For some of us that live here longer I've found there's a sense of unreality that comes over you with regards to world events. I guess that's to be expected when you live 10,000 miles from New York AND Jerusalem and 8,000 from London.But I'm still absolutely astonished when I see the billions and billions and billions (in a Carl Sagan voice) of dollars, Euros and Pounds that are being spread all over the various wars in a world doing its damnedest to recover from a murderous and bankrupting pandemic that is filled with lines of homeless drug addicts, food banks, rampaging shoplifters, boatloads of young male, mostly Moslem, refugees in their thousands landing in Europe or walking to America. Then to get asked what's the best thing about living on Bali? How to explain unreality?
That's quite a "the glass is half empty" perspective o_O
That's quite a "the glass is half empty" perspective o_O[/QUOTE]You'll need to explain that?
I guess at our age we just give up on all this Western B.S. and try lo live out our last years the best we can.....Personally what shocks me is the systematic agressivity and putting oil on the fire instead of seeking a peacefull solution.Sending weapons to Ukraine just to have the war last longer and creating more deads,m.Total.support for Israel bombing civilians in Gaza.Closing our eyes on the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians....Etc etc....
What to me is even more shocking is that most of the masses believe in what the social media tells them and support these Maniacal world leaders! And just sit back and do nothing! Everyone has been stupefied, and terrified of the authorities! A few protest around the world don't really accomplish much, they either get stopped or the leaders identified and rounded up! Or the authorities just wait it out and the masses go back to the Rat Race just to put food on the table for their families! The only thing that will change this insanity is for the Majority of people, not the rich few in control now! To get up and say enough is enough! And stop paying taxes, kick out the corrupt politicians, demand equal rights, and a decent wage, Healthy food supplies, Clean Water, a decent education for all the Children, not just the few rich kids! This would make the Change needed, but the ruling class will defy this with Military crackdowns, thousands imprisoned, many Deaths! And try to break the Spirit of the People, to get everyone to submit to their Rule again! Nothing will ever change until this is done!
AgrWhat to me is even more shocking is that most of the masses believe in what the social media tells them and support these Maniacal world leaders! And just sit back and do nothing! Everyone has been stupefied, and terrified of the authorities! A few protest around the world don't really accomplish much, they either get stopped or the leaders identified and rounded up! Or the authorities just wait it out and the masses go back to the Rat Race just to put food on the table for their families! The only thing that will change this insanity is for the Majority of people, not the rich few in control now! To get up and say enough is enough! And stop paying taxes, kick out the corrupt politicians, demand equal rights, and a decent wage, Healthy food supplies, Clean Water, a decent education for all the Children, not just the few rich kids! This would make the Change needed, but the ruling class will defy this with Military crackdowns, thousands imprisoned, many Deaths! And try to break the Spirit of the People, to get everyone to submit to their Rule again!Nothing will ever change until this is done![/QUOTE]agreed, look what happened to the yellow jacket demonstrations n France...Very harshly put down but a very violent police.And I just that any demonstration in favor of Palestine is prohibited and punishable by law.But pro-Israel demos are OK....What a bunch of crooks !
Maybe it's just me that feel fully disassociated with the "news" from the west then? Just in the 2 replies above it's obvious there's so much going on it's almost impossible (for me at least) to have an informed opinion on it. As my daughter in London says I have almost the whole day to just follow events in the west and I still don't have a clue - according to her anyway.Time to reactivate the girlfriend and get that liver transplant from Bintang? Giving a feck clearly isn't much fun!
Maybe it's just me that feel fully disassociated with the "news" from the west then?Just in the 2 replies above it's obvious there's so much going on it's almost impossible (for me at least) to have an informed opinion on it.As my daughter in London says I have almost the whole day to just follow events in the west and I still don't have a clue - according to her anyway.Time to reactivate the girlfriend and get that liver transplant from Bintang? Giving a feck clearly isn't much fun![/QUOTE]I keep myself rather updated as I am interested in geopolitics.But when I see what my country has become, it saddens me. I am too old to participate in a revolution, so I enjoy the beer and let new generation sort it. Not that I have much hope....
I keep myself rather updated as I am interested in geopolitics.But when I see what my country has become, it saddens me. I am too old to participate in a revolution, so I enjoy the beer and let new generation sort it. Not that I have much hope....[/QUOTE]Recently say a meme I took to heart. "Don't start trouble with old people, they're too old to fight and are more likely to just kill you". That's me as I give less and less of a feck what happens to me.
As a former journalist I follow world events quite closely. However, a bit of a local wake up call on Thursday night. A thief scaled the back yard brick wall, jemmied open a six foot tall window locked at the bottom of the window but was fortunately blocked from easy entry by a foldup easy chair. However, the window is next to my desk so lost a nice pair of new binoculars and my wallet which were on the desk. Not much money in the wallet but lost my BCA and ID card. I have put a block on the BCA card but a nuisance having to run around to get a new ID and sorry to lose my wide angled 8 x40 binocs which are great bird for bird watching.As things in Indonesia get tougher, as the country will also be affected by worldwide inflation, then we can expect more petty theft.
As a former journalist I follow world events quite closely. However, a bit of a local wake up call on Thursday night. A thief scaled the back yard brick wall, jemmied open a six foot tall window locked at the bottom of the window but was fortunately blocked from easy entry by a foldup easy chair. However, the window is next to my desk so lost a nice pair of new binoculars and my wallet which were on the desk. Not much money in the wallet but lost my BCA and ID card. I have put a block on the BCA card but a nuisance having to run around to get a new ID and sorry to lose my wide angled 8 x40 binocs which are great bird for bird watching.As things in Indonesia get tougher, as the country will also be affected by worldwide inflation, then we can expect more petty theft.[/QUOTE]Where I live here in the caves of the east that could never happen. Everyone knows everyone and before anyone gets to my house he's been seen by several, possibly dozens, of locals and with 4 dogs he would have been lunch anyway. They may be a pain in the ass but have their uses. Kind of like wives...
You'll need to explain that?[/QUOTE]Every society has its very own advantages / disadvantages. European western cultures have some issues lately but still it is a good mixture. Bali life can be challenging too.
18 days later
As a former journalist I follow world events quite closely. However, a bit of a local wake up call on Thursday night. A thief scaled the back yard brick wall, jemmied open a six foot tall window locked at the bottom of the window but was fortunately blocked from easy entry by a foldup easy chair. However, the window is next to my desk so lost a nice pair of new binoculars and my wallet which were on the desk. Not much money in the wallet but lost my BCA and ID card. I have put a block on the BCA card but a nuisance having to run around to get a new ID and sorry to lose my wide angled 8 x40 binocs which are great bird for bird watching.As things in Indonesia get tougher, as the country will also be affected by worldwide inflation, then we can expect more petty theft.[/QUOTE]Petty theft has been far above average ever since Covid. While it's gone down significantly I'm sure there are a few bad actors that moved here during covid times and just never left. Sorry to hear about the break-in. That's never a fun time. Do you live in a crowded area or relative solitude?Also, I would invest in a dog and/or CCTV system - with plenty of signs advertising said dog/CCTV system - if you haven't done so already. Both have driven potential thieves away from my house in the past.