And not just the right, the duty…
It isn’t a matter of creating polemics or arguments…
No one needs to take one side or the other. There is no need to clash or impugne anyone for their opinions and one need not throw the house out the window just because someone said something on the television news.
We all get upset at some of the news items that we hear. Maybe because we feel that the news writers are defending those we dislike and attacking the ones we are in favour of. But for that we do not shoot the television set or the portable computer…
To expose an evil…
Do not condemn the guy that tells the story…
One must, if one can, speak out against injustice, abuse and cruelty…
And the one that speaks out is not the one who is doing it, nor the one they are doing it to. The one who speaks out is doing it because human beings are to be respected and not abused, not treated unjustly and not treated to cruel and inhuman actions.
If there is an inherent evil that none of us should tolerate it is the silence that makes us complicit with the evil-doers.
Countries must defend their integrity and their borders. Criminals must be rounded up and punished. But all must be in accordance to the law, to the written law that is much more powerful than brutality.
I do not write to seek approval and definitely not to alienate anyone. I believe in the freedom of expression, something civilised governments have guaranteed. So I speak of what I see and discover, not what I would like to see done. I invite open discussions. I do not censure comments to my site. Well I do if they are vulgar insults and tasteless remarks that do not have anything to do with the topic or if they are offensive to myself or others.
If anyone feels they cannot tolerate a dose of truth and an ounce of opinion, I am so sorry. That is how life is, a little bit here and a little bit there. Some for you, some for me…
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
Love the black and grey raven picture that covers this post. I was prompted to write a few poems for similar reasons. It seems that free speech is only for those who agree with us on any given opinion, and it seems not to matter if you are talking about your own country or not. I remember day where we could agree not to talk about a particular topic if we knew we disagreed about it. Nowadays, I find that people have no use to agree to disagree.
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So true Pat. But it’s not just about defending a topic or a person or a system. We can agree not to talk about those things if we know we’re on opposite extremes. It is about disseminating information and guidance…
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Disseminating information and guidance is one thing, but many people confuse propaganda and conspiracy theories with information. One person’s gospel is another person’s heresy. If one advocates that all people are created equal with someone who is a firm racist or misogynist, then unless you are talking about the «good ones» that they personally know, they will discount anyone you says is equal. We had some landlords that were pro-Trump, because her daughter was stalked by a Black Man in Florida and the police did not do enough to stop the stalking. So all Black people are suspect and the law does not do enough to protect White people–hence Trump is their savoir because of a single very personal incident.
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Yes, very true and I also have witnessed such examples. But the truth will be venerated by all, eventually…
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Ojala.
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Ojalá.
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Well said, Francis! It has taken me 70 years to realize that being silent does not accomplish anything.
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Absolutely!
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2025 should be making this clear to everyone. Enjoy your weekend. Today is our 8th consecutive day of cool rain and drizzle. Unprecedented for August in North Carolina! I miss the sun!
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Well I wish we could share ours with you! It’s been hot and hotter here, but the winds, real strong gusts, pick up and refresh the area every once in a while… temperatures still in the upper 30’s and humid…
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In response to this post and other comments Francesc, I would just like to clarify that I don’t disapprove of what you say or your right to say it, it’s just that I don’t want to read about politics on WordPress, as I treat this as my escape route from the toxic world we’re living in. If I want to read about the unsavoury aspects of modern life then there are plenty of other platforms that cater for it. Freedom of speech is under serious threat like never before and I often voice my opinion, but I don’t want to do it where people are writing posts about what they enjoy in life – whether it be poetry, music, travel, nature or art. I hope that makes sense. Enjoy your weekend my friend.
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I completely understand Malc and your words, like always, are precise and meaningful. The purpose of VALENCIARTIST has always been to disseminate information about art, music and the cultural/current events that are making history, and of course poetry and spotlighting poets and writers. And as you have read before, my belief is that artists (of all artistic genres) have a right, and a duty, to express their beliefs on whatever is happening anywhere, and I will stick to that belief and continue to do so. I believe that the enjoyment of art, poetry, sports and travel goes hand in hand with our spiritual and human responsibility to denounce injustice and tyranny. But I understand it may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I respect everyone’s opinion and much more so, their desires and choices. I hate to see you go but I understand. I will continue to look forward to your phenomenal posts always. Have a happy Friday and weekend! 🙂
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I also understand where you’re coming from Francesc and I totally respect that. As you know, I took a hiatus from blogging recently because it was starting to drive me mad. I won’t go into all the reasons why now, but there were plenty believe me. I can cope with the occasional controversial post which might be at odds with what I believe, but when the trickle becomes a flood then it can become difficult to cope with.
Just for the record, President Trump is held in high regard by many British people who wish he was the leader of our country. It’s just the Marxists, Muslims, Academians and Globalists who see it differently. That’s all I’m going to say on the subject for now but it might go some way in explaining why I don’t want to keep reading some of the comments that keep appearing on WordPress posts. Those of us who didn’t go to university have an opinion too. It’s just that we don’t keep banging on about it, and it doesn’t mean that we’re stupid either.
Your perfect response has given me time to reflect on whether I should unfollow you because deep down I don’t really want to. In the meantime, please take a look at this clip which I think gives a good impression on how things are in the UK at the moment.
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Malc, as you know, I am neither a Muslim, Academician, globalist, and certainly not at all a leftist and much less a Marxist… I watched the clip of the Londoner exiled to Spain. He has his opinions I have mine. And I never implied that those who did not go to university are stupid or unable to have and express an opinion. As a matter of fact I have blogged many times against university programmes as they (most) are infiltrated by Marxist-Leninist useful idiots… Like I said, I would hate to lose you but I will still hope to always enjoy your posts. All the best.
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I wasn’t including you in that list Francesc. I know that you’re a free-thinker but that doesn’t apply to everybody – far from it. Paul Thorpe and myself are also free thinkers and what he says about Trump is how he sees him where our country is concerned. To some people some politicians can do nothing right but that’s not the way I look at. I base everything on what they do and not who they are. It’s that simple.
Anyway, I’m going to let things stay as they are for now. I won’t be writing any ‘Dear Diary’ posts, but I still may join in some of yours if you still want me to. I hope you’re ok with that and thanks for your understanding.
Enjoy your weekend and I’ll raise a glass to you and other free thinkers tonight. Salud! 🍻
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Right now, raising my lunch-time beer to you my friend, and always, I always welcome you! All the best
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Thank you Francesc. 🍻
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Pleasure Malc.
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