Thursday 5 February 2015

Of Distressing World News.

Hello There!
It has been quite some time since I last posted, though I have been reading  blogs and commenting from time to time.
I am have been feeling rather morose over the last few days and this is NOT like me. I'm just struggling to cope with the news. I'm quite a politically inclined person and I keep up with the news, either on the BBC news channel on the TV or on the PC, several times a day, but I'm starting to avoid it as I find it so distressing. Those who know me, know that I usually take up the case for the underdog, I try to understand where people are coming from and champion groups that face discrimination. For years now I have argued against racist comments from all and sundry about people's right to live their life according to their culture or faith.(I'm proud to say that my daughters ... too consistently support the "underdog" and those who are discriminated against for one reason or another) HOWEVER I really can't find anything that justifies the torture, executions, killings (not to mention the  abuse of women)  that we are witnessing presently. Yes I know that these acts are perpetrated by a minority in the name of Islam, but you would think that the other 2 BILLION Muslims could sort them out wouldn't you? Yes, I know that other faiths/cultures kill and I don't agree with that either, but nothing is as extreme as that which we are witnessing presently.

I'm really busy with Civic Society stuff at the moment. We have had a couple of meetings and have launched a new campaign over the last couple of weeks. I am hosting a meeting of the "Great and the Good" at our house next week. As everybody who has been invited is able to come I guess I will need to have a bit of a sprockle in the bigger lounge to make room. We usually have our meetings around our kitchen table, which sits ten at a squash, but as we are expecting sixteen we will be more comfortable in the lounge methinks. To get to this lounge it is necessary to go through the kitchen, along a little hallway thingy, down three steps into an "office" (box room with computer) and out the other side into the lounge. So that is three rooms that will need a bit of a dust (!) I have just finished the agenda for this meeting and emailed it to the attendees, which is why I am finally posting, having the essential PC stuff out of the way.

It has been dry for the last few days, with the odd sprinkling of snow and we have been able to get out into the garden without having to wallow and slip in the mud. it's good to get out there and do jobs that are satisfying and purposeful. we still are not ready for the pigs, but only a little more work should see their housing finished.
 As you probably know, I like to look at my stats and even when I am not posting often there is still a regular stream of views of my blog. These have dropped somewhat over the last week and I notice that I am no longer getting viewing via Frugal Queen's blog. Do you think I have offended her?!
 I do have two new followers on Blog lovin to welcome - Jill Williams and Lauren - good to see you here.
 That's all for now. I have more to say, but a car has pulled into the drive and I see, by the occupants  that I will be "entertaining" for a few hours!

Keep warm and safe dear Frugellers
Gillx

30 comments:

  1. As you say, the news is so depressing. There seems to be no depths to their depravity. The last incident with the Jordanian pilot is simply dreadful. I just feel like screaming.

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  2. Yes I have been avoiding , it's very upsetting.

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    1. It certainly is. I can't decide if showing the appalling acts is a good idea or not.

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  3. Quite possibly, you may have disagreed with something she wrote, you will be on the black list of you have, She does not like anyone who does not think she is wonderful!!

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    1. I don't think so as I am careful not to get into one to one disagreements with anybody. If I don't agree with someone I tend to let it go or put my view with respect for their view.
      Not seen you around for some time SBBE. Hope you are keeping well.

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  4. I also find the news extremely discouraging right now.
    J x

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    1. Discouraging is a good word. I am also really bothered about how young women are being attracted to regimes that are positively medieval and consider women to be inferior.

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  5. I don't know how to cope with so much bad news from around the world that I can do nothing about. My only way to manage is to stick my head in the sand and not watch/listen. No help at all to anyone really am I?
    I too have been blacklisted by Frugal Queen as I've taken her off my reading list due to the ads. I'm not getting any page views via her site now. Shall I cry? I don't think so!

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    1. Nope, I have no blacklist and I still read your blog xx

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    2. I suppose I am wondering out loud about what can be done about it all and I don't have the answer either!

      I think FQ has probably had a re-giggle of her blog and we have dropped off the end (and I see she is here!)

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  6. You're not the only one to feel this way by any means, Gill. I only listen to the news once a day either at lunchtime or 6pm if I'm preparing or eating a meal or 10pm if there's no other programme I want to watch. It has all been so terrible these past few weeks, it could make you want to hide up in a cellar somewhere or never watch anything ever again. Then I look out of the window and see my nodding snowdrops in all their beauty or chat with my 86 year old father (who lovingly cares for my silent, bedridden mother) about his latest wood turned gift for one of the professional carers or laugh with my piano pupils who range from 6years to 56 and they all make me realise there is still light and beauty and hope in the world I inhabit. Yes, there are many dark places I cannot reach except by positive thought, but I try to do what I can with what I have available.

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    1. I too have much to be thankful for and which makes me "rich". I tend to go into our field and sit with a cup of tea listening to the birds, watching the chickens and looking around me at the beautiful trees. Sometimes I feel guilty that I have this richness when others lives are so limited.
      Thanks for commenting Sarah

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  7. Gosh I didn't know you can get viewers via another's site.

    Don't want to have to believe what is happening in the Middle East, As I read Going Gently's recent hollocaust posts I had literally minutes before heard about the burning alive of the Jordanian pilot and the broadcasting of it on social media. For most of my adult life two songs have been my mantras, The Tide is Turning (Roger Walters) and On Turning Away (Pink Floyd). I now believe the tide has turned again for the human race and how we are to face the terrifying possibilities in this world of mass communication and weapons of mass distruction I don't know. I have four youngsters (14 -21) and despair that of the world that they are emerging as adults into. I'm sorry to be so negative.

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    1. I don't know which "system" you use, but I go to stats and then click on traffic sources. This tells how the viewers reached your post. I get many of my viewers from Frugalinsuffolk and Google and until a couple of weeks ago most of my views came via Frugal Queen, thus the flippant comment on my post.
      I too fear for my children and grandchildren.

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  8. dont offended me in any way, as you can see, I still read your blog.

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    1. Hi FQ! I was a little tongue in cheek, as I don't think I have commented on your blog for a little while and when I have it is unlikely that I have left a negative comment. (not my style)
      Thanks for commenting.

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  9. I am really struggling with the horror of the news. I have always made a point of watching the news and being aware of what is going on in the rest of the world, but at the moment it's all too upsetting.

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    1. It certainly is. As I replied to "Simple Living" I'm not sure if showing the awful acts is a go thing or not, but I suppose it is proof of what is happening, so that nobody can be in any doubt and eventually something may be done( I wish I knew what)

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  10. I gave up watching the news few years ago, now hear it on radio 4, much better analysis and whilst not taking away the horror, somehow the distance of a voice rather than pictures, seems to make it less visceral.

    On a different topic, does anyone know what's happened to Saver of Surburbia? Hope she's ok, really enjoyed her blog.

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    1. I know her blog is not available, which makes it impossible to see what was happening for her before her last post. I too like her blog.
      I so agree re. Radio 4. best for news every time.

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  11. Don't worry too much. The decreased BBC news budgets and 24-hour broadcasting remit mean we get of rolling news on the same stories. The world is as good and as bad as it has always been, but we're just bombarded with bad news. This is positive as it gives us a chance to be aware, though it's a good idea to try to look a bit deeper into the news sometimes as we're not getting depth or breadth from our media at the moment. I would say read the papers, but they're more bothered with click-bait opinion pieces that they often have to publish errata for afterwards, chasing the advertisers' buck. Think positive, love everybody as best as you can.

    I was going to write a longer piece about news heroes, but you don't want that guff on your page, I'll do it in my own blog if I still feel impassioned later.

    Stay warm, and have lots of hugs x

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  12. Go for it FW I have no problem with folk expressing their views here.(That's not strictly true, as I would be unhappy if they were racist or homophobic rants!) My newspaper of choice is the Independent on Sunday, which many consider a socialist rag, but I have found contains some well researched, balanced and in-depth articles. I notice that much that we read on the internet or in the papers never reaches the Television News.
    I'm pretty lucky as I have lots of people to love and many of them are damn good cuddlers.
    Thanks for commenting
    Gill

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  14. Not a massive news watcher or listener but when I do I try to pull positives out from it. Remember for every bad story there are hundred of good ones that won;t sell a paper.

    Not related to your post but if you still want some seeds send me an email kevalviti at hotmail dot com - and I'll get some in the post to you.

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  15. I saw a headline here in the Land Down Under, that more of the unemployed youth, are heading over to fit with isil
    If they are feeling disenfranchised here and now, what will they be feeling over there?
    Yes it is a worry re our children and grandchildren, but I feel that if we can all do the best in our own backyards and spread out then some good will be done

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  16. Some will criticize, but I have pretty much given up on the "news". Here in the US, at least, it's more about sensationalism and political persuasion than anything else. I've also figured out that it doesn't matter whom we vote for, the problems remain the same. Consequently I've given up on politics as well. The only difference I can make is in what I do and how I do it. Seems insignificant, but if everyone would do that we'd make a huge difference.

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  17. The world is pretty much as it always was only it is so thrust in our face now and that has a detrimental effect. At the same time I know people who none of this would affect; wish I could be like them. I always think I will go on a "news fast" but then I get restless and jumpy after a few days of that.
    We are in the depth of winter and it is a bit harder to escape the media and maybe preys on our minds more. The world has always been home to brutality - think the
    Khmer Rouge and the Mau Mau and Rhwanda......singling an individual out to torture and murder really brings it home......

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