Tag Archives: 9/11 = 2001 September 11

Karam Ram on Beyond Religion

The famous atheist Richard Dawkins said that many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense, but September 11th changed all of that. The people who attacked the Twin Towers were men of religion. Religion is often a cause of suspicion, distrust and conflict because religious people don’t always ask critical questions about their faith and can confuse religion and politics and culture together. What may just be cultural becomes invested with religious significance. So is organized religion about God, or is it really about maintaining community and identity? Can being Christadelphian become more important than actually being children of God?

Jesus’s parable of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates the “us and them” attitude and how we can simplistically divide the world into the good guys and the bad guys.  Paul says,

“don’t be wise in your own conceits”

but that’s exactly what the Pharisee does in enumerating his good deeds. He’s saying

“I am deserving of God’s favor because I do all these things,”

and in contrast, all the publican can say is

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Groupthink is a very deeply ingrained human tendency. Societies and communities maintain cohesion through groupthink. Religious communities are susceptible to it when they prioritize their own identity, their privilege at all costs:

“We are special. We have the truth, and because we have the truth, we are in God’s favor.”

The Pharisee in the parable is a very powerful example (as is the case of Al Qaeda and ISIS) of how groupthink enables certain views of the world and attitudes to become normalized, but to anyone outside that group those attitudes are just bizarre or immoral. Jesus’s parable is especially subversive because the Pharisees represented the popular ideas of piety within Judaism but in this case it isn’t the religious man who is right with God, it’s the sinner.

In Jesus’s time groupthink was probably much more powerful because of the Roman occupation. The foundational event for Israel was the Exodus from Egypt, so they could probably more justifiably mobilize religion in favor of their aspirations for liberation. They tried to draw in Jesus by asking whether it was appropriate to pay taxes to Caesar.  Jesus doesn’t criticize the Romans or Herod or Pilot, but Jesus was very critical of people who represented popular ideas of religious piety.  Jesus is trying to bring the Jews back into an authentic relationship with God rather than one that was just based on formalism or rituals.

If religion is just about how we appear to other people, then it’s only ever going to be superficial. Jesus makes the point that the Pharisees cleaned the outside of the platter but not the inside. There is obsession with respectability, with fitting in with the group, which results in hypocrisy. Jesus said in John’s gospel,

“I know you don’t have the love of God in you. You receive honor one from another, how can you receive the honor that comes from God?”

They were the children of those who murdered the prophets. They could celebrate the righteous and the prophets in death, but they couldn’t abide them in real life.

These are really penetrating and cutting criticisms of the way religion is co-opted and abused. We could apply it to our own community.  We may not be the worst offenders – I don’t know any Christadelphians who have flown airplanes into the sides of buildings! – but these words of Jesus have a lot to say about the state of religion today and the way that religion is mobilized as part of identity politics.

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says

“I haven’t come to destroy the Law and the prophets, but I’ve come to fulfill”

because he was aware that the people who were listening to him wouldn’t actually recognize what he was saying. For them, religion was all that the Pharisees represented, temples, rituals, externals.  Jesus was aware that his message stressing a direct relationship with God without all of this other stuff would appear to be unrecognizable. It was beyond their concept of religion because it was about a personal relationship with the Father.

That idea of being the children of God should be important to us in a very personal and powerful way.  Christ made this very clear through his personal communion with the Father. There’s an incident in Matthew’s gospel where the Jews ask Peter

“does your master pay the tax”

and Jesus said to Peter

“what do you think? of whom do the Kings of the earth take tribute from strangers or from children?”

The implication of the question is,

“why are we having to pay this? Are we strangers from God or are we his children?”

The whole point of Jesus’s ministry is to bring us into a real, authentic relationship with God.

For the Jews of Jesus’s day, the one thing that represented God more than anything else was the temple. The temple was impersonal and vast, but that suited everyone because it kept God at a distance. Our challenge is to be up close and personal with God. That’s what Jesus came to do, to break down that wall of partition between us, to tear the veil of the temple. We need to cultivate hearts and minds that are less concerned with the appearance of respectability or groupthink, and more sensitive to the real presence of God in our lives.

To listen to the full interview with Karam and Steve please check out WCF A Little Faith podcasts

Leave a comment

Filed under Being and Feeling, Lifestyle, Religious affairs

Niet “de Moslims” maar de fundamentalisten zijn een probleem

Er waren Afghanen die zeiden dat zij wilden dat de Amerikaanse troepen zich terugtrokken, maar met een beter plan, en dat zij niet verwachtten dat het land zo snel zou vallen. Velen die diensten hadden geleverd voor de Amerikanen, Duitsers, Fransen, Nederlanders en Belgen hadden er op vertrouwd dat hun werk naar waarde werd geschat en dat hun werkgevers hen wel zouden beschermen. Dit was echter zonder de waard gerekend. Nu het ongelofelijke gebeurde, dat de Taliban zo snel kon oprukken en het land zo vlug kon veroveren, had vermoedelijk niemand verwacht.

Talibanstrijders houden de wacht langs de kant van de weg bij het Zanbaq-plein in Kaboel op 16 augustus 2021, na een verbluffend snel einde van de 20-jarige oorlog in Afghanistan, toen duizenden mensen het vliegveld van de stad overspoelden in een poging om te vluchten voor de gevreesde hardlinie van de islamitische heerschappij van de groep. Foto: AFP / Wakil Kohsar

Westerlingen veilig in Europa

Het is vreemd om te horen hoe bepaalde Westerlingen die hier in de Europese Unie in alle veiligheid zitten, de mensen proberen bang te maken voor naar hier komende Afghanen. Zo konden wij de voorgaande dagen enkel parlementariërs en vroegere generaals waarschuwen dat wij niet zo maar Afghaanse families op vliegtuigen naar hier laten komen omdat daar het gevaar in schuilde dat sommige van hun kinderen zich tegen onze maatschappij zouden keren en het Islamisme aan onze maatschappij zouden willen opdringen.

Er was zelfs een Belgische parlementariër die, ook al was hij zelf niet van Belgische origine, beweerde dat wij niet zo maar alle vluchtelingen in België konden binnen laten en dat wij hoognodig de al in België residerende Afghanen terug naar hun land moesten sturen.

Elk jaar zijn er wel een “Vredesweek”, “Mensenrechtenweek”, “Dag van Gelijkheid”, “Dag van de Vrouw”, “Dag van de Verbondenheid”, “Dag van de liefde”, enz., maar als puntje bij paaltje komt is er van al die mooie verkondigingen en beloftes op die dagen niet veel te merken na die dagen. Politici beloven ook heel veel, maar verwezenlijken weinig van de beloften die ze maken. ook zijn er weinigen die hun handen in het vuur willen steken om anderen te verdedigen. En vandaag komt het er zeker op aan om voor een bepaalde groep mensen op te komen en deze niet enkel te verdedigen maar ook om ze in veiligheid te brengen.

Penibele toestand in Afghanistan

In zeer korte tijd wisten de Talibanstrijders vanuit drie hoeken van het land verder meerdere streken van Afghanistan onder hun macht en controle te krijgen.

De Taliban hebben het standbeeld opgeblazen van een sjiitische militieleider die tijdens de Afghaanse burgeroorlog in de jaren negentig tegen hen heeft gevochten, zo blijkt uit foto’s die woensdag circuleerden, waardoor nog meer twijfel ontstaat over hun beweringen dat zij gematigder zijn geworden.

Elke actie van de opstandelingen tijdens hun plotselinge machtsovername wordt nauwlettend in de gaten gehouden. Ze houden vol dat ze veranderd zijn en niet meer dezelfde draconische beperkingen zullen opleggen als toen ze het laatst over Afghanistan heersten, waarbij ze de rechten van vrouwen vrijwel volledig afschaften, openbare executies uitvoerden en televisie en muziek verboden.

Ze hebben ook beloofd geen wraak te zullen nemen op degenen die zich tegen hen hebben verzet.

Maar veel Afghanen blijven zeer sceptisch, en duizenden haasten zich naar de luchthaven en de grens om het land te ontvluchten. Vele anderen houden zich angstvallig schuil in hun huizen, nadat gevangenissen en wapenmagazijnen werden leeggehaald tijdens het offensief van de opstandelingen in het land. Ook zijn er meerdere berichten dat er al Talibanstrijders van huis tot huis zouden gaan om vroegere medewerkers van de geallieerden buiten te sleuren en te straffen. Op televisie waren er al zulke beelden te zien van een man die letterlijk uit zijn huis werd getrokken en bijna gevierendeeld werd onder zijn pijn geroep.

Onder de Nieuwe wapperende Vlag

De opstandelingen hebben hun eigen vlag – een wit vaandel met islamitische opschriften – gehesen in de gebieden die zij hebben veroverd.

File:Statue of Mazari in Bamyan.JPG

Het standbeeld van Baba Mazari in de provincie Bamyan, Afghanistan. Abdul Ali Mazari was de politieke leider van het Hazaravolk en het hoofd van de politieke partij Hizbe Wahdat.

Terwijl de Afghanen en de internationale gemeenschap afwachten of de Taliban hun beloften gestand zullen doen, circuleren op de sociale media foto’s van het vernielde standbeeld. Op de foto staat Abdul Ali Mazari afgebeeld. Hij was de politieke leider van de Hezb-e Wahdat-partij tijdens en na de Sovjet-Afghaanse oorlog, die in 1996 door de Taliban werd gedood, toen de islamitische militanten de macht grepen van rivaliserende krijgsheren. Mazari was een voorvechter van de etnische Hazara-minderheid in Afghanistan, sjiieten die werden vervolgd onder het vroegere bewind van de soennitische Taliban.

Het standbeeld stond in de centrale provincie Bamyan, waar de Taliban in 2001, kort voor de door de VS geleide invasie die hen uit de macht verdreef, berucht werden door het opblazen van twee enorme, 1500 jaar oude Boeddhabeelden die in een berg waren uitgehouwen. De Taliban beweerden dat de boeddha’s in strijd waren met het verbod van de Islam op afgoderij.

Een andere belofte van de Taliban die nauwlettend wordt gevolgd, is hun belofte om te voorkomen dat Afghanistan opnieuw wordt gebruikt als basis voor het plannen van terroristische aanslagen. Dat was vastgelegd in een vredesakkoord van 2020 met de regering-Trump, dat de weg vrijmaakte voor de terugtrekking van Amerikaanse troepen, waarvan de laatste aan het eind van de maand zouden moeten vertrekken.

De laatste keer dat de Taliban aan de macht waren, boden zij onderdak aan Osama bin Laden en Al Qaida, terwijl zij de aanslagen van 11 september 2001 planden. Amerikaanse functionarissen vrezen dat Al Qaida en andere groepen zich opnieuw in Afghanistan zouden kunnen vestigen nu de Taliban weer aan de macht zijn.

Abdul Ghani Baradar

Moellah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund van de Pathaanse stam Popalzai

De Taliban hebben toegezegd een “inclusieve, islamitische regering” te vormen en hebben gesprekken gevoerd met voormalig president Hamid Karzai (van 2002 tot 2014),van de machtige Pathaanse Popalzaiclan, en Abdullah Abdullah, een hoge ambtenaar van Pashtunse en Tadzjiekse afkomst in de afgezette regering. Mohammad Yusof Saha, een woordvoerder van Karzai, zei dat de voorbereidende vergaderingen met Taliban-functionarissen de uiteindelijke onderhandelingen met Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, een van de oprichters van de Taliban in Afghanistan en de hoogste politieke leider van de Taliban, zouden vergemakkelijken.

Op foto’s die woensdag online circuleerden, was te zien hoe Karzai en Abdullah een ontmoeting hadden met Anas Haqqani, een hooggeplaatste leider van een machtige Taliban-factie. De VS hebben het Haqqani-netwerk in 2012 tot terroristische groepering bestempeld. De betrokkenheid van Haqqani bij een toekomstige regering kan internationale sancties tot gevolg hebben.

Reden om het land te ontvluchten

Als men na gaat wat er de afgelopen 20 jaar in Afghanistan gebeurd is kan men het niet verwonderlijk noemen dat er nu nog een grotere vluchtelingenstroom is opgetreden dan de vorige jaren.

Door de onzekerheid hebben duizenden Afghanen de afgelopen dagen geprobeerd het land te ontvluchten, en de VS en hun bondgenoten hebben geworsteld met het in goede banen leiden van een chaotische terugtrekking uit het land. De Taliban hebben dinsdag de civiele kant van de internationale luchthaven van Kaboel ingenomen en met geweld geprobeerd de mensenmassa’s in bedwang te houden. Zelfs een reporter van CNN botste op een lijn van Taliban strijders die een zeer agressieve houding tegenover de volgens Islamitische normen en in het zwart geklede vrouw namen, die voorzichtig achteruit stapte. (Men kan zich enkel afvragen wat deze Westerse vroouw daar nog deed en waarom zij nog niet teruggeroepen is naar Amerika, want haar leven kan daar duidelijk in gevaar zijn – wat werd aangetoond door de lichaamstaal van die Talibanstrijders.)

Voor het Westen is het makkelijk zeggen dat de mensen thuis moeten wachten op een oproep van de ambassade vooraleer naar de lcuhthaven te trekken. Hoe gaan zij dan op weg naar de luchthaven de controle posten van de Taliban kunnen passeren? Honderden mensen stonden woensdag vroeg buiten de luchthaven. De Taliban eisten documenten te zien voordat ze de zeldzame passagier binnenlieten. Veel van de mensen buiten leken geen paspoorten te hebben, en telkens als de poort ook maar een centimeter openging, probeerden tientallen mensen door te dringen. De Taliban losten af en toe waarschuwingsschoten om hen uiteen te drijven.

Welk gevaar vormen Afghaanse vluchtelingen voor het Westen

Al meerdere jaren proberen bepaalde politieke partijen hun landgenoten bang te maken voor een veroverende Islam. Hierbij vergeten ze dt het iedereen vrij is om een godsdienstige groepering al of niet te volgen. Als men zulk een angst heeft dat de Islam het christendom zou gaan vervangen, hoort men zich eerder af te vragen wat er verkeerd gaat in dat christendom dat mensen er een afkeer van krijgen.

Duidelijk is wel dat uiterst rechtse groeperingen totaal een vals beels schetsen van de Islam en dat zij alle moslims of Mohameddanen over de zelfde kam scheren. Zij doen er ook alles aan om “de Moslims” als gevaarlijke wezens af te tekenen. Zij willen iedereen doen geloven dat “de Moslims” een gevaar vormen voor de gemeenschap en de Westerse cultuur. Maar bestaat er wel iets zoals “Dé Moslims”? In de Moslimgemeenschap zijn er ook zeer veel strekkingen zoals men in het christendom ook zeer uiteenlopende strekkingen heeft en men daar ook niet kan veralgemenen om te zeggen “Dé Christenen”, ook al merken wij dat dit ook wel regelmatig gebeurd, vooral op de commerciële televisiezenders. Maar ook de stataszenders hebben het makkelijk over  “de christenen” terwijl zij in België dan feitelijk de Rooms Katholieken bedoelen, terwijl er in Nederland dan wel meer naar de “Nederlands Protestanse Kerk” of de “Gereformeerden” wordt gewezen.

Om dezer dagen geschoolde mensen te horen beweren dat men toch niet de Afhanen naar hier mag halen omdat zij dan een gevaar zouden gaan betekenen in de toekomst als hun kinderen groot zouden zijn en het Islamitisch geloof zouden gaan verkondigen, is waanzin.  Ten eerste kan het veel gevaarlijker zijn voor het Westen om nu al diegenen die de Westerse mogendheden geholpen hebben daar in Afghanistan in de steek te laten. Dat zal eerder een vijandig gevoelen tegenover de Westerse landen oproepen en een kiemend zaad vormen om wraak tegen die landen te nemen. En men kan er dan zeker van zijn dat die wraak niet zoet zal zijn.

Islamitisch en Christelijke fundamentalisme

De verstandigen zouden de mensen moeten doen inzien dat niet alle moslims even fanatiek zijn als die fundamentalisten. Islam, zo wel als het christendom heeft niets te maken met fundamentalisme, al kan men het even goed vinden in beide godsdienstgroepen.

Allah wil helemaal niet dat mensen elkaar uitmoorden. Wel is het zo dat Allah Al-Aliyy graag zou hebben dat meer mensen dichter tot Hem zouden komen en Hem herkennen als de Enige Ware God. Maar daartoe laat Hij iedereen vrij om zijn of haar eigen keuze te bepalen. God onderzoekt en kent het hart, dus heeft het helemaal geen zin om mensen onder dwang te ‘bekeren‘ en als Moslim of Christen – zij het Katholiek of Protestant– door het leven te laten gaan.

In de vorige eeuwen konden wij in het Westen ook meerdere fundamentalistische Christenen waarnemen. Ook zij gingen verschrikkelijk tekeer en lieten achter hen een enorm bloedbad. Vandaag zijn de fundamentalistische christenen wel minder gewelddadig, maar toch zien wij, vooral in Israël dat zij er nog steeds toe bijdragen dat er dodelijk geweld wordt gepleegd.

Als men meerdere debatten volgt valt het op dat er nu (zoals enkele jaren geleden) weer mensen zijn die de anderen bang willen maken dat de moslims de bedoeling zouden hebben om Europa, en eigenlijk de hele westerse wereld, te gaan onderwerpen. {multicultureel realistisch, moslims in nederland!} Vreemd genoeg zijn daarbij christenen die dan zeggen dat in Israël wanhopig onze westerse zaak verdedigt wordt zodat we niet overlopen worden. Maar zij zien over het hoofd dat zeer vele Zionisten eigenlijk land van anderen afnemen alsof het hun eigen grondbezit is. Verder zijn vele van die Zionisten ofwel zeer conservatieve Ultra Orthodoxe Joden, waarbij dikwijls de fout wordt gemaakt dat het allemaal Haredi zouden zijn, of helemaal geen gelovige Joden. Verder zijn er ook een heel groot deel Evangelische Christenen die met man en macht de Joodse gelovigen van hun geloof in dé Enige Ware God doen willen afzweren om hen ook hun valse Driekoppige godheid of Drievbuldigheid te gaan laten aanbidden. Hun aanwezigheid vormt trouwens nog meer olie op het vuur in het al woelige Midden-Oosten.

Iedereen moet beseffen dat elke vorm van fundamentalisme of uiterst orthodoxe theologische richting onverantwoord of zelfs onaanvaardbaar is, wanuit welke richting die stroming ook moge komen.

Maar men mag niet denken dat zulk een enge zienswijze enkel bij Moslims zou bestaan. Overdreven orthodoxie, een vaak anti-intellectuele tendens in de interpretatie van de kerkelijke leer kan men ook in bepaalde Christen gemeenschappen vinden.

Verlangen of terugkeer naar de wortels van een ideologie of geloof. Als zodanig is een fundamentalistische beweging een reactionaire beweging. Het doet opgang in verschillende stromingen van de Islam, evenals overigens in het Christendom en Jodendom. In de Verenigde Staten is het aan het einde van de negentiende eeuw opgekomen als reactie op Darwin’s evolutietheorie. {Cultureel Woordenboek.nl over Internationale politiek en fundamentalisme}

Beter bang voor de echte fundamentalisten

Men moet niet zo zeer bang zijn voor die Afghanen die naar onze streken zouden wegvluchten van de Taliban. Men moet eerder bang zijn voor die mensen die anderen hun gedachtengoed met alle macht wilen opdringen. Gevaarlijk wordt het zelfs wanneer bepaalde beperkingen voor de mensen in wetten worden gegoten waar niemand kan ontsnappen en waarbij zware straffen worden opgelegd. De verplichting die men volgens de wet heeft ten aanzien van wat men doet of nalaat gaat mee bepalen of er sprake kan zijn van fundamentalisme. Aansprakelijkheid kan vrijwillig zijn aangegaan (bijv. bij een contract) of door de wet zijn opgelegd en dan moet niemand voor zulk een akkoord gaan bang zijn. Aansprakelijkheid door de wet wordt wel gezien als het wezenlijke verschil tussen enerzijds klassieke en anderzijds sociaal-economische rechten. De klassieke rechten zijn meestal omgezet in wettelijke regels die de overheid bij niet-naleving aansprakelijk maken. Zo kan compensatie worden gevraagd in gevallen van marteling, een handeling waarmee het slachtoffer ernstige psychische of lichamelijkepijn wordt toegebracht, maar ook bij onwettige gevangenschap of hechtenis, of vorm van detentie waarbij de vrijheidsberoving door een overheid of een andere hogere (of sterkere) mach, en kan opheffing van censuur via de rechter worden afgedwongen. Sociaal-economische rechten zijn meestal als idealen geformuleerd, zoals de rechten op werk of huisvesting, waarvoor de overheid niet wettelijk aansprakelijk is. Maar ook aan sociaal-economische rechten wordt steeds vaker juridische aansprakelijkheid verbonden. Een rechter kan bijvoorbeeld boetes opleggen als vrouwen of leden van minderheden gediscrimineerd worden bij toegang tot bepaalde banen.

In Afghanistan en enkele andere Islamitische staten kan men zien dat de machtshebbers alles in het werk stellen om hun macht zichtbaar en voelbaar aan iedereen op te dringen. Voor die fundamentalisten is er geen sprake van andere ideologieën dan de hunne, en iedereen hoort zich naar hen te schikken.

Niet voor de vluchtelingen maar voor hen die deze mensen doet vluchten moet men eerder uitkijken en bang voor zijn. Het zijn diegenen die er een strenge eenzijdige interpretatie van een godsdienst op nahouden, die zich kenmerkt door religieuze onverdraagzaamheid.

De anti-semiet en evangelische prediker William Franklin (Billy) Graham jr., die een aantal ‘kruistochten’ organiseerde in de 20ste eeuw, waarvan er één leidde tot een groei van het evangelische christendom in Australië.

Velen vergeeten dat oorspronkelijk ‘fundamentisme’ de benaming was  voor een conservatieve beweging in het Amerikaans protestantisme in de 19e eeuw. Na de Tweede Wereldoorlog ontplooide de beweging zich vooral als een anticommunistische, evangelistische stroming vertegenwoordigd door predikanten als Billy Graham. Fundamentalisme was ook te vinden bij de Zuid-Afrikaanse Nederlands-hervormde kerk, of bij de Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (afgekort NG Kerk of NGK) de oudste van de zogenaamde Drie Zusterkerken in Zuid-Afrika, die apartheid verdedigde als de wil van God.

Veel te vell mensen vergeten dat fundamentalisme heden ten dag voorkomt in alle godsdiensten.
Maar hier in het Westen lijken de mensen enkel oog te hebben op de fundamentalistische aanhangers van de islam die `islamisten` worden genoemd.

Men mag niet vergeten dat fundamentalistische opvattingen vaak strijdig zijn met de mensenrechten, zoals in de ideeën over de ondergeschikte positie van de vrouw, de verkettering en vervolging van degenen die geen of een andere godsdienst zijn toegedaan en de weigering om het gezag van internationale verdragen te erkennen. duidelijk kunnen wij deze kenmerken warnemen bij bepaalde Islamietische groepen zoals de Taliban, Boko Haram, Al Qaida of Daesh en andere.

Wat ook verkeerd gaat is dat heel wat mensen die fundamentalistische islam gelijk stellen met terrorisme en zelfmoordaanslagen, wat niet zo hoeft te zijn, maar toegegeven wel dikwijls gebeurd. Sommige fundamentalisten nemen inderdaad hun toevlucht tot geweld, maar er zijn veel fundamentalisten die langs vreedzame weg hun overtuiging uitdragen en veel islamitische terroristen gebruiken een fundamentalistische opvatting van de islam als een excuus voor het nastreven van politieke doeleinden, zoals het terugdringen van Amerikaanse invloeden in het Midden-Oosten.

Diegenen die nu Afghanistan in een zeer korte tijd hebben weten te veroveren zijn fundamentalisten waarbij de politieke en economische macht voorop liggen en die een geloof opdringen aan anderen om hun machtspositie te verzekeren en om met een angstpsychose anderen tot hen te binden.

Het is voor zulke gevaarlijke dwinglanden dat de wereld eerder bang hoort te zijn dan voor diegenen die Allah aanbidden in alle eerlijkheid en vroomheid.

+

Voorgaande

Uit de oude doos: Soennitische en Shiitische Moslims

Het gevaar om niets te doen tegen de oorzaak en de kwaal

De haat van IS voor Christenen

Het failliet van de war on terror

Duizenden op de vlucht voor Taliban

Een leven terug onder taliban

Vluchten naar een hoopvolle toekomst

Migratie en veiligheid even geherformuleerd

Islamofobie is contraproduktief

Een leven terug onder taliban

++

Aanvullende lectuur

  1. Uit de Oude Doos: Israël versus Hamas
  2. Hersenspoeling en voortdurende intimidatie
  3. Bekeerlingen en omgang
  4. Christen vervolgingen in het Midden-Oosten
  5. Wanneer de jongere oor kreeg voor Arabische klanken
  6. Gevolgen van beperkingen van vrijheid in Turkijë
  7. Angst en verlossing van het kwaad
  8. De Vredesweek vraagt Internationale Gemeenschap Verantwoordelijkheid te nemen
  9. Witte, grijze en zwarte tinten voor de Lage Landen en Europa
  10. Veroverende geloofsgroep
  11. Te late hulp voor Syrië uit Westen voedingsbodem voor Vechters voor een Islamitische Staat
  12. Fundamentalisme en religie #1 Noorwegen
  13. Fundamentalisme en religie #6 Versplintering
  14. 2015 het jaar dat ISIS duidelijk maakte dat het ook in Europa is
  15. 2015 het jaar dat ISIS duidelijk maakte dat het ook in Europa is – Vervolg 1
  16. 2015 het jaar dat ISIS duidelijk maakte dat het ook in Europa is – Vervolg 2
  17. Veroverende geloofsgroep
  18. Uitdrijving bevolking provincie Idlib
  19. Politici die trachten het geloof in de privesfeer te duwen of uit de maatschappij te bannen
  20. Noodzaak om ons sterk te maken tegen twee bastions
  21. islamitische militanten
  22. Uit het archief: Macht, Olie en Religie
  23. Fundamentalisme en religie #1 Noorwegen
  24. Fundamentalisme en religie #6 Versplintering
  25. Is een fundamentalistische kijk op de bijbel, de enige mogelijke kijk?
  26. Bestaat er iets als Christelijk fundamentalisme
  27. Jihad gedoe
  28. Geloven in God

+++

Gerelateerd

  1. Beschavingen… ’t is overal iets
  2. Democratie brengen
  3. Multicultireel, realistisch – Moslims in Nederland
  4. peterzijnblog
  5. Stop de islamisering en stem dadelijk PVV, de enige partij die NEE zegt tegen de islam in Nederland!
  6. Syrische rebellen, Afghanistan aan de Middellandse Zee?
  7. De islam, een anti-westerse veroveringsideologie wordt in Nederland al jaren geknuffeld
  8. Met de Resolutie van Straatsburg in 1975,werd Europa verraden en verkocht aan de islam
  9. De knikkers van Qadir
  10. In Ander Nieuws: week 24/25
  11. Afghanistan, een overdenking
  12. De val van Afghanistan
  13. Oud-ambassadeur waarschuwt: ‘Val van Afghanistan toont aan dat Israël enkel op zichzelf moet vertrouwen’
  14. Na 20 jaar,Afghanistan is opnieuw in handen van de Taliban islamofascisten
  15. Hamas feliciteert de Taliban voor zijn ‘overwinning op de Verenigde Staten’
  16. Iran, Oman, Qatar en Hamas omarmen gewelddadige machtsovername van Afghanistan door Taliban
  17. Bijleveld verantwoordt zich voor sturen militairen naar Afghanistan
  18. Afghanistan: De val van Kaboel is een wake-up call voor Israël
  19. Amerikaanse militaire delegatie bezoekt Turkije om de luchthaven van Kabul te bespreken
  20. Afghanistan: de VS druipen af, komt Turkije in de plaats?
  21. Val van Kaboel is grootste vernedering voor Amerika en het Westen in decennia
  22. Chaos op luchthaven Kabul, duizenden Afghanen proberen te vertrekken
  23. Talibanleiders gebruikten Twitter en WhatsApp om Kaboel te veroveren
  24. Taliban bedankt Afghanen voor achtergelaten wapens
  25. Onthoofdingen en executies: De bodem van het Ghazistadion in Kaboel was ooit doordrenkt met bloed
  26. Handleiding van de Taliban voor een perfecte steniging in Afghanistan [in beeld]
  27. Afghanistan, het spel van de schaduwen
  28. Zomaar een moment uit het leven van een bureaucraat
  29. Arabia
  30. Jeruzalem: leven te midden van religieuze fanatici
  31. ‘Het gaat niet om wat je gelooft, maar hóé je dat doet’

6 Comments

Filed under Geschiedenis, Misdaden & Wreedheden, Nederlandse teksten - Dutch writings, Nieuwsgebeurtenissen - Journaal, Politieke aangelegenheden, Religieuze aangelegenheden, Wereld aangelegenheden

Een leven terug onder taliban

New York, Washington D.C., nabij Shanksville (alle in de Verenigde Staten) op 11 september 2001 getroffen door de terreurorganisatie Al Qaeda onder leiding van de Saoedi-Arabische multimiljonair Osama bin Laden.

Een niet te vergeten dag

Over enkele weken herdenken wij weer 11 september, toen wij eerst dachten dat er ongeluk was gebeurd. Maar toen wij op rechtstreekse beelden op televisie een tweede vliegtuig in de World Trade Centre zagen vliegen, wisten wij snel dat dit niet om zo maar een ongeluk ging. Dit was duidelijk met opzet gebeurd. Ook de leidinggevenden in Amerika wisten al snel dat het hier om een terreurdaad en zelfs om een oorlogsdaad ging.  Na deze terroristische aanslagen die worden beschouwd als de grootste uit de geschiedenis en waarbij bijna drieduizend mensen, afkomstig uit 87 landen, rechtstreeks omkwamen ging Amerika ten oorlog tegen Al Qaeda.

Uitschakelen van Moslimfundamentalisten

Deze terreurdaden op het einde van vorige eeuw zou de geallieerden in Afghanistan brengen om daar voor twee decennia hun best te doen om de Islamitische fundamentalisten uit te bannen. Maar zo makkelijk leek het niet te gaan om Moslim fundamentalisten uit te schakelen.
In een fatwa of juridisch advies in de islam, uit 1998 werd er door Al Qaeda elke moslim opgeroepen om Amerikanen en hun bondgenoten te doden, volgens die fatwa is dat de wil van Allah en een individuele plicht van elke moslim. Dat veroorzaakte een golfstroom van meerdere terroristische daden in meerdere kapitalistische maar ook in ontwikkelingslanden.
Moslimfanaten creëerden verscheidene Jihad groepen die als paddestoelen uit de grond rezen  in het Oosten zo wel als in het Zuiden. De VS vroegen aan Afghanistan (waar hij zich sinds 1996 ophield) om zijn uitlevering maar daar werd niet op in gegaan. Honderden Taliban-schriftgeleerden kwamen toen bijeen om te beraadslagen. Zij verzochten Bin Laden Afghanistan te verlaten en wensten te onderhandelen met de VS. De VS gingen daar niet op in. Wel slaagde men er in op 2 mei 2011  de Saoedi-Arabische terrorist en oprichter van de islamistische terreurorganisatie Al Qaida of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, dood te schieten tijdens een operatie met Navy SEALs in het zwaarbeveiligde huis in de Pakistaanse stad Abbottabad, waar hij op dat moment verbleef. De dood van hun leider bracht de beweging echter niet tot stilstand. Het stichten van een verenigd volk naar het model van het voormalige kalifaat werd nog steeds als het heilige doel gesteld. Op meerdere plaatsen werden dan ook Moslim getrouwen getraind om her en der de ‘ongelovige staten’ te ondermijnen.

Een oorlog tegen terrorisme

Uit een Pew Research-enquête uit 2012 (voordat Da’ish/Daesh of ISIS terrein won) bleek dat de grote meerderheid van de Iraakse bevolking (74%) werkloosheid als een “zeer groot probleem” voor het land beschouwde. Daarentegen beschouwde minder dan de helft van de bevolking conflicten tussen religieuze groepen als een zeer groot probleem. Maar de druk van de extreem religieuze moslims werd overmate groot in de gebieden van Irak, Syrië, Iran en Afghanistan.

Als onderdeel van de War on Terror, brachten de Verenigde Staten van Amerika allerlei geruchten in de wereld die het zou vergoelijken om landen zoals Irak en Iran aan te vallen. Volgens de opgezette coalitie moest men het regime van Saddam Hoessein ten val brengen omdat deze de Iraakse bevolking zou onderdrukken, het internationale terrorisme zou ondersteunen en massavernietigingswapens zou hebben ontwikkeld, bezitten en hebben ingezet. Weldenkende geesten konden eerder vermoeden dat de olie een eerdere reden zal geweest zijn.

De Amerikanen waren in 2001 Afghanistan binnen gevallen met als doel Bin Laden te overmeesteren en zo een einde te maken aan zijn terroristische beweging. Zij dachten ook een democratisch land te kunnen opbouwen als zij de talibanregering konden afzetten om na een overgangsregering onder Hamid Karzai hem in 2004 als president te bevestigen in de eerste vrije verkiezingen van het land. In 2004 werd ook een nieuwe grondwet opgesteld waarbij men dacht een weg naar meer vrijheid te kunnen verkrijgen.

Blijvende strijd

Aanhangers van het voormalige talibanregime gaven hun land niet zo maar af en bleven de NAVO troepen bevechten. De wereld moest zien hoe zij bleven strijden met aanslagen en terreurdaden tegen de aanwezigheid van ‘ongelovigen’ in Afghanistan, en ook tegen de Afghaanse regering, die zij als een marionet beschouwden. Ze opereerden vanuit het Pakistaanse grensgebied.

In die twintig jaar die er nu over heen gegaan zijn, sneuvelden ruim 3500 van de Amerikaanse militairen; er vielen 51.000 burgerdoden en 120.000 doden onder de strijdende partijen, evenals medewerkers van het Rode Kruis.

Hun bloed schreeuwt uit de aarde,

schrijft Wim Houtman in het commentaar voor het Nederlands Dagblad.

Vraag hierbij is

hoe lang moeten buitenlandse strijdkrachten Afghanistan helpen om het land onder controle te krijgen.

Want men kan niet zeggen dat er tijdens die twintig jaar enige zekere controle is geweest. Het is heel de tijd een wankel iets geweest waarbij de gehele bevolking slachtoffer van geweest is. Er is geen enkel moment geweest waarbij de bevolking zich echt vrij kon voelen en kleren konden dragen die zij wilden aan doen, lessen volgen voor wat zij wensten te studeren, boeken lezen die zij graag wilden lezen. Overal en altijd bleef er een wakend oog dat na ging of Islamitische regels niet werden overtreden.

Van godsdienstvrijheid kon men ook niet echt spreken. Meerdeeren die zich niet als een moslim gedroegen of niet overtuigend genoeg uitten, werden voor de keus gesteld om het Islamitische geloof aan te nemen of een kopje kleiner gemaakt te worden (letterlijk). Heel wat mensen vonden zich meer dan eens genoodzaakt om de vlucht te nemen van waar zij verbleven. Overal kon men mensen zien sterven door het nutteloze geweld, waar precies geen einde aan kwam.

Chaos op een vluchtheuvel naar de vrijheid

Datgene wat als de sleutel tot de stabiliteit van de Afghaanse hoofdstad werd aanzien is de laatste dagen tot een hel van chaos omgetoverd.  De vele strijdkrachten die zogenaamd de Westerse waarden verdedigden blijken nu niet zo ‘broederlijk’ te zijn, maar enkel nog ogen te hebben om hun eigen hachje te redden. Het lijkt niet zo dat zij voorzieningen hebben getroffen om hun vroegere helpers nu mee te helpen evacueren.

De woordvoerder van de Taliban wees de militaire aanwezigheid van wie dan ook af en gaf te kennen dat hij die ook zo vlug mogelijk uit het land wenste. Hij zei:

Al degenen die in ons land willen blijven, zullen we zeker als indringers beschouwen.

De wanhoop die hen trof die met de geallieerden hadden geholpen, en nu door hen in de steek werden gelaten, was duidelijk te zien op de beelden die vanaf de nationale luchthaven, Hamid Karzai International Airport, de wereld werden ingestuurd.

**

Op hallucinante beelden kan men hoofdzakelijk mannen zien die mee met de vliegtuigen hollen en er op klimmen om zo aan hun land onder dreiging te ontkomen, nu de radicaal-islamitische taliban er de macht hebben gegrepen. Deze vliegtuigen stopten echter niet, met gevolg dat hoe hoger het vliegtuig ging de laatste ‘klevenden’ naar beneden storten om zo aan hun einde te komen. Op bepaalde zenders kon men zulke beelden van neerstortende mensen zien en van vertrappelde mensen verspreid over de tarmac.
Onze vraag bij het zien van zo veel mannen is, waar hun vrouwen zijn. Laten zij die zo maar achter voor de Taliban, zodat deze op hen wraak zou nemen?

In video’s van ooggetuigen is ook te zien en te horen hoe de Amerikaanse soldaten in de lucht schieten, in een poging de mensen tot bedaren te brengen. Met lede ogen kan het Westen zien hoe duizenden mensen op het tarmac doorgedrongen zijn, in een poging hun land te ontvluchten, maar ook hoe door hun eigen onbeheerstheid vliegtuigen niet veilig kunnen landen of opstijgen, wat de ‘ontscheping’ nog moeilijker maakt.

Volgens de Qatarese nieuwszender al-Jazeera hebben de taliban een cordon opgezet om mensen te verhinderen de terminal van de luchthaven binnen te gaan. De taliban, die zwaar bewapend zijn, zouden ook waarschuwingsschoten gelost hebben om mensen weg te houden.

Aarzelende westerse naties

Het is onbegrijpelijk dat België er zo lang over doet om zelfs maar tot de beslissing te komen om grote vliegtuigen te sturen om vluchtelingen op te vangen. Nederland en Duitsland hebben wel al vliegtuigen gestuurd. Maar de chaos is zo groot dat een Nederlands militair vliegtuig niet eens kon landen. Ten lange leste heeft België dan toch besloten vliegtuigen richting Kaboel te sturen. Maar tot enkele dagen geleden durfde een parlementslid voor Buitenlandse Zaken die lid is van de C’D&V of zogenaamd christelijke partij nog zeggen dt hij er geen graten in zag om Afghaanse vluchtelingen terug naar hun eigen land te sturen.

Alle commerciële vluchten van en naar Kaboel zijn intussen geschrapt. Alleen militaire vluchten zijn nog toegestaan. Daarmee proberen westerse landen in hoog tempo staatsburgers en ambassadepersoneel en andere medewerkers te evacueren.

De razendsnelle val van Kaboel zadelt de wereld met veel vragen én zorgen op. Hoe vreedzaam zal de machtswissel verlopen, welk soort regime zullen de taliban installeren en hoe zullen zij omgaan met de mensen die vroeger voedsel en ander materiaal of diensten aan de geallieerde troepen hebben geleverd? In welke mate zal men de klok nu al of niet terug draaien?

Bij velen is er wel de vrees dat men zich niet meer zal mogenkleden zoals men wenst alsook niet meer zal mogen uiten hoe en wat men wil zeggen of uitdrukken. Sommigen vrezen zelfs dat zij niet meer zullen mogen lachen.

Voorgaande

Uit de oude doos: Soennitische en Shiitische Moslims

Het failliet van de war on terror

Duizenden op de vlucht voor Taliban

++

Aanvullende lectuur

  1. Te late hulp voor Syrië uit Westen voedingsbodem voor Vechters voor een Islamitische Staat
  2. Fundamentalisme en religie #1 Noorwegen
  3. Fundamentalisme en religie #6 Versplintering
  4. 2015 het jaar dat ISIS duidelijk maakte dat het ook in Europa is
  5. 2015 het jaar dat ISIS duidelijk maakte dat het ook in Europa is – Vervolg 1
  6. 2015 het jaar dat ISIS duidelijk maakte dat het ook in Europa is – Vervolg 2
  7. Veroverende geloofsgroep
  8. Uitdrijving bevolking provincie Idlib
  9. Politici die trachten het geloof in de privesfeer te duwen of uit de maatschappij te bannen

+++

Gerelateerd

  1. De knikkers van Qadir
  2. Bijleveld verantwoordt zich voor sturen militairen naar Afghanistan
  3. Amerikaanse militaire delegatie bezoekt Turkije om de luchthaven van Kabul te bespreken
  4. Afghanistan: de VS druipen af, komt Turkije in de plaats?
  5. Chaos op luchthaven Kabul, duizenden Afghanen proberen te vertrekken

3 Comments

Filed under Beelden van de wereld (Foto's & Video's), Geestelijke aangelegenheden, Geschiedenis, Levensstijl, Misdaden & Wreedheden, Nederlandse teksten - Dutch writings, Nieuwsgebeurtenissen - Journaal, Politieke aangelegenheden, Religieuze aangelegenheden, Voelen en Welzijn, Wereld aangelegenheden

Afghanistan — What It Tells You

We may not forget that the ultraconservative political and religious faction that emerged in Afghanistan in the mid-1990s following the withdrawal of Soviet troops, protected and hid Osama Bin Laden, who was responsible for the 9/11 attack on the U.S.A.. Them also enforcing a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, and wanting to have that Sharia being practised all over the world, they were a threat to the entire Western democratic world.

The Taliban already gave our Western world a picture of what would happen when they would govern all the world. During their rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban and their allies committed massacres against Afghan civilians, denied UN food supplies to 160,000 starving civilians and conducted a policy of scorched earth, burning vast areas of fertile land and destroying tens of thousands of homes. In several countries where those conservative Islamists take power, we can witness how they banned activities and media including paintings, photography, and movies if they showed people or other living things (?!?), and prohibited music using instruments. In all countries where those religious activists took power, women were oppressed and could not study or take a proper job. Except in the medical field because male doctors were prohibited from seeing women, and therefore a few women were allowed to treat females under certain circumstances.

The whole affair is not a comedy of errors, but more a tragedy of errors.

Henry's Views

What the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban tells you about the limits of American power is that we can’t change the ethos of other countries — that is well beyond our capability. We can’t take a deeply conservative, male-oriented, and archly Islamic country and make it over into our image of a Western democracy with equal rights for everyone and freedom of religion. And we shouldn’t try to. It’s bound to fail.

They are all now blaming Biden for this defeat, but, to be honest, he was a very late player in this comedy of errors. The initial error was to expand our enemies list from al-Qaeda to the Taliban. The Taliban never attacked the US; al-Qaeda did.

Another Vietnam?

View original post

7 Comments

Filed under Educational affairs, Headlines - News, History, Lifestyle, Political affairs, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs, Religious affairs, Social affairs, Welfare matters, World affairs

Taliban conquest of Afghanistan a clock to turn back years

For Afghanistan, the last 24 hours have been a treacherous and sudden change in the times. Everything from the Taliban’s siege of the capital, Kabul, to Taliban control of all areas of Kabul, to President Ghani’s departure from Afghanistan, every development goes down in history.

After 9/11 2001, America persuaded the West to get on board to fight al-Qaeda and the Taliban. With all their might, they tried to prepare the Afghan army to fight terrorists on its own. After more than 20 years, all the work done, lots of money spend, and the many deaths did not seem to have changed much, except for the greater freedom of the citizens, which remained endangered by the many restrictions imposed on the people by the Taliban.

It is only logical and understandable that Joe Biden wanted to pull the plug on the endless well because it had already caused so many deaths while not much had changed in terms of substance. As soon it was made public that the U.S.A. would start a withdrawal of its troops, the Taliban very easily conquered one territory after the other.

According to the latest news from foreign media, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naim told Al Jazeera on the 15th of August 2021, that the war in Afghanistan is over and the form of the regime will soon become clear. As Afghanistan’s second largest city, Kandahar is not only the economic, cultural and transport hub of southern Afghanistan, but also considered the most important city and “spiritual home” for the Taliban, therefore Taliban officials were proud to say on the 16th, that the southern Afghanistan Kandahar International Airport has been fully controlled by the Taliban. They even went to promise that Afghanistan’s domestic and international flights are expected to resume within three days.

On Mother’s Day, August 15, former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai said on television and social media that people had not to worry and that Afghanistan had formed a “coordination committee” to prepare for a peaceful transition of power, and to be responsible for maintaining security, law and order. Members of the Coordinating Committee would include Karzai, Abdullah and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of the Islamic Party of Afghanistan and a former prime minister. The committee called on Afghan government forces and the Taliban to avoid conflict and chaos. But a few hours later thousands of Afghans who had fled to Kabul airport, on the tarmac of Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan’s national airport, 16 kilometres from the centre of Kabul, could see their head of state fleeing, boarding a very large Boeing 747.
Why couldn’t the other seats there be filled with some of the many who also tried to flee?

It became a real chaos at that airport.

The same day, Mujahid announced on social media that Taliban militants had entered the city “to keep the population safe and maintain social order” as Afghan security forces in Kabul had given up their responsibilities and dispersed.
Ghani said in a statement on social media that day that he faced a difficult choice, and that his action was to safe as many Afghans as he could. In order to avoid the killing of the people, he decided to leave Afghanistan, to go first to Tajikistan.

The U.S. military on the 15th used a number of helicopters from the embassy in Afghanistan to evacuate personnel, its embassy compound on the same day rose a plume of smoke. Some sources said it was the “urgent destruction of sensitive documents” by U.S. diplomats.

NATO said in a statement the same day, NATO will continue to maintain its diplomatic presence in Kabul, and to provide assistance to keep Kabul airport running.

I wonder how much work they shall invest to safeguard all those people, who in the last 20 years helped them in getting certain goods, having them to communicate with Afghanis, translating for the troops as well as for the press. What I could see from television reporting was that it more looked that the West abandons all those people who helped them in the past. A real shame!

At the moment it looks like the Taliban has conquered the country and soon shall be planning to bring back the sharia law as well as taking away the right for young women to study and to do a proper job. Possibly Afghanistan shall come back to be a country in the Middle ages, with the oppression of women and the impossibility of religious freedom.

7 Comments

Filed under Activism and Peace Work, Crimes & Atrocities, Headlines - News, Political affairs, Welfare matters, World affairs

Duizenden op de vlucht voor Taliban

Twintig jaar heeft men geprobeerd om Afghanistan tot een democratisch land te laten opgroeien. Miljarden zijn er door het westen geïnvesteerd. Maar als men in iets gaat investeren moet het ook positieve resultaten opleveren. En dat kan men zeker niet zeggen van Afghanistan, dat we een bodemloze put leek te zijn.

Na 9/11 2001 heeft Amerika het Westen zo ver gekregen om mee in de boot te stappen om al-Qaeda en de Taliban te bestrijden. Met man en macht hebben ze geprobeerd het Afghaanse leger voor te bereiden om zelf zelfstandig terroristen te lijf te gaan.

Sinds Biden de terugtrekking van de Amerikaanse soldaten ernstig liet doorvoeren kwam er weer grote chaos in het land en leek de Taliban in één twee drie het land te veroveren. Begrijpelijk lokte dat veel onrust uit zo wel in het westen als in het land zelf, waar zeer veel mensen hun toevlucht gingen zoeken in de hoofdstad. Maar daar zouden ze moeten ondervinden dat het precies is alsof het Westen hen nu in de steek laat.
Het is schandalig te merken dat tolken en zij die pers en geallieerden bijstonden nu plotseling alleen staan en dat er voor hen geen voorzieningen zijn getroffen om hen veilig naar het westen over te brengen.

Het ministerie van Buitenlandse zaken heeft de laatste dagen ook tientallen vragen van Belgen binnen gekregen, die momenteel problemen ondervinden in Afghanistan.

“De situatie in Afghanistan is op 24 uur tijd helemaal veranderd”,

zegt Buitenlandse Zaken. De FOD kreeg de afgelopen uren 47 vragen van Belgen ter plaatse en een twintigtal familieleden. Contactpunt is de ambassade in Islamabad (Pakistan). Op de televisie konden wij ook zien hoe in België wonende Afghanen hier telefonische noodoproepen krijgen van hun radeloze familieleden. De angst zit er bij zeer velen in.

Chaos op de luchthaven van Kaboel

De duizenden Afghanen die naar de luchthaven van Kaboel gevlucht waren, konden wel hun president op een zeer grote Boeing 747 zien stappen. Waarom konden de andere zitplaatsen daar niet opgevuld worden met een deel van de velen die ook probeerden te vluchten?
Op ooggetuigebeelden is te zien hoe mensen vechten om bij vliegtuigen te komen om te worden geëvacueerd. Duizenden mensen zijn op het tarmac van Hamid Karzai International Airport, de nationale luchthaven van Afghanistan, 16 kilometer vanaf het centrum van Kabul, doorgedrongen, in een poging hun land te ontvluchten. In die chaos is het niet verwonderlijk dat er al meerdere doden zijn gevallen, want iedereen tracht zijn hachje te redden en is enorm ontgoocheld hoe zij geen verdere hulp schijnen te krijgen van de Westerse mogendheden.
Een getuige vertelt aan persagentschap Reuters dat hij de lichamen van vijf mensen heeft gezien terwijl die in een auto geladen werden. De Amerikaanse krant Wall Street Journal heeft melding gekregen over drie mensen die werden doodgeschoten. Mogelijk zijn er ook mensen vertrappeld in de mensenmassa.

Te nemen verantwoordelijkheid

De geallieerden moeten nu hun dankbaarheid voor de hulp die zij kregen van vele Afghaanse burgers. Koks, vertalers en andere medewerkers moeten nu beloond worden voor hun werk, door hen de beveiliging aan te bieden die zij nodig hebben. Zo te zien is de enige veilige oplossing, hen zo vlug mogelijk uit het land te halen.

Het is aan de Westerse mogendheden er nu nog voor te zorgen dat die medewerkers hun hoofden niet over de grond zullen rollen.

2 Comments

Filed under Activisme & Vredeswerk, Misdaden & Wreedheden, Nederlandse teksten - Dutch writings, Nieuwsgebeurtenissen - Journaal, Politieke aangelegenheden, Sociale Aangelegenheden, Voelen en Welzijn, Wereld aangelegenheden

Geert Mak – Grote Verwachtingen. In Europa. 1999-2019.

Kun je geschiedenis herkennen als je er middenin zit?

Persoonlijke verhalen vormen de basis van de nieuwe serie “In Europa”. Verhalen van ooggetuigen die – zonder dat ze het doorhadden – deel uitmaakten van historische gebeurtenissen, die achteraf als ‘sleutelmoment’ kunnen worden gezien.

Met recht en rede mag de te Vlaardingen geboren ex-redacteur van het weekblad de Groene Amsterdammer, en medewerker en stadsredacteur van NRC/Handelsblad, en buitenlandredacteur van de VPRO-radio, de lezers en kijkers in de Lage Landen begeesteren.

Nu zijn reeks ‘In Europa” op de Nationale Belgische Omroep loopt, is het de moeite meerdere boeken van Geert Mak onder de loep te nemen en te zien waarom hij in 2004 een eredoctoraat kreeg van zo wel de Open Universiteit Heerlen als van de Westfälische Wilhelmsuniversität in Münster voor zijn verdiensten op het gebied van geschiedschrijving.

Dat hij zijn lezers of de televisie kijkers aanzet tot het stellen van kritische vragen is één van zijn goede kenmerken, die aangeven dat hij niets opdringt maar verder wil aanzetten tot kritisch nadenken, evalueren en stappen ondernemen.

Grote verwachtingen: In Europa - 1999-2019

*

Te herinneren

  • Tijd = vriend + vijand van historicus.
  • verre verleden = een gegeven.
  • Verbindingen – oorzaak + gevolg
  • Hoe dichter de tijd de historicus nadert => hoe troebeler het zicht.
  • Feiten en gebeurtenissen > soepel beschrijven
  • consequenties > moeilijk te overzien.
  • ondergaan onze tijd
  • nieuwe eeuw vol voorspoed voor ons => afscheid nemen van treurnis van 20e eeuw
  • zaadjes al gepland > klimaat + terrorisme + stroom vluchtelingen + bankencrisis
  • Onze wereld = drastisch aan het veranderen
  • verbindingen van verleden naar heden
  • kinderen na 9/11 niet meer naar etnische afkomst keken.
  • Irak oorlog > Irakese inval 2003 ~=~  onbezonnen Russisch-Japanse oorlog van 1904.
  •  Westen viel  opnieuw van een voetstuk
  • val van de Muur = overwinning van liberalisme => ‘the end of history’ <= Europeanen in voormalige Oostblok – met name Polen + Hongaren = ineenstorting Sovjet-imperium = 1. nationalistisch feest= nieuw begin voor duizend en één nationale ambities.
  • veel Midden-Europese landen leefden tot 1918 onder het Oostenrijks-Hongaarse Rijk of onder de Ottomanen, daarna onder het nazi-imperium, na de Tweede Wereldoorlog onder de Sovjets.
  • Mak zoomt in op vluchtelingen > duizelingwekkende aantallen doden zien > maakt ze mens, geeft ze namen, leeftijden + reden van dood
  • Brexit > Britten beschouwden zichzelf sinds 1945 (…) als overwinnaars. (…)
  • triomfantelijke gevoelens kende rest van Europa nauwelijks.
  • oprichting van EU vr Verenigd Koninkrijk = belangrijk onderdeel van vredes- en verzoeningsproces + vooral handelsblok met verguld randje
  • bankencrisis > narcistische, op winst beluste managers
  • Nederland aantal zelfdodingen na 2008 v. 9 naar 11 per honderdduizend inwoners  gestegen
  • andere landen vanaf 2008 aantal zelfmoorden met duizenden gestegen <= Niet ondenkbaar crisis grote rol = psychologische gevolgen v. neoliberalisme > geweld vrije markt => leven v mens klein + futiel. 
  • hoe lang voordat vrije markt definitief bankroet raakt.
  • bestuurlijk Europa > politici = “westerse blindheid”.
  • massale opkomst v.h. populisme, overal in Europa.
  • Amsterdam kampt met uithollende gevolgen van de globalisering.
  • Friesland > Leeuwarden culturele hoofdstad van Europa > inbreng Friezen weinig ruimte.

Tonny Mollema

Tijd is de vriend en de vijand van de historicus. Vanuit de overzichtelijke zetel van het heden is al datgene wat in het verre verleden gebeurde een gegeven. Verbindingen dienen zich aan, oorzaak en gevolg vloeien feilloos in elkaar over en decennialange vraagstukken hebben in een paar pagina’s een antwoord gevonden. Hoe dichter echter de tijd de historicus nadert, hoe troebeler het zicht. Feiten en gebeurtenissen laten zich nog soepel beschrijven, maar consequenties zijn steeds moeilijk te overzien. Geert Mak zelf weet dit maar al te goed. Al vroeg in het boek beschrijft hij over de slimme geschiedenisstudent uit 2069 die over onze tijd zal gaan schrijven. Hij zou zo graag meekijken met hem. Wat schrijft hij over de tijd van nu? We ondergaan onze tijd, we doen wat we doen en de toekomst zal haar oordeel over ons vellen.

View original post 1,349 more words

5 Comments

Filed under Economische aangelegenheden, Geschiedenis, Levensstijl, Nederlandse teksten - Dutch writings, Politieke aangelegenheden, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs, Sociale Aangelegenheden, Wereld aangelegenheden

From Guestwriters 2016 in review

English: The logo of the blogging software Wor...

Each day million articles are published, looking to find a reading eye. Every day thousands of new articles appear on WordPress. In 2016 one hundred seventeen billion nine hundred thirteen million one hundred forty-eight thousand three hundred fifty seven words got published on WordPress. {Automattic WordPress year-in-review-2016}

2016 in view

The year that David Bowie and Prince passed away, like several very well known figures of the arts world, it looked like some people who made it in their life did not want to stay here any longer. It was also the year of lots of terrorism and political correctness, where those who are different than the mainstream (disabled, transgender, refugees, extreme religious and non religious groups, jihad fighters,) got lots of attention.
In the United States of America Obama Care which at last had become a reality came back under threat. North America saw in Boston in November, the Disability Policy Consortium accepted proposals and held a Disability Intersectionality Summit. Presentations included topics on the intersections of being undocumented, being LGBTQ+, being a person of colour, having mental health disabilities, on #DisabilityTooWhite – the hashtag and movement around the the disability community’s failure to represent racially diverse voices – and more. Lots of things came on the American roller-coaster, having Michigan banned non-emergency restraint and seclusion for disabled students and Georgia’s governor speaking in favour of Employment First policies for disabled people in Georgia.

2016 Nice attack.png

Route of the attacker from west to east at the Promenade des Anglais, Nice

With the 15th anniversary of 9/11 the jihadi‘s made sure they would not be forgotten; ISIS/ISIL and BokoHaram being the new strongholders. In Europe the fear took so many people that politicians saw the opportunity to fuel the extreme right and come with absurd laws, like banning burkini‘s. All the fearmongering having fueled by the March 22 suicide bombings at Brussel’s Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station, leaving around 35 victims dead and 360 seriously injured, ISIS claiming responsibility.
America also got its portion of  ISIS-madness with a gunman claiming allegiance to the Islamic State opens fire at gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49, injuring 53 – one of the bigger mass shootings in the U.S.A.. September 17 a terror bomb in Chelsea, New York injured 29 people. Lots of Americans got so frightened of Muslim people, looking at them if they all would be terrorist, though they under their own white Christian population had more victims by weapon violence this year than by terrorism. Several times the world could see how racism is still a big problem in the States and how police can not keep themselves in control when arresting black people. (African American Alton Sterling shot by Louisiana police in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile shot by police in St Paul Black on July 6; American Keith Lamont Scott September 20)
The Islamic militants for sure where very active all over the world. Some events called for more attention worldwide, having foreigners also under the victims or by being considered the country’s worse terror attack for the year, like at a cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where a fighter killed 20 hostages and 2 police on July 1. The next day (July 2) a large lorry bomb in Baghdad killing at least 125 people and wounding 150, Islamic State claiming once more responsibility.  On December 11 a bombing at a chapel in Cairo, Egypt, killed 25 and wounded 45. December 19 again a truck was used to kill many people, like in Nice on the 14th of July now the target was a Christmas market in Berlin killing 12, injuring 48.

Terroranschlag-Berlin-Breitscheidplatz-2016 (2) (31731061626) (square crop).jpg

Aftermath of the 2016 Berlin attack

In the States of America on January 17 the Fourth Democratic presidential candidates debate showed how Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders clashed over healthcare and gun control in Charleston, South Carolina, and gave us an idea that though perhaps the best candidate of all Bernie Sanders would not going to make it to president elect. Two days later Sarah Palin officially endorsed Donald Trump‘s presidential bid at a Trump rally in Ames, Iowa. What nobody thought possible occurred when this man made it to the preselections, then to the selection to finally become what nobody would ever dreamed possible, him becoming president elect. November 8 Republican Donald Trump became elected President of The United States of America, defeating democrat Hillary Clinton despite Clinton winning 2.9 million more votes. Europe fell on its back for the second time, the first one having been the vote for the Brexit (June 23), who nobody had thought would come through. These two unexpected events show clearly how careful we must be when we think it not necessary to spend time on such personalities and situations.

{{{image_alt}}}

Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

For that reason we should much more react on what is going on on ecological level. The Paris Agreement on climate change signed in New York (on April 22) binding 195 nations to an increase in the global average temperature to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C is only the beginning of a long road to run. Global warming is not only blamed the cause of many people having to flee for the rising water-level. On August 1 there was an anthrax outbreak in the Russian district Yamalo-Nenets, Siberia killing one and infecting 8 others, also killing 2,300 reindeer. Indian government declared levels of air pollution in Delhi an emergency situation, closing schools and construction sites on November 6.

Though 2016 seemed to be the year that people where more concerned about the whereabouts and the look of their friends on Facebook and Twitter. Social media being the major interest gainer of the year. Most people more concerned about their outfit, fashion, style and strangely enough books and films again.

Astronaut Scott Kelly

Astronaut Scott Kelly

Lots of people running with their heads in the skies did not notice that US astronauts Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko returned to earth, on March the 2nd, after nearly a year (340 days), setting an ISS record. For the earthly matters it became time that the U.S.A. did something positive to restore the relations between them and Cuba. March 20 Barack Obama became the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a 2 day tour.

The ‘Big Joke of the year’ (in April) was to see how many politicians who said something had to be done against fraud and how people had to pay honestly their taxes, their names could be found on the 11.5 million confidential documents from offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca , the Panama Papers exposing widespread illegal activities including fraud, kleptocracy, tax evasion and the violation of international sanctions by the world’s elite in the world’s largest ever data leak.

On April 11 UN-backed ceasefire came into effect in Yemen conflict between Iranian-backed Houthis rebels and government forces.

June 7 with a car bomb attack on a police bus in central Istanbul killing 11 was just a beginning of a whole series of bombings in Turkey of which there is no clarity if they are orchestrated by some political forces to have Erdogan in an even stronger dictatorial position. June 28 presented again a suicide bombings and gun attacks, at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport killing 42 and wounding more than 200. We have no idea if the coup d’etat was something set up by Erdogan himself. It gave him way to hold a big clean up and to get rid of all those who stood in his way.

In Colombia more than 50 years of conflict came in its last stadium, the governement and Farc rebels signing a ceasefire agreement on June the  23rd, followed by many talks to have the rebels not being sued.

2016 for this platform

WordPress Administration

WordPress Administration (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of the 595,795,035 posts written on WordPress we only presented a mere 358 articles, hoping our humble little site could catch some interest by the many people who are scanning the worldwide internet for something interesting to read. From our tiny country not having any funds, not having serious backing and not able to afford much money on writers, designers or even having our own publishing space, just using the private limited funds of the editor and responsible publisher Mr. Marcus Ampe, we sincerely try to find some interesting literature on the net and present it to our readers and visitors. Because not having much GBites we are limited in re-blogging because pictorial content eats our internet data space, but when a must read is found with lots of photos we still do hope to be able to discuss it or to present it in one of our articles.

English: Stats on Cross-ideological Blogging

Stats on Cross-ideological Blogging (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We must confess that we did not catch many readers for the many work-hours we invest searching for additional and further reading material. Luckily this was the first year we did not very angry letters of people being onerous that we included their article in the listing. In 2016 for the first time we even got a letter thanking us for having brought 1000 readers to someone’s site. Though we put a lot of work in creating all the links in the articles and in the accompanying list of interesting articles, to our sense or liking not enough people make use of those links and referential titles. For that reason from now on we shall perhaps start putting less url-backgroundlinks to words or tags, but still shall continue to try to offer you a list of noteworthy article by other bloggers.

It is a pity we only could find 7 782 views of only 4 827 visitors coming along.
Officially opened to the public on 2014/03/2 we got 1 847 visitors the first year and 2 764 visitors in 2015, so we may be satisfied it is a line going upwards. Though published from Belgium in the European Union, our ‘home-country’ only delivered 269 views. The United States being at the top with giving us 3745 views, followed by the United Kingdom delivering 852 views and our northern neighbours the Netherlands offering us 532 views may encourage us to continue.

The home page caught 2 118 views, followed by 349 for the About page. Of the articles “Religious celebrations in May 2016” got the most views (only 103) and got only 4 likes.

People naturally have to find us. 1 437 do so by using search machines, whilst 783 use the WordPress facilities. 155 come along by Facebook. But we too are happy to find other WordPress users referring to us and bringing readers to our site. Naturally our own authors or own sites like our ecclesia site (9 views), the Belgian Biblestudents and the Bijbelvorsers (each 8) and Stepping Toes (7), but non connected writers like ridzerdvandijk.wordpress.com with 8 views and sneakytwistedlittlewildheart.wordpress.com (good for 6), entering the promissedland (5), discoveronething (5), eternalhunt (5) and some others bringing us each 4 or less viewers.

U.S. advertisement for the 11th edition from t...

U.S. advertisement for the 11th edition from the May 1913 issue of National Geographic Magazine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The most used search terms were ‘hoopvolle slogans’ and ‘bezinningsteksten zelfkritiek’ with each 3 hits.
We ourselves brought 110 readers to our other site “Our World” and for for other sources Wikipedia got 56 readers from us, whilst the Collins dictionary got 21 and the very good Encyclopaedia Britannica only 18 views. Abortion and crime rates by wordlifeandlight managed to get 6 views from us and Lizaborstlap received also 6 visitors, as far as we can see from our statistics.

imageThis last person who has always been a person with a to-do list is also one of the people who wanted to share some writing on this platform. But there were many days when she became a slave to her lists and she had to face that things don’t always happen as planned and that she would feel like a failure if she wasn’t able to cross out all the tasks that she allocated to a specific day.{a goal should scare you a little and excite you a Lot!}

She may perhaps had to become, like us, more specific and to be realistic in what she can (and can’t) achieve in one day; but we did want to reach so much and sometimes got frustrated not seeing our accomplishment for the day.

We are still looking for authors who would not mind to write about lifestyle, interior design, fashion, cooking, family life, gardening, nature and ecological matters and some persons who would not mind tackling the history and people who would love to write about education and health. There are so many subjects not covered yet by people who can tell more about it than we can.

From the end of 2016 onwards we added two viewpoints, namely two comparators, on one site the Muslim world and on the other site the Judaic world and traditions.

English: Monkeys Blogging Español: Simios blog...

English: Monkeys Blogging Español: Simios bloggeando (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We do know that certain subjects are not tackled here. Marcus Ampe would love to find some one talking about family matters, family life being one of the cornerstones of our society. To his regret he must also establish that in 2016 not enough regard was given to ecological matters. Man having to live in surroundings which are too polluted and which are filled with buildings and cars, but not given the freedom to have enough green to bring enlightenment and fresh air to people. It is really getting time that more people warn others about us, man, to take care of mother earth, before it is too late.

Whilst on WordPress in general 112 million posts were liked, we did not have many likes. 8 billion e-mails were send on WordPress, but in those there are not counted the very many e-mails we got in our own e-mail box, instead of reacting on the blog articles themselves. This is a pity, because other readers can not read the reactions and oh so often we have to reply to very similar questions, which is more time consuming than having a reply which can be read by thousands on the internet.

For 2017 may we hope that if there are even more articles written on the internet than the 595,795,035 posted on WordPress in 2016 and the huge amount of comments, making it up to 457,596,906 comments on WordPress, you shall be able to  find some very interesting articles and comments here too.

Donald Trump enters the Oscar De LA Renta Fash...

Donald Trump enters the Oscar De LA Renta Fashion Show, New York. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 2016 we saw that it is possible that those with the biggest mouth and do not mind trampling over many can get their cause. 2016 may have been a disastrous year on several issues and lots of important issues where not even mentioned or got not the right attention. For this new year we love to repeat our call to get more people daring to come out for the poor and the maltreated. We also once more want to ask people to wake up the majority of the population who still keeps their eyes closed for what is really going on in this world. There is a need of more people who are willing to stand up to preserve and encourage the progress of humanity while resisting the forces that threaten to turn it backwards.

We have to be very cautious for what certain people try to do with their nation but also with the world. As citizen we should be aware that politicians are nothing without their people and that folks if they really want can be much stronger than those politicians, who dare to look away from the citizen who needs help and encouragement. Those who call themselves Christian should be there to give a hand to all that need help, not forgetting nature, plants and animals who do not have a voice. therefore we do hope to find more blogs tackling their problem, and would love to have an author on ecology writing for us from this year onwards.

Without you reader we are nothing and can do nothing. We thank you for being here with us and for the followers we are grateful and do hope we can please you with a varied menu.

Wishing everyone a great 2017.

+

Preceding article

2014 in review

In 2015 finishing our first year: From Guestwriters 2015 in review

Pokémon craziness

2016 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Children of Men

Max Lucado: I Had a Dream That Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Reached a Truce

Leaders in disguise

Looking at man’s closest friend

Looking at an American nightmare

The twist of politics and expression

Tribes Redux

Darkest just before dawn

Bruxelles Ma Belle

Mountains of information, disinformation and breaking away

Women in France running with naked bosom all right but with covered bosom penalised

An American Embassy to the Eternal Capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem

Humanity Quote for Pax Populi

When will it stop

Not limiting others but sharing peace with all

Not missing your appointment in 2017

++

Additional reading

  1. EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) asylum seekers and Eastern neighbours
  2. At the closing hours of 2016 #1 Looking down at terror
  3. At the closing hours of 2016 #2 Low but also highlights
  4. Suffering brothers and sisters in Malawi, Mozambique and surrounding areas
  5. Not much interest for English articles
  6. From Bibles and other religious writings and those who witness for Jehovah
  7. 2016 American Bible survey
  8. On April 21 brother Nelson, in the world better known as Prince was lost
  9. Social media, sympathy & shocks
  10. Foreign workers and immigrants
  11. A stain of shame for the European Union
  12. Voted against their system
  13. A sleeper cell of militants was said directing attackers sent back to France from Islamic State’s de-facto capital in Raqqa, Syria
  14. Daesh hits heart of Europe
  15. Islamism Rises from Europe’s Secularism
  16. March 22 2016, attacks in Brussels at airport and metro
  17. A Black day for Belgium – Brussels Airport ravage
  18. Knife-trust in democratic sore back
  19. For those who call the Brussels Airport attacks a fake or a conspiracy of the government
  20. Terrorist attacks in brussels
  21. Silence, devotion, Salafists, quietists, weaponry, bombings, books, writers and terrorists
  22. US President, Barack Obama Condemns The Outrageous Brussels Attacks
  23. What Associated Press released on Wednesday 23 March 2016
  24. Mediterranean bloodshed
  25. Nice attack, terror everywhere and coup attempt in Turkey
  26. Is Europe going to become a dictatorial bastion
  27. French showing to the whole world their fear and weakness
  28. On French beach French police forces woman to undress in public
  29. France and the Burkini
  30. Secularism in France becoming dangerous for freedom of religion
  31. Christians, secularism, morals and values
  32. Listening to the lessons of the Bible and looking for ways to please God
  33. Where’s the Outrage Over Nun Beachwear? – The Daily Beast
  34. You are what you wear
  35. Does Banning Face Veils Help Us Fight Terrorism?
  36. Jews the next scapegoat for Donald Trump
  37. The American clouds of Anti-Semitism
  38. Blinded crying blue murder having being made afraid by a bugaboo
  39. The clean sweeper of the whole caboodle
  40. Trump has been buffetted by accusations of miscunduct
  41. Fearmongering succeeded and got the bugaboo a victory
  42. Are United States of America citizens going to show their senses
  43. When so desperate to hold onto power
  44. Some quotes Americans should remember when going to the ballot office
  45. Brexit and British business
  46. Brexit No. 2 Blow-up
  47. Nigel Farage called Donald Trump’s victory ‘bigger than Brexit’
  48. A strong and wise fighter who keeps believing in America
  49. Bosphorus bloodshed
  50. Belgian aftershock from the Turkish coup d’état

+++

Other WordPress bloggers looking back at 2016

  1. 2016 Year In Review (by Hunter Bonner)
  2. 16 things i learned in 2016
  3. 2016 was lighting candles to mourn, but it was also carrying torches high
  4. 2016: Year in Review (by Angela Classen)
  5. Hasta La Vista 2016!
  6. Top 10 Moments of 2016
  7. 2016 in Review (by Pastor Zach)
  8. A year in review
  9. 2016 in Review: Your Favorites, My Favorites
  10. 2016 Review (by Pliable)
  11. Tater’s 2016 In Review
  12. Best and worst reads of 2016
  13. Reflections and Resolutions for 2017
  14. 2016 Year in review book tag
  15. V’s Reading Year in Review: 2016
  16. 2016 Recap and 2017 Goals
  17. A Look Back at 2016
  18. 2016 in Review (by amanda)
  19. 2016 in review (by Katrin Ilves)
  20. My 2016 Freelancing Report: 28 Pitches Disappeared into a Black Hole (but I’m okay with that)
  21. 2016 Year in Review (by Trip accomplice)
  22. Honorable Mentions 2016
  23. 16 in 2016: Results
  24. 2016 Year in Review (by Abby)
  25. Looking Back at 2016…
  26. 2016 in the books
  27. My 2016 in Books and Graphic Novels, Part 1 of 2
  28. 2016 in Review (by Sarah)
  29. Best and Worst of 2016
  30. Sara Reads No. 17
  31. Two Thousand and Sixteen
  32. So Long 2016!
  33. 2016: The Book Fight! Year in Review
  34. Year In Review: Variety Edition
  35. 216 of 2016
  36. 2016 Year in Review (by Becker)
  37. 2016 Year in Review: A Year in Outfits
  38. 2016 In Review (by Leigh)
  39. 2016; What a Year
  40. A Look Back at 2016 and a Peek Forward at 2017
  41. 2016: Year in Pictures
  42. 2016 Year in Review – The Five Most Thrilling Action Scenes
  43. Looking Back on 2016 (by sip of star)
  44. 2016: Year in Review (by James)
  45. 2016 Year In Review (by alex)
  46. My Top Ten Books from 2016
  47. Top Ten Blogs of 2016
  48. vCloud Air: 2016 Year in Review
  49. 2016: Running Year in Review
  50. 2016: My Year in Review (by lurking)
  51. Things that were not garbage even though 2016 was
  52. Adelaide Etc in 201
  53. Looking at 2016
  54. Blogging Lessons of 2016
  55. 2017 New Year’s Resolutions
  56. 2016 in Review (by dgobs)
  57. 2016 – A Year in Review (by comics)
  58. 2016 in Review (by the Cappucino traveler)
  59. Highlights from 2016
  60. Life of Lizzie: 2016 In Review
  61. Top 10 Tuesday: Best Books of 2016
  62. 2016 Year in Review (by Library cancuck)
  63. The 2017 Post
  64. The best 15 posts of 2016
  65. 2016 Year in Review – Book Stats
  66. 2016 by the Numbers (by Melissa)
  67. Five 2016 singles that I find myself enjoying in 2016
  68. Happy 2017 From Still Chasing Fireflies!
  69. The Best Albums of 2016
  70. My 2016 in Books and Graphic Novels, Part 2 of 2
  71. 2016: Year in Review (by Natalieinne)
  72. 2016 in Books (by Stories)
  73. Year In Review: Kpop Edition
  74. 16 Things I Learned In 2016
  75. My Year In Re(ar)view
  76. 2016: Year in Review (by Kai)
  77. Foursquare/Swarm Year in Review
  78. What i learnt in 2016
  79. My Top Five Blog Posts of 2016 (and other highlights)
  80. Dear 2017 (by Sophia van Gent)
  81. Top Posts of 2016
  82. 2016 Year in Review (by Styled by Summer)
  83. The End Of Year Survey For 2016
  84. 2016 Year in Review (by Angela Chau)
  85. 2016 Year in Review (by LJT Reads)
  86. 2016: A Year in Review (by Zaweebie)
  87. 2016: A Bookish Retrospective
  88. 2016: A Review (by Jazmin)
  89. Goodbye 2016
  90. The scariest post I’ve ever written: my favorite reads in 2016
  91. 2016 Year in Review
  92. The Ups and Downs of 2016 – The Year in Review
  93. 2016, A Year in Review: a yer of ups and downs
  94. My Year In Review. Mom Fashion Style
  95. One of My Favorite Things
  96. 2016 Year In Review (by Ashley)
  97. 2016, By the Numbers
  98. Alt-Right 2016: The Current Year in Review
  99. Year in review: 2016 Top Ten Conspiracies
  100. 7 Global Health Breakthroughs: A Year in Review
  101. ABC s of 2016
  102. 2016 #DiversityJC – Ian’s Year-End Review
  103. 2016 Year in Review-it was interesting
  104. “Reflecting on 2016” part 2 = My Biggest Disappointments
  105. 9 Reasons Why 2016 Was Pretty Great
  106. Top 6 of 2016
  107. 2016 in review (by BamBam)
  108. 2016 Year In Review: The Good, The Bad And The Deaths
  109. Breakaway 2016 – A Year In Review
  110. Trump, Prince, and Queen Elizabeth: 2016’s most-read Wikipedia articles
  111. 2016: Sustainable Nano Year in Review
  112. Quiz of the Year Response!
  113. Hello 2017! (by spina squared)
  114. 2016 in Review: A Year on Staff
  115. Looking Back on 2016 (by Melissa Burgess)
  116. 2016 – A Moment a Month
  117. My Blog in 2016 (by MS.L. Wheeler)
  118. 2016 Year in Review (by Ingrid Racine)
  119. My Year in Books 2016
  120. Best Books of 2016 (by Gwen)
  121. 2016 in Review by Ellie Pelto)
  122. 22: Books I read last year
  123. Comics Update: My Current Lineup and 2016 Pros & Cons
  124. 2016 #DiversityJC – Doctor_PMS’s Year End Review
  125. Top Ten Books of 2016
  126. Top 16 of 2016
  127. 2016 in Film
  128. Reader’s Room Winter Challenge
  129. My Tweets in 2016 #MTBoS
  130. 16 great things from 2016
  131. Jim Ryan: Looking Back At The Year in Music
  132. New Year : Noob Year
  133. My One Word for 2017: Onward
  134. New Year Blog – Revising 2016, and Looking Forward to 2017
  135. 2016 Year in Books
  136. 2016 Law Review
  137. 2016 – A Year in Review (by Rob P)
  138. Softimage mailing 2016 year in review
  139. Top 8 of 2016: Art Highlights
  140. Rowls- 2016 year in review
  141. Faves of 2016: Nonfiction
  142. 2016 My Year in Review:  My Top Ten Personal Lessons/Observations
  143. Goodbye 2016 (by Allison Anti Quotidian)
  144. 2016 Year in Review (by Kialtho)
  145. A Year In Review
  146. My goals for 2017
  147. Yeah, 2017!
  148. 2016 Year In Review (It Sucked But I Read A Lot)
  149. Tart ISBI: Year in Review, 2016
  150. 2017 A Year of Light in Action
  151. fifty things that made my year, 2016
  152. You are (20)16 going on (20)17
  153. 2016: Amazing Year in Review
  154. Goodbye 2016
  155. 2016 Book Archive
  156. 2016: Stronger Together
  157. a year in the life
  158. 2016 Was interesting
  159. 2016 Costuming Year in Review
  160. Learn How to Better Engage Your Child with a Year in Review Activity
  161. The Obsessive Viewer Podcast – Ep 199 – 2016 Year in Review – Best and Worst Movies of the Year and Viewing Stats
  162. Looking back at 2016
  163. 2016 in Music: Shock and Awe
  164. Look back, leap forward
  165. Were You Ready To Close Your Book?
  166. 2017 (by Andrew Reynolds)
  167. 2016 In Review (by Aaron Mallett)
  168. My 2016 at the Movies, Part 1 of 2: The Year’s Least Best
  169. Ten Moments in GH music: 2016
  170. Anime of the Year: CJ Hitchcock’s Top 5 Anime of 2016
  171. 2016 Reflections
  172. Year in Review/Shit for 2017
  173. 2016 Year in Review (by Dan Guido)
  174. January 9: Warmer Weather Ahead, Looking Back At 2016
  175. 2017 – a year in review
  176. Annual Statement of Goals, 2017 Edition
  177. 2016 Reading Challenge – final report
  178. New Year, New baby, new outlook
  179. 2016 Beer in Review
  180. Happy 2017
  181. NFL Year in Review
  182. Tag – Year-end Superlative Tag
  183. Yearly Wrap-Up! || 2016
  184. 2016 in Books
  185. End of Year Survey; 2016
  186. 2016 Year In Review (by Run Wright)
  187. 2016 Year in Review (a crazy year for bad literature)
  188. Some Days in 2016
  189. Twenty-sixteen: that’s a wrap
  190. 2016 in review (by Mara Thang)
  191. My 2016 at the Movies, Part 2 of 2: The Year’s Least Worst
  192. 2016: A Yer in review (all in one)
  193. My Writing Year – 2016 In Review
  194. Endings & Beginnings
  195. 2016 Year In Review! (by circling around the sun)
  196. The year of many firsts
  197. Goodbye 2016 – Hello 2017
  198. 2016 – A Year In Review
  199. Two Years Gone By
  200. translate.wordpress.com in 2016
  201. Welcoming the light
  202. My Bookish Year 2016
  203. 2016 Pop Culture Year in Review
  204. Short stories I read and loved in 2016
  205. Set It Off: My Writing Goals for 2017
  206. Goodbye 2016
  207. 2016 By The Numbers
  208. 2016 In review (the Mic is the message)
  209. 2016 in Review (by Cindy)
  210. Erin Blogs 2016 in Review
  211. High Five For 2016!
  212. 2016 Round up
  213. 2016: Year in Reading
  214. 2016: looking back
  215. So That Was 2016..Year in Review
  216. 2016
  217. Year In Review – 2016 (by atop the clouds)

+++

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

28 Comments

Filed under Activisme & Vredeswerk, Announcement, Crimes & Atrocities, Ecological affairs, Economical affairs, Headlines - News, History, Lifestyle, Political affairs, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs, Welfare matters, World affairs

Why are you afraid?

2001 September 9 was the day the world changed totally, for the Western world. A shock-wave of fear started to go from one nation to the other from the West to the East, bringing horrible terrorist attacks in America, Spain, France, Belgium but also further in the East where Islam and Hinduism are practised more.

In our regions lots of people are caught by the trap of fear and by the persuasion by politicians and terrorists alike.

Those who misuse the name of Allah/God want not only to hit those who do not believe in God. They also want to frighten those who believe in God and want to bring them away form their faith-group giving in to those who show the strongest.

We always should know that we should not fear man, but more fear God and should listen to His commandments.

When taken by fear for what goes on around us let us always remind ourselves what Jeshua thought and find peace in our hearts by giving ourselves to the Only One True God.

*

We got to hear a lot of spectacular things that happened in the past, which went beyond man’s power. Today still the majority of people do not believe in those miraculous things that happened in the past. but they also are blind for the miraculous things that still happen every day in this time space.

Strangely enough often people only go looking for God, or start blaming God, when things go wrong. During those bad times that we’re looking for Him we are given the opportunity to get to know god better and to grow in faith.

We all should remember that god is willing to come to those who search Him.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Today’s guest-writer who at the age of 36 was diagnosed with a terminal disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” (after the famous New York Yankee’s player that died from it), did not let his illness get him down on his knees forgetting how even he also could help many people. Not being pushed back by his health crisis impacting his emotional as well as his financial life.

He became fully aware how our emotional and spiritual life and our relationships etc.,

“Every part of our lives” are connected to one another like parts of an engine and one part breaking effects the performance of the whole engine.

Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses, knowing that he would be limited in his walk and handling, his trial has taught his family that the only way to experience genuine and consistent hope, peace and joy in the midst of a trial is to view our life and situation through God’s eyes.

He writes

For me, learning this was a long and difficult, but rewarding process; an ongoing process that will continue to the day I go to be with God. {About Bill}

Several people may undergo lots of physical problems, being sick and time after time to recover from this health issue. At such moments it is important to continue your way and to come out of your battle feeling spiritually stronger than you were before your battle with

that which did not kill me.” {Trials Can Make Us Stronger}

As someone who has relied on caregivers for even longer than Nietzsche had to (ALS, not Syphilis), our guest-writer empathize with the helpless, the suffering and their caregivers. But feels great sympathy for those that do not place their hope and strength in Christ, regardless of the state of their health. He writes

I feel sympathy because, like Nietzsche, the “strength” and “hope” that they derive from physical/temporal pleasures do not provide genuine and lasting joy or peace. As King Solomon concluded, it’s “all vanity.” {Trials Can Make Us Stronger}

On one of his articles Dawn Marie answers:

“If Christ is our hope, the pleasures we enjoy on earth will be so much more enjoyable …”

I thanked God yesterday for: bringing us to a new home where we are within walking distance of a Ice Cream Store, the new grass growing outside that’s beginning to cover up the mud, my new hospice patient who is the biggest Army football fan I’ve ever met, and the strength to console our son who is suffering through a broken, discinigrating marriage. How is it that a God so big can love someone as small as me so much to bring me His hope in ALL which touches me.

In these days were the west seems to be tested a lot, those trials may force us off of the proverbial fence.

Tested faith is enduring and overcoming faith; it’s faith that can empathize with and encourage others who find themselves in the midst of a raging storm – those who are feeling as if Jesus is asleep in the boat.

+

Preceding articles:

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Nailed to our chairs, never to forget

The Nine Eleven Scar

Taste of Dust

A Prayer for 9-11

When will it stop

Next: Life Goes On

++

Additional articles:

  1. Stronger than anything that wants to destroy
  2. Economic crisis danger for the rise of political extremism
  3. A world with or without religion
  4. Being Charlie 8
  5. For more than Three thousand people fifteen years ago this world came to an end
  6. Wrong choices made to get rid of Assad
  7. Coming closer to the end of 2015 and the end for Donald Trump as presidential candidate
  8. 2015 Human rights
  9. 2015 the year of ISIS

+++

Save

Save

Unshakable Hope

“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” (Matt 8:24-:26) 

I suppose that even the most faith-filled Christian would experience some level of fear if they found themselves in a situation like the above. But I know that a doctor delivering news of a life-threatening diagnosis, a loss of a job and insensitive debt-collectors calling day-after-day, can instill that same kind of “Save us, Lord; we are perishing” fear.

Unfortunately, we don’t really know if we have genuine faith until that faith is tested. I believe this is the reason that Jesus allowed His disciples, and us, to go through so many of these nail-biting…

View original post 462 more words

9 Comments

Filed under Being and Feeling, Crimes & Atrocities, Lifestyle, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs

A Prayer for 9-11

God Squad

world-trade-center-9-11-crossHeavenly Father and Precious Lord, we seek you and your healing mercy.

As fifteen years pass, we remember the pain and suffering of a horrible day. We remember the loss of life, the destruction, and the chaos of that fateful morning. Sorrow remains. Grief returns. Heartache and despair weigh us down.

Almighty God comfort and calm our souls. Turn our hearts into an altar where healing can take place. Transform our spirits into a place of peace. Allow restoration and redemption in our lives. We are a people who need you and your presence.

Give us strength to perform your will. Allow us to move forward as a renewed people. Keep us bold, strong, and true. Just like clay on the potter’s wheel, shape us and mold us into a new creation, one that continues to show your glory.

As conflicts remain and others begin, protect our warriors in harm’s…

View original post 63 more words

3 Comments

Filed under Activism and Peace Work, Crimes & Atrocities, Prayers, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs

The Nine Eleven Scar

A poet who likes walking in this life, wonders “What if“. In 2015 it is possible he went to the big Apple.

To stay in Manhattan, New York state,

Character, charm, living amongst the local,

Part of the sights, smell, sound and vocal {Scam Proof}

Perhaps not intended to reflect on what happened in New York, bu we would like to quote

A nightmare not ending with daylight and waking,

Can you hear their cries, blown by the wind to you?

If you aren’t listening, then listen now, please do. {Kidnapping Is Not Okay}

For thousand still the cries go on. Many still hear the fire, the cracking of the walls. Others also wonder if nobody could have know known that Al Qaeda was planning terrorists acts on Western soil.

Others doubt the reality of damage by two planes crashing in those buildings and bringing so much damage. They created conspiracy theories. Others want to blame the architects and builders for the deaths, collapsing buildings, the lot.

When putting the question “What if” we also can say  “Would you” and wondering who and when would be to blame. We also could question

Would you still think genuine ….

Would you blame the deaths of the innocent on Israel, the lot?

What if you don’t know, WHAT?

What if you don’t know a whole lot?

What if?

Horror, outraged shock,

That the impenetrable rock,

Was invincible?

+

Preceding articles:

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Nailed to our chairs, never to forget

What we do

++

Additional reading

For more than Three thousand people fifteen years ago this world came to an end

+++

Further reading

  1. Fall of 2001, the year high school began
  2. September Eleven Twenty-Oh-One
  3. Stories from 9/11
  4. The Falling Man
  5. Remember (an acrostic poem)
  6. September 11th 
  7. Voices of the firefighters in the South Tower moments before collapse
  8. Firefighter Honors The Fallen On 9/11 By Climbing 110 Flights On The Stair Stepper In Full Gear
  9. 9-11
  10. 9/11 by Edel Rosso
  11. 9/11: Never Forget (Messina)
  12. 9/11: The Day We Drank from the Same Fountain
  13. 9/11 Never Forget (Poetry Pants blog)
  14. Remember That Day In September
  15. Remember, Remember, the 11th of September
  16. In Memory: Every Life
  17. Reflecting on Trauma
  18. Few Words As I Reflect On 9/11
  19. The Time Given to Us
  20. 15 Years Ago… I Remember 
  21. 15 Years Later, We Remember
  22. Observations on 9/11/16
  23. What I Remember on 9/11
  24. I remember… 
  25. 9/11: I will always remember
  26. the need to remember the need to remember
  27. The Day the Towers Fell
  28. 15 Years
  29. 15 years after 9/11, hate and bigotry have gone mainstream
  30. Life, gone
  31. Father Mychal’s Last Homily
  32. Where were you?
  33. I Was Five… (Remembering 9/11)
  34. Truther Dialogue: The 9/11 Shock Waves Theory
  35. Music Conquers All: Remembering 9/11
  36. 9/11: Why Adults Get Frustrated When You Say You “Get It”
  37. September 11th Remembered: Through the Eyes of my Father and I
  38. September 11 Thoughts
  39. Proud to be an American
  40. Sen. Bob Graham Exposes FBI Abuses and Again Calls for Full Investigation of Saudis at Florida
  41. Bulldog Conference
  42. 9/11 Memorial Lights
  43. Fear and Loathing: Ten for Today
  44. 15 years ago America was attacked by terrorist. Sadly, we’re now destroying America ourselves.
  45. Mensajes de los famosos con motivo del 15 aniversario del 9/11

+++

whileiwalk

Horror, outraged shock,

That the impenetrable rock,

Was invincible and that,

No matter what colour hat,

Evil could touch the I, you,

With nothing much to do,

At work, in office tower,

Making all tremble, cower,

On land, air, anywhere,

First class, economy fare,

Blind hatred, isms all,

United for crash and fall,

Of foundations of good,

For which America stood,

Fifteen years however far,

In its wake, unhealing scar,

The Evil that day unfurled,

Stole the innocence of the world.

View original post

3 Comments

Filed under Being and Feeling, Crimes & Atrocities, Poetry - Poems, Political affairs, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

When people are hit with something terrible, or something they cannot grasp, they suddenly seem to look for a Higher Being that they can blame or that should find a solution for the agony they are feeling and the trouble they have to face.

When fifteen years later an adolescent remembers that when he was a seven years old how the country returned to God, there must have been a remarkable shift in the way people around him spoke about God and went to worship services. When we hear that the Americans “As a nation hit their knees, and drew close to God.” We may wonder where their feeling is for that same God. How quickly have they forgotten Him.

At the day itself many could not grasp what was happening an how such a terrible thing could happen. For thousands it was a nightmare which seem to take hundreds of hours. For many it was also something that only the day after could start to really sink in.

“It’s not until after you close your eyes and your body finally succumbs to sleep. You awaken in the morning to the stark reality. It’s true. It really happened. You get to make the realization all over again. Somehow the roots start to take hold. Before maybe it still could have been a dream.” {The Day After}

The United States, Canada and Europe were shaken and got an infuse of nitrogen. The acts of terrorism running through the blood vessels. Every month there was something new to remember them that they had come in a stage which would not end so soon. The sharp knife was cutting through the Western flesh, the poisonous arrow in their soul.

A wife, mother, daughter, friend, and doctor has this unyielding desire to help people fulfil their potential. In her blog she wants to to express what is not discussed by the professionals in the medical field. She always hate it when a movie or story has a dream sequence.

 It’s always during that part of the story that just can’t be real, the most horrifying part, the death, the carnage, the loss.  And then the hero wakes up.  None of it was true.  It was all a dream.  Except in life, that never really happens.  The truth is the truth.  You don’t get to shake it off.  You don’t get to say, oh wow, thank God that was just a dream!  No.  Reality is often much worse than that. {The Day After}

For that doctor

The day after a tragedy is probably one of the longest days on earth.  It feels like walking through thick smoke, breathing in thick dust, feeling the heat of flames licking at your face.  Wandering.  Lost.  Confusion.  Why?  Could I have done something?  Could the tragedy have been stopped?  If only I knew something was wrong. {The Day After}

Lots of people wondered what went wrong and how this could happen at the beginning of the 21st century.

Vipers saw their chance to tell people of all falsehoods. With devious talk they could put people to their will. By now so many have fallen in their trap.

Question now is how shall the next generation look at those events that changed the Western world and how shall the youngsters carry with them what they saw when their eyes were too young to see such horror?

We can only hope they shall be able to analyse it with refreshed eyes and tackle it better than those who then where so much taken by fear, they even when they so called had found God again, did so many things against the Will and against the commandments of that God.

The terror is not gone yet, and it will stay some longer time with us than we would love it to do. It has been a nightmare which has become daily reality. And we have to learn to live with it.

*

Jecelyn Ann does not remember what anyone on the news was saying, but for her , like many all over the world, the image of the New York Twin Towers since 1973, falling will be forever burned into her brain.  She is now 21 and lives in Northern CA. She has a lot of interests and dearly loves life, and whatever she does she wants to do it with great passion and intensity. Fifteen years ago she stood in shock as she watched the Apple’s symbol “crumble again and again and again”.

+

Preceding articles:

Nailed to our chairs, never to forget

What we do

++

Read also

  1. Of old and new ideas to sustain power and to feel good by loving to be connected and worship something
  2. Knife-trust in democratic sore back
  3. Don’t be Muslim
  4. Father explaining Paris attack to young son
  5. Before you blame All Muslims for the terrorist attack in Paris
  6. For more than Three thousand people fifteen years ago this world came to an end

+++

Further reading

  1. Voices of the firefighters in the South Tower moments before collapse
  2. Photo: Firefighter’s Workout Honors 9/11
  3. 911
  4. New York City: 9/11
  5. 9/11
  6. Remember 9/11
  7. Remembering 9/11
  8. Where were you when the world stopped turning?
  9. What I Remember on 9/11
  10. The Day After – Looking Back
  11. 9/11 — Former CIA Boss John McLaughlin: “So, that’s it.”
  12. Sept. 11 Legacy: One Endless War Against Many Radical Enemies
  13. What Happened on the Planes on September 11, 2001? The 9/11 Commission “Script” Was Fabricated
  14. Guest Post – Remembering 9/11 – Laura Bloom
  15. 9/11 official story problem
  16. 15 Years After 9/11, a Sharp Partisan Divide on Ability of Terrorists to Strike U.S.
  17. I Was Five… (Remembering 9/11)
  18. September 11th Remembered: Through the Eyes of my Father and I
  19. September 12, 12:47 AM.
  20. To: Me, From: September 11
  21. More about that Tuesday
  22. 58 long, dark nights for America: Pneumonia and solemnity
  23. in honor and remembrance, we will never forget
  24. Yale University to hold 9/11 ceremony mourning the loss of victims
  25. Local 9/11 victim remembered at Waikiki banyan tree ceremony
  26. DayBreaks for 9/12/16 – Children of 9/12
  27. Further and Close
  28. #NeverForget
  29. 9/11: In Remembrance
  30. Truth About 9/11
  31. Reflecting
  32. 9/11 to heal
  33. False Alarm
  34. Fighting Fear with Love
  35. 15 years ago America was attacked by terrorist. Sadly, we’re now destroying America ourselves.
  36. Nineeleven – herinneringen

+++

Jecelyn Ann

September 11th, 2001. I was seven years old. I was young, but that is a day I will never forget. I remember walking out to the living room and standing in front of the television. I stood in shock as I watched the towers crumble again and again and again. I don’t remember what anyone on the news was saying or what my parents were doing, but the image of the towers falling will be forever burned into my brain. They played it over and over and over. The fire, the smoke, and then straight down they fell. I’m still broken hearted about the lives that were lost that day.

Then everything changed. I remember trick or treating seven weeks later, and parents were being warned about possible anthrax attacks halloween night. There were so many warnings about anthrax in the months following the attack. I remember thinking over what…

View original post 166 more words

4 Comments

Filed under Being and Feeling, Crimes & Atrocities, History, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs, World affairs

Taste of Dust

Today’s poem comes from “an old Texan punk” who is “trying to make it in this sea of madness” and as an infinitesimal point may sometimes come to a point of explosion. {Singularity} With the knowledge that this universe is a part of him, voice of a pulsar, burning across the empty spaces, he looks at the past, whilst he might feel the mourning sing, vibrations in the dawn, o’er the graying mountains, blue faces have now gone. {Morning of Mourning}

+

Preceding: Nailed to our chairs, never to forget

++

Additional reading

For more than Three thousand people fifteen years ago this world came to an end

+++

Further reading

  1. Thoughts on This Day
  2. September 11
  3. When everything stood still
  4. 9/11 – One of the darkest, terrible times for America
  5. The Day America Was Attacked/Special Tribute to 9/11 by Budweiser Clydesdale’s
  6. 9/11 by Le Mailoa
  7. 9/11 by
  8. 15 Years
  9. Survival
  10. 9/11 health crisis: death toll from illness nears number killed on day of attacks
  11. Of 9/11, Sully, and Hope
  12. 9/11 – 15Years Later
  13. The 15th Anniversary of 9/11 – We Continue to Remember
  14. 9/11: Fifteen Years at War
  15. In Rememberance Of
  16. Remembering September 11, 2001 – The Jumpers
  17. This year, it’s different…
  18. Sing ‘N Celebrate, Sept. 11th at 5-6pm
  19. A Prayer for 9-11
  20. Changed Forever
  21. Remember and Never Forget…
  22. Where Were You?
  23. In Memoriam
  24. The day before September 12th
  25. The path not chosen after 9/11
  26. Facebook’s trending topics algorithm puts hoax story about 9/11 at top
  27. The “self-righteous American” Facebook posts have got to stop
  28. A Call To Action On Solemn Anniversary Of 9/11
  29. 9/11 Blog Hop
  30. 9/11: 15 Years Later
  31. 15th anniversary of 9/11: How al-Qaeda’s attacks have changed the world
  32. 4. i never forget.
  33. DPF / Szymborska
  34. Somber Tributes Held Nationwide, Locally To Mark 9/11 Anniversary
  35. Hillary Clinton Left The 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony Early After Feeling ‘Overheated’
  36. Moving 9/11 Tribute Set To The Sounds Of Silence by Disturbed #NeverForget
  37. The enduring traumas of September 11
  38. Where I was on 9/11
  39. It’s 9/11
  40. Tuesday Morning
  41. Hace 15 años que sucedió el ataque terrorista en Nueva York.
  42. The refugee crisis, rising terrorism and seeking reconciliation wisdom

RamJet Poetry

111229095637-9-11-memorial-story-top.jpg

World’s twin bastions

wounded phoenixes

ridden by shadows

plummet on evil wind

casting thunder into cloudless sky

a quaking of steel roots

and iron limbs

downtown sandstorm in the boroughs

the taste of dust

and ashes in my mouth

Pulverulent colossi groaning from

the bloody hands of undead men, 

tainting a loving belief

seek with daggers of speed

to murder those pictures

of an ideal

The hymn of great sorrows

mirrored in every home

victims and heroes all

lay down that eve in burial shroud

the taste of tears and ashes

in our mouthes 

And where

do good men seek

a reason for atrocity bound

innocence claimed for naught

but the taste of dust

and ashes

fires burned at the peaks

broken angels falling to earth

and all who bore witness

could do naught but weep

for what was undone

a kingdom forever changed

by the taste of dust

and…

View original post 74 more words

2 Comments

Filed under Poetry - Poems, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs, World affairs

Nailed to our chairs, never to forget

When the World Stood Still ..

15 years ago we heard incredible news of a “severe accident”. The news went out that a terrible accident happened in New York which was sent out on television live. We could not believe what happened so rushed to the television to see what was going on.

At 8:46 a.m. local time a Boeing 767 aircraft, which had departed Logan Airport at 7:59 a.m. en route to Los Angeles flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre in New York City. The images went viral all over the world. And while we were watching we saw again a plan flying in the other tower. This unmistakably gave us the idea this could not just be co-incidence but had to be something very well prepared.

The pictures we came to see at at 9:03 a.m. will be crafted in our heads for years. when we heard that 34 minutes later a plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia we thought a war had commenced in the United States of America. this time it was a plane that had departed from Washington Dulles International Airport at 8:20 a.m. en route to Los Angeles with a crew of six and 58 ‘passengers’.

Alarming enough, whilst we saw those two New York giant symbols burning, flashes of ‘fighting passengers’ on an other plane reached our European living rooms. Some very brave men and women attempted to subdue the hijackers of the Newark International Airport – San Francisco flight and avoided an other disaster crashing the Boeing 757 into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m..

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had already grounded all civilian aircraft within the continental U.S. at At 9:42 a.m., and civilian aircraft already in flight were told to land.immediately. International flights where requested not to enter the American airspace. Those who had left already for the States were redirected to airports in Canada or Mexico, and were banned from landing on United States territory for three days.

Panic started to grow and a lot of diverse messages were spread across the net, bringing a lot of confusing and having wondering millions of people what was going on. the pilots must have had everything under control, but than they were not just American civilians who liked to get their passengers safe to their destination. This time destination was really hell.
It was beyond what came to see the world. This was not normal any more. Unbelievable also how the two towers collapsed.

English: New York, NY, September 28, 2001 -- D...

New York, NY, September 28, 2001 — Debris on surrounding roofs at the site of the World Trade Center. Photo by Andrea Booher/ FEMA News Photo Français : Débris sur les toits entourant le site du World Trade Center. 28 Septembre 2001. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For sure nobody in the planes could survive, but then we saw the battle for survival, people jumping out of windows stories high, no chance to survive such fall. Since the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 this was to become the most deadliest foreign attack on American soil. This time having victims from more than 90 countries in one day in one nation resulting in the deaths of 2,996 people and more than 6,000 wounded, leaving thousands of families deranged with irreparable emotional pain. It took until March 20, 2015 to have the 1,640th victim being identified, still leaving 1,113 victims unidentified.

You may wonder if we may forget this. I do find not. We always should remember.

But that does not mean we should remember only that horror that took place on that day in September 2001. We should also remember the countless stories of the incredible brave people who came to help those in need. Many firefighters lost their lives (343) not been able to have rescued more souls. Also 72 law enforcement officers, 55 military personnel, and the 19 terrorists died in the attacks.

In Arlington County, Virginia, 125 Pentagon workers lost their lives when Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the building. Of these, 70 were civilians and 55 were military personnel, many of them who worked for the United States Army or the United States Navy. The Army lost 47 civilian employees, six civilian contractors, and 22 soldiers, while the Navy lost six civilian employees, three civilian contractors, and 33 sailors. Seven Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) civilian employees were also among the dead in the attack, as well as an Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) contractor.
Lieutenant General Timothy Maude, an Army Deputy Chief of Staff, was the highest-ranking military official killed at the Pentagon. {Free Encyclopedia Wikipedia}

This we should remember, that it is possible that terrorists are capable to work for years at a destroying program. That such vicious people can be patiently enough to take their time and to infiltrate many systems.

But we should be careful not to let ourselves to be carried away becoming of the same flesh as those terrorists. We must all such candidates show that we are made of a much stronger soul and that we let ourselves not being carried away by undermining ideas letting ourselves to become  infected by the hatred that drives a terrorist, by the racism that drove the Nazis and seems to drive many today again.

We must give clear signals to the outer-world, to the people around us, to politicians, to terrorists, that we want to strive for a peaceful world where many religious and non-relgious people can live together with their different cultures not asphyxiating them but enlightening them. Today we should stand strong and show aspirant terrorist and racists that those senseless hatreds are not what we want and which we must blot out forever. Being aware what man can do to himself we must strive to remember what it is to suffer, to remember what terrorism and genocide really look like.

***

***

Find also to read

  1. Bloggers For Peace
  2. US poverty worse than previous recessions
  3. Louise Weiss building and towers after Ziggurat Babel
  4. Stronger than anything that wants to destroy
  5. Economic crisis danger for the rise of political extremism
  6. Being Charlie 8
  7. Wrong choices made to get rid of Assad
  8. Coming closer to the end of 2015 and the end for Donald Trump as presidential candidate
  9. 2015 the year of ISIS
  10. 2015 Human rights
  11. 2015 Film
  12. A world with or without religion
  13. When will it stop

+++

Further reading

  1. My Twin Towers Memories
  2. World Trade Center–South Tower
  3. The Twin Towers Before & After September 11th Attacks: Looking Back
  4. On the Eve of 9/11
  5. WTC 2001
  6. 9/11
  7. 9/11 by Anastasia Nicole Elisabeth
  8. 9/11 by Big T Books
  9. 9/11 by Bob Mitchell
  10. 9/11 by J Blattblog
  11. 9/11 Was  Fifteen Years Ago #9/11 #NewYork #USA #NayabChohan #TemplateNews #DistantEchoes #NayabChohanLive
  12. 9/11 -On the 15th Anniversary
  13. On 9/11 anniversary, sculptor Schmalz seeks to depict the love that can save even a terrorist
  14. 9/11 Remembered . . . 
  15. Why would anyone fly a plane into a building?
  16. My September 11 Story
  17. Watch: September 11, 2001 Live News Coverage as It Happened
  18. Watch: 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks [Videos]
  19. 9/11 – 15 Year Anniversary
  20. We remember 15 years ago …
  21. Why You’d Never Get Lost in NYC – 9/11
  22. 9/11: perspective of a retired firefighter
  23. 9/11 Pentagon Victims: Who Died at the Pentagon on September 11?
  24. Israel Did 9/11
  25. FBI Agent John O’Neill Warned of Al Qaeda Threat Long Before He Was Killed on 9/11
  26. Senator Markey Leads Resolution Honoring Flight Attendants And Pilots On 9/11 Anniversary
  27. Flags to be lowered and moment of silence to remember Sept. 11
  28. Nation Just Goes Ahead And Decides ‘Freedom Prevails Over Hate’ Is Lesson Of 9/11
  29. 15 Years Later: Remembering 9/11
  30. Never Forget
  31. Where I was on 9/11
  32. #NeverForget My 9/11 Story
  33. Remember
  34. I Remember 9/11.
  35. Fifteen
  36. “Fifteen Years”
  37. 15 Years
  38. 15 years ago…
  39. 9/11 15 years On
  40. 15th Anniversary of 9/11
  41. Fifteen 9/11’s
  42. 15 Years Later, Obama Extends 9/11 ‘National Emergency’ To Justify A Perpetual War On Terror
  43. First Responders From 9/11, San Bernardino Attacks Come Together
  44. Remembering 9/11 on the 15th Anniversary
  45. My Experiences During 9/11
  46. My Family And 9/11
  47. Never Forget 9/11
  48. History
  49. Taste of Dust
  50. Waste Places
  51. When the World Stood Still ..
  52. “Everyone had all these questions:” Local first responders recall where they were on 9/11
  53. 9/11 Quotes From Survivors, Bush and Family Members of Victims
  54. 9/11 Jumpers: Remembering the Victims of September 11th
  55. Photos: 9/11 Newspaper Headlines
  56. Blind man tells how his guide dog saved him from World Trade Center during 9/11 attacks
  57. Remembering 9/11
  58. Remembering 9/11, Obama Set To Slap America In The Face Again
  59. The Kindness of Strangers in a World of Pain
  60. Modern Courage
  61. Fifteen Years Later
  62. September 11th: 15 years later
  63. September 11 15th Anniversary: 30 Pictures We’ll Never Forget
  64. September 11: Bible Verses of Peace on 9/11 15th Anniversary
  65. Ep 335 The Annual 9/11 Remembrance
  66. I Will Never Forget
  67. September 11, 2001 – We Will Never Forget
  68. Never Forget: New York, NY 2001 & Bengahzi, Libya 2012
  69. Dallas Memorial Stair Climb Remembers 9/11
  70. Bucks County Remembers 9/11 Victims
  71. Black and White Sunday: Infrared & Rememberance
  72. Someone Had My Back…
  73. In Those Moments
  74. Remembering 9/11 by Sojourners heart song
  75. 9/11 is the day I lost my grandmother
  76. Seeing It All With Ingeborg Lariby
  77. On this day… (by Anne Marie)
  78. New York Fire Fighter Blocks Out ‘Christian’ Hate Preacher Outside World Trade Centre #9/11 #NewYork #USA #NayabChohan #TemplateNews #DistantEchoes #NayabChohanLive
  79. Why They Remember Witnessing 9/11
  80. Robert Milnes Recalls 9/11
  81. Remembering 9/11/01 From Our Y108 Studios
  82. 9/11 Memorial Service, National Cathedral, 2001
  83. A 9/11 tribute album: Ave Maria Mass & Suite For The Americas
  84. Haunting and beautiful: Jewish prayer for the dead of 9/11
  85. Praise Poems: Jesus walked through flames for us.
  86. I am Grateful That God Is…
  87. Sunday Matinée
  88. 9/11 Anniversary: Look Back At Ellen DeGeneres’ Opening Of the 2001 Emmys
  89. Nostalgia: On the 15th Anniversary of 9/11
  90. 9/11 fifteen years later: Who were the terrorists that planned the attack?
  91. 9/11 videos that question the official narrative…
  92. Unison – Day 9
  93. A Helluva Town
  94. Every. Vote. Matters. – How to vote from abroad
  95. What the Canadian Saw on 9/11/01
  96. Happy (?) September 11: How Does it Look From India
  97. Charlie, Will, Bob…and Jamie
  98. Saint Mychal Judge
  99. Saint of 9/11: Remembering Fr. Mychal Judge as a Gay Priest
  100. From the ruins and ashes, much was raised.
  101. And so just what did we learn from 9/11? In some ways not much…
  102. Guardian “Facebook fact-check ” on 9/11 – every bit as poor as you would expect
  103. Obama Faces Humiliation After House Unanimously Passes Bill Allowing Sept 11 Lawsuits Against Saudi Arabia, by Tyler Durden
  104. Why After 15 Years Isn’t 9/11 a Federal Holiday?
  105. 9/11 ~ United We Stand, Divided We Fall
  106. September & After
  107. After September 11th, the U.S. loses its mind
  108. In Memoriam – 11/9/2016
  109. 15 Years (on Michael’s monologue)
  110. 15 Years Ago by Michael Gurley
  111. Parents of 9/11 victim turn pain into purpose: “We have sought to pay tribute to our son”
  112. Memories and thoughts of 9/11
  113. As You Were
  114. Cherry Hill Residents Look Back And Remember September 11, 2001
  115. Finishing the Climb: Local First Responders Memorialize 9/11’s Fallen
  116. Iconic 9/11 flag, missing for years, returns to New York City
  117. 15 Years after a struggle of 13 years
  118. Subway car pulled from World Trade Center goes on display
  119. Mood.
  120. Flags placed on Statehouse lawn honoring those who died on 9/11
  121. September 11 Again
  122. why we’re covering 9/11 fifteen years on
  123. September 11
  124. 9/11 Unhappy Anniversary
  125. Remember always – 11 September 2001
  126. 9/11 Fifteen Years After…
  127. 9/11 Fifteen years on
  128. USA: 9/11 – 15 Years On
  129. September, 11th, 2001 – We Will Never Forget
  130. Never Forget
  131. 9/11 Fifthteenth Anniversary
  132. Where Were We on 9/11/01?
  133. 9/11… We Remember
  134. That day, fifteen years ago.
  135. 9/11 by Histories by sorts
  136. Artwork of the Day: Twin Towers Liberty

+++

8 Comments

Filed under Being and Feeling, Crimes & Atrocities, Headlines - News, History, Pictures of the World

When will it stop

Liberty, Equality and Fraternity three core values of the democratic country France where remembered on the Day of the Bastille, the 14th of July, the national holiday of France.

Though the French values of liberty, equality and fraternity may be swiftly being trumped by a larger emphasis on laïcité, or the separation of church and state. In the last decade, the government has passed laws banning religious symbols — namely the hijab — in public schools and buildings and as such got some members of the Muslim community against them. It also got France looking at a series of riots in 2005 in the suburbs of Paris where many youngsters of North African origin feel disadvantaged and discriminated. The measure of the government giving in to the employers, making done with lots of received rights for work arrangements, created lots of protests which at times became very violently. Unemployment coupled with growing religious tensions across the country is an ideal seed-bed for anti government actions but also for trying to rib the nation apart and bring fear over it by a growing religious tension in the country.

The South of France has cities, like Marseille, which have different cultures. This can be well seen in Marseille which is more defined by the cultures of its Arab and Italian immigrants than by its French nationality. In the streets of Marseille, you’ll hear French, Arabic and Italian. In many of the city’s most popular restaurants, you’ll find Italian and Arab dishes rather than the French classics like escargot and frog’s legs. In Nice or Niçard Occitan you may the Niçois speaking Occitan or Niçard like the Nizzardo or Italian inhabitants of Nice and those who do are bilingual in French. Nicknamed Nice la Belle (Nissa La Bella in Niçard), which means Nice the Beautiful, in the town you may also find people from North African origin and several Muslims.

French, Belgians, English and lots of people from other countries where having leisure time enjoying the day of work or on holiday. On the morning of 14 July 2016 the French President François Hollande reaffirmed that the state of emergency put in place after the November 2015 Paris attacks would end after the Tour de France finishes on 26 July 2016. he could be pleased nothing had happened at the target European football championship. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, this year strong measurements of security were taken in France as well as in Belgium, this with the knowledge the ISIS Jihadists were aiming this event as an easy target. This year France was beaten by 1–0 at the final in Saint-Denis after extra time. The French got a blow by this, but were already hurt much harder by several terrorist acts the last few months. Several communities had their share of it, but the coastal reasort of posh and glamour with Cannes and Nice, the capital of the Alpes Maritimes département, as attractive poles were blessed with sunshine and good news. Soon the Jazz music would sound in the third busiest airport in France, bringing occasional extra swing.

Nice attack aftermath

The driver reportedly zig-zagged his way through the crowds along the promenade Credit: matrixpictures.co.uk

To watch the Bastille Day fireworks large crowds of people had gathered along the foreshore of Nice.
At approximately 22:40 local time (20:40 UTC), a Renault Midlum 19 ton cargo truck was driven at at high speed along the famed Promenade des Anglais towards the crowd of people, who had been watching a Bastille Day firework display; the truck travelled at least 100 m (330 ft) before it hit the crowd and then continued to drive two kilometres (1.25 miles) into the crowd. After being stopped by armed police, who fired bullets into the lorry’s windscreen, the so far unnamed man exchanged fire with officers using a 7.65 pistol, before being shot dead.

Though it was a French-Tunisian criminal well known to the police for armed attacks this man seemed not to be followed up and nobody of the intelligence force was able to foresee he could be doing this horrid killing.

Once again France was hit this year by a “cowardly and barbaric” atrocity making victims along the streets where people would think they could walk freely and peacefully. 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel on his track of evil killed at least 10 children and got 50 children treated in hospital with sever wounds, among the 84 or 86 dead and several fighting between life and death, in the Riviera city. Officials fear the death toll will rise.

°°°


+

+

°°°

As hundreds remained in hospital – including 18 fighting for their lives in intensive care – anti-terrorist judges opened an investigation into “mass murder” and investigators searched the home of the driver in the Abattoirs area of Nice.

The killer his identity card was found in the truck. He had French and Tunisian nationality. The fact that the killer was known to the authorities will be of grave concern to those trying to prevent terrorist attacks in France.

A recent Paris parliamentary investigation into last year’s attacks identified multiple failings by France’s intelligence agencies.

French President Francois Hollande said in an address to the nation in the early hours of Friday.

“France as a whole is under the threat of Islamist terrorism, and so under these circumstances we have to demonstrate absolute vigilance and show determination that is unfailing.”

“There’s no denying the terrorist nature of this attack of yet again the most extreme form of violence.”

For many heads of state it is clear Europe shall not bow down to those acts of terror, contrary all those attack will ad more oil on the fir and give them reason to continue their attacks on Syria and Iraq.

“Nothing will make us yield in our will to fight terrorism. We will further strengthen our actions in Iraq and in Syria. We will continue striking those who attack us on our own soil,”

Francois Hollande said, in reference to France’s involvement in a coalition of nations carrying out air strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group.

It seems clear that the driver wanted to mow down the maximum number of people. Nice Matin journalist Damien Allemand said

“I saw bodies flying like bowling pins along its route. Heard noises, cries that I will never forget.”

Photo Gaillard/Reuters

At the extra news screening last night, at 23.45 h, we already coverage of witness, declaring how they fled from the ‘unknown’ and how the crowd got in panic. Many bodies, blood and body parts could be seen all along the road. After ramming into the crowd with his lorry, the driver started shooting and created what looked like a battlefield. Several messages on social media by people present at the scene, described a sense of helplessness faced with the carnage.

Al Jazeera reporter David Coady was also at the scene.

“I was enjoying the Bastille Day fireworks just like thousands of other people at the promenade in Nice,” he said.

“I was just walking back after the fireworks had finished. I looked towards the truck and I thought it was a bit odd, because the roads were shut down and there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people walking along. But then, from the direction of the truck, I started hearing screaming and then people started running. And so I joined all those people in running away from there.”

European Council President Donald Tusk said it was a “tragic paradox” that the victims of the attack in Nice were celebrating “liberty, equality and fraternity” – France’s motto – on the country’s national day.

Last night very soon French people offered a place to stay for those who could not return to their apartment or hotel, and a hashtag soon went viral. Leaders around the world responded to the attack, and Twitter users were using the hashtag #PrayForNice. President Barack Obama, standing in solidarity and partnership with France, also issued a statement offering

“any assistance that they may need to investigate this attack and bring those responsible to justice.”

He also said

“On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world, and we know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life.”

Tusk tweeted a photograph of himself and other European and Asian leaders standing in tribute to the Nice victims at an Asia-Europe summit in Mongolia.

France has had its share last year with the January 2015 attack on the Paris offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo, linked to al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch, and the multiple attacks in the same city in November claimed by ISIS. People wonder when it is going to stop.

We are afraid we can not offer good news on that part. Followers of the Creator Redeemer God have received His Words of warning where we are told of what is going to happen after the Great War. Most people then thought it would not ever happen again, but only a few years later a second World War brought sorrow over the whole world. Today we can see many things happening which are foretold in the Holy Scriptures. As Brothers in Christ we are not surprised what happened after the start of the war between Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. The internal conflict (1978–92) between anticommunist Muslim guerrillas and the Afghan communist government (aided in 1979–89 by Soviet troops) was a start for many battles between Muslim extremists and different states.  The September 11 attacks triggered a harsher reaction from Western countries, bringing it into a Afghanistan: anti-Taliban fighters [Credit: Reuters NewMedia Inc./Corbis]international conflict in Afghanistan. In 2001 that war got in a first phase toppling the Taliban (the ultraconservative political and religious faction that ruled Afghanistan and provided sanctuary for al-Qaeda, perpetrators of the September 11 attacks). [The joint U.S. and British invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001 was preceded by over two decades of war in Afghanistan.]

From then onwards it only seemed to escalate and certain groups America first helped and provided with ammunition, turned their back on to them and the West. More and more nations got involved and religious groups started getting creating amok between different groups. Religion stood up against religion like it is foretold in the Bible.  Many many signs foretold in the Holy Scriptures have become a reality.

So, for those who ask

“When would it end?”

We can only say that it all shall come to an end when World War III shall come to an end. No matter what people may try to keep or to bring peace we shall have to go to face a terrible war, which shall be even greater or more horrible than the previous two world wars. We do not want to be doom preachers, but lets face it, of all the prophesies in the Bible there are only a few which did not come true. all other prophesies, even told more than 2500 years before have come into being. They happened and the world continued like it was foretold.

Much too often people do forget that the ancient writers provided the world with the torch of civilization and liberty, a guide for life, for the believers but also for non-believers. All sorts of people can make use of the wise words which are provided in the 66 books which make up the Bible. Throughout the ages it influenced people for good. In society it has been recognized by the greatest statesmen to be a book of books that made a big change in their life and often helped them to come to decisions. We also do have to admit that certain holy scriptures have been looked at it through the various glasses of conflicting creeds and sometimes might unintentionally but woefully be misrepresented. Though now we have come in a time where intentionally people want to give false interpretation as the core of their business. different groups made it a sport to falsely interpret the Bible and the Quran.  Today we have certain groups which claim to fight for the cause of justice and to bring a war in the name of Allah/God. Others cannot put them on their place, because they themselves also do not know the true content of those holy books. they too live by many long-revered misconceptions of the truth of those books, received through the traditions of their fathers. Instead of putting the enemies to confusion by disarming them of their weapons, both groups become more agitated and call to the battle.

Man may look at himself and see or speak about an evil world. H should know that this “present evil world” in which man is permitted to try governing himself soon shall come to an end.

After a Jewish Age, or the period following the death of Jacob, during which all of his posterity were treated by God as his special charge — “his people” we can see that often that chosen people forgot Who was with them and Who had liberated them. For centuries the Most High Maker showed special favours, and declared,

You only have I known (recognized with favour) of all the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:2)

But the stubborn people had to come to see that God was willing to provide an opening for those who are willing to come to Him. Also goyim or non-Jews found a way to God by the send one from God, the Messiah rabbi Jeshua (Jesus Christ).  The promises made to the original People of God were typical of the “better promises” made to us. Having come in the Gospel Age, those who believe in God should know that they have the “better sacrifices,”  which do make atonement for the sins of the whole world. They know that the promised one shall return and not only take up his role or seat in the “royal priesthood,” composed of all those who offer themselves to God “living sacrifices,” holy and acceptable, through Jesus Christ, but to be the King of the coming Kingdom here on earth.

But before it comes so far that Jesus shall become the Chief or “High Priest of our profession.” (Hebrews 3:1) this world shall have to withstand the terrible times which were prophesied long before. Too all who are willing to take Jesus as their master is demanded to go out in the world and to warn it. Not only should they notify the peoples of what shall be coming, so that they can prepared themselves for those horrible times, they should look for the signs God has given mankind, to be alert and prepared. In that time of people warning and bringing Good News of the coming Kingdom, therefore called the Gospel age, we find the realities of which the Jewish age and its services and ordinances were shadows. (Hebrews 10:1)

The Gospel age, is the period during which the body of Christ is called out of the world, and shown by faith the crown of life, and the exceeding great and precious promises whereby (by obedience to the call and its requirements) they may become partakers of the divine nature. (Pet. 1:4) Evil is still permitted to reign over or rule the world, in order that by contact with it these may be tried to see whether they are willing to give up the human nature with its privileges and blessings, a living sacrifice, being made conformable to Jesus’ death, that they may be accounted worthy to be in his likeness in the resurrection. (Psalms 17:15)

Coming closer to the times of more disasters Jews, Christians, Muslims, other believers and non-believers shall have to think how they want to cope with the turbulence and shall have to find solutions to live themselves in a more protected environment. Their choices may not always bring the hoped for reactions, because those against God (the adversary or satan) are going to play more for devil.

Before Christ, with royal title and power, will be present as Jehovah’s representative, taking charge of all the affairs during this day of trouble, taking up his seat in the city of Jerusalem, many shall fight to get the power in Jerusalem and to be able to conquer the people all over the world. This battle for the power has already started. All those terrorist acts are not as such a matter of bringing people to Allah/God but to show the power of which everybody should be afraid and has to submit to.

The world shall have to endure that strive for power of false people. Meantime, as false and imperfect views and systems fall, the standard of the new King will rise, and eventually he shall be recognized and owned by all as King of kings. Thus it is presented by the prophets as Jehovah’s work to set up Christ’s dominion:

I will give thee the Gentiles for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psalms 2:8)

“In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom.” (Daniel 2:44)

The present evil times shall frighten us, but when we do not mind to take up the bible and use it as our indispensable guide we may have the hope in getting stronger, though more than once we shall also have to suffer and be taken by sorrow. But by looking at these times we can see that the “Ancient of days” shall come to sit on his throne. We can look at the bad things which are past, we may see lots of things happening around us and in front of us. All that may have en influence on our life is simply there for preparing us all for that grand family reunion hosted by our Father,” the Father of all (Ephesians 4:6), “of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:15).

Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

In the mean time we do have to build up patience, and should try to bring others also to see what time we are heading to and get them to unite under Christ.

The Divine Maker of all things is giving the world time. He requests from man that they come to see what man made of this world and how He  is a better “Gardener” for this world. Having received all this time from God we should come to realise that mankind is incapable of solving the world’s problems. This permission of evil has the very purpose of educating and preparing mankind for the promised times of restitution. At that time, they will begin to seek for God’s righteous kingdom under the rule of the great Messiah, who shall come at God’s time. They will be blessed with a full knowledge of God and a full opportunity for attaining everlasting life through their redeemer — the great restorer and life-giver.

Every sincere student of the Bible can see what is coming and should warn others.

In these times when honest-hearted people are losing faith in humanity, and humanity is losing faith in God, faithful lovers of God should reach out their hand to the community.

> Please do find to read: Honest-hearted people are losing faith in humanity and humanity losing faith in God

*

References

Families of Paris attacks hit out at government as intelligence

What We Know About the Attack in Nice

19 tonne lorry had zigzagged through crowds massing on the Promenade des Anglais on Thursday night, killing anyone he could

Nice terror attack: Lorry driver who killed 84 including 10 children during Bastille Day rampage was criminal well known to police

“Truck Attack in Nice, France: What We Know, and What We Don’t”.

“At least 74 killed as truck plows into crowd in Nice, France, on Bastille Day”. Jerusalem Post.

Chrisafis, Angelique; Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (15 July 2016). “Truck rams Bastille Day crowd in Nice killing at least 80”. The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2016.

Nice attack: At least 84 dead as lorry rams into crowd

Nice lorry attack: Scenes of carnage in French city

Photos: Bastille Day Terrorist Attack in Nice, France

+

Preceding articles

Of old and new ideas to sustain power and to feel good by loving to be connected and worship something

Freedom and amendments, firearms and abortions

Before you blame All Muslims for the terrorist attack in Paris

The Meaning of Paris

From Guestwriters 2015 in review

A Secular Mindset

For those Christians who say they are the Victim

Tears for Belgium

A darker and stranger place

Il terrorismo è l’urlo di un bambino al buio

Remain lovingly = No path for softies

You Matter

Commemorating the escape from slavery

How to Find the Meaning of Life and Reach a State of Peace

++

Additional reading

  1. Human tragedy need to be addressed at source
  2. Migration not something to fear
  3. Don’t be Muslim
  4. Christians at War? Christians using violence?
  5. 2014 Religion: with a.o. Global war against Christians
  6. Back from gone #1 Aim of ungodly people
  7. Blood soaking the water at democracy’s beachhead
  8. Funding of ISIS
  9. French Muslims under attack
  10. Being Charlie 4
  11. Being Charlie 8
  12. Paris attacks darkening the world
  13. Syrian but also Belgian connection to French attacks
  14. A sleeper cell of militants was said directing attackers sent back to France from Islamic State’s de-facto capital in Raqqa, Syria
  15. Massive police operation in northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis
  16. 2015 the year of ISIS
  17. ISIL will find no safe haven
  18. Al Qaeda regaining foothold in Middle East bubonic plague for American elections
  19. For those who call the Brussels Airport attacks a fake or a conspiracy of the government
  20. Zion, Flames, Terror, Signs and Games of Peace
  21. 70 years later
  22. God’s wrath and sanctification
  23. People Seeking for God 3 Laws and directions

+++

Further of interest

  1. Egalité and Fraternité are great, but we need to ask ourselves some very difficult questions about Liberté
  2. The South of France’s Melting Pot
  3. Fear is a weapon of mass destruction
  4. Terrifying Video Shows Muslim Leader Admitting the True Purpose of the Muslim Refugees – Eagle Rising
  5. Here’s Where ISIS Horrifically Tortures Christians Till They Convert to Islam or Die
  6. Muslims and the West – September 18th, 2015
  7. Imam tells Muslim migrants to ‘breed children’ with Europeans to ‘conquer their countries’ and vows: ‘We will trample them underfoot, Allah willing’
  8. The New Threat from Islamic Militancy by Jason Burke review – important and impressive
  9. Imam to Muslim Migrants: Breed With Europeans To ‘Conquer Their Countries’
  10. Obama Throws Christian Refugees to Lions by Raymond Ibrahim
  11. Video Shows Muslim Leader Admitting the True Purpose of the Muslim Refugees
  12. Buhari needs God-fearing, patriotic ministers – Iman
  13. Paris Attacks
  14. Some thoughts on the Paris attacks
  15. Editorial: Belgium Attacks Expose Biased Media Coverage
  16. The Brussels Attacks: A Paris Perspective
  17. Understanding ISIS’s evolution
  18. Terrorism
  19. Possible Signs of False Flag in Brussels Now Emerging
  20. Should Brussels Attacks Impact Your Travel Plans? Rick Steves Says No.
  21. Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Brussels Attacks
  22. Brussels, Europe’s jihadist breeding ground, now itself under attack
  23. Following terrorist attacks, Antwerp Jews told not to wear Purim masks
  24. Speaker Ryan: ‘Our Prayers Are with Brussels, as Is Our Solidarity’
  25. Terror attack in Brussels. You still don’t think Europe won’t burn this summer?
  26. Misunderstandings of Islam: Violence and Riots Break Out in Molenbeek
  27. The Daily Toast: Weaken The Nation State, Breed More Extremism
  28. France Makes Major Shift Toward Fascism in Wake of Paris Terror Attacks
  29. A Culture Comes Together From Paris Attacks
  30. Aftermath of the Paris attacks
  31. ‘It’s a criminal gang pretending to be a state’: Discontent grows in ISIS ‘caliphate’ as oil funds dry up
  32. The Great ISIS Recession
  33. The Long Fight Against ISIS
  34. Terror attacks inspired in Syria and made elsewhere in the world
  35. ISIS Losing Twitter War
  36. Islamic State Gang Forging Passports for Muslim Migrants
  37. Sydney: Muslim-convert teen wife of ISIS suspect arrested on terror charges
  38. Former Guantanamo detainee among 4 arrested in Spain, Morocco for Islamic State ties
  39. Europol: 5,000 Islamic State militants walk free in Europe
  40. U.S. eyes ways to toughen fight against domestic extremists
  41. 5000 ISIS terrorists sneak into Europe disguised as ‘refugees’
  42. Governor of Yemen’s Aden Survives Al-Qaeda Suicide Car Bomb Attack
  43. Terror plot accused ordered to stand trial in Sydney
  44. Top European Law Enforcement Official Has Dire Warning About
  45. Islam and Presidential Politics
  46. The New Threat from Islamic Militancy by Jason Burke review – important and impressive
  47. Terrifying Video Shows Muslim Leader Admitting the True Purpose of the Muslim Refugees – Eagle Rising
  48. Video Shows Muslim Leader Admitting the True Purpose of the Muslim Refugees
  49. Huge Numbers of Muslim Males (‘Migrants’) Board Train in Croatia
  50. Buhari needs God-fearing, patriotic ministers – Iman
  51. Dallas Cair Director: “Muslims Are Above the Law of the Land.”
  52. Life as Usual
  53. Why the romanticising of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani has to stop
  54. Hyderabad ISIS module busts myth that poverty, lack of education cause for terrorism
  55. Media supporting terrorists happens only in India: Former R&AW official
  56. Malaysia: Playing with Religious Extremism Fire
  57. On a Day Like Today
  58. Why is it always France?
  59. France Attack: More Than 84 Dead As Truck Filled With Bombs Crash Into Crowd.
  60. Terror attack in Nice!!!
  61. A Celebration ended with terror
  62. Hell is empty and all the devils are here
  63. This morning I grieve for Nice
  64. France reels as Bastille Day attack leaves 84 dead in Nice
  65. Tragedy in Nice latest in string of terror attacks in France
  66. France again; terrorism plunges world in chaos as 84 die in bus attack
  67. SitRep: Horror in Nice as Death Toll Rises to 84
  68. Nice Attack
  69. Nice Attack: The Story So Far
  70. Nice: A Day Of Horror
  71. Nice terror- French-Tunisian identific
  72. France: 80 dead in Nice terror attack
  73. Nice terror French-Tunisian identification papers found
  74. Nice Terror- “Keep Eiffel Tower Dark until ISIS conquers France”
  75. Move over guns and bombs; enter trucks, knives and rocks
  76. Run them over with your cars, ISIS had said in a 2014 video
  77. Nice truck attack leaves France and the world in shock
  78. The Damn Truck (Crushing People in Nice)
  79. Truck Crashes Into Crowd In Nice, France; Killing At Least 77
  80. Truck Plows Through Crowd In France, Killing At Least 84: Two Of Them Texans
  81. Video shows the chaos in Nice as gunshots rang out between police and a terrorist
  82. Harrowing video shows the final moments before the horror in France on Bastille Day
  83. Police sources: ID found in truck used in Nice attack
  84. Nice terror despite France being under state of emergency: “you asked for it”, says ISIS
  85. At least 84, including 2 Americans, dead after truck rams crowd in France
  86. Hollande Warns What Obama Won’t: Islamic Terrorism Is Real
  87. How You Can Support France Following the Terrorist Attacks
  88. #DontPrayForNice
  89. Alright, terrorists, you win
  90. A father and son from Texas are among the dead after the horrors in Nice, France
  91. This is not Nice, but….
  92. How to react on Nice attack?
  93. It’s time to get serious …
  94. Here’s How World Leaders Are Reacting to the Terrorist Attack in Nice, France
  95. Vatican Condemns Nice Terrorist Attack
  96. 15 July 2016. Vova on Terrorists
  97. Explaining Terrorism
  98. A few thoughts on Nice
  99. For Nice, Orlando, …
  100. Could More Pedestrianisation And Better Public Transport Be A Weapon Against Terrorism?
  101. I could easily have been there…
  102. As Long as There Are People
  103. Humans, but No Humanity
  104. Whack a Mole
  105. How far will we go to protect ourselves?
  106. Ignore the news
  107. Healing
  108. Should I love or should I hate
  109. Are All Lives Equal?
  110. The consequences of inequality
  111. Enough is Enough- The cause of Suffering is not a Mystery
  112. Why we should try to understand violence
  113. un câlin pour un allié (a hug for an ally)
  114. Panel Discusses Human Rights
  115. Combating terrorism [EU Legislation in Progress]
  116. Daily Takes: Unbridled Fanaticism
  117. Terror Is A French Word
  118. Who Wins the War on Terror? Love wins.
  119. We’ve got to find a way
  120. Profit in Peace
  121. L’amour c’est tout.
  122. Love. Above all.
  123. The reality of love
  124. Husband Of Jo Cox Issues Plea Asking For People To Unite Against Hatred
  125. #prayfor
  126. Prayer for Nice, France
  127. Pray For The World
  128. No Contingencies
  129. Our Amazing Brains
  130. God’s Guarantee to Adam’s Race
  131. A Limited Time?
  132. The Best Is Yet to Come
  133. God All-Powerful

22 Comments

Filed under Crimes & Atrocities, Headlines - News, Pictures of the World, Religious affairs, Video, World affairs