https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/04/muhammad-ali-obituary One of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions the world has seen, with courage, conviction and wit that made him an inspirational figure Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016 One of the truly great sporting legends. A great talent which the American government treated very badly. Ali was a man of dignity and principle, which he maintained throughout his life. His stance in opposition to the Viet Nam war, is well known and well documented. Watching one of the numerous video clips available of his comments at that time, I recalled an event from the past. I was at a party in a friends house some years ago and a few of the guests were service personnel from the Greenham Common USAF base. During the course of a conversation with one of these guests, it emerged that he had been in Viet Nam during the conflict. At one point I stated th...
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/joan-rivers-dead-comedian-dies-in-new-york-aged-81-9712928.html Joan Rivers dead: Comedian dies in New York aged 81 Joan Rivers The "tributes" for this woman come pouring into the media and television from "luvies" and (some) critics saying how funny and witty she was. However, many people, myself included will remember her only for her comment on the of the 11th August 2014, some 25 days ago, when she said “Palestinians deserve to be dead. They started it. We now don't count who's dead. You're dead, you deserve to be dead.” Since then the total number of Palestinians killed has risen to over 2100 of which more that 500 are children. Joan Rivers (real name Joan Alexandra Rosenberg) June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014
There is a theme running on “Facebook” today, (Saturday 15th March 2014 and started by Isobel Waby, a “Facebook” friend), under the general heading of “My memories of Tony Benn”. I would like to add my personal memory to that theme. Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn , PC 3 April 1925 – 14 March 2014, (formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate). Tony Benn In the late 1970's and 1980's, I was Chair of the Basingstoke CLP. During one of the election campaigns of that period, Tony was invited to speak at a public meeting in support of the party in the constituency. On the nominated day, he duly arrived accompanied by Michael Meacher MP and we proceeded to the meeting. Tony always enjoyed speaking directly to the people, either standing on a box at some demonstration or as in this case a public hall. This day was no exception and the large hall was full almost to capacity with people standing at the rear, together with a good representa...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/may/08/bryan-forbes-dies?commentpage=1 Bryan Forbes, acclaimed film director, dies aged 86 Bryan Forbes, CBE (22 July 1926 – 8 May 2013) Bryan Forbes, CBE (22 July 1926 – 8 May 2013) I remember Forbes in a number of films. An incompetent "stooge" in a doorway in The Colditz Story, or holding (with others) an auxiliary steering wheel below decks on the badly damaged Exeter in "Battle of the River Plate", and serving James Robertson Justice another cup of coffee in an office "somewhere in the middle east" in "The Guns of Naverone" and numerous other film parts some of which did not even have a credit. He will probably be best remembered for his writing and directing. Very sad.
Dave Brubeck Dies at 91 Many years ago, one of the School Rules printed in a little blue book containing, it seemed, hundreds of other rules, read “No boy make smoke on or anywhere near the school premises.” One of the masters at the school a Mr. Scarlet, known to all the boys from the 1st year onwards as “Will”, was a little more progressive than most and allowed boys to smoke, at lunch times on Thursday, in one of the rooms in the Annex Hut 3, away from the prying eyes, of other masters and the head. The reason for this furtive behaviour was that “Will” ran a “Jazz appreciation society” and would allow boys to smoke in exchange for listening to and discussing aspects of Jazz. After a while, the Jazz became more attractive and while still enjoying a “Senior Service”, I could listen to and enjoy music from people like Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) and the others including, my lifelong favourite Dave Brubeck. I stopped smok...