LIBYA AND THE NEW WORLD POLITICS

A SIGN OF OUR TIME

I have been writing about my reflections on life for only a month now, it really does seem unbelievable how much has happened in the world of politics during that time.   I have always possessed that political interest, particularly about international issues, but thinking about  events over the last 60 years I could only have wished to leave this world as real change occurred or revolution seemed possible.   The dream always would be that such transitions would be peaceful and few people would be harmed.

I am not alone at being surprised by events, this is clearly obvious from the reactions  of the powerful nations of the world.  The United States government has been caught completely off guard, they have no idea what to do or say.  The US is clearly terrified, to abandon all of it's puppet leaders or be seen too aggressive towards those so called terror states, that have long been labelled dangerous on the grounds of the arms sales that propaganda has  generated.

The real dangers are clear, that present regimes will use state violence to subdue revolution.

That the government of one state may take violent action in another country.

That a new regime may destabilise the region, or act more oppressively  than in the past.

There are very few clear political leaders or even organised parties and the momentum for change may simply disappear over time.

The Libyan regime has taken the most violent and inhumane action to date.  This will not be forgotten or dismissed, the governments behaviour has clearly signposted the collapse of the present Gaddafi Libyan State.   

This is an emergency in North Africa that was not foreseen, I predict the repercussions and unfolding events will change the whole structure of Middle East politics for ever.  I only wish that I could devote the last weeks of my life supporting the fight for  people power, freedom from oppression and poverty, what a great way for my revolutionary spirit to exit this world !!

SOUTH CROFTY MINE - Speculation Heralds British Mining Boom

Western United Mines, the mining company involved in bringing Cornwalls last tin mine back  to production, has recently announced the discovery of  a variety of metals firstly gold and now the rare and valuable mineral Indium.

The variety of minerals present in the massive ore deposits of this mine are well recorded, as working in the numerous ore veins has been carried out since the middle ages.


I first worked in South Crofty in 1969 at the age of 19 years, the methods at that time were very old fashioned and the manual work and the heat were truly extreme.

South Crofty Mine - My little Eimco 12b Air Shovel - Complex Lode - 1973

Whether these announcements are to encourage funding or investment is at this time uncertain, but there are certainly some less popular minerals present.

Discovering beautiful crystals and collecting minerals to keep or sell is a  little bonus of working in a mine.  On reflection it sounds a little mad but one of those samples included Pitchblende (Uraninite), This could be cut out of a crosscourse in a Tin vein with a knife.

Pitchblende

 Before the 1980's there was no legislation about exposure underground from radiation, the mine environment it seems was far more dangerous than the actual rock samples.  Radon Gas is the second biggest cause of Lung Cancer in the world , in the Cornish Mines it is associated with the granite, poor ventilation and water particularly in old mine workings.

I recently posted to the Cornish Miners Association website to encourage older miners to have at least regular chest X-Rays. The type of Cancer I have is slow moving and is the type associated with Radon Gas.

The potential for a mining boom in Britain is far greater now and a wonderful way out of recession.  Metal prices are high, there are many areas where the metals used in new technology are certain to be present in old mining areas.   A natural resources and mining programme is required, to highlight areas for exploration, nationalisation of all mineral rights to include the Royal households control over Gold and Silver mining.  Britain probably is faced with a ten year window for the use of fossil fuels, until alternative technology comes on stream, it seems only commonsense to extract the maximum  amount of Coal and Oil in that period.

I do hope that South Crofty will be a successful and a safer mine very soon and that this will be the beginning of a great boom for mining in the United Kingdom.

Cotswold Links

Yesterday was a gorgeous sunny winters day, here in the Cotwold hills.   Two of my Daughters and two grandchildren came to visit.  These moments of being able to go out together are so valuable now, sadly my own organisation and anticipation of the outings seems the cause of some just criticism about my stressed behaviour, or in yesterdays case erratic driving.

ROLLRIGHT STONES - 5000 year old stone circle

I am trying to see as much of my favourite places in the outside world as possible and at that right unknown moment to have said goodbye and thank you to my dear friends and family.  Although the drugs are coping well, sleep is very difficult, always feeling that I should be talking or writing about life.

I recall attending the funeral of a friend a few years back, someone who had a wide experience of life and travel and a great sense of humour, yet the obituary read out by the vicar had very little descriptive comment.  I did see a memorial notice once in  a newspaper, where the widow claimed that "his bite was worse than his bark" !!  After living a relatively quiet life and being of that disposition, I still feel that I have things to say and a new overwhelming drive to write and that is the reason for this blog. I hope that no one finds it depressing or offensive and I hope that reading this will inspire and empower open debate.

Near the Rollright Stones and only 20 miles from where I presently live is the most beautiful village, which thanks to the inernet I have discovered holds some of our families ancestral roots.  The amount of free genealogical information on the the internet is truly amazing.

Who Do You Think You Are ?  - The Old Manor !!

This was the home of the Whitmore family, our last direct family ancestor, a four times great grandmother died in 1797.  In the aisle of the church my grandchildren were able to read the inscription of their very own 10th great-grandparents.  Genealogy is quite addictive and there are many brilliant web sites, one of particular interest is called - http://www.lostcousins.com, with a useful newsletter and a plan for everyone to register their relatives in the 1881 census online.  Another interesting feature of family history is the phenomena of pedigree collapse, without which the early population would be too large.  The above Whitmore family is a  very good example of how the rich preserved their wealth through intermarriage.  The Whitmore family intermarried at least six times over the 16th and 17th century, through cousins to the Weld family now of Lulworth Castle.

Congratulations to the Egyptian People.

This really has proved to be a momentous week in world politics, I will leave the world a happier person now.  I am amazed at the support for the freedom of Egypt and to think that so many of us were just praying for the same result, that really is people power.

We don't really want to rub it in too much, but more than just a peoples revolution occurred, few would dare to suggest that this was also a mass "Sandino" moment taken by the Egyptians.  US influence and control will never be the same in North Africa and the Middle East again.

                                                    
POWER TO THE PEOPLE

  As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم)

                                                     

The Google Communication Revolution - Egypt Style

Messages in Stone  - Obelisk to Internet

The Cleopatras Needle in Paris is similar to the one above at Luxor Temple.  The Needles in London and New York are a pair that originated from the Egyptian City of Heliopolis.  Google and the internet have already set the pattern for the  future of communication based on modern language, which we see changing politics by the minute, particularly in Egypt today.  Wael Ghonim has found himself propelled into near revolutionary leader status, simply because of his links to Google and the world of Facebook.

The Cleopatra Needles represent the Egyptians earliest writings, but the world of Google in the 21st Century is quickly shrinking the information and language divides that have existed for the last three thousand years.

I am amazed at this world of wonderful information, thanks to Google I discovered a volume of reminiscences written by my Great-Grandfather and published because the copyright has expired.  He was a Victorian Actor, in one chapter he describes a sea voyage to India where his theatrical appearances included performing at a royal  wedding for the sons of the Rajah of Tanjore.  As his ship passed Sicily, they caught sight of the vessel carrying the London Cleopatras Needle.  The passengers had an excellent view through telescopes, although it did later sink and had to be recovered from the sea.  He mentions in another chapter, one of  his American acting tours, that time he visited the masonic ceremony in Central Park New York, for the opening of the US Cleopatras Needle, the twin stone to the London obelisk.  How marvellous that my ancestor had observed these significant icons of language and communication; at that moment in history.   Google brings time, place and people ever closer together to share in the freedom of a new language; that of the internet.

What next ? - Setting gaols, dealing with the issues of life.

Anglo-Tunisian camaraderie at El Djem

Feeling good today, just a little hand cramp, I am getting used to the daily drugs regime now.   This has been particularly difficult because I have never really taken Doctors prescribed medications.

The above photo was taken  few years ago, I have been thinking that if well enough to fly for three-ish  hours, I would like to visit Djerba, because it allows access to the desert, some great history, interesting towns and the possibility of a quick look at Libya and the Roman Archaeology.

A cheap holiday seems a good goal, but I am uncertain about the effects of my treatment, insurance will be out of the question of course.  I do love North Africa and its people so much that it feels like a place of destiny, of belonging, perhaps my ancient roots are calling me home.

I am still concerned about the spiritual aspects of life.  This is not from a selfish point of view, dreams of heaven and salvation do not fit with my philosophy and my fatalistic experience of life, eg; stuff happens!, but I never was going to win the lottery or be a superstar.  I would rather leave this world a better place for those that follow.

I feel impatient now, as there seem to be  tasks that I have to complete, people to speak to, things to write, places to see.  Every day is so valuable, I hate to think that I am wasting time, but what is that task that seems so important ?

The foremost issue is my family, how they feel and how we all cope with the situation.  All the other issues I suppose are linked into my reflections of life, religion and politics, perhaps my very own legacy.  Bill Gates of Microsoft Corporation of course, can leave billions of dollars to help the poor, I can only leave a simple message, " Sort out the language and religious barriers to understanding each other and poverty will be defeated "

SHIFTING SANDS

The Pillars of Hercules - Africa to Europe

I began my first Chemotherapy treatment this week, that combined with a daily menu of other drugs , has been quite a shock to body, little surprise then at the nausea for a few days.  Thankfully I am now recovering and went out to purchase a walking stick today, the fashionable hikers type of course.

Those of us that follow world news have been captivated this week by the pro-democracy scenes in Egypt and other countries of North Africa.  I only hope this really does lead to shifting sands in that part of the World, power to the people.

From an observers viewpoint, I am surprised that the Egyptian population has tolerated the Mubarak regime for so long, but perhaps they felt more secure than with the unknown.  The Muslim Brotherhood  (besides a slightly threatening name) seem to have some hold and influence to sustain peace and order, therefore offering a moment for planning and for  representatives of the people to emerge from the shadows of oppression.

I hope that one day most of the looted treasures are returned to Egypt.  As an ex-miner I was fascinated by the tombs in Luxor,  I think a tomb for example; that of Tutankhamun should be restocked and a parallel tomb sunk with connecting passages and glass walls at intervals to view the scene as it really looked.

I worked in a gold mine in Sudan in the area where the original Pharaonic Gold for the tombs was mined, On the subject of feeling spirituality there are few places to rival a walk through the Nubian Hills.  There are more ancient sites in Sudan than Egypt, Hieroglyphics appear all over the old travel routes on the walls of ancient gorges and wadis.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO CHANGE THE WORLD

There is of course some advantage in finding out that you only have a short time to live, you can reflect on life and plan your demise. The advantage of the internet is that you could leave a message in cyberspace lasting into eternity or at least when the site (Blogger) goes down.

I was fortunate to be born in England just after the second World War, because never again would our people and friends in Europe have to suffer the horror of war or fear invasion from fascists and racists. The Welfare State, the homes for heroes the end of class war and poverty did not come quickly. The dark past of Victoriana was still hidden from view, the private was not to become public so easily, the Englishman's home remained that castle of abuse along with the childrens homes provided for the excluded and orphaned children of our nation.

The tri-partite education system failed mainly because the quality of teaching staff was so poor, the attitudes of teachers were truly appalling and their sadistic behaviour and neglect inconceivable in today's world.

I have lived mainly in West Country villages and cities and love my country. I am very proud to be English and of my heritage.  I would describe Englishness as being a person who would defend any other human being as if they were his own kin. Never to look the other way in the face of injustice, always to act to defend and preserve the peace. Extremes of religion and politics, those that censure debate or criticism are the enemies and oppressors of the free people of our world.

We need order, but have a responsibility to ensure that order is just, not corrupt or discriminatory.

My short time on Earth has been marked by some major historical and political events, particularly by the never ending Middle East Crisis and the Cold War. Little wonder that we teenagers went a little wild in the 1960's.

My father, who sadly died on a Triumph Speed Twin when I was a baby, had been stationed in Palestine to keep the peace. I think we grew up in England believing that we had failed to defend the Arabs in Jerusalem, probably because it was so hard to believe that the relatives and victims of the Holocaust could forget the evils of racism and inhumanity that they had suffered in Europe.

I never heard of a God worth dying for, I never heard of a God that anyone had seen, I never heard of a God who wrote a book.

The Totem pole is the most original place of worship, the forerunner of the mosque or the church. The ancient Egyptians worshipped many gods but realised the advantage in power and control of reducing this to one god the Pharaoh (part human/part god). After this Monarchs the world over claimed to be Divine and chosen by god, next came the prophets these were preachers and monks who somehow became claimed after there deaths, as either appointed or related to god. Oh!!what nonsense all of this religion has been, how many millions have died in the argument. Identifying with a religion in recent times (eg: Protestant or Catholic in Northern Ireland) had more parallels with gang membership or football team support, than spreading the good word for mankind!

Spirituality and superstition are basic human instincts, they are a part of survival behaviour. There is nothing wrong with saying a prayer, wishing someone well or goodbye, there is nothing wrong with a memorial to a departed loved one, there is nothing wrong with a community of people gathering in a place to show that they care about others and want a safe world. I have learned to respect the right of all people to be free to believe what they choose about life, that is freedom.

As for the Cold War, I worked for a short period in a Marxist African state, this was my first real culture shock. A country ravaged by war and its people so hungry and poor, yet like so much of Africa it is the greed of the powerful and the corrupt that causes the suffering of millions in our unjust world.

Life is also about having fun, falling in love, having children, perhaps the only real meaning of life is to reproduce, such a wonder of nature. With the human brain and intelligence we seek to protect our children. It is for this purpose that civil society becomes the construct of the human animal. The children inherit the world created by the people who controlled their parents world, the rules, the wealth, the property or lack of it. There is nothing fair or equal about human birth, all that is needed is security, shelter, food and most importantly happiness. Sadly greed and dishonesty have always seemed to be the traits of the most successful of humans.

I have always tried to see good in all people surely most would prefer friendship and sharing, to fighting and stealing. Perhaps the terrorist, the criminal or the sociopath without the ability to empathise, is the stronger person they have realised that life really is too short to be concerned about others.

I feel sad to leave a world so wasted, I love the history and have witnessed what those ancient civilisations created. Every time they were overwhelmed by the power of nature they wanted to control it, they seemed to miss the whole point, that no one ever would rule the world. We are but the product of nature and science, our purpose is to survive on the planet and to reproduce, that means that the only saviour for human intelligent life and of our planet is man and therefore man should recognise that God is humanity and humanity should be Godly. Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.