I’m no authority

Published January 14, 2024 by Nan Mykel

A dragon in mid flight, with motion blur to the wings hovering close to some rocks in an arid landscape with small jagged rock formations. A female knight in armour and leather stands holding a sword backward in one hand and the other hand outstretched towards the dragon.

If you haven’t noticed, I don’t “have it all together.” In fact, at times I have a teeny irritation/jealousy of those who do, and are good enough to share their routine with us. I shudder now because my memory is poor, and somewhere….maybe in many posts I have done that which I am questioning.

I can, however, share what I love and what I fear: I love honesty, and have removed the word transparency from my vocabulary, because I have a suspicion that it doesn’t exist. Do you recall the last time you told a lie…maybe you called it a white lie. I do, and it was about five years ago and it was to keep from being embarrassed. Oh, I told you I have a poor memory, so I can’t really brag.

Number One on my current fear list is nuclear war. I read that a couple of the wealthiest men in the U.S. have well-furnished shelters under their millionaire homes. Notice that they don’t call them “bomb shelters” anymore, and I don’t personally know anyone who has one–although best to keep it a secret, eh? Those two fellows have big investments in AI, I hear. My leaving women out of the equation reflects not my prejudice, but the fact that the media hasn’t bothered to look at their plans.

Why am I most afraid of nuclear war? Two reasons: first, because international tempers are flaring, countries are gambling with the future, there are more countries capable (to the best of my knowledge), and China appears to be on board. Climate Change’s ultimate deadline is 26 years away. (What!? I’ve been thinking 50 years away!) I’m not sure a nuclear holocaust is that far away. One of the more unpleasant visual memories from television is of Hussein of Iraq in his underwear being harassed while saying his country had no weapons of mass destruction, telling the truth but being disbelieved (supposedly). I just refreshed my memory on Wikipedia:

In the early 2000s, U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair both asserted that Saddam Hussein’s weapons programs were still actively building weapons and that large stockpiles of WMDs* were hidden in Iraq. Inspections by the UN to resolve the status of unresolved disarmament questions restarted between November 2002 and March 2003,^[3] under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, which demanded Hussein give “immediate, unconditional and active cooperation” with UN and IAEA inspections.^[4] The United States asserted that Hussein’s frequent lack of cooperation was a breach of Resolution 1441, but failed to convince the United Nations Security Council to pass a new resolution authorizing the use of force.^[5]^[6]^[7] Despite this, Bush asserted peaceful measures could not disarm Iraq of the weapons that he alleged it possessed and he launched a second Gulf War instead. A year later, the United States Senate officially released the Senate Report of Pre-war Intelligence on Iraq which concluded that many of the Bush Administration’s pre-war statements about Iraqi WMD were misleading and not supported by the underlying intelligence. United States–led inspections later found that Iraq had earlier ceased active WMD production and stockpiling; the war was called by many, including 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, a “mistake”,^[1] while others^[who?] have argued the false allegations of weapons were used as a deliberate pretext for war. (Once in, however, it appears we didn’t really get out until 2011?) Or was it 2022? I said I was no authority. If I remember correctly some referred to it as an oil war.

What that suggests to me is that even if the whole world says it has gotten rid of nuclear warheads, either they won’t be believed or are lying “just in case someone else is lying.” And elsewhere I have read that nuclear weapons would work in outer space. So I’m trying to focus on pleasant things and don’t blame anyone for avoiding this blog. I’m still going to try and write a loving poem. I tried all day yesterday but it hasn’t worked yet.

REFLECTION: Weapons of Mass Destruction? In the early 2000s, U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair both asserted that Saddam Hussein’s weapons programs were still actively building weapons and that large stockpiles of WMDs were hidden in Iraq. Inspections by the UN to resolve the status of unresolved disarmament questions restarted between November 2002 and March 2003,^[3]…. ” The United States failed to convince the United Nations Security Council to pass a new resolution authorizing the use of force.^[5]^[6]^[7]” Despite this, Bush asserted peaceful measures could not disarm Iraq of the weapons that he alleged it possessed and he launched war instead. “A year later, the United States Senate officially released the Senate Report of Pre-war Intelligence on Iraq which concluded that many of the Bush Administration’s pre-war statements about Iraqi WMD were misleading and not supported by the underlying intelligence. United States–led inspections later found that Iraq had earlier ceased active WMD production and stockpiling; the war was called by many, including 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, a “mistake”,^[1] while others^[who?] have argued the false allegations of weapons were used as a deliberate pretext for war”

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In March 2003, U.S. forces invaded Iraq vowing to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein. When WMD intelligence proved illusory and a violent insurgency arose, the war lost public support. Saddam was captured, tried, and hanged. [It was assumed he was lying]. Google Timeline The Iraq War. Unless I’m misreading, the war did not end until 2011, and some have referred to it as “the war for oil.”

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I suggested it in an earlier post but feel like observing it once more: I’ll just question the similarities of two occurrences:

1. The mystery of 9-11, how the U.S. failed to protect itself after an avalanche of info of an upcoming attack.

2. The current mystery, when Israel was given warnings that an invasion was brewing but failed to prepare itself.

Both “oversights” led to the justification of waging war–one by the U.S., the other by Israel. Besides the question of dishonesty (“non-transparency”) is the sickening thought of how many lives were sacrificed in the hypothetical manipulations and excuses to justify war.

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*WMDs=Weapons of Mass Destruction

Bombers, Tree Cutters and Biden

Published October 3, 2022 by Nan Mykel

The education center after the attack.

Credit…Ebrahim Noroozi/Associated Press

Kabul, Afghanistan — Murder to punish school girls for getting an education? I can’t imagine it. Whatever is in the heart of a suicide bomber? Will his god actually reward him for killing school girls?

A suicide attack on Friday at an educational center in Kabul killed at least 19 people, mostly young female students, and wounded at least 27 people. At least one attacker shot his way into the center and detonated explosives in the latest string of attacks on schools. For some girls, the move to close schools and the recent string of attacks on education centers have emboldened them to continue their studies however they can — whether applying for visas to study abroad, forming informal study groups among their peers, or taking courses at education centers like Kaaj. Arezu Hassani, 14, was about to begin ninth grade when the Taliban took over last year and girls’ schools were closed indefinitely. Desperate for any way to continue learning, she began taking mathematics and physics courses at a branch of the Kaaj education center. She was not at the center on Friday morning, but the attack rattled her parents, who told her that they would no longer allow her to go to classes, fearing for her safety. “I am so sad,” she said. “I cannot even explain my feelings.”

Many are determined to study no matter what. “They want to prevent us from getting education, but they cannot,” said Ms. Haidari, a student who witnessed the blast. “No one can stop us. We are not going to give up.” {Updated casualties are 33 killed, 80 wounded.)

the main story

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I love my county! The worst thing about it is that it’s in Ohio:

Earthlings (that’s us) have removed 33% of our forests. It has been estimated that if everyone on earth planted one acorn, nut, seed or seedling once a year for the rest of their lives it would take 2,341 years to restore Earth’s forests–if no more trees were destroyed. Those who care suggest direct seeding, the collecting of acorns and nuts, sorting, then placing them directly in the ground, where they become less accessible to wildlife, improving their odds of survival. For inquiries regarding the seeding and preparation contact athenscountydirectseed@gmail.com and a hotlink can be provided for more specifics. Thanks to Todd Swearingen for the info on direct seeding provided in his letter to the Athens Messenger September 21.

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VICTORY , difficult to come by these days, has been won by the Biden administration over the racial inequality of covid19 distribution and effects. I was going to print the entire N.Y. Times article, but see I paid one dollar a week to access its news and columns, and you didn’t. Pooh, I hate it and you may also.The meat and bones of it appear to be free to share, so I’ll just tell you that the disparity between availability and use of the vaccine between racial minorities versus whites appears to have shrunk down (or up?) to EQUALITY. Republicans’ utilization of the vaccine remains in the end zone (my metaphor).

TRUTH BE TOLD MESSAGE FROM KEITH

Published September 30, 2022 by Nan Mykel

Keith Wilson

As a former Republican and now independent voter, it saddens me that to be a legitimate Republican, one has to endorse untruthful pronouncements by the losing former president and his sycophants. I don’t mind people espousing conservative ideas, but I do expect them to be truthful. Governing is hard enough when using facts, but nigh impossible when making decisions off lies.

Truth be told, I expected this behavior from the former president as that has long been his modus operandi, but what I am frustrated by is his sycophants who perpetuate untruths, even when they know they are lies. The former president lost the election and cannot prove otherwise even after spending a lot of other people’s money to do so. He also instigated an insurrection against Congress putting people in danger. And, that does not include his mishandling of classified information and alleged financial fraud at his company.We deserve better than those who are purposefully lying to us, regardless of party. Full stop.

MANIPULATION

Published March 11, 2022 by Nan Mykel

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., called Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky a “thug” at a campaign event over the weekend.

“Remember that Zelensky is a thug,” Cawthorn said in a video obtained by WRAL. “Remember that the Ukrainian government is incredibly corrupt and is incredibly evil and has been pushing woke ideologies.”

I’m curious how those attending the event in Asheville, N.C. responded. Does he not know Trump has changed his tune? Could Cawthorn have been referring to democracy when he referred to woke ideologies? Mother Jones reports that “Cawthorn’s remarks, which parrot Russian propaganda, were first reported by none other than Karl Rove. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed urging the GOP to stand up for Ukraine, the former senior adviser to George W. Bush called out Cawthorn, along with Ohio senatorial candidate JD Vance, for their anti-Ukraine stances, insisting that neither man was reflective of the Republican Party at large.

Luke Ball, Cawthorn’s communications director, told Newsweek that Cawthorn “was expressing his displeasure at how foreign leaders, including Zelensky, had recently used false propaganda to entice America into becoming involved in an overseas conflict. He supports Ukraine and the Ukrainian president’s efforts to defend their country against Russian aggression, but does not want America drawn into another conflict through emotional manipulation.” (Emphasis mine).

So Cawthorn “supports Ukraine…” (which is “incredibly evil”). The federal government wants to discourage Americans volunteering to help Ukraine defend itself so the U.S. isn’t drawn into the war, but Cawthorn’s words appear to be another example of trying to beat around the bush by manipulation.

I am reminded of Florida’s Republican Senator Rick Scott’s recent 11-point plan, in which he indicated he was against racism, a likely attempt to lure and gain support from non-racists, despite the overall nature of his plan.

I just purchased two books — on manipultion. One is Invisible Influence, The Hidden Forces That Shape Behavior by Jonah Berger and the other is Get People to Do What You Want, by Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch. The cover of the latter book also includes the statement, “Includes Tactics on How to Guard Against Manipulation.” It’s also touted as “How to Use Body Language and Words for Maximum Effect.” So, the book that helps one to avoid being manipulated also helps you to manipulate.

The 1981 Webster ‘s Nrw Collegiate Dictionary gives as a third definition of “manipulate” as to change by artful , unfair or insidious means esp. to one’s own advantage.

Why do I resent manipulation so much? The history goes back to parenting, of course, where most everything is manipulation of the child, for better or worse, especially to control the child. Those most vulnerable to the effects of manipulation would be those with “loose boundaries.”

I look around me, in the USA today, and see a huge PR industry trying to convince me to spend more money and scams trying to steal. Then there is the recent history of presidents who try to affect the public by lying in order “not to panic” us, as though the public has already been dumbed down–as perhaps we have.

In being against manipulation so fervently, I suppose I’m really championing honesty. What a breath of fresh air that word brings! Constantly wondering “what’s in it for him?” is not a comfortable lifestyle, and a part of me says “Oh, grow up!” And am I trying to manipulate you, the reader by writing this blog? Not for any nefarious gain I am aware of.

REFLECTIONS ON HONESTY

Published January 16, 2020 by Nan Mykel

This relates to a dream, a self reflection, memories, connections of past events, wondering, and a resolution to reflect at the end of each day on any lies I’ve told that day, the motivation for them, how many were due to not wanting to hurt the others’ feelings, alternative things I could have said that were truthful, etc. Perhaps reading Difficult Conversations, a library book I recently checked out, recent readings on consciousness and the booklet I’m writing for my children and grandchildren called “Stepping Stones to Inside,” two longstanding grudges against likeable people who insulted me in the past, wondering how I limit my relations with others (and always have) by an unwillingness to hurt others. No need to review the encyclopedic past, but I am excited about the decision to reflect on my truthtelling at the end of each day, and to see what alternatives I might have utilized, because I am thirsty for honesty and aware of how I may keep myself from the warming experience of a truthful relationship. Right now I feel hungry for the truth from a benign person. Truth from someone whose intention is to hurt me would not be welcome. It’s an experiment in living that I’m seeking. And yes, this is motivated by a dream I had and which my unconscious let me remember. All this may be a little too honest for the reader, so I will resume tomorrow night on my DIARY page.