Today’s post is something of a recap on a week of news consumption. Some material reviewed has left me alarmed, some has provided inspiration and some has provided light relief – I think all the items presented in this piece are thought provoking – have a read and decide if you agree.
When asked if I want the good news or the bad news, I always choose the bad first. One might as well know what one is up against as soon as possible.
So starting with the bad (If you’d prefer to start with good, scroll down a little):
I read this piece this week and think that it is something that everyone should read and reflect upon. The words are interesting but you should watch the embedded videos too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30585783
Juergen Todenhoefer (JT) was the first westerner/journalist given access to Mosul since Islamic State (IS) took over. He went in with his son which, depending upon your perspective, was either a brave or a totally irresponsible act - his son’s mother must have been beside herself with fear for the whole time they were away.
JT’s experiences in IS held territory may have scarred him but are worrying for the rest of the world. IS is well armed, well-funded, organised, recruiting from around the world and brimming with confidence/motivation.
For the Sunnis (no Christians or Shias left) living in the self-proclaimed caliphate, they are subject to a swathe of draconian laws and are in constant danger, a human shield to the armed IS militants that move amongst them.
Todenhoefer’s revelations that IS will kill Muslims without any qualms if they are not of the right sect/mind set, let alone those of different faiths is chilling. He positions ethnic cleansing as being contemplated on such a scale that previous genocides could seem less significant. And as a German, I don’t suppose he uses that kind of language lightly. He refers to the legacies of the Nazis, the communists, the regime of Pol Pot and thinks that the threat from IS is as concerning and a “real and present danger”.
JT could have been manipulated, fed a mixture of bravado and bollocks, material contrived to progress the propaganda war in line with the armed insurgency. Maybe the IS grip isn’t so strong, or the fundamentalism so extreme, but it could be dangerous to assume that.
The coverage is arguably a good propaganda result for IS – a respected journalist has told the world IS will be hard to beat and that he has never been so scared of a foe. Okay he also stated that IS is barbaric and needs to be defeated but that side of the debate has been well publicised for a long time.
It seems to me that history is already proving that invading Iraq and Afghanistan and interfering in Libya and Syria was foolhardy. Supporting Hussein, Gaddafi, Assad may actually have been better decisions because those despots at least kept their countries functioning and extremism on the fringes. IS may be trying to paint a picture that its society works on a practical level and that its territory isn’t just ruins but that’s less believable than Putin’s claims that Russian soldiers aren’t fighting in the Ukraine.
The western world was responsible for toppling Saddam Hussein over non-existing nuclear weapons; Allah help us all if IS gets hold of them because, if Todenhoefer is to be believed, the risk would be that the regime would use them without hesitation.
Moving away from depressing stuff and on to much more inspirational material.
IS to VC
The award of the Victoria Cross to 27 year old Lt/Cpl Josh Leakey of the Parachute Regiment is the polar opposite of the IS news. Here is a man who earned the highest military award there is for bravery in the face of the enemy fire. He put the lives of his comrades above his own and showed remarkable courage - he didn’t behead defenceless people or burn them in cages.
Please read this piece and watch the embedded interview too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31626357
Leakey is brilliant, he’s selfless and actually embarrassed at all the attention he’s getting that he thinks should be shared amongst his unit and his battalion. His manner appears typical of VC holders – he was just doing what was necessary, anyone would have done the same.
From a plucky Brit to the Brits
Madonna got pulled off the stage at the Brits music awards ceremony and handled it all so professionally that attendees thought the tumble she took was part of the act. The video is part of the news article below – watch the incident for yourself if you haven’t seen it already:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31633349
Respect to Madonna and her dance troop for reacting to the situation with aplomb, Madge went on to perform her number as if nothing had happened. Even the fall seemed to work with the song’s lyrics.
Being a mosher, Madonna’s music isn’t my thing but I have to say she rocks even though she does pop.
From “go girl” to crow girl
This story from America, about an eight year old girl that has an unusual relationship with a murder of crows, is lovely.
Gabi Mann feeds the crows and in return the crows bring her thank you gifts. She has amassed quite a collection of trinkets over a four year period.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31604026
Crows, so often associated with the dead or the afterlife, are known to be intelligent, this fascinating story would evidence that.
From end of life to end of post
The theme throughout this post has been material that has provoked thought. If you had chosen some items to reflect upon, what would you have selected?
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When asked if I want the good news or the bad news, I always choose the bad first. One might as well know what one is up against as soon as possible.
So starting with the bad (If you’d prefer to start with good, scroll down a little):
I read this piece this week and think that it is something that everyone should read and reflect upon. The words are interesting but you should watch the embedded videos too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30585783
Juergen Todenhoefer (JT) was the first westerner/journalist given access to Mosul since Islamic State (IS) took over. He went in with his son which, depending upon your perspective, was either a brave or a totally irresponsible act - his son’s mother must have been beside herself with fear for the whole time they were away.
JT’s experiences in IS held territory may have scarred him but are worrying for the rest of the world. IS is well armed, well-funded, organised, recruiting from around the world and brimming with confidence/motivation.
For the Sunnis (no Christians or Shias left) living in the self-proclaimed caliphate, they are subject to a swathe of draconian laws and are in constant danger, a human shield to the armed IS militants that move amongst them.
Todenhoefer’s revelations that IS will kill Muslims without any qualms if they are not of the right sect/mind set, let alone those of different faiths is chilling. He positions ethnic cleansing as being contemplated on such a scale that previous genocides could seem less significant. And as a German, I don’t suppose he uses that kind of language lightly. He refers to the legacies of the Nazis, the communists, the regime of Pol Pot and thinks that the threat from IS is as concerning and a “real and present danger”.
JT could have been manipulated, fed a mixture of bravado and bollocks, material contrived to progress the propaganda war in line with the armed insurgency. Maybe the IS grip isn’t so strong, or the fundamentalism so extreme, but it could be dangerous to assume that.
The coverage is arguably a good propaganda result for IS – a respected journalist has told the world IS will be hard to beat and that he has never been so scared of a foe. Okay he also stated that IS is barbaric and needs to be defeated but that side of the debate has been well publicised for a long time.
It seems to me that history is already proving that invading Iraq and Afghanistan and interfering in Libya and Syria was foolhardy. Supporting Hussein, Gaddafi, Assad may actually have been better decisions because those despots at least kept their countries functioning and extremism on the fringes. IS may be trying to paint a picture that its society works on a practical level and that its territory isn’t just ruins but that’s less believable than Putin’s claims that Russian soldiers aren’t fighting in the Ukraine.
The western world was responsible for toppling Saddam Hussein over non-existing nuclear weapons; Allah help us all if IS gets hold of them because, if Todenhoefer is to be believed, the risk would be that the regime would use them without hesitation.
Moving away from depressing stuff and on to much more inspirational material.
IS to VC
The award of the Victoria Cross to 27 year old Lt/Cpl Josh Leakey of the Parachute Regiment is the polar opposite of the IS news. Here is a man who earned the highest military award there is for bravery in the face of the enemy fire. He put the lives of his comrades above his own and showed remarkable courage - he didn’t behead defenceless people or burn them in cages.
Please read this piece and watch the embedded interview too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31626357
Leakey is brilliant, he’s selfless and actually embarrassed at all the attention he’s getting that he thinks should be shared amongst his unit and his battalion. His manner appears typical of VC holders – he was just doing what was necessary, anyone would have done the same.
From a plucky Brit to the Brits
Madonna got pulled off the stage at the Brits music awards ceremony and handled it all so professionally that attendees thought the tumble she took was part of the act. The video is part of the news article below – watch the incident for yourself if you haven’t seen it already:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31633349
Respect to Madonna and her dance troop for reacting to the situation with aplomb, Madge went on to perform her number as if nothing had happened. Even the fall seemed to work with the song’s lyrics.
Being a mosher, Madonna’s music isn’t my thing but I have to say she rocks even though she does pop.
From “go girl” to crow girl
This story from America, about an eight year old girl that has an unusual relationship with a murder of crows, is lovely.
Gabi Mann feeds the crows and in return the crows bring her thank you gifts. She has amassed quite a collection of trinkets over a four year period.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31604026
Crows, so often associated with the dead or the afterlife, are known to be intelligent, this fascinating story would evidence that.
From end of life to end of post
The theme throughout this post has been material that has provoked thought. If you had chosen some items to reflect upon, what would you have selected?
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