The Times today.

 Trevor Phillips, in The Times today makes a good statement - Time to Stand with the Jews, come what may. Lord Finkelstein, says a similar thing in the same newspaper. Why isn’t there more solidarity from the left and right - for our fellow citizens in this country? I have a couple of close Jewish friends and have made a deliberate attempt to show solidarity with them. In fact I’ve arranged to see one on Sunday and the other later in the week. It’s very depressing that there isn’t more public support for our friends. Moreover the Green Party, is overtly courting the Muslim vote on Thursday at the national local elections. These are sectarian politics, similar to Northern Ireland, back in the 1960’s and we all know what that produced. 

The Art of Dying by Dr Peter Fenwick.

 I watched on YouTube an engrossing interview in 2020 with Dr Peter Fenwick, neuroscience and neuropsychiatrist - about the process of dying. He has over many years been researching about - what happens in the process of dying and death? Is there such a thing as a good death? He suggests that there is and it’s contingent on - letting go and not being attached. Acceptance of the process that is universal and the fact that we are - “not coming back”. This is the very last time of consciousness and death shouldn’t be feared, but accepted as inevitable. We are crossing the Rubicon for the very last time. We all go at some point, through this necessary experience, what he calls “pre transition and post transition”. He suggests an experience of light is a common phenomenon. He quotes the Dalai Lama, who says that we ‘have a premonition of death, about 2 years before we eventually die’. A good death is inevitable linked to a - good life. Guilt can make death more problematic, as being self centred - makes for a more difficult death. Accepting death, means we merge with the universe, you therefore become universal and part of the cosmos. 

A masterclass in diplomacy.

 In the treacherous context on both the White House banquet and the joint session of Congress - the King had a difficult balancing act. I watched the occasions on YouTube and was impressed. Any potential diplomatic or statesman - should definitely revisit these two speeches. It’s difficult to convey just how compelling his speeches were. They contained humour, historical references to things like the Magna Carta of 1215. The Common Law and the American Constitution, takes deliberately from these. In fact the Supreme Court of America has hundreds of references to the Magna Carta. There was an interesting personal note - when the King referenced to a particular ship in WW2. HMS Trump and the King had the ships bell, hidden next to him under a cloth. He said at the end of his remarkable speech “if you ever want to get hold of us - just give us a ring”? 

The AI will see you now.

 According to The Guardian today the latest research suggests that the ChatGBT has a highly successful diagnosis of a number of serious illnesses. There was a 70-79% success rate compared with human doctors. In any busy A&E department having a quick and accurate assessment is the sine qua non of good and successful medical treatment. So it’s therefore reassuring to have this new research available. 

The News Agents USA.

 A truly enlightening programme was the latest edition of  The News Agents USA with the respected academic and Russian expert Fiona Hill, is a must listen to show. She gave an overview of the current Trump thinking of international relations. She has been at the very centre of American politics for decades. She explained that Trump “loves a good conspiracy”. He has deliberately and intentionally - undermined our respect for the democratic process. The consequences of this are the citizens of America will either not vote or have no faith in the result. This is straight out of the oligarchs, hand book. He wants the respect of Putin and Xi. They don’t have the inconvenience of an election. He thinks he is infallible and a god like figure and wants to upstage the Pope. Moreover he wants respect from these dictators, like Putin and Xi. Will the various states across America, start to stand up and not be bullied, by the bellicose politician? We shall see? 

 

The rise and rise of antisemitism.

 On Wednesday in Golders Green in north London, we had another attack on two innocent Jewish men going about their daily business. Thankfully despite being stabbed and being in hospital they are ok. There is a depressing increase in antisemitic actions against Jews across the country - in Manchester and other parts of the country. Where is the - public outrage? If this was an attack on black British churches or individuals, there would be demonstrations on the streets and in Trafalgar Square. Why not for Jews? As someone who volunteered for the Six Day War in 1967, despite not being Jewish, I’m saddened at this supine response by other British citizens. As Jonathan Freedland said on Newsnight on Wednesday “where is the public demonstrations of support”? These are worrying times for Jewish people around the country. We should be collectively ashamed - this breakdown of solidarity with Jews has occurred in the country. I have Jewish friends and have arranged with two of them to have lunch together to show solidarity. 

The deliberate killing of journalists.

 According to Christina Lamb, of The Sunday Times, who was on The Media Show on BBC Sounds today - she claimed that journalists are deliberately being targeted and killed. According to the Geneva Convention, journalists are protected against this practice. She argues that there should be an international body to investigate these allegations. Since 9/11 - there has been a rise of this phenomenon. This is disturbing problem, that has over the last few years has increased.