Category: community

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War: Killing People – Making Money

Coins and a money bill in front with a shadow behind them that is the shape of a gun.
Image licensed via Adobe CC

I posted about it before, but the cruelty and complete disregard for people, of their own country even, is devastating. And it also is a shame. An outrage. War is nothing to be proud of. It’s a means to an end. Always has been. When you look into history, the patterns repeat. Take any war you want.

The Thirty Years’ War in Europe is one dreadful example, of many.  When either power or waning support in the population for a king or emperor or the cruel greed for more money makes people (men…?) look around for more. At any price.

Yes, indeed: Prices.

They are crucial to the whole business of war. Now more than ever. The war on Iran creates benefits for the weapons producing industry. In the USA.  It makes oil recovery companies and gas station chains even richer. In the USA, and elsewhere. Oil – that is petrol/gas – prices are  ‘going through the roof’.

So? “Who benefits?”

All the others, who work for all those peaceful and useful industries, having to take the car to work, every day? Or using public transport, day in and day out?

Some working themselves to the bone, literally. Some earning little to no money, in return, compared. I can consider myself lucky, for some time now, compared. But I know too what it means to live by the bare minimum of means, food and clothing.

One thing I know very well too: The people who know about real hardship – and not just about bullying, greed, lying, corruption and bribery, molestation and make-believe, such as that person called Trump, trying to ‘play’ at a nation’s leader…a criminal ruled guilty actually in front of a US court on 34 counts – I say, all those people who know about hardship, about real friendship and love, they are the ‘salt of the earth’.

All of them ‘make my day’ when I meet them. That’s real joy for you. These days I do meet them, a lot.

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“Curiosity Killed the Cat” – or: The Human Brain – or: “Newsworthy”…?

Drawing of a smiling brain figure, like a smiley in brain shape, on feet, with a face, lifting heavy weights.
Image by Riad Tchakou from Pixabay

“Use it or lose it.” That’s one way it is being put – about our muscles – and especially about our brain. When we do not have things to busy it with it will ‘dry up’ after a certain time. One reason why apparently in extreme situations such as being shipwrecked in lonely spots, people started to busy themselves with simple riddles and small games done with chalk or flint stones and twigs.

A very fine account you will find in the book by Alexandre Dumas, “The Count of Monte Christo”: Rarely was the dreadful daily routine of prisoners in solitary confinement captured with more details and vivid imagery.

The curiosity of human beings is an aspect of that drive: To constantly busy our brains with something so they won’t ‘run to seed’.

When you are raised to the idea though that nosiness is impolite and even disrespectful, you also learn how to busy yourself.
Even more: The Humanistic ideal based in turn on the bible’s adage to multiply your ‘talents’, makes it a matter of course as a grown, accountable person to take care of your faculties and skills and develop them.
(The bible’s meaning differs slightly, yet the underlying principle applies.)

So, in that respect with even a sizable amount of reading, experience and observation to my name I may appear to some to be a particularly ‘un-nosy’ person: I know such a lot about people and life, in several cultures even; have read since childhood books in the amount of a mid-sized library; I often know what is going on without anyone telling me.

Doesn’t mean to me that I would call myself perfect – far from it. As the German saying goes, ‘I cook with water, only, too’, just as anyone else.

But my brain does not need ‘input’ from daily encounters or the general, common human activities around me. I love family and friends telling me about what moves them or happened to them. If they like. I just don’t depend on it.

I love to respect people who feel differently; just as I love to be respected the same way. As in:
Peaceful coexistence.

A peaceful day to all who might be reading this!

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A Pandemic, a President on the ‘GO’ and the ‘GOP’ Fighting a Losing Battle – or: The Wind of Change

A sinking statue of liberty in a stormy sea.
Image by AS Photography on Pixabay

The Head of the National Institute of Health at the time, Dr. Anthony Fauci, esteemed scientist, dared to speak up: Against the present president of the US who is famous for his desperate need for acquiescence and attention. The Administration in the Oval Office at the time for a long time just denied any threat by a virus – or a pandemic.

When it finally started reacting, measures were too little and often too late. Deaths would have been prevented. Dire emergency rooms’ bottlenecks, with triage occurring repeatedly: That method so dreaded by doctors and staff, when for lack of facilities and personnel you have to chose whom to treat first, with too many patients on the brink of death.

That was the reality in the US at the time. Now, the president ‘shortly’ to leave office needs any kind of reason to safe what is left of his threadbare reputation: A scoundrel found guilty in a court of law of the US on 34 counts, a cruel and greedy ‘potentate’ who tried almost everything in  the book, even figured in the Epstein papers…

This would be scraping the barrel, if he hadn’t already, this president whose name I rather avoid naming. Actually dragging such a scientist into court, a hearing; and then holding him in contempt.

The ‘GOP’, the acronym spelling ‘grand old party’ for decades wasn’t so grand anyway, when you think whom they support, whom they made president; or what they stand for. But this is indeed one more low point proving the principle:
Cannot be trusted. With anything.

If it wasn’t so painfully embarrassing for a society that has so much to offer in terms of art, science, music and literature – it would be hilarious.

 

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Grown-up Kids at Play – or: ‘Testing on Wings’ – or: Heart and Brain

Three small ghost figures made from plastics, like toys.
Image by Alexa from Pixabay

We all know them: Those kids who either bully others until they cry, or tear wings from small insects just to test what would happen. I’ve met grown-ups too, who actually behave like those kids, at times: Test others. Push them or try ‘pushing their buttons’ to see how they react…

I always thought that such people are suffering from fundamental character flaws: not realizing that torturing other living beings is cruel, a shame. And additionally probably even suffering from power fantasies: They feel ’empowered’ and important when they can ‘make’ others react. Even by torturing them.

It means: Causing pain deliberately. And it has nothing to do with fun, games or mild misdemeanors. It’s actually a lack of empathy. Maybe the patriarchal side getting in the way: Men are supposed to feel ‘superior’, self-confident. No human being in reality can feel that way all the time. That’s not only natural. It’s part of scientific research into such patterns of human  behaviour and needs.

I have seen these things happen in childhood, was sometimes a target. I still now and again observe grown-up people behaving that way: ‘Testing’ their peers as it were. Perhaps even poking each other’s rips and smirking – if a little uncomfortably.

Because only in a few cases do they not know about the downside of it: Molesting, torturing or plainly causing pain is no child’s play.

Real joy in life is based on other, more ‘mundane’ and completely different aspects: Love, friendship, understanding, humour and trust. None of which can be built in a hurry.

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The Human Element in Europe – Numbers! – Statistics… and the Clear View of Facts

The ‘human element’ can be said to mean several things: It means all those things that are human in a highly technical world. That can introduce mistakes, errors of judgement or downright catastrophes, even. But fear and greed can be among them and these two are not to be trifled with.

How’s that, you may want to ask?

Because, when war raged in Europe during WW II, millions of people were on flight. They were desperate, hungry and often in clear and actual danger of their lives: dictatorships in Spain, Russia and Germany in place – and values and measures at their lowest points.

Overcoming fear, which means courage – can work wonders: We will not only learn more, experience different, sometimes tasty things; we also will keep innovation and science at high levels!

It’s been proven in scientific research (anthropology, archaeology, and similar) that cultures who close themselves off are doomed.

Additionally, all around Europe, the death rates are up, birth rates are down, a little simply but correctly put.

The above EU-statistics show too, though, that migration is a mere drop in the sea: 450 million people living in the EU, around 2 million having been added by migration…

Someone recently said it out loud and that’s a truth: When we start to become afraid, the oldest  areas of our brain become activated: the brain stem which is just able to eat, drink, sleep, or multiply.
Yet, the later parts are what makes us human, called neocortex or cerebrum:
We are able to think complex thoughts, develop new ideas and – empathise, because of those newer parts of our brains.

Fear is part of our older brain. It can make us blind to many of the fine things in life: empathy, clear thoughts and calm and clear judgement.

There have been people for ages, who use our fear to manipulate us. Who use a few exceptions to the rule to make us afraid. Images drawn in dark colours to make us believe that we are in danger from ‘strangers’.

We are what we are in this wonderful region of the world because of diversity. Of many different colours, ideas, thoughts – and emotions.

Let not have a few greedy and power-craving rascals and bullies make us believe otherwise:

We are strong and our values and ideas are rooted firmly in ancient ideas and are modern for civil societies at the same time.

 

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Attacking Peaceful Crowds: NO – Our Society is MORE than Some Little Minds

Image of a red, heart-shaped burning candle on a red background, surrounded by many small red and shining beady.
Image by wagrati_photo from Pixabay

Christopher Street Day in Berlin: Attacked. One more attack on a peaceful gathering. There seems to be a suspect. It’s early days yet. Again, once more apparently motivated by extremist ideas, whatever the exact political conviction. We as an open and democratic, peaceful and diverse society, who know a thing or two about integration by this time, will not take this lying down.

I’ve been around people from all walks of life and from almost any part of the world you could imagine: All continents, many different languages and convictions, political or religious or otherwise.

But, one thing emerges equally and at once: People with hearts and minds for the essentials in life cannot do such a thing.

My heart goes out to all who were affected, losing loved ones in the middle of life! And the wounded: May they rise again, stronger than before and healthy in mind and body.

There are still people around with grudges. Or those who feel left out. Or those who were actually mistreated. But whoever or whatever reason, this is a NO GO.

I for one will always hold up my ideas, my beliefs and the knowledge that only together we are strong enough to defeat the bullies and greedy and misguided people of this world. Because:

WE are more!

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Politics and the UN Security Council: Stand By Your Convictions…

The logo of the United Nations and the German flag to the left and below it.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay and Adobe CC, my arrangement

Germany and the UN security council: I am German by birth and upbringing. Political and community responsibility were a central part of education as well as discussions in our family. As indeed in the majority of German families and households.

The security council was from the start and always will be a highly political body. When we look at unjust and forced decisions by its 5 permanent members over the past 80 years since its founding, we will start to realize that anywhere in the world power and third party interests influence such bodies.

We also can easily ascertain that good forces and good deeds are strong and at the moment still prevail throughout Europe, including Germany.

Yet, Germany reserves its right to stand up and point at injustice. These days, with an extreme-right-wing president in the US, a dictator in Russia as heads of government, who are basically best buddies, it’s practically impossible to ‘please all’.

You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.
(John Lydgate)

That’s also very clear:
We should not at any time confuse Israeli politics and the reactions to those politics with the past or present of people using antisemitism as a weapon in discussions.

It is tragic and also very true:
In politics and dictatorships all around the world certain methods were – and still are – used to manipulate those of less well-educated mind to gather and hunt those that were a minority, or are an easy target.

‘Minority bashing’ occurs in Russia, in China and the US, in the UK and France. The USA were the first – and so far the only nation – to use a nuclear bomb in a war against another.

They have forfeited their ‘right’ to be counted among the righteous at least in politics: Their present government is nothing to write home about. And that’s putting it rather nicely yet. What would you expect from a president who’s a convicted felon and his administration?

The same holds true for nations such as China or Russia, both also permanent members.

To stand up for our beliefs and the same right for all to justice, peace and support of those rights is a central aspect in German politics and has been for a long time.

I for my part think we can be proud and at the same time unassuming about the great history of science, philosophy and arts this country of Germany possesses.

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‘Peanuts’? ‘Drama’? Or Just ‘Life’? – Pick Your Battles

Collage of two images, two people arguing in shadow and a female figure on a hill calmly looking at the dusky sky.
Images licensed via Adobe CC, my arrangement

Many little things can happen in everyday life. Depending on your outlook you might think that complaining about any odd thing is part of being – demanding. Proving that you have ‘standards’ and do not put up with everything.

On the other hand it has been scientifically proven that getting into arguments and fights often, ‘saps your energy’:
That kind of energy that you feel is missing after emotional times; such as important, life-changing exams.

When you want to stay healthy and keep your ‘nerves in order’ you may want to think again about complaining. About fighting because of small annoyances.

There’s that little interesting story in workplace psychology that those who don’t complain are eventually ‘killed’ – as in: let go – just as the chicks of turkey are  – speared by their mothers’ beaks because they consider the chicks to be dangerous strangers for not ‘crying out’; squeal.

I have gone through many hard times in the course of my life. Considering. I learned the hard way to keep my ‘nerves in order’.

So often, when we cool down we also will find that things are not that bad: Even deserve praise, actually. I learned that, too.

To change perspective can make all the difference.

“Pick your battles”. To live and fight another day.

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Iran, Iraq, Oil, War and the International Community: NATO, UNO and EU for Limits

Ein Mann steht auf einem Flachdach und betrachtet eine schwarze Pfütze.
Image: Radio Deutschlandfunk (Germany), “Nach einem Luftschlag auf eine Raffinerie in Teheran ging sogenannter Schwarzer Regen auf Teheran nieder (Bild vom 8.3.2026) (AFP / ATTA KENARE)”

Prices are rising… well, what would one expect. People are being killed. Now the ‘black rain‘ over Tehran is another step towards destruction. The region going up in flames. The country scarred already and becoming another Iraq…?

It’s good to see that they are starting to act again, NATO, EU: ‘Trump’s war’ is not his doing alone, of course.
As a ‘figure head’ he ‘works’ based on the interests behind him too: The industries, most importantly the one producing weapons. The population, who as a majority depend on their ‘way of life’, namely cars for moving across country in the USA, with cheapest prices of all… they trust that any president will observe this concept, this idea, and the government will take care of petrol.

War is no heroic deed of people doing the good thing. War is not only a ‘costly affair’… it always is part of a framework of interests and needs of those in power, those with money and those with ulterior motives. Such goals are not always easy to ‘dig down to’, define.

In the news we usually get the actual event. What we need to do is more reading, to get at the facts behind the ‘images’. Reliable sources. Remember that news have statements in them, which in turn are based on interests and needs and –  very often also on diplomacy.
What also helps to understand the ‘goings-on’ behind the scenes, the real motives, is this age-old concept:

“Cui bono?” – “Who benefits?”

If you ask that about anything, it will get you farther in understanding.

This is no ‘piece of cake’, especially not for those being killed and wounded every day. Being scarred for life by health risks and cruelty and greed.

We need to prove that the international community is stronger holding out against one or another country and their selfish, incompetent and greedy ‘potentates’.

NATO, UNO, EU.

Yes, we can.

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“They All Do it…” – What’s Human? – Values and Yardsticks – Happiness…?

Men sitting on floor and meditating in lotus pose meditation practice concept cartoon
Image free license via freepik.com

In this day and age quite a number of people go by marketing ideas: “The most wonderful holiday; adventure; more money equals more happiness; me first.” Many also for most of their lives are more or less unhappy or feel a strange urge or yearning for ‘the real thing’.

There are numerous methods and substances around people revert to as well in order to gain a feeling of fulfillment. Of self-respect/self-esteem. While inside a sometimes half-conscious nagging little voice either asks constantly about their shortcomings. Or about the missing something in their lives that would finally get them to that happy ‘ending’.

They tend to forget that what others talk about in so many words, often boasting (even if in a gentle manner not quite discernible right at first), is not really true. Even if actions actually happened – which also can be doubtful with those ‘building their image’ all day long – their effects usually do not come up to the story told.
Sailors were said to be the ones having invented the art of ‘telling tall tales’. Which puts it in a nutshell, that principle…

In due course also, values and yardsticks for the individual behaviour are not reflected that much anymore: “They all do it… Why not me too?”

Additionally the ideas of patriarchy and its pitfalls as well as changing views on womanhood make it challenging to know your way: Some actually state it just as the old saying goes: “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander…”  Equality in terms of “if men can do it, women can too.”

These things are crucial about all of this:

    • Something does not become right, just because many people do it, too. Or because no one will realize it…
    • Happiness is not in applause of the many, the crowd. The audience. – Happiness is inside.
    • More money may make you feel safer. But only if you will let it. It won’t make you happier. Especially not if self-esteem is missing. ‘Missing in action’…

Eastern systems of living and health start teaching us (again) what it is that makes humans happier:

Self-awareness that will be the beginning of a new self-esteem. With it comes the realization that looking out for yourself in a healthy manner will also enable you to find new ways of reaching out; connecting. With people of like mind. With real conversations. With the ability to understand that happiness sometimes is to accept our unwanted emotions such as sorrow or worry as part of the whole:

Being part of a community. With many people around who wish us and the whole well  – too.

Happiness is in the small things.

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