Snowblog's back: I have a good feeling about 2010
Can’t explain it – but maybe its going to be a better year, a better decade than we might have expected.
Yes all the bad news is still there to be harvested. Iraq looks like getting little better, Afghanistan not much improvement there either.
It may be that this will lead to a new era of disengagement and a recognition that what the West regards as “terrorism” can be dealt with more effectively by other means.
The deaths of the seven CIA men in Afghanistan over the holiday period, and the collapse of the Blackwater trial of US security mercenaries in regard to the massacre of civilians in Iraq, are a timely reminder of the West’s own ambiguities about who is allowed to kill whom under what circumstances. So far, so bad.
The re-arrest of Mordechai Vanunu (the man who spilled the beans on Israel’s nuclear bombs) this time for what his lawyer said was a meeting with his Norwegian girlfriend – is the usual depressing stuff, and no good looking elsewhere in the Middle East for a new wave of happiness.
America is reverting to America again after the Obama bubble, but the bubble isn’t yet entirely burst.
And China is China still – her human rights record is creeping to the surface again as the world begins to wonder whether it would be better to relate to a China with whom we are robust and honest, or weak and dishonest. I believe the former will come into fashion and we could see some refreshing pressure building upon the Chinese Communist Party, both from within and without.
Iran may go better than we fear. The man to watch is the Spiritual Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei‘s wagon wheels look decidedly loose.
At home the biggest question of all is the extent to which the electorate will punish all politicians for failing to recognise that the so called expenses scandal (small beer by most other parliamentary systems’ standards) was never about corruption but about the need for wholesale democratic reform in Britain. I believe the UK political classes are in for a severe shock in 2010.
The arts and music and sport will boom and the calls for serious green commitment will surge.
That’s quite enough. Snowblog is back. I look forward to another adventurous blog year!
Related posts:
- Obama wows the mullahs
- Wall to wall in Tehran
- Bahari’s insights into real-life Iran
- Expenses, recession, war will dominate the election
- Obama's line in the sand
There are 23 comments on this post
One way of giving the political classes a shock in 2010 would be not to vote for the leaders of the political parties, but to vote for an independent in each of their constituencies. Just imagine; no Brown, Cameron, or Clegg elected – leaving a bunch of also rans to ruthlessly squabble for their former posts.
i think 2010 should be a good year if we get rid of Brown in charge of everything bar a labour rump.
It would be even better if we got out of Afghanistan , the EU , so called Human Rights ,Ethnicity and Diversity bought back hanging for murder and good old British discipline in schools and life
You appear to have lost your senses – or maybe just want to go back to the middle ages – I got good old Irish discipline at school – and the only effect to this day is to utererly hate the Irish Language – and want to do away with the crowd that ran those institutions . Instead they say sorry – they should – those still alive – be put on trial – others resign – well if aided a crime – I would not get away so light . The crowd of nutcases that still want a two language state[ preferably a one language state] – they took the EU money for 35 years – but not EU ” democracy ” – such as it is .
It’s good to be alive despite the bitter weather. The more we hear about the killings and tortures around the world , the more we appreciate our own lives.
The delicate balance between humanity and nature and the fierce competition and cruelty out there, for that all consuming pose of power continues.
Throughout the festive season I have been reading some of the links you follow Jon and wondered upon the legitamacy of these reports, which seem so unbelievably cruel as to make them monstrously surreal. In fact I must close my senses to them an uplift myself with notions of love and my personal and powerful dictator .. music.
Yemen again is in the news with Micheal Portillo denying an anti terrorist
coalition between the US and UK, but Al Qaeda disperses and reforms.. so what is the alternative approach?
Home politics.. well are home politics..There is chatter about a hung parliament, David wants a march election and Gordon wants another budget.. I as one of those insignificant voters don’t know what I want.. perhaps that is our problem , lack of knowledge to know what is best.
Just replying to myself as not many seem to be on my wave length.
Language is the most powerful tool cyber space has. We have a responsibility NOT to hate, NOT to sensationalise beyond reason, NOT to blame when we have a personal grudge or are jealous, NOT to lie.
We DO have a responsibility to consider others, create peace and goodwill, love as much as is possible and attempt to use reason as a leveller .
A feeling of optimism (which I share) may be nothing more than “Twenty Ten” sounding neat (we never said “Twenty Oh Nine…”) and Even Numbers sound, er, well, Even…. But meantime I’d appreciate further explication of the suggestion “that what the West regards as “terrorism” can be dealt with more effectively by other means”…. OK, interesting suggestion, like what? b.
Welcome back Jon and, Happy New Year!
I would like to think that your slight optimistic hopes may manifest in reality but, I doubt it. There is far too much hatred round this world now. Made far worse as a result of corruption, lies and double standards and this so called ‘war on terror’.
I consider that any betterment will only start once the 4 biggest threats to this planet and peoples lives is addressed:
Over population, Religious nonsence, unrestrained capitalism and a redistribution of wealth away from the rich.
The greatest provider is Ma Earth yet, people treat it with utter contempt. Oh, a few may recycle here and there but, overall it’s a collosal mess.
Would a world dominated by unrestrained capitalism and western values be right? I think not. There needs to be a credible and forceful opposition to the way of the corrupt west and, there should be no economic, polictical or religious domination in this world by ANY country or state. The United Nations is a farse that’s dominated by the few. It should be renewed and take account of meak voices.
My belief is that important issues that need facing instantly, will still be still kept on the back burner. That is not out of pessimism but rather a reality we have all been facing for far too long now.
China is a sleeping super power and will continue to be so. It’s in their interest and on the human rights issue, very little change to come.
Iraq has been left for Sunni’s, Shiite’s and Kurds to fight it out between them.
Iran needs justice and not dictatorship as does Italy.
Obama was a dream for me one year ago, not quite sure what side of fence he sits now.
Our beloved U.K. needs a right beating round the ear hole, so that we all start realizing and set an example for an important world future.
adzmundo CND
The noughties have been so bad that teensies couldn’t really be any worse, could they…?
Mind you, I did read somewhere that Nostradamus predicted the end of the world circa 2012….!
1006-2000..Aids develops into a multi plague.
1999 The end of the so called holocaust.
1999 A new religion emerges.
2002 The US and Russia fall out
2004 A woman President in the US
2015 The fall and ruin of the catholic clergy
2016 Major US government scandals.
Perhaps you can reflect on the accuracy of Nostradamus.
As long as Brown and his coterie are gone, the year will be good. I can’t recall many politicians in our history who have been so catastrophic for the country.
[...] Snowblog’s back: I have a good feeling about 2010 [...]
Dont worry – the next crowd will be even worse – we are in Regression – and changing Billy for Jack wont stop that .
Isn’t is perspicacious though? whoever is elected they will carry on doing the same things and will put different titles to it, then will emphatically remonstrate against such a suggestion. All that effort to get a job where many will hate them for doing their upmost ..all that bad
blood being projected at a few who try to help the nation.They must be massachists.
Mind you the general public are all experts and big heads as far as politics is concerned. It is certainly not apparent that the majority have studied politics and political philosphy, by remarks made and angry votes which are made.
Obama waa always just another Bush – its just he is a better orator . Hitler was a fine Orator too – waht did he do ?. Even before he was elected – fater he had made certain of the nomination – his first act was to succumb to the Jewish lobby – that Sharon said runs the USA .
You close your senses to the monstrous acts done to others – and then wonder why you are not better off – You have a duty to these mistreated people – those that are btortured , murdered etc . All freedoms are linked – if u do not understand that maybe best crawl off this planet .
The also rans would soon be household names – the ideal woul be not to vote at all – like what has voting changed – 200 years ago we were ruled by the rich – our forefathers fought their wars for them— while they stayed at home and wined and dined . Then at begiining of 20th century I think – women got the Vote – great – what did that change – nothing . Now we are still ruled by rich – and many vote like they support a football team – blindly . The Vote / Ballot box – is a capitalist joke on us – giving the illusion we have a say – we do not have any such thing – we are ruled by the rich to serve them — – and how that is to change outside of Violence [ A Revolution ] —I do not know …
Hope you’re right Jon about 2010. May you not have your bike nicked this year and may you get even more tomatoes!
I always try to be optimistic, though it’s not easy when an election is due and none of the parties seem worth voting for.
However, I still have faith in President Obama; the green agenda is bound to grow in strength; and the public’s reaction to MPs expenses and bankers, suggests there is still a groundswell for fairness in this country.
Terrific interview tonight with your colleague from Iran. It was very moving and underlined what some journalists suffer to bring us the truth. It also reminded us that, as imperfect as our system is, it could be a lot worse.
Am I going to be allowed to use journalese, medicalese, verse, conversationalese and all the other styles of writing on this blog site… if so wow.. freedom… no links, no news, just uncomplicated me, picking up subconsciously on others very substantial and credible works
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My liberal rights yeh!. it’s all about me . Thank goodness I still have an identity.
Love and best wishes to all and here’s hoping you all in 2010 have someone whom you love and can moan about. I am pretty optimisitic about that.
Think that 2010 has got off o a bumpy start with all the snow. At the moment there are so many negative news articles about disabled people in the snow and I thought it was time for a more positive one. I have really enjoyed all the snow we have been having. The main reason for this is that I can get around with ease because I have an all terrain wheelchair that can deal with difficult terrains including snow. In fact I would argue that in a lot of cases my wheelchair is able to handle the snow better than most cars!
I actually find travelling in the snow quite exhilarating and must admit I felt like a kid ploughing through the snow. Truth be told I find travelling even more enjoyable at the moment because there were no cars on the road or many people, as there usually is, and it was a very picturesque scene.
See for yourself on my video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcaj7r0ZZSM
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I am sitting here listening to your 10:00 PM news and can’t hardly believe my ears. There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with this country. I find it extremely disheartening to hear that a SOLDIER who served 2 tours of duty is delivering pizza. SERIOUSLY!!!
Not that I am not extremely happy that he happened to save someone’s life doing so, but if that is the best we can offer our veterans I am embarrassed to be called an American.
We should be bowing and offering our gratitude, and instead he’s delivering pizza???? What is wrong with this country? I am in the health care profession myself and feel this SOLDIER should be offered a job with prestige and treated with the respect he deserves, not be delivering pizza.
Humbly Yours Mister Soldier,
I personally thank you for the sacrifices you have made and would happily make you part of my team.