I want to cry: part 2

I’m home from work and I’ve been able to formulate a few thoughts. I have tried not to talk about religion though, because I still need to get things sorted out in my head about that. I’m not shy about my dislike of the Abrahamic god; he’s a dick. Just because you’re god is a mass murdering wanker doesn’t mean you should be. (I came to this conclusion many years ago, after reading the Bible, rereading it last year did not change my sentiments on the subject).

Actually, scotch that, lets talk about religion then we’ll get on with the politics. The vile specimins of humanity that carried out these attacks do not represent all Muslims any more than Fundamental Protestants or conservative Catholics represent all Christians, etc. My personal opinion is that if your god condones mass murder that’s a god you should avoid. Unfortunately people draw on their beliefs to validate their hatred of others; religion cannot be taken out of the equation,  but it is more complex than religious = bad, not religious = good. Let’s not forget that this is about human beings not Europeans against Middle Eastern people, or Muslims and Christians, or secular vs. religious. People will focus on the religious element and ignore underlying causes for these atrocities, because it’s easier to say that this group or that religion are evil,than to look at the history, the reasons behind the behaviours, the contributing factors, the reason people turn to religion to justify hatred.

Continue reading “I want to cry: part 2”

I want to cry

I’m watching the news, about Paris. In a comments of a blog I read several people have mentioned other massacres yesterday, in Baghdad and Beirut;I followed up by checking the BBC website. In total, approximately 180 died and hundreds more injured yesterday – 127 in Paris, 40 in Beirut, 25 in Baghdad – there may be more deaths to be added. Daesh (IS,ISIS, ISIL) has claimed all three attacks; in the Beirut and Baghdad cases it seems there was a sectarian element, Shia areas were targeted.

It’s heartbreaking, all of it. So many deaths for no reason, so much pain caused for no reason.

And now I have to go to work.

A few links for the story:

http://mic.com/articles/128551/terrorist-suicide-bombing-attack-on-beirut-lebanon-kills-43-and-injures-hundreds?utm_source=policymicFB&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social#.rNMrDXl9i

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34810672

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34821001

 

Lincoln book haul

I went to Lincoln with my sister for her 30th birthday today; I only bought six books..

From my favourite independent book shop, Lindum Books (4 Bailgate, Lincoln, LN1 3AE):

Ian C Esslemont
Return of the Crimson Guard
Stonewielder

Mark Charan Newton
Nights of Villjamur
City of Ruin

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Dorothy Whipple
The Priory

And from the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology’s Jew’s Court Bookshop (Steep Hill, Lincoln):

Kevin Leahy
The Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Lindsey

Both shops sell second hand and new books, and are housed in historic buildings which are interesting in themselves.

The books I bought have made me very cheery tonight for several reasons. The Esslemont books complete my Malazan collection.

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I really liked the Dorothy Whipple book I bought last time I visited Lindum, and I really love the binding Persephone books have. It’s such high quality. I was pleased to be able to find another book by the same author and the lady in Lindum Books was very knowledgeable. You don’t get that sort of service in a chain book shop.

I was pleased to support the SLHA with my purchase, especially since finding books specifically about Lindsey isn’t always easy.

I ache quite badly; Steep Hill is a (well-named) killer and I’ve become more unfit since I last went to Lincoln. I really need to work on that. Back to the regular long walks it is.

Thoughts on ‘Suffragette’

Suffragette: an insulting diminutive coined in 1905 by the Daily Mail for women involved in the suffrage movement. Adopted by the WSPU as a badge of honour.
I went to see the new film about the Suffragettes on Thursday afternoon with my oldest friend. I really enjoyed the film, it was inspiring.

[There will be spoilers in this post, skip the first few paragraphs if you don’t want to know what happens. You have been warned, don’t complain.]

Continue reading “Thoughts on ‘Suffragette’”