Category Archives: Politics

Turning a Blind Eye to History

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Bill Hayes

The Battle of Trafalgar, fought in 1805, when the British Navy defeated the French Fleet in the service of the Emperor Napoleon, may not quite be over. The victory was delivered by Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson who commanded the British … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, statues, Uncategorized, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In other’s foot steps.

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Bill Hayes

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lou Tsu. Continue reading →

Posted in antarctic, Greece, History, Politics, Scott, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Unfinished Business

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Bill Hayes

. It may be me. Perhaps I am getting older and the policemen younger, but wars seem to be lasting a lot longer these days. A century ago this month, the armies of many nations across Europe marched off to … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, Uncategorized, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

End of an Era

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Bill Hayes

Of course, it was on the cards.  He was a very, very old man who had spent the best years of his life in political prison.   I remember that bright and hopeful day in February, 1990 when Mandela walked out … Continue reading →

Posted in anc, History, mandela, Politics, south africa, Uncategorized, War & Peace | 9 Comments

The Moon’s a Balloon

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Bill Hayes

Now I love a good conspiracy theory. We’ve heard them all, from George Washington and his “all seeing eye and Pyramid on the US Dollar – proof he was a member of the secret “Illuminate” sect, Area 51 and flying … Continue reading →

Posted in conspiracy, History, Politics, transport, Uncategorized, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Give a dog a bad name.

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Bill Hayes

It’s often a problem trying to decide where to meet friends in a busy city. Spend any time in Tokyo, and you will soon notice that people are forever meeting other people, mostly at one of the 640 railway stations … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A moment of cinema history – Updated from 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Bill Hayes

Today the death was announced of the prolific Greek Composer Mikis Theodorakis, at the age of 96.     The Greek flag above the Acropolis was flown at half mast, whilst the Parliament observed a minute’s silence and three days of national … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, crete, Greece, History, Mikis Theodorakis, Politics, Uncategorized, Zorba the Greek | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Henry V in the Garden of Eden – repost

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Bill Hayes

Six hundred and One years ago today, October 25th 1415 the English King and his army beat the French at the Battle of Agincourt.  As we hover on the brink of triggering Article 50 of the Treaty of Rome, that … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, History, Politics, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

English Heritage and the Cuban Missile Crisis

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Bill Hayes

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” Albert Einstein. It’s such a mournful sound; the Banshee wail that rolls across the valley from the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, Uncategorized, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

An Orphan of Manchuria

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Bill Hayes

When the sensei declared the school day over, the children ran out into the hot August afternoon. Nine year old Masao Nakajima did what he always did. He ran across the small town to the edge of the airbase, where … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, railways, Uncategorized, War & Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments