A Happy 2010 to my readers and visitors! I hope all went well for you over the Christmas and New Year's holiday seasons.
It is a bit of a snowy day here in Upstate New York. Outside the library window, it's gray and cold. I drove here in a bit of a snow shower, and the road was a bit slick. But that's winter in Upstate New York, and it'll be going on for at least the next three months. Ah well....
Just now, I was surfing through the BBC News Web site for something to write about, I found this story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/wiltshire/8437658.stm
It appears a UK-based Islamic group called Islam 4UK, with ties to extremist organizations, is planning to march through the town of Wootton Bassett, and carry 'symbolic coffins' to represent civilians killed in Afghanistan. This is the very same town that holds a moving repatriation ceremony through the high street, to honor UK service personnel killed in the line of duty. As the article states, the locals, and a Wiltshire MP, do not think it is such a good idea, even though the group's spokesperson claims they will not march during a repatriation ceremony.
Is it just me, or does it seem that this group is trying to seek maximum publicity for its 'cause', by marching through this town? I doubt seriously it cares that much about "Afghan civilian dead', and more about embarrassing the UK. Wootton Bassett has rightfully gained a great reputation for what started out to be an impromptu ceremony. And what if Islam 4UK's proposed march brings trouble in its wake--namely, every Islamic radical who lives in the UK, and wants to spout his hatred for the 'infidel'--namely, everyone who isn't Muslim, or who doesn't subscribe to their lunacy?
If this group wants to demonstrate--then go to Hyde Park Corner in London. Don't do it in Wootton Bassett. I hope the mayor and the local council put their feet down, and not let this group into their town.
On second thought: if the march does take place, I hope the Wootton Bassett citizens literally turn their backs on them in silence, and give them the proverbial cold shoulder. Then, when they've left the High Street, the good citizens come out and give their town a good scrubbing!
One of my good British friends think it's just a 'ploy'. I'd like to believe that. But I'm not sure.
An update on this story: I just read on the BBC Web site today (11 January 2010), that this group has decided not to go ahead with the march through Wootton Bassett. The UK Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, has decided to outlaw Islam 4UK, in accordance with the UK 2000 Terrorism Act. This is very good news indeed.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Reflections on The Year 2009
I do apologize for the lack of posts since before Christmas. Without my own home computer, finding time to write has been a bit of a challenge!
When I look back on this year 2009, it had a lot of challenges for me personally. It's been a rather challenging last two years, come to think of it. Due to depression and extreme anxiety, I tried to do away with myself in late 2007. As you can see, it didn't work; I am still in 'the land of the living', thanks to family and very good friends (and you know who you are). At the same time, however, when one deals with the local Social Service agencies--when one hasn't had to deal with them before--it was a confusing and sometimes hazardous trip! I was working with a whole bunch of different agencies, and going from pillar-to-post. But now, I have everything I need with one non-profit agency, and they've been a huge help in so many ways!
One of the good things that took place this year was having my own apartment again. Due to the above-mentioned depression, I lost the apartment I'd been living in for nearly 15 years in 2008. I was living with family until spring of this year, when I had to leave, but had nowhere to go, and I ended up spending a couple of months in a women's shelter. THAT was an eye-opening experience (which I may share a little in another blog post): but one which I needed to go through. Eventually, thanks to the above-mentioned non-profit agency, I now live at an apartment complex in the outer suburbs, among some very interesting fellow residents! It feels great to have my own space once more.
The world around me hasn't changed terribly much in 2009; there is still a lot of conflict and such. Just today, I learned that four Canadian soldiers and a civilian journalist were killed in Afghanistan by one of those wretched 'improvised explosive devices' (what a way to describe a weapon of murder!). This means four more brave CDF members will be coming home via the Highway of Heroes in Ontario. I wish I could be there myself, to pay tribute!
Of course, we will be inundated by all the news shows and their retrospectives about 2009. And a lot of it will be about 'celebrities' and well-known people who have passed on, or have gotten mired in scandal of one sort or another. I hope that there won't be hours-long 'tributes' to Michael Jackson: it seemed that everywhere one looked, there were constant news stories about the guy. I thought that, if I saw one more, I would scream!! One would have thought that was the ONLY story worth reporting on! Yes, he was a very gifted musical artist. But he was also a wacko, or had turned into a wacko, and became a very sad man. And as for scandal: can someone say "Tiger Woods"? I do my best not to look at those idiotic supermarket tabloids, supposedly detailing some new wrinkle in the mess. Can we just let Tiger and his wife work out their issues in private? Or is that too much to ask?
OK--I promised this year-end entry won't be a screed. But I do hope that, in 2010, I will be able to refine my blog, and make it a place where visitors can read about historical subjects, and how they might impact the world around them. So let me wish all my readers and visitors a VERY HAPPY 2010. May you and yours be safe if you're going out to celebrate this evening, and may all your fondest wishes and dreams come true.
When I look back on this year 2009, it had a lot of challenges for me personally. It's been a rather challenging last two years, come to think of it. Due to depression and extreme anxiety, I tried to do away with myself in late 2007. As you can see, it didn't work; I am still in 'the land of the living', thanks to family and very good friends (and you know who you are). At the same time, however, when one deals with the local Social Service agencies--when one hasn't had to deal with them before--it was a confusing and sometimes hazardous trip! I was working with a whole bunch of different agencies, and going from pillar-to-post. But now, I have everything I need with one non-profit agency, and they've been a huge help in so many ways!
One of the good things that took place this year was having my own apartment again. Due to the above-mentioned depression, I lost the apartment I'd been living in for nearly 15 years in 2008. I was living with family until spring of this year, when I had to leave, but had nowhere to go, and I ended up spending a couple of months in a women's shelter. THAT was an eye-opening experience (which I may share a little in another blog post): but one which I needed to go through. Eventually, thanks to the above-mentioned non-profit agency, I now live at an apartment complex in the outer suburbs, among some very interesting fellow residents! It feels great to have my own space once more.
The world around me hasn't changed terribly much in 2009; there is still a lot of conflict and such. Just today, I learned that four Canadian soldiers and a civilian journalist were killed in Afghanistan by one of those wretched 'improvised explosive devices' (what a way to describe a weapon of murder!). This means four more brave CDF members will be coming home via the Highway of Heroes in Ontario. I wish I could be there myself, to pay tribute!
Of course, we will be inundated by all the news shows and their retrospectives about 2009. And a lot of it will be about 'celebrities' and well-known people who have passed on, or have gotten mired in scandal of one sort or another. I hope that there won't be hours-long 'tributes' to Michael Jackson: it seemed that everywhere one looked, there were constant news stories about the guy. I thought that, if I saw one more, I would scream!! One would have thought that was the ONLY story worth reporting on! Yes, he was a very gifted musical artist. But he was also a wacko, or had turned into a wacko, and became a very sad man. And as for scandal: can someone say "Tiger Woods"? I do my best not to look at those idiotic supermarket tabloids, supposedly detailing some new wrinkle in the mess. Can we just let Tiger and his wife work out their issues in private? Or is that too much to ask?
OK--I promised this year-end entry won't be a screed. But I do hope that, in 2010, I will be able to refine my blog, and make it a place where visitors can read about historical subjects, and how they might impact the world around them. So let me wish all my readers and visitors a VERY HAPPY 2010. May you and yours be safe if you're going out to celebrate this evening, and may all your fondest wishes and dreams come true.
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