This past week has been more of the same old, same old.
Corruption cases continue to dominate, here, here, here and here.
Soeharto is hospitalized. Again.
Nothing serious.
Unfortunately.
So Jakartass' thoughts turn to where I've been rather than where I'm going, my blast from the past as it were.
A Closure
Shortly before I left the UK at the back end of the eighties, the anti-nuclear movement, in which I was an activist, was shocked by the brutal murder of the 78-year-old rose grower Hilda Murrell. This being the Thatcher-era, conspiracy theories abounded which pointed the finger of blame at both the security services and the nuclear industry.
One suggested she was under suspicion because she had been due to give evidence at the public inquiry into the proposed Sizewell B nuclear reactor. Another linked her death to agents sent to her home to search for top secret documents belonging to her nephew, Robert Green, who played a crucial role in naval intelligence at Northwood during the Falklands campaign.
Tam Dalyell, then Labour MP for Linlithgow, claimed in December 1984 that she had been killed by "men of the British intelligence" looking for documents concerning the General Belgrano. Books and plays were written about the murder, documentaries made, and endless newspaper articles produced.
The sad truth is that she was the victim of Andrew George, 16 at the time of the crime, (who) had stabbed, sexually assaulted and kidnapped Mrs. Murrell before dumping her in a Shropshire wood and leaving her to die of cold.
George was jailed for life on Friday. The judge, Mr. Justice Wakerley described the killing as unspeakable, adding, "The last hours of poor Mrs. Murrell were truly awful."
He told George he was passing sentence on the basis that he had committed the crimes as a juvenile. He added, "If you had committed that crime recently as an adult, I would have considered a whole life order - no release ever."
Election results at a glance
An incredibly user-friendly flash piece of work from fellow blogger, Chris Appleton ~ aka qwghlm. But what happened to the Lambeth constituency where I was last on the electoral roll?
More nuclear power stations?
The government's strategy to kick-start a huge nuclear power station building programme is revealed today in confidential Whitehall documents seen by The Observer.
Key policy targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and boost green energy are likely to fail, and ... decisions on new nuclear power stations must be taken urgently.The author of the document advises that 'it is generally easier to push ahead on controversial issues early in a new parliament'.
The art of the matter
The Observer today opens a debate on the nature of art.
The arts are vital - not the most important thing in the world, but as a key to a balanced education they're crucial. Art influences all parts of your life. Who's to say Otis Redding's 'Sittin' on the Dock of a Bay' is a lesser art form than the Mona Lisa? Good music can touch and inform you, and most importantly, introduce you to yourself. That's why art is important. It's a personal journey. In that sense it's unlike anything else. How do you relate to quantum physics?
Jakartass doesn't, but it's rare that music isn't heard in this household
Great Gigs in the Sky
Musicians I regularly listen to.
Percy Heath, 81, Distinguished and versatile double bassist with the Modern Jazz Quartet
Heath was precise in his intonation, buoyant and springy in feel and capable of spontaneous counter-melodies that enhanced the frontline's playing. He always sounded as if he was pushing the beat, rather than sitting contentedly on top of it.
Benny Bailey, 79, trumpeter with Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton before he became a fixture on the European jazz scene.
Jimmy Woode, 78, jazz bassist with Charlie Parker and Duke Ellington.
Pierre Moerlen, 53, drummer with Gong.
When founding members Daevid Allen & Gilli Smyth left GONG in 1974 Pierre carried on using the name Pierre Moerlen's GONG or simply PMG - with various members which included Allan Holdsworth and Mino Cinelu releasing several jazz-rock fusion albums. Pierre Moerlen was a classical trained drummer and his technical skills was way beyond any other international 'rock' drummer. A world-class musician indeed.
A gig some friends went to.
It was a glorious experience. Cream may no longer look like gods of rock but there was a timeless, unforgettable feel to their performance (at the Royal Albert Hall, London SW7).
... most of the audience had risen - slowly and carefully, it must be said - to their feet and were cavorting as fast as their hip replacements would allow.
Great Gigs in Europe
Music I really want to hear.
Soft Machine Legacy
(Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, John Etheridge, John Marshall):
May 10. KADE, Zaandam,NL
May 12. The Brook, Southampton
May 13. Mean Fiddler, London
May 14. Astor Theatre, Deal (to be recorded)
May 15. Robin 2 Club, Bilston
June 20. Barcelona
June 22. Spiegel Tent, Glasgow Festival
July 1. Lugano Festival, Switzerland
July 6-7 New Morning, Paris
July 10 to 27 - Italian tour: Pistoia, Mira/Venezia, Milano, Torino, Cagliari, Roma, Ancona, Napoli, Bari, Lecce, Catania, Palermo (venues and details TBA)
August 14. Brecon Jazz Festival,
(Recording new album)
Oct 1 -15 Tour of France (TBC)
Nov 9. Leverkusen Jazz Festival (TBC)
Balls
At last, a Charlton performance of some composure and discipline but we wuz robbed. It doesn't matter that Chelsea were given an extra time penalty following a less than graceful dive by one of their two footballers of the year, Frank Lampard. Pride was restored. In the end, too, it didn't matter that the talking heads on TV7 gossiped inanely through the presentation of the Premier league trophy. At least we got to see it.
Heads up, lads, you done us proud.
One more week and another season will be over, bar the FA and European Cup finals. What does matter is that I'll have less to blog about for a couple of months.
Ho hum.
