#Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

[denimbex1986]

'SINCE its release, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has become one of the most talked-about films of the summer, garnering critical acclaim and box-office success.

Focusing on the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, the film tells the story of the man widely regarded as the father of the atomic bomb and how his work came to be.

The film has a global relevance unlike any other given the debate over nuclear weapons with organisations such as the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Secure Scotland campaigning for a world without weapons of mass destruction.

What then have anti-nuclear campaigners made of the film? Does it go far enough in depicting the horrors of the weapon that was unleashed or does it leave something to be desired in that sense?

The National spoke with Janet Fenton, a representative for Words and Actions which currently provides a home for two organisations committed to peace and sustainability – Secure Scotland and Peace and Justice Scotland – about what she made of the film.

Thoughts on Oppenheimer Coming in at three hours, there’s not a lot of ground that the film doesn’t cover and Fenton, who also holds a role with the Scottish CND, says that on the whole she admires what it achieved.

“I don’t want to seem ungracious because I think it’s great for us to have anything that is actually pushing these issues in front of the public”, she explained.

“I think the film has an incredible amount of skill and there was lots of it that was really good – the photography was exceptional; the acting was superb and I really liked the score.”

She admits herself that her criticisms are more about “the film they chose to make rather than the film itself” and that some elements did leave her “dispirited”.

Fenton explained: “It does some really interesting and useful analysis of the way in which internationally scientists were fascinated by nuclear power and wanted to work together in a spirit of adventure and discovery.

“But for me, it doesn’t underscore the appalling political opportunism towards those scientists in creating something that really marked the beginning of human behaviour making major geological change to the planet.

“It’s so accurate and carefully made but I also don’t think there was enough criticism of the period it represented and the macho-patriarchy ideals.”

Fenton also felt the film missed an opportunity in not making a reference to John Hersey’s 1946 book Hiroshima - which tells the stories of six survivors of the atomic bomb.

“It’s a seminal work that really captures the awfulness, misery and catastrophic humanitarian cost of that weapon.”

New exhibition As part of her work with Words & Actions, Fenton is promoting a new exhibition featuring images of the human destruction wrought by the dropping of the bomb at Hiroshima.

The International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons is presenting the exhibition jointly with Peace & Justice and Secure Scotland.

It's based in Edinburgh on 58 Ratcliffe Terrace and is running until August 28 from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.

On August 6, the same day as the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, there will be a showing of A Guided Tour of the Unacceptable which deals with the Faslane nuclear weapon complex and gives an account of the history of protest and direct action directed at the base.

Fenton said: “We need to be made aware that these weapons are utterly horrific and inhumane.

“Being brought face to face with this reality can strengthen our resolve that such a crime against humanity must never be repeated.”...

What will the film’s legacy be? The release of Oppenheimer has been highly anticipated ever since it was announced. It’s likely to stay that way given it’s already being tipped for Oscar nominations.

But once the dust settles, will the world remember the film and use it as a springboard for wider discussions about the threat of nuclear weapons?

Fenton can’t say for certain but she remains hopeful.

“Anything that draws attention or brings the public into more awareness of the fact that time is running out for nuclear weapons is a good thing.

“It’s ultimately an issue of democracy. Scotland doesn’t want them, we’ve never wanted them and they’re here against our will.

“Scotland has no need for them and if this film makes people think about it a little bit more and want them to find out more then that can only be a good thing.”'

[scotianostra]

The educator Alexander Sutherland Neill passed away on September 23rd 1973 in Ipswich, he grew up being call Ally by his family.

The second of today's anniversaries and all round good guy, I mean Ivor Cutler worked for him so he has to be!

And another name you are familiar with, but A.S. Bell, as he was known, was a pioneer, or indeed a rebel against the conformists views of the era in education

The son of a schoolteacher, Ally graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an M.A. degree in 1912 and became headmaster of the Gretna Green School in 1914. He recorded his initial teaching experiences in the autobiographical novel A Dominie’s Log and wrote several sequels to this work, with some of them being reprinted in 1975 as The Dominie Books of A.S. Neill, dominie being an old Scottish word for schoolmaster, it derives the Latin domine.

Neill and others founded an international school near Dresden., in 1921. The school was moved to Sonntagberg, Austria, three years later but was soon closed because its unconventional curriculum and teaching methods were opposed by the local authorities. In 1924 Neill moved the school to Lyme Regis, Dorset, in England, and named it Summerhill after the building he had leased for its quarters. In 1927 he moved the school to its permanent home in Leiston, Suffolk. Summerhill School became internationally known for its self-governing student-teacher body and its flexible curriculum that emphasizes the student’s own motivation to learn. Neill drew considerable criticism for his permissive attitudes toward academic discipline, but by the 1960s his school had become popular for its progressive approach to child rearing.

Neill’s principal book about his educational methods, Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing, stimulated debates about alternatives to conventional schooling. The book was more influential in the United States, West Germany, and Japan than in the British Isles

His other books include The Problem Child, The Problem Parent, The Problem Family, The Free Child, and an autobiography, Neill! Neill! Orange Peel!

In the early 1960s Neill joined Bertrand Russell on a sit in demonstration for CND ( Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) at Holy Loch against the Polaris missile. Neill was taken by the police and spent a night in jail.

In 1973 his health declined and he was admitted to Ipswich Hospital. Later he was taken to the small local hospital where he died peacefully on September 23rd 1973.

In 1999 The Government sought to close Summerhill.= and the case ended up in the Law Courts, where a judge dismissed the case against them. Summerhill celebrated 100 years of teaching last year.

Neill’s daughter daughter Zoë is the Principal of Summerhill School which continues to thrive.

[christinamac1]

Scots urged to vote in anti-nuclear MPs to 'take target off our backs'

The National By Adam Robertson, @adam_robertson9 Multimedia Journalist, 6 June 24 THE Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has launched a major new project amid campaigning for the General Election, highlighting how Scots have “targets on our backs” due to the nuclear weapons on the Clyde. The Scottish CND’s new campaign aims to push voters to back candidates who support the UN…

[ayeforscotland]

Because who doesn’t need a nuclear missile team being druggies. Nuclear weapons are a massive waste of money.

[thejennawatt]

Yes! Let’s have the conversation!

[euroman1945-blog]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland Thursday 24th May 2018 "Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you….  Bella and I leave this morning for our first walk of the day, a few light clouds, very little chance of rain is predicted, but no matter, this is almost the end of Spring as Summer is just around the corner… the temperature at the moment is 15c rising to 27c as the day progresses.. lots of new tourists are expected this week end .. Hotels have hired extra help, restaurants and cafes have done similar, and things are looking good for the little town of Estepona….. BEANO JOINS IN MEGHAN AND HARRY WEDDING CELEBRATIONS…. Never known for missing out on the fun, Beano is adding its own take to the Royal Wedding celebrations with a special satire strip. This week's comic will see mayhem ensue at the wedding reception, to which characters Dennis, Gnasher and The Bash Street Kids have blagged an invite. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's cake is ruined, while other jokes include the Queen wearing a Primark dress. The Beano said they hoped the Royal Family appreciated the gesture. Mike Sterling from the Beano joked: "Our invitation - from fan club member, Harry - must have been eaten by Gnasher." WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS HEAD TO CAITHNESS HOPING TO SPOT ORCAS…. Scientists and wildlife enthusiasts are gathering in the far north of Scotland in the hope of glimpsing some of the ocean’s most impressive predators as they make their annual passage to summer hunting grounds. Teams of experts and volunteers will take up key positions on boats and coastlines around Caithness to take part in a yearly survey of killer whales, or orcas. There have already been a number of sightings of the animals in Scottish waters so organisers of Orca Watch, which begins today and runs until 28 May, are hopeful that spotters will be rewarded for their efforts. Orcas, which despite their common name are actually from the dolphin family rather than whales, are voracious predators at the top of the food chain. They feed on seabirds, squid, octopuses, turtles, sharks, rays and fish as well as marine mammals such as seals and dolphins. There have been a number of sightings of whales and dolphins, known collectively as cetaceans, in Scottish waters in recent months. Amazing footage of orcas feeding just off the shoreline in Shetland just a couple of weeks ago has been widely shared on social media. The rare appearance of a giant humpback whale, seen breaching in the Firth of Forth, also sparked massive public interest. But the Pentland Firth is one of the best locations in the UK to see a range of whale and dolphin Risso’s dolphin, humpback whale, minke whale and orca can often be seen from the shore. Orca Watch, run by the charity Sea Watch Foundation, is now in its sixth year. Members of the public are being invited to join in the surveys, which form part of one of the biggest and longest-running citizen science projects in the world. The hardy team of spotters, on the ferries, cliffs and headlands, were rewarded with a range of sightings during last year’s count. THE COURT CASE FOR A SCOTTISH PENSIONER …. Who was arrested for holding up a nuclear convoy has begun. In March 2016, Brian Quail, 77, ran out in front of a military convoy near Stirling as an act of protest against nuclear weapons. Campaigners claimed the armoured trucks were carrying 100 kiloton warheads. The retired teacher, who is now a passionate anti-nuclear campaigner, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to face a breach of the peace charge. John Ainslie, co-ordinator of Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), claimed, “the convoy was made up four lorries carrying either one or two nuclear bombs in each.” Scottish CND campaigners were outside the court house to support Mr Quail. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED A "DUMFRIES PLEDGE"…. To support plans to regenerate its historic town centre. The community-led Stove Network wants to see more buildings brought under local control and create new housing and services on the High Street.Nearly 500 people have backed their vision of a Midsteeple Quarter in the heart of the town. It follows an online survey which asked the public for its views on how to improve the area. Melissa Gunn, of the University of the West of Scotland, who are members of the community partnership leading the project, said they had been "overwhelmed" by the response. FORFAR KARATE-KICKING WOMAN SEES ATTACKERS JAILED…. A woman who used her karate skills in self-defence after being assaulted on the way home from a Forfar nightclub has seen her attackers jailed. Shehab Smekramuddin and Mohammad Islam followed Kelly Soutar, 29, to a park where she used her martial arts ability to punch, headbutt and kick the men. The pair have been jailed for three years each and face deportation to their native Bangledesh after serving their sentences. Both say they are political refugees. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how the pair stood outside the Royal nightclub in Forfar, staring at Ms Soutar, before the incident on 17 September last year. CCTV footage showed her walking home, with the men following her about 200 yards behind.She waited in a built-up area, thinking they had given up, and left before continuing her journey. Islam, 28, then approached Ms Soutar in a car park and Smekramuddin, 59, leapt over a wall and grabbed her. After the three-day trial Ms Soutar, a brown-belt in karate, said: "The younger one came towards me and I kneed him in the groin. When he came towards me again I punched him in the face. "At that point the guy who was holding me pushed me to the ground so I was flat on my stomach and the other one had come in and was breathing on my head. "I lifted my head. I don't know which of the two I connected with but I just struggled."Ms Soutar fled to a friend's house after the attack where she called the police. Since then she has suffered panic attacks and struggles to go out on her own. On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today, Our look at Scotland today is of the Beano’s pages about the marriage of Megan and Harry….

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Thursday 24th May 2018 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona… All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in Be safe out there… Robert McAngus

[wionews]

How ‘Corbyn strategy’ stumped PM May

UK Elections 2017 has been a tight race between the Conservatives and Labour party candidates. While PM Theresa May was sure of making it to the finished line with a majority, Jeremy Corbyn has managed to pull a masterstroke. 

Jeremy Bernard Corbyn, 68, the grand old man of British politics had a different game plan from the beginning. His policies and the Labour party's manifesto stood its ground on local and domestic issues that made a connect with the British citizens. Corbyn was able to shave off Theresa May's lead in the popularity polls in the last two weeks. His focus on education, security, income tax and importantly his stance on Brexit clearly touched a chord while May and her party did not have a solid post-Brexit roadmap for UK citizens. 

Corbyn has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 12 September 2015. He was born in Chippenham and is the youngest of the four sons in the family. 

Always a crusader, while still in school, he became active in The Wrekin constituency Young Socialists, his local Labour Party, and the League Against Cruel Sports.  He joined the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in 1966 whilst at school and later became one of its three vice-chairs.

  Whatever the final result, our positive campaign has changed politics for the better. http://pic.twitter.com/EHLta2rnIW

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 9, 2017

×

  Brexit:

Corbyn has consistently spoken for Britain to remain as an EU member but after the referendum result, Corbyn over the last two weeks of campaigning has maintained that the “result must be respected” and a "close new relationship with the EU" should be targeted. He said that one of his first acts as Britain's prime minister would be to call German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to chalk out a plan for Brexit. He also promised to guarantee the rights of EU citizens based in the UK while rejecting the idea of 'no deal' in EU negotiations.

  Education:

What also added to his popularity is his commitment to education and providing for the youth by announcing the scrapping of tuition fees for universities. He also announced the scrapping of upfront costs for colleges and further education courses while reintroducing maintenance grants for students. He also wooed new mothers by plugging the gap in childcare after maternity leave helping them to come back to work with the aid of National Education Service.

  Terrorism:

In the wake of London Bridge terror attacks, both May and Corbyn differ on opinions. Corbyn chose to not support counter-terrorism legislation as a parliamentarian. He promised to reverse the cutting of around 20,000 police officers since 2010. He also vowed his support for Trident, that is UK’s Vanguard fleet of submarines carrying nuclear missiles. Corbyn has however been a strong opponent of nuclear weapons.

  Income Tax:

Motivated to ensure that the national debt is reduced, Corbyn in his party’s manifesto looked to raise tax revenues from the top earners in the country. For those earning above £80,000 ($103,544), income tax rate would increase 45 per cent for earnings above the amount and then to 50 pence in each pound for people with an income of more than £123,000.

  Trump:

Before Trump had withdrawn from the Paris climate accord and talks were still on, Corbyn spoke about calling US President Donald Trump and urging him to not withdraw from the accord. He continuously criticised May’s approach in dealing with Trump calling it "dereliction of duty" when she failed to sign a joint statement with other EU leaders condemning the US administration. 

  Iraq War:

Corbyn identifies himself as an anti-war activist. In October 2001, Corbyn was elected to the steering committee of the Stop the War Coalition, which was formed to oppose the Afghanistan War. He also opposed the Iraq War in 2003 and spoke at anti-war rallies in Britain and overseas. He helped organise the February anti-Iraq War protest which was claimed to be the largest such protest in British political history. In 2006, Corbyn was one of 12 Labour MPs to support Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party's call for a parliamentary inquiry into the Iraq War.  (WION)  

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[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle

Thursday 9th February 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Crystal clear skies this early morning as Bella and I venture out onto the quiet streets of Estepona Spain, I seem to be winning the battle against the Flu virus finally.. first time I’ve woken up with out a headache for at least a week..

THE PREHISTORIC VILLAGE OF SKARA BRAE on Orkney is in the running to be named the best heritage site in the UK. The 5,000-year-old settlement is the only Scottish visitor attraction on the shortlist drawn up by travel writer Bill Bryson for the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards. Bryson described Skara Brae as “miraculously preserved” and said it looked as it had been vacated “only yesterday.” He said: “Orkney has the greatest concentration of archaeological sites in Scotland, but none is more arresting than this miraculously preserved Neolithic village. “The eight stone dwellings, uncovered by a 19th Century storm, are roofless but otherwise intact. They are older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Egypt and yet they feel as if they were vacated only yesterday.”

A WHEELCHAIR THAT CAN CLIMB stairs has won a design competition aimed at improving the lives of people with physical or learning disabilities. The Blackwood Design Awards took place at the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre and saw nine shortlisted inventors pitch for the top spot. MEBot, a robotic-powered wheelchair with six wheels, was named best new concept, while GlassOuse, which uses Bluetooth to connect disabled users to computers and televisions, won the best new product title. The annual competition was organised by Blackwood, an Edinburgh-based charity which helps find housing for those with disabilities. Judges were impressed with the MEBot, particularly its ability to use front and rear caster wheels to inch forward on surfaces that traditional power wheelchairs can get stuck on. It has a seat stabilisation system which keeps the driver safely upright and also stair climbing ability – which is ultimately what set it apart from other wheelchair designs. The MEBot team, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will now receive a cash prize of £2000 from BDA sponsor Kingdom Gas, professional support on design development from one of Scotland’s leading product design companies, 4c Design, and backing from business law experts, Harper MacLeod, in addition to that of Blackwood. “The MEBot was inspired by wounded, injured and ill veterans that would like to be able to do more than is possible with current wheeled mobility devices,” said Rory Cooper, leader of the MEBot design team.

HELENSBURGH HAS LONG been the frontline in a campaign pitching anti-nuclear protestors against civilian defence staff. The town in Argyll and Bute is just six miles from HMNB Clyde, the naval base commonly known as Faslane, home to the UK’s nuclear deterrent. As a result, the district regularly hosts those arguing for and against the replacement of the Trident weapons system. This weekend, members of the local branch of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) will hear from speakers from across the country. The theme of Saturday’s event is “Life after Trident” and the message is simple - communities along the Clyde can prosper if the weapons system is removed. But union officials argue in turn thousands of highly-skilled defence jobs rely on Faslane and its sister base at Coulport, and that any downgrade in their capabilities would have a devastating impact on the local economy. GMB Scotland, which represents the majority of civilian staff at Faslane, asked the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) at the University of Strathclyde to assess the economic impact of the defence sector on the Scottish economy. It found the MOD employed 4,700 people in Argyll and Bute - 34 per cent of the total number of local jobs, and the highest concentration in Scotland. A 2014 Freedom of Information request found a total of 2,250 non-military employees worked at Faslane, with the FAI estimating the base in turn supports a total of 4,911 jobs across Scotland.

A LOTHIANS DESIGNER is poised to launch an outdoor oven that can cook pizza in less than two minutes after smashing his fundraising target. Kristian Tapaninaho set out to raise $50,000 (£40,000) via the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform to take the Uuni Pro oven to market, but hit that goal in less than four hours and has now netted more than $220,000. Uuni Pro is described as the world’s first quad-fuelled outdoor oven, capable of running on pellets, wood, charcoal and gas, and follows the launch in 2013 of the firm’s first portable wood-fired product, which has been snapped up by tens of thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. Finnish-born Tapaninaho, who set up Broxburn-based Uuni with his wife Darina Garland, said: “We previously used a crowdfunding website when our business was in its infancy and it really served as a launch pad, allowing us to become global from the outset.” He added: “Not only did we achieve our funding goals, we were able to develop an authentic dialogue with our backers and ensure they were part of the company’s growth.” Tapaninaho last month picked up a £7,000 prize after being hailed as the “entrepreneur of the moment” at the Entrepreneuring Awards, hosted by business start-up accelerator programme Entrepreneurial Spark in partnership with Royal Bank of Scotland, accounting group KPMG, technology giant Dell EMC and law firm Harper Macleod.

A CEREMONY has been held to mark the start of work to rebuild a historic railway station in Royal Deeside which was destroyed by fire. The Old Royal Station in Ballater was ravaged by the blaze in May 2015. The old station had been the final stopping point for members of the Royal Family heading to Balmoral. A visitor information centre and a restaurant will feature in the new building along with a library and an enhanced exhibition space. The work is expected to be completed in December.

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of a jetty on Loch Rannoch, Perth, at sunset

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Thursday 9th February 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in ….. Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

[newstwitter-blog]

New Post has been published on News Twitter

New Post has been published on http://www.news-twitter.com/2017/01/23/bbc-theresa-may-under-pressure-over-trident-missile-test-19/

BBC: Theresa May under pressure over Trident missile test

Media captionThe prime minister declined four times to answer questions about when she had been aware of the “misfire'”

Theresa May is coming under pressure to say whether she knew about a reported misfire of the UK’s nuclear weapons system before a crucial Commons vote.

The Sunday Times says the missile veered off course during a test in June last year – weeks before the Commons voted to spend £40bn renewing Trident.

Questioned by Andrew Marr, the PM refused to say four times if she had known about the test ahead of the vote.

The SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon called for a “full disclosure” of what happened.

According to the Sunday Times, an unarmed Trident II D5 missile veered off in the wrong direction towards the US – instead of towards Africa – when it was launched from a British submarine off the coast of Florida.

In July – days after Mrs May had become prime minister – MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of replacing Trident.

During the debate, Mrs May told MPs it would be “an act of gross irresponsibility” for the UK to abandon its nuclear weapons.

MPs backed its renewal by 472 votes to 117. However, all 52 SNP MPs voted against it – as did Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

‘Hugely serious issue’

When asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show whether she had known then that a misfire had happened, Mrs May said: “I have absolute faith in our Trident missiles.

“When I made that speech in the House of Commons, what we were talking about was whether or not we should renew our Trident.”

She was asked a further three times – but did not answer the questions.

The Ministry of Defence did not give details of the test process but said it had been a success.

Image copyright PA

Image caption The cost of building four replacement submarines is currently estimated at £31bn

Scottish First Minister, Mrs Sturgeon – a long-standing opponent of Trident, whose submarines are based at Faslane, on the River Clyde – said the apparent misfire was a “hugely serious issue”.

She tweeted: “There should be full disclosure of what happened, who knew what/when, and why the House of Commons wasn’t told.”

Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn said the reports called for “a serious discussion”.

He told Sky News: “It’s a pretty catastrophic error when a missile goes in the wrong direction, and while it wasn’t armed, goodness knows what the consequences of that could have been.”

Nia Griffith, the shadow defence secretary, said it was “completely unacceptable” that Mrs May had “side-stepped” questions.

She called for the prime minister to give “a full explanation” to Parliament on Monday.

Admiral Lord West, the Labour peer and ex-Royal Navy officer, said it was “bizarre and stupid” to not tell anyone about the test.

‘Tested and certified’

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) described reports of a misfire as a “very serious failure”.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that this would have impacted on the debate in Parliament on Trident replacement,” its general secretary Kate Hudson said.

A statement issued by both Downing Street and the MoD said the capability and effectiveness of Trident was “unquestionable”.

“In June the Royal Navy conducted a routine, unarmed Trident missile test launch from HMS Vengeance, as part of an operation which is designed to certify the submarine and its crew.

“Vengeance and her crew were successfully tested and certified, allowing Vengeance to return into service. We have absolute confidence in our independent nuclear deterrent.”

Image copyright MOD

Image caption The MoD said the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile was “unquestionable”

The Sunday Times says the test fire was launched from HMS Vengeance.

It says the Trident II D5 missile was intended to be fired 5,600 miles (9,012 km) to a sea target off the west coast of Africa but veered towards the US.

The cause remains top secret, the paper says, but it quotes a senior naval source as saying the missile suffered an in-flight malfunction after launching out of the water.

HMS Vengeance, one of the UK’s four Vanguard-class submarines, returned to sea for trials in December 2015 after a £350m refit, which included the installation of new missile launch equipment and upgraded computer systems.

According to the Sunday Times, it is expected that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will be called to the Commons to answer questions from MPs.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said while the MoD has described the test as a success for the crew and the boat, it has not denied the report that the missile itself might have veered off course.

In the past the MoD has issued a press release and video of successful tests but its silence on this occasion has raised questions as to whether any fault was deliberately kept quiet ahead of the key vote, our correspondent added.

What is Trident?

The Trident system was acquired by the Thatcher government in the early 1980s as a replacement for the Polaris missile system, which the UK had possessed since the 1960s.

Trident came into use in the 1990s. There are three parts to it – submarines, missiles and warheads. Although each component has years of use left, they cannot last indefinitely.

The current generation of four submarines would begin to end their working lives some time in the late 2020s.

A guide to the Trident debate

This post has been harvested from the source link, and News-Twitter has no responsibility on its content. Source link

[christinamac1]

Protesters call on Scottish Government to withdraw spaceport support

By Ross Hunter@_Ross_Hunter, Multimedia Journalist, 4 Oct 23 #nuclear #NoNukes #anti-nuclear #nuclear-free CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Scottish Government to withdraw support for new spaceports in Scotland. Protesters from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Drone Wars UK appeared outside Holyrood on Tuesday to highlight concerns about the environmental impact of the facilities…

[scotianostra]

The educator Alexander Sutherland Neill passed away on September 23rd 1973 in Ipswich, he grew up being call Ally by his family.

The second of  today's anniversaries and all round good guy, I mean Ivor Cutler worked for him so he has to be! 

And another name you are familiar with, but A.S. Bell, as he was known, was a pioneer, or indeed a rebel against the conformists views of the era in education

The son of a schoolteacher, Ally graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an M.A. degree in 1912 and became headmaster of the Gretna Green School in 1914. He recorded his initial teaching experiences in the autobiographical novel A Dominie’s Log and wrote several sequels to this work, with some of them being reprinted in 1975 as The Dominie Books of A.S. Neill, dominie being an old Scottish word for schoolmaster, it derives the Latin domine.

Neill and others founded an international school near Dresden., in 1921. The school was moved to Sonntagberg, Austria, three years later but was soon closed because its unconventional curriculum and teaching methods were opposed by the local authorities. In 1924 Neill moved the school to Lyme Regis, Dorset, in England, and named it Summerhill after the building he had leased for its quarters. In 1927 he moved the school to its permanent home in Leiston, Suffolk. Summerhill School became internationally known for its self-governing student-teacher body and its flexible curriculum that emphasizes the student’s own motivation to learn. Neill drew considerable criticism for his permissive attitudes toward academic discipline, but by the 1960s his school had become popular for its progressive approach to child rearing.

Neill’s principal book about his educational methods, Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing, stimulated debates about alternatives to conventional schooling. The book was more influential in the United States, West Germany, and Japan than in the British Isles

His other books include The Problem Child, The Problem Parent, The Problem Family, The Free Child, and an autobiography, Neill! Neill! Orange Peel!

In the early 1960s Neill joined Bertrand Russell on a sit in demonstration for CND ( Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) at Holy Loch against the Polaris missile. Neill was taken by the police and spent a night in jail.

In 1973 his health declined and he was admitted to Ipswich Hospital. Later he was taken to the small local hospital where he died peacefully on September 23rd 1973. 

In 1999  The Government sought to close Summerhill.= and the case ended up in the Law Courts, where a judge dismissed the case against them. Summerhill celebrated 100 years of teaching last year.

Neill’s daughter daughter Zoë is the Principal of Summerhill School which continues to thrive.

[ayeforscotland]

Elderly people protesting Trident are sound cunts💪

Angie Zelter and Brian Quail have been released on bail after being imprisoned for peacefully protesting. Mon' the oldies!

[ayeforscotland]

[ayeforscotland]

Last night's question time

Fuck knows why the people of the North of England were so eager to find out whether or not Corbyn would be prepared to start a nuclear holocaust.

You’ve got an NHS in England that’s crumbling to the point of A&Es refusing people. You’ve got schools pleading to parents for funding for textbooks and workbooks. You’ve got so many other problems, why was last night spent talking about an obsolete Cold War piece of junk?

[ayeforscotland]

Nuclear weapons

If you use nuclear weapons first, they aren't a deterrent. If you use nuclear weapons second, they also weren't a deterrent.

[ayeforscotland]

Another Scottish Labour fuckup

Scottish Labour have gone against their membership in their manifesto by backing UK Labour's support of Nuclear Weapons. This goes against Scottish Labour's membership who voted to be against it at their annual conference this year. Honestly can't see Scottish labour continuing for much longer. What a shit show.