Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 27oC, hottish, sunny, blue sky.
It is Wednesday, the eve of a bank holiday, which I believe is Children’s Day.
My daughters are grown up; Jessica is thirty and has graduated as a psychologist. She lives in Leme with Mario. Yasmin, on the other hand, is sixteen. I do not consider her a child anymore, so this holiday does not hold much significance for me.
One thing that has been in the international news since the last weekend is the terrorist attack on Israel. I think more than one thousand innocent people were killed on the first day by Hamas Terrorists who invaded Israel. In the following days, the world discovered that women and children were killed, raped, and even beheaded.
My God, what is the world coming to?
Has not humanity improved or evolved in the last 70-odd years since the Second World War?
What was also concerning were the responses of governments, political parties, and the press worldwide. Many either accepted the situation, failed to condemn it, or did not classify it as a terrorist attack. One example is the Brazilian government, particularly the left-wing political party, along with specific segments of the press.
We live in a society with double standards. It often seems acceptable if something does not happen to you or your family. However, the needless deaths of innocent men, women, and children should never be condoned. This creates an ideal environment for radical and insensitive groups that promote their weak and misguided ideologies.
The death of innocent people can never be acceptable under any circumstances. We are losing sight of this principle; if we lose it completely, humanity is doomed.
Brazil faces severe challenges under its current left-wing government, which many describe as corrupt and nearly communist. This administration is rapidly damaging the country. It fails to recognise the tragic loss of innocent lives in recent terrorist attacks and superficially seeks to showcase its abilities in international negotiation, which it does not possess.
Lula attempted to engage with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but it only made him a laughingstock on the global stage. Now, he is pursuing a similar approach regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, clearly searching for any form of international recognition—perhaps even a Nobel Peace Prize—alongside his other ambitions.
Since being elected president, Lula’s credibility in Brazil has fallen to record lows. Many people think that the election was a fraud and that it was manipulated for him to win. It is not coincidental that the Supreme Federal Court (STF) decided to release him from prison to face Bolsonaro, as he is the only left-wing politician capable of challenging Bolsonaro.
The STF’s decision to favour Lula during the elections seemed to undermine Bolsonaro. These dynamics revolve around power and control issues, and with power comes money. Ultimately, money is at the centre of this, raising the question of why so many high-ranking Brazilians do not want the country to progress for the benefit of everyone.
Why do some people want to hold onto power in a way that suffocates the country? If the people cannot grow and improve, how can the country expect to do the same? Many people need to remember this important fact.
If you only think about yourself, you benefit only yourself, and in the end, we are all in the same situation. Selfish individuals often find themselves alone and without support. Despite the current difficulties, I still believe that goodness will prevail.
The differences between Palestinians and Jews are not a recent phenomenon; their roots stretch back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. To this day, both sides have struggled to resolve their disputes through common sense and compassion.
Why is human nature so complex that it prevents us from living peacefully with our neighbours? Why do disagreements escalate to the point where lives are lost? We seem unable to coexist harmoniously, whether among neighbours, family members, political parties, governments, or countries. All are caught in turmoil and conflict.
We discuss the good, which will always shine through and prevail. However, lately, it seems to be struggling. The world is currently like a pressure cooker on the brink of exploding.
I love nature and have a deep affection for animals. I also have a particular way of connecting with them, which has often caught people’s attention. Dogs and even cats have an affinity for me, which is not something I have found to be common. In my classes, I have often joked that I prefer animals to people. Looking back, I realise there might be a bit of truth to that statement—perhaps it is a touch of irony.
I can adapt to any environment and most situations. I generally get along well with people and enjoy talking, communicating, joking, and having a good time. If someone treats me well, I will reciprocate and treat them well. Reciprocity is essential in all relationships; it helps maintain harmony and peace.
I hope that someday, the world will learn to resolve its internal differences among cultures, nations, religions, ethnic groups, and sexualities. This way, everybody can live together in peace and harmony, which will benefit everyone and the world.
In bed by 10.00 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
