Just a brief not to say I am still here.

Hello all and yes I am still about. It is amazing that this momentous year is rapidly drawing to a close. We all naturally make wishes that 2009 will be better than the last one, routinely make resolutions that are so quickly discarded. Personally I know that my life is going to dramatically change and you will eventually find out what it will be.

Robin

Wednesday's Reflections.

OK I must admit that I really didn't see the items about the atrocities
commited in Jos, Nigeria at the same time frame as the Mumbai massacre.

At least 400 people were killed on Friday, and more than 7,000 were forced to flee their homes in this central Nigerian city after angry Christian and Muslim mobs protested what they said were rigged local election results. In what turned out to be a short-lived but brutal rampage, groups of young men killed residents and burned down homes churches, mosques and schools. 1)

Andre you are right for chastising me for ignoring this terrible massacre which was largely ignored by the Australian media. Africa does not figure prominently in the Australian media and coverage of this was also sparse on the cable network news.

It makes me wonder what will be the focus of the incoming Barack Obama Administration , compared to the present incumbent with regard to African issues. The nomination of Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State-designate seems odd to say the least. I really wonder how long it will last or if she will pass the gruelling confirmation process.

Robin

1)http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hwzhFjSgnKOkPAmGjOcsFcfs_PyA

More thoughts on the Mumbai massacre

December has arrived and the second day of summer feels more like Winter. It has been very windy here with frequent rain squalls.

It is frightening to read that there were ten to a dozen gunmen who caused so much grief and anguish in Mumbai (Bombay) last week. Almost 200 people were killed in this terrorist outrage which lasted for three days. The aim apparently was to trigger an all-out war between India and Pakistan. One report said that there were also casualties caught in the crossfire between the terrorists and the various security forces. It also has emerged that the terrorists did not hold any hostages but immediately killed them. One report in an Indian press report claims that the terrorists aim was to inflict 5,000 casualties. It certainly looks as if Al Qaeda was involved, probably through a proxy outfit.

As I remarked in my last post, we did briefly stopover in Bombay as it was then called in 1979. This was on our way to and from Europe and all we saw was the very dingy and unkempt transit lounge. I realise that Bombay has changed since then but it is sad hundreds of innocent people had to needlessly suffer from the actions of of a band of terrorists with the aim of pushing the region into all-out nuclear war.

Robin