Note: 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: these posts are the equivalent of a
re-tweeting service, or, at best, a commentary site, and are posted for the
purpose of assisting in the clearing of nonBPM (“unbalanced/unbalancing”, or spiritually
immature”) energies.
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, as mentioned above, 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: again, 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. (I
also urge people to simplify their lives as much as is possible.)
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 20th 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 inspired BPM thinking and speech of Air and the BPM empathy/compassion of Water;(d) I am continuing with last week’s bindrune for this week’s meditation work:(e) the major events this week are: the chaos and challenges of Trump’s ascendancy; the growing risks of war between China and the USA; the possible killing of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees by Bangladesh;(f) there has been a resurgence, in some ways and some places, of focus on family as a bastion: that is an illusion – families are often where people are spiritually sentenced to learn to co-exist; they can be controlling and abusive, and, perhaps even more importantly, the focus on family first cuts down our empathy and compassion for people who are genuinely in far more extreme suffering – thus diminishing the family-focused people and making them less as human beings. There are some things that society should provide –such as genuine, credible support for the aged as a sign of society’s respect, rather than expecting families to take on the burden;(g) the counter to fear is genuine EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech;(h) 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;(i) 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:
a warning that all genocides start with words; North Korea appears to have restarted its nuclear reactor; Hindu hardliners are trying to sideline Mahatma Gandhi because of Gandhi’s goal of Hindu-Muslim unity; in moves that raise serious concerns about safety (are they trying to murder these refugees?), Bangladesh is preparing to move tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to flood-prone, pirate-infested islands before forcible return to Burma – with possible breaches of the principle of non-refoulement; a Republican politician in the USA is seeking to ease restrictions around conflict minerals; an examination of “peaceful withdrawal of support” to undermine despots – including an analysis of obstacles; a comment that as far right extremisms rises, so too does resistance - see also here; threats to human rights and international peace; torture does NOT work; extremely concerning reports that US President Trump is going to change the term “counter violent extremism” to a religious-focused term; one of US President Trump’s key advisors has predicted that the USA and China will go to war over the South China Sea (which, if it does happen, will NOT be confined to that region) and be in another war in West Asia within a decade;
The world is being tested – not just challenged, actively tested – by the ascension to power of US President Trump: there are flow-on effects from someone who is, in my view, unsuited to such power. Whilst Trump’s supporters will eventually become disillusioned, that in itself will not change their thinking on fundamental issues such as co-existence, allowing people the freedom to be themselves, caring and respect, clear thinking and accountability for those who have power (especially in the advertising world), and the balance between caring for those close to one and those farther away in all senses. What is needed is a campaign to win hearts and minds of people for social progressivism, BPM spirituality, and maturity – sensible, level-headed, non-violent action against oppression as well, to be sure, but also that longer term view and action, something that Gandhi and Mandela and Dr King would be proud of. The times we live in are the opportunity for such greatness: it is up to each one of us to answer the call to such greatness, in whatever way we can. - With regard to democracy (which requires protection of minorities and the vulnerable), freedom
and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here):
Note: I have created a section specifically for US President Trump below
- analyses this week include: a critique of the TPP and free trade agreements generally - see also here, on the damage already done to Australia's health system; the social problems of the USA; an assessment of the person behind Trump’s refugee ban (note this post of mine); a warning not to be complacent over the evil of xenophobia; an examination of the uncomfortable relationship between sports and politics in Africa; criticism of attempts to address corruption in India; a call for a “new social movement against inequality”;
- of concern this week: the Trump administration has “put Iran on notice” after Iran’s MRBM test”; growing anger in Romania at decriminalisation of corruption; the death of the 84 year old leader of the opposition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has jeopardised a political deal; political candidates in an Indian state are promising “fish for all” … ; an Indian state is planning to allow a DNA database of criminals; Canada’s government has abandoned a key election promise to reform its electoral system;
- in the grey area or neutral this week: British MPs have completed a legal technicality by voting for Brexit; protestors in The Gambia have called on the legislature to resign for supporting the former (“disgraced”) President’s imposition of a State of Emergency; PNG is investigating possible corruption by two government Ministers; “In one month, the board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an international multi-stakeholder group, will decide whether to suspend the natural resource-rich government of Azerbaijan for failing to comply with EITI standards”; the European parliament’s main political parties - conservative, socialist and liberal - are making an unprecedented attempt to reject Donald Trump’s likely choice as ambassador to the European Union from EU buildings, describing him as hostile and malevolent;
- good news this week includes: a call for better engagement with youth;
- and in my home nation this week: a new railway station in my home station may reach its maximum capacity on its second day of operation … (public transport has been neglected for decades so politicians could sell “lower taxes” … ); when rough sleepers at a major railway station which is going to be upgraded were moved (temporarily to a motel, but nowhere after that), some protestors are reported to have acted violently, and were arrested (violence does NOT help! Neither does government inaction, but violence is, in its own way, preaching to those converted who believe violent outbursts can potentially be good – and that does NOT include either the police or politicians); there have been concerns over the state of youth detention facilities in my home state for six years; my nations’ Prime Minister has – gutlessly - evaded questions about the USA’s moves on immigrants, refugees and travellers – see also here; confusion about the deal between the USA and my nation over Syrian refugees; the Australian government is trying to cut one family payment as it boosts another in a single bill; a one year battle for a grieving mother to get a Death Certificate for her baby was - incredibly - “not unusual”, according to my state’s Ombudsperson; Australia's housing minister has shown how out of touch he is by praising a housing redevelopment project that has driven its former residents out by gentrifying the area; surprising praise for Australia’s Prime Minister for standing up to US President Trump, and a reminder that we should never have been in that situation in the first place, and that it has come with a cost; a call to walk away from the deal with the USA on refugees; more complaints about political donations in Australia, with the PM admitted he invested nearly $2 million to - in my words - fight against workers’ rights; the “National Congress of Australia's First Peoples has applauded the [current neoliberal] Prime Minister for suspending the Indigenous Advisory Council [created by the previous neoliberal PM], saying it is the better and more representative body for the Turnbull Government to turn to for advice on Indigenous Australians”, but there remains some sort of commitment to the IAC; Australian car workers who are losing their jobs have pointed to US President Trump’s pro-job stance as a criticism of the government; a warning not to be complacent over the evil of xenophobia; a recount will be held after a Senator’s election was found to be invalid; the disenchantment being created by the Turnbull Government; a call for Australia to ADAPT to the changed circumstances of a Trump administration in the USA; suggestions for Australia’s foreign policy; criticism of Australia’s two biggest political parties for lack of meaningful vision; a critique of Australia’s attitudes towards Russia;
- this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Iraq, Yemen and the Philippines; - With regard to US President Trump this week:
- the US President has responded to the fear of those who have a superficial appreciation of world events and knee jerk reactions to fear (including some media outlets) by issuing his expected Executive Order banning (for several months initially, until “extreme vetting” can be developed) travellers (including, for a while, those with Green Cards) from some nations (but not others, including other predominantly Muslim nations): this has led to problems (some of which, I consider, should have been anticipated by travellers), confusion, protests highlighting the everyday types of people being turned away, a warning from the US tech industry, concerns over global research; a global backlash, a court order that people with valid visas could stay in the USA, a “dissent cable” from US diplomats, descriptions of the damage Trump’s ban will have on refugees, a plan by one company to hire 10,000 refugees in 75 countries (easy to claim: I won’t judge until I see the delivery … ), concerns about the propaganda coup being given to violent extremists, offers of temporary Canadian residency to those stranded by the ban, criticism by former President Obama – who also praised protestors, sacking of the acting Attorney-General for standing up to President Trump on this matter (good on her), a warning from the UK’s Prince Charles not to forget the lessons of World War Part Two, denouncement by Christians of President Trump’s plan to favour Christians, a call for truth, this analysis of the damage done to Iranians and Iran by the USA shooting itself in the foot, and this legal analysis; US President Trump doesn’t like the deal Turnbull and Obama made - see also here, on the resulting confusion, and a reminder that Australia should never have been in that situation in the first place; criticism of US President Trump’s “security” measures from advocates of strong “security” measures; “Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former president George W. Bush and correspondent for NBC News, tweeted remarks made by her father in the wake of the 9/11 attacks that praised Islam as a religion of peace and acknowledged Muslims’ contributions to the United States”;
- the US and Russian Presidents have agreed to cooperate against violent extremism – which, whilst an excellent principle, raises concerns over what will be in the details – such as the resumption of – ineffective and inhumane - torture (except for the journo who wrote the cited article … ) - see also here; Tim Weiner, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author of “Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA”, critiques the possible relationship between the CIA and the new US President and his National Security Advisor, beginning with the President’s visit to the CIA’s headquarters; concerns over President Trump’s proposed Attorney-General;
- US President Trump’s attacks on Mexico may have been a political saviour for the current Mexican President, who was previously deeply unpopular; one million UK citizens have signed a petition calling for cancellation of Trump’s state visit to the UK;
- the US President has banned his political appointees from taking paid lobbying jobs for five years after they leave his appointment (this is potentially good – particularly if it stops the sort of debacle and massacre of trust associated with the former UN envoy to Libya); US President Trump has moved to “help small business” by slowly phasing out regulatory oversight … ; Trump’s son-in-law will divest his financial interests after being appointed to a political role;
- Trump’s supporters couldn’t care less (especially about the facts - such as the actual risks associated with refugees);
- the US Army, which had previously decided to stop a controversial oil pipeline, has now been ordered by US President Trump to build it;
- wariness over US President Trump’s position on LGBTI rights, despite Trump’s claims he won’t rollback workplace rights;
- Australian car workers who are losing their jobs have pointed to US President Trump’s pro-job stance as a criticism of the government;
- the head of Uber has left US President Trump’s economic advisory board, claiming his presence was misinterpreted as an endorsement;
- a more hopeful analysis of US President Trump’s nominee for that nation’s Supreme Court, and suggestions for the Democrats on how to respond;
- Florida’s governor is channelling Trump as he threatens ports over ties to Cuna as relations between the two nations backslide;
- a warning from a similar person at primary school of clearly ridiculous promises not being delivered by a “mini-Trump” – and although this highlights the questionable decisions of some voters, when it comes to jobs, I consider that (a) there has not been consideration of those who lose from globalisation by its advocates; (b) the issue of jobs is not being considered adequately by many people; (c) no-one is properly considering what will be required to enable all people to live adequately in the future – which is, to a significant degree, limited by the desire of people not to give up the possibility of being rich;
- an informed appeal to the USA’s business leaders;
- a call for a commitment to truth; - 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 Canada (why was a witness arrested? Why has he not been released, if he was identified as a witness subsequent to his arrest?), Nigeria, France, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 5 attacks in Iraq (out of a total of 27); prevention has or may have occurred in Germany; and actions have occurred against violent extremists in Yemen; a British man fighting with Kurds against violent extremists killed himself rather than risk being taken captive (which I have seen such people say they would do in a documentary); a warning that the USA’s (partial) ban on Muslims is a propaganda coup for violent extremists;
- people in the Central African Republic are using radios to stay safe from a diminished but still notorious violent extremist group; criticism of banks for anti-Muslim attitudes that led to an apology and compensation after a group was wrongly identified as violent extremist;
- an examination of Kenya’s fencing of its border with Somalia; criticism of US President Trump’s “security” measures from advocates of strong “security” measures; a call for better integration of intelligence services to adapt to the changing nature of violent extremism; an examination of the limits (and benefits) of military action against violent extremisms (“No amount of iron dropped from the air can kill an idea — but no amount of bullets can either”); - With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
in moves that raise serious concerns about safety (are they trying to murder these refugees?), Bangladesh is preparing to move tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to flood-prone, pirate-infested islands before forcible return to Burma – with possible breaches of the principle of non-refoulement; descriptions of the damage Trump’s ban will have on refugees, and a plan by one company to hire 10,000 refugees in 75 countries (easy to claim: I won’t judge until I see the delivery … ); US President Trump doesn’t like the deal Turnbull and Obama made - see also here, on the resulting confusion; a call for Australia to walk away from the deal with the USA on refugees; the Australian Immigration Department has paid compensation and published a carefully worded "statement of regret" to nine Save the Children workers who were removed from the offshore processing centre of Nauru for allegedly coaching asylum seekers to self-harm and fabricate stories of abuse in October 2014; a simplistic guide to the Convention and Protocol on Refugees – see also the list of nations here; discovery of a child refugees body after he drowned has triggered remorse and soul searching in Spain; calls for Europe to adopt a common approach to saving refugee lives in the Mediterranean; "conditions for migrants and refugees in Libya are worse than in concentration camps, according to a paper sent to the German foreign ministry by its ambassador in Niger", with "authenticated reports of executions, torture and other systematic rights abuses in camps on the refugee route in Libya"; three Afghani asylum seekers have been jailed in Austria for rape; 70 organisations have called for refugees in Australia’s refugee gulags to be brought to the mainland; the Australian government is continuing to ignore health issues in its refugee gulag system; refugees are dying in Greek camps; - With regard to human rights and discrimination (including
associated violence / crime):
- on homophobia/transphobia this week: an Australian state will implement progressive policies for trans and intersex school kids; reports the notoriously homophobic and transphobic Boy Scouts of America will start accepting trans boys; wariness over US President Trump’s position on LGBTI rights, despite Trump’s claims he won’t rollback workplace rights; a Jewish community has celebrated diversity and inclusivity; a new government authority in my home state can investigate those cretins who claim to be able to perform gay conversions; Lebanon slowly crawls towards the late 20th century by thinking about decriminalising same sex relationships; a US state has withdrawn a transphobic law which would have killed kids (good news, but there is a risk of it being reintroduced again); US President Trump’s travel ban has stranded LGBT refugees; transphobic intimidation has been circumvented to allow lifesaving gender realignment surgery to resume in Russia;
- on racism this week: the woman who triggered a notorious racist murder has admitted, decades later, that she lied (and she should, in my view, be charged); the “National Congress of Australia's First Peoples has applauded the [current neoliberal] Prime Minister for suspending the Indigenous Advisory Council [created by the previous neoliberal PM], saying it is the better and more representative body for the Turnbull Government to turn to for advice on Indigenous Australians”, but there remains some sort of commitment to the IAC; a native title deal cannot be registered because some indigenous representatives do not support it;
- on sexism this week: “Spain has agreed to extradite to Colombia a former FARC rebel accused of carrying out 300 forced abortions on women fighters, some of them underage”; a critique of the (nonsensical?) question “can a woman be feminist and pro-life?”; another sexual assault case from India has hit the headlines; appalling treatment of a lactating woman at a German airport; a violent, possessive, insecure man who murdered his partner for leaving him has been jailed; an Australian politician from a far right group has slagged off at single mothers; systemic failures led to the murder of a mother; another article asking why men don’t change their names after (heterosexual) marriage; India is working to help the survivors of acid attacks find jobs; a US general has been demoted for sexual misconduct; Pakistan is acting against rapists;
- on other forms of human rights this week: an FBI request for Twitter data may have breached US regulations; the multicultural nature of Katanning, in WA; the benefits of an assistance dog for a child with autism; research on the experiences of older workers; a neochristian school has forced a Sikh boy to find another school; a good critique of why blaming the homeless for being homeless is wrong; more complaints about political donations in Australia, with the PM admitted he invested nearly $2 million to - in my words - fight against workers’ rights; a warning not to be complacent over the evil of xenophobia; caste based attacks led to Dalits fleeing a village, and they now want somewhere safer to live; criticism of a school for allowing a special needs student, accused of raping a classmate, to be interrogated without a parent present; a call for Australia to lead the campaign to end the death penalty worldwide (I really can’t see our current neoliberal government doing anything of the sort); concern about Indonesia’s religious minorities; Kazakhstan is continuing to reap the problems caused by its anti-workers’ rights approaches; concerns that Saudi Arabia’s investigation of its own human rights abuses is like “marking your own homework”; - With regard
to crime, judicial matters and policing:
“Spain has agreed to extradite to Colombia a former FARC rebel accused of carrying out 300 forced abortions on women fighters, some of them underage”; Colombia and FARC have announced a major deal to destroy coca crops, which FARC used to use as a source of funds; there has been rebuttal of a knee-jerk and fear-based reaction in my home state to accuse police – who do not run prisons – of being “soft on crime”, led, in part, by former police officers who are, in my view, quite possibly of questionable objectivity (we need clearer, more comprehensive and more frequent communication on principles and details of our justice system, including the benefits of rehabilitation, understanding of the suffering of victims, why deprivation of liberty is the only acceptable punishment, and that jails are not pleasant places to be); a database of commanders and guards at the Auschwitz death camp in German-occupied Poland has been put online by the country's Institute of National Remembrance; there have been concerns over the state of youth detention facilities in my home state for six years; the woman who triggered a notorious racist murder has admitted, decades later, that she lied (and she should, in my view, be charged); an FBI request for Twitter data may have breached US regulations; the Philippines will disband its anti-drug police unit after - allegedly - rogue officers killed a South Korean businessman, but the Philippines President will continue his violent anti-drug campaign – although the Philippines police chief has said the drug war will be suspended to allow corruption in the police to be cleaned up; a prisoner who may have changed after converting to Islam has confessed to several “unsolvable” crimes; the UN's Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals has ordered that Turkey release a judge detained in the aftermath of last year's failed coup attempt, on the grounds that the judge is protected by diplomatic immunity; a mentally ill (diagnosed with a schizotypal mental illness) registered sex offender created fake social media profiles to harass a former child TV star (this raises questions about management of mental illness, the registration scheme, and safety); police seeking a warrant had it refused for not being able to provide key information about the person they wanted to arrest; criticism of a school for allowing a special needs student, accused of raping a classmate, to be interrogated without a parent present; my home state has far too few youth workers; a call for Australia to lead the campaign to end the death penalty worldwide (I really can’t see our current neoliberal government doing anything of the sort); the legal grey area of 3D printed guns; three Afghani asylum seekers have been jailed in Austria for rape; - 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: having an “equal say”, or a “right to respond” MUST be
assessed in the context of what is happening overall in society – NOT solely in
one limited incident):
a talk by a notorious racist, misogynist supporter of the alt right movement in the USA at a Californian university has been cancelled after two sets of protests - the first peaceful, the second violent and leaving the campus on lockdown, all of which has led to threats from US President Trump; a review of worldwide threats against journalism; - 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? Do you want a bigger, flashier
home/car than people had 50 years ago – which means you are actively abusing
the environment and society’s cohesion?):
- Zulu dancers are using fake pelts to save the endangered leopard; a power company has been excessively pruning trees; the US Army, which had previously decided to stop a controversial oil pipeline, has now been ordered by US President Trump to build it; research on ways to get local Council staff “more engaged” on climate change; another “explainer” on the myth of “clean” coal; more action - this time in the Czech Republic - against fake news; a car ban in Mexico City has delivered negligible improvement to air pollution, rather than the expected 15% reduction (did they let the trial run long enough – particularly given the atmospheric effects?); China will launch tradeable “green certificates” to reduce funding for renewable energy;
- a new mobile phone app will allow Ambulance Victoria to use trained first aiders before they arrive; soybean oil may lead to cheaper graphene; a widowers ad for a fishing mate has gone viral; brains scanners may be able to help those who have “locked in syndrome”; an Indian state is planning to allow a DNA database of criminals; the legal grey area of 3D printed guns;
- a call for people not to work more than 39 hours per week for health reasons; the demoralisation of dairy farmers – which is, in my opinion, due to people wanting cheap milk; a classic conflict between moronic management theories (clean desk leads to focus on work) and evidence from reality (personalisation of desks increases productivity by 15 – 25%);
- a farming family has used light hearted music clips to show their love of country life and farming; the multicultural nature of Katanning, in WA; concerns that Airbnb is making rents more expensive – and reducing rental security; a rather unbelievable example of shoddy building; concerns about the social state of Australia; after adjusting for the influence of wealth, moderate alcohol intake is not good; a call for better mental health care; claims that misdiagnosing immature behaviour as ADHD also harm those who genuinely do have ADHD; vegetarians may actually be living longer because they are more generally health conscious; an explanation of why addressing only supply will not create affordable housing; - With regard to education:
the Australian government is considering testing first year school students to “identify those who need intervention” (does that mean “help”?); one quarter of school kids are bullied; an Australian state will implement progressive policies for trans and intersex school kids; the challenges of starting school with a stutter; a neochristian school has forced a Sikh boy to find another school; the problem of school refusers (which can be an outcome of bullying); criticism of a school for allowing a special needs student, accused of raping a classmate, to be interrogated without a parent present; - 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):
death rates for pregnant women may not have reduced as much as thought; the Afghani government controls less than 60% of the nation; more fighting in Helmand province; a regional governor is seeking more power in the central government; - With regard to Africa, the Africa
Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
- Zulu dancers are using fake pelts to save the endangered leopard;
- Nigeria is struggling to grow enough rice as demand increases; “Nigeria will soon pay all the overdue cash stipends it owes former militants who signed up for an amnesty in 2009 in the Niger Delta oil hub”;
- the death of the 84 year old leader of the opposition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has jeopardised a political deal;
- protestors in The Gambia have called on the legislature to resign for supporting the former (“disgraced”) President’s imposition of a State of Emergency;
- people in the Central African Republic are using radios to stay safe from a diminished but still notorious violent extremist group;
- an examination of Kenya’s fencing of its border with Somalia, as the ICJ agrees to rule on a maritime dispute between the two nations; drought continues to cause problems in northern Kenya;
- an examination of the uneven path towards peace in Mali;
- Zimbabwe’s ancient and despotic leader has criticised the African Union for allowing Morocco to re-join;
- more funds are needed to stave off famine in Somalia;
- after 38 years, Angola’s President will not seek re-election;
- the nations of the African Union may withdraw collectively from the International Criminal Court – but some African leaders oppose this;
- an examination of the uncomfortable relationship between sports and politics in Africa; - With regard to China and East and South East Asia:
- a critique of the risks of instability in Asia, and what to do about them;
- a Chinese agricultural investment company has avoided controversy by investing in local partners, rather than trying to buy companies outright; a call for better communication between India and China; hard work, not a “Confucian mentality” is what gives Chinese people their success; a critique of China under President Xi; China will launch tradeable “green certificates” to reduce funding for renewable energy;
- a Chinese billionaire has reportedly been abducted from a hotel in Hong Kong;
- North Korea appears to have restarted its nuclear reactor;
- the US President and Acting South Korean President have agreed to strengthen defences against North Korea (there is no doubt that South Korea is in a parlous situation and needs strong military defence, but will this actually help, or will it just be a provocation? If it was anyone else but President Trump, I would have FAR fewer doubts … ), and this has been re-emphasised during the visit of the USA’s new Defence Secretary;
- the Philippines will disband its anti-drug police unit after - allegedly - rogue officers killed a South Korean businessman, but the Philippines President will continue his violent anti-drug campaign – although the Philippines police chief has said the drug war will be suspended to allow corruption in the police to be cleaned up … which is possibly why the army has been order to get involved in delivering the extrajudicial killings programme – I mean “anti-drug war” … ; the ceasefire in the southern Philippines will end soon, but there is still an interest in peace;
- a prominent lawyer and advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi has been murdered, leading to mourning by thousands and calls for effective investigation;
- Australia is helping Papua-New Guinea host an APEC Summit; PNG is investigating possible corruption by two government Ministers;
- concern about Indonesia’s religious minorities;
- Burma has launched a nutrition programme to ameliorate the problem of stunting; - With regard to Europe:
- an argument that peace in Europe is to the USA’s advantage (Europeans might be in favour too); a call for NATO to “begin to compete on the cyber-battlefield to counter Russian hacking, which is “weaponising misinformation” to create a post-truth age”; a call for the European Union not to succumb to US President Trump’s divide-and-rule strategy;
- allegations of misconduct against a French Presidential candidate and his wife have been denied; French socialists are moving away from centrism and back to core values;
- “Greece's privatization revenue targets hinge on the swift conclusion of a crucial review of the country's bailout progress”; an assessment that Greece’s public debt “can be manageable”; Greek and Turkish warships have been involved in a standoff;
- Norway has protested Russia’s refusal to issue visas to two Norwegian MPs;
- the crackdown after the failed coup in Turkey and prison conditions in Romania and Hungary have led to a 23% increase in applications to the European Court of Human Rights;
- Cyprus’ leaders have asked for another peace summit in March (that may be derailed by the growing tension between Turkey and Greece); - 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 former extremist in Iraq, which is still troubled by sectarianism, is now advocating co-existence; men fleeing Mosul are being secretly detained;
- and the Iraq Body Count project reports 248 people killed in the last week (1,363 civilians in January); - With regard to the Libyan civil war:
Libya will give NATO maritime access if NATO helps upgrade Libya’s navy; Italy will help the UN-backed regime fight people smugglers; Russia is expecting a visit by Libya’s Prime Minister; "conditions for migrants and refugees in Libya are worse than in concentration camps, according to a paper sent to the German foreign ministry by its ambassador in Niger", with "authenticated reports of executions, torture and other systematic rights abuses in camps on the refugee route in Libya"; Turkey has reopened its embassy in Libya; - With regard to Russia (which is currently actively supporting an
– in my opinion, based on R2P principles - illegitimate regime in Syria), Russian
influenced nations and eastern Europe, and responses:
- “A prominent Russian opposition activist has been hospitalised with organ failure, two years after he almost died of suspected poisoning”; a critique of Australia’s attitudes towards Russia; Russia is expecting a visit by Libya’s Prime Minister; a call for NATO to “begin to compete on the cyber-battlefield to counter Russian hacking, which is “weaponising misinformation” to create a post-truth age”; “An adjustment to sanctions against the Russian intelligence agency FSB on Thursday appeared to be a minor tweak intended to avoid unforeseen repercussions for US consumer electronics companies – but that did not stop the change being trumpeted in Moscow as a new dawn for counter-terrorism cooperation”; transphobic intimidation has been circumvented to allow lifesaving gender realignment surgery to resume in Russia; Russia has charged two cybersecurity officials with treason for allegedly cooperating with the USA’s CIA; - With regard to South and Central America:
- “Spain has agreed to extradite to Colombia a former FARC rebel accused of carrying out 300 forced abortions on women fighters, some of them underage”; Colombia and FARC have announced a major deal to destroy coca crops, which FARC used to use as a source of funds; a Colombian rebel group has released a hostage and another group has started turning in its arms;
- a Brazilian tycoon has turned himself in to police to clear his name of bribery allegations;
- a retirement home has been set up in Mexico for sex workers;
- Jews and Muslims are living together in peace in Panama;
- a car ban in Mexico City has delivered negligible improvement to air pollution, rather than the expected 15% reduction (did they let the trial run long enough – particularly given the atmospheric effects?); a Mexican woman has returned her US visa; an assessment that the USA’s proposed wall along its Mexican border will strengthen Mexican drug cartels; an “explainer” on why US President Trump’s tax on Mexican imports will not effectively raise funds; since the discovery in 2014 that many disappearances were caused by authorities, not drug cartels, groups of citizens have been searching for hidden graves of their loved ones;
- Argentina has triggered a backlash from Bolivia after deciding to go down the Trump ban-and-wall path; - With regard to South Asia (aka
the Indian
sub-continent), The
Hindu and other sources have:
- Hindu hardliners are trying to sideline Mahatma Gandhi because of Gandhi’s goal of Hindu-Muslim unity; another sexual assault case from India has hit the headlines; the story of a Chinese surveyor who strayed into India in 1963, was held in jail for 7 years and has been in limbo ever since; India’s budget will “spend more on rural areas, infrastructure and poverty alleviation” (potentially this is good, but it has to be delivered); eating too many lychees on an empty stomach has been causing a mystery illness in a an Indian state which killed one third of kids who came down with it; political candidates – 15% of whom have criminal histories - in an Indian state are promising “fish for all” … ; an Indian state is planning to allow a DNA database of criminals; criticism of attempts to address corruption in India; a call for better communication between India and China; the army has been deployed in response to tribal violence in the India state of Nagaland; India will adopt measures aimed at providing more low cost, affordable housing; caste based attacks led to Dalits fleeing a village, and they now want somewhere safer to live; two villages have been harmoniously working together each year for 30 years to build a temporary river barrage to store water for summer; India is working to help the survivors of acid attacks find jobs; the victim of a road accident in India begged to be taken to hospital, but bystanders just filmed his death instead - but see also here, on the systemic problems (including abuse by police);
- Kashmiri farmers caught in decades of cross-border fire have also been hit by drought;
- an opinion piece arguing that “Pakistan needs a broader, better co-ordinated strategy from state institutions and a willingness to face up to unpleasant truths if it really wants to curb resurgent extremism”; Pakistan is acting against rapists;
- in moves that raise serious concerns about safety (are they trying to murder these refugees?), Bangladesh is preparing to move tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to flood-prone, pirate-infested islands before forcible return to Burma – with possible breaches of the principle of non-refoulement; - With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
- Morocco is exploring investing in South Sudan; Uganda will not intervene militarily in South Sudan; - 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):
- negotiations have resulted in the Assad dictatorship regaining control over Damascus’s water supply; US air strikes have cut water to a town invaded by violent extremists; Saudi Arabia’s king will support safe zones in Syria and Yemen; Kurds are seeking a key role in protecting the possible “safe zones”; an optimistic assessment of the proposal for safe zones in Syria, and scepticism from Russia and Turkey; Syria’s opposition has refused to allow the UN to pick its representatives; - With regard to Turkey:
the UN's Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals has ordered that Turkey release a judge detained in the aftermath of last year's failed coup attempt, on the grounds that the judge is protected by diplomatic immunity; a former Prime Minister of Turkey has warned that USS President’s (partial) ban on Muslims is a propaganda gift for violent extremists; some Turkish military personnel at NATO are seeking asylum in Germany; Turkey is threatening to cancel the refugee deal if soldiers are not extradited from Greece; the United Kingdom will develop fighter jets for Turkey; Greek and Turkish warships have been involved in a standoff; - With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in
the east:
the worst flare up of fighting for several weeks in eastern Ukraine has killed 10 people, and it is continuing - see also here and here; the influence of uncertainty around US President Trump on the resumption of fighting; counterclaims on who is responsible here and here, and a call by one US politician for US President Trump to retaliate against Russia; - With regard to West Asia / the Middle East and North
Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
- Israel is considering retrospectively legalising 4,000 squatter homes – which the US Trump administration has said is not an impediment but is not helpful … ; more warnings on the USA’s plan to move its Embassy to Jerusalem; a call for a “bigger tent” (i.e., acceptance of criticism as not necessarily meaning people are anti-Israel) in pro-Israel groups, with a narrower, more specific definition of “de-legitimisation;
- the Trump administration has “put Iran on notice” after Iran’s MRBM test, and called for UN consultations, as Iran criticises “novice” President Trump; a call for Iran to not execute a juvenile offender;
- calls for reform to reduce the number of marijuana users in Tunisia’s prisons;
- bike sharing in Lebanon;
- Nubians are despairing under the discrimination in Egypt;
- Lebanon slowly crawls towards the late 20th century by thinking about decriminalising same sex relationships; - 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):
a raid against violent extremists in Yemen led to several deaths, including of a US soldier; allies of the Saudi-led coalition have been warned of possible war crimes; Saudi Arabia’s king will support safe zones in Syria and Yemen; the USA has said civilians were probably also killed during its recent raid in Yemen; a call for better governance and peace to fight violent extremism in Yemen; concerns that Saudi Arabia’s investigation of its own human rights abuses is like “marking your own homework”; - With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
more funds are needed to stave off famine in Somalia; - With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and
the occasional nice story:
a call to remember the otherworldly whilst fighting in this one for a better world;
and from a range of other sites:
- Lunar New year celebrations throughout Asia have welcomed the Year of the Rooster;
- to end on a lighter note, Australia will be OK despite US President Trump’s grumblings, for we have … (drum roll) … Cluck Norris :) ;
(Dear Reader, please remember, I expect you to think when
reading this blog, and reserve the right to occasionally sneak in something to
test that)
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,
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.
