We also heard this morning that another friend of over 15 years has died. Someone full of life and fun. At over eighty still very much the life of the party. He leaves his wife. They are in England and we will not be able to go to his funeral. He died from a chest infection after an operation. His wife spoke to my Husband this morning. She said that during the operation the surgeons did a bone biopsy as he had a broken collar bone and found he had bone cancer. She said dying suddenly like this was far better than waiting for a long drawn out death. It is still so sad, and both of us are feeling a sense of loss.
Death is part of living. It makes me realise how fortunate I am to have my Husband who recovered from massive heart failure to live well. Albeit without being over stressed or taxed physically and mentally. People forget that He is not 100% fit. So long as we keep the recipe of life pretty much as we live it we are both in good form. I can't deal with stress, as it kicks me into a Bi-Polar episode.
It is very sunny, and we have had a sharp frost. The air was so clear last night, the stars looked wonderful. It is a fabulous world. One of wonder, beauty, mystery. Death is a mystery. I don't fear dying, but it's time for me to actively pick up my life and do something with it.
I watched the news on RT this morning to catch up on the weeks main events. I knew about the footage of those American soldiers urinating on the bodies, but I saw it this morning. I too am outraged. Imagine this happening to someone close that you love. It shows such a lack of moral awareness. Who are these troops that they are so ill supervised.
That they have so little moral fiber, or decency towards their captives. Does the American constituton mean so little to these people that the concept of dignity means nothing? Wherever one goes, as an individual, or on any mission or holiday, one must consider ones actions, and the moores of the society one visits.
I suspect that the American government process no longer has a valid chain of command. These are not the actions of men under authority. When lack of discipline in the ranks shows its self there is no command structure. The person morally responsible for these actions then is the cheif of the American armed forces. Disgusting behaviour. Bad political judgement, and weak lines of command. Nothing can redress this act of depravity. Were these mercenaries. or under the command of a superior officer? This act in my mind has undermined every buttress of humanity.
I have been feeling sickened and angry since I heard about it earlier in the week, but seeing the video on RT this morning for myself, just confirms my feelings. I think the Americans should just withdraw all mercenary troops everywhere, and then get their own army troops out as well. I would rather see a different kind of 'chaos' with countries having to deal with their own internal politics, than this constant bullying intervention caused by American European, and Corporate foreign policy.
The price of war is too high. The cost of war is crippling. The means and weapons of war are morally wrong. Perhaps the biggest reasons are for the control of resources.
It is time everyone on the planet realised there is enough for all, and that diplomacy, and fair trading practices are the bedrock of prosperity. We should not fight wars to make a few people rich, and the multitude go hungry, destitute, displaced, and 'pissed on' by those who care not for the sanctity of human life, and the sacredness of death.
I also think that if President Obama has not been able to shut down Guantanamo Bay, as his promise on election, then he has no power to do so. Also that these new laws that suspend the rights of individuals, that they can be extradited or detained without any kind of charge or trial, just continues to show that the American structure of constitution has now been so compromised it is worthless. The individual just had all rights suspended worldwide with this law. It's a scandalous act of depravity to see the Americans literally 'pissing on' the rights of freedom of every person in this world.
How the American people can regain real control of their way of life I have no idea. Perhaps it will mean that each state governs its self, and the taxes stay within the state. I wonder how real reform could be accomplished? Certainly the political system seems so top heavy and expensive to run, it will have to change.
It is so cold and bright today, I think I might take some photos.