Saturday, 4 January 2025

Post No. 2,982 - Reflections on the past week, and some interesting reading/viewing [Note: Content Warning - links to reports on oppression/bigotry/hate, violence/abuse/war. Reader discretion is advised]

Note: CONTENT WARNING - some of this content is about upsetting, disturbing or triggering events & attitudes. Seek competent help - including professional - if you need it. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that linked articles may contains names and/or images of deceased people. READER CAUTION IS RECOMMENDED! For anyone distressed by anything in this post, or for any other reason considering seeking support, resources are available in Australia here, here, and here. In other nations, you will have to do an Internet search using terms such as “mental health support - <your nation>” (which, for instance, may lead to this, this, and this, in the USA, or this, this, and this, in France [biased towards English-language - my apologies]), or perhaps try https://www.befrienders.org/. 

 

It is not all gloom and doom: there have been reasons for hope on the climate front. In addition, a story from Japan illustrates the benefits of good planning.

However, in an appalling act against democracy, disgruntled police in Northern Ireland were responsible for a series of major leaks after the Good Friday agreement established a basis for peace.      Meanwhile,      Germany has accused M_ sk of trying to interfere with its elections - and he is reportedly considering trying to promote radical right extremism in the UK, including trying to pressure the UK justice system to release an offender;     a warning that drafting and adopting a new Constitution and holding elections in Syria could take four years;      thousands are fleeing Mozambique for Malawi to escape deadly post-election violence;   my home state branch of the ALP has been - quite rightly - ordered to take down a meme which attacked a key opposition figure’s partner;      the USA has imposed sanctions on Russian and Iranian groups over interference in the 2024 US elections;   South Korea’s former President allegedly authorised violence (including shooting) against MPs during the attempted and unsuccessful coup and martial law (and an attempt to arrest him has been unsuccessful);   concerns about the possible economic impact of incorporating cryptocurrency;   a useful summary of key features of the USA’s democracy;      Mali has enforced the suppression of dissent in Burkina Faso;      As a final point on this topic, this YouTube short discusses the development of the concept of the modern nation-state - with the first such coming about as a result of the French Revolution.

Violence has been an issue this week (the commentary in this Correllian video on YouTube includes astrological aspects that are contributing to that - and some interesting discussion on matters such as the history of violence [I also should point out that Jimmy Carter’s reputation outside the USA was always better than in it - we knew the value of what the USA had, even if they didn’t; on that, from here: “The Carter story highlights a great flaw in our politics and the way we assess it. There are two very different cycles – one electoral, the other we might call historical – but we tend to measure success or failure, at least in the moment, only by the former. Carter lost the 1980 election, so he was called a failure. History moves more slowly, weighing up the long-term consequences of decisions taken in office. It looks at the record in government, not just the scoresheet of politics.”] ), with:      a well reported and heinous VE  attack in the USA (the suspect was allegedly “inspired by” a group that came out of the chaos in Iraq after the US-led invasion but has not been obviously active for some time - initially, there was suspicion of others being involved, but not now;   a key aspect is that apparently protective bollards were “down for maintenance” - before a long expected major event: why? What are the details of that?), and, also in the USA, an electric vehicle was used for a car bombing - also by a US-born  soldier,   the USA’s FBI stated it foiled a planned attack against a US pro-Israel group   and   it had seized one of the largest explosives stockpiles (more than 150 pipe bombs) it had encountered when it arrested a man;      a thoughtful commentary on how the violent, hateful atmosphere promoted by Tr_ mp (and see this reminder that 6th January was a violent attempt at a coup d'état) creates conditions where events such as the attacks just mentioned are more likely, and thus, despite the lack of criminal standard evidence linking the first two, there is a moral connection (and there are concerns a social media platform is about to get much worse) - and see also this, which draws on historical events and raises issues of racism. Also, see also this, on the appalling corruption and political incompetence in the US management of Afghanistan, and the damage that, and the failure it led to, and the penny pinching amathia of too many (especially Tr_ mp cultists) has led to concerning states of being for military veterans - who wanted to do something noble, by freeing oppressed people - that reminds me of what happened to Việt Nam vets. This video also clearly and specifically condemns what was done by the two vets. On that, see also this;      a second mass shooting (in three years) in Montenegro by someone who the police had been warned about (how many such warnings do police have to deal with, I wonder? How should they determine which are genuine and which aren't? Can they afford to try to do so?);   an opinion that violence in Trinidad & Tobago has been responded to with platitudes;      12 Palestinians, “mostly women and children”, were killed by Israeli attacks on New Year’s Day (and see here for an example of the human costs of what is happening in Gaza), 43 after New Year’s Day (and a further 68 later in the week - including a police chief) by attacks on areas including declared “safe” zones for civilians;      and Mali has accused Algeria of supporting rebels.

I have to note, having watched parts of some films and series on war of late, that war is a staggeringly complex, physical resource (as well as human) consuming, warping of heart and mind and soul activity. As others have noted, the effort that goes into destruction far exceeds the effort put into building - Australian  General  Sir  John  Monash noted, in World War (part) One, that it took three times the cost of building one particular village to destroy it (my apologies: I cannot find a link for that now, but I have in the past), and the prolonged effort involved in World War (part) Two was prodigious ... what if that intensity, scale, and length of effort was directed to remedying inequity and the global problems that creates, and the climate crisis, and the other problems we face ... 

Just a thought - now back to the news.

A 100 km drag mark (likely from an anchor) has been found in the Baltic where a subsea electrical power connector between Finland and Estonia was broken (Russia or its allies remain under suspicion for that).   More positively (in the long term), the export of Russian gas through Ukraine has now ended (although that has led to a state of emergency in evidently unprepared - despite long notice - Moldova),   but this assessment by a Danish military expert that Russia is likely to increase its use of such hybrid attacks (including that redundancy is vital [as an engineer, I have always questioned the lack of trenching/protection of subsea cables], and those targetted should continue to minimise the fuss and fear) should be heeded.

The Israel-Palestine war has seen       a top UN official in Yemen rejecting Israel’s claim that Sana’a airport was military target, with UN members noting Israel’s right to self defence but condemning Israel’s attacks on civilians (which are contrary to IHL), after which Israel set out a case in the UN Security Council for a full scale assault on the H____i and/or a declaration that the H____i - already condemned by many nations for their attacks on Israel - are a t_rr_r_st group;      concerns that the term ‘antisemitism’ is being weaponised (largely by Israel) and stripped of meaning;      an elderly Israeli woman has been stabbed to death;      concerns that thousands of Palestinians will die from cold, disease and hunger this northern hemisphere winter as a direct result of Israeli actions;      and an experienced Israeli negotiator says that Netanyahu remains the obstacle to a ceasefire deal.

In other international news,      Russia will follow the USA’s 2019 example and abandon its moratorium on the deployment of short- and medium-range missiles (but see below [URL] regarding Russia’s contempt for, and lack of influence by, the USA’s president-elect);      concerns about the renewed  friendship between Russia and China;      fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan on a disputed border is continuing.

In human rights news,      while 2024 has possibly been the worst year ever for violence against women in Australia (which no change despite the strong labels),      it has been noticed that women are getting closer to men in ultra-marathon events - with hypothesised reasons including muscle composition optimised for endurance, psychological resilience, smarter pacing and decision-making, but improved training, targeted research (e.g., hormonal fluctuations), and increased participation opportunities (noting societal barriers such as gender stereotypes and media representation) are still needed;      a controversial and potentially lethal face-down restraint method is still being used in UK institutions despite being banned;      a man has been charged with drug trafficking at a music festival in my home state, but police are not interfering with pill testing at that festival;      an animal lover was killed while trying to stop abuse of a pet in the USA;   Putin has apologised to Azerbaijan for last week’s plane crash after a possible Russian missile attack, but without admitting any liability;   a female Italian journalist has been arrested by Iran and is being held in the notorious Evin prison, and there are concerns that this is a reprisal for Italy’s detention of a suspected arms dealer;      former PM Howard and his bigotted public service considered anti-trans laws in 2004 as part of their ban on Equal Marriage - which the ALP supported;   the resurgence of the recruitment of child soldiers;      some excellent diversity in Dungeons & Dragons has met with a backlash from amathiac, pseudo-conservative bigots;   the damned if they do and damned if they don’t situation facing Europe’s Muslims on the issue of integration;      Kenya’s president has acknowledged police abuses at protests;      and a notorious, hate-filled transphobe in the UK may be heading towards another defamation case as a transphobe in Australia extends their stand up act to include racism.

A tragic plane crash in South Korea after a possible bird strike while on final has raised questions about possible loss of hydraulics, which was also a factor the day before with the same type of plane in Norway - and the plane which crashed in South Korea had been diverted for a fault two days before, the unsuitable airport infrastructure, and a range of other personnel, plane and infrastructure issues (see, for instance, here, here, here, and here), and this situation has created a test of that nation’s unity amidst a political crisis.

In societal matters,      the EU law mandating universal chargers for devices has come into force;      a warning of the biohazards of so-called “mirror” life (where the DNA spiral is reversed);   and a US court has decided a US organisation does not have the authority to restore net neutrality ... .


As a final thought, I am still struggling to get back to normal blogging activity given the prolonged changes and events of family life over the last few months. I am getting close, and, if I can get the stressors sorted out, I may have a longer life than I was expecting, but everything is still in a state of flux at the moment. 


 

On the resistance to the reign of Tr_ mp 2.Ø:

  • “Russia Shuts Down Tr_ mp in an Instant ... Humiliates Him”   https://youtu.be/oE1o-KSadYg   This outlines the evidence showing that Tr_ mp is held in contempt by, and has negligible (if any) influence over the Putin regime      
  • “ABC Pays Out Trump $16,000,000 for Defamation”   https://youtu.be/NLYco4TLew4   This is an EXCELLENT analysis by the Legal Eagle channel over the nuances of Tr_ mp’s defamation claim against the American Broadcasting Company. I was aware of the legal wording the jury were obliged to use, and also the subsequent explanation by the Judge of the common understanding of what had happened, and it is surprising to me that the case proceeded as far as it did - until I watched this video. However, the ... pre-emptive collapse by the American BC is confirmed as something ... inexplicable, from a legal point of view:   “A[merican] BC conceded defeat on a case they might have won”       

Here are some llinks that might also be of interest or value:

  • “Happy New Year 25! - Midday With Rev Don”   https://www.youtube.com/live/3WjLp3U5H8o   Some excellent thoughts, comments, and perspectives in this      I also liked this:   “The Day After - Midday With Rev Don”   https://www.youtube.com/live/5TkiMXF_Ukg   I feel as if I have come home to my ... (Pagan) people, in a sense - and it is encouraging to find others who have also (independently) been working on the sorts of matters/actions I have     

  • “ME/CFS Scandal Explainer (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)”   https://youtu.be/RiwX9Y0NbiQ   This is an excellent explainer of the disease, the flawed attitudes that led to massive bigotry, and the stubborn digging in that has prolonged the very real suffering - and deaths - cased by the professional ineptitude (incompetence?) and/or amathia and/or bigotry/unmanaged unconscious bias     
  • “Atheism Should Leave Its Transphobia Behind in the New Year”   https://youtu.be/NinY-m0_jB0   I am appalled to find that Steven Pinker and Richard Dawkins were also supporting this transphobia - that has wiped out their reputation with me, and I’ll be rethinking my positions on their earlier work when I can (and I note that their earlier material may still stand). I also note that Stephen Fry has also revealed himself as a transphobe     
  • this short is interesting and likeable:   “These ants has [sic] more braincell [sic] than me”   https://youtube.com/shorts/5Ov7YR1IQeo   Attribution details given in the video are:   Full Credit To: Ofer Feinerman Ant Lab, Weizmann Institute of Science   All rights belong to: PNAS T. Dreyer, A. Haluts, A. Korman, N. Gov, E. Fonio, O. Feinerman, Comparing cooperative geometric puzzle solving in ants versus humans, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 122 (1) e2414274121, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2414274121 (2025).      
  • “Why Your Great-Grandchildren Won’t Be Billionaires”   https://www.joanwestenberg.com/why-your-great-grandchildren-wont-be-billionaires/   This excellent read discusses the efficient market hypothesis of inherited wealth (“You’re a third-generation Vanderbilt in 1920. You have two options:   (1) Work 80-hour weeks managing a complex railroad business in an increasingly competitive market   (2) Live off your inheritance while hosting elaborate parties in your 70-room summer “cottage” in Newport”) and the Darwinian dead end of social climbing      
  • identification of a possible physical mechanism for the medical issues associated with loneliness;
  • “Christian Nationalists Are OBSESSED With Their Newest “Enemy””   https://youtu.be/ftsmiugsukw   I have not watched all of this yet, but it looks - so far - like it might be worth a watch and a think      
  • also from YouTube:

If you appreciated this post, please consider promoting it - there are some links below, and there’s also Instagram. 

Note that I am cutting back on aspects of my posts - see here. 

(Gnwmythr is pronounced new-MYTH-ear)   

Remember: we generally need to be more human being rather than human doing, to mind our Mӕgan, and to acknowledge that all misgendering is an act of active transphobia/transmisia that puts trans+ lives at risk & accept that all insistence on the use of “trans” as a descriptor comes with commensurate use of “cis” as a descriptor to prevent “othering” (just as binary gendered [men’s and women’s] sporting teams are either both given the gender descriptor, or neither).
 
#PsychicABetterWorld   and   candles for Viva La Résistance à Tr_ mp!   and may all that I do be of value and actively BPM used for and by the nonphysical  BPM  
 
Copyright © Kayleen White 2007-2025     NO AI   I do not consent to any machine learning aka Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, machine learning, chatbot, or other automated analysis, generative process, or replication program to reproduce, mimic, remix, summarise, or otherwise  replicate any part of this post or other posts on this blog via any means. Typo’s may be inserrted deliberately to demonstrate this is not an AI product.     Otherwise, fair and reasonable use is accepted under Creative Commons 4.0 on an Attribution-ShareAlike basis https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/   

 



 

 

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