Post No. 943 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing

For everyone’s convenience:   the reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing are here;   a simplified blogiography of posts related to this work is here,   a list of themes I have identified here;   my changing the personality of oppressors and other world leaders post is here;   (see here for some investigation into evidence of the effectiveness of this type of work … and also here and here are interesting);   a range of information on emotions is here, and suggestions on how to work with emotions is here;   this copy of a speech to one of the Parliament of World Religions has excellent, helpful insights on generational transmission of harm, the cost of war, and ways to heal our hearts;   and   this post reminds us to be patient and persistent, like a “speeding oak” (and I like the comment about a sudden “shift” being just another form of apocalyptic thinking).

Now, the purpose of posting these news links (and, incidentally, these posts are the equivalent of a re-tweeting service, or, at best, a commentary site: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias or trying to cover all [there are often more than two] sides of an issue – see here) is not only to inform:   it is also to stimulate a connection to nonBPM units that need to be cleared and BPM units that need to be strengthened, so that you can do the clearing / strengthening that is required.   That only works if you don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this, so take it in small chunks if you need to, but remember to actively clear and heal! … including yourself.

Further to that, in the same way that activists used to argue that “the personal is political”, the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events. If you want to, for example, improve the communication of nations, improve yours. To help stop abuses of power, be always ethical in your conduct. Want peace? Then work in an informed, understanding, intelligent and nuanced way for peace in yourself and your life.

There are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working, opportunities for healers, and the default plan for any time I am late getting my Psychic Weather Report up.

Now, the themes – short, medium and long term - that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are (and no apologies if this repeats the themes of any previous weeks – in fact, given the size of this task, that is to be expected):

(a)   based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20^th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;

(b)   there is an enormous need to clear nonBPM energy – the thought forms, unattached energy and scars of the collective unconscious created by millennia of violence. This need includes rescuing those who have been trapped by that history, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage done by the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual violence committed on scales large and small in that timeframe;

(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need more Æther;

(d)   accountability for power remains key – and compensating the victims of abuses of power is necessary as PART of ensuring justice;

(e)   constructive management of emotions is also needed – especially fear, and that expression of emotions known as anger;

(f)   small-mindedness and fear are leading to “everyday” people doing the work of violent extremists for them – such people need to consider the “birthright lottery”;

(g)   the world needs leaders who are like JFK, Robert Kennedy and Mandela;

(h)   neoliberal conservatism has been a failure;

(i)   the cycles of history are with us to this day;

(j)   the cronyism of political elites is particularly damaging;

(k)   tribalism is increasing becoming obvious as a problem in politics and societies;

(l)   the counter to fear is genuine  EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech;

(m)   peace is powerful, but it is a process requiring patient (not impatient!), persistent and nuanced nurturing, and a blend of conventional spiritual work, clearing nonBPM units, and physical world activism;

(n)   where problems exist, advocating for BPM responses, and being as BPM as one can be, and constructive solutions - as is clearing nonBPM units;

I also take this opportunity to emphasise that it is absolutely VITAL that this psychic / metaphysical / spiritual work be performed non-violently and as is for the Highest Spiritual Good – which is part of being BPM – on all levels and in all ways. Always remember (see here): Do you fight to change things, or to punish? See also here, here, here, here, here, and my comments about “authentic presence” in this post.

News and other matters from this week include the following (opportunities/good news are shown in green; comments are shown in purple; WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc).

• Permanent issue: may all actual and potential BPM [1] Leaders be kept BPM safe, including keeping them undetectable to the nonBPM and keeping all their Significant Others inviolable against being used for indirect  psychic attack, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at influencing the world’s direction, development and unfoldment, all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
• Permanent issue: may all humans recognise, irrespective of the appearance of difference, the essential shared humanness of other people, the inherent resilience, the dynamic power, the strength of BPM collaboration, and the opportunities of having a diverse, inclusive and welcoming population, and may all people choose fairness, when such decisions are before them;
• Permanent issue: may all humans choose to live modestly – to forgo outdoing others, or trying to have more than they need - for the sake of an easier, more manageable life, if they cannot do it for the sake of the planet;
• Events warranting particular attention, or fitting into too many categories:
     the damage done by having a society on “permanent alert” (“Trust is vital for individuals to flourish”, but “suffers in a world on permanent alert”);   as walls go back up, Europe is reverting to “Fortress Europe”;   the changes in the nature of work that employers have been pushing for (greater insecurity, reduced wages and conditions, etc) are also constraining those employers’ markets, as their workers are also – ultimately – customers;   despite 25 years of economic growth, Australia’s poverty rate has increased;   an examination of the political tactic of diversion by blaming minorities;
  How far back do the causes of these political problems go – to the disbanding of the Iraqi Army in 2003? The election of George Bush as US President instead of Al Gore, in 2000 (I have always considered there was a personal element in Bush’s reaction to 9/11, which may be the alleged assassination attempt on his father when the father was President, but perhaps this wouldn’t  have changed anything .. or perhaps his management of events afterwards would have been different … )? The colonial thinking shown by the Sykes-Picot a century ago? The rabid bigotry of the Christian Crusades? I consider all of these events contributors to the current mess, and thus a PART of what has to be acknowledged politically as part of getting to an adequately informed position to enable sensible decisions about what to do (and the abusive behaviour of the USA’s TSA needs to be added into the mix). From a spiritual point of view, I can see the karmic pendulum swinging back and forth, forth and back, until it gets hypnotic and people think that is how things naturally are – which is rubbish. From that point of view, the “cure” is to lift oneself, one’s perspective and everything one thinks, says or does, to a higher level – everyone, as we all contribute psychically to this the psychic soup the planet exists within.
• With regard to democracy (which requires  protection of minorities and the vulnerable), freedom and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here):
     -   a thoughtful article (e.g., "Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say", “A loss of privacy is almost always a sign of an absence of both rights and power” [with powerful examples of intrusion into indigenous people’s lives], and “the architecture of our privacy laws, it's not for the right now, it's for the future” [with the powerful example of the Nazi’s use of Holland’s social security data to deport Jews[ and details of the staggering hypocrisy of people like Mark Zuckerberg) on privacy;   an article on “Trumpism fever” – which I would put slightly differently, as Trump has tuned into a powerful vein of populist fear and anger;   the short-sightedness of reducing paid parental leave;   the “birthright lottery”;   an analysis finds that a right-wing, xenophobic political party in Australia gained most support in areas that are experiencing problems, fewer people have tertiary education and most people are white;   “greater investment in greener, more efficient and sustainable transport can save trillions of dollars and help achieve the global sustainability goals”;   an examination of the possibility that a new constitution could bring peace to the Ivory Coast;   an examination of the key role that ethical leadership in the military had in promoting the transition to democracy in Tunisia and Burkina Faso;   the possibility that US presidential candidate Trump could set the USA on the path to fascism;   supportive housing is the most cost-effective way of dealing with homelessness - which has doubled in the UK because of conservative policies;   a conservative commentator in the USA has described US presidential candidate Trump as a “legal alien”;
     -   US presidential candidate Trump will go on a vindictive rampage if he is elected (although the proposed restriction on White House officials later becoming lobbyists is potentially good, as is the possibility of term limits on politicians – provided the limit is more than two terms);   New Zealand has cowardly betrayed both the ANZAC spirit and democracy by caving in to Chinese pressure over democracy activists from Hong Kong;   more than 60% of US voters do not feel represented by either major party;
     -   Venezuela's government and its opposition will meet for crisis talks (Parliament has voted to put the President there on trial for violating the Constitution), and people have been injured in protests – and one police officer killed;   where globalisation has had a big (adverse) impact in the USA, even Democrat voters are moving towards notorious US Presidential candidate Trump;
     -   a centrist, agrarian party has won elections in Lithuania;   for the first time, the US has abstained from an annual vote in the UN on the embargo of Cuba;   President Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union and recipient of the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize, has appealed to world leaders to reduce dangerous tensions;
     -      an explanation of why the Tasmanian Governor’s recent comments against the hate and bigotry of Senator Hanson were cause for concern (over detachment in situations such as hung Parliaments);   Australia’s Solicitor-General has been forced to resign - by the intransigence and questionable conduct of the Attorney-General, in my and others opinion, but see also here, and a similar incident here;   Australia’s neoliberal government is attempting to limit legal action by environmental activists;   a critique of Australia’s hypocritical attacks on its own civil society;   an apology after an abuse of power by a politician in my home state (why do they do such things? Power go to their heads? Slackness? Family pressure? We may understand why, but none of that excuses or makes it right);   this neoliberal Senator has been a notorious bigot for decades (and is one of the reasons I didn’t move to that State some years ago): as such it is an exercise in extreme hypocrisy for him to challenge the credibility of the Human Rights Commissioner on truth – bigots – and I know the word is over-used and decried, but it does apply in this instance – are inherently seeing the world falsely, and propagating lies;   the Australian government has flailed around and latched onto a technicality to get out of having to compensate people in its refugee gulags;   a call for statutory appointments in Australia to be made subject to Parliamentary scrutiny (this steps towards the US approach would politicise what should be based on merit);
     -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Syria, Iraq, and Burma;
• With regard to violent extremism (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (and, incidentally, I consider ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism to actively be doing the work of violent extremists. This PARTICULARLY includes those cretins [including in the media, and Amnesty International] who use the acronym ISIS (see also here), which is actually the Greek name of the Egyptian Goddess Aset – and others (see also here and here) - and actively perpetuates the patriarchal and sacrilegious evil that violent extremists are trying to accomplish in this world – which will be countered, in part, by the sort of approach advocated by “Cure Violence”, and, in part, by addressing real and perceived disempowerment and acknowledging the variety in what provides genuine, BPM fulfilment as a counter to fanaticism as a source of meaning. I also am inclined, personally, to include here the last two millennia of neochristian and colonialist social engineering, which has led to suppression of women, child abuse, the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc, as violent extremism, but that would take too much explaining. As a final point, I am deliberately avoiding the use of specific names of violent extremist groups as much as possible to reduce the publicity they get – I’m not a primary news source, and thus consider I can do so: any names that are needed are in the articles I have provided links to):
     -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in Pakistan, Kenya, Somalia, Kenya, Spain (Islamophobia), Kashmir, Somalia, and, according to this Wikipedia page, 5 attacks in Iraq (out of a total of 26);   violent extremist threats are or may be developing in Canada, Pakistan;   prevention has or may have occurred in Tunisia, Burkina Faso; and actions have occurred against violent extremists in India, Yemen, Somalia (rehabilitation), Indonesia;   some of the remaining hostages of Somali pirates have been released, with harrowing tales of the struggle for survival (which possibly also reflects their captors’ situation: see also here, on ways to beat the pirates);   Islamophobia in Canada;   links have emerged between two violent extremists groups in a recent attack in South Asia;
     -   a Swiss court has ruled against an employer who fired a long-time employee after she started wearing a headscarf;   the experiences of boys fleeing violent extremists in Iraq;   the UN has negotiated the release of 876 children in Nigeria, who were being held by the army over possible links to violent extremists;   concerns that the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia could allow more violent extremism;
     -   a rebuttal of calls to set aside humanitarian law;   a suggestion for a “foreign fighter” amnesty scheme;   an analysis of a prevented case of domestic terrorism in the USA, including the support it gives to US President Obama’s use of the broader term of “violent extremism” and the potential value of some contentious FBI investigative techniques (which still need to be balanced by appropriate oversight [e.g., judicial warrants – it doesn’t have to be members of the public], in my view);
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
     refugees in the camp in Calais, France have been urged to give up their dream of going to the UK ahead of demolition of the camp;   the death rate for refugees in the Mediterranean Sea has increased from 1 in 269 to 1 in 88;   Canada’s Parliament has voted unanimously to resettle Yazidi people from Iraq;   the “birthright lottery”;   a Sudanese-born lawyer who grew up in a refugee camp in Uganda has won an industry award for his contribution to criminal law in Western Australia;   the Australian government has flailed around and latched onto a technicality to get out of having to compensate people in its refugee gulags;   more than 90 refugees are missing in the Mediterranean Sea;   Lily Allen has said she was verbally abused by a black-cab driver, who told her to “find an immigrant to drive you, you stupid tart”, following her call for the UK to take more refugees;
• With regard to human rights and discrimination (including associated violence / crime):
     -   religious bigots in Northern Ireland have lost their appeal;   the recent revelation of the bisexuality of a contestants on a TV show has led to this thoughtful article on discrimination against bisexual people and the emerging – and GOOD – “sexual fluidity” of younger people (and I consider that change, that opening of opportunities for younger people the greatest success of the last half century and a bit of sexuality and gender identity activism – let the bigotry die out);   a survey shows most sports fans would welcome gay players;   the USA’s latest batch of insanity has reached the US Supreme Court;   Taiwan is poised to become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage after the death of a prominent gay professor;
     -   the terrible history – and illness inducing energy - of what eventually became a resort for whites in Western Australia;   indigenous children in government care are isolated from their culture;   Australia will investigate the reasons for indigenous incarceration rates being so high. Again … (what answers are the neoliberals angling for? Weren’t they happy with the truth?) See also here;   racist violence in France (France, vous êtes mieux que cela!);   an appalling incident – a mock lynching – at a school in the USA;   concerns over racist double standards in how protestors are treated in the USA;
     -   awards for business women in Papua New Guinea;   more protests against reactionary changes against abortion in Poland;    radio station has been trying to give women equal air time;   analysis of data to show the gender bias in print media;   a campaign to protect women and girls from forced ritualistic sex in Malawi;   statistics on domestic violence in Indonesia are inaccurate;   a woman has stood up to an online blackmailer – see also here, for the extent of that problems in conservative nations;   a peak women's legal group has pushed for an end to victims being directly cross-examined in court by their ex-partners at a national summit on family violence;   my nation is falling behind other OECD nations on gender issues – particularly safety;   the gender stereotype busting world of roller derby – which has just overturned an accidental problem for LGBT players;   sexual harassment of female MPs is widespread;   a review of attitudes and facts in relation to gender discrimination;   the Australian Commonwealth government has reversed its decision to cancel a discussion about family violence during a meeting with state and territory counterparts in December;
     -   a call for compensation for the victims of human trafficking;   Saudi Arabia is using its position on the UN Human Rights Council to cover up its abuses;   Kenya’s President has commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment; Amnesty International has confirmed that the South Sudanese army has committed atrocities;   Kenya has started to investigate alleged abuses by security forces;   an Azerbaijani activist has been jailed on trumped up charges - see also here;   questions about Russia’s bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council over its role in Syria – and its behaviour at home isn’t so good either … ;   Australia’s neoliberal government is attempting to limit legal action by environmental activists;   this neoliberal Senator has been a notorious bigot for decades (and is one of the reasons I didn’t move to that State some years ago): as such it is an exercise in extreme hypocrisy for him to challenge the credibility of the Human Rights Commissioner on truth – bigots – and I know the word is over-used and decried, but it does apply in this instance – are inherently seeing the world falsely, and propagating lies;   children have been found to often not report abuse or feeling unsafe. This is not a new problem – I’ve known the problem from my personal life, and organisations like Bravehearts have been pointing this out for years as well;   two Yazidi women activists who escaped violent extremists in Iraq have won the European Parliament’s prestigious Sakharov human rights prize;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
     further allegations of misconduct against regional police in my home state;   as drug crops prosper and finance violent extremism in Afghanistan, a rebuttal has been made of the claim that each kilogram of a drug in the USA has cost six lives – although it has unquestionably cost some lives;   Kenya’s President has commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment;   an Azerbaijani activist has been jailed on trumped up charges;   a reminder of the dangers of policing;   a Sudanese-born lawyer who grew up in a refugee camp in Uganda has won an industry award for his contribution to criminal law in Western Australia;   a woman has stood up to an online blackmailer;   a peak women's legal group has pushed for an end to victims being directly cross-examined in court by their ex-partners at a national summit on family violence;   body cameras are NOT a panacea for poor policing;   a former police officer has come forward over preventable police shootings;
• With regard to press aka the media, and freedom of expression (keeping in mind that claims of presenting “both sides” of a debate can be WRONG if the other side is RUBBISH –as is the case on LGBTIQ issues):
     Google is cooperating with the Thai military regime to remove material deemed offensive about the former king (what about matters which are not offensive, but critical?);   a thoughtful article (e.g., "Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say", “A loss of privacy is almost always a sign of an absence of both rights and power” [with powerful examples of intrusion into indigenous people’s lives under this item], and “the architecture of our privacy laws, it's not for the right now, it's for the future” [with the powerful example of the Nazi’s use of Holland’s social security data to deport Jews] and details of the staggering hypocrisy of people like Mark Zuckerberg) on privacy;   claims that Turkish journalists who are presenting themselves as champions of the freedom of the press have previously targeted investigative journalists;   analysis of data to show the gender bias in print media;
• With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour? I was recently pleasantly to find IT manufacturers now making at least some effort in this regard. Do you suffer from FOMO? Are you being duped by modern mantras? Does your AI use ethics? Does your corporation misuse mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions? Do you understand embedded emissions?):
     -   Spain has committed to a target of all energy being from renewable energy, as young people in the Latrobe Valley push for renewable energy to replace Hazelwood power station;   CO₂ concentrations are now above the critical 400 ppm level;   the installed capacity of renewable energy sources now exceeds coal powered energy generation;   Australia’s neoliberal government is attempting to limit legal action by environmental activists;   the current state of climate change in Australia;   wildlife has decreased across the planet by 58% since the 1970s;   old oyster shells are being used to rehabilitate shorelines;   biological warfare has been launched against the Zika virus …    a unanimous decision from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) will create the world's largest protected area – land or marine – in the Antarctic's Ross Sea;   a review of growing food in the backyard (which is very much needed, in my view);
     -   a thoughtful article (e.g., "Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say", “A loss of privacy is almost always a sign of an absence of both rights and power” [with powerful examples of intrusion into indigenous people’s lives under this item], and “the architecture of our privacy laws, it's not for the right now, it's for the future” [with the powerful example of the Nazi’s use of Holland’s social security data to deport Jews] and details of the staggering hypocrisy of people like Mark Zuckerberg) on privacy;   Sweden has implemented restrictions on drone usage;   home webcams that were hijacked to help knock popular websites offline recently have been recalled in the USA;   an examination of approaches for personal cybersecurity;   IBM says restarting a router may have prevented the Australian “census fail” … ;   a woman has stood up to an online blackmailer;   the story of the attempt to create an internet in the USSR during the 1980s;   a reasonable review of the potential role of complementary medicines (although it needed to mention the arrogance and poor communication of doctors, which drives many people away from conventional medicine);
     -   despite 25 years of economic growth, Australia’s poverty rate has increased;   widespread abuse of horticulture workers in my home state;   I am inclined to disagree with the judge and agree with the nurse in this instance: the drive for cost cutting in the modern world has led to people doing more with less, and that DOES cut down on time to do things properly. In this instance, it MAY have contributed to the tragic death of a patient, more broadly, it contributes to stress, uncertainty, fear and walls – I can see it at the moment with engineers working on major projects, who are being forced by political pressure to fast track that, and so are working long hours under high stress (which harms their families as well) and shortly will be out of work. It is illogical – and all because political leaders cannot effectively communicate the benefits of patience … ;   the UN’s agricultural agency has launched the first phase of a new, 15-year global programme to eradicate a highly contagious viral animal disease affecting more than 70 countries in Africa, Middle East and Asia, which account for about 80 per cent of the world’s sheep and goats and where millions of families depend heavily on these animals for nutrition and livelihoods;   Uber and the like may have to treat their workers decently;
     -   as drug crops prosper and finance violent extremism in Afghanistan, a rebuttal has been made of the claim that each kilogram of a drug in the USA has cost six lives – although it has unquestionably cost some lives;   older women are at an increasing risk of homelessness;   perceptions around sleep;
• With regard to education:
     30% of teachers in the UK leave within five years;   Finland is getting good results with a more holistic approach to education that has fewer class hours and less homework;   an appalling incident – a mock lynching – at a school in the USA;
• With regard to the conflict in Afghanistan (noting that Afghanistan was once a peaceful and modern society, even allowing women in miniskirts, before the Russian invasion – see here):
     violent extremists are putting gains for democracy at risk;   as drug crops prosper and finance violent extremism in Afghanistan, a rebuttal has been made of the claim that each kilogram of a drug in the USA has cost six lives – although it has unquestionably cost some lives;
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
     -   a campaign to protect women and girls from forced ritualistic sex in Malawi;
     -   Kenya’s President has commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment;   Kenya has started to investigate alleged abuses by security forces;   Kenya’s youth have urged an end to tribalism in politics;
     -   more people have been killed in the Central African Republic – this time during a protest against the presence of UN peacekeepers;
     -   the Zambian opposition will boycott independence celebrations;
     -   Uganda has supported South Africa’s decision to pull out of the ICC - see also here;   the African Union (AU) has said African nations can put their leaders on trial (where they have the freedom to do so – that would not be the case in Zimbabwe, for instance);
     -   Morocco wants to come back in to the AU;
     -   Gambia will also withdraw from the ICC, but at least ten nations will stay - see also here and here;
     -   more attacks on oil pipelines in Nigeria;   the UN has negotiated the release of 876 children in Nigeria, who were being held by the army over possible links to violent extremists;   Nigeria’s President wants $30 billion in foreign loans for infrastructure and other projects over the next three years to overcome a recession in Africa’s biggest economy;
     -   a conference in Angola is seeking to end the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region – see also here and here;
     -   many African Presidents are struggling to meet their ambitious anti-corruption targets (but should, in my view, be commended for having them: on the other hand, South Africa’s President Zuma is actively trying to stop release of a report on corruption);
     -   an examination of the possibility that a new constitution could bring peace to the Ivory Coast;
     -   an examination of the key role that ethical leadership in the military had in promoting the transition to democracy in Tunisia and Burkina Faso;
     -   ongoing concerns about justice in Burundi;
• With regard to China and East and South East Asia:
     -   China has further gagged lawyers;   New Zealand has cowardly betrayed both the ANZAC spirit and democracy by caving in to Chinese pressure over democracy activists from Hong Kong;
     -   Duterte has clearly had some success with his realignment from the USA to China: Chinese vessels have left the disputed Scarborough Shoal and Filipino vessels can resume fishing;   a Philippine mayor accused of drug trafficking has been killed along with nine bodyguards in a shoot-out with police;
     -   as Thai tentacles reach into other nations, Google is cooperating with the Thai military regime to remove material deemed offensive about the former king (what about matters which are not offensive, but critical? What happened to the “do no evil” precept?);
     -   a call to end the exile of Cambodia’s opposition leader;
     -   a detailed examination of the peace process in Burma;
     -   Taiwan is poised to become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage after the death of a prominent gay professor;
• With regard to the conflict in Iraq (noting that Iraq was once a peaceful and prosperous society, before the UK / USA / CIA backed revolution – see here, and that it needs an emphasis on a secular society and citizenship – but also here, although based in Syria and here):
     -   a powerful backlash has erupted against a surprise ban – possibly against a constitutional guarantee of minority religions’ rights - of the sale of alcohol;   reports of more  war crimes (including tens of thousands of human shields) by violent extremists in Mosul;   concerns – based on prior experience - over how the Iraqi security forces (and allies) will behave after the liberation of Mosul;   Turkey has claimed a right to take military action in Iraq if it considers itself to be threatened;   Canada’s Parliament has voted unanimously to resettle Yazidi people from Iraq;   health and environmental problems are being caused by violent extremists who have set oil fields on fire;
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports over 800 people killed in the last week;
• With regard to the Libyan civil war:
     an examination of the reasons for a delay in defeating violent extremists in Libya;   claims of abuse in prisons run by the violent extremists (although I suspect such abuses do occur, I am wary of the “found” letter – it seems a little fortuitous);
• With regard to Russia (which is currently actively supporting an – in my opinion, based on R2P principles - illegitimate regime in Syria):
     another assessment of the risks of escalation between Russia and the USA over Syria;   an opinion piece arguing that Russia and Turkey have effectively divided Syria between themselves – at the expense of the Kurds;   questions about Russia’s bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council over its role in Syria – and its behaviour at home isn’t so good either … ;   Russia is unhappy that the UN may investigate more of Assad’s chemical weapons attacks;   Spain is being criticised for refuelling –Spain subsequently decided not to - Russian warships on their way to Syria;   an analysis of the USA’s “slide to war with Russia”, and another analysis of the tensions between NATO and Russia which finds this is NOT a Cold War Mark 2;
• With regard to South and Central America:
     Venezuela is targeting critics;   Venezuela's government and its opposition will meet for crisis talks (Parliament has voted to put the President there on trial for violating the Constitution), and people have been injured in protests – and one police officer killed;
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     -   accusations of land grabs from farmers in the preparation for construction of India’s planned 100 “smart” cities;   a cinema patron in a wheelchair was assaulted for not standing up for the national anthem!!! That is an indictment of the appalling idiots who committed this act, and the issue of “abuse” of the national anthem has reached the court system;   the problem of dynastic families in Indian politics;   tensions are rising over a missing student at an Indian University;   India’s new “national food security system” has extended to two hold-out states;   more Indians are eating beef, but at a reduced quantity;
     -   an examination of recent cross-border raids by India;   the experience of a Kashmiri teenager who was blinded by a police “pellet gun” when she looked out a window;
     -   an editorial on growing political tension in Pakistan;   police have clashed with the opposition; 
• With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
     -   South Sudan has given Sudanese rebels in its territory an ultimatum to leave – and Sudan has threatened South Sudan for allegedly supporting those rebels;
     -   Amnesty International has confirmed that the South Sudanese army has committed atrocities;   a warning that hate speech is increasing;   an examination of the significant role of cattle;
• with regard to the conflict in Syria, where Assad’s regime has, in my opinion, lost all claims to legitimacy, and it is time to consider partition (see here, here, here and here):
     -   the siege of eastern Aleppo continues. How many people have died there? This website says over 30,000 – fewer than the one to two and a half who died in the Siege of Leningrad, but the death toll is, in some ways, the least of it: it is the suffering, especially the degradation of humanness, well known from millennia of such sieges, that is so appalling in such situations – and that degradation applies to the besieger as well as the besieged: the Russians and the Syrians who are the tools of Assad are harming themselves spiritually as much as they are others, and would do well to remember those brave people who refused to be part of Nazi Germany’s attempted genocide of Jews (see here, here, here and here). See also here, here, and here;   rebels have joined with violent extremists in an attempt to break the siege of Aleppo;   another assessment of the risks of escalation between Russia and the USA over Syria;   some common sense comments about a “no fly” zone over Syria (the time for that was back when Assad first starting using barrel bombs, before Russia got involved);   an opinion piece arguing that Russia and Turkey have effectively divided Syria between themselves – at the expense of the Kurds;   an assessment that Turkey will not find victory easy in Syria;   Spain is being criticised for refuelling –Spain subsequently decided not to - Russian warships on their way to Syria;   confirmation that Kurds will be part of the attack on Raqqa, Syria – see also here, on the “inevitable” conflict between Turkey and Syrian Kurds;   imminent conflict between Turkey and Assad’s forces;   (warning: very disturbing images) children have been killed in an air attack on a school;   Russia is unhappy that the UN may investigate more of Assad’s chemical weapons attacks;   an Australian who fought against violent extremists has challenged police to charge him. This raises a few issues: the stupidity of the government warning that travel to such places involves risks (honey to thrill seekers, plus stating the obvious), and the issue of mercenaries – which this man was. In situations like Syria, it may seem to be clear enough who id “good” and who is “bad”, but (a) mercenaries have fought for “bad” sides many times in the past, and have often been extremely effective in doing so – to the detriment of the nations they fought in, and (b) often the situation is not entirely clearcut – consider, for instance, the mercenaries (“private security forces”) of the last decade and a bit in Iraq, who may have thought they were doing “good” but, in some cases, have been found not to be – which also raises the issue of people making mistakes and getting involved on the wrong side in Syria, which was described in an article I read a few years ago. About the only way to prevent that – and people who overestimate their abilities - would be to have a licencing scheme that everyone agrees on – which is impossible. In democracies, I consider the current ban of mercenaries is, overall, best – but there may well be a good case for leniency in court cases, if such fighters are subsequently charged;   an unintentional near miss between Russian and US jets at night;   cronyism has blighted the delivery of aid to government controlled areas;
• with regard to Turkey:
     confirmation of torture following the failed coup in Turkey;   Turkey has claimed a right to take military action in Iraq if it considers itself to be threatened;   claims that Turkish journalists who are presenting themselves as champions of the freedom of the press have previously targeted investigative journalists;   an opinion piece arguing that Russia and Turkey have effectively divided Syria between themselves – at the expense of the Kurds;   an assessment that Turkey will not find victory easy in Syria;   an article on the “inevitable” conflict between Turkey and Syrian Kurds;   imminent conflict between Turkey and Assad’s forces;   protests at the recent arrests of Kurdish mayors for alleged connections to terrorism;
• with regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
     a detailed examination of the current situation;
• With regard to West Asia / the Middle East, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   a critique of “doves” in Israel’s elites, including the military – with some excellent comments about false perceptions of those in the military and the changes that occurred in Israel as a result of the 1967 war (also refers to the documentary “The  Gatekeepers”);   Israeli prosecutors have charged 13 men with inciting violence and terror for celebrating the murder of a Palestinian toddler and his parents in a firebombing that sparked international condemnation;   Israel is denying Palestine’s right to development;   a rare meeting between Fatah and Hamas;
     -   Iran has jailed another person dual citizenship;   a child abuse scandal in Iran;
     -   millions of Egyptians are facing a slow death from starvation;   Egyptian youth are running their own conference rather than take part in the dictatorship’s conference;   Egypt’s security forces are claiming they need to do more to address “threats” of chaos … ;   fears over a “mega” dam being built on the Nile by Ethiopia;   the Egyptian government will “look at” revising a controversial anti-protest law;   Egypt’s antiquities are being pillaged;
     -   an assessment that Saudi Arabia and Egypt have too many ties to allow their relationship to be irreparably damaged (that is a valid point, but close ties are not a guarantee of anything – after all, there are no closer ties than one can have with oneself, and yet civil wars still occur … );
     -   Saudi Arabia is using its position on the UN Human Rights Council to cover up its abuses;   Germany is the latest nation to be outed as making major profits by selling munitions to Saudi Arabia;
     -   activists have been stopped from protesting the arrival of Bahrain’s king in the UK;
• With regard to the war in Yemen (unlike Iraq and Syria, I cannot find a source of regular information on casualties in Yemen, but the hardship and deaths from food, water and medical shortages that concerns me just as much – if not more, and I don’t know if such sites would report that; it is also important to remember that there are multiple sides in this dispute – and opponents to the government are not necessarily Houthi or violent extremist):
     warning an entire generation could be crippled by famine in Yemen;   Germany is the latest nation to be outed as making major profits by selling munitions to Saudi Arabia;   an appeal has been launched for finance to aid displace people in and from Yemen;   an argument that the civilian deaths in Yemen are being caused by incompetence;   Algeria has been asked to join the Saudi-led coalition in the war in Yemen;   Saudi Arabia has shot down a Houthi ballistic missile near Mecca;
  The creation of the current situation in Yemen was an example of cronyism: the international community needs to deal with such situations more effectively – which is a lesson that should have been learned after the Cold War, although Said Arabia wasn’t a major player in those events.
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
     following the recent cyclone, 800,000 Haitians need food aid;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story:
     perhaps amazingly, Iraqis and Libyans are the most generous nations towards strangers, and Burma the world’s most giving. China is worst;   an analysis of the USA’s “slide to war with Russia”;   a call for greater use of regional partnerships to promote global stability;   an examination of the factors which may lead to nonviolent protests becoming violent;

and from a range of other sites:

• a thoughtful article on swearing;
• lessons on managing a crisis;

(Dear Reader, please remember that I expect you to think for yourselves when reading this blog)

Now, some relocated notes and other comments/information.

Remember that many others are very capably doing this type of work – for instance, the Lucis Trust's Triangles network (which has been running for many decades),   the Correllian Tradition's 'Spiritual War for Peace' (begun in 2014, and see also here and here), the Hope, Peace, Love and Prosperity Spell (also from the Correllian Tradition, in around 2007 or 2008),   the Healing Minute started by the late, great Harry Edwards (held at 10 AM and 10 PM local time each day, and has been running for decades);   the “Network of Light”  meditations;   and   also see here and here – even commercial organisations are getting involved (for instance, see here), there are online groups (e.g. here and here – which I’m not members of, and thus do not know the quality of) and even an app. No doubt there are many others, so, if you don't like what I am suggesting here, but want to be of service, there are many other opportunities for you. I also point out that more than just psychic work is required – activism in the physical world, even if it is “only” writing letters to politicians / the media will help, as will a whole range of other stuff. To stimulate some ideas on this aspect of service, see here , here and here, and, of course, here. On more physical level, there is the United Nations Online Volunteering page.

(Please note that I now specifically have a role for (absent) healers on Saturdays, as explained in the Psychic Weather Report posts. Anyone who wishes to be protector has a role every day :) , including – perhaps particularly - the first permanent issue I list below. At all times, on all levels and in ways, BOTH must ALWAYS be BPM in the way they perform such roles.)

If I am ever late getting my Psychic Weather Report up any week, the default plan is to build up energy in the “Shield of Hope” on Sunday, send energy to West Asia / the Middle East on Monday, and then extend that to include Europe on Tuesday, the USA on Wednesday, East and South East Asia on Thursday and Africa on Friday.

Regular sources include the Daily Briefings of the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, “War on the Rocks” (a very US-focused site which also has articles I have concerns about, but also a surprising number of gems),  the Early Warning Project blog, the Justice in Conflict blog, the Political Violence at a Glance blog, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the International Crisis Group, the Middle East Eye, The Hindu, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the BBC, Spiegel International, The Conversation, John Menadue’s blog, Wikipedia’s current events portal, Wendell Williams’ blog, George Monbiot’s website, the Campaign Against Arms Trade, the “Cure Violence” blog, the Inter Press Service Agency (IPS), the Lowy “Interpreter” blog (which occasionally has good links about what is happening in the Pacific), and others.

I apologise for publishing these posts twice, but Blogger keeps changing my formatting. I can either publish it and then correct the altered formatting and re-publish it, or save and close the post and correct it when I reopen it prior to publishing it, but that leaves an extra copy in my "drafts" folder which I then have to clean up ...

No signature block for these posts.