Dissimulation

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. Romans 12:9-10 (KJV)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

I like the language and sentiment of the King James version of these verses, although the NIV says it better in today's language. The unmistakeable theme is sincerity. The idea of true sincerity (NIV) being likened to the simulation of sincerity (KJV) cannot have missed you. I took the time to look up the word in the original text, and the word 'hypocrisy' jumped out at me. I detest that word, and the implications it conveys. This word is almost exclusively reserved for Christians, as seen through the eyes of the skeptic or unbeliever, so it has a real barb for those of who are serious about living the best life we can for the Lord. It is a description we should try to avoid at all costs, as it can do untold damage to the growth of God's Kingdom here on this earth!

I remember the first time I heard these verses, or at least the first time they stuck with me, and they were given in the King James language. “Don't let your (brotherly) love be a sham, or an embarrassment” was the way it was preached, and the concept took hold. I will be the first to own up to missing the mark so very often, but I have become more aware of its importance, in me and my fellow Christians, as time has passed. I think it is easier, much easier, so see this insincerity in others, than in ourselves. So, that's where a good friend comes in. One that can tell you what they see, but without either of you being offended, or embarrassed. Such friends are few, but essential. I pray you and I, have at least one!

UK Elections

2011 UK, Scottish and Welsh Elections

May 5^th, 2011 will see parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, and a UK referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV). As a non party political member, I felt it would be helpful to provide a light hearted look at the words and phrases, used by all politicians of all parties, and a guide to what they really mean! Here are a few. You will have your own, which you are welcome to add.....

'Clearly'. ...as clear as mud but I will dress it up in jargon so that you have no excuse but to know what I think I mean, but am not really sure about.

'I have always been clear about this'. ...still clear as mud, but the politician will now make you feel (without actually saying so) a numpty for not seeing it in the first place. Don't feel bad. The thing being clarified will still not be clear, as this word can be replaced by another simpler word, 'waffle'!
'What I hear on the doorstep is..'.... This is a great way to turn a bad conversation or question around to their way of thinking. Of course doorsteps don't have names, and so the claims cannot be verified. I think a milkman will hear more on the doorstep, than any politician.

'We have to ensure'... A great way to make you think they will do something about the problem being discussed. It's a great and vague way of seeming to address something important, but not actually having any solution. In other words, they know as much as you. Actually, you will know more than them, but they will find this hard to accept.

'I have always said'... Probably said to the dog while out walking, or in the shower where no one else listens, or to the yes-men and yes-women who surround them and bask in the glow of their presence.

'I am calling for'... Sounds like a yodel from an Austrian mountain. All politicians will call for something in their career, but we all know (they don't) it's who will listen that's important, and even more important again, who will do something about it! Anyone can 'call' but it takes someone special to 'do', and they are few and far between in the ranks of the Scottish Parliament, or even any government body... including the Westminster Government.

'We will set up a committee'... A good way to put off making any decisions right now, while making it look like the obvious solution (which will be hard to implement) might not be the right one.

'Let's be careful not to offend'... Wow, this is one of the best ones. They will hide behind the PC excuse, which allows the minority groups to take over while the majority view is ignored. What is democracy, if not the wishes of the majority(duh?)... except when we might offend someone, or a minority group. Now run over in your mind the types of people or groups who get most protection from this? Certainly not the mainstream voting majority.

'We will make the difficult decisions'... No they won't! These decisions are difficult, and therefore political suicide. So there is talk about decisions being difficult, but little or no action. Difficult solutions are needed for difficult decisions, so difficult decisions will be made to choose which difficult decisions will be made! (Hope you were able to follow :). That is why there is little or no action taken of real importance.

'Manifesto promise'... This is different from all other promises. When other mortals make a promise, their word is their bond and can be counted on. Not so for the politician. As long as it is written in a manifesto document, it is open to being broken at will, because you can count on them saying 'but the situation has changed since the intention (it's not a promise at this point) was made'.

'No, what I said/meant was'... At this point you know you have them on the ropes. You have reminded them of their words during an unguarded moment, and it is a sinful pleasure to watch them squirm as they try to wheedle their way out of it.
'I've done nothing wrong'... Literally means, I am as guilty as sin!

So what method can we use to help us decide which person or party to vote for? How about things like....
Not arrogant
Not ashamed of their roots or Christian faith
Stays faithful to their spouse and family
Honest with expenses and allowances

Has a good track record of moral and ethical integrity.

Another look at this list tells you that there is not a party political element to it. There is, however, something about honesty and integrity which should be the bedrock of anyone serving in public office. Let's go for a choice along those lines, then whoever it may be, male or female, from whatever party, we are best placed to get a good return on our vote. So go out there and make your mark on the ballot paper, and make a difference, while thanking God for this freedom!

Dangerous Dogs

A 10-year-old girl is in hospital in Dundee after being attacked by two Rottweiler dogs in the street. The incident happened as Rhianna Kidd was riding her bike. Rhianna's grandmother, who lives in the area, ran from her house to help. A passing motorist also sounded his horn to try to distract the dogs. The little girl was taken to Ninewells Hospital in the city.

It's that time of year again. Sometime during the summer, a child will be mauled or killed by a family pet, or in this case, pets! Where was the owner? Why were the dogs not on a lead? Why were they allowed free rein in a public place? So many questions, and so few answers. If the wee girl was riding a bike, the dogs had to scare her enough to get her off the bike, or even knocked her off, before attacking her, and putting her in hospital for injuries including a broken jaw, and re-constructive surgery. These dogs are BIG, and that's an understatement. Certainly much too big for a 10 year old to fight or run away from.

Have you seen some of the dog owners? Do you not think they are sometimes an extension of their personality? Maybe even look like their dog (or is it the other way around)? I am talking in general, so please don't give me the odd exception. The choice of dog may even come down to an image thing, where the owner wants to be seen with a certain kind of dog. You don't usually see little old ladies with Rottweilers, do you? And big macho tattoo'd bouncers don't usually own a poodle, do they? 

I hope this silly season of dog attacks is over soon. I suppose it's not really the dog's fault. Maybe we should take firm action against dog owners whose wee family pet attacks and maims a human. These dog owners made a choice in the dog they own, so they should live with the consequences of their inability to train them, and keep them under control. So, after putting the dog(s) down, the owner should be made to visit and pay for the victim's medical injuries, while they work voluntarily for an animal shelter, on the days allowed out of prison. Yes, I think a month or two in jail is in order too. Where do our sympathies really lie? With the dog, or the dog owner, or the victim?... Careful how you answer!

News?

There are 33 miners trapped in a mine in Chile, and could be there until Christmas before being freed. There are over 20 million people homeless and injured and dead in Pakistan as flood waters take their toll on human life. And then there is the story of a woman who pets a cat, then opens a bin and puts it in there until the owner rescues it some hours later.


Which story gets the most news attention? Which is seen as 'interesting'? Which one has had over 2 million hits on You Tube? Yes, the cat in the bin story! Fortunately, the cat did not die or suffer before being rescued, but the lady who took leave of her senses for an instant, has had vigilante groups round her house, and has even had death threats by phone, letter, email and text. We seem to be more obsessed by the plight of an animal, than we are in the suffering and plight of human beings who are in real need.


It says a lot about the mindset of the UK population, and even further afield, that we take the 'cat in a bin' story to heart so much so that it arouses the wish to see the woman dead. She has apologised, and admits she doesn't know what came over her. At this point I have to ask in all seriousness, how many of us have wanted to do the same thing with a pest of a pet, who leaves smelly messages in our garden, keeps us awake at night, or strikes fear in the hearts of unsuspecting children? The only difference between us, and the woman in this case, is that she did it! Not only that she got caught! The story would never have got anywhere if a CCTV camera was not being used for other reasons and caught the lady in the act. It was then released to the media, and you know the rest of the story. It might never have been a media scoop otherwise.


Let's try to get our minds on the important things in life. That's human beings as they live, die and suffer. I am sorry to have to remind you, but a cat is an animal, no matter how much a part of the family you feel it to be. When it comes to the lady in the news, it reminds me of the old saying, "There but for the grace of God, go I". I think a bit of open honesty would not go wrong as we think about this story. Let it go, and instead worry, concentrate and give to those people who need it most. There is a big difference between a cat in a bin, and 33 miners in an earthen grave in Chile, or orphaned children in Pakistan. Get real!!

Humans versus Environmental Impact

The horrific story of 33 miners in Chile being trapped underground has been reported.

The 33 Chilean miners trapped deep underground have been told they may not be rescued for several months, the country's health minister has said.

Jaime Manalich said the miners, trapped 700m below ground since 5 August, had reacted calmly, AFP news agency said. Officials had delayed breaking the news out of concern for their mental well-being. A special exercise and recreation programme is being set up to keep the men fit during their long wait. 

Related stories

• Mine rescuers' challenge
• In pictures: Gruelling wait
• How would you survive being trapped?

They will also need to be in shape to be pulled up the 66cm (26 inches) wide shaft that is being bored to rescue them. That may take up to four months to complete.

There is some media interest in the fact that 33 human beings are trapped underground, and will be for several months to come. However, the attention is not nearly the same as that given to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster, which even got the folks in the USA so fired up that their President got involved, and was instrumental in getting the CEO fired, and establishing a fund from bp to clean up the environment they messed! I have no problem with the USA getting involved to help their own people who had lost their livelihood, but where is the same passion now?

I am asking myself, what do our leaders care more about, human life, or oil on some ducks and fish? I know I am simplifying things here, but that's what it boils down to. Looking back on the bp oil spill, there was not a lot of time spent reporting the loss of human life, just the environmental impact. Have we lost something here? Should we not be addressing the need to get these men out, and supporting their waiting families? By all reports, it will take as long to release these miners from their earthy dungeon, as it did to cap the gushing oil well. Cast your mind back to the anger and emotion expressed in the USA because the oil was continuing to damage wildlife. The images were never off our TV screens. Is it too much to ask that some of that passion is harnessed to help get these men out faster? There are obvious similarities between the two disasters, and the ultimate solution is to bore a relief well which will eventually get them out, while using small bore wells to provide essential support, medicine and food. Who knows what state these miners will be in by the time they are freed at Christmas? Does it matter?

Which is more important? Oil or human life? You decide!

Common Sense - An Obituary

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has  been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since  his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be  remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain;  Why the early bird gets the worm;  Life isn't always fair;  and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more  than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in  charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job  that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent  to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and  criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her  lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his  wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, you will mourn his passing. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Junkies

Take a look at the following press release by the UK Drug Policy Commission.

Don't label heroin users as 'junkies' - Drug Commission

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People should stop calling heroin users "junkies" or "addicts", an influential think tank on drugs has said.

The UK Drug Policy Commission said such names stigmatised users and made it more difficult to get off drugs.

A report suggested that the policing of drugs on the streets and methadone programmes forcing users to go to chemists were "publicly humiliating".

Instead, the report said that British society needed to show more compassion towards drug users.

Authors of the six-month study said the terms "junkie" and "addict" were distrustful and judgmental and led to feelings of low self-worth among drug users.

You may have your own opinion about hard drug users, and you may sympathise with the commission's approach in not wanting them to feel low self esteem, but I don't share it. A junkie got there by choice. Maybe he or she was misled and gave in to peer pressure, but it was a choice. Once the choice has been made, they are going down a spiral into the gutter. Please don't tell me they didn't understand the risks. Of course they did. Maybe they didn't believe the risks were real, but that was another choice. There are many young people faced with peer pressure to do drugs, but they 'just say no'.

Why the sudden rush to feel sorry for the people in our society who steal from their family to support their addiction? These same people are at the Primary School gates looking for a buyer, who may just be your son, daughter, or grandchild. They are also at High Schools and Colleges and Universities. They are on the dole queue, waiting to collect their benefit. They will injure and kill if the conditions are right for them. The news is full of cases of murder in local communities, because of junkies. Weapons like knives, swords, pistols and rifles are weapons of choice where junkies try to protect their income and addiction. They overload our court systems and prisons. The give the police service a headache as they try to deal with them, and they appear at the Hospital Emergency Rooms having been in fights, maybe even with other junkie friends.

So lets not stigmatise them? Lets try to protect their low self worth? Lets stop embarrassing them by making them stand in a chemist shop waiting for their methodone, which by the way is also provided free for them, by the state (that's you and me)? It took six months of study for this think tank to come up with these recommendations. It would have served them better to have spent the time with the victims of the junkie's many crimes. Let's start to recognise and protect the victims, and not the junkies. After all they gave the name to themselves, by choice.

What happens to those many people who, through no fault of their own, and not through choice, have life threatening diseases like cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, etc etc? If the junkies feel stigmatised by their treatment, the solution is easy. Remove all the money they get on services, benefits and treatment, including these so called 'think tanks', and divert it to those areas of medical need just mentioned. After all, they really do need it more, and would certainly appreciate it more! When it comes down to who deserves the help, it certainly isn't the junkie!

Wishes and Angels.

I have come across a website, called www.wishesandangels.com which seems to operate against the usual 'gimme' culture of our modern society. We are so used to looking after number one, that we sometimes forget that there are many, many people in much worse situations than ourselves.


This website is quite revolutionary, because it gives the ordinary man or woman a chance to make a difference in someone's life by donating as an 'angel' to other folks 'wishes'. And here's the good bit, you can look through the 'wishes' and decide which one or ones you want to help! If you take a look, you can see real need, and help, or decide it's not for you. It's totally voluntary.


I like the thinking behind the operation. Many people can give a little to build up the fund to provide something which is needed, or maybe even just wanted. The real benefit in the process, to me, is the chance to give, and not just look for something to get. Oh, by the way, you can even ask for something yourself as a wisher, and if enough people sympathise with that wish, it can be granted by other angels too. It's effectively a two way street. It deserves to succeed.


The cost to join is nothing. The price of helping to grant a wish as an angel is a mere £4. Yes, that's right, £4. Now you tell me what £4 can buy you? Not a lot, but it might just be enough to buy someone less fortunate some happiness, and make them smile. It might just bring a smile to your face too. Go on, you know you want to! Log on to www.wishesandangels.com and take a look. The most it could cost is £4, but it could change a life for ever, maybe even your own.   

Life Isn't Fair

The 20th of August is important for two similar, but also very different reasons. My wife, a very special lady, lost her life to cancer almost three years ago. She would have been a very young, sprightly and active wife, mum and gran had she survived that terrible disease. This date will always be remembered for the great loss of a lovely, kind and warm person.


A year ago on the same date, the Locherbie bomber, Abdel Baset Ali Al Megrahi was granted compassionate release from his life sentence for blowing up Pan Am Flight 103, taking hundreds of lives with it. He was found guilty of the crime. I have made no secret of my opinion that the decision to release him to go back to his own country was wrong. He was given 3 months to live, and now a year later he is still alive. That is where life isn't fair. Compare the life of my wife, who only did good, to the bomber who blew a plane and it's passengers out of the sky, in an act of terrorism, and got a hero's welcome when he arrived home in Libya.


The debate and argument rages again, one year on from his release. I have even heard people say they wish him to be dead, and the sooner the better. He has lived too long! At the moment he has lived 4 times longer than the doctors thought. No, life is not fair, and I don't agree with his release, but I do not wish him dead for the convenience of some politicians who are being questioned on the basis for the release decision.


It has often been repeated that compassion is a part of the Scottish judicial system, and that is good and right, even when some decisions may be open to question, but please let's not wish anyone dead. That wish and desire is held and used in the countries like the USA who still use capital punishment. They wish the criminal dead, and they pass that judgement. With the faults we have in Scotland, let's not be tempted to change it for the barbarism of wishing someone dead, and let's keep that compassion alive.


And whoever said that life was fair anyway? Certainly not in this life. One thing is for sure, after death, the real reward or judgement is passed out by a higher court than any on this earth. My wife has her reward now, and Megrahi will also be given his 'reward'. Then life will be fair!!

Dogs and Dog Owners

The following article doesn't need anything else added.... Dog owners take note.......

A little girl could lose her eye because of an infection contracted from dog mess left in a playground.

Amiee Langdon with her mother, Suzanne. (Photo: MEN Syndication)

Toddler Amiee Langdon, who will be two years old next week, put her hand in faeces when she fell over in a park.

Before her mother Suzanne could react, the little girl wiped her left eye with the same hand.

Ms Langdon, a 29-year-old nurse from Fallowfield, Manchester, rushed to clean the eye and rinsed it with warm water once they returned home.

Amiee's condition is the consequence of some thoughtless dog owner.

Suzanne Langdon

But it was too late to stop Amiee contracting an infection calledtoxocariasis, which is caused by parasitic worms in dog mess.

The toddler's eye subsequently swelled up, becoming purple and inflamed.

Amiee was admitted to hospital where she was immediately put on antibiotics.

But, if they do not work, she will need surgery to remove the eye so the infection does not spread to her brain, which - in extreme cases - could lead to death.

I hope this makes irresponsible dog owners understand the very real consequences of failing to pick up after their dogs.

Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council

Amiee was playing in a gated children's area of Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, when she fell over.

Ms Langdon said: "Amiee's condition is the consequence of some thoughtless dog owner.

"It's awful. There is a sign saying 'No dogs' near the entrance to the play area, but it seems people are ignoring it. Councils must get tough."

Paul Andrews, of neighbourhood services at Manchester City Council, said: "I hope this extremely upsetting incident makes irresponsible dog owners understand the very real consequences of failing to pick up after their dogs.

"We are thinking about this little girl and her family and we hope she makes a speedy recovery."