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GUARDING GADDAFI– an eight year period of service that really happened.
Fiction and non-fiction both have their places in the life of the avid reader. But there is something special about a piece of non-fiction that either covers a very interesting period of history or a person with a fascinating life. It’s also provides a lot of pleasure actually writing such an account and making into…
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ALL LIVES MATTER – part one
All lives matter. It should never have been anything else. But we have in our world – in some places more than others – an ugly attitude called racism. The burning issue today is captured by the slogan Black Lives Matter. Racism lurks around many corners, mainly to the detriment of black people. Fools rush…
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ACCEPTANCE BREEDS RESILIENCE
I recently started reading a novel by a highly rated writer – as a matter of courtesy I shouldn’t mention the name – with a warm sense of anticipation, having read her two previous stories. And then I went off the boil. Simply because the setting for the novel was England in the very early…
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Speechless or Screaming
The two aspects of human behaviour, captured in the title, appear to be complete opposites. But there are many times when they reflect the same extreme of human emotion. In fact, this and the article two weeks ago, cover both. And common to both is the writer’s deep concern regarding the degree of danger and…
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Hey I …
Bill Gates was not the first US Dollar multi-billionaire in the world. But his predecessors didn’t generate anywhere near the same degree of public recognition. He has also been a very generous man in donating substantial funds for good causes across the world. Bill has now made a rather surprising public prediction. He thinks that…
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT HIRING TIME
We will, in due course, see artificial intelligence in use throughout human society. In China AI development is booming with that country planning to spend US$ one trillion to lead the world in advanced technology. What we have to hope for, and I talk as a layperson reaching out to laypeople (I woke up today…
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A SMILE SHOULD COST YOU NOTHING
Good Folk, I am learning. A bit late to start, you might suggest. But that’s if you already know me and are aware that I”m in that zone of age where people start to show you a bit of respect. That was “you”and not “me.” I jest. Something I will enjoy doing as I get…
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MEDITATING THROUGH JOURNALING
Journaling? What’s that? It can best be explained by your choosing any subject – perhaps your efforts at parenting, or dealing with personal medical issues or simply what makes you happy in everyday life. Then start writing about it. If you’ve never done it before, you’ll be amazed at what it will give you. There…
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THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT THE CRIME
My English teacher would not be impressed by my grammatical base but he’s not around, so I’ll offer you the following: take a personal pronoun plus a couple of nouns and verbs and you get a clause. Take a couple of clauses and what d’you have? You likely have a sentence. From another perspective that…
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A SMILE SHOULD COST YOU NOTHING
The reader will be forgiven when heard emitting a slight groan at the United States of America appearing prominently in yet another article. But there is no denying that our modern status of Global Village means that anything of significance done by big-boy USA will tend to affect the rest of the world. And the…
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TRUMP MUST HURRY AND THEN WORRY
We are receiving the most telling signals to date that World War III is about to start. They come, of course, from Russia; then followed by something of a climb-down, perhaps to create a false sense of security in the West. In reality, we’ve actually had World War III for over two years. Handing weapons…
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THE SHOW IS OVER
Yes, the show is over. And that is surely a fair description of the recent election for the next President of the United States of America. Hundreds of millions of US dollars spent on a vacuous oral jousting between two people, in a manner that would entertain only the most dedicated voyeurs; entranced by a…
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WHAT’S THE SECRET?
Fingers crossed at this stage, pending an editorial decision on whether this article can occupy the usual Opinion page or must go to Sport. Allow me to help in that decision. It’s about an activity that has become a world-wide phenomenon, creating a global community with a common commitment that relates as much to its…
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HUMAN BEINGS WITH TWO SIDES
The reader might leap in with a pre-emptive strike, reminding the writer that, of course, we all know that a human being has two sides – a left and a right. But today we focus on the other meaning; assuming, of course, there is only one other meaning. You never know, with the English language…
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ROUND IS FASTER
If you want to savour the delights of highly creative humour of the traditional style – not the silly stuff that’s included in some of the popular podcasts of today – look no further than Peter Cook and Barry Humphries. I had been convinced they could never be called to the other world. We would…
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Elevation through communication
There’s a risk that if the reader is not in the mood for a serious message or two, they will skip this article. Absolutely free to do so. But at some point, it is vital to remind oneself – through this article, or when gazing out into an inspirational view of the many wonderful sights…
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PLEASE! I’M TALKING
The title is not the writer remonstrating with the reader, who has chosen to chat with a friend or colleague, instead of reading this article. It’s an expression that is usually delivered politely, but firmly, during a discussion with someone who frequently interrupts while the speaker attempts to hold the floor. It’s especially conspicuous, as…
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IT’S A CRYING SHAME
How often have you heard the expression “It’s a crying shame?” A typical example is: “It’s a crying shame that Sipho missed the train that day.” We all understand what it’s intended to mean. But the expression originally meant otherwise. The crying was more shouting and imposing shame upon someone; loud and vigorous disapproval for…
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BIGGER IS ONLY SOMETIMES BETTER
When a family establishes a substantial foundation of wealth, with social prestige on an international scale, then moves effortlessly into political stardom, don’t expect the progeny of such a family to have the psychological and emotional checks and balances of us ordinary mortals. There will be a self-confidence that will often embrace elitism, exclusivity and…
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READ, AND IN COLOUR TOO
There is one measure to make your children eternally grateful to you – though not just yet – and that is guiding them into the pleasure of reading good books. There are, of course, great films to divert the young of the world. But there are many more great books. Those of you who have…
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WHAT ON EARTH…
Last week I was moaning; this week I’m roaming. No, not the digital version. We’re back on our feet, so to speak; the kind of activity many adults used to pursue before they became addicted to either the television or that small rectangular object that makes anti-social noises when you least expect it to; and…
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Corruption | Justice | Tourism
TIME FOR A MOAN
I don’t want to be moaning. But sometimes one has to. First, corruption. There are few issues that are more damaging to the moral fabric of a country than corruption. And when the moral fabric disintegrates then anything can happen. We don’t want that. The directive given by His Majesty to the Nation at the…
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CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN
Challenge your brain to create an increased cognitive reserve. Whoops, that sentence may cause the reader to switch off. Allow me to explain. Our brain – one for each of us, of course – is (not even arguably) the most amazing engine in the world. It controls all the organs of the body. It controls…
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IS PEACE NEAR THE TABLE?
It’s remarkable that we aren’t all sitting on the edge of our seats, biting our nails. Because there’s plenty to be concerned about. The reality is that the human being is surprisingly well equipped to cope with, and even adjust to, unwelcome and even extreme circumstances. If it isn’t the Second World War 1939-45, the…
