Tuesday 25 June 2024

The importance of reading. Women behind famous men. Gaza.

Here’s a photo of a library notice that someone passed on to me. 



Those who read will gain knowledge and maybe take over. It’s the rationale behind all kinds of ideas for keeping people uninformed. It’s probably behind the rash of ridiculous competition shows on television. And the promoting of the popularity of influencers and other such social media stuff. Oh, and all the stories in the gossip magazines. Keep people interested in trivia and they won’t think so much about the important stuff. 


Here’s a link to an article about Dora Maar, recognised as Picasso’s muse, or perhaps just one of the women in the famous painter’s life. A left wing activist and a gifted photographer, she is said to have been a big influence in persuading Picasso to paint Guernica. Her photos of Picasso were found stored under her bed after her death. One of the women behind great men! 


Out in the wider world chaos continues. Journalists and aid-workers are still being targeted. A friend mine posted this yesterday:


"An Israeli court has extended the detention of Rasha Hirzallah, a journalist working for the Palestinian news agency Wafa. She is to be detained until 11 August.


She was initially told she would be detained for 72 hours in early June.


The Committee to Protect Journalists records that as of 24 June, 108 journalists and media workers have been among those killed during the war since 7 October 2023. 103 of them were Palestinian, two were Israeli, and three Lebanese. In May 2024 Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli government banned the Al Jazeera news network from operating in Israel."


(Guardian update 11:50)


And this: 


"Director of Gaza's ambulance and emergency department killed by Israeli strike – reports:


An Israeli airstrike at a medical clinic in Gaza City killed the director of Gaza’s ambulance and emergency department, the territory’s health ministry has said.


Reuters reports the health ministry said the killing of Hani al-Jaafarawi brought the number of medical staff killed by Israeli fire since 7 October to 500. At least 300 others have so far been detained.


Overnight the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that two medical staff had been killed in a strike on the al-Daraj clinic. Additionally it reports that one Palestinian civilian was killed in an Israeli strike to the south-east of Gaza City."


(Guardian update 09:55)


Michael Rosen posted this in his series about themKing and his tutor: 


“I am very powerful, aren’t I, tutor?’ said the King to his tutor.

‘Well, let’s think about that, shall we?’ said the tutor, ‘do you understand the idea that your power might depend on other factors?’

‘Like the weather, you mean?’ said the King.

‘I was thinking more along the lines of the kinds of power exerted by those with greater power than you,’ said the tutor.

‘Oh you mean the Emperor?’ said the King.

‘Yes,’ said the tutor.

‘Oh he’s just a bumbling busybody,’ said the King, ‘your clever plans tie him in knots.’

‘I don’t think you have that right,’ said the tutor, ‘better by far, to ask yourself the question, ‘Why is the Emperor so involved in our affairs?’

‘Because he’s a busybody,’ said the King, ‘I explained that.’

‘I’m afraid, sir, that doesn’t explain it,’ said the tutor. ‘You see, the Emperor has what we call ‘strategic interests’,’ said the tutor.

‘What’s that got to do with us?’ said the King.

‘Perhaps think of it like this: we’re here because he’s here,’ said the tutor. 

‘And if he wasn’t here?’ said the King.

‘Think about that for a moment, sir,’ said the tutor.

‘Oh dear,’ said the King.”


Later he posted this:


“Two questions:

Is Israel the USA's proxy?

If so, what does the USA get out of it?

If not, what is the nature of the USA's relationship with Israel? ie how would you describe it instead?”


And then again,he posted this:

Reading about the Americans and South Vietnam, I came across this:

Wiki

'The Americans decided that while they wanted Khánh out, they did not approve of Thảo and Phát, so they began to lobby Kỳ and Thi, the two most powerful officers outside Khánh, to defeat both sides.'


That seems to say it all.


Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!

No comments:

Post a Comment