The air is clear and still, dew is glistening on the leaves, birds’ calls are particularly clear and sharp. Some gum trees are in flower again, fooled by the seventh false start of summer. The honey eaters are happy.
Today attack drones swarm towards Israel – is this the start of World War 3? All the ingredients are present: an axis of autocrats, their identified enemy, a creature of the Western alliance…. all have nuclear weapons.
Yesterday a maniac ran amok slashing and stabbing indiscriminately, mostly weak and defenceless victims, avoiding challenges from brave men; then shot dead by an efficient police officer.
The same day we baby sat a grandson for a few hours; we sang and danced and laughed and smiled … such uninhibited joy and love!
Tomorrow judgment will be handed down on another case arising from the lies and immorality of two young people who had been employed to assist our government ministers. How did they get there and how could they have been tolerated? The damage created by just one incident has been incredible: reputations of Ministers, Judges, Police officers, Media icons tattered … only a bishop missing! And the slime ball is still rolling!
What we can do is lift our heads and think about values outside our little material worlds. We need to decide how much we value freedom and consider the responsibilities of citizens in democracies. Remember, we have a duty not only to pay our taxes and obey the law; we must also take up arms to defend our country when required.
I suggest that we should think a bit more about the corrosion of our values and speak out against their erosion by sentiment and identity politics.
sillysocksonfriday 
In South Africa we will be voting to remain as we are or to change. The ruling party is at a crossroads. My hope is that the people of South Africa will democratically vote to change and give a chance to new leadership and direction. My fear is that the ruling ANC will not hand over the reins even if the outcome favours the formation of a new government .
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