Trying to think Positiv.

Siamese  cat

 "When a madman appears to be thoroughly sane, in deed, it is high time to put him in a straight jacket."  "Believe nothing you hear and only half that you see." "I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity." EdgarAllan Poe.  "Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakes." "Thinking is difficult that is why most people judge." "Twelve experts gathered in one room equals one big idiot."  Carl Jung.                                                    I have visited 15 countries, but only in Tunisia I found out on the street the once most expensive cat in the world, Siamese, blue eyes, lovely soft white fur, dark socks and ears, face mask and dark tail. There is not just one poor little treasure, forced to hit the road, but several, a sign they had become fashionable, became an interesting source of income for breeders and are unfortunately no longer expensive and thus less appreciated. Exotic animals is what folks want. Well, if you yourself are not high class, at least your pet should be......Different world, in Cuba we once viewed a man taking his pig, on a leash, for a walk. Experts say pigs are intelligent and that we have more with them in common than most folks would like to hear. That is why it is possible to carry out forensic surveys on dead pigs. Following heavy rainfalls (some parts of Tunisia even got flooded) and several thunderstorms, only 3 cats attended my Cats' Table the next morning. Normally all my guests are punctual, so I got  worried. Luckily most of them turned up again the next day. I try to provide them with a bit of more nourishing and delicious food than the normal spaghetti, noodles, or just leftovers, some folks give them. But I don't want to criticize, in particular when poor people donate this. Cats are great pets, we see them as family members that deserve to be treated well. Carlo just adores my husband and wants to be always with him. I joke, "you are the love of his life, wonder what he sees in you....".            Some citizens in Tunisia ask: "Why does Germany hate us? We used to have a friendly relatonship." Well, I don't think that Germans hate Tunisia, though some changed their attitude, following terrorist attacks from ISIL. In addition, unfortunately, the German government turns a blind eye towards the suffering of Palestinians and their aid is like a drop in the ocean, in particular compared to the amount spent on weapons in support of the Israelian army. Whenever Netanyahu says something it is treated like an absolute fact, chiseled in stone. This is in complete contrast to the normal practice to not even call a murderer a murderer, in spite of being caught in the act, gun still smoking, he remains a presumed suspect until he has been taken to court and sentenced. Like a broken record German and US politicians continue to talk of Israelian "self-defence", though according to international human rights it is not the right belonging to the occupiers but to the occupied people. Strange that Germany, generally speaking, doesn't see his responsibility also for Palestinians. If Hitler had never been born, or Germany had deported him as a "person non grata", following his prison sentence, we could still have Jews, Palestians and Arabs living peacefully together, of this I am sure. Israel and US would be different, many European Jews, including scientists, famous writers, folks like Einstein, wouldn't have immigrated. Without the brutal Nazi state that Hitler created, they would have stayed in their country of origion. There would be less hate and revenge in our world, less money spent on destroying, more available for humanity. By the way, 30 German lawyers tried months ago to take the German government to court for violating his own laws, stipulating that no weapons must be send to conflict or war zone countries. I haven't heard the outcome. 

So What

 "Disappointments are to the soul what a thunderstorm is to the air."  "Against stupidity the very gods themselves contest in vain." Friedrich Schiller.  "Our mind is enriched by what we receive, the heart by what we give."  "To learn to read is to light a fire." Victor Hugo.  "It is criminal to steal a purse, daring to steal a fortune, a mark of greatness to steal a crown. The blame diminishes as the guilt increases." Friedrich Schiller.                Still missing my very special, amazing, little treasure Malek, in spite of presently having 25 other adopted feral children, several trying to comfort me, in particular those who have lately been close to death., but thank heaven, with the aid of our dedicated vet luckily recovered. Pretty sure they understand, they give love and deserve love, very much so! In town we viewed a lovely, well kept cat with a special connection to a kiosk. The lady owner told us that she saw this cat's kitten being killed by a car. After this dead body was removed the mother continued to sit next to the spot where her kitten had died. She was mourning for at least 3 days. Being impressed with so much motherly love, the kiosk owner decided to make the cat's life a little easier, she provides her with food, water, and a blanket in a secure corner. Six years old, big boy, white and yellow, Ricardo discovered approx. one year ago that if he sits apposite Tiger or Alien and just stares at them, he can frightem them like cracy. He enjoys this power, but we are actually not so amused. The quickest way to stop this is to shout at him (I know one isn't supposed to shout at cats), declare that "his mummy is getting angry"...... Sadly 6 year old gentle Janina needed once more dental treatment. At the tender age of only 4 months, she already had to have 4 teeth removed. I found her at the time in a poor state of health, nonetheless a real little treasure. - Politics nowadays are difficult to understand. Honest and wise leaders have become a rar species. I think it was the US journalist Bob Woodward who said Joe Biden surprisingly called Netanyahu a s. o. b. who has lied a lot to him and is only interested in his political survival. Why then does Netanyahu receive this massive US support and why is there this strong prevention to hold him and the defence minister, Galant, accountable for assumed war crimes? (When will the international arrest warrants, as decided by the ICNC be issued? In case of Putin it happened quickly. ) Is it fear to loose the votes of American jews? Many, in particular young and educated jewish people, believe that Netanyahu does a lot of harm to the Israelian soul and the reputation of Jewish citizens all over the world. They don't want the Israelian society he is creating, several declared they can't live in such a state, "not my country". Netanyahu had promised to make the world safer for Jewish folks, he achieved the opposite. I keep telling people that it is wrong to see any religious group as homogeneous, there are the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. By the way, Kissinger (an immigrant from Germany and a  jew, who in the past managed to become US secretary of foreign affairs), in the presence of Haig, referred to military men as "dumb, stupid, animals to be used" as pawn for foreign policy. (Quote from Bob Woodward's book:  "Fear: Trump in the White House")  A rather shocking point of view. The World Bank estimates the war damage in Gaza at 20 billions dollars. U. K. will introduce sanctions against several Israelian settlers (partly also been done already by U. S.) . Presently they appear to be above laws and regulations, lately on various occasions supported by army members, (in the past they used to stop them instead), a shame for any civilized society. Once the war is over Israel will have problems with such citizens, as well as those army members, who now violate international standard rules and regulations.  After the Vietnam War several returning American soldiers had difficulties to lead a normal life again, took to alcohol and drugs, marriages broke up, in some cases even "run amok". The late human rights activist, writer and psychologist, Franz Fanon, said that in Algeria French army members asked him for help, they wanted to lead a normal life after working hours, during which they had tortured Algerian "terrorists". Nir Barkat, minister of economy and industry in Israel, said in an interview with France 24: "We want Gaza to become like Dubai, a better model than 2 states."  An interesting and surprising suggestion, but is it feasable? Anyhow, I believe it should always be left to the concerned people to decide what kind of state they want, if realistic. The aforementioned minister further expressed a thought that could generally be a solution, for all sites, not just Palestions (whom he had in mind) : Love your children more than you hate your enemy. - We desperately need love not hate. Hate and revenge are only destructive and create more hate. Lord have mercy, we must not loose our humanity. 

Postscript Whoever keeps Quiet Agrees to Everything

Visitor, sweet little kitten

Siesta

Snowflake, our late little treasure

A visitor

 "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."  Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people. " " Shame is the soul eating emotions. " " Who has fully realized that history is not contained in thick books, but lives in our very blood. " Carl Jung. "  " The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk in our souls." "I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat." "I have great faith in fools, self-confidence my friends call it." Edgar Allan Poe.                                                                               Recently we had the international day of old people. When my husband viewed a young boy dropping near our door the wrapping of his sweets, he asked him why does he do this? The surprising reply: "To make you work." In view of us being old enough to be his grandparents, I wonder which values his parents teach him. Getting dark, someone knocking at our door. When I opened I couldn't see anybody, but then I discovered a black and white kitten, approx. 3 to 4 weeks old. So the knocking served to make us aware of the little one in need, bleeding from the anus, as I discovered a little later. The bleeding stopped before I managed to buy the medication the vet suggested over the phone. I gave her a bit of milk, tiny pieces of cats' sausage, which she ate. I placed the  poor black and white little girl (that should have still been with her mother, brothers and sisters) in my small outdoor shelter, though, I would have loved to take her inside. But my head told me no, we have reached our limit and in addition, if neighbours view us taking all inside, they will continue to bring us more and more kittens, so convient for them, overwhelming us, so what, they just don't care..... After 2 days the kitten disappeared without a trace. Something simular happened before, after we discovered 5 beautiful little feral darlings in front of our door. I fed them, they enjoyed their food, but first the black beauty disappeared, 3 days later the others also, except one. I strongly hope and pray that they haven't got run over by a car (or got killed by ignorant kids or adults and instead found a loving home. Maybe it was just a test whether we are ready/capable to offer shelter to more cats. Yesterday our sweet, little, blind, approx. 6 months old, snowflake passed over the rainbow. She was so brave, often made me forget she was blind, but used to call me whenever she needed help. Unnoticed she run outside early in the morning, and died within 3 hours, another "sudden child death", no bleeding, no injury. It made me very sad to find our little treasure like that near our house. I had taken her indoors because the street with all those cars and crazy motorbike riders is too dangerous for a blind stray.  We miss her, every cat is special and precious. One can of course live without cats, but is it worth it? They give us so much love and joy. Rest in peace little sweetie. - For quite some time there has been so much talk about self-defence, mainly by Netanyahu, German and American politicians and various News channels . What does it mean? By international standards it concerns the right of the occupied, not the occupiers. If the aforementioned would use this term correctly, we would possibly have a solution before it all gets competely out of control.  Jimmy Carter, in my opinion the absolute best president in America's history, celebrated this year his 100th birthday. In 2009 he said about Palestinians in Gaza: "They were more treated like animals than human beings." The  Israelian defence minister, Galant, adviced: "We are fighting against human animals and we are acting occordingly." Scientists say that it's easier to kill your enemies if you de-humanize them. Joe Biden suggests that Netanyahu should seek alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields (for retailiation in discussion) . Donald Trump advises to first of all strike nuclear power plants in Iran, "then deal with the rest." Lord have mercy, haven't we got enough environmental disasters, e. g. numerous in America? Climate change no longer a problem? No thoughts, empathy, wasted on the peoples of the effected countries and Netanyahu wants to advise how civilized countries should react (support Israel, their "self-defence", shameful to stop arms supply......). Two Americans talking, one of them says:  "What I don't understand, whenever we like a government somewhere, the citizens there are of a quite different opinion." Replied the other:  "Well, he's a  s. o. b. but he is our s. o. b. !"  Gaza now consists of heaps of rubble, the infrastructure destroyed, experts worked out that it will take approx. 15 years to clear Gaza of the debris.  The formally fertile soil, now polluted like the water, compressed through tanks, will take years to recover. So will the traumatised children and adults. UK expresses her worries ref. the strikes on hospitals in Libanon (the new normal, often practised in Gaza), "disturbing" . The UN warns that the health system is under thread. At present only 1 mosque has been attacked, in Gaza this happened to many, including churches, alleged Hamas or Hisbollah quarters. In Libanon inhabitants of more than 20 town and villages have been told to evacuate, meanwhile the entire south of Libanon, 400,000 have fled to Syria. 40 rescue workers and fire brigade members, more than 2000 people have been killed, including 130 children, more than 10,000 are injured. Mean while one fifth of the population is homeless, sleeping on the street.  700 school facilities are targeted. Figures are increasing. Almost 42,000 Palestinians are dead, plus a high number under the debris (millions of tons) of destroyed buildings. Where does "self-defence" end? Lord have mercy, we need wise leaders to end this nightmare. 

Whoever keeps Quiet agrees to Everything.

 "To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning." "Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one can not communicate and teach it."  Hermann Hesse.  "India was remarkable to see, all those parrots flying about, the brilliant foliage and the brilliant sky. It was tremendous pageant, I never noticed the poverty." Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. "As a body everybody is single, as a soul never."  Hermann Hesse.   While tomcats mark their area with urine (unless spayed and neutered), hooligans mark it with their litter (usually various kinds of wrappings, peelings, paper cups and plastic bottles). Kids copy adults and youngsters. As they rarely get criticized for this, they see no reason to change. Looks look milk is getting difficult to obtain again soon. Sugar and coffee, confiscated from those who intended to make money on the black market, is about to arrive in shops /has returned and will be much appreciated. North Africa likes it sweet. Following a fair amount of rain, we now have tapped water around the clock. We had stopped taking it for granted and should continue to value the supply. Of all those kittens in front of my house only 3 remained. Hopefully the others are still alive and found a loving home. New ones are brought by ignorant folks, wonder what is going on in their heads. We aren't getting younger, definituly aren't rich, don't receive any donations and don't even posses a garden. How can we be expected to cope with an endless flow of kittens? Placed in front of our house they are at risk of getting run over by cars. It breaks my heart, but I cannot take them indoors. Janina has lost a lot of weight, even though she hasn't stopped eating, cats' sausage in small chunks and croquettes. Approx. 6 years ago I found her close to my house, only 2 month old. Two months later she already needed dental treatment. Janina is a quiet, gentle little treasure, getting on well with everone, humans and cats. I fear she might be the next one to leave me (over the rainbow).  - The German minister of foreign affairs, A. Baerbock, speaking about Palestine, said that "coarse force must not win." Having listened to Netanyahu in front of the UN assembly, I fully agree. Netanyahu at least was honest, he doesn't want peace but continue fighting until a complete victory has been achieved. Sounds familiar (historic speech). Many - of the few who remained present during his speech or listening to his words later through a different media- were shocked by his contempt for the UN organisation, calling it " a swamp of antisemitism" . Netanyahu had promised more security for Israel and Jewish folks, but he obviously is not the right leader to accomplish this, his own citizens say so. Proud to have been elected (too few votes to govern without his far right, extreme coalition), he is as destructive as an elephant in a porcelain shop, putting it mildly. Further, he didn't seem to understand why there are plans to issue an international arrest warrant for him and his defence minister (Galant). I've heard folks with little education and lack of historic knowledge, sometimes say " Hitler was a good man and he was right murdering Jews." That really makes me mad. How can anyone say such horrible things? Hitler was a monster and he had no reason whatsoever to commit such horrible crimes! Hitler, came from a poor family, some relatives suffered from mental disorder, a jewish doctor saved his mother's life. When the unemployed Adolf slept on the street (in Austria) and later on in a house for homeless persons, he enjoyed free meals (Suppenkueche) sponsored by Rothschild, a rich Jew, who had empathy with those in dire need. The Jewish guy, with whom Hitler shared a room, suggested for income to do postcard sized copy drawings of paintings. He helped selling these to tourists, mainly Jews. Since Hitler owed a lot to Jews, why this hatred? It was convient to have a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong, plus envy, and a chance to shamelessly exploit and rob, enjoy the power to torture and kill, being able to decide who is to die and who to live. European Jews and certainly those living in Germany, had no plans to leave the country, where they and their ancesters were born and raised, which language they spoke and culture they knew. They often were well educated, had good jobs and houses, considered themselves rightfully as Germans. During the 1. world war they fought for Germany (approx. 10 % didn't survive), so why should they be arrested, tortured, murdered in concentration camps? Those who couldn't believe such senseless atrocities will happen, paid a heavy price. Understandable that Germany now continues to feel they have a lot to "make good". But is it the right way? And why doesn't the country see the connection with the suffering of Palestinians? Aren't the Palestinians "the Jews of the Jews?" People like Netanyahu destroy the soul of Israelians and jewish folks' life has become less secure. It is wrong and shows a lack of historic knowledge, to lump all jews together. Are all moslims alike, no matter where they live? There is no such thing as a jewish race, we are talking about a religion. The often extremist settlers living on occupied land in Gaza and well educated jews in Europe are planets apart. In UK I knew several jewish folks, obviously well educated, generous, liberal minded. I enjoyed our discussions and I can't say even one bad word about them. In Germany I never met any jews, but I once listened there to an amazing concentration camp survivor,  Margot Friedlaender: "What has happened we can't change, only it must never happen again."  This great lady is meanwhile 102 years old. She teaches love, not hate. 

Postscript Swords to Ploughshares (Jesaya 2,4)

Malek

Ali

 "When dealing with the insane, the best method is to pretend to be sane."  "The bourglois prefer comfort to pleasure, convenience to liberty, and a pleasant temperature to the deathly inner consuming fire."  Hermann Hesse. " Suffering doesn't improve human beings, does it? "  Herta Mueller. " It is good for you to see your friends arrested. It hardens you. There's no place in our New Order for sentimentalists. "  Curt Siodmak.         "You need a forever war in order to be a forever president."  Comment of an Israeli.      This year has been very tough for me, though nothing in comparison to the suffering of many in this world, where military strikes are the "new diplomacy."  It is a highly dangerous game with fire. Libanon used to be called "Petit Swizz", a beautiful country with ancient history and sites. Now likely to become a second Gaza? Approx. 30 years ago I heard the following joke, with a sad message: What would happen if two weak countries have a conflict and ask the UN for help? The conflict will disappear. What would happen if a weak and a strong country have a conflict and ask the UN for help? The weak country will disappear. What would happen if two strong countries have a conflict and ask the UN for help? The UN will disappear...... What can a paper tiger achieve? Femi Kuti: "Africans should be talking and asking questions, like why does America and Russia have the right to veto votes? These countries talk about democracy and yet are not democratic themselves." Netanyahu likes to practice collective punishment. I used to believe that it was an invention of the Nazis. UN statement: " Nothing justifies collective punishment. "  Don't teach your child that it can do whatever it wants, no limits, no one has the right to criticize or punish it, no respect for anyone. That is how I see the Israelian government, like such a child, growing up under the very special protection of American "Daddy"(and Germany, practicing double standards ) . If the US government seriously wants an end of the Gaza war, no war in Libanon, etc. why continue to supply weapons? Aren't such actions schizophrenic? Why this endless need for " self-defence" ? Guterres declared that "the level of immunity is moraly intolerable" . A different world is possible, but this requires wise, honest leaders, willing to tackle the problems of our day and age and honouring of human rights. Many statements of various politicians, directed to Putin, might as well be addressed to Netanyahu. Double standards the new normal of our "modern society"? - I suffered a big loss, my very special Habibi, tomcat Malek, passed over the rainbow. It is very difficult not having this great little darling, my daily sunshine, around anymore. I adopted him 5 years and 10 months ago. If there is a paradise for cats I shall see him and quite a few other wonderful feral treasures (this year Rosy, Melanie, Coco, Tareqa, Minousa, Lady Gaga, Salvador, between 1 and 6 years old) again one day. I feel very sad and I'm not ashamed of my tears. 

Swords to Ploughshares (Jesaya 2,4)

 "Act the way you would like to be and soon you'll be the way you act." "This world is full of conflicts and things that can not be reconciled. But there are moments when we can..... reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that is what I mean by " Halleluyah"( song) " Leonard Cohen.  " Grey hair is a sign of age, not wisdom. " " The cheapest way to improve your looks is to wear a smile. " " Law is a cobweb which catches small animals but not big ones. "   " A child who asks questions does not become a fool. " Ubuntu African Proverbs    Leaving a supermarket, we got approached by a middle-aged man, who wanted to show us something scribbled on a piece of paper, plus his bad gum and the gabs in his mouth. Was he asking for toothpaste and a toothbrush? The advantage of removable false teeth to crown sprang to my mind, should one need or want to beg. Anyhow, we already have several cats that require dental treatments. As for myself, the last time I went for a  professional teeth-cleaning, the lady surprised me by doubling her previous charge. Unpleasantly surprised I asked her whether she's serious. Guess some folks would declare they have no intention to buy her clinic but just wanted to pay for the treatment. Our street continues to be very loud, approximately 10 year olds on a motorbike, circling, accelerating, creating infernal sounds, innocent and uneducated kids cheering, not aware of it's adding to the destruction of their future. Soon school will start, but it won't make much difference, the night is not considered to be for sleeping, facilitated by bright street lights. Luckily children rarely snore, so sleeping pupils won't disturb much the teaching effords in the mornings. The special food for cats with kidney problems is rather expensive, but Malek is not impressed, doesn't feel like eating, while our other feral kids find the smell very tempting and if we'd let them, it would be all gone in no time. My poor little darling can't exist just on love (continues to cuddle) and air. It's worrying.  I feel compelled to force some of his prescribed food into his little mouth. As my sweetie loves me, he more or less accepts this and makes no attempt to bite me, but he must be wondering why I treat him so bad lately and in addition give him medicines that he never ordered, poor gentle Habibi. They say Tunisia is a poor country, nevertheless there are fireworks nearly every night (usually bought for wedding celebrations) and the streets are congested with mainly new expensive cars, plus very young kids who have apparently received motorbikes to play with.  Even though we have many registered taxis, there are times when it appears to be impossible to find one that is available. The drivers remove the "Taxi" sign when ending their working hours, often around lunch time. "Mummy" is strict and waiting so they must be punctual. Perhaps my comments are unfair, their shift has simply ended, but why aren't there more taxis now starting the other shift hours? - "Swords to ploughshares", an old demand of German peace organisations (forgotten nowadays???), actually a quote from the Old Testament, shared by Christian, Islamic and Jewish religions. Isn't it strange? The concept is that military weapons and technologies (!!!) are converted for peaceful civilian applications. Seems our modern, civilized society has "better" solutions:

Wedding celebration

more and more weapons for which unlimited amounts of money is available, advanced technologies for killings on a greater scale, international human rights and conventions just a suggestion, violations kind of normal, everything can be justified with a few magic words like terrorist, self-defence.... I read Israel is recruiting asylum seekers from Africa for the Gaza war, in return they are offered residential status. Mercenary Israelian style in view of more more of the country's citizens demanding an end of the war. Whatever you do, never sell your soul. 

Postscript Anyway and Anyhow

 "A bird who wakes up early just to sing, besides the river bank, will soon discover that crocodiles do not admire the sound."  "The relatives of a poor man are mostly known during his funeral."  "A blind man and a deaf woman are the happiest couple ever." "The history of African Ancestors is written in blood and cannot be unwritten by lies in ink." "Money can't talk, yet it can make lies look like the truth."   Ubuntu African Proverbs.       Sweet Kaja was recently close to death. She was breathing rapidly, a worrying sign I only know too well. Our veterinarian said she is in such a poor state of health that he can't guarantee she will survive. We both agreed not to give up Kaja, even when chances are so slim. So for four days I took our little treasure daily to the veterinarian, every morning my first worry, is she still alive? Happy about every little progress. Now she's perfectly fine and seems to understand and appreciate my engagement for her. She wants to cuddle with me more than ever. My money was well spent! My biggest treasure and joy are our feral children, but they also bring sadness and tears. Quite unexpectedly our lovely, lively, all black honey, Coco passed away one morning, it happened quickly before I had a chance to take her to the vet. Our sweet, gentle tomcat, Malek, my very special habibi, has kidney problems. His values are worrying. He stopped eating for 2 days, so I took him for a check up, hoping and praying for his recovery. The result of the blood test came as a real shock. As a human he would need dialysis, but not surprisingly something like this does not exit here for pets. Apart from special food, rather expensive croquettes (glad they are at least available), my little darling has to put up with various injections and I need to give him twice a day an infusion under the skin (not into a vein or into muscle), at present without time limit, and he receives antibiotics. My fear Malek would hate me for this "tuture" were unjustified. He cuddles with me. But another worry, he doesn't eat much, hopefully this will improve. A couple of days ago, when my husband went to the toilet early in the morning, Malek ran into the bedroom and started to cuddle with me. What a great way to wake up! He is so adorable, even while in a poor state of health. And he understands my efforts to save him. The summer this year is really tough and with a high amount of moisture in the air it is worse, already at 5 a. m. I feel like I am melting. Various cats are sneezing, in view of this I wonder what winter will bring. - When Mr. Putin recently visited Mongolia, some folks in Europe and US aked why didn't he get arrested there (he was invited) , after all the ICC issued an international arrest warrant last year...... Other citizens wonder how much longer will it take ICC to issue an international arrest warrant for PM Netanyahu, his defence minister, Y. Galant, and leaders of Hamas. The International Criminal Court prosecuter, Karim Khan, urges judges to quickly do so, the court's juristriction is after all well established. Strange, countries like US, Germany, UK (the previous government, unlike the present one, Hamdullah, Labour Party) questioned and delayed it - but not reference Mr. Putin. "All are equal, but some are more equal than others." (George Orwell, Animal Farm). Thousands march in London and other places to demand a cease - fire in Gaza and suspension of all arms sales to Israel. Demanding the end of a war and at the same time sell arms to one of the conflict parties, isn't it like pooring fluel into the fire? Haven't we seen enough of  "self-defence"? While the weapon industry gets richer, people get poorer. -  World literature day, let me talk about James Baldwin, born 100 years ago in Harlem, sadly passed away much too early, already in 1987, a great writer and activist for human rights. I was fortunate to discover him as a writer, a child looking for an English book. I think it was "Go and tell it on the Mountain." I was fascinated and decided to save as much money as possible, (e. g. walk 5 km to grammar school and thus not have to pay the bus  fare)  for more paperbacks from him. Eventually I discovered that this brilliant poet not only writes novels (his first one at the age of 26) but also short stories and plays, main subject black lifes, humanity and rasism. James Baldwin spend several years in Paris, where he enjoyed more freedom and was seen as an American, yet in America "as a nigger". He became one of my favourite writers. James Baldwin said: "People will always hate what they can't understand and they hate so much because they understand so little." Doesn't this explain a lot about the new, brave world we are living in? More and more weapons and destruction instead of diplomacy and honest negotiations.