Lies, Lies, and Colonialism

Humankind has waved-off previous messages, winging out into the wide black yonder. Both Voyager missions had on board a variety of examples of humankind's historical and other achievements, as well as selected images that might best convey a sense of wonder for what the planet has achieved. There were messages in many different languages, music through the ages- quite what extra terrestrials will make of Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring?- and various images, mostly photographs. There's a Chinese dinner party, a factory interior, the Great Wall of China, an X-ray of a human hand, rush hour traffic in Thailand. On 21st March the BBC were light-heartedly discussing what should or could be sent upon the next mission. I think the programme was PM, some time shortly after 17:00; two women- one scientist, one stand-up comic, who may well have been Josi Long *- were in agreement that 'other' things should be included, not merely a selection of humanity's best!

One of the pair said, 'Some of humanity's worst.' The other ventured, 'More every-day stuff- children's doodles, not just high art.' I think it was the comedian who suggested, 'Elon Musk's Twitter/X thread. 'The general message seemed to be that just sending the very best, or the more functional, really wasn't an accurate cross-section of humanity, nor humanity's impact upon the wider planet. The short discussion remained very gentle, nothing too controversial for the BBC!

There is now a considerable collection of, shall we term them, 'concerns,' piling up for the entire global ecosystem. There has been much talk of regulation of AI of late, the latest upon a growing list. Another, far less often broached, therefore minor, item has been the idea, held by some non-academics, that there might be risk attached to drawing attention to the richness of our home planet; we may not be the only species currently searching out amongst the stars, for other 'suitable and life-supporting' planets. Academics have countered with the observation that any species capable of deciphering the thousands of messages, also of traversing such wide expanses, will likely already be well ahead of the curve, well in advance of 'our' curve!.

Concerning humanity's current Earthbound trajectory, given that chances of extraterrestrial 'contact' may happen as distantly as millions of years into an uncertain future, whence trajectories might again converge, there must be a more than even chance that any eventual visitors are likely to be met by a planet uncluttered with the human species.

Regardless, Voyager(s) has been furnished with information designed to present the Earth and its self-appointed ruling species in a positive light. So, even the opening premise turns out to have been based upon a contradiction. Rather 'farmers as guardians of the countryside' extrapolated to encompass an entire planet. That is to state, more bluntly, that it is based upon a lie! A gentler slant might argue that it is 'based upon a current lie.' Humanity is ever boastful of its unmet aspirations, ever in denial of its failings, capable of such creativity, such wanton destruction!

Without need to search through the entirety of Voyager's greetings we may assume that mention of humankind's thirst for war will have been omitted. Neither, that messaging will have boasted about the more sinister uses to which humankind's advanced technologies are, so often, devoted- 'Here we are, armed to the teeth!,' or perhaps, 'Behold, hatred for our fellow beings!' Not quite, 'Welcome, come in peace!'

Is it a sort of arrogance that argues humankind it's self-appointed status of home superiority, an assumption, an oversight? Is it likely that any more-advanced extraterrestrial species will want to break bread with humankind that devotes quite so much time to atomising its fellow beings?

26th March, BBC early evening news was eager to show, and to interview, RAF flight personnel preparing to deliver much needed aid packages to Gaza. Flights were being permitted the most minute 'window,' within which to operate. A huge pat upon the back for the RAF! Interviewees spoke of a need to target the drop very precisely along the southern coast, so as not to cause yet further casualties amongst desperate Palestinians. Bizarrely, neither RAF personnel, nor BBC reporting, seemed aware that the RAF has been undertaking regular flights, via Cyprus, delivering unacknowledged items to Israel, for these past months. I doubt there will be room for evidence of such misinformation aboard the next Voyager flight.

Immured in faux-communication, the UK and the BBC prides itself upon drawing attention to specific instances of hypocrisy. No site, other than the BBC, prides itself more upon its tenacious thirst for honesty, when exposing overseas injustice, some injustices, some regimes. ''BBC Verify' is dedicated to examining the facts and claims behind a story to try to determine whether or not it's true.' They'll be able to tell the listener that aid flights to Gaza really did happen. 'They'll be fact-checking, verifying video, countering disinformation, analysing data and - crucially - explaining complex stories in the pursuit of truth.' They'll be able to inform the listener that the UK has backed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. But will they be able, or prepared, to verify whether the RAF continues to service both advertised flights, as well as those of a more covert nature, at the behest of Israel? Will BBC Verify weigh up whether the UK cutting off aid to UNWRA is enabling Israel to kill yet more Palestinian children than the UK finally voting for a ceasefire at the UN is likely to save? Dear BBC, which snippets of information, do you consider, should the globe place aboard the next Voyager mission?

Maybe, begin with a touch of introspection?

* apologies to Josi Long, if it was indeed you.

Blood Language, the Abuse Thereof?

There is currently a confluence of contrasting currents, one more angry and dangerous, another niggling away at the former. Meanwhile the ocean rages, threatening to subsume an entire nation! Where to look? What to say?

Genocide rages over Gaza! A Genocidal current that narrative dictates we may not yet observe for what it plainly is. Genocide! Journalists, doctors, farmers, bakers, grandmothers, mothers, newborn babies, men, women and children wiped from the land! Buried under rubble, torn apart, atomised by UK enabled missiles, ruptured, frozen, dehydrated, starved, consumed by disease! But, do watch what you dare to observe or to say, lest you should make another 'uncomfortable!'

The road to understanding is paved with narrative that we might better grasp the world within which we reside. Tread carefully lest you should misstep! Circumvent those deep pools of anti-Semitic Trope. Careful, MSM determines from which angle one is permitted to observe. Or, at least, the manner in which one may speak of one's observations. Such is the ragged curtain behind which nations seek to hide an ongoing Genocide!

Recent Christmas saw Marks and Spencer swiftly remove one of its seasonal adverts. To the 'innocent' potential consumer the image simply disappeared- one day it was there, the next 'poof!' to be replaced by another. To the curious, not only was it removed, its removal was followed by a carefully penned apology to the 'Jewish community.' Turned about-face the mere targeting of any apology to a homogenous , quote, 'Jewish community' might, in and of itself, wrench forth yet another bended-knee apology. But, it wasn't and it didn't. The fireside image with the 'offensive' flame was swiftly esponged and Marks and Spencer penned its obedient apology and jumped back into line.

The cited 'offense' was that the candle flame borrowed 'shamefully' from the Palestinian flag, thus potentially threatening the shop's Jewish customers, making some of them feel 'unsafe,' allegedly. Or not? Likely, not! The offending flame might, instead, have born too close a resemblance to the Indian flag, thus threatening the store's Pakistani customers, but no! No such complaint was levelled. Most of MSM chose to let the news slip under its radar. Thankfully, no such blue flame upon white background was removed otherwise Hell might have rained down upon the store!

An anti-Semitic moment averted. Except, it wasn't for two very clear reasons. Firstly, the flame wasn't based upon the Palestinian flag. Secondly, the Palestinian flag is a nation's flag and not an anti-Semitic symbol! But Marks and Spencer complied anyway.

Post Christmas witnessed University of East Anglia's campus quietly grubbing out all of its Red Robin bushy evergreen shrubs. Although no injuries had been recorded the Vice Chancellor's office allegedly reported that 'students' had been tripping over the shrubs- not any other shrubs, just those very specific ones. Quickly, they were removed and no more was said. As far as I'm aware, no instances of anti-Semitic planting were cited- as far as I'm aware.

One could argue that the act of removing all of UEA's Red Robin bushy evergreen shrubs remains entirely outside of the anti-Semitism topic of debate; one could. Except the university- ideally, a seat of rigorous and wholesome debate, upon a whole wealth of topics- has form. That is to observe that it's senior management team do. On 12th March 'Concrete,' the University's 'official student newspaper,' offered this story on page 3: "Deep concern" expressed over UEA antisemitism statement." The opening paragraphs rather echo the sentiment of the headline. Vice Chancellor David Maguire was quoted, "In recent days we have sadly witnessed a rise in instances of antisemitism across our community, including graffiti on our campus walls, comments made during a university event, and inappropriate comment made on social media. This is unacceptable and we are taking action to ensure that perpetrators are dealt with swiftly." The VC goes on to explain that there could be a, "police investigation," laying out that, "The comments made do not reflect the views of the University and do not meet our values." If one reads to the end of the whole page article there is more balance but it is not until the seventh paragraph that use of the label 'antisemitism' is, in any way, challenged. In fairness to the Senior News Writer, Jamie Bryson, the article does go on to cite various counter arguments, including an elaboration upon 'From the river to the sea.' But not until seven paragraphs in do we break away from the thrust of the VC, the "intimidatory" and "antisemitic" thrust from the senior team.

There is a photograph, '29,000 Gazans Killed.'
Other instances of graffiti are listed:
'Zionism = Colonialism'
'Judaism opposes Zionism'
'End Apartheid; 26 journalists killed in Gaza'
'(UEA) Banks with Barclays- finances genocide of the Palestinian people'
'Macron, Sunak and Trudeau war criminals'
And a quote from the late Nelson Mandela:
"Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."


None of which appears as anti-Semitic. One might take issue with the number of Gazans and journalists killed, both statements significantly understating the death toll. Barclays does fund the genocide, through multiple ties with culpable arms manufactures. One merely has to listen to any from a list of significant political figures from inside Israel to understand that the Zionist colonial project continues at haste! The cited Presidents and PM have all argued for the continued funding of Israel and the IDF, despite those nations' massive demonstrations against further funding of the Genocide. If anyone who has observed even a tiny fraction of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank is not moved, perhaps to anger, then one could readily question their humanity. We could debate but would any such conversation also need to comply with the values of senior management and the VC?

A week past, two Conservative apologies and two Conservative payouts made the small-time news. Firstly, during one round of University Challenge, Christ Church- Oxford's Ms Gorgianeh was wrongly accused of displaying the colours of the Palestinian flag alongside one of the most anti-Semitic tropes, the 'evil' blue octopus, except she wasn't doing either! The accusing Tory peer, Baroness Jacqueline Foster, paid £15,000 in damages and carefully penned her apology. Thing is, she didn't just make the accusation, Baroness Foster also demanded that Ms Gorgianeh be immediately expelled for supporting Hamas, and that she be arrested! Secondly, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan accused Professor Kate Sang, Herriot-Watt University, of expressing sympathy for Hamas. Donelen's unfounded allegations went further in demanding UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) cut its ties to the academic as well as to colleague Dr Kamma Patel. Suspensions were immediate, as the Institute 'carried out' its investigations. MP Donelan has apologised and agreed to pay an undisclosed sum via the taxpayer, that's you and me! UK academic society, riddled with anti-Semitism! Except, it isn't!

Any coincidence with which both wrong accusations were levelled, following so very hot on the heels of statement(s) made by Policy Exchange, should lead the observer to conclude that either Government Ministers respond to the directions of Policy Exchange with trigger-happy abandon, or else they may be responding to 'other obligations.' Careful, anti-Semitism trap lies in wait!

From his GB News temple of 'truth' and 'dignity,' Nigel Farage has accused Jeremy Corbyn of subscribing to an antisemitic conspiracy theory... There is a pattern emerging here!

Not only are Israel and the IDF armed to the teeth- weapons care of the UK and US, via Cyprus- narrative will now readily and shamelessly deploy the whole deck. Blood Libel has been levelled! Used by the Times of Israel to debunk the internationally accepted belief that Israel intentionally targeted a Gazan Hospital. Which, of course, Israel did! Since the claim of the targeted attack Israel and the IDF, or the Times of Israel, whoever, rarely refers back to the initial strike! Swiftly moving on, Israel next spoke of huge Hamas infrastructure needing to be targeted. Hastening onward, when this also proved unfounded. Now, no hospitals are left that have not been targeted by Israeli fire. Now the IDF are involved in the torture of hospital staff. Where might this 'accusation' fall? There is already footage circulating. Another accusation of anti-Semitism in the barrel! What unGodly depravities remain in the IDF arsenals? Will these also transpire to be US and UK enabled? Anti-Semitic Tropes cited! Right there!

Curiously, there is a full Israeli-narrative-complient Team to conduct the BBC et al through an entire lexicon. Which member of the IDF shall we ask, which member of the Israeli Government? Or, in tight reserve, the Telegraph's political correspondent, the Spectator's Katy Balls, the Sun's Harry Cole? One of many from a number, signatories of the October Declaration! Where's cuddly Mel? And, lest you should consider voicing your absolute horror at any of these multiple Crimes of Genocide there's always Government Adviser on Political Violence, Lord Walney. Or Baron Mann, of Holbeck Moor, Government Advisor on Anti-Semitism. Or Baron Austin of Dudley. Careful! Blood Libel! Right there!

Amidst weaponised disease, amidst weaponised starvation US President Biden is planning to build a port on the coast of Gaza, wholly compliant to Israeli President Netanyahu's very precise stipulations. What will the tide wash in? Should be ready in about two months. As certain Americans do so love to tell the globe, 'You do the math!'