and you complain you're view, which amounts to not having a view or thinking that the subject does not merit an opinion from you, is not being respected. So your new problem is what exactly?

People often complain about thread creep. Push off and start a thread about why Mudcat should not host discussions about fascist appropriation of folk-culture in the UK. You don't have to read any thread that you don't want to engage in.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Teribus
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:10 PM

What a complete and utter non-issue. Just what exactly are the lot of you getting into such a lather about.

Switch on a radio or television - tell me how much "FOLK MUSIC" you hear - by the bye amongst the lot of you you cannot even define what "folk music" is. So tell me how can anybody hijack it??

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:02 PM

Well Mr Beak, if you prefer to descend to personal jibes, rather than discuss another person's point of view that's fine with me. But I would have thought that was the sort of thing that the people you are fighting against would do.
Other people are entitled to have a point of view too, so ignoring that, or denigrating it because you don't agree, isn't very constructive.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Royston
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 04:54 PM

congratulations Ruth and to all who worked on the launch and on the plans for St. G's day in 2010. FaF is exactly the sort of grass roots, real-world activism that makes a real difference and stops the spread of 'acceptable' fascism. If Nazis appropriate folk culture for their vicious ends then folk people must seize the culture back. Better to stop the mis-appropriation than to try to salvage it later, after the fascists have debased it; like other groups have had to 'reclaim' identities like 'queer' or 'black'.

Certainly don't be disheartened by a couple of negative comments on Mudcat. The active debate here is no more serious than a debate at the pub and you certainly should not take seriously people from country 'A' who are so fed up with the politics of country 'B' that they are compelled continually to choose to engage in discussions of those politics just to have another onanistic orgasm of prurient disapproval. It's as perplexing as those people that go watch a contentious TV program just to be outraged by it, and to complain about it.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 04:23 PM

Now it seems from the above that Steve is real - just is only interested in dance, not music. I can understand that. If someone wanted me to watch 20 minutes of E-ceilidh dancing before a political speech, I'd be gone before the speech.

What I don't understand is that anyone can actually be that naive about the BNP: Steve's questions statement look like an apolagia for the BNP - but in any event it has now been explained several times above what a danger Nick Griffin is - not only to democracy, unchaperoned women, and political opponents who are rash enough to walk in dark alleys, but also to folk music.

So, Steve, now that the BNP is having dancing at its loathsome "picnic", and contaminating your preferred art-form, when will you be starting "Ceilidhs agains C**ts" - are do we need to be as worried about you as we should be about the apparent member (or impersonator of a member) of Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris - Mark Stevens - being faux-naif on the FaF page?

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 04:09 PM

"Vote against them, make your vote count by voting for the candidate most likely to beat them,"
Now there's an idea, it seems to have done the trick so far - and it worked a charm in pre-war Germany.
As the feller nearly said "He also serves who only stands and sows the seeds of apathy".
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jane Bird
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 04:05 PM

Well, as a musical launch of a musical responce to political actions I thought the FaF launch was pretty signicantly good. I'm not convinced that a rally would really have been effective or have gone down half as well. Has anyone noted the standing ovation, yet?

Steve, I'm sure you're abreast of all the arguments and counter arguments, now ;-)

Cheers,
Jane

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:54 PM

"we completely sold out of t-shirts and shifted hundreds of leaflets, stickers and badges, we certainly felt that the message had been transmitted and understood. The secondary opportunity which came of the launch being featured on Radio 4 that night and reaching thousands of people beyond our little enclave was the icing on the cake"
- Ruth Archer

seems to me that things went off swimmingly, despite the whining from steve harris, who then has the cheek to try and tell us what to do...get over yourself harris, you were the one who walked out, because it didn't work for you...Personally I think eliza c is being overly kind.

Ruth, kudos you and your staff for providing the launch, and many thanks to BBC 4 for extending the range of the message

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Peace
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:49 PM

Great work, Ruth.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:43 PM

"This site reckons that his daughter wants to be a folk singer."
- Stower
the first lady of song, not counting Dorothy Squires and Sandy Denny?*LOL*

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: steve_harris
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:43 PM

I'm sorry you didn't get it Steve, we totally failed you. Without irony. Please let us know how we can get through to people like yourself in the future.

Thanks for the willingness to listen :-) I don't have a complete prescription but here goes....

· Start with the assumption that the audience have NOT done their homework in advance
· Inform and enthuse them so they are quite likely to do any necessary homework afterwards
· Hand out supporting material as people LEAVE (Classic this: Don't give people stuff to read when you really want them to listen)
· Select speakers for their oratorical skills and knowledge of the subject.
· Start with at LEAST 5-10 minutes of explanation of the issue. Foreground not backgrounds.
· If it's also meant to be a "media event" - and it probably should be - invite and brief the media.
· Consider not singing or playing at all
· Consider having questions from the audience (use roving mike)
· There are quite a few folkies with political campaigning experience - get them to advise you how to do things.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:37 PM

"In principle a Jolly Good Thing. In practice most people may have been knackered by then"

*sigh*

At the risk of repeating myself for the 4th or 5th time, there was a palpable buzz in the venue after the event. The audience grew substantially during the event. Those of us who were there, with the possible exception of the flying visit by Mr Harris, felt afterwards that the event had been a huge success. Judging by the fact that we completely sold out of t-shirts and shifted hundreds of leaflets, stickers and badges, we certainly felt that the message had been transmitted and understood. The secondary opportunity which came of the launch being featured on Radio 4 that night and reaching thousands of people beyond our little enclave was the icing on the cake.

Only in Mudcatland could such an event be perceived as a failure. But I ought to be used to it by now.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Peace
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:36 PM

John: Mudcat not political? Man, takin' a crap these days is political.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Stower
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:28 PM

In the late 1970s or early '80s I remember John Peel playing a single (that didn't chart, sadly) by a band (who I forget the name of - sorry!) made entirely of unemployed people. The hook-line went, "Living on the dole is a pain in the soul, we want to work." JP said if you couldn't appreciate the sentiment of the song, "I think I know who you are".

I wonder if the same thing could be said here of those who seem to be baffled as to why this issue is so important?

If you are genuinely still in the dark about what BNP fascists are already planning and why it is important to stop them, try reading Nick Griffin's more than scary website, where he extolls the virtues of hijacking folk music and his supporters agree it is a great idea. You will also find a video from Great White Records. Now I wonder why they chose that name? I suppose this is an attempt at an acceptable face of racist music, the modern equivalent of Skrewdriver.

Or you could watch the video here, where Nick Griffin explains why fascists need to hoodwink people with respectable-sounding language so as to hide their true intentions.   

From the BNP's Activists and Organisers Handbook:

"Community Activism means our activists getting involved in the affairs of their neighbourhood at all levels...We have had some major successes, for example, with local groups set up to encourage the celebration of St George's Day. Fun activities for children and families which are linked to our Christian heritage - such as Pace Egging in many northern towns - are particularly suitable candidates for revival as popular awareness of the growing power of Islam encourages support for and interest in our own religious and cultural traditions."

"Ideally our units will lead their communities in organising, or at least supporting, cultural events such as St George's Day celebrations (April 23rd). Most regions of the country have cultural events which are unique to that area, or county. For example, Padstow Hobby Horse (sic) in Cornwall, Arbor Tree Day in Shropshire, Garland King Day and the Well Dressing in Derbyshire, the Marshfield Mummers in Wiltshire, the Haxey Hood in Humberside, and countless others.

Some such celebrations, now very popular, have only been revived in recent years - the Hastings Jack in the Green and Whittlesea Straw Bear festivals show just how big such things can get. Why not do some research to see if there's a lost local tradition you can inspire a team of enthusiasts to revive?"

I've already heard that Griffin likes to sing John Barleycorn at BNP meetings. This site reckons that his daughter wants to be a folk singer.

I am old enough to remember the rise of the National Front in the 1970s (for whom Griffin stood for parliament). They were not then sophisicated enough to play the media. Racism is becoming almost respectable again in some quarters because the fascists wear nice suits. The BNP carried election adverts in all my local papers. I know an alarming number of people, including kids under 18, who do or say they would vote BNP. Rational argument is useless in conversation with them. It would be, by the very definition of their being prejudiced. One of my neighbours openly displayed a BNP leaflet in her window during the recent elections. She physically assaulted a female friend of mine, visiting my house, just for being the wrong colour. (The two of them had never spoken or had any contact. She was attached from behind.)

If you still don't know why this is important, I definitely do know who you are.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:27 PM

Oh, right, we plebs have to go right out there, and do all this while the Laird MacKenzie sits back on his throne and pontificates on how ' apolitical' he is....hypocrite!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:24 PM

Peggy Seeger's take on the subject says it for me.
Jim Carroll

SONG OF CHOICE

(Freely)
Early every year the seeds are growing—
Unseen, unheard, they lie beneath the ground.
Would you know until their leaves are showing
That with weeds all your garden will abound?

(Chorus verse I only):
If you close your eyes, stop your ears,
Hold your tongue, how can you know?
For seeds you cannot see may not be there,
Seeds you cannot hear may never grow.

(In rhythm)
In January, you've still got the choice,
You can cut the weeds before they start to bud.
If you leave them to grow high, they'll silence your voice
And in December you may pay with your blood.

(Chorus)
So close your eyes, stop your ears,
Close your mouth, take it slow!
Let others take the lead and you bring up the rear,
And later you can say you didn't know.

Every day another vulture takes flight,
There's another danger born every morning.
In the darkness of your blindness, the beast will learn to bite,
How can you fight if you can't recognise a warning?

(chorus)

Today you may earn a living wage.
Tomorrow you may be on the dole.
Though there's millions going hungry you needn't disengage,
For it's them not you that's fallen in the hole,

(chorus)

Today the soldiers took away one.
Tomorrow they may take away two.
One April they took away Greece,
But surely they will never take you.

(chorus)

It's all right for you if you run with the pack,
It's all right if you agree with all they do;
If Fascism is slowly crawling back,
It's not here yet, so what's it got to do with you?

(chorus)

The weeds are all around us and they're growing.
It will soon be too late for the knife.
If you leave them on the wind that around the world is blowing
You may pay for your silence with your life.

(Final chorus)
So close your eyes, stop your ears,
Close your mouth and never dare!
And if it happens here, they'll never come for you
Because they'll know you really didn't care.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:24 PM

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie - PM
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 03:37 PM

I'm not going to let them do it either my anonymous friend, but joining silly groups isn't going to stop them either.
People need to get out on the streets, campaign against them in public, attend their election meetings and ask awkward questions.
Most important, vote against them, make your vote count by voting for the candidate most likely to beat them, forget political allegiances in the name of beating them. If that's how strongly you feel, that's what you need to do.
Not exchange idealistic posts in an obscure web forum. Which is not a political forum anyway.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: theleveller
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:14 PM

"haven't time to search"

Me neither.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:04 PM

It's rather like, "well, I'm not racist but......" and you know damned well the person IS racist.

harris, or whatever you name is this hour, give it a rest will you..

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 02:53 PM

"For the record, I believe that Steve Harris is nothing more than a wind up merchant, and should, thus, be ignored."

Every time an anti-Bnp thread appears on Mudcat, it attracts someone who claims to be anti-BNP and then proceeds to extol the virtues of an all white Britain (or whatever). I reckon it's the same person using a multiplicity of names, the latest of which just happens to be Shit Erv Arse. Well, approximately.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 02:43 PM

"Sorry, basically I'm an apolitical animal..."
- John MacKenzie

There you go, you've said it yourself, that being so, stay out of the fight and don't try and tell me and others what we should be doing, what we shouldn't be doing, what we should be saying and what we shouldn't be saying, oh, and where this thread should reside.
I'm being polite again (sorry Folknacious *LOL*), but I think my drift is fairly obvious.

For the record, I believe that Steve Harris is nothing more than a wind up merchant, and should, thus, be ignored.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Old Vermin
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 02:40 PM

Did I remember rightly that the launch was towards the end of the week - was it noon on Friday? In principle a Jolly Good Thing. In practice most people may have been knackered by then. I know I was doing battle with a recalcitrant tent and assessing the rate at which mud was drying.

I am not, I repeat not, asking how anyone will pronounce FAF. For those with long memories, there was an equally alliterative 'Rock against Racism' way back - '70s or so. Is folk the new rock?

As for Steve being seen as a tad insular, as nothing to a man of my acquaintance who claims not to take a newspaper or watch or listen to news programmes, to be aware of events only within the Isle of Purbeck and to be much happier for it.

There are one or two people who do the apt 'A place called England' by Maggie Holland in pub sessions, which is some sort of start.

Someone above already mentioned Woody Guthrie.

Folk does rather seem to have divide between what the great and worthy may be doing in the Ham and elsewhere - paid concerts - and what the rest of us do in pubs and elsewhere. Thing about independent thought is that it's really rather difficult to direct, though.

How about a Limerick competition about Nick Griffin?

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 02:25 PM

I think you'll find if you look back, that I did post a few suggestions earlier. Got a session tonight, so haven't time to search

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 02:06 PM

Slightly off topic, or maybe not, all things considered, I'm wondering what the BNP's policy is on this:
Tens of millions of ladybirds have swarmed into the UK in a mass insect invasion

illegal immigration? *LOL*

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: theleveller
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 08:14 AM

"Folk music has a track record to be proud of when it comes to campaigning against injustices and the improvement of the human condition; workers rights, Civil Rights, Peace, anti nuclear, anti-Apartheid, anti-fascism, third-world poverty, Viet Nam, the womens movement……. Some of us were there with our songs and music and were pleased to be. In my experience, nobody was ever forced to take part; they could sit on the sidelines and watch if they wished – and they still can. But nobody can tell us what and where and why to sing."

Spot on, Jim. If people don't like what FAF is doing, don't join in, but don't rubbish those who haven't got their heads in the sand.


"Oh I agree with the ends Jeddy, just the means I quibble with."

Be interested to hear some positive suggestions as to the right means from you, John.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: treewind
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 07:47 AM

"Does he have a beard and a big wooden sword?"
I think it's fair to say Steve is only interested in English ceilidh, not in any other kinds of dancing and especially in this context not any kind of song. I suspect, therefore, he may have found it hard to sit though 20 minutes of song performance, never mind how who and how good it was. Some of the social dance diehards would have a similar view - they really aren't there for song events.

For the same reason, I suspect that if all the talking part had happened first, he would have left as soon as the music started, though at least he'd have then known what the campaign was about.

That's not intended as a criticism of the way the concert was organised, just a possible explanation of how things happened the way they did.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 07:41 AM

When will the teeshirts be available in XXXL? Enquiring beer-bellies want to know.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Folknacious
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:55 AM

Listmeister @ eceilidh

Ah, that explains the e-celidh bit of "Mud-e-ceilidh"!

The logo does give one a bit of a start, and the description does sound a mite, er, pedantic, authoritarian. I'm beginning to get the picture. Does he have a beard and a big wooden sword?

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:43 AM

Listmeister @ eceilidh

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:42 AM

"we don't expect much better from somebody apparently in a silly country."

How true how true :)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: Folknacious
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:36 AM

Oops, sorry Diane, I forgot; it's your job to rubbish people's posts on Mudcat.

Looks like she's heading for involuntary redundancy, since the noble art of opening one's mouth, putting both feet in it and then pulling the trigger seems to a required skill for quite a few people on here.

And what IS this "Steve Harris"? Some of you seem to know, but I obviously move in the wrong circles! ;-)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
From: jeddy
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:20 AM

well john,
if you have other suggestions of how mostly peaceful musicians can make their point, we would love to hear them and maybe we could incorperate them into the mix? we cannot have too many ideas of how to fight them. this is a great start and i hope that people will continue to think of more wonderful ways we can do more.

gotta go as we are looking at little sisters first reanted house away from parents.

take care all

jade x x x x x