For many years I have been a believer in 'looking up.' This is because whatever is happening on the ground around at the moment the sky above continues on its daily routine. The sun rises and makes its slow way across the sky brightening and warming the land. (Those living in Edinburgh will no doubt find this difficult to believe) Had we been born in Egypt we would notice this daily except every 16 to 20 years when excessive rain will fall and change our lives for a week or so and this sunshine would affect us in ways I cannot explain having been brought up under a gray misty cloud!
Today I noticed the bright blue sky smeared with distant white cloud high above stretching for miles across the heavens. The starkness of the trees minus their covering of leaves against the bright blue was a notable feature for me.
High in the branches of the trees starlings chirped and argued with one another happily as is their way, unseen behind the blue stars and planets continued their daily journey hidden to us, and while we fought to the death for bargains in overcrowded shops the world continued to turn and those of us not seeking bargains smirked to one another at the thought.
Whatever small issues we have the world keeps turning.
ISIS in an effort to prove they are still alive and kicking have attacked a mosque containing many of an Islamic creed they despise. The attack, featuring around 40 gunmen, killed at least 250 and wounded many more. The Egyptian Sinai has been dangerous for many years and I suspect the army will now be sent in with great force and little consideration for human rights to deal effectively with the problem. This will be a long hard battle with consequences unknown and a great many will suffer.
Some cynical types would claim that the Bush/Blair needless attack, inspired by Rumsfeld and Cheney, was the originator of much of the trouble in the middle east, they might be right. Maybe it is better to say they failed to handle the situation correctly or with any understanding of the area in which they operated so confidently and allowed such a situation to develop. Now ISIS have been forced out of Iraq we will see them rising, possibly for only a short time, here there and everywhere for the next few years. The west has failed the middle east and we will feel the effects.
Zimbabwe now has a new president informing them of the need to 'engage the world' (That is 'borrow money') and 'remove corruption' (Not counting his) and 'create jobs' for the young (Fat chance). We look to see whether a politicians promises will bring about a better nation or whether the usual suspects continue to line their pockets and leave the people to suffer. It s to be hoped the people this time make a stand and find changes that benefit them all and not just a few. Interesting to see most of those in charge are well aged and the nation mostly young, how will that work?
Panic they say in Oxford Street as claims of gunshots are heard. The brave Londoners run for cover!
"No shots" say the police.
Could it be the brave Londoners are panicking? Tsk!
