On Thursday the 27th of January 2005, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auswich. We must never forget, lest it could happen again. What will happen when the last survivors of the death camps are no longer able to tell their tale?
Sixty years on from the end of the Second World War, we remember the millions slaughtered by 'human' evil. Only those who experienced it, can truly know the suffering that man inflicted on fellow man.
What must be remembered is that these atrocities were not committed by just a few evil men. An entire society was implicated, either actively or by not standing up for human rights. The type of person who gloried in those obscene activities is still with us, apparently a throwback to a pre-human existence.
Many in this country were sympathetic to the Nazi party and its policies. Many still have similar views, some covertly and some overtly. Programmes of ethnic extermination have been started in various countries around the World, using a variety of methods. The modern euphemism is 'ethnic cleansing'.
Constant vigilence & education is required to prevent the same thing happening again. Here, in what we call the developed or civilised world. Certain people with vested right wing interests deny the Holocaust ever happened, some others choose to believe them.
There should be an overhaul of organisations in this country, certain bodies, set up to protect minorities, are not doing a good job. The Commission for Racial Equality (C.R.E.) is one such, its insistence on keeping records of ethnic origin may one day be the key to a new spate of ethnic cleansing.
The desperate Tory party resorted to playing on ignorant peoples prejudices. It is possible that, one day, we may get an extreme right wing government, ethnic origin records will play into their hands. Similar records, kept innocently enough over many years, allowed the Nazis to persecute & murder huge numbers.
Such information allowed the South African government to arrest couples, accuse them of 'mixed marriage' & force them to divorce or face jail. The C.R.E. should be disbanded, its very name is discriminatory, suggesting that ethnic minorities are a different race.
Definitions: Race; A taxonomic group that is a division of a species; usually arises as a consequence of geographical isolation within a species.
Taxonomy; A classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure or origin etc.
Quote: { However, the genes responsible for the hereditary differences between humans are extremely few when compared with the vast number of genes common to all human beings regardless of the race to which they belong.
Many physical anthropologists believe that, because there is as much genetic variation among the members of any given race as there is between different racial groups, the concept of race is ultimately unscientific and racial categories are arbitrary designations.
The term race is inappropriate when applied to national, religious, geographic, linguistic, or ethnic groups, nor can the biological criteria of race be equated with mental characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, or character.
1: All human groups belong to the same species (Homo sapiens) and are mutually fertile. Races arose as a result of mutation, selection, and adaptational changes in human populations. The nature of genetic variation in human beings indicates there has been a common evolution for all races and that racial differentiation occurred relatively late in the history of Homo sapiens.
Theories postulating the very early emergence of racial differentiation have been advanced (e.g., C. S. Coon, The Origin of Races, 1962), but they are now scientifically discredited. }
The C.R.E.'s policies, supporting 'positive discrimination' are just that, 'discrimination'. They have done more to damage relations between our varied ethnic groups than the B.N.P. The idea of 'quotas', which they also advocate, is an anathema to most thinking people.
They are one too many in the long list of QANGOs (Quasi Autonomous Non Governmental Organisations) set up by successive governments. If a body is required, which is doubtful, it should have a different name and agenda. To uphold the principle of 'Universal Equality & Justice'.
This little Russian bear cub was orphaned by man's inhumanity & left to starve. Found in time & rescued by caring people's greater humanity. Thanks to IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) & all who support them.
It is time to restore Creative Vision to the World we live in. Conformity has controlled our lives for far too long. This reflects in the lack of any new cultural ideas for many years.
A new Cultural Revolution is needed. Not one like Marxist China's. That was a state sponsored campaign to crush individuality & free thinking wherever it was found.
What we require is a force to make culture, music & the arts a major part of all our lives. This may lift the crushing burden of finance based materialism. Money may not be the root of all evil, but its pursuit above all else has created a drab, sad, soulless world.
A world in which many groups of people find themselves totally excluded from the mainstream. Their extreme poverty & lack of hope frequently makes them easy recruits for manipulative fanatics. Thus it becomes an increasingly dangerous world for all of us. |
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In mediaeval times the Roman Catholic Church formed the Inquisition to impose religious conformity on the peoples under its control. Tools used included Religious Courts, Excommunication, torture, & Burning at the Stake.
Today financial institutions & states impose financial conformity. Their tools include credit reference database agencies, status reports, courts & credit blacklisting. Not so much physical pain but the pressure to conform is greater than ever. Lives are blighted & ruined even more easily.
Our current government has used the Police & secret services to investigate anyone attempting to get real justice for themselves or others. Including victims of rail crashes etc. Until the fall of communism people of the Russian empire faced similiar scrutiny.
Enslavement to any kind of conformity should be actively resisted. Regardless of whether it is social, cultural, political, religious, scientific, financial or linguistic etc. We are all individuals & capable of equal importance in the scheme of things. This should be respected & encouraged at all levels.
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We are now in the sixth year since leaving the worst century in human history. In which we destroyed more of our own kind in wars than ever before. This Twenty-First got off to a very bad start, with an astounding atrocity in its ninth month. Once more using the name of Religion.
It is a sobering thought that in the Twentieth Century A.D. we wiped out more people than existed in the First Century. More than we killed during all previous recorded time. Plus destroying the lives and livelihoods of countless millions more. It was a century in which weapons of true mass destruction were created. In which man made famines and disasters on an unprecedented scale abounded.
Enough chemical & biological weapons are stockpiled worldwide to wipe out all six thousand Million of us several times over. Together with all higher life forms. If these are unleashed, microbes will inherit the earth. Judgement day. Much of this arsenal is in the hands of unsafe & unstable governments.
There is not enough Uranium 235 accessible on this planet to turn it into another sun. But enough is available, fashioned into weapons, to make survival difficult for us. Again a large amount is in the hands of regimes with doubtful ethics & stability.
Our problems in the West are nothing compared to those endured by much of the world's population. Such a small proportion of the developed world's resources would make such a vast difference if only the will was there. Hope springs eternal, but real action is needed, urgently.
We consider ourselves developed because our technological society has evolved, giving us material wealth. But it has not given us cultural wealth, perhaps our humanity needs to evolve, to keep pace?
It was also a century in which man boasted more positive achievements in many areas than ever before. In which, for the first time, true advances in medical science were made. More people live further into old age than ever before. Unfortunately more live in lonely misery, abandoned by their families, than ever before. In the less developed countries more die of starvation than ever before.
Many of the advances predicted by scientists & writers in the 19th century have been achieved. Babbage's analytical engine has evolved into ever more powerful computers. Eventually these may become capable of truly thinking and making independent decisions. God help us all if we get this one wrong.
Man landed on the moon, though using a rocket rather than a cannon as Jules Verne suggested or anit-gravity plating a la H.G. Wells. Submarines using electric motors for underwater propulsion also came about, although those motors are rotary, not piston driven as Jules Verne thought. Most, of course, are military machines, designed for destruction, so he was spot on in that respect.
Unfortunately George Orwell's 1984 has largely come true. Big Brother does now exist and controls all our lives in Western society. At the moment this is mainly at a financial level. World wide databases show almost everyone's credit history, likes, dislikes and buying patterns. This information is currently used for social control, targeting 'junk' mail or telephone sales, etc.
Genetic control of humans by selective breeding and sterilisation was attempted in Hitler's Germany. Selective sterilisation for the same purpose was also practiced in Sweden until the late 1960s. The theories behind these atrocities were unscientific and have since been discredited.
Now genetic science has advanced enough to give real control over peoples lives and existence to large corporations as well as governments. Already in America anyone found, during routine medical screening, to have a perceived genetic disposition to heart disease, cancer, or various mental problems may go on a credit blacklist. We will soon follow, if we have not done so already.
The next step will be to decide who gets medical treatment, based on such information, who lives and who is allowed to die. It is only a matter of time before genetic screening becomes compulsory. How long after that to the point of routine non-reversible sterilisation of all children soon after birth if they fail to meet the criteria set?
The 'science' of genetics is in its infancy, but a little knowledge is dangerous.
Science does need to be controlled to truly advance mankind, but similiar controls on politicians are needed. It is more important than ever that everyone takes part in the democratic process. Otherwise that process will cease to exist and a darker age than ever before will dawn.
Sweden believed that being poor or an unmarried parent was a genetic disorder & could be eliminated by compulsory sterilisation. It was only stopped because the influential middle classes wished for a free life style & the 'eugenic' legislation posed a danger to them.
Author; Ron Lebar.
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Post Script
Scientists are proud of themselves for having eventually recorded the entire human gene sequence. However, with the current state of true knowledge this may be likened to a person with limited education having finally counted the number of words in Shakespeare's works.
That number will have limited usefulness, without knowing the full meaning of each word, their syntax and the meaning of all possible combinations. Experimentally changing words is not likely to produce another masterpiece, merely ruin what took a long time and genius to create.
Tolstoy uses similiar words to Shakespeare, at least after translation, yet his writings are quite different. There is not a specific word or even a group of words that distinguishes a comedy, tragedy or serious literature.
Put another way, in a Gothic cathedral there is not a particular stone making it a cathedral and not a warehouse. It is the shape and combination of all stones that define the building.
We and all other life are far more complex than any work of literature or architecture. Adding a firefly gene to make a cabbage glow in the dark illuminates the childlike level of current 'research'. This is a subject that should remain in the academic realm for some time to come. Mankind is nowhere near ready to make practical use of what knowledge has been attained.
We are playing (literally) with fire.
There is not going to be a specific gene that makes a genius, a weight-lifter, or even just a human being. It is the one complete combination out of countless billions that make each of us what we are. The long term consequences of current experimentation are beyond our present ability to predict.
Companies were started up on the basis of providing 'gene therapy'. All difficult & genetic diseases could now be cured. After one or two apparent success stories a programme was started, serious money was invested. Further cases failed to follow on from the initial good fortune, then the inevitable happened. Someone died as a result of such treatment.
Pre-war Germany's and Sweden's scientists thought they had genuine knowledge of genetics. In reality all they had, then called eugenics, was conjecture and guesswork. They had no more real genetic knowledge than a butcher, which, in truth, is what they were. All of them were totally wrong as well as wicked and totally immoral. We should learn from history and leave well alone.
The Hypocratic Oath says 'Do No Harm'.
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Lies & Damned Lies
The last three decades of the Twentieth Century could also have been called the age of the LIE.
We were constantly bombarded with unsolicited mail making all kinds of promises, few had any basis in truth. As computers took hold & databases covering the population became more detailed this storage power was used to make mailshots appear to be personal letters to the recipient alone.
A well known publisher sent out regular mailings saying something like "You have definitely won a quarter of a million pounds". They are still doing it! Many others are still copying them. Has anyone actually received these huge sums? Apparently our weak customer protection 'laws' are powerless.
A typical dummy cheque received, as part of a promotion, from a well known charity.
We have removed identifying names etc. Strangely, the organisation concerned is genuine & appears to do a good job. We, as do many others, support them financially in a small way. It is a shame they feel the need for this kind of suspect marketing.
The majority of advertisements give little or no real information about a product. They are almost all 'hype', meaningless jumbles of misused words intended to confuse and impress. Over the last few years this has become increasingly true, even for professional products.
Industrial, professional, & 'high end audio' components have gone down the same road. So called specification or application sheets are often just thinly disguised marketing hype. Anyone wishing to use such parts, starts from a position of ignorance. Buying a sample & experimenting is the only way to see if it is any good. Much equipment comes to market ill fitted for its purpose as a result.
It says a lot when potential customers are labeled as 'consumers', an insulting term which itself is untrue. We do not 'consume' books, domestic electrical goods or other hardware. In fact the word strictly has no meaning since matter or energy can not be consumed, merely moved. In theory there is still the same amount of matter & energy as when the universe was created.
A Warning for Businesses
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Tele-sales have been an increasing problem, particularly for businesses, over the last thirty years. Since the advent of FAX this has also been used. Particular culprits have been publishing companies selling space for adverts in marvelous directories. These usually turn out to be once only efforts with a name chosen to sound like a well known publication.
If you agree to a cheap advert, they then ring you back with a once only offer you can't refuse. There is just one large space left, possibly due to a cancellation. They will let you have it at a bargain price, no payment required until publication.
You will eventually get a bill that is much more than expected, together with your complimentary copy of the publication. You will get no custom from this outlay, probably only their victims receive a copy of the rag concerned.
Of course a few may be genuine, they should probably be using our excellent Mail service instead. This is not really intrusive & does not usually cause disruption. Mailshots, as long as they are truthful, can be read, acted upon, thrown away or used for packing.
The best way to keep the predators at bay is to register with the FAX & Telephone Preference Services. This is an E.U. initiative to provide some protection for businesses. Previously it was only available for households. Well worth while.
E-Mails are the current favourite method, take care. It may be best to delete any that look suspect without opening them, malicious viruses are also a growing problem.
At least one of the best known E-Mail programmes has a problem in that it can, dependent on settings, open E-Mails automatically as soon as they are highlighted. Beware!
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2006, Year 6 of this century is now in its ninth month. Despite many setbacks, signs of hope remain. Voices of sanity are still to be heard, terrorists are still trying to drown them out.
The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan is ever more serious, though not yet completely out of control. Stability remains fragile, their government needs the wisdom of Solomon to hold it together. The terrorists have started to reverse some of the gains made previously.
We should all wish the country well, the ordinary people have suffered too much for too long. It is important that they are helped & encouraged to develop a prosperous & sustainable economy. If they are eventually able to join the International Community, terrorists will find disruption more difficult.
The tragedies in Africa still attract less attention than they should, we should be helping there. Our colonial past gives us a duty of care, we & other European countries planted the seeds of current troubles. As we did in the Indian sub-continent & the Middle East.
The election in Iraq, with its high turnout, was a good start to last year. Terrorists failed to halt the drive towards democracy in most of the country, although their attempts have cost many lives. Most people welcomed the chance of a new start, after long years of repression.
Prophets of doom predict a civil war, some even say it is at that stage now. Right will prevail in the end, but it will be a long struggle. The people of Britain & America must remain supportive of the efforts being made. The future peace & stability of the world depends on it.
Both our countries have of course not been angels in the past. After all, we were jointly responsible for arming Saddam in the first place. Because Iran was perceived as a more serious threat. We should be careful, from now on, to choose our friends on the basis of ethics, not commercial or political expediency. Past mistakes should be learnt from, not dwelt on or repeated.
The situation in Palestine has changed dramatically since the election of the Hamas Government. This change has enraged many people & much needed funding has been withdrawn. It must be remembered by all concerned that the election result was the will of the Palestinian people. Everyone concerned should put aside intolerance & bend a little. Again all should learn from the past, or will continue repeating it.
The people of Israel need to ponder over the fact that they invented modern terrorism. Some of the terror tactics used against them originally won them freedom from British rule. At that time post WW2 Britain was tired of war & death. Modern technology has made such methods chillingly more effective.
The Palestinian people should be wholeheartedly helped & encouraged towards prosperity. This, together with true autonomous Statehood, is the only way to ensure long term stability. Otherwise the region will remain a 'powder keg', waiting to blow up again. History has taught that an imposed settlement will not last.
Three major world religions evolved from the teachings of Abraham & successors. Judaism, Christianity & Islam. Differences between them have caused much of the World's troubles. They need to get together & celebrate their common history. Rather than fight over those later differences. The same applies to all factions of these religions.
Perhaps then we can all work towards equality of all peoples. Cultural & religious diversity should be a unifying source of strength. Not, as at present, a cause for constant destructive conflict. It should be possible for the greatness of humanity to outclass our apparent development from lower beasts.
Evil does exist in all our societies. Together with other faiths, Jews, Christians & Muslims must hunt down & eliminate those responsible. Some people have not developed the humanity that makes it possible for us all to survive together. They will never fit in, remaining a problem unless removed.
Many posess personal charm & charisma. History shows that the disadvantaged or weak frequently fall under their spell.
Modern technology & transport has been a boon for mankind. Unfortunately it has also proved a boon for terrorists. Every advance has the potential for corruption & diversion to evil ends.
Northern Ireland has shown that a seemingly intractable problem can respond to political negotiation. Determination, hard work over a long period & wisdom are needed. This last is in short supply, but does exist, the right people must be chosen. A required attribute for all negotiators is an ability to see the other side's point of view, but still remain firm & true to principles.
Once agreement has been reached, constant effort is required to keep it together.
Instead of commercial or other forms of predation we should be looking out for one another at all levels. The survival of our species depends on it. Everyone should help protect their neighbours, especially if they are vulnerable. The strong should protect the weak, the wealthy should help those less well off.
This is called civilisation. We still seem to be moving away from it at an alarming rate.
Large, powerful companies should help smaller, less successful firms. The benefits will be mutual provided good money is not thrown after bad. Large powerful countries should help small struggling nations & protect them from aggressors. Without making them dependent.
Toppling of Dictators or Oligarchies with bad civil rights records should not be shied away from.
The Global economy is an essential part of life on Earth. In today's World no country can or should remain isolated. The World Trade Organisation, a target for fanatical terrorists, is potentially a unifying influence for our planet. Only however, if it is truly World wide. Every major city in every country should have a World Trade Centre. It is essential that all peoples share the benefits.
While it is perceived as a club for the rich & powerful only it is not doing a good job.
Everything good is worth fighting for. A truly international policing body with real power & muscle is needed to ensure all countries abide by a common minimum standard of humanity. Building on the concept of the United Nations but much more. Something like Utopia is possible if enough people have the will. This would surely be better than eventual extinction at our own hands?
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He who knows not & knows that he knows not. He is ignorant, teach him:
He who knows & knows that he knows. He is wise, honour him:
He who knows not & knows not that he knows not. He is a fool, despise him:
He who knows & knows not that he knows. He is asleep, wake him.
An old proverb, still valid today. |
Thoughts. Updated on the 27th of January 2008. © Ron Lebar, Author.
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