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War as a Power-game: USA, Iran, Threats and News – or: “Who Benefits?”

A drawing in golden-yellow hazes and simple outlines, showing a sun, a mountain in front of the sky and before the mountain a figure walking towards the mountain.
Image by Parsa Farahani from Pixabay

It’s a never ending story with this US-president: Threats, tantrums rather, like children who yet learn the limitations of life. “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, a movie title actually. “Ugly” that is this sorry excuse for a man. Not because of his looks, but because of his non-existent character.

This war on Iran was a *sham* and a *shame* from day 1.

A sham, because it pretended a real reason for an attack: a nuclear programme of Iran for building weapons.

A shame because people are being killed every day for the greed and self-centred outlook on life people like that president and his followers have:

As long as you are rich and perhaps even powerful as a man you ‘count among men’… the  phrase originally meaning, people(s). Yet, actually, it’s only people of like mind.
They don’t know about the finer feelings, happiness or real companionship, friendship or love. They only evaluate lives from superficialities; more champagne… more haute couture gowns… for the wives they ‘buy’.
‘Buy’?
Well, in effect, money makes it, right…? (For the women of like, silly mind, that is…)

A few facts, once more:

    • It was the first administration of this person playing at president, who cancelled the contracts with Iran on Uranium enrichment control – in 2018. Those contracts were working. Confirmed by the IAEA, among others.
    • Iran’s oil recovery industry is the largest in the world – with some of the largest oil fields of the world beneath the surface of the country.
    • When Iraq was under ‘scrutiny’ and eventually the former president Bush jr. started war on it, the purported ‘weapons of mass destruction’ seemed the reason.
      • They didn’t exist. A fact also, for all who want to do research on it.
      • The dictator Hussein they later scorned was set up with US support.
      • He started to move towards more independence from the US.
      • So, they struck.
    • Oil now comes ‘on the cheap’ from Iraq.
    • The USA traditionally depend upon cars, ever since they became a household standard.
      The population expects to be able to go anywhere, any time, on cheap petrol…
    • The economy in the US has been failing after the pandemic severely as it did almost anywhere else.
    • If not by actually making businesses and people profit, what is there to do?
      • Start a war:
        • The demand for all goods appertaining to it will go up.
        • The weapons producing industry in he US is their largest and most influential… when demands for weapons rise, they profit. ‘Benefit’.
        • <Sardonic outlook on>: A few people less in the country won’t hurt him or those close to him and so… who cares? As long as it makes them more money?<Sardonic outlook off>

Wealth seems desirable, from the outside: It is being ‘marketed’ that way especially since Calvin in Switzerland and later Presbyterians.

The rich and  powerful actually are rather lonely, often depending on all kinds of synthetic medicines… to show the ‘happy face’.
How can you be close to human beings if all you know about is being artificial?

Iran has a rich and extremely old tradition. They are a peaceful nation and population, with many original and unique languages apart from the official Farsi. The history of this country is fraught with earth quakes and wars, because so many outside nations were greedy. In former centuries, the UK, France and Russia. Later, the US joined.

If anything, Iran and its people have learned resilience. They will not succumb to someone putting the pressure on. Negotiations are another strong suit, they own, from tradition.

Let’s hope that someone somewhere will come to their senses at last and soon and understand that this no way to go about it. Killing people, into the bargain…

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Language, Culture and Diversity: Integration – Learning to Know Each Other

A drawing of human hands touching and that way making a heart-shaped circle.
Image by Rosy / Bad Homburg / Germany from Pixabay

From experience I know that integration sounds so nice and easy. In a way, it is too. Yet, in other respects, it can be rather hazy as a concept: What then does it mean? Really?

Does it mean to naturally accept any other concepts of living, seamlessly? To not mind that the ‘language barrier’ is sometimes a handicap? For all concerned?

The more differences there are between one culture and another, the bigger the challenge of doing something about it.

And when people live their whole lives in one small region, with practically no idea of any other models of living than their own, they may feel especially ‘strange with strangers’.

Indeed statistics show that votes for extreme right-wing parties are highest in regions where ‘strangers’ are unknown.

In other words, the adage again is being proven: What you don’t know, as a human being, makes it irritating or even intimidating.

There are some fine explanations from brain research and human patterns of behaviour for such reactions.

But, in effect, what can we really do? Or what advice can we provide to all who are facing this situation for the first time?

Be patient. Know that ‘in calm there lies strength’. How?

The science I mentioned shows that our basic and often passionate emotions such as anger or fear are part of the oldest parts of our brain. When we let them ‘range freely’, we will be less compassionate, and less able or even incapable of clear thinking.

Integration is something to make us richer: In experience, in perspective, in thought, dancing, celebrating, sports, even; or just playing games and making jokes.

A culture that closes itself off, that has also been proven in the humanities, research from social science and anthropology, is doomed.

In Germany all the people from inside Europe and beyond have brought with them so many new ideas, new culinary adventures and taste explosions as well as languages and dances. And they also founded companies and businesses and created jobs. They work with us and among us and often the smile that can bridge the small gap of a misunderstanding can make life a little lighter each time.

Opening hearts and minds – instead of letting fear take over; meeting the others half way, knowing that we have a lot to offer and can learn a lot, makes it easier to – integrate, without losing identity or self-confidence, but earning so much on all levels.

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Cambridge University, UK, a Black Professor, Autism and Media Coverage: Jason Arday’s Death

Screenshot from BBC website on J. Arday defending his work, reported 6th August 2026, taken at 16-08-2026, 13-52-54, ©BBC.co.uk

Only his death made him even more famous than his life. A tragedy indeed, since for years at least since the pandemic I look at news only every other day, sometimes once a week, carefully choosing my sources.  And only learned about him today, his death being announced.

According to The Times (UK) and the BBC, Jason Arday was involved in a row about his academic achievements, posing he had committed plagiarism in his PhD thesis.

He first defended his work, admitted to some errors and a few days ago finally resigned his seat effective immediately.
A few days later he was found dead. Reasons have to be determined and officially be confirmed.

He seems by all accounts to have been a good person, especially to his friends and family. This is a tragedy indeed and can perhaps make all concerned make more aware how to deal with such matters, applying care and not make assumptions before the facts.

As in: More careful media coverage.

Most of us know that plagiarism means to use other people’s academic work, but without stating the source and making it appear as if being part of their own work. It is considered to be a serious offence and usually results in having to return the titles or positions based on such a work.
I am not an expert on that part of the ruling: There may be minor cases, with obviously a few accidental places only, throughout a thesis, places that don’t really matter to the work and its reasoning as a whole.

People driven to it doing this on purpose can be pitied at times. If they do it to gain money or influence and then abuse that, it’s serious indeed.

Minor errors can happen. The amount and actual validity of those plagiarism claims is still to be determined. Professor Jason Arday, black and in early life handicapped by autism, was the youngest ever professor to be assigned a seat at Cambridge.

He was black, which would have been one more sign for the advancement and diversity of that old and highly-respected university.

What is really important now, is not to jump to conclusions, either way. Reasons for his death as well as the yet unclear claims against his achievements have to be determined.

Whatever the results: Let’s remember that it is about people, that care and concern are more important than a ‘scoop’ – think with empathy about the pain people close to him feel – and let his soul rest in peace.

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Iran, Oil, War and a ‘Lame Duck’ of a President: If You Cannot Make Them Believe, Make Them Pity You…

A 'duck meet', a heap of small ducks for the bathtub.
Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay

‘Lame duck’, the common phrase for a politician or leader of state who is about to leave and therefore not really effective anymore, power waning. But the present president of course will do all he can. The Washington Post reports…a threat against that president? Pityful attempt…

That newspaper is Jeff Bezos’ to do what he wants with it, has been for a couple of years, it says so on its homepage.

Yes, indeed, Amazon founder and Trump follower Jeff Bezos bought it. And we are supposed to trust such reports?

No way.

Let’s also remember a few facts about Mr Trump’s biography: He’s not only a scoundrel ruled guilty in front of a court of law of the US, he has actively swindled thousands of small stakeholders out of  their lives’ savings during the 1960s.

There’s a fine documentary about Mr Trump on PBS FRONTLINE, by Michael Kirk, an award-winning director, called: President Trump. A very painstaking assembly of facts and proven to be true by independent sources.

There was this strange ‘attack’ on Mr Trump about two years ago… ohh how they seemed to pity him; a mere scratch on his ear, not even worth an adhesive bandage.

Let’s remember a few facts:

    • The Trump administration cancelled working contracts with Iran for uranium enrichment control in 2018.
      • Proven to be working by the IAEA.
    • Mr Trump himself repeatedly in front of press representatives has called himself a ‘deal maker’. He does anything to get the other party to succumb to his terms.
      Commonly called ‘scare tactics’.
    • He is known to be a fierce admirer of Putin in Russia. (Link to the New York Times, as yet free press)
    • The EU as well as several Arabic states, have confirmed that negotiations with Iran were well advancing and looking up, more than three times over during this shameful war.
    • The USA are famous for their ‘free roving’ culture of cars around the country:
      • They need cheap petrol for that.
      • It’s also a well-known fact that no president who does not do all he can for cheap petrol has no good basis in votes – or with voters.
    • The industry producing weapons is the largest and most influential in the USA.
      A war opens up the need for more weapons…
    • When the last shah of Iran still reigned, he was actively supported by the US and paid them back with cheap oil. A historical fact easy to be confirmed.

The basic truth is this, let’s remember it too:

Whatever your colour, creed or conviction, you are not supposed to either bother, torture or kill other people. Period. 

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A Pandemic, a President on the ‘GO’ and the ‘GOP’ Fighting a Losing Battle – or: The Wind of Change

A sinking statue of liberty in a stormy sea.
Image by AS Photography on Pixabay

The Head of the National Institute of Health at the time, Dr. Anthony Fauci, esteemed scientist, dared to speak up: Against the present president of the US who is famous for his desperate need for acquiescence and attention. The Administration in the Oval Office at the time for a long time just denied any threat by a virus – or a pandemic.

When it finally started reacting, measures were too little and often too late. Deaths would have been prevented. Dire emergency rooms’ bottlenecks, with triage occurring repeatedly: That method so dreaded by doctors and staff, when for lack of facilities and personnel you have to chose whom to treat first, with too many patients on the brink of death.

That was the reality in the US at the time. Now, the president ‘shortly’ to leave office needs any kind of reason to safe what is left of his threadbare reputation: A scoundrel found guilty in a court of law of the US on 34 counts, a cruel and greedy ‘potentate’ who tried almost everything in  the book, even figured in the Epstein papers…

This would be scraping the barrel, if he hadn’t already, this president whose name I rather avoid naming. Actually dragging such a scientist into court, a hearing; and then holding him in contempt.

The ‘GOP’, the acronym spelling ‘grand old party’ for decades wasn’t so grand anyway, when you think whom they support, whom they made president; or what they stand for. But this is indeed one more low point proving the principle:
Cannot be trusted. With anything.

If it wasn’t so painfully embarrassing for a society that has so much to offer in terms of art, science, music and literature – it would be hilarious.

 

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Grown-up Kids at Play – or: ‘Testing on Wings’ – or: Heart and Brain

Three small ghost figures made from plastics, like toys.
Image by Alexa from Pixabay

We all know them: Those kids who either bully others until they cry, or tear wings from small insects just to test what would happen. I’ve met grown-ups too, who actually behave like those kids, at times: Test others. Push them or try ‘pushing their buttons’ to see how they react…

I always thought that such people are suffering from fundamental character flaws: not realizing that torturing other living beings is cruel, a shame. And additionally probably even suffering from power fantasies: They feel ’empowered’ and important when they can ‘make’ others react. Even by torturing them.

It means: Causing pain deliberately. And it has nothing to do with fun, games or mild misdemeanors. It’s actually a lack of empathy. Maybe the patriarchal side getting in the way: Men are supposed to feel ‘superior’, self-confident. No human being in reality can feel that way all the time. That’s not only natural. It’s part of scientific research into such patterns of human  behaviour and needs.

I have seen these things happen in childhood, was sometimes a target. I still now and again observe grown-up people behaving that way: ‘Testing’ their peers as it were. Perhaps even poking each other’s rips and smirking – if a little uncomfortably.

Because only in a few cases do they not know about the downside of it: Molesting, torturing or plainly causing pain is no child’s play.

Real joy in life is based on other, more ‘mundane’ and completely different aspects: Love, friendship, understanding, humour and trust. None of which can be built in a hurry.

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The Human Element in Europe – Numbers! – Statistics… and the Clear View of Facts

The ‘human element’ can be said to mean several things: It means all those things that are human in a highly technical world. That can introduce mistakes, errors of judgement or downright catastrophes, even. But fear and greed can be among them and these two are not to be trifled with.

How’s that, you may want to ask?

Because, when war raged in Europe during WW II, millions of people were on flight. They were desperate, hungry and often in clear and actual danger of their lives: dictatorships in Spain, Russia and Germany in place – and values and measures at their lowest points.

Overcoming fear, which means courage – can work wonders: We will not only learn more, experience different, sometimes tasty things; we also will keep innovation and science at high levels!

It’s been proven in scientific research (anthropology, archaeology, and similar) that cultures who close themselves off are doomed.

Additionally, all around Europe, the death rates are up, birth rates are down, a little simply but correctly put.

The above EU-statistics show too, though, that migration is a mere drop in the sea: 450 million people living in the EU, around 2 million having been added by migration…

Someone recently said it out loud and that’s a truth: When we start to become afraid, the oldest  areas of our brain become activated: the brain stem which is just able to eat, drink, sleep, or multiply.
Yet, the later parts are what makes us human, called neocortex or cerebrum:
We are able to think complex thoughts, develop new ideas and – empathise, because of those newer parts of our brains.

Fear is part of our older brain. It can make us blind to many of the fine things in life: empathy, clear thoughts and calm and clear judgement.

There have been people for ages, who use our fear to manipulate us. Who use a few exceptions to the rule to make us afraid. Images drawn in dark colours to make us believe that we are in danger from ‘strangers’.

We are what we are in this wonderful region of the world because of diversity. Of many different colours, ideas, thoughts – and emotions.

Let not have a few greedy and power-craving rascals and bullies make us believe otherwise:

We are strong and our values and ideas are rooted firmly in ancient ideas and are modern for civil societies at the same time.

 

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Attacking Peaceful Crowds: NO – Our Society is MORE than Some Little Minds

Image of a red, heart-shaped burning candle on a red background, surrounded by many small red and shining beady.
Image by wagrati_photo from Pixabay

Christopher Street Day in Berlin: Attacked. One more attack on a peaceful gathering. There seems to be a suspect. It’s early days yet. Again, once more apparently motivated by extremist ideas, whatever the exact political conviction. We as an open and democratic, peaceful and diverse society, who know a thing or two about integration by this time, will not take this lying down.

I’ve been around people from all walks of life and from almost any part of the world you could imagine: All continents, many different languages and convictions, political or religious or otherwise.

But, one thing emerges equally and at once: People with hearts and minds for the essentials in life cannot do such a thing.

My heart goes out to all who were affected, losing loved ones in the middle of life! And the wounded: May they rise again, stronger than before and healthy in mind and body.

There are still people around with grudges. Or those who feel left out. Or those who were actually mistreated. But whoever or whatever reason, this is a NO GO.

I for one will always hold up my ideas, my beliefs and the knowledge that only together we are strong enough to defeat the bullies and greedy and misguided people of this world. Because:

WE are more!

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When Disgust Against People Makes You Want to Vomit: The Saudi Arabia Deal

Two hands shaking, only partly visible, shady, on a background filled with falling dollar signs.
Images licensed via Adobe CC, my arrangement

They call it ‘soldiering’ in some places: The thing men do when they feel like playing games, being heroic – and ultimately show off how tough a guy they can be, after all. The bullies of this world and their ‘cohorts’: It’s like a glimpse into the past. Ancient Rome comes to mind – and much later completely rotten types of people that barely retain any sort of resemblance to humans: The present president of the US first and foremost.

Deep inside afraid and downright cowardly, because: He sends others to do his ‘dirty work’. Die.

He sits there in his heaps of money and all that appertains to it and one does not even need to ask anymore: ‘Who benefits?’

Causes and effects: It’s ‘his’ war. The Trump administration in 2018 cancelled working contracts with Iran about uranium enrichment control.

Now what? Closing a deal of billions of dollars for supporting a so-called civilian nuclear development programme. They don’t even feel ashamed anymore.

To think that the US is the first-ever nation owning – and using – nuclear bombs; and the first-ever to use them against another.

In all the years Iran had had time to do so, they did not: They did not develop nuclear weapons.

This is not about peace on earth. Or this role of world police officer the US so like to don.

This is cruel and hard-boiled, selfish greed. Since being in office that sorry excuse for a man Trump actually has accumulated more wealth than ever before.

Two New York Times articles. One makes it abundantly clear how the Supreme Court of the US itself even is infested with boot-licking, greedy followers. The second shows nicely how this person together with his family abuses his office and his power accumulating even more wealth:

I would take up the paper bag for vomiting; but such people don’t even deserve that exertion.

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Missing Elections’ Integrity? – Missing Voters…or: When the Lame Duck ‘Clucks’

Puppet character Kermit the frog talking to a stone figure looking like a smiling woman.
Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

“Lame duck” is the phrase for that state politicians get into when their term is running out: By not being re-elected or simply reaching the end of their final term.

The present president in the US tries all he can to make it appear as if he was in full control of the situation and not the least bit ‘maimed’. Addressing the nation, as it were.

Yet, the signs are there: Claiming that votes were wangled at the time in 2020 and that the US-voting system is unreliable, not to say in danger of overthrowing itself, is a bit ‘rich’ by such a person – when you think of what happened in 2016:

The New York Times and the (then still reliable) Washington Post reported on the fact that elections had been influenced strongly by Russia, by order of Putin himself. In 2016, already.
Yet, nothing ever was said by Trump himself about that…
Why would he?
It was in his favour.

If there had been insecurities they would have been fixed long ago by this time. (Catchword: Cybersecurity).
10 years later.

The contacts between the two heads of state (wouldn’t want to call them ‘leaders’… they miss out on so much that makes a good one…) were known long before that. Trump’s family members regularly visited there…

Let’s hope and pray that not only he in terms of peace but also voters in the US will finally see the light – and smell that rat that just might be a last, though feeble attempt to change any laws, in his favour again…

The Supreme Court has a majority of 4 justices, selected at the time from his followers…

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