"WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?"

When we were growing up, my sister was never very interested in the theatre or the fact that our mother was both an actress and a producer.  I never knew why as I always found it fascinating.  Going with mother to the studio at Radio Eireann and watching her record some of her radio programmes was always a great thrill for me as well as standing in the wings of the Gate or Abbey Theatres in Dublin during some of her performances or her productions.

Mother at one point in time was President of WAAMA (Writer's, Author's, Actor's and Musician's Association) which was the forerunner of the modern Equity - the Actor's Trade Union.  Every year WAAMA held a huge Charity Concert in what was then the big Theatre Royal (now demolished) in Dublin and for that event came many of the then Hollywood and English theatre greats.  As a young boy, I used to gaze in awe hardly able to speak when introduced to these stars when they came to Dublin.  People like Jane Russell, Bette Davis, Dame Sybil Thorndike, Dame Margaret Rutherford, Ava Gardner, Betty Grable and Betty Hutton, as well as Fred Astaire, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.  To me they were always just photos in a glossy magazine or figures on the big screen.  Great and famous people who lived in a different world, but meeting them face to face made me realize that they were real people with a real sense of humour.

One of the stars that became friendly with our family was the great English comedien - the late Frankie Howerd.  He brought his show to Dublin to the Olympia Theatre several times and always came to our home for dinner at some point.  When I was in my late teens - maybe 18 or 19 - I went to London for two days, and Frankie Howerd invited me to his home in Kensington for "early dinner" one evening.  When I arrived, the door was opened by this elderly lady wearing an apron who looked familiar.  She looked at me and said "You are nearly late. Come in - I am making omelet".  That did it - it was her accent.  I immediately recognized the one and only great Marlene Dietrich.  I could not believe my eyes.

Miss Dietrich had apparently been friends with Mr. Howerd for many years, and that night was the opening night of her last appearance at the "Cafe de Paris" in London and also I believe (but I could be wrong) maybe her last cabaret show anywhere.  I went with Frankie Howerd to see her amazing performance that night.  When the lights went up Miss Dietrich was standing up and leaning against a large pillar dressed in an extremely tight-fitting gown which the papers described the next day as being made of "rhine stones and nothing".  She opened the evening by singing her famous "Lilli Marlene" song and that was followed by "Where Have All The Flowers Gone".  It was an extraordinary performance and although I never again met the lady after that evening, I will never forget either her or her performance.

That was a very long - maybe too long - introduction as I am not writing about Miss Marlene Dietrich.  However, when I was thinking about the things happening in the world today her song "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" came to mind and has been buzzing around in my head ever since. 

I do not remember all the words to the song and I haven't looked them up as perhaps I should, but I do know that the "flowers" mentioned in the song refer to the good and beautiful things in life that so often disappear and are lost without our realizing it.

The season of Thanksgiving (in the U.S.A.) has just finished, and immediately we are plunged into the turmoil of Christmas.  In Cambodia, where I live, Christmas is more or less a non-event as it is a Buddhist country, but else where around the world Christmas trees are erected and lit up and shops blare out the inevitable carols (which is nice) and use all sorts of methods to persuade people to part with their money.

All of the above being fact, this year I saw very little of either the "thanking" or the "giving" in the reports of Thanksgiving.  There seemed to be more anger and violence.  It is sad when it gets to the stage where someone sprays pepper spray or whatever at people just because the person wants to buy a certain article and someone else might want it also.  It is sad when a gunman opens fire (in more than one place) at a crowd of shoppers.  It is sad when the New York police beat journalists covering demonstrations, because they don't want their actions against the protesters reported in the media.  It is sad that money means so much that the stores decide to open at midnight on the holiday of Thanksgiving Day so they can make more money (and for whom, I wonder - certainly not their employees!). It is sad when I see people complaining and saying it is too much hassle to go home and see their families for the holidays.  They would rather stay where they were.  Where have all the flowers gone?

Turn to politics and the season of thanks and giving, as well as the Christmas season of peace and goodwill and you will find very little of any of those things and it is not just in America.  In Australia the Prime Minister - Miss Julia Gillard - when she came to power last year, made a point of saying she would work for those who are in need and also work for the improvement in the economy of the country and that Government would hold back on its unnecessary spending.  Methinks the lady has forgotten what she said, because just this week it was announced that the goodly Miss Gillard has accepted a salary increase of US$92,000.00. That is a nice little increase!  Maybe it was just to her own economy she was referring. Where have all the flowers gone?

In the U.S.A., thousands of people are demonstrating right across the country on a daily basis - much the same as what the West smugly called "The Arab Spring" (though do not dare compare) - against the mega money paid out to company directors and CEO's, the proposed cut in medicare, pensions and the various benefits that the people with low incomes depend upon.  Yet at the same time, the powers-that-be in Washington who do not have to worry about such things (because these things come automatically as perks of their jobs), pay little attention as they position for photo opportunities and continue to raise millions (and in one case $1+ billion) of dollars for election campaigns while caring not about the millions who barely have enough to feed their families.  Where are their priorities or their so-called concerns?  Where have all the flowers gone?

Baseball players who each earn millions of dollars a year go on strike or lock-out or whatever they want to call it because agreement cannot be made with management about an extra million or so each.  Do they never consider their fans who try to survive on a great deal less not to mention the fact that many of them originally had little money themselves and had to struggle?  That part seems to be something they have conveniently forgotten.  Where have all the flowers gone? Methinks they may have died in the flood of selfishness.

Throughout the United Kingdom this week there was a strike of public workers including school teachers.  These are people who have worked hard for years - decades - and now find that the benefits for which they worked are either going to be cancelled altogether or cut considerably.  Their hopes for comfortable days in their retirement will no longer materialize.   Meanwhile the city bankers are calculating their mega bonuses that they will receive at the end of the year with totally no thought for those less fortunate.  Where have all the flowers gone?

I could bring up examples the same as above from countries all around the world, but I have written too much for now, and I am sure many will disagree with what I have said, but that is alright.  Just email me and let me know. 

I am lucky and thankful and I have a good life.  My partner and I do not have an excess amount of anything.  We can't afford a Lexus SUV or to stay in a 5+ Star hotel all the time, but we have enough for our needs and to do most of the things we want to do even if we have to wait a while and save.  We have enough to share with others at times if someone needs assistance and that is good.  So we are happy and thankful for all we have and for the fact that we live in a peaceful and happy country that is full of smiles and hospitality.  Our hope is that somehow, the same thankfulness, peace and happiness can reach all people around the world.

CAMBODIA'S KING FATHER SIHANOUK

The last week of October saw great celebrations and joy throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia in celebration of three events - all surrounding His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, the King Father of Cambodia.

Firstly it was a celebration of His Majesty's return to the Kingdom - together with the Queen Mother - after many months spent in China for medical consultations.  Secondly it was a celebration of the King Father's 90th year, and thirdly, it was the 20th Annversary of his return to the country in 1991 after many years in exile.

In a speech to the people of Cambodia from the balcony of the Royal Palace where over 40,000 people had gathered in front of the Palace to listen to the retired King, he told them now he would be staying here in the country and not be returning to China for long periods.  Although retired, His Majesty said he would continue to work for the good of the country and the prosperity of the people.  The cheers that erupted from the crowd when those words were spoken showed that the people were overjoyed to hear such a strong speech that lasted nearly half an hour.  The fact that the King Father himself appeared so strong and in such good health brought happiness to all.

For many Westerners - especially leaders in the big powerful nations, the King Father has always seemed to be something of a mystery.  Some have even thought him to be irrational because he was never afraid to change his mind on a subject if he thought it the right thing to do at the time.

King Sihanouk's life has been anything but plain sailing on a calm sea.  He first became king at the age of 18 in 1941 at a time when the Japanese army was expanding through Vietnam, Laos and beyond, and he became a prisoner in his own Palace.  During the Khmer Rouge reign of Pol Pot, King Sihanouk and his family -including the present king - King Sihamoni - were once again imprisoned in their Palace at Phnom Penh for three years.  Like most Cambodian people, many of King Sihanouk's family as well as many of the Queen Mother's family were killed during those years.

After World War II, Cambodia was still part of what was then called French Indo-China and King Sihanouk spear-headed the move for complete independece from France which he finally achieved in 1953 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.   King Sihanouk abdicated in 1955, passing the throne to his father King Norodom Suramarit, in order to be free to involve himself in the political field.  He did this in order to bring democracy and stability to the Kingdom and became his father's Prime Minister.  On his father's death in 1960, he became Head of State but held the title of Prince rather than King.

King Sihanouk was never afraid to stand up to the big and powerful nations if he thought that they were doing something that was not beneficial to his people.  It can be truthfully said that he is one of the few leaders of the world in recent years that only used his position of power for the benefit of his country and people and not for himself.  He was not afraid to cut diplomatic ties with the United States in 1965 because of U.S. incursion into Cambodian territory during the Vietnam war.  Diplomatic ties with the United States were not revived until 1969.  The then Prince Sihanouk was accused by many in the West of "flip-flopping", by reversing many decisions he had already made.  However, if you look at the situations where this happened, you will find that in each case it was not some irresponsible decision made on the spur of the moment, but rather a decision made because a reversal of the previous decision was for the good of his people and country.

In 1970, the United States backed a coup that overthrew Prince Sihanouk's government while he was out of the country and the Prince remained in exile for many years, mostly in China.  Cambodia then became a Republic.   In November 1991, the then Prince Sihanouk returned to Cambodia as Head of State until September 1993, when the National Assembly voted to restore the monarchy and Prince Sihanouk once again became King.

This is not meant to be a history lesson, but rather a short summary of events in what you could call "the career" of the King Father.

I believe His Majesty is one of the most charismatic leaders of our time.  He is not afraid to speak his mind on any subject whenever he considers it necessary.  He is a man who literally changed the history of South East Asia and all for the good of his people.  I have heard so many Cambodian people say that he has always been a "king for the people and of the people", which is true............ something they say now also of his son, the present King Sihamoni.

King Sihanouk is much loved and revered by the people of the Kingdom for the simple fact that he loves to mix with them, talk with them and listen to their stories.  Whereas obviously he cannot do as much now as he did in his younger days, the King Father still reaches out to the people and sees to their need in times of hardship.

His Majesty's great love and hobby has been both music and film making.  He has made many films and composed a great deal of music.  Her Majesty the Queen Mother graciously gave me several CD's of King Sihanouk's music and several of them include songs composed by and sung by the King himself.  He has a delicious sense of humour, is a great conversationalist and he has a most infectious laugh.   Cambodia is indeed blessed to have such a father figure.

It is a pity that today many people in the west do not know much about King Sihanouk, but I hope this short piece of writing will stir their thinking and at least give a little insight into one of the great men of our time.

CAMBODIA - A RESILIENT KINGDOM

Much has been said in the world's media about the exceptionally heavy rainfall and flooding that has been taking place throughout South East Asia over the past few weeks.  The Philippines were very hard hit as they had to deal with two almost back-to-back typhoons.

Here in Cambodia we seem to be luckier in that we are far enough inland, with Vietnam giving us shelter, so we don't receive the full impact of typhoons. However we do get plenty of rain - and that, in a way, is an understatement.  This year of 2011 was been the wettest for over ten years with the result that both the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers are at their highest for over a decade.  Walking beside the rivers this morning I could see the waters are still on the rise.

In the countryside - even just outside the city - huge areas are under water with the result that many, many rice crops have been destroyed.  In our second biggest city - Siem Reap - which is the main tourist area because of the Angkor Wat Temple complex, where normally you will find plenty of tourists sitting in coffee shops on the pavement enjoying a break from their sight seeing, today you will find only closed shops and knee-high water running through the entire city.

Statistics show that over one hundred people have died in the floods in the Kingdom and over one thousand animals have also perished.  Schools and business in many areas of the Kingdom are closed and will remain so for quite some time.

In spite of all of the above - there is no air of "doom and gloom" in the Kingdom.  No whining and crying about the situation but rather an air of "let's deal with it".  

The Cambodian people have been through so much turmoil, unrest and disaster over the past 30+ years they have become remarkably resilient and maintain an air of "we will survive".   I admire them tremendously.  I was talking to one lady from the Province not far from Phnom Penh whose small piece of land is totally submerged and her small rice harvest will now not materialize which in turn means her small income is no more.  She said that if this is something that nature sends to them, then they just have to deal with it and make the best of it.    And deal with it they do.  The smiles are still everywhere, even as they have to wade knee high through the water.  The children play in the water and in the rain as if it was the greatest thing.  Many of the people here may be poor - but they have faith things will get better and they are resilient to the n-th degree.

Contrary to what people may read overseas in the foreign press, the Government and those in authority here are very concerned about these events and are very quick to help those who have been affected by floods and whose crops have been devastated.  Even His Majesty King Sihamoni gets personally involved.  He visits all the badly hit areas in the Kingdom bringing food, clothing, money and blankets to those who need them.  It is an inspiration to see him not just travelling in a huge motorcade, but striding through the water and the mud and sitting on the floor in the small village wooden houses on stilts talking with the people.  The lady with whom I spoke and mentioned above said he is really a "King for the people and comes right into our small homes.  That is what helps us feel good in hard times."

Disasters have been many this year - all around the world and who knows there may be more before the year ends.  In western countries we tend to moan about them and wait for people to come and help.  I am fully aware some people won't like me saying that but it is true.  In Cambodia people don't wait - they get on as best they can and deal with their situation.  If help comes, then great - but if not, then they deal with it somehow. 

I have said it before and I will say it again - the people of this Kingdom - from the King right down the poorest and most humble person, are examples to people everywhere who have to face hardships.  Don't just write them off as being "people from the Third World".

WHEN WILL IT END?

About two hours before I started writing this, Mr. Troy Davis was executed by lethal injection in the State of Georgia in the United States because he had been found guilty of shooting an off duty policeman - Mr. Mark McPhail - in 1989.  Just a few hours earlier in the State of Texas in the United States, Mr.Lawrence Russell Brewer who was a white supremacist, was also put to death by lethal injection because he was found guilty of killing a man in 1998.  Those in favour of the death penalty had a field day today.  Two people executed within a matter of hours!

I don't know too much about the case of Mr. Brewer as of this moment, but there has certainly been a great deal of attention given to the case of Mr. Davis. 

In the heading on this page I asked the question "When will it end?"  I am referring not only to the continual use of the death penalty, not just in the United States but in other countries where it is still practised  - which most people know I am totally against - but also to what can well be described as "cruel and unusual punishment" in this case, as well as continued interest in the morbid.

Mr. Davis' case garnered world-wide attention. People such as Pope Benedict, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa all spoke up on his behalf and something like 3-million signatures were collected in support of a review for clemency in his case.  But to no avail.

What may not be so well known is the fact that three times prior to this evening's execution, Mr. Davis was set to be executed and on each of those three times the execution was stopped with less that an hour to spare.  Can you imagine anyone having to go through three traumas like that? To me that is nothing less than "cruel and unusual punishment" no matter who you are or what you may or may not have done.  How can a civilized nation allow these things to happen?  Why don't the authorities understand the meaning of "cruel and unusual punishment"?  I may not be expressing this in the best possible terms, but I want to get it out while the event is still fresh in people's minds.  The western countries so often criticize the methods and habits and human rights in other countries but there are times such as this present incident shows, when they should take a look in the mirror.

Not thirty minutes after the execution of Mr. Davis took place, the normally respectable CNN television network - in a piece hosted by Mr. Anderson Cooper -  started a second-by-second account of the execution given by some journalists who were present to watch Mr. Davis die.  It was unbelievable.  We were even told how many times Mr. Davis blinked after he was given the first of three injections.  The tiniest details were given huge importance and repeated over and over again not just by Mr. Anderson but they were even repeated later on the summary of the news headlines.  Mr. Anderson is normally a reporter/commentator of the highest quality, but why was he dealing to the world all these grim details?  Is that what CNN thinks is good for the world?

It is time some people in high up places started to learn to respect the dignity of every human being. Whether that person is or is not guilty of a crime, dealing out the tiniest grim details of an execution for long periods of time is good for no one.  If we say we are a civilized people - then let us act like we are. 

CAN ONE VOICE MAKE PEOPLE THINK?

Within two days of writing my last Blog here in August, I was so surprised to find I had received more than two hundred emails from people as far away as South Africa, England, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. 

Three things in particular surprised me. First that so many people from so many places - people I didn't even know - had read what I wrote. As I am decidedly "internet unfriendly" I just don't understand how people find what I write.

Secondly, I was surprised that not one of the writers disagreed with what I said and all - without exception - encouraged me to write more.  In past years before I retired, I was continually being taken to task by politicians, local people and even bishops for things I wrote - or said on the radio.  But this time - we all agreed.

Thirdly, I was surprised because out of all those emails I received, four came from U.S. Senators, six from members of the U.S. Congress and three from decidedly senior people working in the White House as well as two from senior Members of Parliament in London.   None of them do I know personally and all of them asked me not to mention their names, which I will respect of course and I have to say how much I appreciate them taking the trouble to write.

Looking at the statistics on that particular Blog, some 2,356 different people read it.  I am truly amazed.  That is a lot of people reading a blog from an unknown person like me.

After that far-too-long preamble and without wishing to be presumptious - though it is very tempting - I wonder how much permanent effect, if any, what I wrote had on any of these people.  Particularly those in the power circle of things.  Can one small voice make a difference?  I believe it can, even if mine didn't or doesn't, but I hope I make people think.  When John the Baptist was preaching he made a huge difference at the time even though he was - to quote - "a voice crying in the wilderness".

In that Blog last month, I mentioned Mr Warren Buffett's comments on how there should be an increase in taxation for the super rich.  He said that he was paying a lower rate than some of his employees who earned far less than he did.  I suggested that was not right (as did Mr. Buffett) and wondered what would be the reaction of the mega-rich "powers-that-be" on Wall Street.  Did what I say make some people think?  I hope it did.

This morning on CNN I was interested to hear that President Obama was putting forward a proposal to increase the tax rate for the mega rich and what is more interesting, is that it is to be called the Warren Buffett Plan or words to that effect!   In addition, in the United Kingdom, taxation on the super rich is to be increased now to a rate of 50-pence on the pound.

Then after that, I saw that the whole area around Wall Street in New York was brought to a traffic standstill yesterday by over 3,000 people protesting against the way Wall Street gurus handle matters.  Placards saying "BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE - NOT BY THE RICH FOR THE RICH" were carried.  Somethng unheard of in days gone by.

I have no idea if what I wrote made people think, as I said, but the fact that so many people read what I wrote and so many in turn wrote to me - including people in "high up" places who are involved in big decision making, makes me think that maybe - just maybe - the small person's voice can make a  difference.  If that is the case,  then if many small voices speak up change will come about. Look what has happened in the Middle East just because the ordinary person in the street spoke out.

Voices need to be heard when things are not right in order to change the status quo.

HALFWAY THROUGH - BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

On the 23rd of February this year I wrote a blog in which I wondered about what the year 2011 would bring.  Many people found that 2010 was not particularly good for them for various personal reasons, and it was hoped that the New Year would bring better things.  Well, we are now more than half way through the year and one can only say that so far it has been a year that has made people sit up and think.  Not just the ordinary "man-in-the-street" but Governments and leaders of all kinds have been made to sit up.

In February the world was startled to find the leaders of both Tunisia and Egypt being deposed and new Governments being set up all because of what has become known as "People Power".  From those two countries the unrest moved to Yemen, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Syria and Bahrain, and the western media pundits in a semi smug way referred to it collectively as the "unrest in the Arab world" which was the result of their autocratic rulers. The impression was given daily that nothing of the kind could happen in the western world.  How wrong could they be!!  Certainly much of the unrest could have been due - and in some cases certainly was - to uncaring autocratic rulers wanting to grab everything and hold on to power regardless of how it affected the people - there can be no doubt about that.  However, we can't sit back and say "we are above such things - it won't happen to us".

In the past few weeks the world has been shaken by the unrest in the western countries.  London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester in the United Kingdom looked like they did during the blitz in World War II.  Whole city blocks were burned to the ground and others completely looted.  Riots and unrest have turned up in Belgium, Spain, Greece, France, Turkey and even in Israel which surprised so many and this past week in Germany.  But America didn't escape either.  Philadelphia had to be put under a curfew for several days.

It doesn't take an Albert Einstein to figure out that something is not right and that changes have to be made in the way Governments handle things.  Nor does it take an Albert Einstein to figure out that it is the wealthy who control the shots without consideration for the less fortunate.  Certainly that is true in America and in the United Kingdom at the moment.  In America, the Congress and Senate refused to agree on a plan to reduce the country's debt thereby threatening the livelihood of the elderly who rely on their Social Security payments and even the pay for the army veterans until the very last minute, because each politician was determined to get as much air time on TV as possible to show he/she is working now that the election season is near.  It seemed fairly obvious they had no care at all for the needy and the elderly and the veterans.  In the meantime, a White House Aide announced that Mr. Obama had over 1-billion dollars in his re-election campaign bank account and still goes out fund-raising ........ something here does not seem morally correct.  When poverty is rife - yes, even in America, - how can spending anything near 1-billion dollars on an election campaign be right? When the CIA spends more than 40-million dollars on each of three buses that look more like Star Wars war machines than a bus, so that the leaders of both political sides can go touring on their election campaign - something is not right.  When the leaders of both parties host fundraising dinners where people pay $10,000.00 to attend, something is not right.  It does not take an Albert Einstein to figure out that it is the wealthy who will pull the strings and be noticed.  "Mr. and Mrs. Ordinary" seem to be unimportant and completely left out of the picture.

The United Kingdom is not far behind.  The country was decidedly rattled when it was discovered that many Members of Parliament and the House of Lords were abusing their positions and claiming untold thousands of pounds in illegal expenses such as claiming for a second home that didn't exist (there was even one claim for $4,000 for a house for ducks in the middle of a pond) and doing little work for the people. At least that particular matter has been tackled somewhat but there are other instances of where the wealthy gain and the man in the street loses out.  University fees have been raised to the level where it is almost impossible for many people to attend those institutions.  Just the wealthy will be able to afford further education.  All of these things as well as tremendous unemployment are excellent fuel for general unrest. I do not know right now what caused the riots in Berlin, but something obviously upset the people and time will tell.

With all this happening around the world, the Governments have to sit up and consider the people who elected them and for whom they are supposed to be working, and not just think of themselves. Mr.Warren Buffett wrote an op-ed piece in I think it was the New York Times just a short time ago saying that so much more income would go to the Government if they taxed the very wealthy at a higher rate instead of "coddling up to them".  Mr. Buffet made his point by saying that last year he paid over 6-million dollars in taxes, but he was taxed at only seventeen and a half per cent whereas his employees - who, of course, earn far less - were being taxed at twenty per cent.  He said that was not right.  He is a man who in spite of his wealth and ability to make money, always considers the people and as most know, he has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth and says he is more than willing to pay a higher tax rate.  I wonder what the reaction of those "big wigs" on Wall Street who earn $4-million bonuses was to Mr. Buffett's words.  It would be interesting to know if they agreed with him.

I do not live in America or Britain or any of the other countries where this unrest has happened, but it is not being anti-American or anti-British or anti any other country to say that the leaders - whomever they are and wherever they are, have got to start being realistic and to start thinking of their people and their country, rather than lobbying for power and position and in Mr. Buffett's words "coddling up" to the rich. Otherwise this unprecedented unrest around the world will escalate out of all proportions and anarchy will reign.

WHAT NEXT?

Just a few months ago I wrote a reminder of things I had said some years ago about the death penalty when Timothy McVeigh was about to be executed in the United States for the Oklahoma bombing.  I have never been in favour of the death penalty under any circumstances and have so often spoken out against the practice.  I am firmly of the opinion that the often quoted "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" means there should be justice for a crime committed - but not that another life should be taken.

Unfortunately, the United States - though considering itself the leader of the world - is still one of the (thankfully) declining number of countries that practices the use of the death penalty.  Although having said that - many States in the country have stopped the practice.  Texas seems to be one state that seems to revel in the practice because for many years it has had the highest number of executions each year.  Although the "authorities" constantly complain about the number of executions in China and Saudi Arabia - and I am by no means condoning them - one should take notice that America is high on the list of those countries with the most executions.

Last week the U.S. State of Georgia executed a man by the name of Andrew De Young for the murder of his parents and sister in 1993.  The event passed with little attention given to it by the media, but it was a unique and in my opinion, a grim event.

Mr. De Young was to be put to death by a method often used now in the United States - lethal injection while the prisoner is strapped to a gurney-like contraption.   A "cocktail" of three drugs is injected into the person's veins.  The first as a type of anaesthetic, the second to paralyse the person and the third to stop the heart.

In most cases the first drug has been one called sodium thiopental.  However the manufacturer has apparently stopped manufacturing this particular drug so there is a national shortage.  The result is that the U.S. State of Georgia had a new lethal cocktail of drugs made replacing the sodium thiopental with another called pentobarbital.   This is an anaesthetic sometimes used when putting animals to sleep.   It had been used at least once before in an execution, but several comments were made by those present at those events, that it seemed as if the person being executed was not totally sedated and was suffering unnecessary pain.

The Supreme Court of Georgia denied Mr. De Young's motion for the authorities to look again at a lower courts decision to replace sodium thiopental with this pentobarbital.  But the lower court even went further.   At the request of another inmate still on death row, the lower court approved a request by that inmate that Mr. De Young's execution be video taped so people - and in particuar the lawyer of the inmate - can witness and view the reaction of Mr. De Young to this new mix of lethal drugs.  In other words, the lower court approved of Mr. De Young being used as a guinea pig for research.

A couple of thoughts come to my mind over this.  First of all I ask what exactly is what is known as "cruel and unusual punishment"?  Does not someone being used as a guinea pig at the time of their execution not come under that category?  I would think it does.  The Government makes much of the fact that certain drugs that could heal diseases such as cancer and the like must be withheld for complete testing.  Then why does it allow a drug that is not fully tested for use in executions be used for that purpose.  Something hypocritical and wrong here.

Another thought in the same vein.  When Mr. De Youg's motion for the drug re-testing was put before the State Supreme Court, his execution had to be delayed twenty-four hours in order for the Justices to make their decision.  No problem with that.  However, the following day just minutes before the next hour of execution, the authorities again delayed the execution for a further twenty-four hours.  Why?  For the simple and ridiculous reason that they couldn't make up their minds as to the best place to put the video camera!!!!  So Mr. De Young was once more taken back to the waiting cell until the next day.  To me that could also be categorized as "cruel and unusual punishment".    But the media barely gave a mention to all of this and unless you read it a second time you might not even have noticed it.  What did get an entire paragraph though, was what Mr. De Young had for his last meal!!!   Where are people's priorities? 

And one last question.  When Mr. McVeigh was about to be executed a request was made for the execution to be video taped but a judge rightly dismissed the request saying it would in no time be posted all over the internet - and he was right.  So it never happpened.  We are now many years on since then and it is much easier for anyone to post anything on the internet.  How long will it take for that video of Mr. De Young's execution be available for all - young and old alike - to be seen on the internet.  Not very long, I fear.  Society is definitely going "down hill" fast.  The mind boggles at the thought of what will be next if this type of thing is allowed to continue.  I hope others speak out about this also - including those in authority in the Churches.

The authorities of the State of Georgia need to revise their thinking on these matters which currently seems to be back in the Middle Ages and certainly not that of a civilized nation.

"A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE........!

The shockwaves that were the result of the phone hacking scandal at the "News of the World" newspaper in England have reverberated round the entire globe.

When people first heard about this manner of infiltration into the private lives of people it did little more than raise a few eyebrows.  When - wasn't earlier this year or late last year? - it was learned that members of the Royal Family in England had their phones hacked together with other celebrities, people began to sit up and take notice.  Those hackings certainly were not good, but last month when it was revealed that the phone of a young girl who was eventually found dead had not only been hacked, but that her text messages had been deleted in order to keep the phone active so her family would think she was still alive - things looked bad and from bad they went to worse.

Phones of families whose sons and daughters had been killed while on active duty with the army in Afghanistan had also been hacked.  Now it has been revealed that it is likely the phones of families whose relatives died in the 2001 September 11th attacks in America may also have been targets.    One cannot help but ask is there no end to the lengths people will go to try to make money?  Have all moral principals been thrown out the window in the name of selling papers or whatever other media is involved?  It seems that is the case in this day and age.

However, having said all the of above, there are further questions one has to ask in light of all these revelations.

My grandmother - who was a much respected lady in all areas - often used to say "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing".  It was a favourite quote of hers and I have no idea from where it comes or even if it is quoted correctly.  Nevertheless it is very true.  Grandmother was not fond of what she would call "these new fangled inventions" She said people never looked into how dangerous they could or might be.  She refused to fly not because she was  scared, but because she said it was unnatural.  If God had intended her to fly he would have given her wings and she would be given those soon enough.  It wasn't until she was aged ninety that she agreed to get on a plane and fly from Dublin to London - and only then did she reverse her stance on the matter, because she said, at age ninety she could be dead by the time she got to London by boat and train. She drove a big heavy 1947 Rolls Royce Phantom, with a stick shift gearbox (5 forward gears) and two enormous head lights that stood up like army searchlights.    As the years went by grandmother refuted suggestions that she get rid of that big heavy car and get a modern car with automatic transmission which would be easier to drive.  She said the car did not have a brain, so how could it always know when to change gear.  She would prefer to be in charge of the matter herself.  She continued to drive that big Rolls - and she was a good driver - until she was ninety-eight and only stopped then because she died peacefully in her sleep.  Time to get her own wings!!

If grandmother was alive today I believe she would still be quoting "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." even more than she did before.  The cell phone is an amazing invention and exactly how it works I don't bother to find out - I just use it.  It can be a serious lifeline for many people.  However, with all these happenings at The News of the World and other places grandmother's quotation comes very much to mind.  Did people who invented it ever think further than the actual production and working of the phones?  Did they ever try to deepen their knowledge and see how it could be misused by those who misuse things for their own profit and benefit?  There are so many questions.

One can go further and look at the nuclear disasters in Japan, Chernobyl, India and other places which I have mentioned in previous posts and wonder did - at the time those facilities were constructed - the powers that be really look into all the possibilities of what would happen if anything could or did go wrong. They just confined their knowledge to the point where it would make money for them without thought of future happenings. 

With news of Committees of Enquiries being set up by the British Government, the FBI and whomever else to look into the phone hacking fiasco, I thought sense was at last prevailing, and people who knew would see that things like this should not and could not happen again.  In some quarters, that doesn't seem to be the case.

The United States is a country that has its security at the forefront of most of its actions.  Yet I was more than surprised to read this week that a new system of communication between the army/service personnel "in the field" and their home base and the Pentagon is now going into use whereby each can communicate with the other in a minimum amount of time by using some touch screen technology.   With my low level of intelligence where these matters are concerned and with the things that are going on today, I am of the simple opinion that there would be very little security in that.  That people would have no problem within a short time of hacking into such a programme seems a given.  The  fact that security is then blown to the wind seems not to have concerned the powers that be who sanction and instal such a system.

Grandmother's quotation is right.  Complete knowledge about these new communication methods, about things like nuclear technology, indeed about every new item, has to be studied and followed through to the absolute end and not just stopped along the way because some person or group of people feel they can make a fast million dollars with the product.

CAMBODIA: LET'S DO IT!

At the beginning of this year I wrote in a blog that I hoped 2011 would bring better things than did 2010 - a year that brought upsets and problems for many people.  Well, we are now almost five months into 2011 and it seems as if the main theme of the year across the globe is "negativity".  Such a pity - and why is it I wonder? Without a positive look at life and things around, it is virtually impossible to move forward on anything.

In the United States an untold amount of media coverage is being given to the "wanna-be" politicians who in order to get their names in the public eye for the 2012 elections, are trying to convince people with their negativity that President Obama was not born in the United States.  How stupid can people be when there is positive proof that he was?  And they call themselves good potential leaders?   Crazy! 

In England in the run-up to the wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton, commentators, Talk Show hosts, analysts and myriads of others in the media from around the world are negatively discussing the cost of the wedding without mention of the millions and millions of dollars that will be brought into the country because of the wedding.  They just like to concentrate on the negative side, while at the same time totally ignoring things like the 4-million dollar bonuses being paid to financial moguls in addition to enormous salaries. To me something does not seem right here but maybe it is the trend of the times. I could go on and on with other like examples from around the world.

Since I came to live in Cambodia almost six years ago, I have written and spoken many times - often to the point of boredom, I have been told - about this wonderful country. I have written and spoken about the people of this country who are an amazingly resilient people, the epitome of friendliness and hospitality and a people who are proud - proud to be Cambodian, proud of their country and their heritage and proud of their King.  The younger generation is a determined one here.  One that is determined to work to make sure their country is one that prospers, not just for themselves personally, but for the entire population and is recognized throughout the world.  Those qualities are certainly not found in all countries around the world.


In every country whether it is a developed country or an undeveloped country there are always some negative aspects.  That is norm, but I believe here in this country the positive far out-weighs the negative,  These positive aspects should be shown to the world.

On Saturday, April 23rd a tremendous event took place in the capital city of Phnom Penh.  JCI Cambodia (Junior Chamber International) and AIESEC together with several sponsors organized a project called "Cambodia: Let's do it".   In every developing country, and especially one where education has been somewhat lacking for many years, people are not always aware of the environment and as a result garbage can be a problem - not just visually, but health-wise also.  

Phnom Penh is no exception.  However, the project organized on April 23rd had been planned over many months. It had the support of the city authorities and the Government.  The city was divided into zones and there were teams of people delegated to work in set areas.  By the start of the project over 2,500 young (and some not so young) people had arrived at the National Olympic Stadium to sign up and help.  That is a tremendous achievement in any one's book. A fleet of buses took the various teams from the Stadium to their work areas and brought them back later to the stadium.   His Excellency Khieu Kanarith, the Minister for Information and his wife as well as His Excellency Kep Chutemo, the Governor of Phnom Penh City were also present and addressed the crowd before joining in the clean up.  The young people felt honored that Their Excellencies had come to support them.   

By the end of the day the workers had done a tremendous job.  The enthusiasm of these young people to improve their city should be shown to the world as an example of what can be done with just a little effort when people old or young get together.  I feel proud to have the privilege of living here in this great country and being friends with such a wonderful people.  May their example be an influence to others around the world to work for improvement also rather than concentrating on the negative.

SHUT THE REACTORS!

Growing up in the hills of County Wicklow in Ireland we had no electricity and relied on candles and oil lamps.  To us it seemed to be the norm and was no problem.  Eventually we got a telephone - the type that you wound up and was attached to the wall, but was only working for the six hours a day that the Post Mistress was working in the Post Office.  Our number was Enniskerry 5 - and there were only five telephones in the area.

After some time the Electricity Board announced that they would be bringing the electric to our house which was just over a mile from the nearest neighbour.  My mother who was an actress - and in those days actors in Ireland earned very little - decided that we couldn't afford the cost.  Instead she found someone who would sell what was called a dynamo that could be attached to a windmill thing and that would generate electricity. Mother bought this dynamo and had it fixed at the top of a fir tree complete with a windmill.  This little contraption provided free electricity not only to our house, but it also lit up the cow house, the hen house and the garage.  This was my first introduction to wind power.

When I tell people about that first electricity that we had and how we got it, they laugh as they think it sounds so primitive.  That is probably because we have apparently progressed so much with technology, a simple little thing like a small dynamo sounds almost prehistoric.  But it worked for many years.

Since then we have come into the atomic age and only now are we beginning to think how much damage this technology is causing around the world.  The horrors of the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never be forgotten.  Those in themselves should have been enough to make the world stop, look and learn from that lesson.  But no.  Tests of atom bombs continued - especially by the French and the Americans - on Christmas Island, in the deserts and wherever else wreaking havoc with the welfare and the health of so many people.

Then came the use of nuclear power to generate electricity in place of the coal fueled generators. It sounded like a good idea at the time.  It was clean unlike the coal burners that spewed out black smoke and polluted the atmosphere.   Nuclear generators were built all over the place with great gusto, but then what happened? Accidents began to happen.  In India, in Chernobyl, and other smaller ones along the way. Now we are dealing with the massive disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan where the sum total of the effect of the radiation leaks from there will not be known for some time.   Since then we have been told that seven nuclear reactors generating electricity are built on a fault line just 47 miles north of New York city.  Unbelievable!  Commentators, analysts and "people who know" have been on TV talk shows saying they didn't think there was anything to worry about.  Of course not.  Nobody thought there was anything to worry about at Fukushima, Chernobyl or the plant in India - - that is until it happened!  The mind boggles at what would happen if there was a disaster at any of those New York based reactors.

The German Chancellor - Mrs. Angela Merkel - following the Fukushima disaster put a stop to all nuclear power plants in Germany.  Why have not other leaders followed suit?  Thailand is also considering going no further with its former plans for nuclear energy.  My mother was no scientist or mathematician but she had the brains to know way back then, that the most economic method of providing electric power to our home was by wind power - hence the little dynamo and windmill at the top of the pine tree.  The United States has acknowledged that wind power can provide a huge percentage of the necessary power needed, yet there is so much dithering going on. Congressional Committees galore to "look into it" and then subsequent Senate Committees to investigate the findings of the Congressional Committees. Do these so-called leaders not have the ability to understand the dangers that these nuclear reactors pose to ordinary people.  Wind power is cheap, it is easy and it is always there. 

The powers that be should stop the talk and start shutting down these dangerous nuclear reactors that can cause total havoc around the place as we have seen and begin the task of harnessing the wind.  We all know that these reactors could not be closed in a day. We also know that before they go, the alternative has to be in place otherwise industry and other things will be disrupted.  So stop the talk and start the task.  The argument that it will cost money is not valid, because you cannot put a dollar price on people's lives.  In this case - both the lives and livelihood of all of us are affected.  Let us hear the voices call out for action now before another disaster takes place somewhere.

AND WHAT PRICE A PERSON'S LIFE?

The last couple of weeks have seen an unbelievable upsurge in protests against Governments across the world.  Just a few months ago we would never in our wildest dreams have thought that this would happen.  Two Presidents -Egypt and Tunisia - have already been deposed but in other countries the protests continue.  King Abdullah of Jordan promptly instituted reforms and dismissed his then Government as soon as the protests started.  Since then reforms have continued and although not all of the people's problems there have been resolved - stability seems to be in sight.

In Morocco a few protests were reported, but what wasn't reported is the fact that protests are allowed in Morocco and have happened continually over the years and none have been destructive.  King Mohammad VI who has been on the throne since 1999 and was educated in Belgium  is known as a progressive monarch who has given rights to women.  His wife, H.R.H. Princess Lalla Salma is the first wife of a Moroccan king to be given an official title and position and represents the King at many overseas functions.  His mother - who was never seen before the death of his father, was immediately elevated to the rank of H.R.H. The Princess Mother when the present King ascended the throne.  He has also instituted many reforms to benefit his people in the areas of health and education over the years, yet in spite of these facts, the western media lumps the country with all the other uprisings calling it "another unsettled Arab country".   Generalization and profiling is never good.

Bahrain - while maybe not in league with Morocco - is also trying.  King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa may have been an autocratic ruler but in the last week he has listened to the people, freed prisoners of conscience as requested, withdrawn the army and police from the streets and asked the Crown Prince to start dialogue with all parties.  This is big progress. The King is not a stupid man and hopefully matters will get resolved soon.

But then there is Libya, which is a totally different story to all the others.  It has been a despotic regime for decades having been party to more than one horrific act of terrorism over the years.  However, it also happens to be one of the largest producers of oil in the world.  That is very important in the eyes of western leaders.  Nevertheless as I write this, people are being massacred by President Gaddafi's thugs.  It is thought some 500-plus have died already and President Gaddafi said on state television yesterday he would use all force possible to stop the protests, and then execute anyone who did protest.  An important fact is that these words were never heard from any of the leaders of the other troubled states, but nevertheless western leaders called for the respective Presidents to stand down from office.  Interesting, because there is not much oil coming from those countries

In a speech yesterday at the White House, President Obama - who, incidentally was one of those who telephoned Mr. Mubarak of Egypt and told him he should step down from the Presidency - called the atrocities being committed in Libya as "outrageous and unacceptable".  Nothing did he say about calling for President Gaddafi to step down.   From comments I have seen on TV this morning, most people in the Arab world and elsewhere thought his speech was "wishy-washy".  He did not go far enough.  The British leaders have not done any better.  Why are they afraid to show their strength?  Why are they afraid to use stronger terminology in the Libyan case where people are being slaughtered left right and center, when in less serious cases they were calling for the immediate departure of the Presidents?

The answer to those questins is simply one word - OIL!

Commentators on all the American and British radio and TV stations have been emphasizing how the price of oil could go up, how the world's supply of oil could be cut, how some businesses would lose millions if not billions, how the DOW stock index has fallen - etcetera, etcetera, etcerera.  But hundreds of innocent people who only want freedom and a chance to live with dignity are dying while the already extra rich moguls of Wall Street and the financial district of London can only think of their own pockets.  Only two big leaders - President Sarkozy of France and Mrs. Angela Merkel of Germany - spoke out and said something stronger must happen immediately to end this massacre.  They have now been joined by Mr. Ban Ki Moon of the United Nations, but not a word further from the other western leaders.

America regards itself as the example of concern and democracy and a leader.  Britain also puts itself in that role, China also has spoken out on occasions such as this, but where are they all now?  Why are they being so cautious and scared?  Is oil more important than people?  Let's hear your voices and see your actions.  Are people's lives not worth anything any more?  What would they be doing if the same things were happening in the U.S.A. or Britain or any other western country?  Not just sitting comfortably and only saying things were "outrageous and unacceptable" I am sure.  And why haven't we heard even from the leaders of our churches either?  Is it not politically correct for them?  After all, the churches preach justice and equality for all - so why don't they speak up?

I know I will get flack from some people for writing what I have here, but I get it all the time, so it doesn't matter.  I got it yesterday from some people (ex-pats) with whom I was talking on this very subject.  What does matter and what is of importance are the lives of innocent people whomever they are and wherever they are.  You cannot put a price on the lives of people - or compare a person to a barrel of oil.   So leaders, church people whomever - do whatever you can and stop these horrific happenings now.

WHAT WILL 2011 BRING FOR THE WORLD?

During the last week of 2010, I wrote to a friend in America and said I was rather glad that 2010 was almost over, as it really wasn't the best of years as far as I was concerned.  Nothing really terrible had happened during the year, but from time to time several unnecessary things turned up.  We were able to deal with them all and they are now history so details aren't necessary, but both my partner and I feel we could well have done without them and the traumatic feelings that came with some, so we were/are looking forward to a better year in 2011.

In the days that followed my writing that letter, I was surprised to learn that many people thought the same way we did.  There were many reasons for these feelings I  learned. The world-wide economic situation played a big part for some, the loss of a job, a home, a family member or maybe illness.  Whatever the reason - 2010 does not seem to have been the best of years for so many.

Now that 2011 is here and firmly entrenched I wonder if it is going any better than 2010.  As far as I am concerned personally, things are fine and going well.  I have no complaints - all is good.  However, having said that I have to look at the wider picture............ the world-wide picture. In this day and age where anyone in any part of the world can see and know what is going on in any other part of the world exactly as it is happening, we cannot isolate ourselves.

As I write this we are just beginning the seventh week of the year 2011 and in that short time more things have happened than anyone could have imagined.  Some of them hopefully to bring good, some maybe not.

In what is considered by so many to be the leader of civilized countries, the decidedly uncivilized rhetoric of many of the American politicians and others against one another that continued in January, was - and is - nothing less than a tool to incite bigotry and hatred and has even been cited as a possible cause for the seemingly continuing series of shooting rampages that occur.  When will these people learn to "respect the dignity of every human being"?  Is that not similarly stated in the much-quoted Constitution?  Can that kind of talk really bring happiness and peace?  I doubt it very much.

Moving further afield - this year even within these short seven weeks - we have seen tumultuous happenings throughout the world. Demonstrations against the Government in relatively small numbers appeared in Yemen.  These were followed very closely by huge demonstrations against the Government and President in Tunisia which resulted in President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fleeing the country. Almost immediately after - and just nineteen days ago, demonstrations erupted in Egypt which resulted in the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.  Smaller demonstrations occurred in Jordan and King Abdullah II took quick steps to install a new Government and start reforms and this morning I learn demonstrations are being planned in Algeria

I have no doubt that these events will bring big changes - all for the good, I hope to these countries.  Over the past years, I have visited all of the countries I mentioned above - some of them several times - and I have found their people to be among the kindest, friendliest and most peace-loving.  All they want is not war and turmoil in their countries, but just the ability to live peacefully, have an education, a job, a home and be able to raise their families without a constant struggle fighting poverty and corruption. This is as it should be and this is how I hope 2011 will turn out for them all.

However, having said that - the success of these changes depends greatly on the powerful so-called western countries.  Many of the most powerful western countries are ruled by powerful and wealthy businessmen and politicians who are on the lookout to promote their own personal interests and are only too willing to prop up a dictator willing to give them concessions.  We have seen that all the time.  This must not be allowed to happen again in these countries that have struggled to free themselves from dictators who have milked an untold amount of money and assets from their countries.  For once let the so-called civilized western powers show that they are civilized and that they are really and truly willing and able to help these nations rebuild a society for the good of their people and not just pay lip service and then swell their own bank accounts.

Just as a final thought - I have often wondered what makes these dictators "tick". What goes on in their minds?   Are they not aware of history or if they are, do they not learn from it?   Or do they just hope bad things will not happen to them if they hold the reins tight?   Go back in living memory (and you could go back even much further) to the days of Hitler and Mussolini and you will find that almost every dictator came to what could well be described as a "very sticky end".  One of the very few who didn't was General Franco of Spain, and one reason was because the people knew he was grooming the then Crown Prince Carlos to take the throne once Franco died. That was something the people wanted and it happened.

I have only met personally one dictator in my life and that was one of the worst - President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania. I was working in London at the time and went on an official visit to Romania..  I had the somewhat dubious distinction of being invited to the Presidential Palace in Bucharest to meet President Ceausescu and his wife. On a one-to-one basis I have to say he was an extremely pleasant man and a gracious host.  His wife, on the other hand I could only describe as a "scary woman" who never smiled even as she greeted us and I felt quite uncomfortable even shaking hands with her.  The interesting thing about that day was that the President when talking to us, continually harped on the fact that he was so adored by the people and he did so much for them so they wanted him to stay for ever.  I never understood whether he was living in "La-La" land and really believed what he said, or whether he was putting on an act for us so that when we returned home we would tell all how much he was loved. (Mr.Mubarak's last speech to the people seemed to be along the same lines, strangely enough).  Whatever the reason, it wasn't too long after that before both President Ceausescu and his wife came to a very unpleasant end.
  

Is there a lesson here?  Yes!  Maybe the powerful should open their eyes and ears more often and listen to the people.