UNIVERSAL SOLDIER

Written in the early 1960s by Canadian Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Universal Soldier is commonly interpreted as being written in response to the war in Vietnam, it was actually penned before the first US combat troops arrived there. It received popularity when released by Scottish folk artist Donovan in 1965. It did well in Britain, where it was first released, reaching number five on the singles charts, though it fared less well in the United States.The version here appears with a photo montage, with credit to Youtube user tolka.

The Universal Soldier is an unusual war-protest song because it blames war not on governments, leaders or corporations, but on the individuals who accept the notion that killing solves problems and one war can end future wars. As implied by the title, Sainte-Marie makes no distinction between the soldiers of different nations, religions or ideologies: they fight for different causes but the same reasons. 


WITH the recent closure of the Bridgend Army Office by members of Cymru Rydd Welsh Republicans and someone  called Rebecca, our attention will turn others recruitment  dens in the South Wales valleys. No child in Wales should ever have to grow up and fight in the English Army ( now restyled from British Army to "Army". For less than £15 a day Welsh soldiers have lost their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like the song, Gallippolli says "The real war is at home".


Who then do we fight against?


Three years ago a under cover intelligence operative for the English Crown ie  TRAITOROUS SPY, attempted to inflitrate our organisation. Being long in the tooth and having had alot of experience of Her Majesty kindness to republicans, pacifists and anyone else who refuses to be quiet little doggies, he didn't get far. That's the trouble with Wales, we are family and coomunity based.Inothers words we all know each and are related some way down the line


Whilst politicians must take the blame for wars, there is also a personal element in war, as UNiversal soldier lyrics below state (link).


1.
We must agitate amongst members of the Crown Army in Wales and asked them to refuse to fight on moral grounds as the Unified Code of the British Army allows.


2.
We must double our efforts to close the Pontypridd Army recruitment office. If we can do it in a place like Bridgend, we can do it anywhere. I dont know if Rebecca will be around. Whether or not she and her children pay clandestine visits with the magic buckets, we can raise awarness of the issue. We urgently need to co-ordinate days of action, letter writing to papers (still effective) and develop a chain of groups like the Fellowship of Reconcillation, churches, civic groups etc.


3. The Head of the Army will be Wales for several days in July so we should think about demonstration that would highlight the issues of recruitment.


Its going to be a fun, action packed Summer. 


See you soon,


Fluffy,  xxx




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A50lVLtSQik&feature=fvst