Boustead International Heaters’ Post

This is certainly an interesting concept. We can probably all agree that “spin” employed by politicians and their public affairs people has gotten out of hand. But as a legal matter defining the line between spin and lying may be very difficult to establish and even harder to prove beyond a reasonable doubt as the criminal law requires.

We need to embrace the culture of dialogue and end the vicious cycle of state terror and militant group violence that costs the lives of innocent citizens. By dialogue, I mean genuine dialogue, not merely image-building exercises or attention-seeking tactics or "የጨበራ ምክክር". We need a platform where every citizen has a fair chance to be heard, leaving no one behind, (" አካታች የሆነ የህዝብ ምክክር መድረክ") a truly inclusive national dialogue. Saving even a single life through peaceful dialogue is worth sacrificing our egos and pride for the sake of peace for millions. As the saying goes, "ለሰላም የሚከፈል ዋጋ በስተመጨረሻ ሁላችንንም አሸናፊ ስለሚያደርገን" or "The price we pay for peace ultimately benefits us all, making us all winners." We are weary of the notion that "if you want peace, prepare for war." Instead, we must embrace peaceful means as the only way to survive as one nation under one flag, celebrating our beautiful diversity. Peace is the path to lasting peace.

On the 8th of May, a date imbued with memory and a duty to remember, we are reminded of the paramount importance of never forgetting the sacrifices made to defend freedom and peace. On this day, our thoughts turn to those who gave their lives so that we could live in a better world, liberated from the shadow of tyranny and oppression. By commemorating this day, we commit to perpetuating the memory of those who fought for freedom, to honoring their legacy by defending the values of democracy, tolerance, and respect for human dignity. For it is by preserving the memory of our past that we build a future of peace, justice, and prosperity for generations to come. May 8th symbolizes the victory of solidarity and fraternity over hatred and division.

For those who cannot tell the difference between aggression and self-defense... For those who cannot recognize that brutal murder is not equivalent to collateral damage... For those who refuse to learn history and apply its lessons... For those who delude yourselves into believing it is possible to make peace with those determined to destroy you... For those who believe you hold the moral high ground because your feelings incapacitate your intellect... For those of you who imagine that you would have been on the right side of history when today you base your ideology on slogans you don't understand... Please listen to these words. And as you do, ponder how, if D-Day arrived today rather than 80 years ago, you would likely have been protesting violence and the death of innocents. Ponder how, had others like you carried the day and thwarted the military efforts that ultimately stopped the forces of totalitarian evil, you would not now have the freedom to shout your misguided messages and promote your distorted values. These words remind us who we should be, who we must aspire to be, who we can be, if we reclaim the values on which our society was founded. Do not forget them. https://lnkd.in/gPhkBvgT #DDay #history #ethics #moralcompass #freedom

Today, we stand united in gratitude for the sacrifices that secure our freedoms. Let's honor the heroes who gave everything for our nation's liberty. #thehyvelife #networkingwithintent #meaningfulconnections #networkingforprofessionals #professionalnetworking #smallbusiness #connections #fosteringconnections #networking #intentionalnetworking #hyvemarketing

Today, we stand united in gratitude for the sacrifices that secure our freedoms. Let's honor the heroes who gave everything for our nation's liberty. #thehyvelife #networkingwithintent #meaningfulconnections #networkingforprofessionals #professionalnetworking #smallbusiness #connections #fosteringconnections #networking #intentionalnetworking #hyvemarketing

Today, we stand united in gratitude for the sacrifices that secure our freedoms. Let's honor the heroes who gave everything for our nation's liberty. #thehyvelife #networkingwithintent #meaningfulconnections #networkingforprofessionals #professionalnetworking #smallbusiness #connections #fosteringconnections #networking #intentionalnetworking #hyvemarketing

Where Do We Go From Here? August is over, the heat and fear have passed, But where do we go from here as a community, at last? We talked about words, how powerful they can be, But in our streets, the fight is still not free. We said, "people of colour," then we stopped to think, Because those words can divide, making us blink. In August's sun, the air was filled with words like "thugs" and "immigrants," spoken fast, But were they really talking about "fascists" and "expats" in the past? The riots have ended, the streets are calm now, But for many, the fear remains, like a quiet vow. They stay on guard, always alert, Just for living their lives, feeling the hurt. Don't be fooled by the silence after the storm, Their pain is real, their anger still warm. But in the darkness, a light was found, Communities joined forces, their voices proud and strong. They sent a message, loud and clear, That hate from the far right has no place here. But the problem is bigger than what we can see, It's hidden deep in places we might not agree. It's in our politics, our laws, every day and night, The work to fix it needs more than just one fight. It's a long journey, one we must take with care, To slowly remove racism's grip, everywhere. So as the news fades and voices grow quiet, Remember the work, the need to try it. Protests alone won't solve it all, But join us now, answer the call. The road is long, the climb is tough, But together, we can do enough. To break down walls of hate and fear, And build a world where everyone is clear. So, where do we go from here? We rise, Together, with open eyes. Join us in this work, this important fight, For justice, for peace, for what is right. 2.9.2024 Alyson Malach (she/her)

A brilliant article from Michael!

Humanity and Forced Conflict *The Rules of Engagement In the training camp, commanders say, Shoot when faced with foes, without delay. To prevent a bond, a human connection, And spare the innocent, in every direction. **The Call for Compassion But when it's only civilians and children in sight, Let your humanity guide you, do what's right. ***The Loss of Humanity Sadly, today, humanity seems lost, As moral armies target at any cost. ****The Need for a New Humanity A new dimension of humanity we must find, To protect the opressed and leave no one behind.