My Life on this planet.

Carpet salesman Bilal Sarwary whose parents fled Afghanistan when he was a child, lived in Pakistan and witnessed the terrorist attacks on America that resulted in the occupation of Afghanistan by the USA. In the immediate aftermath he went to Afghanistan as a translator for foreign media but later became a journalist to report about Afghan life under the American military presence. Now that the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan, the journalist was told his life was in danger and he and his family had to leave Afghanistan, again. Here he writes about his 20 years in Afghanistan , when the Taliban were out of power. I include some of my comments on his article, although I accept I never lived there. In italics is  text taken literally from the article.  Before the USA invasion, people lived in fear while after the Taliban was gone Mr Sarwary writes:  " Within hours, people were lining up again outside barber shops to have their beards trimmed. Rhythmic Afghan music ...

Female Afghan journalist - end of career in her homecountry Short introduction Zahra Joya is a female journalist who reported on Rukhshana Media about the unfair treatment of and violence against women by Afghans during a time when the Western forces were still in the country. She had to leave Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban. She lived in the capital Kabul although travelled throughout her country to report on women's treatment.  She describes it wasn't easy to be a female journalist, even not in the USA occupied country, as men assumed a woman doesn't speak but she did, although she had to demand again and again the right to ask questions at press meetings; you may expect the male journalists would understand after a few press meetings she too wants to ask questions. Now she and family had to flee the country as Taliban fighters were looking for her. Mrs Joya is one of many strong woman, even as a girl when she dressed like a boy, with support of her parents, ...

When the mafia infiltrates to the highest regions of the legislation, expect troubles. Or when judges don't trust democracy and think democratically-elected parliamentarians want to control individuals, expect troubles. Because, in that case why should people trust governments? While France is making laws stricter to prevent future terrorist attacks , first the European Court of Justice and now confirmed by the Belgian Constitutional Court decided that telecom data of people can't be kept by telecom operators to help in future possible investigations. Mafia members of privacy organisations such as the League for Human Rights and the French and German Sections of the Advocacy requested the destruction of the data retention law. If indeed they want to protect the privacy of common people than these organisations show that governments are so distrusted that these organisations think our data will be misused; indeed, possible when the wrong people gain power.  In short, in B...

Recently at the start of 2021, the British royal family came more than once in the news as a result of the bad relationship with part of the media, and certainly between Meghan Markle who is married with Prince Harry, also known by their titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex.  An interview by these Duchesses of Sussex with Oprah Winfrey made things worse, including the relationship within the Royal family such as between Prince William and Prince Harry. Indeed, certainly Prince Harry always had visible troubles with the (gossip) media as he blames them for the death of his mother Princess Diana. That is also one reason why over one years ago the Duchesses of Sussex decided to withdraw as senior Royals and moved first to Canada and later the USA. This decision already put strain on the Royal family and their relations between each other.  Things became even worse when Prince Philip was in hospital at the time when the interview was broadcast and certain gossip media even blamed the...

Over the past month, more gun violence killed people, by police officers but also by ordinary people - one reason why police often shoots as they fear suspects may have a gun that may kill them. Indeed, when weapons are almost freely available than mad people may get them and kill. Below my posts on Facebook.  But, it is not only mad people who kill, sometimes we read also about children who find a loaded gun , often that of their parents (indeed, an unloaded gun is useless when you need to act quickly to shoot a burglar in your home), and wound, or worse kill, someone else or themselves. Then judges need to decide whether adults are to blame. Many of these cases would not have happened when fire arms were not so easily available in society because of relaxed gun laws. 20/03/2021 Mr Trump, out the White House but his words continue to live on. After always referring in racist words to the coronavirus, increasingly Asians are targeted with deadly consequences  such as in Atlant...

Medicines and vaccines, always an assessment between benefits and risks as explained in the Guardian ; I've written before in great length about the development, approval and safety follow-up of any possible risks (see Pharmaceutical companies need to earn money to improve their products , Codeine as an example how product information of medicines continue to change , Generic drugs - and the cost to develop the real stuff and an older post that explains the origins of the important regulation Thalidomide - And the apology that angered its victims .  As the pandemic resulted in large numbers of people either death or severely ill for months while other people don't even show symptoms when they test positive for SARS-CoV-2, we were lucky that the scientific knowledge but also pharmaceutical companies are much advanced. The result: a speedy development of a number of vaccines. Of course, many people are unsure about these vaccines and have questions, certainly when you know that ...

I have written before about gun violence in the USA (see series 17) although my last article about gun violence is now nearly two years ago as I can't change anything except explain why massive gun ownership does not create a safe society but instead results in more shootings and eventually more deaths. Action and reaction: more citizens have guns they may use against each other but also against police officers and thus police officers use guns faster against citizens to prevent citizens may shoot first. Still, certain people continue to claim that more weapons are the way forward to protect people from mad people with gun; however, many gun lovers become very angry and aggressive when other people suggest fewer guns is the way to create a safer society. The third week of April 2021 was again quite bad that included a shooting at a school during which one student died . As the article mentions, more violence may be expected as many more weapons were sold in 2020 than in other year...

Bill Gates Bill Gates . Such an authority. He discusses e.g. climate change as I do and he is interviewed while I am losing friends. But, as my mind goes on and on, turning round in circles, I too must write this down so my brain concentrate on something and to avoid I become mad. And yes, it is also important that people show that they agree with investments away from fossil fuels to prevent those who are opposed have the loudest voice and win the argument. Thus, I recognise Mr Gates has major opposition from among others: those who oppose vaccination (in which he plays an important role) and deny climate change is real as for many the consequences are too big to accept while they often don't want to pay for it and think that reinvesting in old solutions is cheaper and more profitable while building a new nuclear plant costs billions of euros  although smaller local units may be possible and for space travel on condition we re-use space shuttles; those who don't mind climate ...

How to halt a virus? Schools as an example In America, President Biden asks that teachers are vaccinated because they are considered a priority and many States do; indeed, their vaccination is essential to be able to keep schools open.  Not so in Belgium and I think in the EU because decision-makers have chosen to vaccinate first immobile people, i.e. elderly people in care homes because they are vulnerable, I accept they are. Still, although they can become ill and have a big chance to die, as they don't leave the home, they don't spread the virus. And thus, when people who don't leave the house are vaccinated first, it is as if no-one is vaccinated in society. And thus, while the Flemish Minister of education advocated in favour of urgent vaccination of teachers , teachers were told they will not receive priority vaccination , even when schools are told they should remain open as that is important for children's development, something we all accept. And thus the Mini...