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 of the inspired BPM leadership of BPM Æther;(d) I’ve selected a rune for this week’s meditation, which is Tiwaz:(e) the counter to fear is genuine EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech;(f) 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;(g) 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 thoughtful call for “Unity in Diversity”; some excellent comments from an author I respect about compassion for refugees rather than – stupidly - conflating being against violent extremism with Islamophobia; as businesses reap benefits from economic growth that workers miss out on, an article on the growing problem of job insecurity (the comment about growth rates shows another problem: the need to get away from a growth-centric economy and economic thinking); a brief consideration of the ethical issues around enhancing soldiers; science does NOT back up the preconceptions, misconceptions and endemic views on the influence of testosterone; the UN Sustainable Development Goals are critical to attaining a better future for all, and innovation will be crucial to their attainment; - With regard to democracy (which requires protection of minorities and the vulnerable – and remember
Gandhi’s question about whether one is fighting to change things, or to punish,
and the list of 198 methods of nonviolent action), freedom
and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here, and see also here):
Note: I have created a section specifically for the current US President below
- analyses this week include: towards a “wiser” democracy; ethical principles for dissent by bureaucrats; an assessment that the USA is continuing to transition to “a normal great power”; a call for Australia to continue its international aid programme; a critique of the possible need for a select committee to investigate connections between the current US President and his staff with Russia; a critique of the political failures of progressive movements; a rebuttal of the self-interest of nationalism;
- of concern this week: a nominal Buddhist “monk” who has actively supported sectarianism (i.e., anti-Rohingya attacks) in Burma has thrown his weight behind a sect in Thailand which was recently the subject of a police raid; continued suppression of dissent in Russia; a cyber attack on Singapore’s defence department appears to have had very limited impact; the Philippines’ President’s arrest of an opponent has so far failed three of four tests – one to go … ;
- in the grey area or neutral this week: more concerns over the possibility of a Scottish independence move in reaction to Brexit; the current US administration is reportedly preparing to ignore any rulings by the World Trade Organization that it sees as an affront to US sovereignty (sovereignty is unquestionably important, but this raises the issue of US arrogance [I refuse to be subject to US laws where those conflict with Australian law – despite the USA passing a law stating otherwise!], and sacrificing the Great Good for US interests); the political situation in Somalia; civil society is urging Tanzania’s government to respect basic human freedoms;
- good news this week includes: a right wing extremist Dutch politician has been criticised by his brother;
- and in my home nation this week: there “will be changes” in my home state after an “appalling” abuse of entitlements by an MP; an appalling threat to divulge personal information of political opponents of government policies – which has led to an investigation by the privacy commissioner, referral to the police, Senate concern, a rethink by the opposition of support for a bill, and descriptions of it being “chilling” – see also here; the Australian state of Queensland has chosen to stay in the 19th Century; Canada has urged Australia to focus on the rights of the disabled when discussing funding for the NDIS; as businesses reap benefits from economic growth that workers miss out on, an article on the growing problem of job insecurity (the comment about growth rates shows another problem: the need to get away from a growth-centric economy); an article on populism in Australia; an article on illegally working foreigners in Australia, and why we need to hear their stories; a call for better measurement of our health system – including affordability; concerns that approaches to a cashless welfare card are effectively a “star chamber”;
- this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Syria and the Lake Chad Basin in Africa; - With regard to the current US President this week:
- the US Border Hate Force has been distressing more innocent people this week – see here (she will no longer travel to the USA), here and here (more on that one here) ; concern over declining tourism to the USA in response to the current US President’s various actions; some US cities which have been using and planning on population growing and becoming younger as a result of refugees are being hit hard by the bans;
- US scientists are preparing to “fight back” against the current US administration’s “war on science”; despite their Commander-in-Chief, the US military is adopting green power – which also potentially saves lives by reducing the need for conveys in conflict zones;
- meanwhile, the current US administration’s war on the media is continuing – see here and here; Cambodia’s “authoritarian” Prime Minister has joined the media bashing; a former US President has defended the media;
- experts dispute claims that the US is lagging on nuclear weapons capability, as their current President tries to shift billions of money from aid to military spending; fears the USA’s NSA will lose key staff over the acrimonious relationship with the current US President – see also here;
- the climate change denier in charge of the US EPA will start wiping out green initiatives;
- for the current US President’s first speech to the US Congress was marked by Democrat women wearing white, in a nod to the suffragette movement, and by criticism of – a hypocritical - “detachment from reality”, and see also this fact check;
- the current US administration is reportedly preparing to ignore any rulings by the World Trade Organization that it sees as an affront to US sovereignty (sovereignty is unquestionably important, but this raises the issue of US arrogance [I refuse to be subject to US laws where those conflict with Australian law – despite the USA passing a law stating otherwise!], and sacrificing the Great Good for US interests);
- the US Attorney-General may be the next victim of the Russia scandal – see also here, as it emerges that the current US Vice-President, who vehemently criticised Hilary Clinton for using a private mail server, did the same and was hacked when he was a governor;
- an analysis of advisor Steve Bannon;
- this week’s poor judgement award goes to those witches in the USA who are trying to use magic to remove Trump, which will inevitably lead to a neochristian backlash. The spell calls on demons, which I disagree with (the means affect the end), and conflates binding the person with binding their acts/effects – see also here; supporters of the current US President have been organising their own rallies; - 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 the USA, the Philippines, Canada, Kashmir, USA (2nd), DR Congo, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 3 attacks in Iraq and 1 attack in Syria (out of a total 11); violent extremist threats are or may be developing in Pakistan, South East Asia; prevention has or may have occurred in Australia; and actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media) have occurred this week against violent extremists in Iraq, Algeria, Somalia;
- Saudi Arabia and Indonesia will work together against violent extremism;
- papers from a conference on countering violent extremism (which I have downloaded, but not yet fully read); an analysis of violent extremist groups in Afghanistan; a more nuanced survey finds that Australians are not as Islamophobic as thought; the age of Australians being radicalised is getting younger; the privacy of Europeans is at risk when US firms transfer their data to the USA; an examination of the possibility that the USA’s allies maybe able to restrain counter-productive excesses of the new US regime; a US-focused critique of why review of US electronic surveillance laws is needed; UK universities appear to be suppressing dissent – see here, here and here; an investigation which reveals how right wing extremist groups caused a massive attack on Muslim charities; - With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
attempts are being made to ban phones for refugees in Australia’s offshore refuge gulag system, with claims being made that it is about crime prevention (those claims are strange enough, but the lack of credibility of the people running the gulags doesn’t help their case); child refugees in Libya are at profound risk of abuse; “Canadian and U.S. officials are working on a plan to tackle asylum seekers crossing into Canada illegally, with American officials keen to discover how they entered the United States in the first place”; refugees have been stopped at the Polish border; thousands of Eritrean refugees are dying; a court case has got underway in the USA over alleged forced labour of tens of thousands of detained refugees; some US cities which have been using and planning on population growing and becoming younger as a result of refugees are being hit hard by the bans; refugees continue to be “repatriated” from Kenya to Somalia … ; - With regard to human (and other) rights and discrimination (including
associated violence / crime):
- on homophobia/transphobia this week: the lack of facilities for trans health in northern Australia; a partial step forward in Slovenia; suggestions for making sport more gay friendly; a neochristian group in Spain has been stopped from spouting its transphobic hate; “More than 50 companies declared their support for a transgender high school student in a brief to the Supreme Court Thursday, arguing that the 17-year-old’s school should allow him to use the bathroom that corresponds to his gender identity”; an Australian soccer club is demonstrating support for LGBT people; a review of LGBT rights around the world;
- on racism this week: an article on the xenophobia in South Africa; a call to leave Australia’s Section 18C alone; concerns that Native Title is being watered down in Australia to favour mining companies; the experience of an indigenous gay man – se also here; the “UN special rapporteur [on violence against women] has criticised the Australian government for jailing women for unpaid fines, and for failing to provide adequate services to Indigenous women facing higher rates of domestic violence and violence-related issues”; “Mexico's government [has taken] the rare step of apologising to three Indigenous women who spent more than three years in prison after being falsely accused by prosecutors of kidnapping seven police officers and carrying cocaine”; an Australian state has made some improvements to its teaching of indigenous history; some examples of the experience of racism in Australia;
- on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone): the problem of rape and sexual assault on campus – particularly during Orientation Week; a drunk man is being tried for having forced his girlfriend into a head on car crash; in a first for me (in terms of putting something like this into these posts), an interesting online interactive site to find which women’s rights activist you are most like; a pet shelter for victims of domestic violence is struggling, resulting in victims staying in situations of DV to protect their pets; the Australian state of Queensland has chosen to stay in the 19th Century; a still serving police officer who abused his position and power to track a colleague’s partner on suspicion of an affair has got off on a technicality – which raises questions about other cases, as well as why he is still serving and how this abuse will be prevented in future; “Russians opposed to the decriminalisation of domestic violence say they have not given up hope of bringing in a new law to protect women”; for the current US President’s first speech to Congress was marked by Democrat women wearing white, in a nod to the suffragette movement; a woman has been murdered in Nicaragua by cretins who claimed they were conducting an exorcism by throwing her onto a fire … ; science does NOT back up the preconceptions, misconceptions and endemic views on the influence of testosterone; more governments are stepping up to counter the USA’s anti-abortion bigotry; 11% of Australians (including me) have experienced domestic violence in the form of financial abuse; the gender pay gap; “Lego plans to honour five women scientists, engineers and astronauts who worked for U.S. space agency NASA by releasing figurines of the pioneering women that its creator hopes will inspire more girls to pursue careers in science” - see also here; “Citing a significant rise over the past year in the number of women dying from drug overdoses globally, the independent expert body which monitors Governments’ compliance with the United Nations international drug control treaties is today calling for the implementation of gender-sensitive drug policies and programmes”; after being recently informed in a badly-worded and full of spelling mistakes letter that her award-winning feminist Indian film was being denied a censor certificate for being too "lady-oriended [oriented]" with "contanious [continuous] sexual scenes", the director is fighting to ensure their film gets released in the country; “A Polish nationalist member of the European Parliament may be punished after he said women "must earn less than men because they are weaker, smaller and less intelligent" ”; a review of a book suggesting feminism has lost touch with its roots; a campaign to have girls in Kenya educated; an article on the widening gender gap;
- on other forms of human (and other) rights this week: protestors have been criticised for “going too far” after targeting the home on my home city’s Mayor, letter boxing incorrect information and threatening a litter campaign (I’m inclined to agree that they may, in their frustration, have gone too far, but so too has the City Council); child refugees in Libya are at profound risk of abuse; Canada has urged Australia to focus on the rights of the disabled when discussing funding for the NDIS; an appalling threat to divulge personal information of political opponents of government policies – which has led to an investigation by the privacy commissioner, and descriptions of it being “chilling”; a warning that new Australian Federal Police policies could result in cooperation with the imposition of the death penalty, in direct contradiction of Australia’s stance on this – this is either staggering incompetence, or an attempt to get around Australia’s anti-death penalty position: either way, it is concerning; Burma has claimed to not be trying to ethnically cleanse Rohingya (good luck getting anyone to believe that); “A leading member of a group advising Pope Francis on how to root out sex abuse in the Catholic Church quit in frustration on Wednesday, citing "shameful" resistance within the Vatican”; “Democratic” Republic of Congo (DR Congo) forces committed human rights abuses against protestors in December, 2016; war crimes were committed by “all parties” in Aleppo; the UN agency leading the world's HIV/AIDS response is urging everyone to “make some noise” for zero discrimination in healthcare settings; an Azerbaijani activist’s family have been abused; the privacy of Europeans is at risk when US firms transfer their data to the USA; the problem of child marriage in the USA; the neochristian church has blocked further compensation to victims of its child abusing priests; - With regard
to crime, judicial matters and policing:
a still serving police officer who abused his position and power to track a colleague’s partner on suspicion of an affair has got off on a technicality – which raises questions about other cases, as well as why he is still serving and how this abuse will be prevented in future; child refugees in Libya are at profound risk of abuse; the US Supreme Court has struck down a state law banning sexual offenders from social media (I consider that disappointing, but am prepared to concede that the focus should possibly be on child abusers); a man has been charged after 3D printing multiple guns; a warning that new Australian Federal Police policies could result in cooperation with the imposition of the death penalty, in direct contradiction of Australia’s stance on this – this is either staggering incompetence, or an attempt to get around Australia’s anti-death penalty position: either way, it is concerning; a reiteration of a call to end the death penalty; “A leading member of a group advising Pope Francis on how to root out sex abuse in the Catholic Church quit in frustration on Wednesday, citing "shameful" resistance within the Vatican”; Angolan police have violently suppressed a peaceful demonstration; criticism of Tunisia’s police as “cowardly” in responding to a violent extremist attack in 2015; allegations that Philippines police have been planting evidence; “Citing a significant rise over the past year in the number of women dying from drug overdoses globally, the independent expert body which monitors Governments’ compliance with the United Nations international drug control treaties is today calling for the implementation of gender-sensitive drug policies and programmes”; a call for better gender adaptation of programmes in prisons; - 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):
an article on the various attacks on the media; a journalist has been killed while reporting on fighting in Iraq; continued suppression of dissent in Russia; the current US administration’s war on the media is continuing – see here and here; Cambodia’s “authoritarian” Prime Minister has joined the media bashing; a former US President has defended the media; this sort of exception-to-the-rule story does NO-ONE any good, and actively and maliciously contributes to unreasonable expectations and all the problems that go with it; “under new advertising standards, social media "influencers" have to clearly label their sponsored content”; Burundi is continuing to suppress the 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? Is your social media making you
miserable or envious? 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?):
- with profound apologies for using a social media link, an article here reporting expert opinions that climate change will be a risk company directors need to consider much as OHS became such an obligation in the 80s; major concerns over the environmental impact of a coal mine in a pristine area; the climate change denier in charge of the US EPA will start wiping out green initiatives; Indonesia has pledged to reduce plastic waste by 70%; an article on the problem of methane emissions from coal seam gas operations; 25 million houses in the UK need to be insulated; despite their Commander-in-Chief, the US military is adopting green power – which also potentially saves lives by reducing the need for conveys in conflict zones; “A third consecutive year of falling coal consumption and a renewable energy spending spree has made China the new global leader on climate change, some environmental groups claim”; pollution – which has caused one lake to catch fire – may make the Indian city of Bangalore uninhabitable; concerns that Native Title is being watered down in Australia to favour mining companies;
- an interesting article on people who deliberately choose “retro” technology; a cyber attack on Singapore’s defence department appears to have had very limited impact; the US Supreme Court has struck down a state law banning sexual offenders from social media (I consider that disappointing, but am prepared to concede that the focus should possibly be on child abusers); “under new advertising standards, social media "influencers" have to clearly label their sponsored content”; the privacy of Europeans is at risk when US firms transfer their data to the USA;
- another article on open offices and other management fads; a reminder that cutting workers’ pay (i.e., penalty rates) also cuts consumer spending; concerns over the economic impact of closing a power station near my home city; as businesses reap benefits from economic growth that workers miss out on, an article on the growing problem of job insecurity (the comment about growth rates shows another problem: the need to get away from a growth-centric economy); the current US administration is reportedly preparing to ignore any rulings by the World Trade Organization that it sees as an affront to US sovereignty (sovereignty is unquestionably important, but this raises the issue of US arrogance [I refuse to be subject to US laws where those conflict with Australian law – despite the USA passing a law stating otherwise!], and sacrificing the Great Good for US interests); a corporate regulator is taking action against a bank under responsible lending laws;
- as health issues disappear from one state’s planning regulations, higher house prices near green spaces confirm that people need and want these; Australia’s Reserve Bank has criticised negative gearing of houses; more land will be released for “affordable” housing in my home state, but still nothing on smaller blocks – and “experts” dispute whether this will impact on inner suburb areas (Note: as a wastewater expert, I dispute that building “up” in inner suburbs avoid spending money on infrastructure – sewers have to be augmented, as with other services, and doing so in an already developed area is difficult and therefore expensive. Taking off my “expert” hat, there are also over-crowding etc issues to consider. Smaller blocks and tiny homes, and – ultimately - reduced population growth, are the answers); some housing affordability crises are starting to be displaced to rural areas; investors are continuing to drive house prices up; an article asking the obvious question: when will people stop buying houses they cannot afford?; a new not-for-profit real estate agency is aiming to make a (small) contribution towards affordable housing; 3 squatters have died in a fire in an abandoned factory; an article on urban foraging; an appalling threat to divulge personal information of political opponents of government policies – which has led to an investigation by the privacy commissioner, and descriptions of it being “chilling”; this sort of exception-to-the-rule story does NO-ONE any good, and actively and maliciously contributes to unreasonable expectations and all the problems that go with it; a call for TV shows about working class people; - With regard to education:
the problem of rape and sexual assault on campus – particularly during Orientation Week; “An unofficial school bus service driven by community volunteers is increasing school attendance rates for some of far north Queensland's most underprivileged students”; - 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):
an analysis of violent extremist groups in Afghanistan; - With regard to Africa, the Africa
Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
- an African leadership prize has not been awarded for the 2nd year in a row;
- youth unemployment continues to be a major problem;
- concern over growing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea;
- hunger is persisting in East Africa;
- Gambians are seeking justice for the disappeared;
- “Democratic” Republic of Congo (DR Congo) forces committed human rights abuses against protestors in December, 2016;
- Angolan police have violently suppressed a peaceful demonstration;
- refugees continue to be “repatriated” from Kenya to Somalia … ; aid agencies are struggling to feed Somali refugees in Uganda; Somalia has declared a national disaster over its drought, and may declare famine soon – see also here; the political situation in Somalia;
- Burundi, which continues to suppress the media, has rejected a UN report on its ongoing crisis;
- thousands of Eritrean refugees are dying;
- the need for Niger to go beyond a purely military response to violent extremism in its south east, with specific recommendations;
- floods in Zimbabwe;
- civil society is urging Tanzania’s government to respect basic human freedoms;
- a campaign to have girls in Kenya educated; - With regard to China (may her growing middle class bring a love
of peace and freedom) and East and South East Asia:
- in response to the current US administration, China has started a naval building surge … (pre World War One naval arms race, anyone?); for the 6th and 7th time respectively, China and Russia have vetoed sanctions against the Assad dictatorship, which were proposed after confirmation of three chemical attacks during 2014 and 2015; “A third consecutive year of falling coal consumption and a renewable energy spending spree has made China the new global leader on climate change, some environmental groups claim”; an assessment of whether or not China has outflanked the USA in the South China Sea; an assessment that private companies in China are not stooges for the Communist party; India and China are close to a settlement on their border;
- a report has identified that North Korea is evading sanctions; a call for continued strategic patience with North Korea; the possible long term fallout from North Korea’s recent assassination of its leaders’ brother;
- South Korea has moved closer to having improved missile defences – to China’s anger;
- Malaysia has shut down two North Korean companies who were operating arms businesses;
- a nominal Buddhist “monk” who has actively supported sectarianism (i.e., anti-Rohingya attacks) in Burma has thrown his weight behind a sect in Thailand which was recently the subject of a police raid; Burma has claimed to not be trying to ethnically cleanse Rohingya (good luck getting anyone to believe that);
- “Political opponents of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday turned a traditional celebration of a "People Power" uprising against dictatorship three decades ago into a protest march condemning his war on drugs”; the Philippines’ President’s arrest of an opponent has so far failed three of four tests – one to go … - see also here; allegations that Philippines police have been planting evidence;
- despite truly extraordinary reconciliation, the dropping of charges against a notorious torturer in Cambodia is “a bitter pill”;
- Indonesia has pledged to reduce plastic waste by 70%; Australia and Indonesia have restored military cooperation; Saudi Arabia and Indonesia will work together against violent extremism; Saudi Arabia’s King has visited Indonesia – together with an entourage of 900 people … ; seven Pacific nations have asked the UN to investigate alleged rights abuses in West Papua;
- the governor of a PNG province is asking for Australian assistance to deal with an outbreak of violence; - With regard to Europe:
- “A Polish nationalist member of the European Parliament may be punished after he said women "must earn less than men because they are weaker, smaller and less intelligent" ”; - 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 journalist has been killed while reporting on fighting in Iraq; the Iraqi army continues to make gains against violent extremists in Mosul – see also here, which also talks about the effect on civilians;
- and the Iraq Body Count project reports 207 people killed in the last week, and 982 in February; - With regard to the Libyan civil war:
child refugees in Libya are at profound risk of abuse; another article on the abuse of refugees in Libya; - With regard to Russia (which is currently supporting an – in my
opinion, based on R2P principles - illegitimate regime in Syria), Russian
influenced nations and eastern Europe, and responses:
- uncertainty over Russia’s goals at the Syrian peace talks; continued suppression of dissent in Russia; “Russians opposed to the decriminalisation of domestic violence say they have not given up hope of bringing in a new law to protect women”; for the 6th and 7th time respectively, China and Russia have vetoed sanctions against the Assad dictatorship, which were proposed after confirmation of three chemical attacks during 2014 and 2015; Russia is pushing back on hacking claims, but some Russians are backing the cyberwar claims; the ongoing economic problems in Russia’s rural areas; - With regard to South and Central America:
- Guatemala is expelling the crew of an “abortion boat” for entering under false pretences; a woman has been murdered in Nicaragua by cretins who claimed they were conducting an exorcism by throwing her onto a fire … ;
- El Salvador’s murder problem has now claimed a beloved hippo in the zoo (hopefully the people responsible will be turned in);
- concerns that the Colombian government is not delivering on its promises to the rebels;
- the tortured bodies of more murder victims have been found in Mexico; analysis of the problems (the “terror”) of the Mexican state of Veracruz, with recommendations; “Mexico's government [has taken] the rare step of apologising to three Indigenous women who spent more than three years in prison after being falsely accused by prosecutors of kidnapping seven police officers and carrying cocaine”; - With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian
sub-continent), The
Hindu and other sources have:
- India will soon publish its first sign language dictionary; Indian scientists have recycled old pipes to facilitate advanced space science; pollution – which has caused one lake to catch fire – may make the Indian city of Bangalore uninhabitable; India and China are close to a settlement on their border; India has tested an interceptor missile; after being recently informed in a badly-worded and full of spelling mistakes letter that her award-winning Indian film was being denied a censor certificate for being too "lady-oriended [oriented]" with "contanious [continuous] sexual scenes", the director is fighting to ensure ther film gets released in the country;
- the plight of Nepali veterans living in Nepal;
- Pakistan’s army has been a stabilising influence in West Asia;
- seven people have been killed in Sri Lanka during an attack on a prison bus; “Sri Lanka's main Tamil party has asked the United Nations to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes committed during the country's 26-year war against Tamil separatists”;
- interesting road signs in Bhutan; - With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
- an argument has erupted – complete with threats to commit murder – over the use of condoms in 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):
- uncertainty over Russia’s goals at the Syrian peace talks; clashes have occurred between Turkish backed rebels and forces loyal to the Assad dictatorship; for the 6th and 7th time respectively, China and Russia have vetoed sanctions against the Assad dictatorship, which were proposed after confirmation of three chemical attacks during 2014 and 2015; forces loyal to the Assad dictatorship have re-taken Palmyra … again (for how long this time); war crimes were committed by “all parties” in Aleppo – see also here and here; - With regard to Turkey:
an examination of Turkish-US relations; - With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in
the east:
rebels in eastern Ukraine have cut mobile phone communications; a coal blockade may bring about a crisis; - With regard to West Asia / the Middle East and North
Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
- Israel has attacked Hamas targets after a missile was fired from Gaza; criticism of Israel’s claimed legal basis for detaining Palestinian residents of Gaza; a late Palestinian author’s works are still mediating between Arabs and Israelis, with a view to changing negative stereotypes; an interview with an Israeli general who tried – unsuccessfully – to improve the physical circumstances of Bedouin;
- growing tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border;
- Saudi Arabia and Indonesia will work together against violent extremism; Saudi Arabia’s King has visited Indonesia – together with an entourage of 900 people … ; an analysis of Saudi Arabia’s current diplomatic initiatives; Saudi Arabia has jailed two people for taking part in protests in 201;
- criticism of Tunisia’s police as “cowardly” in responding to a violent extremist attack in 2015;
- the USA is looking to resume military cooperation with Egypt, after its cancellation following the massacre in 2013; former Egyptian President Mubarek is cleared of killing protestors in 2011 … ;
- the fragility of Oman;
- Pakistan’s army has been a stabilising influence in West Asia; - 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):
yet another article on the – ignored –humanitarian crisis in Yemen; aid agencies need safe access to prevent famine in Yemen; sexual abuse is soaring in Yemen; more US attacks; - With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
drug resistant tuberculosis remains a problem; Somalia has declared a national disaster over its drought; hunger is persisting in East Africa; floods in Zimbabwe; - With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and
the occasional nice story:
ICG’s 2017 Watch List; a pub owner is knocking back developers in order to help people doing it tough;
and from a range of other sites:
- a campaign has been launched to stop parents ruining their children’s experience of sport – see also here;
- superhydrophopbic paint is being used to deter those drunks who urinate in public places in parts of Germany;
- data on legal euthanasia.
(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.
