Category Archives: Consequences

Elections Beckon. A Series. Part I. The USA – Stark Reality

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Statue of Liberty

Foreword: Although the US and the UK elections are the main attractions on both sides of the Atlantic, it bears reminding that France is, this day, involved in the first part of a parliamentary election, the next taking place next Sunday. The style and nature of French politics does not lend itself to established parties of long histories; more a question of Right, Centre and Left forming groupings- and that I fear is an anglicised over-simplification. Suffice it to say, at the time of writing this UK morning time there is an indication that the Far Right under the name of Rassemblement National (National Rally) has a strong lead in the polls. French politics are a quite different matter from those you and I are used to so I elect to say no more on the subject. Just bear in mind as a backdrop what is going on on Europe’s mainland.

Oh and by the way, this will not be analytical. This is an unashamedly partisan post. I will not stand by and let my adopted nation be dragged into ruin.

My attention should be focused on the 4th July because there is a UK General Election, and yet there is the constant worry that whatever result comes to pass in the UK our stability and overall well being will be conditional on the result of the US Presidential Election. For to understand how this world works it is essential to be realistic, and the fact is that whatever comfort and stability we have grown used to has been because of the overall world stature of the USA. We are fortunate, us in the UK that through a combination of factors we are been able to indulge in our way of life, thanks to those dynamics.

At least that was how it was. US governments of various shades and intentions rose, stayed, declined and took their place in history, and yet the USA with its own myriad particular collection of flaws and abuses carried on while adhering to a set of conventions. Some seemed to outsiders a given. There might be odd laws in some states but they stayed in those states and anyway someone was always challenging them in either the state’s supreme court or the country’s version. There politicians who caused eyebrows to be raised, but if they were found out to be going too far, with their hand in the cookie jar, or ending up in court, their colleagues and public shied away from them, leaving them lost or humbled to re-invent. There were dangerous extremists, but like most they had a self-destruct button and the majority of the media could be guaranteed to take a condemnatory stance. And on the whole The USA was making it own stumbling, far from shortest route towards a more open and flexible society. The danger there was, those forces opposed to progress and flexibility never rest. Humanity’s flaws of Intolerance, Suspicions, Conflict, Greed and Ignorance never rest, these offer excuses for a person’s own shortcomings, inadequacies and guilty sectarianism and how many gratefully accept those toxic gifts.

The route and advancement taken by these corrosive factors ran parallel with those of progress and tolerance but since most folk prefer Sunny Stories with Happy Endings the grim alternatives were in general not noticed, or thought of as a minority or treated as a source of entertainment. All was well, you could see it in the media, in entertainment; after all there were plenty of folk of different races and different sexual identities in major roles and look at all those action-type women. Yes, the nation was getting better.

Except it wasn’t. The warnings had been there in the Culture Wars. The hysterical outrage at ‘one of those people’ winning the Presidential Election not just once but twice, with unarguable majorities, and all the Right could do was quibble over where he was born and his name. Then ferment conspiracies about the national army holding manoeuvres in various Republican strongholds.

And then came the direst warning, although most of us including professional shrugged it off at first. Trump had decided to play at politics. Despite the sight of mocking the disabled, Vietnam War veterans and encouraging his followers to attack demonstrators his progress continued, despite the fact that more voted for Clinton that him, he reached the Whitehouse. Despite the chaotic 4 years, the vote was still close. Despite his tantrum and incitement to a mob attack, despite a guilty verdict in an open court, he is still here, with a following urging him on the greater excesses.

And he should not. By all the conventions of politics his campaign should have floundered at the first attempt. Only by the fervour and fanatical urges of his followers to see all that has been accomplished swept away does he endure. He dances to their tunes. This is bad enough. But his presence has encouraged and emboldened those with more focused minds and agendas. The loss of Women’s Rights to Abortion and the attendant respectability of misogyny. The banning of books in schools and public libraries. The campaigns against LGBT+ communities. The complete halt of any progress on Race Equality. An unpromising imposition of Christian teachings up in public again in a stark intimidating way.  And all of these conducted against a backdrop of physical intimidation by mob or by gun, by hate mail on social media, by stalking and threats. What these folk who revel in all of this do not seems to realise is that for their actions there will be reactions, by folk who embrace the same mindset as them, who will decided that they can intimidate, attack and level their own guns as justifiable responses. Those who take away Rights, who would endeavour to limit or indoctrinate somehow expect the opposition to meek and servile to knuckle down because they say so. This situation is the principal concern. Trump one day will be gone, but the force that put him there unless challenged and exposed will not, and worse unless challenged by civil and legal means, consistently will in turn encourage that worse alternative.

This the fundamental issue. There is a movement stalking the USA which will demand more than attention, it will require adherence to a Right-Wing doctrine into the every aspect of Life. It will not be content to live alongside a freedom of movement or expression. It will expect acceptance, submission and dutiful obedience. It will withdraw in upon itself and enclose everyone into an isolationist mentality. It will try an achieve the impossible, complete domination over a five time zone 300,000,000+ population. It will face opposition and then will be frustrated and will seek more intimidation. And there will be conflict on many levels.

All the above have been discussed and written about. You all know what the alternatives are if this Extreme Right-Wing Agenda is allowed to continue. Not just you personally, but those you will hold dear by family or friendship will be under threat. Folk who are moderate conservatives, who are true to a solid but quiet Christian faith will feel the pressure too, for they will be expected to join ‘the ranks’. No one will be secure.

Now, in the past days there has been disruption in the ranks of the Democrats, the fear that Biden is not up to the task of dealing with the fury of the Republican Dis-Information Machine has brought into question confidence in him. There will be a debate, which I can understand. But

Let the debate be short, and precise

Once the decision is made, stand by it and without a second thought turn all your energies upon discrediting the Republican Machine. The time for the discussions on the niceties of Economics, Overseas, Health Care, to name but a few have passed. You know full well how The Red Machine currently works. It will lie and it will distort. Let that be your target. They are vulnerable. Go for their weaknesses. Highlight the hypocrisies, the inconsistencies, the downright law breaking, the danger to the Constitution, the threat to The Individual. Those are the issues of this campaign. There is no hope for a delicate and reasoned debate. This is a brutal contest. You will be fighting for the heart and soul of America. The true America which grows on variety, which is  not afraid of the Future, which rejects the failures of the Past.

Shake out those who feel there is no point in voting, alert those who say ‘it will all blow over’, demand of those who think not voting for Biden will save the life of one Palestinian. And once the decision has been made on who will be the Democrat Candidate, be loyal, be united and insist upon it with others who oppose Trump. Only in that Unity will there be strength.

The USA requires, you the true patriots to rescue the nation.

USA Flag

Cause and Effect. This Time in Papua New Guinea

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Papua New Guinea Landslide

In this photo provided by the International Organization for Migration, an injured person is carried on a stretcher to seek medical assistance after a landslide in Yambali village, Papua New Guinea, Friday, May 24, 2024. More than 100 people are believed to have been killed in the landslide that buried a village and an emergency response is underway, officials in the South Pacific island nation said. The landslide struck Enga province, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, at roughly 3 a.m., Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. (Benjamin Sipa/International Organization for Migration via AP)

Here is the BBC’s update on the situation as at 8am BST UK

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckkkyxvdv5eo

In this BBC link the toll of dead, injured and missing has risen to 670, as is often the case when more information comes to light. A landslide, and thoughts will likely focus on the possible environmental issues be they de-forestation, other mis-management or unusually heavy rain fall. Landslides, mudslides call the event what you will. Suffice it to say large and sudden movements of not just mud, but rocks, stones, trees and other dangerous debris cutting a swathe through populated areas, and not just isolated villages are a regular news events. Another warning.

I would ask you to read this and then pause at the last passage which I make no apologies for highlighting here below:

“But Care Australia, the humanitarian agency which is helping with relief efforts, warned that the number affected was “likely to be higher” because of an influx of people escaping tribal conflicts in neighbouring areas.“

Yes, the other blight which we see countless news items on. Inter communal violence. Those who work with incredible courage and dedication will have seen this aspect time and time again. We will of course not seen much in the main news about the myriad of ongoing situations

And here is a link from the International Red Cross page on the situation

https://www.icrc.org/en/papua-new-guinea-tribal-fights

And an extract from the Wikipedia page on Ethnic Violence in Papua New Guinea

“In 2021, approximately 30,000 people were displaced by tribal violence around the Highlands region. In Enga Province, fighting between the Yalingin tribe and the Yambalekin tribe that costs the lives of 80 people and began the year prior ended in a peaceful settlement.In the 2022 national election about 89,000 people were displaced nationwide, with most being from the Highlands region”

It is distressing. It may cause you anger. Despair. The eternal cry of anguish ‘But What Can I Do?’ . Yes you, I also of us may feel helpless at yet another news items of tragedy, indicating not just one but two sources. What can we do? For Pity’s Sake, we cry.

Well – If there is an appeal site and you feel you can manage even a small amount. There is that. The IRC has it’s own donation’s tab.

Also- When encountering, as we all must these days, those who make abusive aggressive comments or in the case of Charities those negative conspiracy heavy nonsense excuses, tell them they are not helping anyone, they are making things worse not just for others but also themselves, and then do not engage any further….let them think on that- it’s called sewing doubt- sometimes it has to be done.

You may also care to post up news items about these (God forgive me for using this word) ‘relatively’ minor incidents and highlight the message that unless we constructively address both problems all across the world, eventually there will be no ‘world’ left for our descendants.

Yes, I know these seem small, almost inconsequential steps but if enough millions to make say a billion or so take this approach, it is a start, a push back. Right? 

For who knows when the equivalent in one form or another will come knocking on our own door?

Stay alert. Stay active. Stay caring. Stay compassionate. Stay.

Standing Your Ground With Your Eyes Shut Tight?

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Greg_Abbott_official_portrait_2024Daniel Perry

There are times when anger or outrage does not suit the intention. Maybe the writer gets lucky and is standing far enough back to be able to feel just enough ‘Detached’ (ironically that is) to write with simply a large cloud of Sigh hovering above them. With mass slaughters making place across the world, what does one governor being political over one killing matter? After all this is the USA in an election year where polarisation carries on at a High Summer pace. Bound to happen somewhere, somewhen.

And it’s not as if Governor Abbot has not been open and straight forward in the past about his views. He defended the right for the Ten Commandments to be displayed on a public monument. He opposes gun control. He has stood his ground in court against same-sex marriage. As Governor he has supported Trump. Now although I personally have to give him his due for 2016 action which banned aborted foetus from being disposed on a sanitary landfill and required burial or cremation, he, nonetheless, has worked hard to limit abortion rights and thereby putting women’s lives at risk, whether he will limit pregnant women’s rights to travel we shall see . He stated that guns are not the problem it’s ‘Hearts Without God’ or mental health; how he proposed to police these factors he did not say. He also seemed to favour the Jade Helm 15 conspiracy theories. There’s more but you get the general idea.

Well, so far, so clear. What you see is what you get. An unashamed. unapologetic Governor with Right Wing, Strong Fundamentalism Christian Views, and Guns. So we should not be surprised at all he was quick to pardon Daniel Perry, because “Texas has one of the strongest ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws of self-defence” That’s what Governor Greg Abott said. You can’t argue with that stance can you know? Right up there, in Texas you have the right to defend yourself when threatened, you can shoot someone down, if you feel your life is threatened.

OK, let’s back up just a bit.  We have ‘The Letter of the Law’ and ‘The Spirit of The Law’. Now just think about that one, because it is a place filled with trip-ups and unintended consequences. Along with leaving the person making the decision open to all sorts of problems down the road.

Firstly let’s consider the next part of the Governor’s quote……“that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney,” . So firstly does that mean that a jury’s verdict can be overturned by a Governor’s say-so…well ‘Yes’- I mean that is what ‘Pardon’ is about. But ‘progressive District Attorney’. Now that does sound like an open political biased statement attacking a official…. which may be fair game in the US since folk run for the office. However I’m not done yet . I wish to look at the case of the person being pardoned.

Daniel Perry felt threatened. OK. But Daniel Perry had:

Begun searching for the locations of Black Lives Matter protests weeks before the shooting and messaged friends on social media, comparing protesters to “a bunch of monkeys flinging [expletive] at a zoo”. 

In May 2020, shortly after George Floyd’s death, he sent a text message saying: “I might go to Dallas to shoot looters.”  

He also sent messages about “hunting Muslims” and about killing a daughter if she had a crush on “a little negro boy”.

Therefore it can be argued we did not have one hapless driver who took the wrong turning, blundered into the wrong crowd and panicked, We had a man who reacted out of anger? Deep seated rage? Letting loose? 

And the Governor  act out of pity for the hapless frightened man who panicked, or did he pardon him out of sympathy for his stance of standing his ground as a matter of principal, in defence of his home, not his house, but his turf, his own cultural home. The Governor is versed in the law, politics and the laws of politics and I bet could comfortably get out of those questions. A professional and a very astute one too. Me? I’m just some guy who might be standing my own ground? Well, yes I am in the UK. But hear me out now.  

The Governor has established support for ‘Stand Your Ground’, firmly. Will he be comfortable when a liberal activist when in their home and being harassed by a group of right-wing opponents hammering on their door and yelling abuse, comes to the door with their own gun, and opens fire? Suppose there is this fellow taking his pregnant partner or spouse to the airport on one last visit pre-birth to a relative out of state and has been followed by a car of pro-life extremists who have been keeping a watch on this suspected pair, force the car to the halt, but to protect his pregnant partner or spouse the driver comes out with his gun and seeing weaponry in the cars, opens fire first? 

I can give worse troubles than that. Within Texas state someone ‘Without God’ or with ‘Mental Issues’ decides that the whole state is their Home and goes out into the night, just happening to be wearing a Biden T-Shirt in the hope they might, by chance come across a group of Opposition and left that group make the first move, but that person makes the first shot.

Then there may be the LGBT+ couples who meet at their usual social gathering. Only thing is now they are armed, openly, which is bound to attract opposition, armed. And the next thing you have is two lots of folks ‘Standing Their Ground’

I am afraid  it can start with one incident, one relatively small incident and then can spread. It is not necessarily bound to happen. There is always the risk. Because you do not know who ‘is packing’ and on Defcon 4 (Above normal readiness)

I might not be able take Governor Abott on in court, I daresay he would shred me. He would Stand His Ground. But I can sure raise the flag of warning, because he has no more idea of what the future might bring than I do. On that we are equal

An Open Essay To The Current Protestors of The USA On And Off Campus

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US protests

Foreword: For those not familiar with my site. Just a brief introduction. British. 73 years old. Christian (slightly heretical- I’ll square it with God when the time comes) . Left Winger but not of a type you would be likely to recognise. 65 years with an interest in and an affinity to the USA. 60 years interest in politics. A possible affinity to Martin Luther of Eiseben without the vitriolic antisemitism common to his time. OK. That’s me. Let’s get down to issues.

Warning
There will be harsh statements, there will be very uncomfortable points of view, there will be a number reminders about The World, there will be questions asked of the reader, directly. And there will no simple arguments or points of view or answers 

Overview
It has to be accepted that the current one of the many outbreaks of full scale violence between Israelis and Palestinians has attracted the attention of the world. Emotions are running high as well as broadly justifiable feelings at the violence and the loss of life. Looking out from my allegorical window you must accept me thinking. ‘What a pity such demonstrations had not been expressed in other recent times for other peoples in their own sufferings through violence. The events were on accessible on the news and received sustained coverage on the Internet,’ I am not just discussing Ukraine here. Just check the word ‘Genocide’ and look back over the past twenty years. That said we must move on, for there is a future to discuss. We can learn from The Past. We may act upon The Present. But We must prepare for The Future. Your Future. The Future of Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Next, something about The Past and The Nature of Events.

Events, Reactions and ‘Causes’. The Shadows and Shrouds of History
Political and Social Events which make the news do not have simplistic backgrounds, they have complex histories, and History has a way of extending itself back and back and back. There is no sudden start point. Back into the deep past there will be a gradual build up of a momentum which at some juncture reaches the Deluge or Avalanche or Earthquake stage and from there on those Earlier Events will have a strong resonance in the causes of Subsequent Events, and so on. Each one causing its own set of ripples or fault lines, criss-crossing the Human Geography of Peoples and their Communities, while calling up the echoes and resonances of the Past at a pace and frequency which leaves the observer possibly embracing the notion that Time is not linear or moving in one direction.

To witness October and onwards and put these in full focus requires what some would call an unsatisfactory and arguably heartless approach. Some would in the spirit of outrage at the loss of life simply deny. Usually these opening words of mine would be a conclusion of a paragraph. In this case just take them as warning of where we are going, a place where Death and Ruination have often walked, and the participants comfort themselves with many justifications, which depending on your view can appear strong but reasonable. We start in A Place which will have a focus in History. 7th October 2023. A concerted incursion by Hamas into Israel causing a very heavy loss of Life.

Of those protesting ‘Regrettable’ some might say. Even condemnatory. However they will add, for there is often an ‘However’ in these matters ‘Just look at the way Israel has treated the Palestinians. That is terrible and has been going on for so many years’ . Well in the harsh prism of History, yes that is an understandable, even acceptable outlook. Treat a people badly and there will be a violent reaction. There is a problem though with that line. The Jewish peoples of Europe (Russia gets included whether it likes it or not) for one thousand years or more were subjected to similar treatments and killings. When they finally get back to what they call their lands they have a long history of their own justifications. They learnt from ‘Europe’ (since there still appears to be a majority of American citizens who can trace European ancestry that includes You too). Therefore the tacit acceptance argument which is used for Hamas gets comparably morphed with a bloody swiftness and ease into one of ‘understanding’ the Israeli approach. Still be horrified? By all means be so? Tell me I am distorting the position? Be outraged. Point out that the death toll in Palestine exceeds that of Israel 30 fold. That is your right. Of course.

Now dip into the bloody, wide, deep, tribute river of War, one that ever flows from the larger River History.  350,000-500,000 German civilians in the allied strategic bombing campaign of WWII. 70,000 British civilians in the German aerial campaigns by bomb or rocket. True that is ‘only’ 7 fold. At the time the governments accepted the other sides losses- ‘they started it’. Thus do not be surprised at the Israeli response. It is one that takes place with regularity throughout the world throughout the ages, and no one seems to have a solution which puts an end to it.

You may now, if you wish express more outrage, only please do not accuse me of justifying Israel’s response. I am merely pointing out to you the Horror. This is how it works. I cite a few others. Ask the Syrian’s. Ask those Chechen folk not in a warlord’s pay, ask the Tamils, ask the Uyghurs, ask The Iranian Women and the Afghan Women (although the latter two were not bombed or shelled, just beaten up and locked up, only ‘a few’ died the other thousands upon thousands only live in terror and cohesion, and being locked up ). Ask the Women where Rape is used as a weapon of war. Keep on asking. You should. Keep on asking. For if you have taken up the Palestinian Cause, it does not end there, not in this troubled turbulent dangerous world. Marching on one Embassy, up and down one street is not going to trouble the worshipers at the Triple Altars of Death and Ruin and Oppression

“We can learn from The Past. We may act upon The Present. But We must prepare for The Future.”

Into Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Now to you. You who have taken up a Cause. You who have felt the need to protest. What will you do now?
Pack up and say ‘I did my bit’, then go onto the ‘rest of your life’
Continue with the Palestinian Cause
Or sign up for the Great Struggle.-The one where the Oppressors, Merchants of Violence, Hate Mongers, and Opportunists With Guns are legion. The one where the victims are counted in their millions, be they dead, dying, sick, injured, terrorised, brutalised, violated and ever on the move or sitting in hapless squalor. All located somewhere on the inside pages of a newspaper, maybe mentioned as a filler on a news channel, or when some anniversary comes along, or to be found by following a few links on the net. Those dead and those anguished faces, along with those dulled-eyed with the whole horror, forgotten. What comfort do they have? A few dogged journalists? Charities working ever hard?

If you are truly honest, if you truly care, you will learn a lesson from this time in Palestine and in the South West of Israel. You will realise there is no respite, there is no time to congratulate and go home to Sunshine and Lollipops. Hate. Violence. They never rest. They are never cowed permanently. If you are not ever alert, keeping a weather eye, willing to challenge not just your government but the ones who gave the acquiescence to pull the triggers, then somewhere, somewhen Some Folk will be suffering. One episode of protest does not cut it. If you care, you do not get to select the Cause. The Causes will come to you and ask for at least some attention.

Just take some time out and take a lot at the Amnesty site, or Medicins San Frontières’ or UNHCR, or – you just look.

Did you? Will you? When you do, be prepared for the shock and the feeling of absolute helplessness. Be ready to say without thinking ‘But I Can’t Be Everywhere!’.

No you can’t. Nor can those in the charities which work through the world. They try and they spread slender resources. I know how you feel. I challenge myself every day. As I write this the nagging thought  burrows deeper. ‘Fine Words. Now What Else Are You, Roger, Going To Do?’ and ‘Do you know you are in danger of sounding like John Bolton. An old guy demanding younger folk sacrifice themselves for your ideals?’ 

But I am not trying to stir the passive or the complacent or the apathetic. I am addressing You, those who have seen it right and just to take up a Cause, remember it is but one piece of a larger, bloodied ghastly picture where blood, tears and body parts are the paints and the canvas is human skin.

This in Palestine, as it did in Ukraine, in Syria will pass from the headlines, it already has started. At least it made the headlines. Learn then from this which will become the Past and realise there will be more of the same next year and the year after and so on. Unless we all in same way, somehow, some-constantly do whatever we can, how we can, where we can, when we can.

My generation with its flowers, face paints, gaudy clothes and music which at times was over-long and self-indulgent, we quite frankly failed. We went to a music festival or two, we might have marched, most certainly purchased the right albums, and then? We in the UK voted in Margaret Thatcher, You in the USA did likewise with Ronald Regan and two Bushes (the elder Not So Bad, The Younger in Comparison with now…?). And in our later years We welcomed Boris Johnson and Brexit and  You let Donald Trump, the Action Toy of MAGA be placed in the Whitehouse. Don’t fall into the trap of complacency or that curse of ageing which tends to set in in the 40s the ‘Huh! In My Day’ response as if what will take place will be nothing to do with us ‘We did our bit’
Yes, about that

One Final Message, Wrapped Up In Fable, A Warning And Even Admonishment

And this year. This possibly fateful year. The one which made decide whether the USA carries on, stumbling as do all nations, or slides off that time-honoured road, down the one where there are always storms and you can only just make out the sign-post ‘Warning. Rock Slides Ahead’. You have seen the intentions of the Right, you have heard the ravings of the spolied Brat who did not forgive for losing the last Presidential Election. To elaborate let me tell you that fable:

There was this guy. A man of simple Christian Faith, who prayed every morning, noon and night. He did not doubt God for a minute.
One day he hears on the radio a severe weather warning, storms are on their way, bringing heavy flooding. At once he gets down on his knees and prays to God to protect and deliver him. The rains start, the worst he has ever seen. He prays. A little later, a knock at the door, a police officer is there ‘Sir. You’re house is in danger of being hit by the flood. You best evacuate,’. The man assures the officer God will protect him, he will pray. The officer doesn’t argue, he’s got more houses, anyhow the fellow will soon change his mind when the waters come. The waters come, his house is cut off. An emergency crew in a boat turn up, hailing him. He tells them the same thing. They get a call on the radio, a woman not far off is in labour. Well she comes first. Off they go. The waters rise. The man is now on the roof, still praying. Along comes a rescue helicopter. He waves them off calling up that God will protect him. The crew have been on a long shift, the storm is getting worst. They can’t hang around, they got kids to save. So the house is swept away and he drowns.
He arrives at Heaven’s Gate, greeted by and angel with a clipboard. The man complains at sound length about how he prayed and yet still was drowned, How does that figure? Why didn’t God listen and  help? The angel consults his clipboard.
‘Well dear friend. God sent you a radio warning. God sent you a police officer. God sent you a rescue crew. In the end God sent you a helicopter. What more did you want?’

So then, I ask you, in all sincerity. What is this business about not supporting Biden? Have you not had enough warnings about what the Right has in store for you and the rest of the USA? They’ve made it very clear, give them that. They are going to roll up their sleeves and they are going to do their level best to sweep away liberal reforms. They are going to display their ignorance of socialism, squawk about this ‘woke’ word like crows with indigestion, get hysterical about what other folk do in their privacy, pick bits out of the Bible like stale crumbs and their followers are going to love it, then as a special treat they will throw minorities to the mob.

I would ask you, do you think, not just for one spasm of angry thought, but as a whole agenda that your selective punishment of Biden over Palestine is going to help those folk? Must I remind you that the alternatives are locked into an style of Christian Fundamentalism that is quite content for Israel to do this? If Trump gets back in the Whitehouse and you still stuck with your own fundamentalist agenda then you in part will be responsible for any more Palestinian deaths. Yes. Cause and Effect are terrible twins. In this ever tightening world none of us are actually free of them, but some choices can have more bitter effects than others. You do not get to try and parse your way out of this one. It is Biden or it is Trump. You cannot hide from that brutal truth. This World I have to emphasise is ever complex, nothing is easy, nothing is straightforward, nothing has but one answer. It is all hard work and dirty words like Compromise, Accommodation, Acceptance, Deals, Manoeuvre, Politics and all the rest that get the job done. You might wish for a better one, you might even be working for a better one, but in the meantime, you have this one.
There are other implications to punishing Biden and the danger of letting Trump in. Other aspects you will have to take in part-responsibility. You will have to explain to the LGBT+ community, to women living in fear of getting pregnant, to librarians, to minority groups, to teachers, to the future casualties and families of mass killings how your stance in punishing Biden was the right moral choice.

I am aware I appear cutting, but there is no other way. Implications hang heavy on the shoulders of anyone taking up a cause. They have the challenge of getting the balance right. and the challenge which turns inevitably into a responsibility. There is no way out. Nothing is simple. Ever. You might call me cynical. You are mixing that up with Realism. If I was cynical I would not have taken ten hours over four days out of my time to work on this. (That doesn’t include the thoughts running through my head while doing chores). I would have ‘let them get on with it, they’ll find out in time,’

In Conclusion
You will, I expect be holding fast to your beliefs that your opposition to Israel is the right course for you to take, that this is not a passing phase in the summer of 2024. If this is your choice may I make a plea in these points.

Remember the target is the current Intolerant Fanatical Government, whose brothers in Hate reside in Tehran, who gifted Trump the playbook on how to get The Big Seat. The target is not the Israeli people. And curses upon those who tell you it is the Jews. The target is the government, don’t forget.

Reach out across the distances to those in Israel who are angry at their government and wish to be rid of it. Support them. If they are demonstrating , then you should be in sympathy to. Have them realise there are friends out there, that they don’t have to circle the wagons with the unsavoury fanatics. Israeli politics is another complexity, one shove in the correct direction can bring change.

Research just who are the internal oppositions in Israel, the ones who for long years have tried to preach the creed of accommodation and partnership with Palestinians who also tread that dangerous road of recrimination and violence from within their own communities. For too long The Western Groups supporting Palestinians have not taken that road. When it is the blindingly obvious one.

We must prepare for The Future. Your Future. The Future of Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Well, It Seemed Perfect #Blog Battle : April – Messy

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Messy

King Prendertugh was a person of thorough approach strengthened by a gift of ‘The Long View’, (in political terms that is. Not as with his worthless brother Frenderbugh who yearned to be able to see maidens bathing).  Prendertugh had discerned long ago that his kingdom of Freyback would have to go to war with neighbouring Kcabyerf over the lordship of Vendregan, whose family The Burdeph knew they had little say in the matter and thus lived up in the Olps; the tallest mountain range in their realm.
It was a recognised fact that a successful campaign would rely not just on weaponry and killing people, but to have a most intricate set of code; for it was another recognised fact that King Dehigget of Kcabyerf, a most wary fellow had nurtured a body of highly skilled code-breakers.

Prendertugh however had invested six years in having exceptionally gifted and intelligent folk devising the series of codes to be used by his army, spies, and disruptors . The code was based on a now unused language spoken by folk from who had dwelt in what had once been fens, but had been long ago drained, so had the folk. The process took three years, another two years were spent training code couriers who could write and translate the messages and one explaining to all receiving the messages that theirs was but part of an overall plan which would come together and all would be well.

In the initial and carefully stages invasion of Vendregan and the disruption of bordering areas of Kcabyerf went well. Dehigget’s forces were confused, surprised and required to retreat; aside from being out-manoeuvred there were problems with their supplies, horses were cut loose from stabling, and river shipping developed holes and sank and people were mumbling dissatisfaction, although no one knew how or where the mumbling began.

Into the twentieth day, the time came for those always necessary adjustments; revised coded orders were despatched. Grand Duke Hurstew on the left and High Lord Fiztmarice on the right acted accordingly. Grand Earl Hangus in the centre and overall command moved forward, then wondered just where Hurstew and Fiztmarice had got to. He being a man of solid judgement halted until matters were sorted out. King Prendertugh being party to the big picture and having heard from his spies Kcabyerfish forces were in disarray had based the new orders on those reports. He now wanted to know why Hurstew was marching north away from the advance, Fiztmarice was sitting down doing nothing, and Hangus marching forward without support.

A number of bold riders had ridden hard and fast this way and that to the said generals, then had ridden boldly hard and fast back, it seemed there had been some confusion in the orders, but no one could discern where the errors had taken place. Fresh coded orders were issued.

Hangus promptly marched north; Hurstew reversed his march and went south, while Fiztmarice proceeded in oblique order to the south-east, then north-west.  Dehigget  meanwhile having been told the codes out of Freyback could not be broken decided that ‘They were up to something’ and his generals agreed. His armies were collected and reorganised then sent on counter-marches to shadow the foe. For those of a more humanist point of view there was the benefit of no one really fighting and thus getting killed. For those who lived in the area there was the wretched experience of armies marching back and forth across your land, wrecking your hard worked for crops and not paying for anything they appropriated; the same thing happened if the armies stood still. It was a miserable time for the Vendreganish and a great deal of sourness was directed at the The Burdeph secure in their mountain fastness of The Olps.

Meanwhile Prendertugh was vexed and puzzled about the failure of his forces to coordinate. Had not the orders been clear? Had they not been efficiently transcribed into code by highly trained men? Being a king, he naturally fell to suspicion and introspection.

Even more meanwhile his fellow king Dehigget indulged likewise. His being focused on why his personnel could not tell him what cunning plans Prendertugh’s generals were up to. And due to the mumbling he suspected a plot against him.

Both men demanded answers, gruffly and loudly. Naturally blame and accusation was parcelled out amongst most in the two courts and high offices. Generals sharing with their troops the sludging due to a sudden very unseasonable wetness of weather received with very ill-temper indeed the uncoded and hastily drafted letters inferring they were deliberately avoiding battle. Both kings therefore received tersely uncoded response that IF their majesty REQUIRED, then they (whoever sent it) would resign their position.

Thus frantic orders from King Prendertugh’s court  with lesser attention to codes were sent in every direction. Generals finding some of the commentaries were less than succinct in their clarity, ignored them and put junior officers to pray to the ancient god Varius Xcusis and then send replies saying they couldn’t comply with those orders. Dehigget went in for replacing generals with old rivals of theirs, some duels were fought. There was a purge of code breakers too.

More eventous Meanwhiles were taking place in the covert ranks of the Freybackian spies and the disruptors. The former being consummate professional paranoiacs suspected the code had been breeched, burnt all their documents and went into hiding to reinvent their identities. The latter were by nature unconventional and free thinking and centrally co-ordinated within Dehigget’s realm. Mayrus Hekth the leader, had received the following message, which when decoded read:

Buy up all the cheeses. Take care, for I yearn for your underwear

He consulted his two code couriers who concluded as one.
‘Something has gone wrong with the codes. Toldja they were too complex’

Hekth being an inventive fellow at once used the message as a basis for inspiration to add to the acts his teams had been up to. In this case he told all operatives to disguise themselves an officials of Nobility and with much arrogance buy up all the cheeses citing the nobility’s desire was more important than that of the peasants, others were set the task of writing on walls and gates ‘King Dehigget yearns for your daughters’ underwear’ . Whereas the latter initially caused much puzzlement and bemusement, the former did have the desired effect of civic discord, and confusion in the ranks of the nobility as vast numbers of cheeses turned up at their abodes, followed by greater numbers of peasants and folk who needed cheese for their own businesses, all inflamed by Hekth’s agents. Dehigget was somewhat distracted by incoming quantities of female underwear sent by the more obsequious and opportunistic of his subjects, whose daughters were not pleased. Neither was Dehigget’s wife. Hekth not one to rest of his successes then spread the rumour that eating excesses of cheese caused heads to fall off. Some of the nobility were found with heads detached, it did not take much examination to reveal decapitation was probably the cause, but the underlying tone of the message  got through and many cheeses were seen rolling out of castles, an act which did nothing to improve the flavours much less the image or the lower classes attitude to the nobility.

Under other circumstances Prendertugh might have taken advantage, had he not by a combination of confusion over the codes and sullenness on the behalf his generals   effectively lost his armies in Vendregan. For someone usually of thorough approach strengthened by a gift of ‘The Long View’, it was indeed a curious state of affairs.

With both kingdoms in a state of administrative and strategic immobility while suffering from wet muddy weather and a severe outbreak of Meanwhiles, adding to the situation was an unforeseen At This Juncture. These of course having much potential to make a troublesome situation worse.

In this case The Juncture revolved around  Rayleot the scion of The Burdephs of Vendregan. A year earlier he had been despatched south to locate and court a suitable bride whose noble family would give The Burdephs some leverage in keeping Freyback and Kcabyerf off of their backs. Rayleot was not long in discerning that most of the young women suitable to his rank were already involved in complex marriage arrangements. Instead he set his sights on the naturally financially orientated mercantile classes. Mindful of the geography of his homeland his attention fell upon Trevella the elder daughter of the Bungdover family whose river transport enterprises had blossomed. For them someone whose family owned land through which the great and wide River Flume, had its origins was quite the catch. Trevella saw no problem with Rayleot, and as was the custom thereabouts the marriage was conducted promptly upon a river, Rayleot signing all sort of treaties and agreement which he reckoned were a better option than having two armies tramping upon Vendregan. As a wedding present he was gifted a replica of the legendary Large Barge Marge, the original and foundation of the Bungdover family now being retired and sanctified. There were certain enhancements in keeping with those times, such as secret independent power source of propulsion and several small but effective pieces of ordinance.

The happy couple’s appearance not only caused surprise but also distress to craft of both Freyback and Kcabyerf  which were gently disabled either by blasting off masts or rudders, and pushed by the now named Rarge onto banks, thus displaying the astute mercantile strategy of not blocking rivers. Taking advantage of all local intelligence and armed with large bags of gold supplied by his in-laws Rayleot contacted the most disgruntled officers of both sides and offered them employment in the new Vendregan army whose initial duties involved simply changing sides and taking directions to higher drier ground.

Hekth and Freyback spies met and sent a message unto their king, uncoded in basic Freybackian of the lower classes:

‘You’re kippered Guv’nor, It’s all gone in stable buckets. The Burdephs have got a sharp one who is quick about coin. Suggest a bit of the old selective Horse and Carriage,’  

Kings could be expectant of rebellions but Prendertugh was beset by tremendous sulks amongst his lords, generals and senior staff. He was somewhat overwhelmed by the ludicrousness of mature men imitating the actions of adolescent told to clean their rooms, he took the curiously phrased advice. Back to the Meanwhile he mused…What the Holy Frib had gone wrong?

The aforementioned cabal also reached out to those opposite numbers in Kcabyerf by devious means to indicate they contact their king in similar fashion, if he wanted to keep his cheese (code for throne) and sell off the underwear that is. The opposite numbers did so. Dehigget beset of domestic trials and tribulations agreed.

Within the year, and drier spell all had settled down both kings having to lay out large amounts of gold to soothe the temperaments of upsets generals, though later  this was somewhat recompensed by trade choregraphed by the Bungdover mercantile cartels.

Since no one could figure out how the errors had arisen the codes were scrapped. The strategy of ‘Let’s say no more about it’ being adopted. Prendertugh turned his attentions to his gardens and extoling the virtues of The Simple Life

Dehigget worn down by cries of ‘How’s your cheeses?’ and the more independent commoner maidens waving very functional woollen undergarments at him calling ‘Does this meet with your approval Your ‘Ighness?’  became a recluse and responded to any enquiry by his ministers with ‘Whatever,’

Eventually both kingdoms swore fealty to Vendregan under the rule of King Rayleot (The Calm)

Historical Footnote:

Some centuries ago….

It was mournful time as The Folk of The Fens were obliged to quit their lands, now being heartlessly dried up by greedy folk with big armies. The elders had embarked on writing down an account of their folk and these events to be kept in all time, for the day when their folk would arise once more and learn of their ancestors.

Those elders versed in the Ethereal built in one sting for the future. At the beginning of the tract was inscribed in subtle runes masking as letters. ‘Woe and Confusion upon those who pillage our language as they have pillaged our lands’ 

Presidential Election 2024: Why Good Intentions About Palestine Remind Me of Cuba October 1962.

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Roads to Hell

The latest war between Israel and the Gaza Strip Palestine strikes us all in some way or another. I have to subsume my anger at the protestors, I wanting to know where they were when the Rohingya, Sudanese, Uyghur and Iranian Women, to name but just four examples were and still are suffering. I have to remember that tens of thousands of Palestinians are dead, dying, injured, brutalised, traumatised. homeless, starving- in short also unjustifiably in Hell.

I can see the strategy of those who mobilised the votes in Wisconsin and Rhode Island for  “uncommitted” or “uninstructed,”. The idea to put pressure on Biden to move to a stronger stance on Israel has its merits and is more useful than joining loud parades up and down the streets of America. And it can be argued that in an election years where every vote will count the strategy has played a part in Biden taking a tougher stance. So far so good then.

However every action has its historical resonances; part of History’s construct lies within its echoes, some do not come in a straight line, they flow in from over hills and far away. For their full effect maybe you had to have been there at one point in the long path.

For me the echoes are coming in from October 1962, when as a child of eleven growing up knowing the fear of what nuclear war could bring if only in a tabloid comic book form it was a fearful few weeks. Particularly as the filtered down news was suggesting atomic weapons would be used. In later years it became apparent there were generals and officials pushing for their use. First strike, Get the hit in. Frighten the other side into backing down. And these were not the ridiculous cartoon characters of the dangerously frivolous film Doctor Strangelove. These were men trained and school in a fearful ominous world of threat, counter-threat and then the unthinkable. They were the ones who saw the use of Nuclear Weaponry as a Necessary Eventually, far better displayed in the film for grown ups Fail Safe. Cooler, more pragmatic, subtler heads prevailed. Realpolitik came into play. Everyone had puffed up their chests. Now time for the deal to salve pride. And avoid the catastrophe.

Very well. Enough background for my allegory. Just bear in mind those last words, And avoid the catastrophe 

At this stage parts of the allegory have to be separated from the current situation.

Today the principal issue is the Democrat vs the Republican candidate Biden vs Trump. One a politician of balance and traditional perspectives. The latter an egotistical insensitive fellow feeding off of the desires and beliefs of Right Wing coalition of the disaffected, fundamentalist, and outright intolerant. In effect if elected their meal ticket, their flag of approval in all matters domestic. Bear that in mind.

No, Biden’s administration is not perfect. None is particularly when it comes to foreign policy and day to day responses. In this world you can forget consistently fair minded and ethically clean. And not just governments either. Need I have remind you about a comparative public lukewarm response to the suffering of other populations in equal numbers? It is not just in the tens of thousands in Gaza where Hell has come a’ calling.  If you care about Human suffering as a principal you do not get to be selective. Selective means preference which means agendas or worse tragically naïve. But that is an argument for another day. Because we are all culpable.

So let us return to the Domestic situation and the Risk of using this for International Ends

The current polling suggests that the race between Biden and Trump is tight. This is sobering news for those who have fought long and hard for a more tolerant and forward thinking society, for those of once lived in shadows for fear of discovery, or realised from their very birth they were considered inferior and viewed with suspicion. For those who practice their religious beliefs in quiet open-mindedness.

Not only are the polls tight, but the reaction of the hysterical right in 2020-2021 should be born in mind. These folk do not subscribe to democracy, unless it is on their terms of course. Thus unless there is a mobilisation against The Republican MAGA grouping and their nominated Trump, the situation does look grim for those who seek an equal and tolerant society as the norm.

Consider what has already happened in some states. The persecution of the LGBT+ community. The limiting of education and reading matter. The effective removal of Women’s independence of their own bodies. The underlying threats to any community not White and apparently Christian. The tolerance of violent neo-nazi quasi-militias. And there are the manifold Risks. Some might say this is all hyperbole and turning to their personal matters assume someone else might do something about it. And you have seen Trump’s attitude to the judicial system, his rantings roared on by his sponsors, MAGA.

Therefore these are outlined the risks involved in not concentrating the Biden vote and the necessity of mobilising those who would normally not vote.

Now comes the very hard and some will find upsetting part.

I appreciate the sentiments of those who have read so far and are in strong disagreement with me, particularly when the matter of the Cuban Crisis Allegory is returned to.

Those who thought the Nuclear Strike was a balanced, correct option. Dare I compare those with today’s Folk who in all goodwill are looking to contribute to ways to ease the sufferings of the Palestinians? Have I any right to suggest such a strategy and its tactical deployment carries, morally similar risks?

Yes, I do.

In a time of narrow gaps in the polls, when one side in violent in its language, imagery and implied resorts to physical violence, all under a blasphemous mix of their ideas of ‘Liberty’ and ‘Christianity’ – the same basic ideals as those who would have used nuclear  weapons?

Yes, I do.

Because one false move, one minor poor calculation, one gifted gap to the Republicans. One suggestions that your actions will encourage Trump to announce he could solve the problem; he who says he will solve something, never does and throws a tantrum, yet still convinces folk he can solve the next one, and inconsequence have some folk switch to him.

All far-fetched are they? No. Sixteen years ago, Trump would have been thought an impossibility. But It happened. A discredited fellow in court still a viable presidential candidate? Could still return? Those are the possibilities. And this very dangerous strategy of tampering with the Biden vote makes the allegorical nuclear result likelier. Because you who subscribe to this strategy cannot be absolutely certain you will not play a part in Trump returning to The Whitehouse, and with his Evangelical pushing him on to their Book of Revelation scenario, how will that help any Palestinians? You cannot say for certain what will happen. Other than it will not be a sunny uplands for every American.

If you are still offended by Cuban Nuclear Allegory then I will give you another take on risks. Any responsible driver will take note of extremes of weather. Going out in such conditions does not automatically lead to an accident with fatal or near-fatal repercussions, but you take heed of the warnings. You check your speed. You are alert to dangers. You will have taken precautions. Even if you must go out you do not drive as you would on a calm, clear day. You limit the risk, the reason may be urgent, but you still take care, you do not rush along, you rein in your emotions. Getting there is the important thing.

Therefore those who are using this strategy to influence Biden or think they are taking a moral stance which is worthy. Bear in mind the risks you are taking with this. If Trump does get into the Whitehouse and the statistics reveal that your actions played a part in that, what will you think in the future when the Right runs rampant through the nation.

You have gone far enough. You have had your say you may have played a part. Think on what might happen if you persist.

All actions have consequences, and I regret to say, in this world, there are no easy options, and no option comes without a price to pay.