The "fog of war" - NOT amateur radio

Back in the 1970s I recall we were told the Vietcong were "evil".  Now we hear about Iran being part of "the axis of resistance".

In times of war or heightened tensions it is easy for propaganda to reach unbelievable heights. It is hard to tell what is real and what "the powers that be" want you to hear.

At the moment we are hearing of the war in Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Middle East.

All I am saying is in the "fog of war" truth is hard to discern.  Do not believe all you hear.

Israel and Hamas - NOT amateur radio

This week we are remembering the dreadful events of D-Day in June 1944. I cannot imagine the sheer terror of those brave solders landing in Normandy. Many must have feared they would be dead in the following few minutes.

This makes the events in Ukraine and the Middle East even sadder.  None of the waste of human life is needed. Why can't people live in peace with each other? It would seem that aggression of this kind is sadly part of the human condition and we seem incapable of learning from history.

What Hamas did on October 7th 2023 was evil, but so are deaths of over 36000 Palestinian people.

All I wish is that people can live at peace with their neighbours. Nobody is ever perfect. Let's just accept our differences and failings.

A better way? - NOT amateur radio

It is understandable that the people of Israel were deeply traumatised by the Hamas attacks on October 7th. 

However, by attacking the Gaza Strip as they have been must surely be self-defeating. Many in the world will resent the Israeli actions for generations. Even if Hamas was completely eliminated, a new group would appear still hating Israel.

The only solution cannot be won with war. The solution has to be one based on negotiations and fairness in which everyone is respected mutually and is free to worship as they want.

In my view, what is happening now is genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Jaw, jaw, not war, war.........please!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67584895 .

Fog of war - NOT amateur radio

When there are wars on it is very hard to discern the truth as all sides tend to distort the truth. This was true in the Vietnam war and was certainly true in WW2. 

At the moment, in the Middle East, it is hard to untangle the facts. Clearly Israel wants to eliminate the threat from Hamas. At the same time, many innocent people are being killed or maimed and their homes destroyed. The best way I have found is to listen to the news from both angles and try to make up your mind on the truth. With the "fog of war", this is hard.  

The only thing for certain is that all involved bend the truth!!

World peace - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, the world seems to be going through a bad phase, with war in Ukraine and the Middle East.  

At one time, I thought people were basically good, but recent events have made me question this. It is as if pure evil is abroad.

It would seem humans are incapable of learning from history. Why are people unable to live in peace with their neighbours? We all share one planet. Wars rarely achieve anything.

New world order? - NOT amateur radio

With the recent invasion of  Ukraine by Russia, it suddenly feels that the world order is changing. 

Now, I know that there are always 2 sides to any stories in the propaganda circulated in the run-up to wars and we in the west are not prefect. 

However, I am concerned that many in Russia and Ukraine would much prefer not to have wars,  destruction and loss of lives. This is especially true when many have relatives in the other country. Why can't peace prevail?

I also worry about Belarus. If its leader decides to try to attack any of the Baltic states that are NATO members, then by the articles of the treaty, all NATO members are being attacked.

What about China and Taiwan?

No, the balance of power is changing and it will impact the lives of our children and grandchildren.

All I ask is that we all try to live at peace with our neighbours.

Interesting that there we're several people on 40m FT8 sending "CQ STOPTHE WAR" and "CQ ST0PPUTIN". 

Let history judge. 

Futility of war - NOT amateur radio

As I mentioned recently all those who fought in WW1 are dead as are most who fought in WW2. Many fought in Iraq and Afghanistan or other conflicts. 

This is Remembrance Sunday when we think of those who lost their lives or were badly maimed. 

In my view nothing, absolutely nothing is ultimately solved by wars.  When we look back think forwards too: how can we avoid wars in future?

The futility of war - NOT amateur radio

All of the people who fought in WW1 are dead. Most of those who fought in WW2 are dead.

Looking back, you have to ask were the dead and maimed worth it?  In my view, wars achieve very little in the longer term. I think much more is achieved by talking.

International Politics - NOT amateur radio

The world is in a mess.

Britain is busy navel gazing and losing friends in Europe. North and South Korea have fallen out again, Israel continues to treat Palestine as if it didn't exist, the USA is spoiling for a war with Iran, civil war continues in Syria, Yemen continues to be fought over by proxi, Kashmir continues to be troublesome to Pakistan and India, the USA seems to want a trade war with China, and we have a climate crisis that the world chooses to ignore. These are to name but a few.

Oh for some common sense! Almost all these conflicts could be solved by compromise and talking.

Stupid man! - NOT amateur radio

In my view, war is a wicked waste of human lives. 100 years since the end of WW1, people still fight wars and innocents are lost.

This is a view of the sky over our local church at 11am.

WW1 - NOT amateur radio

All the people who fought in WW1 are now dead and gone. Looking back, this must have been the stupidest waste of human life ever in history.

Surely by now you would have thought that fighting wars would be seem a futile waste. Yet still innocent lives and families are wasted over and over again. To name just 2 think of Syria and Yemen.

In my view, war is an outdated concept. It is high time jaw, jaw replaced war, war.

Fleeing wars - NOT amateur radio

Sometimes, most times, we take for granted our freedoms and lives. This video on the BBC really brings this home. I hope after 3 years they get granted permanent residency.

We must all work towards a free, fair and inclusive society, wherever we are on Earth. There is no place for hate and unkindness.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-41835112/starting-a-new-life-in-a-foreign-country-at-13 .

Accidental nuclear war - NOT amateur radio

Although totally unaware at the time, the world was on the brink of nuclear war in 1983. The USSR detected incoming missiles (actually a false alarm) and only the actions of one man prevented a retaliation.

You wonder how the world would manage today with people like Trump and Putin at the helm. A nuclear war by accident is more likely than by plan.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41314948

The UK, Saudi Arabia and Yemen - NOT amateur radio

We happily trade with corrupt regimes like Saudi Arabia selling them arms so they can fight our wars by proxy. It seems we are just interested in their money. Does the UK government think this is right? Yes, I know Yemen is supposed to be a failed state and a home to dangerous terrorists.

British bombs are falling on Yemen as 1.5 million children face starvation. This must stop. There's a line that must never be crossed - and it’s called the Arms Trade Treaty. By refusing to stop British bombs falling on Yemen, the UK government has crossed that line. Please write to your local MP: po.st/RedLineYemen and urge them to draw a #RedLineForYemen.

The tragedy of war - NOT amateur radio

This morning we are visiting the war tunnels made with slave labour when the Channel Is were occupied by the Germans in WW2. I am sure many Germans were pleased to be here rather than on the Eastern Front. Some were evil. The tragedy of war is that normal people are forced to do evil things. Most would rather just be normal civilians doing ordinary things. These days (different times) I am sure any visiting German people are made as welcome as we have been made by these kind people. UPDATE 1510z: Just been to see the tapestries to commemorate the years of occupation and pleased that reconciliation with the German people is high on the agenda. We live in peace.