Diplomatic Car-nage

I have an image ingrained in my soul, one I will never forget. It is the pixelated video footage of the diplomatic car that injured and killed an alleged 20 pro democracy protesters during the Egyptian civil war. This event is generally not so well known- somewhat of a grey area in that day’s news and many have not seen it- if one was to search this footage I warn the material should not be viewed by anyone

There is however no right or wrong to this story just one big mess. One could argue tirelessly about who should be held to account for this bloody occurrence, many people (understandably) blame the people inside the vehicle, some say diplomats- others say car thieves, for their actions but who among us us would make the right decision when faced by an angry mob? That’s if the driver was even provoked, the footage is too vague to decipher

Personally I just wish that these things wouldn't happen and it wouldn't have in the grand scheme of things if it wasn't for one Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak and his refusal to give his people what they want- he is the real driver against pro democracy demonstrations.  To the Egyptians my heart goes out.

Incidents like this are the harsh reminder of the way everything crumbles when communication has broken down and neither side will budge.

I didn't want the image for this piece to be witty, funny or conceptual I just wanted to portray it the way it is. In which case some might say there is no point in rendering such an image to this I respond-

Pictures have a way of immortalizing events and although I wish I hadn't seen this atrocity I never want to forget it because it makes one realise the worth of a democratic society, worth fighting for, even dying for.

Syrian Media Ban

As the winds of change sweep fiercely through the middle east and global carnage grabs the attention of the world press another, less talked about death toll rises.

Sarposa prison Break right from under their noses?

The Sarposa prison is a high security prison in Kandahar, Afghanistan, used to hold Taliban militants and other criminals including drug traffickers. last month 470 of its inmates (the majority of the prisoners held there) escaped through a 320 metre long tunnel that was dug by Mujahardeen from the outside in. Some sources claim that prison gaurds were in on the plot, enabling the captives to escape unchallenged.

The image for this article portrays the first of the escapees emerging from the tunnel under the desert night sky combined with the face of a corrupt guard protruding his tongue.

Academics turned Anarchists

Academics turned anarchists’ is a visual summary of my experience with the 2010 student protests. The image portrays a figure of education holding a quill pen and a veiled hooligan holding a Molotov cocktail. Both figures are set around a pair of scissors cutting through a scroll- the center and pivot of the debate- educational cuts.

Poppy Burnings

On the 11Th November 2010 in Central London; Muslim extremists staged a protest during the Armistice Day silence. My take on this is that frustrated and misguided extremists mistook the meaning of Armistice Day for a celebration of war rather than a remembrance of brave efforts. The protesters, in a bid to express disregard for the war in Afghanistan, tried to disrupt the Remembrance Day tradition by burning poppies and chanting death to British soldiers. The message that I found most important to take from this is the kind of misinterpretation of intent that such an event causes- it is one thing to not want war in Afghanistan, but quite another to burn a symbol that stands against the atrocities of war on such a significant day. Acts such as these also promote racial tension and encourage social dispute which often ends in violent altercation- not your typical anti war leaning. So the element of this story I focused my final image toward is the motto of Remembrance Day- Lest We Forget.

The image depicts the face of a world war 2 soldier engulfed in flames of a burning poppy.

SAS Blunder

The Special Air Service (SAS) is the British Army's most renowned special forces unit. From the moment several black-clad figures appeared on the balconies of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980, the Special Air Service became 'celebrities' both at home and oversees. Their motto, 'Who Dares Wins', has become part of British popular culture.

Since then this elite unit has been employed by various politicians as a sort of publicity stunt, be it Maggie during the embassy siege or Blair during the rescue of a British convoy from the hands of Sierra Leon's notorious West Side Boys, the SAS have carried out the government's zero tolerance rule on terror with great success, that is until now.

On March 7Th 2011 a British SAS mission to Libya resulted in humiliation after the troops were first captured by rebels, then a diplomat's plea for their release was broadcast on state television.

The objectives of this small crew are unclear but their capture raises an important question: is the SAS being wrongfully deployed by the government in their attempt to gain the same political notoriety as Thatcher?

The SAS being a commendable and highly trained regiment I doubt sincerely their capture was the result of slipping standards but more likely the outcome of slap dash planning based on top brass orders from foolish politicians. Or could it be as ex SAS soldier Robin Horsfall says that if the SAS were captured that's because they wanted to be.

The image for this article depicts the logo of the SAS regiment turned upside down to depict the face of an embarrassed special forces officer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=valmonlvdxo