Thursday 19 August 2021

History

 My knowledge of the history of the region around Afghanistan is sketchy to say the least.  In fact I am ashamed to say that I would find it difficult to put my finger on it on the map.   You can imagine my surprise therefore when I read the 'On this day' paragraph in The Times this morning - and I quote:-

'In 1919 Afghanistan gained Independence from Britain after the signing of a Treaty on the 6th August.'   So in 102 years not a lot has changed really has it?

It all seems such a long way away Geographically but how much closer than when it first gained independence.   And twenty years of having British and American troops must have had a huge influence on the population - how difficult is it going to be to revert to how it was before?   Let's just all hope that it doesn't descend into bloodshed.   That does nobody any good at all.

It just always seems that regimes like that value life so much more lightly than we do, but maybe that is just how it is presented to us by our media.   We have no way of knowing.    And what can we believe about what anybody says.   All we can say with certainty is that at present Afghanistan  dominates the News.

I've searched the newpaper for the next 'most important' (ie where in The Times it appears) story and it seems to be that of Geronimo, the alpaca 'condemned to death' because a test has shown him positive for Bovine TB and his owner is trying to get his death sentence overturned.   Any farmer who has gone through this with some of his cows will know the feeling only too well and the futility of trying to appeal against it.   Not sure what it says about our society that the one is considered almost as important as the other.

Chilly grey day here .in fact now, in early evening it is still grey and chilly with a distinctly Autumnal feeling in the air.   Already at half past seven in the evening the light is beginning to go and last night I noticed that the street light came on before nine o'clock.

For the last year I have had some kind of mole along the side of my nose - very itchy.   Today I got my son to take a photo and send it to my doctor.   The upshot is that he wishes to look at it and I have to go in to the surgery in a fortnight to see him.   It will be interesting to hear what he has to say.

Well folks that is the sum total of happenings as far as I am concerned today.   I still am not back to walking and exercising again although today I would say I am almost back to getting ready to start again - maybe tomorrow if the weather is a bit warmer.   Take care everyone - and have a good evening.


26 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Just monotonous grey sky all over all day here - and cold with it.

CharlotteP said...

Grey here too, and some rain...but I was pleased to get my and my Mom's lawns cut, and a dry dog walk in Wyre Forest, so no complaints.
When you find you can't do your exercises or walk, (or anything else you want to achieve) sit down for 5 or 10 minutes three times a day, and intently visualise yourself being able to do it...it really helps.

Brenda said...

Covid on the rise. My family (in other state) immediate family...two out of five positive so far. They have been vaccinated, masked, etc. Careful...However, even if they are masked around others masked...those have been around unmasked. This is insidious. I am waiting for the third injection vaccination. We can't get people here to accept that this virus is not political...they rail against any precautions...If they only knew the worry and discomfort. Hope vaccine keeps my loved ones out of hospital. Love your blog as always

Minigranny said...

I did find the juxtaposition of Afghanistan news with people handing over their babies to soldiers at the airport in the hope that they would have a better life an the Geronimo story so odd ! I'm so upset that things have conspired to ruin the People of Afghanistan's chances of self determination.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Charlotte - I shall try that - sounds like a good idea.

Marcia LaRue said...

First of all ... definitely get that nose mole checked!
Afghanistan is a backward culture and the Taliban are vicious, inhumane assassins and kill anyone ... men, women and children ... they don't care!
The people are trying to escape to wherever they can. Their president ran away! 20 years of training and monetary backing down the drain!
And too many people dead!

Anonymous said...

I can barely watch the desperation of the people in Afghanistan but figure I owe it to the people to do so, and honour their courage.
First rescue flight out has just touched down in the early hours in Perth this morning. I am so sad to hear of the death of a little boy from Afghanistan falling from a window in hotel quarantine in the U.K. . People go through unimaginable suffering .
Where fear and terror reign it denigrates us as a species and I always wonder what children make of it all, particularly death of loved ones through violence. Women athletes from Afghanistan are being told to remove any history of athletic achievements , particularly from social media, and the women cyclists who have competed previously know that under Taliban rule, they won't be cycling anymore. - Pam, Aust.

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lynney62 said...

As an American I can only say one thing: Any outside country/government/military who tries to change the 1000 year ideology/culture of Afghanistan will not succeed. Russia tried, Great Britain tried, America tried only to fail. Now China......1000 years of Islam will not change.

Cro Magnon said...

You can tell a lot about a country by the way its people live their day to day lives.

Librarian said...

You say you hope it won't result in bloodshed; I'm afraid the bloodshed has already begun. Demonstrators have been shot at, and that was only what reports reached our media; who knows what's been going on where no reporters and journalists are present.

I hope you can soon take up your exercises again. Yesterday I was so tired after work that I did not even go for my customary walk, in spite of the weather being very walk-friendly - not too hot, but dry. This morning, I found it hard to get up. Good to know it's Friday.

Derek Faulkner said...

lynney62 got it dead right.
And now that we've failed like all the others, our penance is to be having to accept up to 20,000 of those people into this country at huge cost in all kinds of ways.

With autumn now upon us and winter not far behind, your opportunities to get outside for exercise will rapidly diminish, is there not an exercise programme that you can do inside every day.

Rachel Phillips said...

Afghanistan has a population of 30 million. You do not see 30 million people's reactions when you read your newspaper or watch your news bulletins. When asked, over 90% said they preferred Sharia religious laws to their government's justice system. It could be argued that 20 years of foreign interference has done more harm than good and destabilised the population. They are an Islamist country with their own culture. You cannot force them to accept western culture. Leave them alone to their own devices and their own revolution in time. I am surprised to read about Afghanistan on.your blog again Weave. Your short break from news is over then?

thelma said...

When you can't walk yourself? Me I go on a walk in the Lake District with three springer spaniels by video of course. I get the scenery without the rain and wind. Get the nose mole seen to as well, though they mostly turn out to be harmless I think but better safe than sorry.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

It would be interesting to know what constitutes "news" in the eyes of those who put together news programmes. Recently you'll remember that a picture of Marcus Rashford was defaced after he and others had missed penalties in a football match. I say "you'll remember" because you couldn't escape the story for several days. However it hardly made the news when Bukayo Saka came on as a substitute for Arsenal in a match at Brentford. What happened? The entire crowd of stood and applauded him.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

(Bukayo Saka was another of the players who missed had a penalty and had received racist abuse).

Yellow Shoes said...

"almost back to getting ready to start again..."
I really like that plan; its realistic.
You'll be back out walking when you're ready.
A few chair-bound exercises can help - stretching, gentle leg lifting etc

Heather said...

My first thought when Afghanistan hit the headlines again was for all those servicemen and women who served out there. Too many of them died and too many were terribly injured. What must they be feeling now? Was it all for nothing?
I can see how the owner of the alpaca wants to save her pet, but if it has TB then there is no argument.
Dreary weather day by day. Can we have a bit of proper summer please, and possibly just a little bit of good news?

Derek Faulkner said...

When we get proper summer Heather, people complain about it being too uncomfortable.

gz said...

I have just read a very interesting analysis in a long essay/ blogpost.
Something to make one think although some will respond in a kneejerk manner
https://annebonnypirate.org/2021/08/17/afghanistan-the-end-of-the-occupation/?
I think that link should work.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I must say I just want all the news on Afghanistan to disappear from our screens. As we eally can't do anything I would personally like to try to move on. Is that cowardly? Maybe it is but None of us really know what is happening.

Thank you for your comments - as usual they make interesting reading.

The Weaver of Grass said...
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Rachel Phillips said...

You brought the subject up Weave, nobody else did. No need to trouble yourself with it at all. Just don't talk about it.

Patricia said...

I’m definitely going to have to start following some of these blogs, I just recently got into reading blogs and I’m absolutely loving them so far.
Spray Tan thank you!

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