COVER STORY: A SHOT IN THE IMAGE FOR SANTA

Santa’s ‘abilities’ that have him albut omnipresent, may be a significant element in corporate dogma. The symbol of friendly overwork – albeit on one night in the year, which pleases the cost/unit equation for corporations.(read more)
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LITTLE EDITORIAL

As I write, it is gone three o’clock on Saturday, 13 December 2014, the sun is setting on an ice-bathed day and that wonderful blue light that seems to bless us only at this time of the year, is glinting on the early-morning frost that still coats the shadowed roof-tops. (read more)

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THOSE ETHICS GIRLS

Sheila: There you go – two teas and an iced finger. Enjoy! Mave, hadn’t we to be making our way back into the hall, the play’s about to restart? Mavis? Gladys: She’s over by the curd tarts, Sheila. Sheila: Ah, yes. Who’s that she’s talking to? (read more)

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MEETING, THE ENEMY

by Bill Spencer FOI Meetings are the cold, muck-filled trenches in which turf wars are fought. They are the Texas Death Matches of the business world. They are corporate roller derbies. (read more)

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SPOT THE PRIMATE

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POO CORNER

THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE Stone cold eyes stare into their rites passing from modern trendy great royal trench coat red rose smelling forgetting their gassing privileged noses turned up silent by rote lamenting the tenable cost of lost breaths producing today an easy tradition (read more)

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STATIN’S LATE BRUNCH

A sunny day on the Irish Sea coast, a convoy of football supporters coaches arrived buzzing with anticipation of an FA Cup contest. The Sandgrounders aimed to crush the Seasiders to advance to the FA Cup first round proper. (read more)

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TAX HIS BUTT

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FIFTH COLUMN

POODLE ENVY: The other morning, after a vivid dream of pink and white marshmallow, I awoke with a disturbing, strange feeling. This psychical discord continued until I captured a glance at a small over-groomed canine who was being carried by its owner in a kind of papoose set up. (read more)

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BRIEF ENCOUNTER

A story by Pat McConnell FOI

‘Excuse me’ said Phil, ‘I believe I have booked this seat’ / ‘Bugger off, four eyes’ snarled the Goth, showing a mouth of Jet-encrusted teeth. / ‘Is there a problem, sir?’ said a conductor who was passing by. ‘Yes, I always book this seat. See my ticket. Mr. Philp Gladstone, Friday 25th, 17:51, Euston to Lancaster, 1st Class, seat 21E’ (read more)

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OUR MAN IN HIATUS

It should be dark; I should be frightened; it is totally white and I am excited. How close are fear and excitement as ideas and sensations; opposites or kissing cousins? . (read more)

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AN INTERVIEW WITH ARCHANGEL GABRIEL

Eds: Hi, or should we say exalted? Gabriel: Bless You. Eds: Is that you or the man? (read more)

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REMEMBER THEM

We will remember them through centuries whole A generation brave, yet innocent of soul Goaded to fight for Royal vented spleen By Jingo, that ebullient Class of ’14. (read more)

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UNCOMMON DENOMINATOR (CH.3)

A Salutary Tale by Jack Mienhoff

The rutted dirt road went on for miles before it broke into a clearing. The sun’s last rays of light flashing over the horizon… (read more)

AN ECO FAIRY TALE…

Heather Waters FOI The United States is an immigrant nation from its inception. While founded in 1776 on solid democratic and human rights principles, these values have only ever been partially executed. (read more)

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SAYING GOODBYE…

by Charles Hartley FOI As I drive up the main drag of Bernardsville, I slow to make a right turn. Several hundred times I have executed this maneuver into the parking lot of the Bernardsville Food Store.(read more)

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TWELFTH FIGHT

TWELFTH FIGHT part the Fifth finds Frank approached on the main street by a tallish, sharp-throated young womanly figure. (read more)

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POLITICAL CARTOON

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JIM LADD

Snow was falling with more vigour than an agitated snow globe; (read more)

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JOS BITUMEN ARCHIVE

A morning sunshine is arguing with me insisting on beauty in the world My heavy heart tells it of its naivety it merely smiles brightly, velvety (read more)

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SCENE FROM THE 21ST CENTURY

(CHRISTMAS EVE) THE STAGE IS BEDECKED WITH COLOUR. BAUBLES AWAIT LIGHT TO DISPLAY THEIR GLINT, THEIR ORNATE PATTERNING; A TREE BRISTLES WITH A VIVID GREEN, WEAVING SILVER, RED AND BLUE STOLES LIKE A QUEEN IN ALL ITS FINERY; (read more)

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EDWIN STARR COLUMN

At the top of the tree is the Angel of Mons. She was a tissue paper lady said to represent an apparition present at the battlefield of 1914, that provided spiritual succour to those entrenched in the First World War. (read more)

THOSE ETHICS GIRLS (ISSUE 12a)

(Outside Calais ferry port) Lukasz: Madame? Sorry to…how do you say?…er, interrupt? Yes, I think. We are here. (read more)

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THE TIMEPIECE (part one) – ISSUE 11

“So, as I said earlier, Simon, I have no worries at all about the quality of your work. It’s excellent.” Patricia’s birdlike features scanned the notes in front of her. “I wouldn’t worry about your productivity either.” (read more)

————————————————– A prime example of political rhetoric from one of the ruling elite. Lest we forget, for fact’s sake! ————————————————–

SUMMER CHILL – ISSUE 6

The park gates swung open in a flurry of rust flakes. Sarah wandered tiredly through them, oblivious to the sights, sounds and scents of a beautiful summer’s day. (read more)

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PUB TALK – THE WRITERS AND EDITORS (MP3)