Lobster (magazine)
Encyclopedia
Lobster is a twice yearly British magazine (June and December) focusing on parapolitics
. The last issue to appear in printed form, was published in June 2009 - two more issues have appeared online since then in December 2009 and June 2010.
The magazine's philosophy is:
Lobster was launched in 1983 by Robin Ramsay and Stephen Dorril. The name was suggested by Dorril, who had previously wanted to call a band 'Lobster'. In 1991 they described themselves in Lobster 22 as Dorril is a Freudo-anarchist, with Situationist tendencies; and Ramsay is a premature anti-Militant member of the soft old left of the Labour Party.
and unillustrated. It costs £3 per issue.
When first launched, it was photocopied, A5
size and produced on manual typewriters. After issue 17, the publication became phototypeset.
against Harold Wilson
), the two parted in circumstances that remain unclear.
Dorril claims Ramsay was suffering from a mid-life crisis and wanted more recognition, and that he "unceremoniously ejected [..] Dorril, stole the Lobster name, subscription list and back copies".
Ramsay claims that Dorril was too busy with other research projects (notably, co-authoring Honeytrap with Anthony Summers
) to contribute to the magazine: Ramsay claims he therefore took Dorril's name off the magazine and the two have not spoken since.
Lobster is now edited and part-written by Ramsay, from his home in Hull
.
Lobster is widely-respected among journalists, who often use Lobster as a source and Ramsay as an advisor for difficult stories.
Lobster was the first publication, for example, to publish details of the Colin Wallace
/Clockwork Orange
affair.
It also follows new developments in 'old' cases. For example: years after the event, it was found that when Timothy McVeigh
blew up the Alfred Murrah building
, he had also destroyed thousands of records of servicemen from the 1990 Gulf War
and a TOW antitank missile
that the Government was storing in a locker several floors above the building's daycare center.
From Issue 22, in 1991: The first eight Lobsters have not been kept in print for a number of reasons...some of them contain material which we learned subsequently was disinformation.
These include:
Parapolitics
Parapolitics is a term for a 2006 scandal involving Colombian politicians and the paramilitary group the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.It may also refer to a political or political science theory. The term parapolitics has been used independently by several different researchers with...
. The last issue to appear in printed form, was published in June 2009 - two more issues have appeared online since then in December 2009 and June 2010.
The magazine's philosophy is:
- "If you generally accept the government line, that there is a "national interest", and believe what you read in the newspapers, then Lobster is probably not for you."
Lobster was launched in 1983 by Robin Ramsay and Stephen Dorril. The name was suggested by Dorril, who had previously wanted to call a band 'Lobster'. In 1991 they described themselves in Lobster 22 as Dorril is a Freudo-anarchist, with Situationist tendencies; and Ramsay is a premature anti-Militant member of the soft old left of the Labour Party.
Format
Since issue 27, the magazine has been A4 size, desktoppedDesktop publishing
Desktop publishing is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal computer.The term has been used for publishing at all levels, from small-circulation documents such as local newsletters to books, magazines and newspapers...
and unillustrated. It costs £3 per issue.
When first launched, it was photocopied, A5
ISO 216
ISO 216 specifies international standard paper sizes used in most countries in the world today. It defines the "A" and "B" series of paper sizes, including A4, the most commonly available size...
size and produced on manual typewriters. After issue 17, the publication became phototypeset.
The Dorril/Ramsay split
After writing the much-admired Smear! Wilson and the Secret State (about plotsHarold Wilson conspiracy theories
Since the mid-1970s, a variety of conspiracy theories have emerged centering on British Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson. These range from Wilson having been a Soviet agent, to Wilson being the victim of counter-espionage plots by members of the civil service....
against Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
), the two parted in circumstances that remain unclear.
Dorril claims Ramsay was suffering from a mid-life crisis and wanted more recognition, and that he "unceremoniously ejected [..] Dorril, stole the Lobster name, subscription list and back copies".
Ramsay claims that Dorril was too busy with other research projects (notably, co-authoring Honeytrap with Anthony Summers
Anthony Summers
Anthony Bruce Summers is the non-fiction author of seven best-selling investigative books. He is an Irish citizen, and has been working for some twenty years with Robbyn Swan, who is now his co-author and fifth wife...
) to contribute to the magazine: Ramsay claims he therefore took Dorril's name off the magazine and the two have not spoken since.
Lobster is now edited and part-written by Ramsay, from his home in Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
.
Circulation and reception
Lobsters circulation, when in print format was thought to be fewer than 1,000 copies of any issue.Lobster is widely-respected among journalists, who often use Lobster as a source and Ramsay as an advisor for difficult stories.
Content
Lobster is eclectic, and features items spanning a wide range of subjects from modern history to current events. Occasionally these turn out to be major news stories.Lobster was the first publication, for example, to publish details of the Colin Wallace
Colin Wallace
John Colin Wallace is a former British soldier and psychological warfare operative who was one of the members of the 'Clockwork Orange' project, which is alleged to have been an attempt to smear a number of British politicians in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
/Clockwork Orange
Clockwork Orange (plot)
Clockwork Orange is the name of the secret British security services project which was alleged to have involved a right-wing smear campaign against British politicians in the 1970s....
affair.
It also follows new developments in 'old' cases. For example: years after the event, it was found that when Timothy McVeigh
Timothy McVeigh
Timothy James McVeigh was a United States Army veteran and security guard who detonated a truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995...
blew up the Alfred Murrah building
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was a United States Federal Government complex located at 200 N.W. 5th Street in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The building was the target of the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, which killed 168 people, including 19 children...
, he had also destroyed thousands of records of servicemen from the 1990 Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
and a TOW antitank missile
BGM-71 TOW
The BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
that the Government was storing in a locker several floors above the building's daycare center.
From Issue 22, in 1991: The first eight Lobsters have not been kept in print for a number of reasons...some of them contain material which we learned subsequently was disinformation.
Contributors
A wide range of writers contributes work (unpaid) for publication, mainly because of Lobster's reputation and its refusal to follow mainstream news agendas.These include:
- Alex CoxAlex CoxAlexander Cox is a British film director, screenwriter, nonfiction author and sometime actor, notable for his idiosyncratic style and approach to scripts...
- Anthony Frewin, assistant to the late Stanley KubrickStanley KubrickStanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
. - Bernard Porter, Professor Emeritus of Modern History at Newcastle UniversityUniversity of Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle University is a major research-intensive university located in Newcastle upon Tyne in the north-east of England. It was established as a School of Medicine and Surgery in 1834 and became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne by an Act of Parliament in August 1963. Newcastle University is...
Regular Sections
- Parish notices - namechecks, thanks and updates on contributors
- Re: - a round-up of news, mainly on 'fringe' issues (see catchphrases and quotes, below)
- View from the Bridge - an editorial section, on the centre pages, written by Ramsay and consisting of short pithy observations on the news or discussing little-recognised aspects of recent developments and history
- Historical notes - A 'long view' of events, written by Scott Newton.
- Tittle-tattle - the self-effacing title of John Burne's column, which is actually quite well informed
- Reviews - mainly of books, but occasionally of other media. A variety of reviewers contribute.
- Letters
External links
- http://www.lobster-magazine.co.uk/
- http://www.rogerdog.co.uk/ (the first 24 issues available online)