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IN BAD TIMES

BE PROUD
2016 is shaping up to be one of the worst years, at least from a Western historical perspective, since 1936.

The deaths of major figures (Bowie, Ali) aside - and sad as these are, deaths of major figures happen annually - there are several possibly disastrous events about to occur, within months.

One of these is the election of the sinister Donald Trump.

The second is a BREXIT for the UK from the EU, which could trigger a European, and at the least, British, recession, even depression. And also trigger a cultural collapse of arguably equal horror.

Meanwhile, the terrorist-hate attack in Orlando on the weekend, in which 49 people were killed, and as many injured, some awfully, for apparently their sexual preferences, is just sad, dreadful and heart-crushing on many levels.

What a year, what a month.

It is possible the UK will narrowly avert self-destruction and isolation, and vote to Remain, though currently polls strongly suggest otherwise; and it is possible Trump will lose, though such terror attacks on US soil only embolden his virulent rhetoric and make him, grotesquely, appear more oracular, and popular.

But what of this hateful ideology that wishes ill towards members of the LGBT communities across the West, and beyond? Have we really done enough, as open, rational, and humane societies, to push back against bigotry and ignorant fear?

Even the British Anglican church is in bed with gay-bashing communions in Africa; and in America, many born-agains espouse gay-hate. This is no longer acceptable, after Orlando. One is either on the side of ISIL, or one is on the side of tolerance, love and equal human rights. To sit on this sort of fence is tantamount to allowing evil ideas to fester.

I am loathe to search for silver lings after a brutal massacre.  So I won't search for one. Today is simply very sad.  Let us wish for love for all love. And keep rowing away from the rocks.





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