Sunday 11 February 2018

Post No. 1,127 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 201



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 … ) See also here and here.
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:   -   (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), the strength of more BPM Earth;
           mentally, the clarity and perception of more BPM Æther;
           a plot of the elemental influences on a causal/spiritual level follows, and shows a need for more BPM Æther;                
(d)   I’ve created a bindrune for this week’s work, which is:
(e)   dealing with the 45th President of the USA 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 the USA’s CEO’s BPM Guides and giving them whatever BPM help they need to present a BPM alternative to promote a change of heart,
           2. lifting the nonBPM influences from the shoulders of the USA’s CEO’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. physical world activism (especially education) – e.g., this. 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, the risks of mass atrocities in Syria and Burma, and ongoing violent conflicts and crises in Syria, Afghanistan, Mexico, Iraq, Burma, Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Libya, Sudan (Darfur and South Kordofan), Yemen, Egypt (Sinai), Kurdistan, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Mali, DR Congo, Burundi, Kashmir, Baluchistan (Pakistan and Iran), India (Maoist and other insurgencies), the Maghreb (Africa), Ukraine, and elsewhere;   -   refugee and humanitarian crises;   -   the political madness of regimes with authoritarian leaders;   -   and   growing evidence of the genocide being perpetrated by alleged “buddhists” in burma;   the need to accept permanent partition of the Korean Peninsula and chase a peace treaty above all else is becoming more paramount;   irrationality, including the belief in rumours and fake news, continues to be a plague that is “punching above its weight”;   intimidation,   anger, hate and fear also continue to “punch above their weight”;   arrogance – especially putting oneself above the law and ethics, but there have been encouraging attempts to hold to account and be ethical;   political expediency continues to be placed ahead of human beings (including children, the elderly, the disabled and others who are also vulnerable);   filter bubbles remain a problem – especially in militaries and ex-military people;   lack of personal self discipline;   people continue to feel overwhelmed;   may those who prattle on about personal responsibility gain clarity of thought, depth of understanding and compassion to realise that social circumstances have an influence;   NIMBY thinking pervades too much of the world;
(g)   as all actions taken in pursuance of social status are evil, may we exercise our human characteristics of reason, self discipline and improvement to overcome that flaw, and the viciousness and destructiveness that go with it;
(h)   may the social filter bubbles around all nonBPM people lead to hubris and all the associated flaws, weaknesses, lack of attention and other mistakes;
(i)   may the world be open to unconventional, non-violent solutions to Korean tensions;
(j)   may clear, objective and dispassionate thought prevail;
(k)   may all have, feel and know they have the strength to do more than they thought they could, and do so – whilst looking after their wellbeing;
(l)   may the changing political balances be guided to be only BPM (and therefore compassionate and inclusive);
(m)   may all continue to fight to change, not punish;
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 resources (including an assured income, given the power that nonBPM forces have in the structures of the material world), opportunities and assistance (including 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 – especially those who need that more than other, better people;
  • Matters warranting particular attention:
       this week on reversing the deliberate, well-funded, long-term strategy (from about the 70s) to make self-interest seem normal and a commitment to fairness (such as former US President Franklin D Roosevelt’s Four  Freedoms) an aberration:   the entirety of this blog and all other spiritual work and physical activism I and others do;   “inequality also relates to education, health & illiteracy, not wealth alone”;
       on the Rohingya crisis this week:
       -   a Burmese policeman who helped arrest two journalists “burned his notes” … ;   the monsoon could be devastating;   a Rohingyan refugee has pleaded for Australia's permission to fulfil an invitation to speak to the EU;   “Reuters has revealed details of an investigation into a mass [murder] of Rohingyas by soldiers and villagers, which it says lies behind the arrest of two of its journalists in Myanmar” - which has led to calls for a credible probe into the bloodshed there and the release of the journalists;   more human stories;
       on the North Korean and general nuclear tensions this week:
       -   ICAN has said the newly released US nuclear posture review was “a chilling document” which “increases the danger of nuclear war … it clearly flags that great power confrontation with Russia is back on again ... we’re back in the cold war” (I would qualify that by adding North Korea to the blend … );   another unusual suggestion that the USA asks China and Russia to deploy troops on North Korean soil (I have also reported – last year- a suggestion that China/Russia guarantee a nuclear shield on condition that North Korea denuclearise);
       on the fallout from the USA’s recognition of (all?) Jerusalem as Israel’s capital:
       -   one death and more injured in another day of rage by hundreds of protestors;
       on other matters requiring particular attention:
       -   claims by a former US military member who helped sell false claims about Iraq that the same is now happening about Iran;
       -   the urgency of ending female genital mutilation;
       -   a book that details allegations of Chinese interference in Australian society will be released after finding a publisher worth their salt after three others had chickened out as a result of fear of China;
       -   Russia and undersea cables in the more accessible Arctic;
       this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Syria and Burma;
  • With regard to democracy (which can be measured [as can goodness], and requires  protection of minorities and the vulnerable – and remember Gandhi’s question about whether one is fighting to change things, or to punish, and note this list of 198 methods of nonviolent action), freedom, governance (e.g., here, here, here and here, and see also here) and ethics:
    Note: I have a section specifically for the 45th US President below
       analyses this week include:
       -   a “war is being waged between nationalists and globalists and Australia is not immune”;   an 18 year annual survey of the “four pillars of society: government, non-government organisations, business and the media” in 28 nations shows Australians trust in NGOs is 48%, business 45%, government 35% and media 31% (only Turkey trusts media less, and only us and Singapore have had declines in all four areas), but we “recognise the difference between [better] traditional media outlets and social media”;   an outline of current economic concerns, and a contrasting opinion that the recent US share market problems are of concern;   a criticism of Australian health insurance (the government “has to blackmail people into buying” it, and “describing it as a ‘free market’ is absurd”), and a questioning of the rebate;   a documentary shows one past leader's moral courage (and what would be fatal flaws in this day and age);   an examination of the economy and fairness;   “famed American scholar and public intellectual Noam Chomsky” considers “the most powerful country in history is now leading the way towards what may be terminal destruction”, elements of the TPP are “seriously objectionable, others are positive”, and Australia has “a difficult balancing act” pursuing a positive path in world affairs;   a call for more respect for volunteering (“We should keep fighting for better jobs and better working conditions ... the real economic struggle now is for the redistribution of wealth generated by labour and machines, through universal basic income, the revival of the commons and other such policies”);   a call for better government storage of records;   relics of colonialism;   a meandering critique of another pseudo-intellectual … “person”;   an analysis of the complexities of ASEAN;   the drive to sell business propaganda (aka “advertising”) is the biggest online risk;
       of concern this week:
       -   one of the Australian neoliberal politicians opposing Equal Marriage on family values reasons has been found to – hypocritically – be in gross breach of same (his staffer shouldn’t have been photographed, mind – and as for those morons say this just shows he is human, SO ARE THE LGB PEOPLE HE WAS ACTIVELY, DELIBERATELY AND MALICIOUSLY HARMING! And why, if this was an open secret for so long, wasn’t his hypocrisy pointed out by the media during the so-called “debate”? [Ah – it appears it was, by one journo … ] At least that open secret means he probably couldn’t be blackmailed);   staggering revelations about how much political resistance there was to the apology for the Stolen Generations;   “when fairness and equality clash, people prefer fair inequality over unfair equality. What this means is that people are fine with inequality if they feel they have a chance to win, and if the system that creates it is “fair” in some way”;   US reforms after Watergate have subsequently been weakened by additional legislation and a series of court decisions;   the so-called religious freedoms review appears to be holding secret hearings –termed ‘informal dialogues’ – and showing bias against LGBTI people;   a “homeless clean-up crew” in a US city swept up a tent with a person still inside and almost killed them – others have died;   there are concerns about use of Ministerial power to apparently favour irrigators;   another stupid shutdown of the US government ... has ended;
       -   other concerning events have occurred or are developing in: the Maldives, Kiribati, USA, Kenya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the Horn of Africa, South America/Russia, Ethiopia, Kurdistan (major war crime);
       in the grey/mixed [good and bad aspects] or neutral area this week:
       -   a ground-breaking audit showed that US Pentagon had failed “to properly account for and track funding to specific construction projects” worth around $800 million – which, for an “agency of its size and complexity” was not entirely unanticipated;
       good news this week includes:
       -   the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility is trying to get Rio Tinto shareholders to repeat BHP’s shareholders warning of quitting the Minerals Council of Australia because the MCA had ”diminished the federal government’s ability to resolve a national policy issue of material relevance to our company and the stability of its operations” over coal;   an article on George Soros: “financier, philanthropist – and hate figure for the far right”;
       and democracy/governance/political matters in my home nation this week:
       -   an examination of the ongoing dual citizenship crisis;   one Australian state’s “big gamble on grid-scale battery storage may pay for itself in just a year if it continues to prevent massive price spikes”;   expansion of the cashless welfare card, “incredibly expensive experiment” that lacks evidence, will not be supported;   both major political parties and inequality experts in the labour movement have rejected an idea to require companies to lift wages in return for a corporate tax cut;   more Anzackery and jingoism in opposing honouring indigenous fighters in the frontier wars;   a senior ALP figure has warned that the ALP “needs to do more to empower rank and file members and diminish the relative power of factional and union leaders”;   a warning that the neoliberal government’s planned changes to the welfare system “risk pushing more vulnerable Australians into homelessness”;  Australia’s neoliberal government “has been forced to water down its proposed foreign espionage laws, in the face of a backlash from Labor, the Greens and the country's largest media organisations”;   as a warning is made that “the big four banks are getting even more powerful – at Australians' expense”, the Productivity Commission has questioned the current value of the four banks policy;   a call for better use of migrants;   a former conservative MP has warned against the populist right;   criticism of a local Council for poisoning a bee hive rather than relocating it;   the opposition in my home state have been accused of “race-baiting” and Voldemort II-style politics;   the history of the hospital funding crisis;
  • With regard to the 45th US President (who is dangerous – see here on actions for US residents [and the useful principles]) this week (I avoid using the 45th US President’s name for psychic reasons, but also use either “the USA’s CEO” or “Voldemort II” as an alias; also, the US Vice-President needs to be worked on – and typically takes about three times as much effort to clear of negativity):
       -   a former right wing US President has said there is “pretty clear evidence that the Russians meddled” in the 2016 US presidential election (and are continuing their efforts), “forcefully” rebutting the current incumbent’s denials;   in the course of recovering stolen information, the USA  intelligence community also found information on Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election;
       -   the UK has rebuked the USA’s 45th President over his absurd claim the NHS is failing (comparative data here);   one of Voldemort’s religious advisors ”told parishioners to skip the flu shot in favour of prayer, inviting scorn from concerned medical professionals and epidemiologists”;   the US disaster agency has been ordered to give favourable treatment to neochristian organisations;
       -   more ethical concerns and development around Voldemort II’s administration;   erosions of human rights under the current US regime;   a call for the xenophobic, misogynistic White House Chief of Staff to go;   a criticism of the 45th US President as a “demagogue”;   Voldemort II wants to imitate his big brother Putin and have a military parade ... which one opinion says “reveals him as a would-be despot”;   a critique of the 45th US President's material-centred religion;   more insanity from Voldemort II;   “why didn’t the white house see domestic violence as disqualifying?”;
       -   the 45th US President has scrubbed a measure of his predecessor that would have prevented several train crashes;
       -   insurance companies may be using the xenophobic crackdown to get out of pay outs to injured workers;
       -   “Dreamers” in the armed forces “will not be deported even if their legal protections expire”;
       -   the USA is seeking “energy dominance”;
       -   more abuse of workers in the USA – where wages remain under attack;
       -   renters in the USA are fighting back;
       -   white mid-West women are finally turning against the 45th US President;
  • With regard to violent extremism (VE) (aka, terrorism) (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 “Cure Violence”, 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 don’t name groups to reduce their publicity):
       -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in Israel, Libya, India, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 6 attacks in Iraq, 4 attacks in Afghanistan, and 3 attacks in Syria (out of a total of 43);   and actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media I read) have occurred this week against violent extremists in: Syria, Sinai;
       -   a criticism of US counter violent extremism in the Sahel;   the UN has said that, despite recent gains, it is vital to stay ahead of violent extremists;   an Arab bank has been cleared of links to violent extremism;
  • With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration) and people seeking asylum:
       -   Australia’s vicious neoliberal government believes the children it set up for abuse in Australia’s gulags don’t deserve anything … ;   the Australian government’s detention of more than 60 Indonesian children in adult jails for people smuggling will be investigated by the Australian Human Rights Commission;   Australia has been ordered to bring a young girl from the Nauru gulag to Australia for urgent psychiatric treatment;   a maize farm is helping Burundian refugees in Australia;   sexual violence at Greek refugee centres;   criticism of Australia’s gulags (punishment, not protection);
  • With regard to human (and other) rights and discrimination (incidentally, I consider it vital to identify people who are bigots, as they clearly have flaws of observation and thinking – shown by the fact that NOT all people choose to discriminate unless they have been educated otherwise):
       on homophobia/transphobia (including heteronormativity and cisgender-normativity) this week (and noting that trans kids are the same as cis kids of the trans kids’ true gender):
       -   revelations that two transgender recruits were, contrary to the policy preventing abuse and bullying, been forced out of the Australian Defence Force after coming out;   internalised homophobia;   an LGBT festival in Burma;
       -   other homophobic/transphobic (and heteronormativity / cisgender-normativity) matters have also occurred in: Australia;
       on white supremacist and other forms of racism and indigenous matters generally this week:
       -   Australia’s (vicious) neoliberal government has been urged to prioritise Indigenous-run services in the Closing the Gap program as they have greater success rates – but another report has found funding cuts has meant the programme has effectively been abandoned (denied by the government) - but this person thinks it can be fixed (how much of the government’s problem is cultural and class bias?);   New Zealand’s new female Prime Minister has defused tensions on New Zealand's sacred Waitangi Day;   a rebuttal of the Australian neoliberal party's claim that it has “absolutely zero tolerance for racism” - see also here;   centuries of abuse have left a legacy of caution (especially with white male doctors) and a desire for decision making and respect in women of colour;
       -   other white supremacy / racism problems have also occurred in: Australia;
       on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):
       -   another military bigot in the Australian Parliament (they spouted the same rot about people of colour in the US military too);   the problems of male privilege starts with boys and is lifelong;   a commentary on defamation cases in response to sexual assault allegations;   how a remote Alaskan island tackled domestic abuse;   after decades of hailing its sons but not its daughters and years of pressure from a group of determined women, Canada's national anthem has been amended to a non-sexist form;   a denial of (reactionary) claims that a woman who has accused former mayor of groping her has denied being a liar – pointing out she has nothing to gain;   a digital database tracking girls' rights around the globe will be launched soon;   a support group for victims of sexual harassment has closed as a result of being overwhelmed;
       -   on sexual harassment/misconduct this week - more accusations / descriptions of effects and commentary / responses / resignations: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here;
       -   other sexism matters have also occurred in: China, Greece, Lebanon (good news), Somalia;
       on religious rights this week:
       -   the “fight for the right to be a Muslim” in the USA;
       on workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human (and other – e.g., animal) rights this week:
       -   after the Catholic Church’s Pope denied getting evidence, a victim of a child abusing priest in Chile has revealed he wrote to the Pope in 2015 about an alleged cover-up;   suggestions on how to make sure your holiday passes the human rights test;   the problem of hate speech on a film review site;   Australia will deliver a national apology to victims of child sexual abuse (in several months);   some medical tools might be made by child labour;   victims of slavery are testifying in the UK and winding up homeless;   over-sedation of the elderly in the USA;
       -   also on child abuse, particularly neochristian and other institutional, this week: here, here, here;
       -   also on slavery / human trafficking this week: Qatar, Thailand, Uganda, jewellery supply chains, UK, India;
       -   other workers’, children’s, privacy, differently abled, animal, and other forms of human or other rights matters have also occurred in: the Maldives, USA, Sudan, Georgia, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela; Israel/Palestine, Iran, Kurdistan (major war crime);
       -   opportunities to take action here;
  • With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally (including survival after death, and good religion), development (in an “end poverty/thirst/hunger” sense – and being mindful of “intimate activism”) and the occasional nice story (and to get people to constructively remedy: fear of being single / asexual / off-grid or a rebel / innovator / non-conformist / true to yourself, belief in management  fads and fashions, distracting themself aka filling their time, and accept extraterrestrial UFOs):
       Imbolc has been celebrated in the UK (we’re celebrating Lammas here);   “The best way to sway others is not to tell them your answer, but to arrive at an answer — together”;   some reflections on "awe";   cyberbullying and some suggestions about managing kids who are (which I am still thinking about … );   a $1 billion appeal for aid has been launched to help “build a firewall against famine” in 26 nations;   the UN has said that the Sustainable Development Goals must be a blueprint for fair globalisation;   how partnerships can fight poverty;
  • With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
       -   an earthquake in Taiwan has killed several people;   floods and landslides in Indonesia;   problems with aid to Puerto Rico;
  • With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (such as conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour in smart phone , FOMO (which can be overcome) and addiction or unthinking pro-technology bias, second thoughts, social media making people miserable or envious, work and lifestyles causing depression, being duped by modern mantras and  management  fads,  “failing” at being well, AI ethics, corporate misuse of mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions, embedded emissions, plane pollution, bigger, flashier homes/cars– which means actively abusing the environment and society’s cohesion and contributing to financialisation, the need for agroforestry, the accursed “new is always good” groupthink of the computer world, abuse of workers by insisting on busy-ness, raising Prince Boofheads):
       on climate change and other environmental matters this week:
       -   Elon Musk will provide tens of thousands of South Australian homes with solar power battery storage (that’s more like the Elon Musk I admire!) - but as part of that state’s energy grid;   an argument in favour of feeding wild birds (which is accepted overseas – there are conditions);   a call to rethink Australia’s dingo fence (which acknowledges the problem that would be for sheep);   according to the UN, “nature-based solutions offer local benefits through local action”;   what to do with electric car batteries;   an ivory activist has been murdered;   disease threats to bananas;   a group of scientists and economists has called for a pause in the Murray-Darling plan to allow “a full scientific audit, saying that, despite spending billions on water recovery projects, it is failing to improve the river’s overall health”;   a call for “a comprehensive rethink on how Australia’s natural landscapes are protected”, including giving the public a greater say on development plans, a new generation of environment laws and the creation of independent agencies with the power and authority to ensure they are enforced, as “short-term politics is infecting decision-making”;   consideration of the local impact of China’s ban on wastes for recycling (how could the situation of exporting waste evolve with nothing in the media? Did anyone think about the impact of the transportation?);   a scientists has challenged claims a coal seam gas company hitting a natural fault is not cause for concern;   “tourism is Australia’s most vulnerable and least prepared industry to deal with climate change despite the fact it is already feeling its effects”;   bees might still be at risk;   although the ozone hole is healing, ozone elsewhere (particularly the lower stratosphere) is disappearing;   a company trying to open a coal mine in Australia has experienced another financial setback;   concerns that approvals for coalmining companies to undertake clearing fail to consider previous clearing, and the overall state of the local ecology;   a new parent has realised the urgency of climate change, and taken action;   a plant-based plastic - called a bioplastic - that is fully biodegradable and also disposable either in a paper recycling or food waste bin;   trophy shark hunters have been accused of responsibility for shark attacks on the Monkey Mia dolphins;   a US city has banned expansion of fossil fuels;
       -   other environmental matters have occurred in: Africa, Australia, Australia;
       on technology and science matters this week:
       -   the “benefits” of automation won’t be shared (no kidding, Einstein);   the problems of robo-job interviews;   in response to Google's “offer” to set up a complete surveillance state in a city (aka “smart city”), “cities are at their best living expressions of a raucous and conflicted democracy. They are not mausoleums to ideologies of complete control, whether these are political or commercial”;   yet more privacy concerns over so-called “smart” phones;   a warning to mobile phone users to avoid returning unexpected calls from overseas numbers (scam);   the human experiences of a social media moderator;   new types of computer vulnerability;
       on economic and financial matters this week:
       -   employees attending work while unwell “isn’t necessarily a sign of dedication – it’s more likely they feel pressured to be there. Presenteeism is both a prevalent and costly problem that needs to be tackled” (social media link – sorry);   following renewed calls last year for the implementation of a four-day work week, saying it would help even out the unhealthy distribution of work and shift the focus to producing better work in a shorter time (a two year Swedish trial had mixed results, including a 10% drop in sick leave and higher job satisfaction, but overall 20%increased costs), a New Zealand company will conduct a six week trial of four days’ work for five days’ pay as part of creating a workplace “fit for purpose for the 21st century”;
       on affordable, sustainable and decent housing and homelessness matters this week (why are politicians with “investment properties” not admitting a conflict of interest and staying out of housing affordability debates?):
       -   lack of affordable social housing has contributed to increased homelessness in my home city;
       on health and medical this week:
       -   more stupidity in the USA;  mental health first aid;   a study has found that “older adults with a positive attitude towards ageing may be less likely to develop dementia, even if they are genetically predisposed to it”;   medical risks in hospitals;   breaking the stigma (and myths) of painful sex;
       -   other health and medical matters have occurred in: UK, Australia;
       on other matters in the category this week:
       -   evidence seems to suggest watching films about speeding cars causes people to speed – but today’s generation has grown up with more on-screen violence, drinking, drug use and sex and yet the youth of today drink less than their parents did, have less sex, are less likely to do drugs, and are less likely to be violent than their parents were at their age (the analysis falls down in that it treats all outcomes as the same: driving faster seems to have no victims/harm, whereas the other actions do, and kids know the latter [better education, etc], therefore I consider the evidence holds up);   a student has killed her “emotional support hamster”, allegedly at the airlines suggestion (which they dispute), after the airline incorrectly (there is a crackdown on the exotic claims of what are support animals, which are leading to “biting, aggression, urination, defecation, allergic reactions, conflict and other disruptions”) said she could bring it with her (there were two other options she should have thought of: (1) don’t fly, and (2) find someone who has arrived who wants a pet hamster – and the airline could have made an announcement to help her);
  • With regard to press aka the media, and freedom of expression (claims of presenting “both sides” of a debate can be WRONG if the other side is RUBBISH –as is the case on LGBTIQ issues. Also, media can be unprofessional, but funding is an issue … ):
       -   a media apology to a former Australian Prime Minister over perceptions of recklessness;   a last-ditch attempt to save the ABC’s sound and reference libraries – and the sending of 22,000 to Samoa (which probably doesn’t want them) - will be made;   a media view on the hypocritical anti-Equal Marriage MP and the various issues his conduct raises;   a nuanced examination of “fake news”;   after US suicide rates spiked following Robin Williams death, another warning on irresponsible media coverage;   safety training for freelance journalists in Central America;   Senate report recommending support for public interest media in Australia;
       -   other media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in: India, Kiribati, Burma;
  • With regard to education:
       -   another school principal has had a brain freeze and stepped back to the 1950s … ;   excessive senior staff salaries at Universities;   a UK University has admitted it has “a significant problem” with sexual misconduct;   how to beat the intergenerational poverty and posh cycles when choosing a school;   another article on the importance of STEM in education;   a call for schools to be designed using evidence of what works for learning, not architectural fads;   “from crop planting to coding, secondary schools worldwide need to teach more practical skills and digital know-how to prepare teens for the future”;
  • With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
       -   the problems of sexism and homophobia in police forces;   how a money launderer was caught;   a US sheriff is being sued for “using excessive force after he was recorded boasting he had told officers to shoot a man rather than risk damaging police cars by ramming him off the road”;   a notorious company which has a long history of avoiding paying compensation to its asbestosis victims is at it again … ;   the motivations of female murderers, which differ to male;   special measures to protect the jurors at the trial at a head drug thug;   allegations of an assault by public transport Protective Services Officers, complete with film, are being investigated (I know most people like PSOs, but I wonder if that is because the PSOs and their enthusiasts are both mainstream? Our police have got better with minorities – although they have a way to go, and police and PSOs have a tendency to be provocatively authoritarian … in this case, the police response is that there was an initial assault, but arrests must not use excessive “force” –i.e., violence);   abuse of a disabled prisoner;   changes in response to a US police force corruption scandal;   a US city has announced plans to ask the courts to “vacate” all misdemeanour marijuana possession convictions that were prosecuted before it was legalised;
      -    other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: Burma.
 Location based News:
  • With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
       on Africa generally:
       -   Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey are competing for military influence in the Horn of Africa and northwest Indian Ocean;
       -   commitments to a pollution-free Africa by implementing the Bamako Convention;
       -   increasing prosperity in Burkina Faso encourages some people to stay, and enables others to exercise their right to migrate;
       -   Burundi claims refugee numbers are inflated … ;
       -   concerns over army violence in Cameroon;
       -   370,000 people expected to be displaced by a DR Congo military campaign against rebels;
       -   the release of prisoners in Ethiopia has been ordered;
       -   a documentary on Gambia’s abolition of the death penalty;
       -   the deepening political crisis in Kenya;
       -   the AU says Mauritania needs to act seriously on slavery;
       -   an inspiring street clean up in Nigeria (with some valid governance questions);   “peace in north eastern Nigeria requires justice for military crimes not just [violent extremist] atrocities”;   the international humanitarian plan;
       -   ANC leaders are considering their next step as pressure mounts on South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma;
       -   Zimbabwe’s economy is continuing to crash;
       on Sudan and South  Sudan:
       -   incommunicado detention of human rights activists, lawyers and journalists in Sudan;   Russia will train Sudan’s army;
       -   broken promises on child soldiers in South Sudan;   peace talks have stalled over giving the agreement teeth;
  • With regard to South and Central America:
       -   a warning that South America needs to prepare for Russian electoral interference;
       -   construction of a dam in Brazil has forced a tribe into an ultra-violent city and profound culture shock generally;
       -   domestic violence in Colombia;
       -   the ICC has begun a preliminary investigation in Venezuela;
  • 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):
       -   another critique of China’s “one child” policy;
       on China, Hong Kong, the DPRK (North Korea) and South Korea (which need to accept their partition – for now – and sign a peace treaty), Taiwan, and the free but invaded and occupied nation of Tibet:
       -   China’s version of “Me Too”;   an industrial accident (collapse of a subway tunnel) has killed at least eight people;   China is tightening its stranglehold on access to the Internet;   criticism of the USA’s nuclear weapons strategy towards China;
       -   a former North Korean terrorist who blew up a plane, killing 188 people, thinks that “friendly North Korea is fake” … and, given the DPRK’s earlier celebration of its anniversary parade, she might be right;   a “sports diplomacy expert” says “North Korea will enter this Games feeling like its image has been burnished - at least to its own people”;
       -   some South Koreans are protesting against closer relations with North Korea;
       -   three democracy activists have been freed in Hong Kong;   concerning pro-Chinese agitations;
       -   China is trying its honey on the knife techniques with Taiwanese youth;
       elsewhere in Asia:
       -   concerns about the sentencing of land rights defender in Cambodia;
       -   the UN’s human rights chief “has warned of the “dark clouds” of political extremism and intolerance that are building over Indonesia”;   examination of the harsh new laws;
       -   after seven years, the power company which stuffed up at Fukushima is paying compensation;
       -   concerns of a possible cover-up (e.g., of type of radar signal) by Malaysia’s military in the search for MH370;
       -   the ICC has opened a preliminary examination into the Philippines so-called “war on drugs” – see also here;
       -   an online poll “supposedly supporting Thailand's embattled deputy Prime Minister has been exposed as mostly fake”;
       and in the Pacific:
       -   violence and murder related to allegations of sorcery is increasing across Papua New Guinea;
  • With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU) (which need to step up, as the USA steps down):
       -   Italy is aiming to cut food waste and feed the hungry;   racism and anti-Semitism in election campaigns;
  • 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, Central Asia, and responses (see also elsewhere):
       Russia:
       -   record snowfall in Moscow has killed one person;   the “Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by 47 Russian athletes and coaches against a ban on participation in the Winter Olympics” (does this restore credibility to the ban?);   calls for Russia to act to help in Syria: here, and here;
       in Central Asia:
       -   a call for prioritisation of the ongoing Georgia investigation by the ICC;
       -   “in Tajikistan and other countries of Central Asia, local water user associations have proved vital for efficient irrigation management, and reasonably prolonged training is the key for enabling the associations to perform well”;
  • 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):
       -   more concerns over the 16 year war in Afghanistan (I heard a radio interview where an expert said the violent extremists had better propaganda: they probably did, but, above all else, this is a case of the USA losing the peace so badly the fighting kept going. The solution is not pulling out: the solution is giving the Afghan Army the same artillery and air back up the coalition forces had, and getting a genuine, democratic, corruption-free government in place – eve if they AREN’T matey with the US;   what to do about the escalating violence in Afghanistan;
  • With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
       -   other events concerning South Asia have occurred or are developing in: the Horn of Africa;
       on India:
       -   India now appears to be trying to silence foreign media;   India has tested a nuclear capable missile which can reach most of China;   a serious decline in available rentals;   the structural integrity of temples will be checked;
       on Pakistan:
       -   a court in Pakistan, will deliver its verdict on the murder of a student over alleged blasphemy;
       elsewhere in South Asia:
       -   another article on the workers being left behind by Bangladesh’s garment industry boom;
       -   instability and a reactionary political crisis is growing in the Maldives, where the government has violently, physically attacked the Supreme Court, a small part of which then did an illegal U-turn .. ;
  • With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and Northern Africa, the Middle East Eye, the Times of Israel, and other sources have:
       on Israel and Palestine:
       -   Russia and Palestine plan to discuss a new peace talks framework;   concerns about the (possible lack of) robustness of the methodology for the database of businesses operating in Israel’s settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory;   an Iranian drone was shot down over Israel;   the 45th US President has told Israel “it will also have to make ‘hard compromises for peace’”;   Israel has sent a de-escalation message to Lebanon;
       -   other events concerning Israel and/or Palestine have occurred or are developing in: Lithuania (anti-Semitism);
       on the conflict in Yemen:
       -   Yemen is closer to being divided again – but it is uncertain whether that would help anything;   85,000 Yemenis have been displaced in the last ten weeks;   a human rights activist has been killed;
       on Syria (where the Assad Dictatorship has lost all pretence of legitimacy, and partition is needed):
       -   a Russian plane was shot down by rebels and the pilot killed, leading to increased bombing – which has killed  hundreds of people;   “hundreds of thousands of refugees risk being pushed to return to Syria, despite the country’s ongoing violence”;   US military advisors with rebels called in airstrikes when Assad Dictatorship forces attacked them, killing more than 100;   the policy of deliberate punishment of civilians;   a plan to “name and shame” those demons responsible for chemical weapons in Syria and their use;   another examination of Turkey’s anti-Kurd invasion of Syria, and how that could benefit the Assad Dictatorship, and a call for Turkey, Syria and Russia to cooperate to stabilise that region;   a call for Russia to take a hand in separating Iranian and Israeli forces along the border and other actions to prevent another war;
       on Iraq (which was a peaceful and prosperous society before the UK / USA / CIA backed revolution – see here) and Kurdistan:
       -   training may be increased in Iraq;  disturbing video of war crimes allegedly committed by Kurds;
       -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 80 people violently killed in the last week;
       on Libya:
       -   “gunmen have blocked hundreds of families trying to return to their home town after seven years of forced displacement”;
       on Iran:
       -   Iran has executed three children;
       on Saudi Arabia:
       -   Russian, Chinese and US attempts to win nuclear influence in Saudi Arabia;   arbitrary detention of an online advocate for civil and political rights;   the notorious religious police have lost some power;
       on Turkey:
       -   the refusal of courts to release journalists is continuing Turkey’s transformation from a democracy to a Grand Sultanate;   600 people have been arrested for protests or for social media posts against the anti-Kurd offensive in Syria;
       elsewhere in the region:
       -   Egypt, which has long been struggling to cope with an insurgency in the Sinai, has turned to Israel for military assistance.
Other News:
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 “CE 5  ET contact” movement started by Dr Steven M Greer, which is the one which appears to me to most capitalise on the teachings of “The Nine”,   the “Network of Light”  meditations;   the 1 Million Meditators movement,   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.
(I 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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