Dear Honest Men and Bonnie Lassies,
In this weeks (<12m) VL Mini-series Episode 09.2 we:
Continue on with Part 2 on China;
(@2m 43s) make a comparison to the Uyghurs in China and Canadian Native cultural genocide;
(@5m 40s) sing "Bye bye colonial pie" and attribute songs and symbols for hope1 ;
(@9m 51s) spout some thoughts on political parties and Thee Party rule for the most beautiful world our hearts know is possible2.
Please do enjoy!
Additional commentary on the mini-episode
@8m 54s despite general criticisms of political parties, I did attempt to cushion and temper by saying that I reserve the right to withhold criticism during this time of war as I appreciate greatly their recognition and support of the Ukrainian plight and the importance of defending our common values. Please accept my apologies as the words came out wrong during filming and the footage was unusable. 😅 Hugs for a bad hairday 😉 are welcome! 🤗
Please find some sources and citations here3.
Follow-up points of note this week
The G20 summit took place in Bali, Indonesia 15-16 November and here is a short podcast article read out on why Indonesia matters (from 11m, Editor’s Picks, by The Economist) - quite fascinating. In next week’s Part 3 on China we briefly touch on the Indo-Pacific region.
Subsequent to last weeks VL Cop27 round up, the set-up of a loss and damages fund was haggled out at the weekend after the scheduled close of the summit. When and where this injection of capital will come from should be monitored closely and the information readily available.
Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general said it was a, “signal to rebuild broken trust” (article from The Guardian). What about promising to protect the natural capital of our finite commons that are being exploited and polluted in the name of greed and profit?
As mentioned in our newsletter (23-Sept-2022) regarding the pre-Cop27 build up at NYC Climate Week, the financial systems need reformed to support changes in the fossil-feul industry. The first 12 mins of this interesting podcast (The Intelligence, by The Economist) sheds some more light on this. Policies to enhance our finite commons should drive financial policies - a shift in priority is needed and will come. 🙏
One Cop27 analyst said the main driver to phase out fossil-fuels is a shift in demand. This positive article suggests why fossil fuel demand peaked in 2019 (RMI.org). I would like to see wide-ranging support from the people in power for aggressive de-growth and increased transparency of the fossil fuel industry; and more knowledge, power and choice given to the end-consumer.
Another excellent COVID-19 roundup article (by David Heinemeier Hansson) for anyone interested (thanks to a trusted kindred spirit for the link).
Marcus Aurelius wrote in Meditations,
“Remember you always have the option of having no opinion”
I would perhaps agree with him if “always” was substituted for less steadfast language (like “may also”). I don’t think “always” can apply if your values are threatened and options to express them are constrained.
The Global Anti-corruption Blog also noted recently that values have a very high capital cost, but are worth defending:
Current estimates are that rebuilding Ukraine will run upwards of $350 billion, a number sure to grow as Russian bombs continue to fall. That Western nations are prepared to invest such an extraordinary sum in rebuilding a victim of aggression is the most reassuring sign to date that despite economic turmoil, social upheaval, and the election of demagogues, there is indeed a broad and deep global consensus on the value of a liberal, democratic order.
Nice!
Perhaps, if one wants, sing some songs of freedom when you get a wee moment. It is part of our culture!4
Much love and big hugs,
Ross
✊💙💛🇮🇷(et. al the flags)💛💙✊
P.S. VL Newsletter’s header picture (overdue) credit to Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com.
Here are how this week’s inspirational tunes are meant to sound:
Don MacLean - American Pie
Bob Marley - Redemption Song
And the mentioned Beatles song, Blackbird that will remind me to be grateful for and never take for granted my freedom and to not forget those without.
I have not read this book yet, but you will from previous releases that I am a fan of
's work and I believe in this type of vision and that we can make it happen.Xi Jinping paranoia related to Soviet Union collapse, tackling corruption, CPC censorship and solidifying power - The Prince Podcast Series. (The Economist)
800 million people moving above the poverty line. (WorldBank.org)
In last 20 years, 3% to >50% of China population (707 million people!) defined as middle class. (China Power CSIS)
The PRC constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech and of the press, but being mostly controlled by the CPC. (Reporters Without Borders)
Leaked documents regarding Uyghur mass detention (New York Times) and repression. (Le Monde and Council for Foreign Relations) One first hand account (Varsity) and others in citation number 1 above (and other readily available podcasts).
A wee sample of Uyghur culture via a folk song by Mitiz Meshrep. (YouTube)
Article on Canadian “Cultural Genocide”. (The Guardian).
UN lack of debate on China’s Uighur suppression. (Al Jazeera)
China Mongolian Cultural Suppression Article. (The Diplomat)
Hongkong activist options. (The Guardian)
China’s suppression of Tibet. (freetibet.org).
An inspiring Coldplay cover performance of Iranian protest song Baraye in Buenos Aires. (The Guardian / YouTube)
Xi Jinping likened to Winnie the Pooh (@11m) (Last Week Tonight)
$2.6 trillion food wasted each year. (Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN and Reset.org.)