tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post8135596944257587368..comments2024-03-28T17:44:17.403-07:00Comments on The Weaver of Grass: WarThe Weaver of Grasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13947971556343746883noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-58815549563446786682016-08-22T02:31:07.163-07:002016-08-22T02:31:07.163-07:00Thank you for these contributions - we seem to be ...Thank you for these contributions - we seem to be largely in agreement but also see no end in sight - all to depressing for words really.<br />But thanks for joining in.The Weaver of Grasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947971556343746883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-3524749473097576222016-08-21T07:43:11.756-07:002016-08-21T07:43:11.756-07:00Earlier this Sunday morning, I heard news that the...Earlier this Sunday morning, I heard news that the five year old Syrian boy's older brother had died.<br /><br />I also heard more coverage of misbehaving, lying U.S Olympic swimmers. <br /><br />I saw videos of raging fires in California and floods in Louisiana.<br /><br />What I have just been typing somehow reminds me of an old Bob Dylan tune, Hard Rain's Gonna Fall.<br /><br />In my own immediate family is a bully with all sorts of negative influence on the rest of the family. After decades of trying to communicate with him, I now find it better for my own health to adopt an estrangement. My mother says that she wishes I loved her as much as I hate him. She also has not heard what I have tried to communicate.<br /><br />Weaver, I really do try cherish what is good in our world, but it surely can be difficult. xoFranceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08352407314710067616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-10349617867841398432016-08-21T05:49:34.371-07:002016-08-21T05:49:34.371-07:00Maybe we should ask the little boy; he may have mo...Maybe we should ask the little boy; he may have more sense than some of the grown-ups.John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"https://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-57278310355439879012016-08-21T04:52:10.063-07:002016-08-21T04:52:10.063-07:00They have said this morning that every non-Muslim ...They have said this morning that every non-Muslim will be destroyed. <br /><br />The Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Saudi and more, are in disarray and before any kind of peace talks can ever be considered everybody needs to be singing from the same hymn sheet. This happening is about as far away as the defeat of ISIS. Rachel Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053924416805878169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-39476362335544431992016-08-21T04:18:57.631-07:002016-08-21T04:18:57.631-07:00Not sure that one can reason with ISIS since they ...Not sure that one can reason with ISIS since they seem to be a death cult.<br /><br />The situation in Syria is horribly sad.<br />Had Geirge Bush not destabilized the middle east things might not be as awful as they are.<br />And the US could stop supplying weapons left and right.<br />Just feel very sad.<br /><br />Hope you are feeling betterElizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964291132366262298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-82056647574590235662016-08-21T04:07:56.571-07:002016-08-21T04:07:56.571-07:00There was a time when a Druid would walk onto a ba...There was a time when a Druid would walk onto a battle field hold up their hand and all fighting would stop, the injured would be tended, the dead given honour according to customs and talks would take place.<br /><br />Sadly this no longer happens.<br /><br />Today's wars are generally all about power over, profit for the arms dealers and all the while the United Nations looks on.<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder perhaps cruelly as to whether, these wars are not connived as a means to reduce the worlds ever growing population. That thought is perhaps too vicious for most people to condone and yet .......A Heron's Viewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06563706152609630696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-10044708086734589612016-08-21T02:01:28.294-07:002016-08-21T02:01:28.294-07:00The perpetual war is a scenario the arms industry ...The perpetual war is a scenario the arms industry and its financiers and shareholders and the owners and backers of spin-off industries and financiers could once only dream about. When Syria is resolved another war will pop up to replace it. Watch this space. Whatever the excuse, war will find a way. Gwil Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03305768121713053837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-60305135465160867362016-08-20T21:59:18.853-07:002016-08-20T21:59:18.853-07:00The problem is that ISIS wouldn't talk to Jere...The problem is that ISIS wouldn't talk to Jeremy. Why would they? They are on a mission to conquer the world, and unless stopped they will continue.<br /><br />If anyone knew the address of where to send the invitation, it would be bombed.Cro Magnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-47010940312182338572016-08-20T17:07:30.597-07:002016-08-20T17:07:30.597-07:00I think everyone should sit down to a bowl of ice ...I think everyone should sit down to a bowl of ice cream and a chat and find out how much alike we all are - rather than our differences.JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12621061028973446378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-73620226135319476372016-08-20T15:00:46.976-07:002016-08-20T15:00:46.976-07:00Well Weaver, Its all based on our urge to become ...Well Weaver, Its all based on our urge to become someone to remember. If we are entitled to some power and esteem its almost always too little of it, we always want more. The sharing nature of human beings is destroyed by that strong urge. Power and money Jesus warned us about. Its the lurking darkness that lies within us, telling us that we have to become, must become and deserves to become remembered and get more than our share. Be seen, heard, loved, respected or feared. If that is our goal, sacrifices must be made. Those two boys in the pictures, heartbreaking and horrible, or the unbearable masses of tortured and starving people behind barbed wire. One dead child is one too many.<br /><br />Yes, if only we could start talking Pat, looking into each others eyes and stop fearing eachother, then we could start healing our souls and what is left of the planet. But we must start with the neighbour or collegue we detest and go miles to avoid, otherwise we will never overcome that urge. Ideological wars, religious wars or plain wars about assets and borders, who spoils my view of the ocean...We need to talk and listen, make bonds, create treaties and relations. Start small, aim high, pray for wisdom and hope. There I go again, preaching!! Sorry.Fairtraderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517527131786415943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-39685302887516643192016-08-20T13:56:42.121-07:002016-08-20T13:56:42.121-07:00Most wars are fought over territory, economic gain...Most wars are fought over territory, economic gain etc etc. Ergo there is rational reason for them, ergo there can be a rational discussion.<br /><br />Increasingly now we have these ideological wars; religious based like IS, or crazed dreams like Hitler. These can't be negotiated with. <br /><br />Owen Smith was trying to appeal to the hard left peacenik faction of the Labour party, and frankly made himself sound a bit silly.Simon Douglas Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16331409652996600049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-11726118663998522662016-08-20T13:37:05.439-07:002016-08-20T13:37:05.439-07:00Yes, Weave - that picture of the poor little boy c...Yes, Weave - that picture of the poor little boy could well be a game-changer. About time. We finally talked to the IRA, because to not do so would have perpetuated the horrible circumstances. ISIS are about 10 times worse than them, but we still have to talk - especially while the Russians are involved with Syria. Long spoons will be needed.Tom Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05979590950587415840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-25306544674134962322016-08-20T13:36:59.712-07:002016-08-20T13:36:59.712-07:00Too much money to be made from war to worry about ...Too much money to be made from war to worry about collateral damage. Everybody should read Major General Smedley-Butler on the reasons for war. It is titled War is a Racket and prints to 20 pages of A4. Gwil Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03305768121713053837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-17258642103287807492016-08-20T13:20:42.595-07:002016-08-20T13:20:42.595-07:00It is regrettable that our only means of combating...It is regrettable that our only means of combating violence, is with more violence. It was ever thus and we haven't found a better solution. I agree that talking is better than fighting but how do you get such fanatics to talk peace? Can they be trusted? They are killing their own people and seem to have no respect for the lives of others. <br />That poor little boy seemed so calm - obviously in deep shock. I can't stop thinking about him and hoping he finds comfort and solace. At least him family were rescued too.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06826501916623305535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-88405276174616418892016-08-20T13:00:36.174-07:002016-08-20T13:00:36.174-07:00Sad to think that this bewildered, innocent little...Sad to think that this bewildered, innocent little boy will probably grow up in an environment where it becomes the norm to fight and kill.Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-65292122399829969192016-08-20T11:38:07.157-07:002016-08-20T11:38:07.157-07:00Roosevelt's four freedoms: freedom of speech, ...Roosevelt's four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear---when IS demonstrates those exist, they can ask to approach. But, wait--if those existed now in the territory the have taken, a father would not be lifting his dead child from the sea.Joanne Noragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16601010208310707750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-84181784154646115562016-08-20T10:17:03.681-07:002016-08-20T10:17:03.681-07:00I don't think ISIL can be reasoned with. It i...I don't think ISIL can be reasoned with. It is shocking and I understand why the Syrians are leaving their homeland en masse. Why can't the arab nations put aside their religious differences and intervene? Putin isn't helping, but then I guess no one is. It looks like Lebanon did many years ago. I wish they wouldn't publish those pictures as I can't unsee them. donna bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13507579686738843451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-38997112819907452052016-08-20T10:05:53.731-07:002016-08-20T10:05:53.731-07:00A very difficult subject and so complex I don'...A very difficult subject and so complex I don't feel I can contribute in a constructive way. As for the pictures of dead or injured children - they are shocking, yes, but what they do with most people is that people don't want to watch the news anymore. Time and time again I have read comments on blogland along the lines "I have banned all TV news from my home" (not me, just citing other bloggers).<br />Also, I detest the voyeuristic streak in many people such shocking pictures tend to cater to.<br />The effect the pictures have on me is that they leave me with a feeling of utter helplessness on the one hand - and deep gratitude on the other, because I was allowed to have a wonderful childhood and am now living in a (mostly) peaceful and very affluent country, having all the freedom I want.Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-88011549674402365302016-08-20T07:14:19.447-07:002016-08-20T07:14:19.447-07:00Churchill may have said that, but as he found out ...Churchill may have said that, but as he found out talking to Hitler did no good. You can't reason with madmen. Mac n' Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05732924562630675589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-78280967435131341232016-08-20T05:56:51.334-07:002016-08-20T05:56:51.334-07:00Tony Blair should be able to help, hasn't he m...Tony Blair should be able to help, hasn't he made a fortune as a Middle East Peace Envoy.<br />On the jaw, jaw, side,I seem to recall Neville Chamberlain going out to Germany in 1938 and having a chat with Hitler, even coming back waving the Munich Agreement - didn't last long did it.Derek Faulknerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05140363868104172311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-20854551029814950472016-08-20T05:49:02.382-07:002016-08-20T05:49:02.382-07:00What needs to be achieved first is a vision of wha...What needs to be achieved first is a vision of what the Middle East at peace is. A bit vague but I am sure someone here will know what I mean and be able to put it into words for me.Rachel Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053924416805878169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280582018791422638.post-83722200556473303452016-08-20T03:51:02.329-07:002016-08-20T03:51:02.329-07:00I agree with the idea of talking to the enemy - ho...I agree with the idea of talking to the enemy - however brutal they might appear. Ask them what they want. Talk about limiting civilian casualties. In the end, all military conflicts end with talk, treaties... the end game. However, Islamic State is probably a very different kind of enemy than those we have known before.Yorkshire Puddinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019673884543913089noreply@blogger.com