Saturday, 29 July 2017

Post No. 1,053 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 173



Information and Summary/Analysis:
Note: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias. Furthermore, I do not hold copyright to any of the articles I link to, nor do I claim authorship, except for those links to material I have written for this and my related blogs, and my commentary in these posts. (I try to make sure quotes are shown using quotation marks.)
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.
As part of that, note that there are key uncooperatives to be cleared (rescued): you should ONLY address those that are within your ability – if you get a sense (e.g., through meditation) or are told by your BPM Guides/Higher Self to back off, do so, and content yourself with clearing the smaller nonBPM units within your capability – which will weaken those uncooperatives. More importantly, there are many people doing this sort of work, and others are quite likely to be able to clear the uncooperatives concerned.
That is also one of the many reasons it is OK to take a break or cut back this work if you need – in fact, doing so will help you deal with the next point, which is …
… the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events, so it pays to address those as well, to the extent that one can, or to at least stop oneself projecting them into the psychic soup.
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”.
There are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working.
Finally, one of the biggest concerns I have about spirituality in the world now is that the concept of agape type love has been perverted into both a quest for emotional warm fuzzies, and an excuse to avoid doing the hard work of improving oneself and all that one does. On that, it may help to consider the simplification that one cannot love perfectly until one has learned how to perfect. (And one of the concerns I have about those resisting change is that they are so shallow / superficial /stupid that they thing their actions have ONLY the meaning of their [limited] conscious intention … )
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:
           on ALL levels, more Wolfsangle;
(d)   This week’s work will use the rune Wolfsangle:

(e)   dealing with the 45th US CEO / 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:   as attraction to violence continues to be inadequately addressed, there are risks of mass atrocities in Venezuela, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the Central African Republic;   the continuing chaos around the USA’s CEO aka 45th President;
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 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 actual and potential BPM Violence Interrupters (and Interrupters of hate / fear / anger) of be kept BPM safe, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at containing and stopping – along the lines of the Cure Violence model - the spread of violence (and hate / fear / anger), all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
  • 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;
  • Permanent issue: may all humans be in better communication with the better parts of their nature;
  • Matters warranting particular attention:
       -   the USA’s former Ethics Director has called for reform to prevent conventions being abused or ignore;   Nelson Mandela’s widow has written that “the rising tide of populism” is imperilling human rights and freedom;      “believing society is fair can lead disadvantaged adolescents to act out and engage in risky behaviour”;   the history of lies, smears, scapegoating and misinformation – now called “fake news” etc - for commercial and political purposes;
       -   a half century of stability in Asia appears to be ending, beginning with growing tensions between China and India;
       -   the USA is the main source of weapons on the dark web;
       -   I disagree vehemently with other over-50s who think political correctness is ruining society - those over-50s with such views have clearly never lacked social privilege, and thus don't know what this consideration is about – and activists are failing to show how words cause harm ... but I agree that digital distraction and over-reliance on technology are problems;
       -   the mindset necessary to prevent being a victim of cybercrime;
       -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Venezuela, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the Central African Republic;
  • 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 examination of “restorationism” – the most recent version of which is conservative/reactionary populism;   an article arguing that the USA’s 45th President has brought a pre-existing US constitutional crisis to a head  - see also here;   an article on the cultural differences in thinking leading to election problems in Papua New Guinea;   the dangerous politicisation of the US military;   legal (in the USA) options for foreign governments to interfere with elections;   the need for public hearings when investigating corruption;   how to get better evidence for public policy;   a conservative US politician’s concerns over poor behaviour in politics (with an example of the level of abuse they can be subjected to);   the limits of bullying aka the benefits of “going high”;
       -   of concern this week:   "Poland is poised to dissolve a key separation of government powers ... despite citizens' protests and pleas from allies in the EU and U.S." - but see here;   a major breach of data security has created a crisis in Sweden's government;   Russia used social media to try to spy on France’s President during the election campaign;   despite having a high level visa (presumably obtained subject to extra scrutiny), an Australian MP has been refused entry to the USA;   lack of proper oversight of governmental use of commercial spyware;
       -   other concerning events have occurred or are developing in: East Timor, Australia - see also here and here, Papua New Guinea, Venezuela, Australia (again), Australia (3rd), Venezuela (2nd);
       -   good news this week includes:   "the Polish president says he will veto two controversial measures that critics say would have undermined the independence of the judiciary";   a Dutch-led fund aiming to re-fund those sexual health centres which the US administration viciously defunded (because it doesn’t like freedom of speech on selected health options) has reached $300 million (although $8 billion of funding is at risk);   the US Democrats are heading back to their roots by blending in Bernie Sanders’ approaches;
       -   and other matters in my home nation this week:   Australia’s “Reserve Bank governor … has contradicted the Treasurer, saying inequality in Australia is getting worse” - see also here;   “the Productivity Commission has sounded the alarm on politicians misusing the … Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility”;   the dual citizenship  issue in Australia has claimed another MP - this time, from the ruling neoliberal government – see also here, and some of the comments being made about changing Section 44 of the Constitution show a truly staggering ignorance about the issue of potential conflict - which is NOT about personal identity, it refers to situations where the two nations might be in conflict with each other! (although the arguments about unreasonable restriction on who can stand are worth thinking about seriously); - see also here, and here, and an Australian MP has threatened to file a complaint of stalking against a journalist who has asked about the MP’s citizenship;   some consideration is being given to fixed four year terms in Australia (this could be a good thing, in my view) - see a review here;   a former neoliberal Prime Minister of Australia, widely viewed as a troublemaker undermining his neoliberal party, has empowered rank-and-file members of his neoliberal party in one state;   a review of compulsory superannuation rules has been announced – the first since the scheme was introduced (in addition to the life insurance problem, I hope they compel employers to pay money into the superannuation scheme every pay period, rather than once a year – or give employees the interest earned);   "a $66 fee for a proof-of-age card would be "onerous" for young people and should be discounted, a Queensland Parliament committee has recommended";   foreign companies have been trade marking Australian place names;   the outgoing President of Australia’s Human Rights Commission says "we have a government that's ideologically opposed to human rights" (pretty savage interview, I thought);
  • With regard to the 45th US President (who I consider seriously dangerous, even if his administration looks like a Schoolyard Squabble Squad) 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 (actually, I consider him evil), I will use either “the USA’s CEO” or “Voldemort” (or a combination) – in this section, at least - as an alias.
       -   denials of collusion with Russia by key members of the 45th US President’s election team (the denials may well be correct, but that doesn’t mean Russia wasn’t working to affect the election);   an assessment that a sitting US President can be indicted;
       -   "the highest court in Massachusetts ruled Monday that local law enforcement cannot keep people in custody solely at the request of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement";   a criticism of the 45th US President's approach –as he shoots his electronic mouth off again - to the Justice Department and related matters;   the 45th US President is lashing out at his choice of Attorney-General;
       -   confusion over the US administration's views on proposed new sanctions against Russia – but the US Senate and House of Representatives appear to have reached agreement on new, President-proof sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea (that can be vetoed … );   the 45th US President's new media communications director has ranted about other advisors, showing deep divisions - as well as poor political judgement … but one of his targets, the Chief of Staff has been replaced (another fired apprentice?) – by a general … ;   a critique of Voldemort’s flailing;
       -   confusion and chaos in the attempts that US conservatives are making to remove millions of US residents from healthcare - see here, here, and here – all of which ended with the latest attempts at passing a Bill failing, with 3 Republicans, including John McCain, voting against the Bill;   Voldemort has threatened Alaska after it’s – conservative (Republican) – Senators voted against removing healthcare from millions of US residents;
       -   Voldemort the Hypocritical and Uninformed has decided to reinstitute a ban on trans people from the US military – see also here, but the US military will not act on Voldemort's tweet, needing formal direction - and, in the meantime, "will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect" – and that respect is supported by most US residents;
       -   the head of the US boy scouts has apologised after - an incredibly poorly judged-  decision to have US CEO Voldemort speak – which caused anger amongst - now former - supporters;
       -   Voldemort has appointed a right wing neochristian as an ambassador for religious “freedom” … (all but one of these have been neochristian);
  • 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 Jordan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 17 attacks in Iraq and 6 attacks in Afghanistan, (out of a total of44);   and actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media I read) have occurred this week against violent extremists in Afghanistan (peacefully);   the sexual assaults on a Yazidi woman who was enslaved by violent extremists;
       -   a rebuttal of (US-centric) comments that "enemy combatants" cannot be tried in court;   "the lack of hard evidence about the direct and indirect effects of drone strikes [by the USA] makes it necessary to consider the question of their political costs and benefits deductively";   violent extremism could be resurgent unless Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia go beyond security and military measures to address persistent local grievances and tensions;
  • With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
       -   the UNHCR has accused Australia's government of "a breach of trust over the United States refugee deal, saying it has broken a promise to resettle refugees with close family ties to Australia" - and has criticised the gulags for the suffering they cause;   (xenophobic) people in a small French town have built a wall around a hotel to stop it being used for refugees;   the experiences of refugees in a refugee camp in Jordan;   the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General has told women in an African refugee camp “that she is firmly resolved to ensure that women in the camp return home in “dignity and humanity, which is not a favour but a right” ”;
  • 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) :   renewed calls for a plebiscite on Equal Marriage from Australia’s diehard, rear-guard uber-conservatives - this time for a postal vote (which gets over the – in my view – likely problem of violence at polling stations [and, as everyone has to have  street address to be registered as a voter, the use of snail mail is NOT a problem], but does not deal with managing current violence, the historical imbalance in information, nor Parliament’s failure on a matter of leadership and accepting current norms);   homophobia/transphobia/biphobia in US retirement homes (we’re more inclusive here in Australia);   a family with a trans Dad;   the stupidity of the USA on discrimination is shown by this case, built on backdoor efforts to achieve sensible rights that other nations accepted as valid decades ago;
       -   other homophobic/transphobic matters have also occurred in South Korea, the USA (but see also here and here);
       -   on racism this week:   “more than two dozen sacred objects have been returned to Indigenous people in Alice Springs, a century after they were removed”;   the US President's decision to skip the NAACP's annual meeting "underscores the harsh fact ... we've lost the will of the current administration to listen to issues facing the Black community";   the experiences of racist abuse by former US First Lady, Michelle Obama, while her husband was President of the USA;   protests over the downgraded sentence given to a white man who killed an Aboriginal teenager – see also here, and here;   racist flyers at Universities in my home city;   "Australia's most prominent Indigenous music artist ... has died aged 46 and is being mourned by family and friends as a "genius and wonderful human being"";   the young Aboriginal men of the Goldfields Land and Sea Council's Rangers have been widely praised for helping to keep the peace after the controversial sentencing of a white man who killed a young Aboriginal teenager – whose mother has called for an end to racial divisions in the town;   some thoughts on how to manage racist friends;   the “Silent Protest Parade” in the USA in 1917;
       -   other racism problems have also occurred in Brazil;
       -   on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):   thirty years after sexist dismissiveness over what she was allowed to lift, a female paramedic is celebrating her career;   the sexual assaults on a Yazidi woman who was enslaved by violent extremists;  an advertising campaign is aiming to get more women physically active ("I jiggle therefore I am");  an article on sexism, in the form of the so-called "bro culture", in the tech industry;   "women could continue to be paid less than men for the next 50 years unless significant changes are made";   an utterly appalling revenge rape has occurred in Pakistan;   "asking Christians to do better by domestic violence victims is not an attack on Christianity";   the forms of domestic violence known as dowries and dowry abuse;
       -   other sexism matters have also occurred in: Scotland (good news), India (warning: involves child abuse), the neoliberal market;
       -   on workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human (and other – e.g., animal) rights this week:   Australia’s human trafficking laws may get a much-needed review (many nations have done so, to better address 21st century versions of problems such as slavery);   the biases of medical "professionals" with regard to chronic pain are preventing effective management of a condition that costs society almost as much as cancer and diabetes combined;   a neochristian school’s ban on a Sikh student wearing a turban has been challenged;   another animal cruelty incident in my home city;   the need for better provision for differently abled people in motels (the example from Scandinavia shows it is not only access, but the lack of things like handrails  and other qualifications are staggering);   an investigation is underway into bullying of emergency service workers in one Australia state, with one former worker saying the 25 years of bullying was worse than the on-the-job trauma;   parallels between inept introduction of changes to work conditions in 1917 (with the very valid arguments of the workers ignored) and the current situation;   animal abuse in the USA;
       -   other workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human or other rights matters have also occurred in: Indonesia, the USA (good news), Burma, UAE, Australia, Honduras, Vietnam, the neoliberal market;
  • With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
       -   human traffickers have allowed nine of the people they were transporting to die as they entered the USA;   relatives of police in Brazil, where 91 have been killed in one state this year, have called for more resources and support, following which the army was deployed in Rio de Janeiro, where three people a day have been killed on average this year by “stray bullets” (ricochets and missed shots, presumably);   "two people shot by police at a swingers' costume party ... are suing the state of Victoria, arguing there was "no lawful justification" for what they said was assault and battery";   Europe’s fine on an internet company for abusing its power has cut profits for one season by 40%;  a Swiss man’s verbal assaults have now increased to physical violence;   the struggle against the criminal aspects of the dark net continues;   the media has been warned that the sub judice period for charges against a well-known member of the Catholic Church has started, and reporting must now "be limited to fair and accurate reports of the proceeding" as he is allowed the benefit of presumption of innocence, as are all who are charged under our system (to prevent abuses as happened in Russia in the 30s, throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, and too often on social media);   the police officer who shot and killed an Australian in a US city wants a fund raising page he didn't authorise taken down – and that city has now ordered use of body cameras by police;   the experience of a male victim of rape;   a police officer who resigned before he could be disciplined has been charged with fraud and theft;   a call has been made for more to be done to prevent acid attacks;   three men who raped another man with a bottle have been jailed - for what I consider manifestly inadequate sentences;   the Corrections Minister of one Australian state is putting budgetary restraint ahead of meeting its responsibilities for the safety and wellbeing of prisoners - ESPECIALLY those on remand, who may actually be innocent (I wonder how the budget will hold up after a few court cases for compensation if anyone is harmed, injured or killed? Of course, it is times like that the benefits pf preventative programmes [including adequate employment, stopping discrimination/alienation, etc] become apparent ... );   mopeds and scooters are being used to commit crimes;
      -    other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: Indonesia, Australia, China, Guinea, China (2nd), the Philippines/Indonesia, Pakistan, Indonesia (2nd);
  • 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 … ):
       -   media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in: Russia, Turkey, India, USSR (historical), Australia;
  • 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 – in response to activist pressure.] Do you suffer from FOMO or addiction? Are you having second thoughts about technology? 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:   concerns over irrigators using water that had been bought by the Australian government as part of an environmental scheme - see also here, here, here, which includes the devastation behind water thefts committed by a few, anger from other communities - and farmers - harmed by the water theft, and now a former water minister and a senior water bureaucrat will be referred to an anti-corruption body and "the Commonwealth Auditor-General [will] expand an investigation into the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources" to include the recent allegations of water theft;   Morocco has used treated wastewater to create a green buffer between one city and the desert;   "The world's first full-scale floating wind farm has started to take shape [and] will allow wind power to be harvested in waters too deep for the current conventional bottom-standing turbines";   a discussion of to make sure that constitutionally enshrined environmental rights are realised;   the health benefits of indoor plants;   an Australian local Council which is now meeting its electricity needs from renewables will save money;   concerns Greenland ice could melt faster as algae darkens its surface;   following similar moves by France, "new diesel and petrol cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution";   “rare bird numbers [are] persisting in Papua New Guinea despite logging [and] palm oil plantations”;   as plant growth increases in response to more CO2, they are using less water;   trade can be used to boost the fight against climate change;   a call to turn lawns into mini-farms;
       -   on technology and science matters this week:   the mindset necessary to prevent being a victim of cybercrime;   an exploding laptop battery has prompted warnings about buying non-genuine parts;   a small step towards advanced personalised medicine;   the USA is moving towards self-driving cars;   a warning that some car washes can be hacked, potentially leading to attacks;   a prank has shown the dangers of agreeing to anything without reading it first (and, incidentally, the excessive length and lack of readability of same);   a cautious, reasonably nuanced look at the effect of alleged increased to pornography (it was magazines under mattresses in my era … ) on children, including sexual assaults (I’d like to see some consideration of the effect of the TSA etc);   the environmental impacts of getting lithium for batteries (and other purposes);
       -   other technology and science matters have occurred in: China, Sweden, Russia;
       -   on economic and financial matters this week:   Scotland is providing free menstrual products to low income women;   "Australians are increasingly taking a second or third job to make ends meet";   concerns that smaller, closer seats on commercial planes are putting passenger safety (never mind comfort!) at risk (and how about excessive carry on luggage?);   the economic power of the internet duopoly;   neoliberalism and its effects are harming women’s pay and conditions – and other workers;
       -   on affordable housing and homelessness matters this week:      an article on the use of tiny homes to create ten villages across the USA for homeless people;
       -   on other matters in the category this week:   declining fertility in the West – which, in my view, is more likely due to overcrowding than lifestyle;   the case against having a personal brand;   "seven out of 10 packaged foods contain added sugar that is not clearly identified by nutrition labels, according to new research";   an experiment showed people who use money to buy time (e.g., pay others to do chores) are happier than those who buy things;   a German commutes to work by a 2 km swim, and finds it faster and more relaxing than traditional methods;   reality shows are turning their audiences into (manipulated) peeping toms;
  • With regard to education:
       -   a Canadian teacher who has stood up for indigenous people has won a global award;   the challenges facing remote education;   concerns over the commercial of education/schools;
  • With regard to war, violence and hate generally:
       "An Australian who [helped] reform [Australian] gun laws is now fighting gun violence in Guatemala” - see also here, here (p. 53), and here;   women setting a less violent model in contact sport;   an article on when US law allows US soldiers to disobey orders – with a brief mention of some international law;   an article on the similarities between animal and human trauma (including diagnosis of PTSD in some animals);   an examination of the causes and possible effects of the G19+1 riots in Hamburg;   an article on psychopaths – who are 5 – 10% of the general population, and maybe 20% of corporate leaders;
  • With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
       severe storms in New Zealand – which led to this light-hearted response;   bushfires in France have forced the evacuation of 10,000 people;
  • With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, development (in an end poverty/thirst/hunger sense) 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):
       the UN is highlighting the contributions made by migrants;   with profound apologies for giving a social media link, “powering the circuits of emotional intelligence”;   some reasonably nuanced thoughts on developing nations and cows;   Crisis Group’s second update to "Watch List 2017" includes entries on Nigeria, Qatar, Thailand and Venezuela - situations in which prompt action by the European Union and its member states would generate stronger prospects for peace;   “a week after the High-Level Political Forum assessed progress on implementing the 2030 Agenda, the newly elected President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council has stressed her priority to push forward the Sustainable Development Goals”;   an innovative “U.S. government venture capital fund supporting efforts to end extreme poverty will stop accepting new grant applications tonight” – possibly because of budget cuts by the US administration;  lessons on sustaining peace.
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):
       another friendly fire incident in Afghanistan has killed 16 Afghani soldiers;   "A young, liberal elite has emerged in Kabul, including many women. It is taking a stand against [violent extremist] atrocities in the form of political and artistic initiatives and wants to put an end to Afghanistan's culture of violence" (apart from reacting to current violence, remembering how advanced parts of Afghanistan were in the 1970s, this is not entirely a surprise);   more concerning allegations against Australia’s SAS;
  • With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
       -   Burundi’s robotic competition team has disappeared in the USA (understandably, given the problems in  their homeland, in my view);   “the United Nations Special Envoy to Burundi [has] urged African leaders, in solidarity with the UN, to support an inclusive dialogue between the Government and the opposition in a country where political upheaval has resulted in insecurity since April 2015”;
       -   a peacekeeper has been killed in the Central African Republic (CAR) – and another two;   the UN’s peacekeeping chief has warned the UN Security Council of the CAR’s instability;
       -   "the UK Serious Fraud Office has joined a global investigation into Rio Tinto's dealings in the West African nation of Guinea";
       -   Kenya’s President has failed to show up for a debate with his opponent;   traditional Kenyan herding will have to change in response to climate change – and violence between nomadic pastoralists and farmers ("ranchers") remains a problem in central Kenya;
       -   Liberia has been urged to plan for safe, credible elections;
       -   Nigeria's President has been seen in the UK, where he is being treated for medical problems, and has given Nigeria's Vice President "full powers to act as head of state" (does he have the power to do that?);   some Nigerian women - those who were treated well - have gone back to the violent extremists who abducted them;
       -   although attacks on people with albinism in rural Tanzania have declined, attitudes still need to change;
       -   the wife of Zimbabwe’s aging and despotic leader has urged him to name a successor;
  • 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):
       -   China has warned of further naval ship deployments to monitor military exercises, etc (which is standard practice - most big navies do that, and I would expect the US does the same - in principle [they might use satellites and/or planes more than ships]. So yes, our reaction was, perhaps, a bit "shrill" – but there remains a valid reason [genuine border security] to respond);   “two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the East China Sea”;   from the Australian reaction to a Chinese naval vessel, an article empathising with China's experiences (of being on the receiving end of many similar acts);   a “rising star” in China’s communist party is being investigated for possible corruption;   “at least four men have been detained by Chinese police after publicly commemorating the death of Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo”;   China has become a world leader in quantum communication;   “staff members of an Australian currency brokerage who were held against their will by angry investors in Shanghai have now been freed by police” (finally!);   the UK will conduct a freedom-of-navigation exercise in the South China Sea;
       -    new, President-proof sanctions against North Korea (the DPRK);   a surgical strike on the DPRK is not an option (older article);   the DPRK could conduct more missile tests … and it has;
       -   the two Koreas have been urged to discuss human rights;
       -   the struggle for LGBT rights in South Korea;
       -   "Vietnam has reportedly terminated a gas-drilling expedition in a disputed area of the South China Sea, following strong threats from China";
       -   “access to justice is often out of reach for migrant workers in South-east Asia”;
       -   the human rights situation in Burma is worsening;
       -   after a police shooting, Indonesia’s President has ordered police to shoot drug dealers who resist arrest – “especially” foreigners;   “diversity concerns have arisen as gated Muslim communities increasing in popularity in Indonesia”;   concerns that the drug killings in the Philippines have simply shifted the drug networks into Indonesia - which now has, according to that nation's anti-narcotics chief, the "biggest illegal drug market in the world (I'd like to see a Fact Check on that, as I think the USA may be worse);   an acid attack has not stopped an anti-corruption campaigner;   “Indonesia's execution of a Nigerian man last year has been condemned by the nation's ombudsman”;
       -   the Philippine’s President “has promised an unrelenting war on drugs, defying critics he says are "trivialising" his campaign with human rights concerns and unjustly blaming the authorities for the bloodshed" (for my part, I'm not trivialising the mass murder campaign: it is horrendously major, horrendously bad, and – from a long term perspective - horrendously missing all targets);
       -   a call to not underestimate Thailand's oft-demonstrated resilience;
       -   and in the Pacific:   East Timor’s elections has seen a party for disenfranchised young men (a party with disturbing – to me - links to martial arts groups) pick up a small but significant number of votes;   violence and confusion as Papua New Guinea’s voting comes to an end;
  • With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU):
       -   the mandate of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus has been extended;
       -   as Finland approaches its centenary of independence from Russia, an article on relations between the two nations;
       -   a French philosopher who warned “fear can be - and is - used "as a political weapon for the control of freedoms"” and argued that risk is a normal part of life has died trying to save two children;
  • 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):
       -   people displaced by violence in Iraq need help;
       -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 278 civilians violently killed in the last week;
  • With regard to the Libyan civil war:
       the experiences of foreign fighters who helped to overthrow Gaddafi;
  • 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:
       “more than 2,000 people have marched through the streets of Moscow to demand an end to efforts by Russian authorities to control and monitor what is posted online”;   new, President-proof sanctions against Russia – which Russia threatened, and then did, retaliate against (possibly ending a “honeymoon”?), as Germany seeks more sanctions against Russia for transferring turbines to Crimea;   an article on the samizdat (‘self-published’) techniques used in the former USSR to overcome censorship;   with profound apologies for giving a social media link, “the new old Russia”;   a cat in a Russian zoo became a surrogate mum to eight baby hedgehogs;   a detailed examination of Russia’s “strategic deterrence” policy;   the businessman whose lawyer was Sergei  Magnitsky has talked of the corruption in Putin’s Russia;   the US government has commenced investigation of cyber tools from a Russian based organisation – which denies any government links, or being a stooge for spying (can US forms claim the same? Some, perhaps … );
  • With regard to South and Central America:
       -   an examination of the policies around reintegration of FARC members in Columbia;
       -   the USA is discussing measures to address gang violence with El Salvador;
       -   a cultural quirk in Mexico on language around time;
       -   “Venezuela is banning protests that could "disturb or affect" Sunday's controversial election for a new constituent assembly”;   more US sanctions may eventuate if Venezuela continues on what critics call “a path to dictatorship”;   “the United Nations human rights office [has] expressed deep concern … at the risk of further violence in Venezuela, where elections for a Constituent Assembly convened by President Nicolas Maduro are due to be held” this weekend;
  • With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
       -   after two people were mistaken for child kidnappers and killed after a fake news item, people are fighting against fake news in India;   appalling attitudes (minor example here) allow a staggering number of child rape cases in India – one of which has wound up in that nation’s Supreme Court, which refused an abortion for the ten year old victim, against medical advice;
       -   a review of the partition which – violently – created India and Pakistan and its legacy;
  • 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):
       another de-escalation zone in Syria (this one in Damascus) has been agreed;   a review of progress on holding Syria's war criminals to account (a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not considered appropriate in this instance);   "last week’s confirmation that the CIA-run program to vet and arm Syrian rebel groups in the north of the country was coming to an end was a tacit acknowledgement of the flaws in the scheme";   the USA has now said the forces it supports must not fight against Dictator Assad’s regime … (this is a blow for those who want freedom, decency and human rights in Syria, but it MIGHT help bring about a form of peace – though whether that peace is lasting will remain to be seen);   animals have been rescued from a zoo in Syria;
  • With regard to Turkey:
       "a Turkish opposition newspaper itself is the story as 17 of its employees are about to go on trial on charges of aiding a terrorist organisation";   I missed this when it happened: Turkey has sent warships to Cyprus as tensions grow over energy resources;   NATO has offered to mediate the Germany-Turkey split, which is now affecting counter violent extremism operations (in my opinion, Turkey is in the wrong here, for failing to respect the sovereignty of another nation), and Germany is considering a tougher line against Turkey;   the “deepening authoritarianism and national division” in Turkey;
  • With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
       some Westerners are trying to crowdfund east Ukrainian separatists;   divided loyalties in soldiers who had been part of the USSR were behind Ukraine’s surrender of Crimea without a fight;   the US may send weapons to Ukraine;
  • With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and North Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
       -   after initially continuing to install  controversial security measures at a site sacred to both Jews and Palestinians – which led to a revival of Palestinian activism, a freeze on contact with Israel, and the risk of triggering a wider conflict, Israel has dismantled security measures and Palestinians have resumed worship;   Israel is building links with Greece and Cyprus (apologies for social media link);   Israel has recalled its embassy staff from Jordan, including a security guard who killed two Jordanians while defending against a violent extremist attack;
       -   new US President-proof sanctions against Iran;   a detailed examination of internal US attitudes towards Iran and the issues of compliance and sanctions;
       -   three men who cruelly killed a cat in the UAE have been ordered to clean a zoo for the next three months, and may yet face prosecution.
Other News:
  • a radical approach to autism appears to have worked for one boy (but may not for others);
  • the problems of elite athletic competition (“should welfare come before winning?”.
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, 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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