I'm coming to your stuff late, Greg, for reasons explained in other comments. Yes, It could quite easily have been much harder hitting, but an iron fist in a velvet glove has the same effect. T

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I missed this first time round, Greg. You are right that the timing is right again. I think it might have been more intriguing, though, if you had left the doubt in rather than declaring your hand.

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for the comments and likes, everyone. FB reminded me today that I had attended a vigil for Jo Cox at Westminster four years ago. There was a picture of people gathering, beside the statue of Churchill. Ah, well.

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Greg

I think this is why we need poetry. These verses cut through the nonsense and state a truth, however inconvenient, that so much of polite society finds it difficult (or even distasteful) to express. I spent years writing about Brexit and its (to me, disastrous) consequences but I never got close to distilling it like this. As you say, we should remember Jo Cox, do our best to learn lessons and hopefully create a more tolerant, inclusive world for future generations.

Really interesting read.

Steve

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I note online that the word "thug" is reported as racist - no doubt
due to its association with the murderous religious sect of India.
Nothing like having a band-wagon to leap aboard. I would call the
violent protestors hooligans, but that might risk someone from
across the Irish Sea holding me to account due to its "racial" connotations. As for criminal elements latching on to the Brexit
cause, there is a comparable but much more significant situation
that affected the reputation of the Irish Republican cause. Back to
the "band wagon" and its usefulness for the opportunistic fellow travellers seeking a respectable advantageous ride,

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

On our local news today - the English Civil War memorial in Worcester has been smashed up and sprayed with the letters BLM.

There are idiots on both sides.

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This made me smile (and sigh) Greg. Great write.

I also love (and despair at) the idea that someone thought you'd written this from your own point of view ?

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for commenting, Brian. We could argue about so much about what you say, but I am grateful that you accept that the Brexit cause has been tainted by the thugs. I live among 'middle England' folk out here in Surrey, too.

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Greg. The Brexit cause is tainted by the ultra right thugs you refer to. The 17.4m had had enough of the so called elite telling them what was best for them so they reacted against it in 2016...and again three years later to give the Tories an 80 seat majority. They will continue to react against the elite if they are given the opportunity, and anti-Brexit articles, speeches, poems etc will only harden their attitudes.

In terms of recent events, the 'middle England' folk I live amongst are generally against racism but do not wish to see our history erased by removing statues and signage.

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I first posted this here two years ago, when it caused some confusion. One or two people weren't sure if I was espousing the views expressed above. I'm posting it again while the events that took place on the streets of our capital and elsewhere in the country last Saturday are still fresh in our minds. To avoid any doubt, the poem is about the kind of people who brandish 'Britian First' (sic, and indeed, sick) banners, piss next to memorials of policemen, and exulted in the murder of MP Jo Cox shortly before the 2016 Brexit referendum. In retrospect, I think this poem is far too soft on them. NB I didn't realise when I posted this earlier, but today is the fourth anniversary of Jo Cox's death. Lest we forget.

Comment is about Brexit boy (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman