Jim’s Blog

Christopher Beazley.                                                                                 7, Cunningham Avenue.

MEP, Ware, Herts.                                                                                     St. Albans, AL1 1JJ

                                EU - ISRAEL ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT.

• 1) I read with dismay that Israel may be granted access to all EU Trade, Security and Research organisations (and to much more?), giving it a specially preferred status far ahead of the other five states named in the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement: Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco. Is there any guarantee that these other states will be granted the same privileges in the immediate future - that is before the end of 2009? I note also that Lebanon and the “stillborn “road-map-less” state of Palestine have not yet been admitted to the original treaty but MAY be granted an “Interim Status” “some time” in the future! Meanwhile, Israel marches on to what will be the closest thing to EU membership without the basic qualifications for it - it is NOT by any stretch of imagination, in Europe. The Falkland Islands and the Maldives may have stronger cases than Israel, if compassionate grounds are a criterion - as also have the countries of the British Commonwealth. Finally, what happened to Syria? Does it not also border the Mediterranean? I note also - on the official EU website, “SCADPlus Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements”, the text appears manipulated to impute “south” Mediterranean only: this is NOT the limit of the Associations’ scope of application. I note also that Libya is now emerging from political ostracism - should that state not be brought at least up to the starting line before Israel is given the chequered flag? Finally, if the caution regarding Lebanon and Palestine, arises from the turmoil which has undoubtedly occurred in those states, that caution should extend to Israel as the latter has been instrumental in that turmoil.
• 2) Please explain to me what benefits the EU will get from this proposed agreement with Israel. It seems to me that the benefits will be only in one direction - towards Israel. You should also realise that, if Israel gets whatever it wants from the EU - it already gets that from the USA - then it will never be interested in any accommodation with its neighbouring states. Although Israel is effectively a colonial state (of the Jewish Diaspora as a whole), it is far from the model Democracy and near-G7 economy that is often portrayed. Did not Israel recently elect a dead man as Prime Minister? Is Israel listed among the G-20 or would it be in a G-100? So why is Israel always given preferential treatment? We hear a lot about “anti-Semitism (actually the jews constitute only a small part of the semitic people) but perhaps we should focus more on “Semitism”! Should we not beware of that to an equal extent. [I notice that my Spell-check insists on having an upper case "J" for "jews". Am I referring to something national, religious or racial? The same applies to "Semitism"!]
• 3) Most people would agree that the Jewish people had a rough time during World War II (as did many other people before and since). This seems to happen to them every 200 - 300 years or so while they rise to great influence in the intervening period, dominating indigenous societies - commercially, politically and even culturally. I am reminded that Pontius Pilate was unable to withstand the pressure of the Sanhedrin and so condemned an innocent Man (the Christ of the Jews Himself) to death on a cross. But the cycle of retribution was not long coming - the Jews (or Israelites as they were also known) overstepped the mark and Rome reacted by destroying Jerusalem and dispersing the Jewish people throughout the world. Surely we do not want that to happen again? If more powerful states continually give in to Israel’s demands, there will inevitably be a disastrous reaction against the Jews. Let us rather encourage the Jewish State (Arab Israelis have only a second class or “B” identity) to show compassion towards its 35-year long wards with a view to encouraging Israelis to see themselves as “normal” citizens of our world rather than as a “chosen” people pre-destined to rule all others. Thinking of Israel’s suffering during WWII coupled with its behaviour towards the Palestinian people, I am reminded of the Gospel of St Matthew chapter 18 (vv 21-22: We must forgive not merely seven times but seventy-seven times and vv 23-35: The servant is released from his enormous dept then imprisons his colleague for the sake of a pittance).
• 4) I am hoping that you are not vulnerable to either inducement or bullying from the admittedly powerful Zionist lobby (either directly or through your party organisation) and also that you are not apathetic to an issue on which I believe world peace depends. Help to save the Jewish people from their leaders. At least, demand that this issue be not rushed through at such short notice (on Thursday, 04 December 2008). Let it be returned to the original scheduling, in the New Year, so that the matter can be fully debated.

[Apologies for any errors, in textual or factual; I hope there are not many and none significant]

Jim Naisbitt                                                                                           Wednesday, 03 December 2008.

(J.J. Naisbitt B.Sc., M.I.C.E.)

Copy (also by e-mail) to:

All other MEPs of UK Eastern Region,

MP (St Albans)

Bertrand de la Porte

Mike Barnes

www.jimnaisbitt.co.uk

End.

 Post #1.                                 Sunday, 30 November 2008.

(This is the First Sunday of Advent and therefore the REAL New Year’s Day: so, “Happy New Year!”)

A) Religion - The Humour of the Christ.

                The idea first occurred after a reading from the Acts of the Apostles (the Acts), chapters 1 and 2. In this sequence, the apostles are preaching to a group of “foreigners”. Each claims he can understand Peter & Co. in his native language. “I’m from Cappadocia and I can understand” says one. “I’m from Pamphylia and I can understand” says another. “I’m from Gateshead and so can I” says a third. Clearly, every foreigner can understand Peter, each in his own particular twang! Then some misery-guts at the back shouts out “they’re not speaking with tongues - they’re all drunk! Please read Peter’s response for yourself - I kid you not. “Drunk?” he retorts, “It’s only 9 o’clock in the morning!” I think you will have to agree that the inference is quite clear: ” 9 o’clock at night, fair enough, but not 9 o’clock in the morning”. After all, the apostles were not pillars of the community nor paragons of virtue.

You will also recall that the Christ associated with “publicans and sinners”. A publican might well have kept a disreputable house but imagine applying for a passport and having to write, in the box for trade or profession, “sinner”. Matthew, we are told elsewhere, was a “tax-gatherer” and that’s an occupation which, to this day, has sinister connotations. So, the apostles were a rum lot - at the time they were “chosen”.

Later, I found that there were more direct references to the humour of the Christ himself but I nevertheless decided to widen my scope to include the whole of the New Testament and even perhaps some Jewish humour from the Old. One should not forget the humour which may have been added (or subtracted) by those who actually wrote the scripture. The whole message may be spiced with hidden humour, subtle, wry and thought-provoking This is the best form of humour, in my opinion, rather than the brash and the bawdy. Why should there not be humour? It is basically a joyful message.

It has not been my intention to denigrate the Christ in any way - heaven forbid! Rather, I thought that if He were truly Man as well as truly God, then he must have exhibited the characteristics of a man - anger, chagrin etc. and also humour - so I began to look for those human characteristics, especially humour, in the weekly Gospel readings: I was not disappointed.

The manner in which the apostles were selected leads me nicely to my second topic, below.

B) Politics - The (S)election of the Twelve.

                There was no General Election held - the Twelve were hand picked. In this respect, Jesus was a benign dictator. I suggest that this is the best form of government. The great cultural leaps forward seem to have been mostly associated with this form of government. So-called Democracies have, by and large, been disasters because they have been man-centred, to the exclusion of God: they have lacked humility and merely extended slightly the circle of influence in affairs of state. Unfortunately, even the most benign of men (and possibly women such as Boudica) are only human. Jesus, on the other hand, was also divine - that helps a lot. When Jesus ascended to His Father and the apostles were left to organise themselves, the Acts describe how they went about it. The election of a replacement for Judas Escariot was their first test. Matthias was elected not via canvassing by political factions but BY LOT. [Is St. Matthias the patron saint of politicians? Perhaps he should be.] We might be wise to consider how to adapt this procedure of random selection to our modern world. This is what I propose to investigate. How does the Vatican - not normally considered to be a “western” democracy - arrange things, I wonder? In the UK today we still have the remnants of democracy - the Jury system - but this is currently under severe attack to limit its application and to distort its function. Our system of political representation is becoming less, rather than more, democratic - party factions and their financial backers, dominate the parliament and the electorate becomes less engaged in the process of government.

                It should, by now, be fairly obvious to any reader that I do not have all the answers - not even all the facts. I am on a journey and I would welcome companions to share in carrying the baton.

C) Letters. In this section, I intend to copy letters I write to my MP, the BBC, etc. but I haven’t written any yet! It seems a futile process. Just listen to those encounters on Radio 4, BBC2, etc where the interviewer is intent on showing how clever s/he is (do you think s/he would be a useful new word in our current “politically-correct” society: the abuse of the word “their” could then cease!); the politician being interviewed is usually intent on talking without drawing breath while, at the same time, saying nothing at all - that, it seems, is the essential qualification for high political office. I will try to address this problem. Perhaps I could just write a blog and send a copy in the appropriate direction?

I see there are mumblings that the UK is nearer to joining the Euro zone. I cannot believe we are still outside although I am grateful as I have personally benefited from our failure to join. We are told that “the people are against it”! When were they asked? Since when has the view of the people affected what happens? Were you among the protesters against the Iraq War/ Were their a million of us in London that day? Is it common knowledge that we could have our own Euro coin - with QE II on it, if desired? How could France, Germany, etc give up their own currencies to set up the Euro? In fact, there is still the mechanism to withdraw later but, as is usually written in your purchase contract - “Terms and Conditions apply”.

D) Diary. Did anything significant happen today? The Gospel reading this morning admonishes us to “Stay awake. No-one knows the day or the hour”. I’m now very much aware of that because, since last Saturday, I am officially “old” - I have completed my “years three score and ten”.

                It was the church Christmas Bazaar in the afternoon. I came home with all sorts of things which now need a home until next year’s bazaar. Later, I listened to Chelsea lose to Arsenal, on Radio 5.  I thought that the result was (as in 1066 and all that) “a good thing”. John Terry would have made a good old-fashioned stopper centre-half - in the 50’sI think Terry must have a few even larger friends who might “duff you up”, off the field as well. Perhaps Steve McClaren might be able to tell you more about that. Anyway, that’s enough of that. John Terry, Winston Churchill, Attila the Hun - I never met any of them, personally. It is written (somewhere) “- and the greatest of these is Charity” so lets have more of it. There are written rules for Association Football but perhaps they need clarification as well as application on the field. The use of hands, to whatever ends (including poking opponents in the eye, etc.), is forbidden. I would prefer to see the game as one of skill only - the “man’s game” element should be eliminated - rugby is different.

E) Trailers. Coming soon, at a terminal near you. Let’s see what is in the news tomorrow. The Police State, for instance.

Regards.

Jim.                                                         [blogged on Monday 01/12/08 - Is it really December already?]

Thursday, 20/Nov/2008.                         Note #5.

 [Making a start now and it's only 18:00h]

 There was a remarkable program on Radio 4 this morning (11:00h) illustrating the affect of the current “credit crunch” on the people of Iceland. One man, only weeks before, had owned a good house , a new car and all the other accoutrements of modern life. Now he was living in a shed in a field. The amazing thing was that the people were so ashamed of what they saw as their country’s bad behaviour! Opinions were expressed that, when the redundancy money ran out - in about 2 months - the choice would be to fight or to flee. Icelanders are - perhaps unexpectedly - a very peaceful people (all 300,000 of them) but anger at their government and banks is mounting. Meanwhile there were orderly queues at Red Cross soup kitchens, with individuals careful not to take too much in case others received too little (what a Christian attitude - not often witnessed elsewhere in our modern acquisitive world). Those who thought the might leave, were not inclined towards Denmark - the equivalent of a colonial master with a questionable attitude towards Greenlanders. Some said they would be too ashamed to go to UK after the losses suffered there due to Iceland’s financial collapse. [Since starting this message, violence - on a relatively modest scale - has broken out in Rekjavik].

My own Herts. County Council made deposits in Icelandic banks in the hope of huge profits. So much for financial whiz-kids. Also, I believe my local St Albans council intended to follow the county council’s example but, fortunately, the had no ready-money to invest - squander might be a better word to use.

 Could we, a nation of about sixty million people, find ourselves in a similar predicament? How would we react? Would we feel a communal shame or would a search for a scapegoat lead quickly to serious violence and police brutality? Let’s hope we don’t have to find out!

 Jim Naisbitt.                          <jim_naisbitt@talk21.com>              St Albans.                20/NOV/2008.

[Posted on Sat. 29/11/08]

Wednesday, 19/Nov/2008.                         Note #4.

 Once again, it’s almost midnight and I’m sitting in front of my lap-top wondering what to write. Now, rather than produce a poor effort just to say I’ve written something, I’ve decided to be sensible and leave it until tomorrow morning. Anyway, I HAVE written something tonight!

 My excuse today is that, this morning, I was grappling with the strip lighting in the loft then carting a large quantity of garden waste to the tip - that’s about the only running my old “bima” gets these days. Then after lunch, we were on grandson-watch down in the Isle of Dogs (didn’t actually see any of them) so, what with all the football on the TV (my daughter has all that Sky), it was 22.30h by the time we got home - to find a message from Barcelona on the answer-phone. This concerned participation in a bid for an EU project in Turkey, Croatia and FYRMacedonia - another wild goose chase! I might make an effort to respond tomorrow - if I can’t think of anything better to do.

 Jim Naisbitt.                          <jim_naisbitt@talk21.com>              St Albans.                19/NOV/2008. [Posted on Sat. 29/11/08]

Well, it’s after midnight again so I feel pressed into writing just a short note while promising myself faithfully that this won’t happen again – not much!

I have decided that I must soon change from writing loosely structured notes to essays dealing in more detail with specific issues. For tonight however I will continue as before simply to get more practice at writing down my thoughts.

I realise that I now have the problem of having to remember what I have already written so that I don’t repeat myself. I suppose I must let the cat out of the bag – on this coming Saturday (22/11/08, St Cecelia’s day) it is my seventieth birthday. It‘s hardly surprising that my memory isn’t so good – but there again it never has been. I consider myself to be more of a thinker than a walking encyclopaedia.

For the past week, I have been an avid Euro-tracker. My wife and I are in the process of setting up a Discounted Gift Trust to help provide for our (really) old age and to minimise the dreaded Inheritance Tax. To this end, I have requested the transfer of a substantial sum from an account in Euros to one in Sterling. During the past week or so the Euro rose from about 77.5p to over 86p before the week-end then fell back to 84.4p (tonight). Unfortunately, the transfer cannot actually take place until probably Friday (21/11/08) so I’m hoping the Euro will have recovered again by then. We shall see. Anyway, it’s just money! – but I can see how those people in Canary Wharf came to sell their souls.

I recall another book I never wrote, If you are being ignored at a Reception Desk because the Receptionist elects to give preference to a telephone caller, just start pointedly to scribble in a note-book. The receptionist will eventually became curious and ask what you are writing. You reply “just making notes for a new book” which prompts the response “what’s it about”. You now check-mate with “1001 ways of wasting my time”. There again – and now finally – I thought of a great theme for a TV documentary series: “It seemed a good idea at the time” – the first episode could feature “the Internal Combustion Engine”! This leads nicely up to the buffers with a definition of the Second Law of Thermo-Dynamics:- “It’s easier to take a thing to pieces than it is to put it back together again”

Jim Naisbitt.        <jim_naisbitt@talk21.com>    St Albans.    18/NOV/2008.

I recall a cycling tour (Newcastle to Dover – I took the train back!) when I was a teenager. Starting the second day was the worst. Overnight, my backside had assumed that the ordeal was over so it was a shock to have to start again. On the following mornings, the pain was anticipated so seemed to be less severe. Well, that’s how it is with this “blog”. This second effort is a lot harder but hopefully, if I can register a reasonable stage, it might get easier from tomorrow? In fact, it is already “tomorrow” now but I did start before midnight. Anyway, I’m sure there will be many future days when miss a dead-line or fail to make any contribution at all.

One of the problems with our system of government is that (usually) only one political party is “in power” as they put it. In reality, we know that the real people in power (“pulling the strings”) are probably those who provide financial support – often to both major parties – as is the case also in our parent company, the U.S.A. The “ruling” party then associates itself with all governmental activities (performance of hospitals, schools, the military, etc) and feels obliged to defend and cover up short-comings in these services because they would reflect badly on that ruling party. Thus, the very people who are best placed to monitor performance have a vested interest in secrecy on the subject. On the other hand, “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” feels the necessity to drag up every little item of scandal in order to reflect badly on the “government”. How much better it would be if we did not have such political parties which no longer represent any identifiable economic or social movements. Lord Levy, formerly fund-raiser of the (New) Labour Party was interviewed recently on Radio 4 and stated that he didn’t think anyone would give serious money to New Labour as they had little hope of winning the next election (I think that was the gist of it). Well, of course, the message that sent to me was that these major subscribers were expecting to get something back for their investments!

My original website – which has now become this Blogsite - was started almost five years ago, just before I decided to contest the Elections for the European Parliament. In 2009, I think I would prefer to support some other like-minded (Independent) person, rather than stand again myself, as it proved rather expensive for me last time.

So, apart from reforming the political system – and finishing the loft insulation plus making a start with the secondary glazing – I think I have only one other significant outstanding task – I have that book to write. I have a notebook half full of titles but only once did I manage a few pages of text. Now I’m wondering if I have found my vocation at last – but can I fulfil it? If - in order to effect the Redemption of Mankind - Jesus the Christ was (necessarily) fully Man as well as fully God, then he must have had the characteristic of a man. We know of His compassion on hearing of the death of Lazarus and His anger on finding the money-changers in the temple but what about humour? I think that, if you had spent an evening in His company, you would not have experienced many belly-laughs but your fellow passengers might have noticed you smiling to yourself on the bus, on the way home.

Jim Naisbitt.         jim_naisbitt@talk21.com   St Albans.     Monday, 17/NOV/2008.

This web-site of mine has effectively lain dormant for several years now. I think it is time to revive it.

Today (Sunday 16/Nov/2008) is the penultimate Sunday of the Church’s calendar and the Gospel reading appointed for today is Matthew Chapter 25, verses 14 – 30, concerning the man who left three servants to look after 5, 2 and 1 “talents” (measures of silver, I think). He returned later to find that the first two had doubled the value of what had been entrusted to them but the third had buried his single talent and returned it as it has been given to him. That servant was chastised as “wicked and lazy” and was cast out into darkness amid “weeping and grinding of teeth”. At this point, I was alarmed to find that I was actually grinding my teeth – a bit scary? – but not weeping although I have very occasionally experienced that - for no obvious reason. Well, of course, the big mistake the third servant made was to state that he had heard that his employer was “a hard man, reaping where he had not sown”. That was not the best way to start an apology for his failure to be enterprising!

Frankly, I fear this parable because I see my behaviour as that of the third servant – but perhaps I have buried two or even five talents?

Next Sunday is the feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the Church’s year, before the start of Advent. The theme for next Sunday will be the End of the World (Armageddon). I will always remember a priest preaching on that Sunday and saying that “the signs of the End of the World are the same today as they have always been – children will not obey their parents and everybody wants to write a book!”. That man rose in my estimation!

So, where do I come in - and you also (if there’s anyone out there)? Well, you know how sometimes you really think you have a good idea but you do nothing about it then later, you think “What a stupid idea that was. Thank goodness I did nothing about it”. But occasionally, you keep coming back to an idea and it always seems to be valid – sometimes, someone else will have done it and you rue having done nothing. Very occasionally, your idea is still there: it seems to be waiting for you. So, what is holding you back? If my project is for Good then the forces of Evil will discourage me and, unless I enlist spiritual help, I will never get started. Well, this brief note is my attempt to get started. I will try to post it on my web-site and see what (if anything) happens. As John Ebden used to say at the end of his radio broadcasts, “If you have been, thank you for listening”.

More tomorrow. Hopefully, I can tell you more of what I have in mind – and perhaps read your wishful thoughts, also.

Jim.        <jim_naisbitt@talk21.com>    St Albans.    Sunday, 16/Nov/2008.

Welcome to Jim’s Blog. His first post will be arriving shortly. In the meantime, have a look at the archive of his previous website:

• About Me
• Daily Bulletins
• Message Board Archive
• CV/Resume