Make LOVE not WAR!!

My Dearest Darlings, sexuality is a deeply complex and personal issue, an issue I wouldn't dream of judging you on, as long as your love is between consenting adults what business is it of mine to judge you. In your world of hate and war and judgement and violence all that matters to Ms Coco LaVerne is that you can occasionally escape the horrors of your lonely existential angst and fall deeply in love with a befitting adult who loves your flawed and deplorable selves.

In London this weekend homosexuals gathered to celebrate Pride a festival which began as a political movement to end the decriminalisation of homosexuality, thankfully in most countries this battle has been won, though homophobia is rife and gay people are still kicked to the ground and killed for the propensity to love those of the same sex. So when the Bishop of Rochester asked this week for gay people to repent their sins he appears to be suggesting that a version of love that differs from his own is so abhorrent, that it should be associated with shame, repentance, despair and intolerance.

Alas the celebration of a sexuality may be an alienating idea to those not a member of that sexual preference. Questions of motivation and propensity fill the mind when sexuality is complex, though I, as you would expect allow you your preference whatever it may be, though my permission is as irrelevant as my opinion on what ice cream flavour you prefer. Those amongst you that judge others for their sexual propensities are in my esteemed opinion utterly devoid of even the slightest amount of intelligence.

And That My Loves is That!....

With Love Ms Coco LaVerne! x

Smooth Criminal?

My Dearest Darlings, Last Thursday Michael Jackson died, you could hardly have escaped this news as channels across the globe continued to roll out endless speculation and commentary from anyone with even the most tenuous of links to this once legendary performer. As is the tendency when a famous individual passes the general public and media rush to canonise, proclaiming greatness and iconic status on the shoulders of the unworthy. Perhaps Michael Jackson's contribution to popular culture does justify such accolade, though the 'Elephant in the Room' remains.

This enigma was at his peak selling over sixty five million albums. But amongst the unquestionable popularity of his music this mysterious man's behaviour was peculiar and troubling even to his most ardent of fans. From inappropriate pet choices, to dozing in oxygen tents to his outrageous plastic surgeries, this man existed somehow outside of cultural normality. Catapulted to fame at a young age, his notion of self worth and identity where undoubtedly challenged and it is this early experience of global fame and his complex family experience that are widely believed to be the cause of his strange persona.

His eccentric behaviour challenged the norm but most controversially accusations of child abuse remain entwined with this figures biography. Though this persists simply as a minor footnote amongst the rapidly paling skin, incredible shrinking nose and recent promises of a fifty gig marathon at London's 02 Arena. Mr Jackson spent years and millions side-stepping various accusations of indecency with children and miraculously managed to avoid the kind of retribution a mere mortal could have not escaped. Any right thinking parent would not allow their naked pubescent sons to be jettisoned into the home of a middle aged man, though it seems that the weak are so impressed by fame and fortune that all proper judgement rapidly evaporates.

What is clear is that Michael Jackson lacked the sort of moral compass that even the most stupid of you become familiar with. If normal run of the mill 'you' decided to construct a child's playground and ask local children round to play and have a sleep-over, most of your peers would rush to call the nearest child protection agency, though the parasitic entourage of the rich and famous may simply raise an eyebrow and dish out the ice-cream. Such is the twisted drive you have to mix with the legendary whatever the legendary may be engaging in. What is clear is that Michael Jackson abused himself to such an extent that he no longer bared even the slightest resemblance to the endearing child he once was. My speculation of his reasons for this outrageous metamorphoses are just as irrelevant as anyone's.

What is clear is that this apparently gifted individual full of promise and greatness continued to perform at huge cost to his own identity and well-being, this manifested in bizarre, inappropriate and irresponsible behaviour that should not be excused simply because of his contribution to music however great that music was. So as Michael Jackson's crumbling kingdom is scrabbled over repackaged and exploited by his nearest and dearest his legacy will not simply be his occasionally great music, but a lingering feeling of disquiet and unease, a sensation that has infected your culture regarding the motivations of all your men.

Michael Jackson was the first huge star accused of child abuse it catapulted the reality of child molestation into the mainstream and over the last few decades this apparent epidemic has associated men of all ages and sexualities with the foulness of abuse. This association forces men to question the most innocent hug or physical gesture to a child, be it son, or nephew or family friend the innocent non-sexual love of a child has been eroded, as a result children have less hugs and less affection from their loved ones, for currently the most innocent of adult male fears the accusation of inappropriate acts.

This is not simply due to Michael Jackson of course though the prurient exploration and sensationalist exaggeration of such tales has sold papers and continues to sell papers, and the press will continue to paint a picture of a globe filled with child molesters simply to sell more ill informed rags.

So My Dearest Darlings do not let the exaggerated tales of abuse tarnish the love of your children, a hug is a fundamental human need, a desire to feel close to another quietens the existential angst that is an inevitable and horrific component of your time on this God-forsaken planet.

As ever my thoughts are with the family of the bereaved.

Love the Amazing Coco LaVerne

The Vote

My Dearest Darlings, This week is jam packed with demonstrations of the democratic process or so it would seem. Last weekend Britain's Got Talent, was not one won by Susan Boyle, it was only a matter of time before the putrid press turned on the woman, headlines on the days preceding the final depicted Ms Susan Boyle as a harridan, a banshee on the loose, a mad woman attacking police and the public with a deranged hate in her eyes. Her eccentric behaviour that once endeared her to you has now been turned against her, she is no doubt now locked in a room away from sharp implements, violently rocking back and forth sobbing until the whole sorry saga subsides. As she jumped and frolicked live on stage in front of millions her unusual depiction of femininity challenged the 'Old Wifey' stereotype that been allocated to her. Obediently and as instructed by the procurer's of The Papers you no longer adore her. Depressingly the media's sway apparently knows no bounds.

The drip feeding of 'sensational revelations' regarding your Members of Parliament continue and as a result your faith in politics has been shaken! Consequently many of you have decided to through out your brains with the bath water and vote for those that are not represented in government, and now representatives of the BNP are eagerly rubbing their plump and ugly little trotters at the prospect of gaining real power. How terribly unfortunate a prospect that is! It is at times like these when the major parties bicker and argue amongst themselves that hideous little organisations with grossly warped notions of fairness can slip through the back door into the halls of government.

If I believed the press where capable of such cunning I might be tempted to believe that this was an elaborate conspiracy. A warped plan to disrupt the normal processes of democracy and to encourage the public to doubt every one of their politicians motivations and consequently desperately pronounce their allegiances towards anyone but the three main parties. Though of course I am sensible enough to doubt such a plan exists. It is much more likely that the press are simply and nonchalantly destroying your dwindling faith in politics simply because they can. Just as they esteem then demean the meek with no regard for the consequences.

As The Cabinet crumbles and the country turns blue even I fear the future, will your country be returned to the clutches of the Conservatives that denied the existence of community and closed copious amounts of schools and hospitals during the eighties and nineties. I know not, alas whilst the press persist in decrying the hallowed democratic process you resemble orphaned toddlers seeking parental advice, blinking and bewildered you seek guidance from the most inappropriate sources. You naivety may lead you into the path of a passing stranger who innocently offers you sweets and treats, though you will of course regret such a decision as so many of you have before.

Ridiculously whilst most turn away from the real-life political process Big Brother has once again launched and you will undoubtedly rush to place your votes for whichever brain-free wannabe you decide to invest your viewing time in. Such is your bizarre and complex relationship with your right to vote.

Much Love Ms Coco LaVerne x

Machiavellian Players

My Dearest Darlings, For what seems like months the Daily Telegraph have been throwing information grenades into media newsrooms. Obediently the rolling news channels have run very little else other than the 'shocking' revelations that your 'treasured' MP's have been stretching their expenses claims to an almost comical extent. From swimming pools and heli-pads to chandeliers and penthouse apartments all manner of luxuries have been paid for by you. Of course this is at least corruption and yes it is outrageous that these politicians exploit your pilfered pennies so blatantly, though I am suspicious.

The right-wing newspaper at the centre of the revelations is drip feeding the media these stories on a daily basis, each day a platoon of new victims is placed in the gallows for public humiliation, each embarrassing over-claimant is seen wriggling incoherently, attempting to defend themselves by claiming ignorance or blaming the faulty system. This daily onslaught continuously chips away at what little remains of your faith in these, your public servants. As a result the baying crowds grow angrier, outraged that these humble states-people are living a life luxurious whilst you scrimp and save.

Though as Parliament crumbles it is you that should take stock. Journalists yet again have set themselves up as judge, jury and prosecutioner, though like you they are all free from blame, from unpaid bills to 'borrowing' the odd paper clip from the office you all are used to stretching the rules to make the most of your feeble existences. I doubt there is a single one of you that could stand up and proclaim never to have 'managed' the odd perk. This is not to say that these MP's are guilt free, just that this whole campaign has received so much attention simply because of its slow release. Stephen Fry the beloved presenter, writer, comedian and general 'clever clogs' sums it up perfectly click on the image of Mr Fry below.

...You see my point! The ubiquitous coverage has concealed a multitude of other more worthy stories most of which you will know nothing about as they have sunk beneath the media radar never to resurface simply because the press hacks are completely consumed with scuttling after every Machiavellian Player in this sorry saga.

For example you may have failed to notice that a hugely important cultural event unfurled this weekend, Norway won The Eurovision Song Contest! I jest of course, you know all about this 'important' story. Yet almost nothing about the fact that just down the road from The Eurovision Song Contest arena participants of a gay pride march where being arrested for demonstrating against the human rights violations of gay Russians. This demonstration against homophobia took place the the day before IDAHO the “International Day Against Homophobia”. May 17th is a day designed to raise awareness of global homophobia, this could have presented an ideal opportunity to talk about the terrible killings of gay Iraqis: “There have been reports from Iraq by Al-Arabiya media of anal glue torture on Iraqi gays. Human rights activist Yanar Mohammad said that the torture involved the use of glue on the anus to seal it. The men are then given a drink to cause diarrhoea, which then kills them.” for the full story click here:

Ironic that whilst this famously camp and ridiculous competition was being won by a rather handsome Norwegian youth with undoubted gay appeal, the rights of gay people across the globe are omitted from popular culture. Though such is your preference for nonsensical frippery and diversion from issues of importance.

With Love as Ever, Ms Coco LaVerne x