Saturday 3 June 2017

Post No. 1,033 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 165


Again, owing to yet another crazy week at work – and some illness and a few other personal matters – my research for this week’s Gnwmythr’s News is not as widespread as I aim for: my apologies. I am looking for a better job (have been for several years, actually), but none of my applications have been successful – yet, and I keep failing to win the Lotto (although that’s possibly because I don’t but tickets – which I understand only marginally increases the odds in my favour :) ).
Information and Summary/Analysis:
Note: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias:   the purpose of posting these news links 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. Also, the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events, so address those as well. The reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing are here;   see also here,   here,   here,   (here and also here and here are interesting),   here, here,   here,   and   this post reminds us to be patient and persistent, like a “speeding oak”. Finally, there are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working.
The themes that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are:
 (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, including spirit rescue, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage created. Also, remember that:
           1. the counter to fear is genuine  EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech,
           2. where problems exist, advocating for BPM responses, and being as BPM as one can be, are constructive solutions,
           3. peace is powerful, but it is a process requiring patient, persistent and nuanced nurturing, and a blend of conventional spiritual work, clearing nonBPM units, and physical world activism;
(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need:
           emotionally (astrally), more of the endurance and patience of BPM Earth;
           mentally, more BPM Æther;
           a plot of the elemental influences on a causal/spiritual level follows, and shows a need for more outwardly focused BPM Air;

(d)   I’ve created a bindrune for this week’s work, which is:
(e)   dealing with the 45th US President, for whom I use the alias Voldemort, requires:
           1. eroding (i.e., slow, patient and persistent clearing of the little bits one can SAFELY cope with – remember, you are but one of many) the nonBPM influences feeding his arrogance and mind-set, and strengthening Voldemort’s BPM Guides and giving them whatever BPM help they need to present a BPM alternative – for which my “changing the personality of oppressors” post is useful – with a view to promoting what would seem to be a change of heart,
           2. lifting the nonBPM influences from the shoulders of Voldemort’s marginal supporters, allowing them to “come to their senses”, which may result in them feeling bewilderment/shame, and simultaneously strengthening the BPM influences around them (e.g., their BPM Guides) to counter them backsliding,
           3. to address the others, physical world activism (especially education) is required. As well as doing what one can there, help those who are doing this work (e.g., sending them “positive vibes”) and look for nonBPM blockages that can be cleared (e.g., setting up a BPM vortex above meetings to draw away external nonBPM influences/energies/units, so that the audience can listen as they are, without any obsession/possession);
(f)   the major events this week are:   the withdrawal of the USA from the Paris Climate Agreement;   China happily moving into the world leadership role that the USA is willingly vacating (will Europe step up as the leader of the free world?);   the stupidity of some opponents of the 45th US President;   the chaos around the 45th US President continues, but there are signs that he is learning on the job – a little;   the splits in thinking shown by attempts to ban nuclear weapons (including the dangerous naiveté of some, together with an excess of realpolitik in others);   the primary motivation of violent extremists – liking violence – has been called out;
(g)   abuse of power has been exemplified by the neochristian Catholic Church using students to blackmail their parents;
(h)   adapting to a new world – especially technology - continues to be stuffed up;
(i)   the hate of bigotry continues, but there have been some gains against it;
(j)   being overwhelmed continues to affect people trying to make the world a better place – leading to some serious and very damaging errors of judgement;
(k)   simple minded thinking continues to plague everything it touches – including the emotions of those using it;
(l)   overwork out of fear and other social problems continue;
(m)   out-of-sight, out-of-mind remains an ongoing issue;
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 past week follows:
   news items are presented in the following sections (there is overlap, and items may appear more than once):
    - Permanent and Thematically Arranged News,
    - Location Based News,
    - From a Range of Other Sites;
   opportunities/good news are shown in green;
   comments are shown in purple; and
   WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc.
Permanent Issues and Thematically Arranged News:
  • 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;
  • Matters warranting particular attention:
       this week I heard some debate about “radical Muslim extremism”: as Dr. Anne Aly, MP, pointed out in one of those debates, however, the religious aspect is a COVER for the primary attractor, which is VIOLENCE. Furthermore, the detractors of Islam FAIL to recognise what they are doing to other, non-extreme Muslims, and the utter, arrant hypocrisy when their condemnation is compared to the malicious, endemic, misogynistic abuse of women, children and minorities – abuse which has caused suicides and massive, permanent damage to many, many, many people – of neochristians (such as those recently made by a former sports star) that is UNACKNOWLEDGED. Yes, Islam has, in my opinion, problems such as how it treats women, but so too do other religions – including Wicca, is why I am now Pagan, not Wiccan. On that, a rebuttal has been made of recent comments about same sex and so-called "traditional" marriage pointing out that marriages in the neochristian bible include polygamy, concubines and sex slaves - and clarification of context;
       criticising the "technophobes" (including politicians) who had been too slow to react to developments like artificial intelligence, and saying a "great transformation in human society" was under way - greater than both the printing press and industrial revolutions, Stephen Fry has issued a stark warning to prepare for the internet of the future, or face the worst of science fiction's predictions: "Whether it is winter that is coming, or a new spring, it is entirely in our hands so long as we prepare";   more excellent commentary on the abuse of valid techniques to get us to work harder: "And isn't that just the perfect solution for our employers. How convenient it must be to put workers under unreasonable stress and then blame it all on workers when the workplace goes bad. I'd argue positivity and mindfulness are just ways to get us to comply with the increased pressures of capitalism";   the “green economy” is the economy of the future;
       an appallingly gruesome act has been committed by a comedienne involving what looked like decapitation of the 45th US President. Not only does this NOT help in terms of changing Trump or his mindset, it perpetuates violence and is the sort of abuse that public figures - no matter how bad they are - should not be subjected to (I’d ask the comedienne how the next woman who might think about taking on public office might think about this – and how it could affect her kids [if she has any] if it is done against her? No matter how frustrated or impatient one is (and that can be perfectly understandable), it is VITAL to think! It wasn’t Voldemort who broke her: it was her own failure to manage her frustration. She has been fired … and continuing that one of those themes, “A 43-year-old man has been arrested at President Donald Trump's International Hotel in Washington DC after police found a high-powered assault rifle and ammunition in his car, a discovery they believe has prevented a "potential disaster" in the US capital”. Again, none of this helps make the world a better lace! The means shape the end, and if someone “gets rid of” the 45th US President in a nonBPM manner (whether violent or not), you WILL give his supporters – who ARE real: they DO exist – ammunition through martyrdom to BLINDLY continue their quest to reshape the world in their view without listening to reason, evidence or decency! Take a breath, and deal with your pain and frustration, and then seek to be as constructive as you can – in all matters, not just the 45th US President;
  • 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 a section specifically for the 45th US President below
       -   analyses this week include:   an interesting and thorough review of how the US Democratic Party, in the 70s and 80s, “killed their populist soul” - i.e., moved from an anti-monopoly focus developed by the excesses of corporations in the early 20th Century to what is described as a “neoliberal” position … ;   from an article examining evidence of male overconfidence: “The adoption of gender quotas in Swedish politics in 1994 — and the consequent displacement of mediocre male leaders — saw an overall increase in the competence of politicians”;   an article on buying citizenship … !!!;   the importance of civil society, civic space and leaving no-one behind for the achievement of Agenda 2030;   the USA is leaving a gap in world leadership that China is happily stepping into … and is Europe prepared to take on the role of leader of the free world?;   an article on recent moves to ban nuclear weapons which shows the split which occurred, and that my nation had a key role in;   a very detailed, extremely thorough, utterly comprehensive, and even long-winded examination of whether “liberal people are peaceful” – which I will comment further on when I finish reading it (note: for those who recognise the name, it has a fair bit of reference to Rawls);
       -   of concern this week:   the neochristian Catholic Church is using students to blackmail their parents into resisting proposed reforms of school funding;   “Conflict of interest concerns have been raised about two board members of federal government bodies involved in the consideration of a billion-dollar loan to Indian mining giant Adani”;   concerns after a review of a state EPA in my nation found it “routinely did not declare contaminated sites where property values could be affected” (what happened to safety???);   a US state will “will increase retirement ages, hike worker and city contributions, limit cost-of-living increases for retirees, and restructure governance”;   the secretive Bilderberg  Group is having its next meeting of political elites – to the joy of conspiracy nuts everywhere, and the more valid concerns of others over lack of transparency / accountability for this exercise of power;
       -   good news this week includes:   the UN has called on world leaders to invest in young people, with stronger investment in technology and relevant education and capacity building in Africa;
       -   other good news has occurred: Ireland;
       -   and other matters in my home nation this week:   more concerning allegations about a right wing party’s funding – and how is it so many conversations are being recorded without – apparently – consent?;   Australia has been urged to learn from overseas examples and address an "unprecedented" threat to democratic elections from the internet and social media;   "A parliamentary committee into black lung disease has found "catastrophic failings" in public administration" in an Australian state;   Australia’s neoliberal government is proposing to make all immigrants pass a University-level English exam (they might as well just go back to an open White Australia policy!);   an opinion that recession is likely in Australia;   Australia’s neoliberal government may extend its “bash someone who’s down” income management of drug users even if they kick their habit – which makes a mockery of their previous (good) reassurances (and, as someone who has experience the abuse of being in a relationship with an alcoholic, I support income management where dependents are involved);   unusual – in my view - comments by Australia’s neoliberal Attorney-General that are – sort of – supporting the Muslim community as being most at risk from violent extremists;   concerns over polarisation of politics;
       -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists the Philippines, Egypt and South Sudan;
  • With regard to the 45th US President (who I consider seriously dangerous, and NOT at all a buffoon) this week:
    I deliberately avoid using the 45th US President’s name for valid psychic reasons: however, to both simplify my typing and remind people that he is dangerous, I will use “Voldemort” – in this section, at least - as an alias.
       -   Voldemort has ordered the USA out of the Paris Climate Agreement (responses detailed below);
       -   controversy over claims that Voldemort’s son-in-law and advisor had proposed a “proposed secret back-channel communications with Russia”;  Voldemort’s communications director has resigned as Voldemort reportedly prepares to bring in “political professionals” as part of a “war room” on recent controversies;   the special counsel investigating ties between Russia and the Trump campaign will also look at connections between a former advisor and Turkey, according to a Reuters exclusive;   questions have been asked about whether Voldemort would block the former FBI Director from giving testimony to Congress – which “could spark a political backlash”;   criticism of the current process for finding a replacement FBI Director;
       -   France’s President has commented on the trial of the handshake with the USA’s 45th President – see also here;
       -   the 45th US President will delay relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv;
       -   concerns over more human trafficking and less tourism as US relations with Cuba decline;
       -   the racism and hate of Voldemort’s war on sanctuary cities has extended into a state legislature, with appalling threats and actions;   a warning that the US “administration's crackdown on illegal immigrants will likely weaken overall U.S. consumer spending and economic growth as those targeted for arrest increasingly choose to stay home and save more”;   fake posters in sanctuary cities;
       -   security experts are worried about Voldemort’s – hypocritical, in view of his attacks on Clinton emails – use of mobile phones;
       -   more decline in support for Voldemort;
  • With regard to violent extremism (VE) (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism are actively doing the work of violent extremists. This 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 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):
       -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in the USA (murder of bystanders stopping an Islamophobic attack – and a despicable **** stole from one of the victims), the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan (I found the wording of the subsequent denial by one violent extremist group particularly hypocritical), Cameroon (which was particularly disturbing, as it involved forcing children to be suicide bombers), and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 3 attacks in Iraq (out of a total of 15);   prevention has or may have occurred in: Germany, Germany (2nd);   and actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media I read) have occurred this week against violent extremists in Kashmir - but see also here, Syria;   "Dozens of people have been killed in the Philippine city of Marawi as clashes continue between [violent extremists] and the army";
       -   the US lap top ban might be extended to all nations;   at least one review will be undertaken after last week’s violent extremist attack in the UK;   a benefit concert will be held for Manchester;   concerns over police delays in responding to a bomb threat made by a possibly mentally ill person;   a Saudi TV programme is aiming to counter propaganda from violent extremists;   an analysis of the possible effects of the recent violent extremist attack in Kabul;   “The Victorian Government has asked the state's chief psychiatrist to urgently investigate the health care provided to a man who allegedly threatened to blow up a plane over Melbourne”;
       -   a view that the violent extremist attack in the UK last week was a hate crime against women;   an examination of “terror fatigue” calling for reports to focus on victims, rather than giving violent extremists metaphorical oxygen by replaying the attack;   the UN says the UK’s anti-violent extremist programme is causing a subtle but alarming shift towards criminalising peaceful protest and free expression;   commentary about negotiating with hostage takers, including the irrationality of violent extremists with hostages, and the situations where negotiating has reduced casualties;   an analysis of how violent extremists (mis)use social media;
  • With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
       the UN will expand its operations in Libya to help refugees and those affected by the ongoing conflict;   with 1,700 having drowned in the Mediterranean Sea so far this year, the UN refugee agency has called for safer ways for refugees to reach Europe;   court cases in two nations over Australia’s placement of children crewing on people smuggling boats in adult jails, with at least one case likely to succeed;   "tens of thousands of refugees have come to Australia over the last decade or so "and a very few of them have become subjects of interest for ASIO and have been involved in terrorist planning"" – which matches experience from overseas, and those who are questioning ASIO’s competence are believers of fake news;   40 refugees have died in the Sahara;
       other refugee-related matters have also occurred in: Nigeria;
  • With regard to human (and other) rights and discrimination:
       -   on homophobia/transphobia this week (noting that trans kids are the same as cis kids of the trans kids’ true gender) :   Ireland, a land tainted by centuries of particularly vicious neochristian savagery, is close to having a gay Prime Minister;
       -   on racism this week:   media commentary on the Uluru Statement from the Heart that recognition for its own sake has been “blown out of the water”, and that this pushes for a realistic voice - see also here;   “researchers are trialling a new treatment to heal an ear disease plaguing Indigenous communities and causing lifelong disadvantage”;   a review of the role social media has had in providing an indigenous voice;   the Mayor of Paris has shown that she is an idiot with no understanding of privilege by objecting to a discriminated-against group having PART of a festival open to only black people, and another part for black women only;   uncertainty about future funding for existing Indigenous Protected Areas;   "Paul Irish has investigated the 19th century history of Sydney's coastal Aboriginal community in his book Hidden in Plain View and finds there were Aborigines living traditionally on Sydney Harbour right up until the late 1800s";   yet more racism in the USA;   white police officers in the USA are tired of whites being suspicious of black neighbours;   responses to the neochristian hate recently shown by a former sports star have extended to abusing innocent abuse of kids – which is unhelpful, cowardly, misplaced, and utterly unacceptable;   Australia’s first rapper using indigenous language;
       -   other racist problems have also occurred in the USA;
       -   on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):   a view that the violent extremist attack in the UK last week was a hate crime against women;   more housing for the victims of domestic violence in my home state;   from an article examining evidence of male overconfidence: “The adoption of gender quotas in Swedish politics in 1994 — and the consequent displacement of mediocre male leaders — saw an overall increase in the competence of politicians”;   more sexist harassment in sport;   more misogyny in Wall Street;   an opinion piece arguing that the death penalty is a distraction from the real measures that India needs to take to protect women's rights to safety (I agree);
       other sexist problems have also occurred in: India;
       -   on other forms of human (and other) rights this week:   a woman in a wheelchair was left on a train after workers forgot her;   problems with lack of staffing and standards in aged care, and a call for Parliamentary action on elder abuse;   the concerning decline in anonymity as a result of the internet, including the problem of "privacy paradox" - and a few common sense suggestions;   an activist working undercover for the US-based China Labor [sic] Watch who had said he had witnessed examples of forced overtime and wage violations at a Chinese supplier for a public figure’s brand of shoes, has been detained;   the problem of worker’s rights and unions in the “gig economy” (and I note that unions have not helped themselves in the past); fascinating and encouraging submissions on a modern slavery act;   "facebook has apologised for "incorrectly" rejecting a Hong Kong activist's profile picture frame referencing the Tiananmen massacre" (how did this happen? Who was biased or officious or whatever their fault was?);   investigation of Islamophobes – some of whom were staggeringly hypocritical – have led to a teenage novel including that theme;   claims that a car company fired a model for having a period;   three reasons that “unconscious bias” training may not work;
       -   some history I came across showing one nation, the Dominican Republic, appears to have tried to make some sort of positive response (albeit not out of humanitarian concern) to the growing crisis of persecution of Jews in the 1930s – the others, including my nation, should hang their heads in shame, and the fact that a multinational conference was held on this puts the lie, in my view, to quibbles over knowledge of the Holocaust – or at least its likelihood;
       -   other human or other rights problems have also occurred in: Somalia, Canada, Azerbaijan, Egypt;
  • With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
       child abusers may have their passports cancelled (this is one of those instances where I consider reducing a right to be warranted, for the greater good: the "trick" is to make sure this precedent does not get extended to areas where it should NOT be applied ... );   “A white police officer who fatally shot a 12-year-old black boy in Cleveland, Ohio, in November 2014 has been sacked for lying”;   the shooting murder of a police officer in an Australian state has raised serious questions about how someone with a violent criminal past managed to obtain such a powerful (automatic or semi-automatic)weapon;   an assault may have been committed because a smoker was told to move further away from the door of a hospital (having had experience of how manic *******s who smoke can be in such situations, I consider that explanation entirely plausible) - see also here;   an article claiming “we’re in new territory” if police charge a notorious Catholic archbishop over child abuse is utter rubbish: world leaders have been, are and will continue to be charged for crimes – with Sudan’s President being a recent example. That this is connected to the pseudo-nation of the Vatican is irrelevant;   US police have a case to answer for the use of military-grade “sound cannons” at a protest;
       other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: Switzerland;
  • 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. Also, funding is an issue … ):
       an examination of “terror fatigue” calling for reports to focus on victims, rather than giving violent extremists metaphorical oxygen by replaying the attack;   a major US newspaper is cutting back on its editorial staff;   the story of “the stealth idealist who masqueraded as the objective reporter” (I like that phrase!);
       other media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in: the UK;
  • With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour? IT manufacturers are making some effort in on those. Do you suffer from FOMO or addiction? Is your social media making you miserable or envious? Are you being duped by modern mantras? Are you “failing” at being well? Does your AI use ethics? Does your corporation misuse mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions? Are you afflicted by management  fads? 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 and contributing to the problem of financialisation?):
       -   on climate change and other environmental matters this week:   greenhouse gases are at higher levels than any time in the last 800,000 years;   “Chinese and EU leaders have agreed a joint statement on the Paris climate agreement saying it is an imperative more important than ever" – which will likely be seen as a rebuff by the 45th US President, who has withdrawn the USA from the agreement - see also here, on the at-risk Pacific Islands’ comment about the selfishness of the decision, here, on the commitment to saving the world by other nations, here, on the strong support by US citizens for action on climate change, the US EPA’s statement, and here, here, and here, on some of the business response (others have also made strong commitments to environmental action);   the UN has said "it is "absolutely essential" that the world unite to combat the threat from climate change";   Canada’s Green Party is growing;   “Exxon Mobil shareholders have finally won a long-sought climate-change victory … [with the] the $340 billion oil giant [forced] to ramp up global-warming disclosure ... Holdout industry peers will have to follow or risk investor ire”;   the Japanese concept (philosophy?) of mottainai, which aids environmental sustainability;   fast food outlets are surrounded by circles of rubbish;   "Heart and gout medications, pesticides, herbicides and other industrial chemicals have all been found in the blood of green sea turtles in the Great Barrier Reef";   as Arctic peatlands defrost, they could become a source of the potent greenhouse gas N2O;   the USA may tax imported solar power units;   the nations that signed up to a UN treaty to stop illegal fishing have met for the first time;   uncertainty about future funding for existing Indigenous Protected Areas;   my nation's neoliberal government has decided to step backwards, into coal-fired power, albeit with carbon capture and storage;   illegal yabby pots have killed half of a struggling group of platypuses, as concerns emerge that the platypus is at risk of extinction – and other marsupials;   the controversial Adani coal mine is underway again;   nuclear reactors are closing in the USA for economic reasons, as gas power stations become cheaper;   Australia’s first offshore wind farm has been proposed (what happens to navigation in that area?);
       -   on technology and science matters this week:   now technophiles want to identify us by our walks … Ministry of Silly Walks anyone? More seriously, what about people – like me - with intermittent back problems?;   older drivers are worse with mobile phones than younger;   a review of the role social media has had in providing an indigenous voice;   a cyber security breach has occurred at a second school in my home state;   “A court in Switzerland has fined a man for "liking" comments deemed to be defamatory that were posted on [facebook]” (which is a very significant decision);   the concerning decline in anonymity as a result of the internet, including the problem of "privacy paradox" - and a few common sense suggestions;   “the field psychoneuroimmunology has been exploring the link between what’s now known as expressive writing, and the functioning of the immune system”;
       -   on economic and financial matters this week:   a rental glut in one Australian city is now leading to incredible enticements to renters – including lower rents;   a business moved to a rural area and had no trouble attracting staff because of better house affordability;   this is the sort of housing investor that the world needs;   an article on the Fairtrade scheme;   one asset manager is worried enough about Australia's housing bubble to have returned his client's money although others are disputing that the situation is that bad;   empathy is not a business liability;   the text of the Ministerial Declaration from the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers 2017 Meeting "Towards an Inclusive Future: Shaping the World of Work";   young Japanese are working themselves to death (as are people elsewhere – in fact, I am currently considering writing an article on the stupidity of engineering);
       -   on other matters in the category this week:   mental health problems in rural areas – and the barriers to treatment;   concerns over the closure of libraries in my home state;
  • With regard to education:
       the neochristian Catholic Church is using students to blackmail their parents into resisting proposed reforms of school funding;   University students are now “dodging debt collectors, diving through bins for food and abandoning their studies completely because of the crippling costs”;   Canada has “asked Pope Francis to apologise for the role of the Catholic Church in a Canadian school system where indigenous children were abused for decades”;   a cyber security breach has occurred at a second school in my home state;   a controversial vocational education broker has been fined $4.5 million after the Australian Federal Court found the company misled vulnerable students;
  • With regard to war and violence generally:
       nations elected this week to the next round of non-permanent positions on the UN Security Council have been urged to remember their responsibilities;
  • With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
       the death toll from floods and landslides in Sri Lanka has passed 100, with half a million displaced - and more rain is coming – aid assessment teams have started work, though;   a risk reduction forum has close with a call to collect and use data;   Bangladesh evacuated one million people ahead of a cyclone, and, after the cyclone, aid is urgently needed for hundreds of thousands in Bangladesh and Burma;   "The number of children dying worldwide of diarrhoea fell by a third between 2005 and 2015";
  • With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story (are you crippled by the fear of being single or asexual or off-grid or in any other way a rebel / innovator / non-conformist / true to yourself, or believe in management  fads and fashions? Do you distract yourself and fill your time to avoid finding real meaning? If so, you have a spiritual problem, and a need to constructively remedy that):
       “A million-dollar mystery donation will help a mobile heart clinic roll into more rural towns”;   on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, the UN said that “peacekeeping must have the tools and rules it needs to adapt to the dangerous and challenging environments” it faces;   in a pleasant change, the captain of a sports team has declined to sledge their opponents;   an article on the UN’s “Standing Police Capacity”, used to support peacekeeping operations;   comments by the young leader of a not for profit on addressing grievances and instability;   the “science” of meditation.
Location based News:
  • 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):
       a defence analyst has questioned proposals to increase foreign military forces in Afghanistan: "The enduring problems in Afghanistan resolve around corruption, around what's happening in Pakistan that's outside of the reach of the forces in Afghanistan, and particularly in relation to poppy production and the revenue that comes from that, that goes in a large extent to the Taliban";   the human impact of violent extremism in Afghanistan;   “At least five people have died in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say, after police opened fire on protesters demanding the government step down in the wake of a devastating bomb attack”;
  • With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
       -   a report that “South Africa's embattled president Jacob Zuma has been planning to set up home in Dubai”;   “South Africa's ruling party has called for an investigation into emails which appear to show allegedly corrupt links between President Jacob Zuma's family and wealthy businessmen”;
       -   in Somalia, a man has been – barbarically - stoned to death for adultery;
       -   one of the men rejected as a candidate for Presidential election in Kenya has been charged for allegedly attempting to commit suicide – which he denies;
       -   the “Democratic” Republic of Congo (DRC) has approved use of the recently developed Ebola vaccine;   more aid is needed for refugees fleeing the DRC, including thousands of children;
       -   the UN is seeking support for those displaced by fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR);   another warning about the CAR;
       -   in response to the recent mutiny, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has written “Côte d’Ivoire is finally recovering from a wasted decade of civil war. No patriot should put this recovery in jeopardy”;
       -   refugees returning to Nigeria need humanitarian assistance;
  • With regard to China (may her growing middle class bring a love of peace and freedom), East and South East Asia and the Pacific (noting the risks of atrocities in North Korea and Burma):
       -   language analysis suggests the recent cyber attack may have come from China;   a call by a US “hawk” for naval exercise in the South China Sea to challenge the bullying of China (not convinced of the need for something large – and certainly not on its own … );
       -   North Korea (the DPRK) has tested and will deploy a new anti-aircraft weapon;   the DPRK has test fired another missile – leading to condemnation from Russia, and calls from China for the DPRKL to “create conditions for talks”;
       -   “South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ordered a probe after the Defence Ministry failed to inform him that four more launchers for the controversial U.S. THAAD anti-missile system had been brought into the country”;
       -   “Emirates is [deservedly] under fire after instructing Taiwanese cabin crew to remove pin badges showing the island's flag from their uniforms”;
       -   "Dozens of people have been killed in the Philippine city of Marawi as clashes continue between [violent extremists] and the army";
  • With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU):
       -   Germany has warned the EU that it cannot rely on its allies the UK and the USA, and criticised the current US President;   Germany may be shifting its international focus to Asia;   “Germany will now deport to Afghanistan only criminals and people it considers a threat, after a bombing in the Afghan [capital] of Kabul killed at least 80 people”;
       -   France’s President has commented on the trial of the handshake with the USA’s 45th President – see also here;   the Presidents of France and Russia have held a frank exchange;
       -   “Europe's top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, has launched an investigation into alleged corruption at the council involving Azerbaijan.”;
  • 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):
       -   an Iranian backed force is making gains west of Mosul, towards the Syrian border;   violent extremists in Mosul are preparing for their last stand;   more aid is needed for internally displaced people;
       -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 648 civilians violently killed in the last week;
  • With regard to the Libyan civil war:
       the UN will expand its operations in Libya to help refugees and those affected by the ongoing conflict;
  • 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:
       as a US Senator describes Russia’s President Putin as a bigger threat than violent extremists, a famous but controversial US film maker says 25 – 30 hours of interviews over two years shows President Putin "speaks articulately about what the Russian interests are in the world and I would say to you that they're not about empire or expansion or aggression, or a return to the old days". I’m not convinced by a publicity interview, but it is quite likely that patriotism is a major part of President Putin’s motivation – although that doesn’t mean it isn’t the only motivation, nor does it mean everything he has done (directly or indirectly) in that quest is right;   the Presidents of France and Russia have held a frank exchange;   a severe thunderstorm has killed 11 people, injured 50 and felled hundreds of trees in Moscow;   Russia has condemned the latest North Korean missile launch;   a new Russian jet has been built using carbon composites without an autoclave;   an Aussie choir singing Russian folk songs has become popular in Russia;   Russia’s President has suggested "patriotic Russian citizens might be engaged in hacking” – yes, but with what level of direct / indirect encouragement / incitement, and have efforts to stop this been adequate and appropriate?;   Russia’s President has said that US defensive missiles in South Korea and Alaska are “a challenge” … ;   the USA appears to have softened its stance on US investors mingling with Russia’s President and other officials;
  • With regard to South and Central America:
       -   accusations have been made in Venezuela by the opposition against a US bank of “financing dictatorship” (note: these are accusations, and there is a clearly political element to this, but the USA has a poor record on this sort of behaviour in South America) - see also here;
       -   the USA is auditing a foreign aid program that loaned almost US$1 billion to renewable energy projects in Chile - including solar farms in such deep financial trouble that the loans may never be fully repaid (which is not acceptable), as critics say private banks are best suited to make investment decisions (which I question) and that the programme placed too much emphasis on renewable energy  (which I also question);
       -   more pressure on Brazil's President;
  • With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
       -   selling cattle for slaughter in India has been banned (now to make sure the living cattle are treated humanely);  an opinion piece arguing that the death penalty is a distraction from the real measures that India needs to take to protect women's rights to safety (I agree);   more utterly mediaeval attitudes shown in India by people who disapprove of women showing their lower legs;
       -   the impact of living with violence on children in Kashmir;   background to recent appalling abuse of a prisoner by Indian soldiers in Kashmir – which led to a very controversial award for the officer concerned;
       -   the death toll from floods and landslides in Sri Lanka has passed 100, with half a million displaced - and more rain is coming– aid assessment teams have started work, though;
       -   Bangladesh evacuated one million people ahead of a cyclone, and, after the cyclone, aid is urgently needed for hundreds of thousands in Bangladesh and Burma;
  • With regard to Sudan and South  Sudan: (new links)
       -   a doctor’s experience of life and death in South Sudan;   a “vaccination error” has killed five children;
  • 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):
       “Syrian rebels say the United States and its allies are sending them more arms to try to fend off a new push into the southeast by Iran-backed militias aiming to open an overland supply route between Iraq and Syria”;
  • With regard to Turkey:
       Turkey’s President appears to have personally ordered the recent violent assault on demonstrators in the USA (I am still looking for charges to be laid against those thugs);
  • With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
       Ukraine has raided the offices of a Russian search site, accusing it of collecting Ukrainian users’ data and sending that to Russian security agencies;
  • With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and North Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
       -   constraints on movement are, according to the UN, at the heart of Palestinian hardship;   the 45th US President will delay relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv;
       -   tensions are rising between Gulf nations;
       -   “Lebanon has banned superhero blockbuster Wonder Woman from cinemas, because the title character is played by an Israeli actress”;
       -   the UN has urged repeal of Egypt’s repressive laws about non-government organisations (NGOs);
       -   a Saudi TV programme is aiming to counter propaganda from violent extremists;
  • With regard to the conflict in Yemen (unlike Iraq, 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):
       peace is not near in Yemen;   the UN has warned that "Yemen is facing total social, economic and institutional collapse";   more on the growing cholera crisis in Yemen.
Other News:
  • on World No Tobacco Day, the UN pointed out that “Tobacco exacerbates poverty, reduces economic productivity, contributes to poor household food choices and pollutes indoor air";
  • Uzbekistan has banned violent video games;
  • controversy has erupted over a rural town's public art project - with violent threats that are utterly unacceptable (and have been reported), but naiveté on the other hand - people have a right to dislike the artwork (I’ve even heard some people claim controversy is the reason for art – which I disagree with), and the fact that the artists come from the town does NOT mean the artwork is automatically relevant;
  • a US state is suing “five major drug manufacturers, accusing them of misrepresenting the risks of prescription opioid painkillers that have [fuelled] a sky-rocketing drug addiction epidemic”;
  • an article on child surrogacy.
General Comments/Information
(Dear Reader, please remember, I expect you to think when reading this blog, and I reserve the right to occasionally sneak in something to test 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' (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 (running for decades);   the “Network of Light”  meditations;   and   also see here and here – even commercial organisations (for instance, see here), online groups (e.g. here and here – which I do not know the quality of) and even an app.    Thus, if you don't like what I am suggesting here, but want to be of service, there are many other opportunities for you – including secular opportunities: e.g., see here, here and here.   Again, activism in the physical world is also required - see here, here and here, here, and, of course, here.
(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 :). 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, there is a default plan.
I apologise for publishing these posts twice, but Blogger keeps changing my formatting.
No signature block for these posts.
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