| MAY 2008 | © brianmay.com | |
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As
always, the opinions expressed in these pages are purely
and personally those of myself, Brian; they are not the
official views of Queen, or of any other organisation or
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**Fri 30 May 08** [See LETTERS - for response from Paul a differing view. Brian replied as follows.] Dear Paul I sympathise with your point of view ... I probably would have said the same thing at one time, before I got really into gardening. You've underestimated me, though ... I have been hugely keen on gardening for 35 years. I just don't see things the same now, though. I'm sure I used to go along with the classification of some animals as "Pests" or "Vermin"; once they are categorised in such terms, it feels 'all right' to cause them any amount of sickening pain, or try to exterminate them. Right? Well, now I can no longer adhere to the kind of philosophy which sees humans as somehow having a divine right to get their own way in everything. Like I said, you underestimate me. I've grown plenty of plants of all kinds from seeds, cuttings, root cuttings, and layering. And I've seen plenty of slugs and snails creep up and eat the fruits of my labours. But, you know what? Compared to the inconvenience and suffering that other humans have caused me, it's insignificant. If you are a good gardener, you will know that keeping a clean and tidy regime in the vegetable patch is the best way to make sure you get something to eat. I learned this early on, from the wonderful Geoffrey Smith, in the glory days of TV gardening in the 70's. There is absolutely no need for cruelty in a well-run organic garden. No poisons - the birds will eat the poor, suffering creatures, and get sick too. And the residues run off and pollute our water table ... eventually getting into our diet. No violence .. these creatures have a right to live. Forgive me, but I'm afraid I can't quite take your dramatic "I need to feed my family ... it's them or us" stance seriously, Paul. OK., you hate me! But if you want to have a nice peaceful, beautiful, and fecund and healthy plot .... grow things that the slugs don't like!! It's that simple ! And plant stuff to encourage birds instead. This way you are going with Nature, going with the flow ... instead of fighting against the natural world. Try stopping the fighting for just a season, see how much better you feel!! Well, thanks for writing, and, if you can't go along with this, maybe we'll agree to differ. But I feel it's time to challenge those old categories and behaviours. Kick the slug pellets, just for me - have you ever seen what happens to these delightful vegetarian creatures, poisoned in this vile, agonising way? No flower bed is worth that. I'd rather see bare earth. See you out there ... Cheers P.S. By the way ... well done with the flies! Cool! I do the same - and I have a special affection for Bumble Bees ... they always get royal treatment from me, and set back on their way to freedom. © brianmay.com |
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**Fri 30 May 08** I've mentioned before that in spare moments (which have been few!) I have been producing tracks for our lovely Kerry Ellis ... much loved by Queen people as the originator of the 'Meat' role in WWRY London, and currently starring as the Elphaba, the Green Witch, in Wicked in the West End. She has accepted a unique offer to play the role in New York next month, so time is running out if you want to see her in London. However, she will be back. Well, our Kerry Ellis 'taster' (Teaser? Sampler?) CD is now finished. It's called WICKED IN ROCK, and has just gone to the 'printers' ... (in LA) It's just three tracks, one of which will be familiar to some of you, but a mammoth effort - they are all epics! They feature myself on many guitars, Taylor Hawkins on drums, and a huge orchestra, under the baton of Steve Sidwell. Needless to say, soaring above it all, Ms Ellis, the Rock and Roll Elphaba, sounds incredible. It takes a lot of persistence and belief to realise this kind of dream, particularly since these song treatments are quite experimental .. but I'm thrilled with the way the tracks have come out. Two of the songs are from Wicked, but with rock arrangements from me, which take them 'out of the box'. For me, it's been a fascinating journey, and Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the songs, has been very supportive to us. More of this later, but it's been done with great respect to the originals, but out of a belief that there was new place, in Rock, that this great material could reach. The third track is "No-One But You", from We Will Rock You, of course - a remastered version of the orchestral version which was available as a download last year. We will be using unorthodox methods to distribute the record ..... we're doing it 'down home', to begin with, rather than through a standard record deal, although our good friends at Hollywood Records are helping us get things started. In the beginning, the record will be available at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway, from the day Kerry opens in Wicked on the 17th of June. But also, in London, Dress Circle will be stocking it as an exclusive deal ... in their shop, and On-Line. We have a whole album in process, so eventually we'll return to finish it, but Kerry will be in New York for 5 months, so in the meantime we thought it would be great for her fans to have something substantial out there, to fill the gap. This is IT !!!
More details soon. Cheers ! © brianmay.com |
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**Fri 30 May 08** This is a letter I got yesterday from a friend, Ms A. I couldn't say it better, so I thought you should see it ... What happened to us? How did we get so callous and insensitive, and basically, sick?? It turns my stomach when I go round gardening centres and see all the horrendous poisons they're still allowed to sell. Poisoning innocent creatures, and ultimately poisoning ourselves. Somewhere ... we lost the plot. Cheers Letter from Ms A. Out of the corner of my eye I caught something on GMTV this morning. Allotments are all the rage because it is so much cheaper and better to grow your own veg. There’s this expert showing people how to plant seeds etc. when he is asked how to deal with the “vile” snails and slugs. His advice: Late at night, with a bright torch and a sharp knife - pick them up and stick the knife right between their eyes, right smack in the head. “Or salt” someone else suggests helpfully. Ah yes, in this awful knife culture where kids die on our streets every week, we really need this evil, soulless moron on TV: no wonder our world is unravelling into hell. Your wonderful “words on snails” come to mind. These quiet, peaceful little creatures are committing a heinous crime - eating to live !! May the force save us all in time. Lotsa love © brianmay.com |
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**Thu 29 May 08** On a day when there's a temptation to go into a dark place, and only see all the bad stuff there is in the world ... greed, cruelty, exploitation, selfishness ... I get days like that pretty often .... it's great to find someone giving out, and giving out good, and operating on an honour basis ... There are so many people who can't afford Guitar lessons .... well, here's a wonderful guy who has set up a whole system of teaching guitar ... Blues, Jazz, Rock, even Songwriting, from the basics, tuning the guitar, etc ... upwards ... If you use his site, it's up to you to determine how much you can contribute ... but this is an amazing site .... he is also very aware of issues in the world which need attention ... a great channel .. OK ... wanna see? His name is Justin Sandercoe ... and his site is here .. Check him out. He's a giver. I think we ought to put up a link to his site from here ... Cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Thu 29 May 08** Well, I'm sitting here with jaw open. We just found out that GCAP, the owners of Planet Rock, have sold the station to a third party, without so much as mentioning their change of plan to us. Our chaps have been pressing on with GCAP's lawyers, finalising the arrangements, the principles having been agreed a few weeks ago, but, out of the blue, we heard a rumour that someone else was involved, and this morning someone 'unofficially' confirmed that rumour. Planet Rock is now out of reach. All I can say is I'm shocked and hugely disappointed. What a way for people to behave. I suppose that's what you can expect from the corporate world these days. We have no idea if the people who have bought Planet Rock plan to keep it running or not. I guess we can just hope that it will still be 'saved', but without us ... It's such a shame ... we had such plans ... Well, there ya go. Thanks GCAP. Thanks for a load of wasted time. Well, it's still a small world. Bri © brianmay.com |
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In reply to first comment about hoax of new Freddie album, on Wikipedia... [See LETTERS] Yes, this is something which in the back of my mind has always bothered me ... in an encyclopedia that anyone can write in, what's to stop it becoming like the wall of a toilet It's really a shame, because I have also found some great stuff on Wikipedia ... a lot of the Science is really good... well researched and well-written. But it seems that anything to do with Rock or Art tends to be riddled with mistakes and downright deliberate fabrications ... some people must think it's funny - it's a pity they don't channel their creativity into something worthwhile. I suppose, in any system where there is free speech, people are free to lie. Cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Thu 29 May 08** Respects to VH1 !!! Following what we said about their article on Holy Man ... they have gone back and fixed it all up perfectly ... it's so nice to see someone in the media who cares enough to go back and correct a piece. Many thanks, Guys ... much appreciated, and thanks for the reference too. You are proper Gents ! By the way, there is good progress on the 'other' version ... we hope to see it have a life out there soon. Meanwhile ... enjoy the rest of the Dennis Wilson Album ... and Taylor !! cheers Check out VH1 news, daily, at www.vh1.com. © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 28 May 08** Brian received a letter asking him if THIS item on Wikipedia was true.... [see LETTERS] Thanks for writing Mr. Lorrison , and drawing our attention to this. This Wikipedia entry is complete and utter rubbish. And the 'quote' from me is completely made up. Categorically, no such Queen album is planned, or ever has been. It's kinda dented my faith in Wikipedia, which I've consulted so often, with good faith. If they are letting any Tom, Dick and Harry put wrong information up, without checking against an obvious verification source (in this case, us!), it ain't good. If they can be so wrong about this, how wrong can they be about other stuff ? I wonder what the story is ? Cheers Brian © brianmay.com |
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Brian heard from Chris Lintott as follows: Thought you might want to know that the stereo pairs from Phoenix are quite deliberate. If you have a look at the spacecraft: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/multimedia/Lt1.html, the camera being used is the SSI with two separate 'eyes' a few cm apart - looks rather like your stereographic set up. Chris --- Thanks Chris ! I'll put this info up ... OK ? I thought it made sense .... Spirit has been sending back stereos for months, right .. ? Cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 28 May 08** [See News Report HERE, which prompted these comments from Brian...] Unfortunately, this is very inaccurate information. I'm sure they mean well, but .... someone has put two and two together and made it three and a half. Firstly, I did NOT talk to the Daily Express. At all. This 'music news' has been copied word-for-word from my own writings on my Soapbox at Brianmay.com. It would be nice to at least get a credit for my own story! And secondly, the track, with my contributions and Roger's, will NOT be on the re-release of the Pacific Ocean Blue album - for reasons which I detailed in the same Soap-Box article. It may be available later as a download on iTunes. This report also neglects to mention that Taylor Hawkins was really the central figure in making the new version(s) rock ! Cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Tue 27 May 08** It's a habit ... I always look through thumbnails or contact sheets, wondering if there is a stereo pair waiting to happen. Well, browsing on the Phoenix site - I noticed two pictures which looked very similar, put them side by side, and whoops, there it was ! I'm sure the researchers are well aware, but I haven't seen any stereo photographs published from this mission. So here is one !
I don't know enough about Phoenix to know how this happened, or whether it's on purpose or not ... but presumably the camera can move physically as well as pan around ... giving a baseline to this pair of pictures. We get a nice feeling of 'being there', and can see a lot of nice clean bright stones, on a pristine, untouched sandy bed. Call me old-fashioned, but although I enjoy this kind of thing, and I'm as eager as anyone else to know if there is life out there, I still have a kind of horror that we as a human race, who have messed up our own Blue Planet so badly - dare to think we are worthy to interfere with other worlds ? It seems a short step from an innocent landing like this to the future, when doubtless we will see McDonalds, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a million money-grabbing flashing hoardings on Mars. It makes me sad. But meanwhile ... enjoy this stereo! Courtesy of the very clever Phoenix team. Cheers © brianmay.com |
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[Brian was asked what he thought of the meteorite ALH84001 ... see LETTERS] Fascinating. I don't know about the fossil things ... I'm not up to date in my micro-organic-chemistry- fossil history this year ... But ... instinctively, I doubt it ! I'm sure the thing DID come from Mars but ... well, I'm a pessimist about Life elsewhere ... I'd be happy to be proved wrong, though ... Cheers and thanks © brianmay.com |
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**Mon 26 May 08** Congratulations to the Phoenix team ! So ... soon, maybe, we can answer David Bowie's pertinent question - we all know which one that was, right ? Love --- PS Sorry, maybe this was too obscure ... but for devotees of "The Man who Sold the World", the question is always ... IS THERE LIFE ON MARS ? Cheers --- PPS I know !! Hunky Dory !!! Dammit ! Does nobody get it ? ! It's the MAN who .... oh, never mind ... !!!! Love © brianmay.com |
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**Tue 20 May 08** Ed: For further info on the Dennis Wilson album and "Holy Man" London Mix Well, since many people have been asking, and the word seems to be out there .... I got inspired when Taylor sent me the track in its raw state, with a really soulful vocal from Taylor. It was a song which Dennis Wilson had begun, shortly before he died, but never finished. Beautiful piano playing, wonderful spiritual feel. The producers of the new Dennis Wilson release had asked Taylor Hawkins to sing on the track, and, by instinctive 'feel', finish the song. He had done an amazing job. Taylor had a feeling we could contribute, so he sent me a ProTools session of it. If you were a fan of the Beach Boys, you'll remember Dennis was not known as the principal songwriter, and was regarded by many as just a band member who was carried along. But, of all of the band, it was only Dennis who actually led the life of a surfer, and as time went on, it became obvious that he had a lot to say. He came into his own as a writer, and is now regarded by many as truly at the heart of what the Beach Boys were, and are, in the history of Rock. So the track arrived, and I was moved ... so much so, that it hadn't even got to the end of the first playing before I was down in the studio, playing along ... inspired. I plunged in, and did a kind of resculpting, about three days work, as perhaps you'll eventually hear - and sent back a rough mix of what I'd done. It involved mapping and singing some backing vocals for the lead vocal to bounce off, building the rhythm track with guitars, and playing a solo. I then extended the song a little, to try to make the point a little stronger, and made an ending which resolved to something very much like the opening of the track - just subtly changed. The whole track spoke to me like a poem, and seemed to be steeped in the spirit of this mysterious man, the Beach Boy Who Surfed. And I wanted to do my bit to realise it to the full. Taylor was hugely enthusiastic, and we then asked Roger to add his magic. Roger loved it too, added his voice to the harmonies, and did some nice percussion, so the whole thing now had a subtle Queen overtone. We all loved the track - and hoped that we would see it on the Dennis album. Sadly, we then found out that the producers of the album had gone ahead and compiled the album without waiting for us. I think there is some plan to issue it as a download, but obviously, having put so much love into it, we were a little disappointed, Taylor and Roger and me. But such is life. It was still a nice experience doing it. Those moments are precious, and it's a fact of life that they don't always lead to something commercially successful, or even get heard. It's the moments of creative joy which matter ... and, in a way, this brought us closer to Taylor. And maybe there will yet be a good outcome. The incredible Taylor Hawkins, in return, has played a couple of massively spectacular drum tracks for the work I've been producing with Kerry Ellis. Details about this later, but the tracks will be available from June. I'm excited. I've been working with Kerry for about 4 years, in spare moments only, experimenting and building up tracks, ever since she left We Will Rock You in London, having created the role of Meat and performed it definitively for our first two years. She's currently starring as Elphaba in the London version of the musical 'Wicked', and has gathered a huge following for her very impassioned portrayal of the Green Witch. It's a tour de force - a stupendous sing. The first three tracks will be released as a 'teaser' CD, to coincide with Kerry's debut on Broadway this June, and will also be available as downloads. They are very Wicked and very Rocky !! Watch out ! cheers ! © brianmay.com |
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**Tue 20 May 08**
Love this ! Well done Mary [See LETTERS] ... I think we should use it as the image of our campaign !! This says it all. THANKS !!! It will be a good banner on the Soapbox !! Cheers ! © brianmay.com |
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**Mon 19 May 08** [In response to letters from China (see LETTERS)] I'm so sorry to hear of this awful tragedy to you and your people, Zeo, and F.M. It makes our troubles over here seem very small. I cannot imagine the distress that the Sichuan people must be suffering, losing mothers, fathers, children, and brothers and sisters ... and in some cases not even knowing what has happened to them. My deepest sympathies. Yes, for us, China seems so remote from our world that this awful time in your lives is hard to comprehend, even with the pictures on television. Somehow your letters make it much more real, and open the door. Somehow, also, because you know me, I feel I know you, and China does not seem so far away. I will publish your letters, if I may, in the hope that it will affect our readers as it has affected me, and we will see if we can help in some way. I will certainly be praying for you. All strength to you. Much love © brianmay.com |
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**Mon 19 May 08** [In response to a question by Daniel about a picture being offered for auction... SEE LETTERS] Many thanks Daniel Well, this is a strange one. I'm pretty sure I've never seen this before, and the quality is much too bad for it ever to have been considered for an album cover picture, inside or out. The information is well wide of the mark, too. There is no way this could be a picture of us in the studio .. you can see Roger's drum riser, with the light built in .... an artefact which only appeared on stage (there would be little point having lights in the studio!!!) I don't really want to rain on this guy's parade, but ... it just looks like a really bad picture of us on stage ! Cheers © brianmay.com |
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[We asked Brian if he or Sir Patrick Moore actually 'opened' The Sky At Night Garden at today's Chelsea Flower Show? See BRIAN NEWS] Not really, as far as I know ... no cutting of the ribbon .. We just gave it a blessing !! Bri © brianmay.com |
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**Sat 17 May 08** Thanks Folks, for your brilliant responses to my piece on the invasion of our streets by hideous money-making billboards. I hope Jen will put up some of the letters on site ... because this is a fascinating subject ... and something which I am only just beginning to understand. Yes, I am well aware that in the past EMI have used similar devices to advertise US, too ... and at the time, I did not give it a second thought ... but now, seeing what this is doing to our world, I feel very differently. I do not have the sole say in how our products are promoted, and I'm aware this is a huge subject .... but I will be trying to make a difference, in the way we interact with the consuming world. Ben Elton's satirical vision of the world of the future, in We Will Rock You, is coming true quicker than anyone imagined it could.... a world in which the people are enslaved, not by physical chains, but by saturation of advertising and insidious Global Homogenisation. It's chilling. Awful. Have you seen Terminal 5? How can we all be so blind? What they have built is a giant Shopping Mall. Who wanted this? You and me? I think not. It's not in any way designed to make travelling easier for us ... it's designed, and let's see anyone deny this ... to get people spending money. It's a giant piece of manipulation, connived by the very same people who are despoiling our cities with advertising hoardings. Believe me? Maybe not ... but keep looking around .... WE have let this happen. It's time to wake up. cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Fri 16 May 08** [Following first feedback from Katie - See LETTERS.] Thanks. Much appreciated. Let's fight! I have to say ... I did realise it's not just England which is infected by this stuff. I got off the plane in Los Angeles last week, and was horrified to see the walls of the Airport itself covered with advertising boards, with one of the same names staring out from under them as we see all over England, attached to hideous unnecessary monstrosities. For the time being, I'll leave you to imagine who it was. But, like I say ... once you see these things you can't help but see them all the time. These boys are very good at using their own apparatus to self-advertise. The grip of these companies over the whole world is obviously frightening. I'm only just beginning to realise its extent. What a scam! You persuade someone somewhere to let you build a site in a conspicuous place ... then you just sell time on it, to all comers, and you can ask your own price ... and sit back and watch the billions of dollars pour in. There are always people queueing up to make a noise, and push their products on you. It's a license to print money! What I'm suggesting is that, if companies want to pay for advertising their goods, the money should go to us, who have to put up with this ugliness. Heavy tax on this virtually unearned income would make a difference ... but an alternative is ... Nationalise all hoardings, so advertising can still take place ... but it's within sensible limits, and the greedy middle man is forced out. Let's not put up with this any more. Wanna send me pictures of unwanted monstrosities which have appeared in YOUR neighbourhood? We can publish some. Cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Fri 16 May 08** Our excellent Web-Lady, Jen, had this reaction to my rant about hoardings ... and I thought it was good comment.
Well, Dear Mr Johnson ... we all voted you in .... what do you say? How about taxing these licensed vandals out of existence?!!! Well, I sincerely hope this is taken up as a crusade by someone with more power than I. Cheers © brianmay.com |
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**Fri 16 May 08** There is so much all around me which I find appalling, these days, I hardly know where to start. It seems to me that somehow, either due to our apathy, or the way we are manipulated by those to whom we have given power, we in England get trampled all over. Our desires and needs are ignored. Lies are told, deals are done, and the decisions which get made benefit a small number of selfish, greedy people. Our world is polluted by greed. I mean Literally Polluted ... not just by the greed itself, which is distasteful to see, but by its effects. Because of greedy, selfish business men, helped along by ambitious, greedy beaurocrats and politicians, our world is becoming uglier and noisier, the air we breathe is becoming less and less healthy, and we are deprived of seeing the stars. The latest thing which fills me with anger is all the more obnoxious because local authorities are making a big show of trying to make the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. It's these things - huge, obnoxious attention-seeking devices.
This is a new kind of billboard, which evidently works essentially as a TV screen. I imagine it's powered by LED's - the same as our video screens are in the Dominion for We Will Rock You. In our show they make a dazzling, exciting adjunct to the live action ... they complement the stage show. But here in the street, they are obviously dazzling motorists. You can see that the screen is by far the brightest thing in the scene, and this is the middle of the afternoon ... imagine what it is like at night. In fact, at any time of day, it seems to be set to be brighter than anything else in view. Are you going to tell me that this is a sensible thing to put up next to a massively busy urban street? Who made this appalling decision, and why? This particular one is near Olympia, and has had, over the last few weeks, pop videos (as seen here ... and believe me, I have nothing whatsoever against Duffy) ... but there are others springing up - all over the country. Did anyone ask us if we want these? To me, this is a ludicrous extreme ... the distraction from these flashing objects is obviously a danger, and this at a time when we are told we must not operate mobile phones in the car? But it actually goes much deeper. Look around you, in every major city in this country ... on the pavements, you will see ugly metal objects, thousands of them, which have mushroomed in the last few years. What are they there for? Purely to make people money. They are owned by companies which sell the advertising space, for vast sums of money in rent. Were we asked? I don't remember the subject coming up. Did we complain? No ... we just assumed someone had worked things out for our benefit - the benefit of the community ... after all, that's what we elect our local politicians to do, right? Well, something went wrong somewhere .... why on Earth would we want our street cluttered up like this? Do we want our cities to look like Las Vegas, or Sunset Strip? Do we WANT every spare wall, pavement space, glimpse of the sky, or green vista to be obliterated by advertising hoardings screaming at us 24 hours a day? How did it happen? I will hazard a guess. These people, who deal in this business of pure exploitation of us all, probably go to an authority, and say ... "Hey, we can build an advertising hoarding and make loads of money... OK? Give us permission?" The local authority probably says .... "Well, what's in it for us?" ... and after that, we have to really scratch our heads, don't we. These local politicians, knowing full well that if they say yes, their residents will have to put up with ugliness polluting their landscape, and in some cases constitute a danger, somehow end up saying ... 'yes'. Maybe the council is told that they can also use a bit of the space. Maybe the council can also make money out of this ... Maybe there are other benefits ... who knows? But are we happy? Well, I for one would like to see this whole scenario of essentially unearned income reaping investigated, so we will know the truth. And I would actually like to see this kind of parasitic capitalism banned completely. We do not NEED any more advertising space in our country ... it's ugly enough already. Look out, as you walk around, or drive around ... and you will become aware of all kinds of huge structures which have been erected purely for the purpose of generating income for the companies who own them. They serve no other purpose. It's way beyond bus stops and the sides of existing buildings ... It's completely out of hand. It would be nice if the income from the advertising space that already exists, plus whichever of these spurious ones we allow ... would ALL go for the benefit of the community. But it is plain to see that it does not. Surely we collectively OWN this public space? Evidently not. Look around ... look for the names these people proudly display in huge letters under the hoardings ... get familiar with their names ... ... and wonder who they are. Wonder how much this advertising costs, and wonder where the money goes. And wonder why our local authorities are trying to take money from us, the residents, to run public services. And wonder why WE are allowing our blood to be sucked by these parasites. cheers © brianmay.com |
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