Israel, it seems, is ramping up its preparations for war. To what extent circumstances in Syria influence this, I'm not sure. Syria and Iran are allies and it may be that when Syria eventually falls (as it undoubtedly will), Iran will feel even more isolated than it has in the past. It can then either 'fall into line' (unlikely) or become more aggressive or assertive. If that happens, some form of conflict will become inevitable.
Would Israel go it alone, or would they only move with the agreement of the USA? You have to assume the latter, but don't completely rule out unilateral action; dragging the US and possibly others unwillingly into the conflict. The other question, is when? With a Presidential election just a few months away, timing is tricky. Would the incumbent risk getting drawn into conflict on the eve of an election - or would it add a spark to his election campaign? Alternatively, might Israel hold off for a few months, in the hope of seeing a potentially more sympathetic Republican ally in the White House?
For what it's worth, my view is that it will wait until the end of the year or into 2013. But then, prepare for major earth changing events. Along with the world's economic woes, not least in the slowly decaying eurozone, the pace of change in the world we live in will gather pace.
But remember, major change is not necessarily bad. It may feel like it at the time, but perhaps not in hindsight. A sentiment, for those who have read it, that I echo at the end of Alpha to Omega.
Book cover
There are some 'clues' if you wish to find them!
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Interview on Mysterious Writings
I recently gave an interview to Jenny Kile on the website Mysterious Writings. Jenny was not only interested in Alpha to Omega, but also in my book The Ultimate Quest.
You can find the interview (6 questions and answers) at http://mysteriouswritings.com
Monday, 23 July 2012
Alpha to Omega: a time of change
At the end of my last post, I briefly referred to the fact that the rich and powerful - according to recent research - tend to be more greedy and less caring than the rest of the population. This is not some quick value judgement, it's the result of six years work. Through various experiments, some of them quite mundane, the researcher concluded they are not a particularly nice group.
The truth is, they are totally out of touch with the lives and problems of the rest of us. Now maybe it didn't need six years of methodical research to come to this conclusion - but at least the 'haves' cannot now accuse people of being jealous, biased, ill-informed or whatever stock phrases they roll out when faced with criticism. This is objective research.
"I know what it's like to lose your job", says the disgraced multi-millionaire banker or the politician who loses an election. Oh no you don't! Technically, maybe; but not the harsh reality. Having to go cap in hand for benefits; scrimping and saving just to be able to pay for the weekly shopping; wondering if you car breaks down whether you will be able to afford the repairs - and the list goes on.
And apparently it's not just those who are firmly entrenched at the top. The children born to the rich or famous, generally develop a view of themselves as being 'special'. They get access to education and jobs either because of money, connections or both. They may also believe they can lie, cheat or break the law; in the knowledge that money or influence will bail them out if they get caught. Drug and alcohol abuse are nothing to them; the money is there time after time to send them to an expensive clinic. The parents of a child from a poor family, can only hope, pray or vainly try to persuade.
Those, however, who have 'risen through the ranks', so to speak, also have a tendency to become greedy and less caring. The tough years seem to be soon forgotten, or at least lodged away in a safe place. Their new wealth or status creates a barrier that stops them from truly understanding (or perhaps even caring about) those who are less fortunate.
Going to a 'posh charity do' or donating money which may be tax deductible anyway, is their salve. And being seen to do it or getting your publicist to get media coverage, just adds to your status. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all this philanthropy was anonymous; even better if the giver genuinely had to forego something ( a second or third home, annual holiday, their prized sports car etc) or sell a precious possession in order to make the gift or donation.
The theme of a number of my posts and running through Alpha to Omega is change. Not only that which is overdue, but that which is inevitable. Change that is not only to do with our planet, but with our way of life.
The truth is, they are totally out of touch with the lives and problems of the rest of us. Now maybe it didn't need six years of methodical research to come to this conclusion - but at least the 'haves' cannot now accuse people of being jealous, biased, ill-informed or whatever stock phrases they roll out when faced with criticism. This is objective research.
"I know what it's like to lose your job", says the disgraced multi-millionaire banker or the politician who loses an election. Oh no you don't! Technically, maybe; but not the harsh reality. Having to go cap in hand for benefits; scrimping and saving just to be able to pay for the weekly shopping; wondering if you car breaks down whether you will be able to afford the repairs - and the list goes on.
And apparently it's not just those who are firmly entrenched at the top. The children born to the rich or famous, generally develop a view of themselves as being 'special'. They get access to education and jobs either because of money, connections or both. They may also believe they can lie, cheat or break the law; in the knowledge that money or influence will bail them out if they get caught. Drug and alcohol abuse are nothing to them; the money is there time after time to send them to an expensive clinic. The parents of a child from a poor family, can only hope, pray or vainly try to persuade.
Those, however, who have 'risen through the ranks', so to speak, also have a tendency to become greedy and less caring. The tough years seem to be soon forgotten, or at least lodged away in a safe place. Their new wealth or status creates a barrier that stops them from truly understanding (or perhaps even caring about) those who are less fortunate.
Going to a 'posh charity do' or donating money which may be tax deductible anyway, is their salve. And being seen to do it or getting your publicist to get media coverage, just adds to your status. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all this philanthropy was anonymous; even better if the giver genuinely had to forego something ( a second or third home, annual holiday, their prized sports car etc) or sell a precious possession in order to make the gift or donation.
The theme of a number of my posts and running through Alpha to Omega is change. Not only that which is overdue, but that which is inevitable. Change that is not only to do with our planet, but with our way of life.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Heading towards 2013
Those of you who have already read Alpha to Omega (or even taken note of the cover) will know that 2013 figures largely. You will also know, if you read these posts, that I have previously referred to a 'tipping point'. This term has often been used in the past in respect of climate change; I see it in a wider context - of which climate change is just one part.
Since completing Alpha to Omega last year, I have become increasingly aware of the pace of change beginning to quicken. If you don't believe me, sit down quietly for 10 minutes with pencil and paper and start to make your own list of significant issues that have already or are likely to bring about major changes in the near future. I'll give you a few of my own, just for starters. Even if they at first seem to be focussed on the UK, I would argue that the ramifications extend well beyond these shores or similar events can be found worldwide.
Each quarter seems to bring some new major misdemeanour to light in the banking world; resulting in massive fines and management resignations. There are plenty more 'surpises' in the pipeline! This effects everyone and massive restructuring is inevitable. In the UK, the roots of the problem can be traced back to the 1970s and the chickens are now coming home to roost.
The Eurozone crisis (arising out of deception and lies) sends a chill through the global economy. Even China (the powerhouse of the world economy in the past few years) is beginning to feel the effects. There are obvious consequences, but it is the less obvious - such as civil unrest - that we should really take notice of.
Destabilisation of countries, through uprisings and civil wars, also brings its own problems. While we might cheer heartily for those who have or will defeat oppressive regimes, we also have to recognise that it creates its own problems. What, for example, will happen to Syria's substatial stocks of chemical weapons? These are not largely mythical (as with Iraq), they are universally known to exist. As happened with the old soviet bloc countries, sudden change creates opportunities for weapons of mass destruction to fall into the wrong hands. As yet, few have been used; but that will change.
My final one for this 'starter' list is the environment. Those of us living in the UK have been experiencing prolonged spells of wet weather in recent months, as a consequence of the jet stream being further south than is usual. We also discovered this week that the oceans are continuing to warm up. We can, of course, argue about the causes of this, but the consequences are inevitable. Firstly, water evaporates faster from the oceans, resulting in more rain. Where it falls, will depend on what is happening to the 'conveyors' that move our weather around. Warmer waters also mean ice thaws more rapidly. That melting ice upsets the salinity of the oceans, which in turns influences the currents which circulate around the globe. In the UK, for example, that would impact on the Gulf Stream; which has traditionally helped to give us a mild and temperate climate.
And finally, an extended piece of research has come to the conclusion that the rich and powerful (bankers, politicians and other 'leaders') tend to be more greedy and less caring than the rest of the population. That could explain quite a lot, don't you think? It's a topic I may come back to.
Since completing Alpha to Omega last year, I have become increasingly aware of the pace of change beginning to quicken. If you don't believe me, sit down quietly for 10 minutes with pencil and paper and start to make your own list of significant issues that have already or are likely to bring about major changes in the near future. I'll give you a few of my own, just for starters. Even if they at first seem to be focussed on the UK, I would argue that the ramifications extend well beyond these shores or similar events can be found worldwide.
Each quarter seems to bring some new major misdemeanour to light in the banking world; resulting in massive fines and management resignations. There are plenty more 'surpises' in the pipeline! This effects everyone and massive restructuring is inevitable. In the UK, the roots of the problem can be traced back to the 1970s and the chickens are now coming home to roost.
The Eurozone crisis (arising out of deception and lies) sends a chill through the global economy. Even China (the powerhouse of the world economy in the past few years) is beginning to feel the effects. There are obvious consequences, but it is the less obvious - such as civil unrest - that we should really take notice of.
Destabilisation of countries, through uprisings and civil wars, also brings its own problems. While we might cheer heartily for those who have or will defeat oppressive regimes, we also have to recognise that it creates its own problems. What, for example, will happen to Syria's substatial stocks of chemical weapons? These are not largely mythical (as with Iraq), they are universally known to exist. As happened with the old soviet bloc countries, sudden change creates opportunities for weapons of mass destruction to fall into the wrong hands. As yet, few have been used; but that will change.
My final one for this 'starter' list is the environment. Those of us living in the UK have been experiencing prolonged spells of wet weather in recent months, as a consequence of the jet stream being further south than is usual. We also discovered this week that the oceans are continuing to warm up. We can, of course, argue about the causes of this, but the consequences are inevitable. Firstly, water evaporates faster from the oceans, resulting in more rain. Where it falls, will depend on what is happening to the 'conveyors' that move our weather around. Warmer waters also mean ice thaws more rapidly. That melting ice upsets the salinity of the oceans, which in turns influences the currents which circulate around the globe. In the UK, for example, that would impact on the Gulf Stream; which has traditionally helped to give us a mild and temperate climate.
And finally, an extended piece of research has come to the conclusion that the rich and powerful (bankers, politicians and other 'leaders') tend to be more greedy and less caring than the rest of the population. That could explain quite a lot, don't you think? It's a topic I may come back to.
Friday, 6 July 2012
Alpha to Omega review on BookLore
A bit earlier in the week, I discovered a new review by a reader of Alpha to Omega. Unless you know they are going to happen, you often only stumble upon them by chance. This one is on a book review site called BookLore. If anyone is interested in reading it, the site is http://www.booklore.co.uk/
The review is by someone named Norma. If it is the Norma who follows my blog, thank you. If it's another Norma, thank you still applies!
The review is by someone named Norma. If it is the Norma who follows my blog, thank you. If it's another Norma, thank you still applies!
Friday, 29 June 2012
Every action has a consequence.
In an earlier post (19 May if you want to refer back to it) I included a short quote from my book Alpha to Omega. In summary, it stated that secret steps from the past tend to deliver up their unforeseen consequences many years later. Or, according to a long since dead aunt of mine, 'be sure your sins will find you out'.
Here in the UK, banks and other financial institutions seem to be the most recent 'targets' of this truth. Mis-selling and misleading their customers and the markets is becoming increasingly obvious. So, what's new you say? Well, if you go back one or two generations such things would have been pretty unthinkable. A rogue bank manager or employee possibly; but not institutionalised wrongdoing. But that is what we now have - despite a massive increase in consumer protection laws and regulation.
But the UK is by no means unique in this respect. Much of the economic mess throughout Europe is because many of its governments lied about their economic situation in order to join the euro or agreed to the 'rules' without any intention of sticking by them. Similarly, many of their largest banks and financial institutions thought that they were above mundane rules and regulations; and even the basic tenets of common sense. No doubt a closer look at most countries and continents would reveal similar patterns of behaviour.
The phrase 'tipping point' is most often used in connection with the environment and consequences of global warming. I think it could now equally be applied to our civilisation as a whole. You may or may not have liked history at school, but it shows us time and time again how the world 're-balances' itself. Ice ages, natural disasters, wars and pandemics have all played their part. As a result of all of these, a new order or civilisation is invariably created.
Here in the UK, banks and other financial institutions seem to be the most recent 'targets' of this truth. Mis-selling and misleading their customers and the markets is becoming increasingly obvious. So, what's new you say? Well, if you go back one or two generations such things would have been pretty unthinkable. A rogue bank manager or employee possibly; but not institutionalised wrongdoing. But that is what we now have - despite a massive increase in consumer protection laws and regulation.
But the UK is by no means unique in this respect. Much of the economic mess throughout Europe is because many of its governments lied about their economic situation in order to join the euro or agreed to the 'rules' without any intention of sticking by them. Similarly, many of their largest banks and financial institutions thought that they were above mundane rules and regulations; and even the basic tenets of common sense. No doubt a closer look at most countries and continents would reveal similar patterns of behaviour.
The phrase 'tipping point' is most often used in connection with the environment and consequences of global warming. I think it could now equally be applied to our civilisation as a whole. You may or may not have liked history at school, but it shows us time and time again how the world 're-balances' itself. Ice ages, natural disasters, wars and pandemics have all played their part. As a result of all of these, a new order or civilisation is invariably created.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Spooks (and governments) just can't get enough!
If you live in the UK, you could soon find that every letter or email you send or every phone call you make or receive, is intercepted and the details kept for at least 12 months.
Do you need to be a criminal under surveillance? No! A potential terrorist or someone with terrorist links? No! A paedophile? No! All you have to be is an everyday citizen who writes letters, sends emails or uses a telephone to communicate with other people. I guess that covers about 99% of the UK's adult population.
The government - actively egged on by the spooks and senior police officers - are seriously contemplating making all internet providers and phone companies responsible for keeping detailed records of all traffic. Even the Royal Mail will have to keep details of the addresses on every envelope. Postcards to Aunty Ethel or little Tarquin will, presumably, even have the message/greeting recorded - just in case it's in code and dealing with some gems heist. (Those of you who battled with The Ultimate Quest should be well-placed to baffle the authorities with your secret messages!)
If you have already read Alpha to Omega you will know that such 'intercepts' are routine practice under certain circumstances, but this is really going to the nth degree. But are we surprised? I'm not.
Fear and uncertainty grips the heart of every government, elite or enforcement agency. Fear that something may be going on that they do not know about. And so it has been for a very long time. It grips democracies just as much as dictatorships. The only difference is that the former pay lip service to controls and safeguards, while the letter couldn't give a ****. Which is the more honest?
But I think it also has to be seen in the current context. We are already in times of great uncertainty and, in my view, this will get worse before it gets better. I've 'predicted' 2013 in Alpha to Omega; but the actual year is irrelevant. Let's just say that it is going to happen. However 'it' manifests itself, it will be life-changing and the spooks and governments are likely to go into a spiral of despair. As they already know much more than we do, is it a surprise they are anxious?
But here's a small consolation - it is already quite easy to communicate without falling foul of the planned interception. How will 'they'cope with that, poor souls?
Do you need to be a criminal under surveillance? No! A potential terrorist or someone with terrorist links? No! A paedophile? No! All you have to be is an everyday citizen who writes letters, sends emails or uses a telephone to communicate with other people. I guess that covers about 99% of the UK's adult population.
The government - actively egged on by the spooks and senior police officers - are seriously contemplating making all internet providers and phone companies responsible for keeping detailed records of all traffic. Even the Royal Mail will have to keep details of the addresses on every envelope. Postcards to Aunty Ethel or little Tarquin will, presumably, even have the message/greeting recorded - just in case it's in code and dealing with some gems heist. (Those of you who battled with The Ultimate Quest should be well-placed to baffle the authorities with your secret messages!)
If you have already read Alpha to Omega you will know that such 'intercepts' are routine practice under certain circumstances, but this is really going to the nth degree. But are we surprised? I'm not.
Fear and uncertainty grips the heart of every government, elite or enforcement agency. Fear that something may be going on that they do not know about. And so it has been for a very long time. It grips democracies just as much as dictatorships. The only difference is that the former pay lip service to controls and safeguards, while the letter couldn't give a ****. Which is the more honest?
But I think it also has to be seen in the current context. We are already in times of great uncertainty and, in my view, this will get worse before it gets better. I've 'predicted' 2013 in Alpha to Omega; but the actual year is irrelevant. Let's just say that it is going to happen. However 'it' manifests itself, it will be life-changing and the spooks and governments are likely to go into a spiral of despair. As they already know much more than we do, is it a surprise they are anxious?
But here's a small consolation - it is already quite easy to communicate without falling foul of the planned interception. How will 'they'cope with that, poor souls?
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