To be read as a direct continuation of Part 2; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2022/09/the-2022-winter-olympics-closing.html
Fun With Flags I.
It is International Olympic Committee (IOC) protocol. That in each Closing Ceremony the National Flags of the host nation, Greece, and the next host nation must all be flown alongside the Olympic Flag.
The National Flag of the current host is then lowered while a smaller Olympic Flag is handed to a representative of the next host. Signifying the transfer to the next Olympics.
The hosts however are given a lot of freedom in how they go about this. IOC protocol only dictates that all four flags are flying at the same time.
Here China decided to have a separate section in which their flag is raised and their national anthem was sung.
The previous "Welcoming The Dignitaries" section heavily referenced the "Fun With Flags I" section from the Opening Ceremony. The Balhae Chinese woman in the Hanbok dress which triggered anger from South Korean nationalists. Along with references to China's role in the ongoing Korean War.
All helping to explain how the border between China and the Korean Peninsula has, historically, been rather flexible. China's current, rather, fraught relationship with its neighbour. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK/North).
So immediately following the Welcoming The Dignitaries section with a Fun With Flags I section helped to remind people of the Fun With Flags I section in the Opening Ceremony. Putting the significance of those binoculars into context.
The Fun With Flags I section from the Opening Ceremony was pretty memorable in its own right. China dispensed with the six Flag-Bearers who are typically used. Instead using, at least, 68 Flag-Bearers. A showcase of that Totalitarian Socialist or "Communist" ideal. The sacrificing of the individual for the collective.
Here China didn't use Flag-Bearers at all. The National Flag of China was already attached to the Flag-Pole. It was simply raised by an all male Chinese People's Liberation Army (CPLA) Flag-Detail. The type of which we'd become so familiar with throughout the games. While China's National Anthem was sung, en mass. There is no room for individualism in the Chinese National Anthem.
The stark contrast between the Opening and Closing Ceremonies did serve to further remind you of the Opening Ceremony. The surprise absence of Flag-Bearers made you think about the previous mass of Flag-Bearers.
It also provided an opportunity for a joke that China was, perhaps, running out of people. Having abandoned its infamous One Child Policy I think we all now know that China Wants Grandbabies!
Mainly though I think China just didn't have the time or heart to put everyone through that many Flag-Bearers for a second time.
Those Poor, Troika-less Children.
The ceremony then returned to the Child-Like Ciphers. However this time they weren't walking around carrying lanterns, in celebration of the Lantern Festival. Instead they were Ice-Skating.
It was the main legacy the IOC was hoping to establish by awarding these Winter Games to China. Getting Chinese people interested in Winter Sports. Even if it is only Ice-Skating recreationally. At one of the 2,000 new Ice Rinks and Ski Resorts China has built in preparation for the games.
It also didn't hurt to further remind people. How that out-of-control despot, IOC President Thomas Bach, had tried to crash the games into such a level of absurdity they almost had to be abandoned.
Particularly by ripping up the IOC's own rulebook in an effort get Russian Figure-Skater Kamila Valieva expelled from the games. Robbing everyone of the chance to discuss what had to be the single, most important global issue of the day.
The Child-Like Ciphers were then joined by what all the press releases assured us were 12 Giant Ice Skates. The children then split off into their own groups. Each group gathering around one particular Ice Skate.
Written, in Chinese characters, on each of these Ice Skates was one of the 12 Heavenly Branches. Which, alongside the 10 Heavenly Stems, make up the Traditional Chinese Calendar. The Child-Like Ciphers were, supposedly, gathering around the Ice Skate that corresponded to their birth year.
It seems that if you leave these games remembering nothing else about China and Chinese culture. Then China really wants you to remember its Traditional Calendar, with its 12 Earthly Branches and 10 Heavenly Stems.
Along with food and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Astrology is one of China's main cultural exports. A lot of people, the World over, either know their Chinese birth year or are, casually, interested in finding out.
Certainly if western newspapers, magazines and websites do cover Chinese New Year. Then they often include a guide to help readers work out their Chinese birth year.
However they normally only include the Earthly Branches; Rat, Ox, Tiger etc. Which isn't wrong. However it's not detailed enough to be right either. Another example of westerners not being advanced enough to use Chinese ciphers.
Your Chinese birth year is actually a combination of a Heavenly Stem and an Earthly Branch. So if you were born in 1911 then your Chinese birth year isn't; "Pig." It is; "Toilsome Pig." While 2022 is; "Burden Tiger."
At around 17:20 on 8/10/22 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up on Monday.
Edited at around 16:10 on 10/10/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;
The 2012 Summer Games were held in London, UK. More-or-less at my
mothers' house. Apparently that's just how far the IOC have to go. In
order for talent to even notice that they exist.
The Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Para-Olympics was built entirely around the idea that it was My Wedding to Rihanna.
Prompting
lots of discussion about when Match-Making becomes Arranged-Marriage,
becomes Forced-Marriage. With a particular focus on Muslim societies.
The
day after Britain was granted the privilege of hosting the 2012 Summer
Games, July 7th 2005 (7/7/05). Britain had a bit of an issue with its
own Muslim community.
A small part of it causing simultaneous 'power-surges' on three
underground rail (Metro/Tube) trains and an overground bus. Resulting in
52 deaths, 784 injuries and 4 improvements.
Obviously I don't
want to ruin my future dating chances. However there tends to be a
reason why Israeli Jews shove women in my direction. Something to do
with me actually holding the rank of Sagen in their Mak'am unit.
In
2013 Rihanna embarked on her Diamonds World Tour (DWT). Particularly
the final, autumn leg saw her travel to a wide variety of nations in
quick succession.
Each of those nations had their own, different
threat-profile. Through no fault of their own The Philippines ended up
being particularly high-risk.
As Brittney Griner was busy,
inadvertently, proving at the time of this Closing Ceremony. Rihanna's
high profile Marijuana use made her every trip through any international
border control point a nerve wracking experience.
So one way that
Rihanna tried to make her tour as stressful and unpleasant for everyone,
including her husband. Was by being very secretive about when she'd
left one country and arrived in the next. She even secretly visited
Thailand without there being a concert in Thailand.
The first
concert on the final leg of Rihanna's DWT was in Macau, China. The hosts
did Rihanna a favour by placing an elaborate welcome gift in her room.
This
was a sort of edible arrangement made up of fruit and candy. The
centrepiece was a spun-sugar sculpture of Rihanna's Chinese birth year,
in Chinese characters. "Self Dragon," if you're interested.
Not
knowing what this was Rihanna immediately posted a picture of it on
Social Media. In the hope someone, perhaps a husband, would explain it
to her. In the process, accidentally, confirming to everyone she'd
arrived in China.
China being a country that still sounds
genuinely surprised. Every time it hears that other countries don't
execute people for minor drug offences. Such as Marijuana possession.
Rihanna's
visit to Thailand did so much damage to Thailand's reputation. That
when she finally left an order went down from upon high for the border
guards to ask for her autograph and have their picture taken with her.
Generating a widely circulated story about Thai border guards asking
Rihanna for her autograph. As she safely left the country.
Eight
months later the Thai government was overthrown in a military coup. Amid
widespread concern over the direction the country was taking.
Particularly its longstanding alliance with the US. The nation that had
inflicted Rihanna on them.
The US actually tried swapping
Rihanna for Miley Cyrus in 2014 but were rebuffed. That didn't stop them
making their Big, Bold Move of 2021 a re-run of Rihanna's DWT. Only
with Miley Cyrus in Rihanna's role.
So it seems rather nice of
China to take pity on the US here. By reminding them that I defeated them in
2013. Humiliating them to the extent that some of their longest standing
allies began to question why they were allying themselves with the US.
Making
it incredibly foolish of the US to seek a repeat in 2021. Particularly
as they didn't even have the option of sending Miley Cyrus out on tour.
It
was also nice of China to take pity on Miley Cyrus. Reminding her that
the 2013 DWT destroyed Rihanna's career as a popstar. Apparently Rihanna
has been booked to appear at the 2023 Super Bowl, in an effort to
relaunch her music career. A full decade later.
Although, looking
at both of the festival booking offers Miley Cyrus has received since
the Winter Games. It seems that prediction has already more than come
true.
Although we were assured that the Child-Like Ciphers were gathering
around Giant Ice Skates. Quite a few people commented that it looked
more as though they were gathering around Bobsleighs or Bobsleds. Pretty normal sized Bobsleighs.
That
sort of confusion is hardly a problem. Bobsleigh is another
Winter Olympic Sport. One that Chinese people might now be inspired to
take up. As part of the Olympic Legacy.
However both Skiing and Ice Skating were invented simply as a way of getting around in snowy and icy conditions.
The
Netherlands have long been dominant in Speed-Skating. A big part of the
reason for that is The Netherlands is criss-crossed by a more than
100km (60mile) network of Canals. These Canals freeze in winter.
So
if you want to walk anywhere in the winter in The Netherlands you have
to skate. If you want to get there quickly you have to Speed-Skate.
However Bobsleigh is entirely a game invented by the idle rich. The European Colonial elite of the 19th Century.
In
1870 Caspar Badrutt convinced some of Britain's idle rich to stay at
his hotel in St Moritz, Switzerland over the winter. With nothing to do
other than spend other people's money on food and drink they quickly got
bored. Taking to racing sleds through the streets in the town. Breaking
things as they went.
Amid mounting complaints from local residents. The first Bobsleigh track, the Cresta Run, was built at the hotel in 1884.
So
the costs involved in taking up Ice Skating are really only those of
buying another pair of shoes. Whereas the equipment needed to take up
Bobsleigh is much more expensive.
The 1960 Winter Olympics, held in Squaw Valley, US, didn't include
Bobsleigh events at all. As the hosts didn't want to go to the expense
of building a Bobsleigh track.
This has been a longstanding issue
surrounding Winter Sports. Particularly the way it can be a barrier to
smaller, poorer nations attending and participating in the Winter Games.
Then
there is the issue of weather and climate. It's actually one of The
Netherlands' more niche concerns about Climate Change. It means their
Canals no longer freeze in winter. Threatening to end their dominance in
Speed-Skating.
I
think we're all familiar with tropical Jamaica's debut at the 1988
Winter Olympics in the Bobsleigh. As told in the 1993 US movie; "Cool
Runnings." Jamaica's Bobsleigh team have certainly been reminded about
it at every Winter Games since.
At around 16:40 on 10/10/22 (UK date) I'll have to pick my train of thought up again. Probably tomorrow.
Edited at around 17:20 on 11/10/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;
It's a bit of a myth that the first Bobsledders used Toboggans. When
they actually stole the sleds used to make deliveries to the hotel.
It's
also a bit of a myth that a Toboggan is a children's toy. It's actually
an entirely functional form of transport invented by Indigenous
Canadian tribes such as the Innu and Cree.
A Bobsleigh is a sleigh which is
powered by
Gravity and
Momentum.
Isaac Newton's
Law of Gravity and his
Second Law of Motion. Both of which he observed standing on the
shoulders of
Aristotle's observations on Subjects and Objects.
The
name comes from the way that riders attempt to increase their momentum.
By "bobbing" backwards and forwards. Something you can still see them
do at the start of their runs.
A Toboggan or any other form of sleigh is simply a cart or carriage. Only with blades/runners in place of wheels.
It
is powered by Work. The application of Force to an Object in order to
move it a distance. Which was first observed by Italian Astronomer and
general Polymath Galileo Galilei. As he too was standing on the
shoulders of Aristotle.
That Work can be done by an engine. Be it
powered by steam, internal combustion or electricity. Traditionally
though the Work needed to pull a sleigh has been provided by humans or
horses.
Although we weren't supposed to be able to notice. I
strongly suspect that these particular sleighs were being driven by
battery powered electrical motors. Making them examples of an Electric
Vehicle. If Elon Musk still doesn't know how to make Electric Vehicles.
I'm sure someone in Shanghai can explain it to him.
I have to
assume these sleighs were Electric Vehicles. Unlike at one of Apple's
Foxconn factories it looked as though the children were too little to be
doing all that work themselves. The sleighs certainly weren't being
driven by horses.
A reminder that there are no Equestrian Events
at the Winter Games. Which is a relief. It meant that Thomas Bach wasn't
able to mess up the Equestrian Events. Like he messed up the Equestrian
Events at the delayed 2020 Summer Games.
To underline the extent to which Thomas Bach messed up the Equestrian
Events at the 2020 Summer Games. I can assure you that, like Bobsleigh,
Equestrian Events are not the cheapest Olympic sports to take up.
Particularly with feedstock prices being what they are at the moment.
At around 17:40 on 11/10/22 (UK date) I'll have to see when I can pick this up again.
Edited at around 17:15 on 13/10/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;
Equestrian Events are rather unique at the Olympics/Para-Olympics. In
that they're the only events that aren't actually done by the athlete.
Instead they're done by the horse. The athlete is rewarded for their
skill in getting to horse to do the Work.
So not only aren't there Equestrian Events at the Winter Games. There's nothing that's even comparable to Equestrian Events.
You could almost say that there's not even a suggestion of Equestrian Events at the Winter Games. Not even a whiney nor a poo.
China
is a Totalitarian nation. Where the Communist Party is indivisible from
the state. So on the Internet in China you are not allowed to criticise
the Party. Nor are you allowed to criticise the Head of the Party, Xi
Jinping.
In the much the same way as how on the Internet in the US you're
not allowed to use the term; "Hunter Biden's Laptop." Let alone the
term; "The Black Ledger."
However Chinese Internet users quickly
noticed that Xi Jinping bears something of a passing resemblance to;
"Winnie The Pooh." That portly, honey loving cartoon bear created by
A.A. Milne.
So, suddenly. The Internet in China became full of
really detailed critiques of the Winnie The Pooh stories. Along with
some highly charged erotic fan fiction.
Unfortunately the Chinese
Internet censors then worked out what was going on. Meaning that all
references to Winnie The Pooh were then banned from the Chinese
Internet.
This touches on the topic of Quantum Computing.
Most
of the censorship of the Internet in China is automated. In much the
same way that you're not actually emailing a butler at AskJeeves to go
and look something up for you.
It's done using algorithms which are
strict, linear mathematical rules. If you deviate even slightly from
that linear path everything breaks down.
So censorship algorithms
on the Chinese Internet are very good at indentifying a post containing
the words; "Xi" + "Jinping" + "D*ckhead."
However they are almost
entirely useless at identifying the sub-text or Ma to A.A Milne's
beloved children's characters apparent love of "Tea-bagging."
Quantum Computing really only exists at the experimental level. It's
certainly more than a theory. There are prototypes out there. It is
though difficult for me to explain exactly how Quantum Computing works
because, at the moment, it actually doesn't.
However throughout the Opening Ceremony China looked at the difference between Natural Light and Lasers.
To
a Quantum Physicist light is a physical object. An absolutely massive
object known as a; "Photon."
In Natural Light these Photons lack;
"Spacial Coherence." They essentially bounce around, going in whatever
direction they want. Even if, to those who aren't paying enough
attention, it appears as though they repeat in the form of Waves.
However
in a Laser these Photons can be given Spatial Coherence. By colliding
them against an Electron. Which to Quantum Physicists is a bit like
throwing a Doll's House against the Empire State Building.
Contemporary computer algorithms work in, almost, the same way. Getting Electrons to
flow in a linear, almost spatially coherent, Current. Through a circuit
made up of a Conductor. Delivering that stream of Electron Present (1)
and Electron Absent (0) in an orderly way.
Quantum Computing relies on the incoherence of sub-atomic particles.
Each type of sub-atomic particle being incoherent in its own way.
Recently
there has been a lot of interest in one particular sub-atomic particle,
Muon g-2. Research suggests that the incoherence of the Muon g-2 is due
to it being affected by an unknown force.
A fifth force which
would go against the current understanding that there are only four
forces in the Universe; Gravity, Electromagnetism, Strong Nuclear and
Weak Nuclear. Although confirm what Animist belief systems have been
saying for thousands of years. The Wu Xing in Asia and the Pentagram in
Europe.
The hope is that the incoherence of sub-atomic
particles, far smaller than Photons, can help computers think laterally.
Solving complex problems much faster and being able to make the
abstract, human connection between things like a politician and a
cartoon character.
This has big implications for Encryption.
Almost all electronic data is currently encrypted using Public Key
Encryption or the; "Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange." That little padlock
next to the web address in your browser.
In the Diffie-Hellman Key
Exchange the cipher is a very large number. That very large number is the
product of two, typically, 7-9 digit long Prime Numbers being multiplied
together. A Prime Number being a number that can only be divided by one
or itself.
The person sending the message has one of these Prime
Numbers. While the person receiving the message has the other Prime
Number. These Prime Numbers act as a key, allowing them to unlock the
cipher and decrypt the message.
If you don't have either of
the Prime Numbers then you have to divide the very big number until you
find one. Which is actually just a simple maths problem. However it is
the type of maths problem that traditional
computers with linear algorithms can't easily solve.
The only way that a contemporary computer algorithm can approach the problem is by going;
"I can only start with; 0000001."
If that doesn't work then a computer algorithm has to go;
"Now I can only try; 0000007."
Whereas a human can approach the problem by going;
"Let's start with; 1237547."
"Yay! It's worked."
"Padlock 0. Hammer 1."
The
hope is that Quantum Computers will be able to approach the problem in
the same, lateral, way as a human. Failing that working through the list
of possible Prime Numbers much faster.
Of course this isn't the
first time China have handed us an opportunity to slip in a tangent
about Winnie The Pooh. The "Dandelion" section of the Opening Ceremony
looked at pollination. The little favour Bees do plants in return for letting them make Winnie The Pooh his favourite food.
You may remember that
in the Opening Ceremony the Dandelion section was immediately followed
by the Welcoming the Dignititaries section. In which we were treated to
lots of close-up shots of Xi Jinping.
Here this section has
immediately followed the Welcoming the Dignitaries section. In which we
were not only treated to lots of close-up shots of Xi Jinping. But shots
of him wielding big, military binoculars. Like some sort of tyrant.
I
doubt we'll be getting the same opportunities to criticise Joe Biden at
the 2028 Summer Games, held in Los Angeles. I think we all know that the
Biden regime very much intends to still be in power by then.
So it certainly seems as though on the issue of
Totalitarianism and Freedom of Speech China wants to move in one
direction. While the US is hurriedly moving in the opposite direction.
At around 17:40 on 13/10/22 (UK date) I'll try and pick this up after dinner. Unless you need a few minutes?
Edited at around 16:40 on 15/10/22 (UK date) to tidy all of the above, particularly Quantum Computing. Then copy & paste;
In
international political and diplomatic circles you often hear the term;
"Troika." Whenever you have three nations or organisations coming
together on an issue.
Troika was particularly used during the
2007/8 Eurozone Financial Crisis. To refer to the European Commission
(EC), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary
Fund (IMF).
"Troika" is just the Russian way of saying; "Threesome." It's used whenever three of anything are grouped together.
However
in Russian culture a Troika is particularly associated with three
horses being used to pull a sleigh. Particularly the sleighs used to
deliver mail by the Russian postal service during the last days of the
Russian Empire.
The Russian Empire was overthrow by the Communist
Revolution of 1917, around the end of the Industrial Revolution. By
this time the Russian postal service had replaced its Troika driven
sleighs with steam trains.
During the Opening Ceremony of the 2014
Winter Olympics. Held in Sochi, Russia. The hosts used this contrast to
express their preference for the Capitalism of Imperial Russia over the
Communism of the Soviet Union. The beauty of the prancing horses over
the dirt, smoke and noise of a clanking steam train.
In giving the
2014 Winter Games to Russia's gay capital. The IOC were hoping to
achieve the legacy of improving gay rights in Russia.
So Troika
can, most certainly, be used to describe a romantic, sexual relationship
between three people. Similar to; "Thrupple" or; "Menage a Trois"
(House of three).
Bringing it up here allowed China to, once again, take pity on the US. Over The US' Big, Bold Move of 2021.
Alongside
the fact that she menstruates. The US thought that putting around the
rumour that Miley Cyrus might be bisexual would be enough to shock the
World from its axis. Causing it to prostrate itself at the feet of its
new messiah, Joe Biden.
However if Miley Cyrus is bisexual and if
Miley Cyrus were to become my girlfriend. Then Miley Cyrus would still
only be my third bisexual girlfriend. Probably the least famous of the
three.
My track record with bisexual girlfriends, along with their
girlfriends. Has been a big part of who I am over my, now, 20 plus year
global career.
So even as far back as 2014. Anyone who was going
to be shocked by the fact that some women might be bisexual had already
been shocked by it and gotten over it. So far over it that it had
already become a joke.
I think most people were more shocked by my
marriage to Rihanna. The fact there is only one of her. Something which
I certainly found intimidating about the prospect. Really the main
thing.
Of course reminding people of the 2014 Winter Games also
allowed China to remind everyone of how US-led NATO attacked Ukraine
during the 2014 Winter Games.
Just as we all knew that US-led NATO were going to attack Ukraine and the Donbas Republics during these 2022 Winter Games.
Just as US-led NATO attacked Georgia during the 2008 Summer Games. Which were also held in Beijing, China.
Through
their Opening and Closing ceremonies China looked at Chinese New Year
and the Lantern Festival. The big national holiday in China.
In western, Christian countries the equivalent would be that week of national holiday. Between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
One
song that is particularly synonymous with this holiday is; "Jingle
Bells" by James Lord Pierpont. Although it is wrong to describe it as a;
"Christmas Carol." Strictly speaking Christmas Carols are hymns sung in
Christian Churches to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Originally titled; "The One Horse Open Sleigh" James Lord Pierpont's song isn't even about Christmas. Just winter in general.
Claims
to its origins vary. However it's generally considered to be one of the
songs that people sung together to entertain themselves at home. It's
among the first songs to ever be recorded. On an; "Edison Cylinder,"
before even vinyl records were invented.
Perhaps because I
was watching far too much "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" at the time. I did
start to think that the lyrics to Jingle Bells do sound a bit sinister.
All
the talk of grabbing girls at night, while singing a sleighing/slaying
song. Does make you wonder whether these rides were consensual and
whether the girls ever returned home alive.
At around 17:25 on 15/10/22 (UK date) I'm going to give you a day.
Edited at around 15:55 on 19/10/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;
That was probably just me getting bored and being silly. However it
does touch on how a lot of traditional songs. Which are merrily sung in,
particularly western nations, actually have very dark origins and
meanings.
Take for example; "The 12 Days of Christmas" which actually is a Christmas Carol.
In
the 11th Century A.D the Catholic Christian Church spilt. With Eastern
Orthodox Christian Church going its own, separate way. Known as; "The
Great Schism of 1054."
So when Catholic Pope Gregory XIII
introduced a new calendar, the Gregorian Calendar, in 1582. Followers of
Eastern Orthodox Christianity continued using the Julian Calendar.
Which is why the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas in
January, rather than December.
Despite being introduced by and
named after a Catholic Christian Pope. The calendar we all use today
doesn't have any religious significance to it at all. It just more
accurately measures Earth's orbit around the Sun. Having 365.2425 days
rather than 365.25. Fewer Leap Years.
Acknowledging that the Earth orbits around the
Sun the Gregorian Calendar actually went against Christian teaching at
the time. The Catholic Church didn't officially acknowledge that fact
and apologise to Galileo Galilei until 1992.
The only reason why
the Gregorian Calendar is named after a Catholic Pope is that he was the
only one with enough political influence at the time. To get a large
enough number of people to go to the effort of changing their calendar. I
suppose the equivalent position these days would be the
Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).
So the celebration
of New Year's Eve/Day doesn't have any cultural or religious
significance to it at all. It is merely the celebration of a statement
of fact.
As a result New Year's Eve/Day has emerged as a
celebration everyone can join in with. Regardless of where they are in
the World or what religion they follow.
The Christian celebration of Christmas doesn't start on Christmas Day and end on New Year's Day.
Its
starts on Christmas Day. December 25th, every year. Then lasts for 12
days until the Feast of the Epiphany. January 6th, every year. The
celebration of the arrival of the Three (Persian) Wise Men and the
realisation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God incarnate.
When
US-led NATO attacked Ukraine in 2014. During the 2014 Winter Games.
US-led NATO did so by partnering with Ukrainian Neo-Nazis and actual
World War Two Nazis.
Having overthrown the Ukrainian government,
invalidating Ukraine as a nation state. These Nazi and Neo-Nazi groups
seized power and set about doing what they did during World War Two.
Attempting to erase all ethnic Jews and remnants of Jewish culture from
Ukraine.
Ukraine's Nazis and Neo-Nazis also set about trying to
erase all ethnic Russians and remnants of Russian culture from Ukraine.
When they say they want the Russians out of Ukraine they've never meant
Russian citizens and passport holders. They've always meant anyone with
even one drop of Russian blood in their veins.
Ukraine's NATO
backed Nazis and Neo-Nazis actions are well defined in International
Law. It is Ethnic Cleansing. A Crime Against Humanity, contrary of
Article 7.1(h) of the Rome Statute.
One, high-profile, example of
this Ethnic Cleansing is the attempts to change the English/Roman
spelling of Ukraine's capital city. From "Kiev" to; "Kyiv.
Another
has been the 2017 decision to abandon the Julian Calendar in favour of
the Gregorian Calendar. Despite the Julian Calendar being named after
Julius Caeser. A Roman, not a Russian.
Both of these examples of
Ethnic Cleansing are, not only, going unchallenged. They're actually
being accepted and treated as normal outside of Ukraine.
Many
politicians in NATO nations and beyond have even taken to using the
phrases; "Glory To Ukraine!" "Glory To The Heroes!" "Slava Ukraini!" "Heroyam
Slava!"
That phrase comes from a song celebrating Stepan Bandera. A
commander in Nazi Germany's Waffen SS. It is used interchangeably with;
"Heil Hitler!" or; "Seig Heil!"
In the 16th Century A.D there was
another spilt within the Catholic Christian Church. With the emergence
of Protestant Christianity. Led, largely, by Martin Luther.
A bastardisation of Protestant Christianity was adopted by British King Henry VIII. Chiefly as an excuse to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. This is Church of England (CoE) Protestantism.
At around 16:55 on 19/10/22 (UK date) I'll need sleep for I tackle CoE Puritanism.
Edited at around 16:55 on 20/10/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;
Central to Catholic Christianity is the concept of; "The Covenant of
Works." A deal between God and humans. That if humans follow God's laws,
the 10 Commandments etc. Then God will reward humans with the gift of
eternal life. In Heaven after their deaths.
As a merciful god the
Catholic God understands that it is difficult for humans to follow all
of his rules all of the time. So if they do break one of the rules;
"Sin" then they can be forgiven. Provided they undo the Sin as far as
possible. Apologise and take a punishment to deter them from making the
same mistake again; "Penance."
By the 16th Century A.D this system
had become epically corrupt. Essentially the rich could do whatever
they liked. As long as the paid a large bribe to the Catholic Church as;
'penance.'
Since the Winter Games this is something that Japan
has been exploring. Through the assassination of 2016 Summer Olympic
Closing Ceremony alum Shinzo Abe. His links to the quasi-Christian cult, The Family Federation For World Peace And Unification. The (alfred)
Moonies.
The bribe Henry VIII offered the Catholic Church wasn't
enough to allow the Sin of divorcing Catherine of Aragon. So Henry VIII
invented his own Church and stole all of the Catholic Church's gold.
Particularly
CoE Protestants do not have the concept of The Covenant of Works.
Instead they have the concept of; "The Covenant of Grace."
This
holds that there is a master race who God has predetermined will be
given the gift of eternal life in Heaven. Regardless of how they behave.
What a modern Psychologist would describe as; "Sociopathy."
The
Covenant of Grace is something that the US has, inadvertently, been
exploring for a number of years. Through Black Lives Matter, George
Floyd, Keith Ellison, Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam (NoI)
death cult.
The entire purpose of CoE Protestantism is to keep the
Monarch in power. So it simply adopts as ideology whatever it thinks
will best achieve that aim, at any given point.
So, perhaps
understandably. In the early days of the Church of England there were a
group who felt it didn't go far enough. It wasn't pure enough in its
adoption of Protestantism.
This group became known as; "Puritans." Although, as with the Nation of Islam, they referred to themselves as; 'Scientists.'
The
Puritans believed that there are humans who are part of this master
race. Yet do not know that they are members of this master race. The
only way they can realise that, come to the revelation, is by studying
the teachings of God.
With its roots in Judaism. Which, perhaps,
has its own roots in ancient Animist belief systems. Christianity has
long believed that nature has played a role in communicating messages or
teachings from God.
God appearing to Moses as the bush on fire
but not consumed by it. Exodus, Chapter 3. God manifesting as a Goat in
the Binding of Isaac, Genesis 22. Telling Abraham that he doesn't need
to sacrifice his son, Isaac to prove his faith.
Puritans rejected
this notion entirely. They believe that God only communicates through his
written word, the Bible's New Testament, and through his ordained
ministers.
Anything which distracts from those two methods of
God's communication, other than hard work, is strictly forbidden. Even
the celebration of God through the singing of religious songs; "Hymns"
was considered an unacceptable distraction.
Essentially if the
Puritans existed in any great number today. They'd look at the Taliban
and deem them to be too liberal and decadent.
To counter the
impurity of the Monarch the Puritans gradually increased their power
over the British Parliament. This led to the First English Civil War
(1642-1646). Which saw the Monarch overthrown and Britain become a
Puritan Republic. Under Oliver Cromwell.
As a Puritan Republic
Britain banned the celebration of Christmas. Along with the Celebration
of Easter, the most important festival in Christianity. As these
celebrations of Christianity were deemed to be distractions from the
practice of Christianity.
It's a common misconception that
Puritans were obsessed with Sin. They weren't, Puritans have no concept of
Sin. They believed themselves to be a master race.
Britain quite
quickly got sick of being a Puritan Republic. Prompting the Second
English Civil War (1648). Following a succession of other Civil Wars and
various squabbles. Britain arrived at the Act of Settlement (1701).
This
established that Britain was a CoE Monarchy. One that wasn't Puritan but
was more pure in its Protestantism. For as long as that ideology served
to keep the Monarch in power.
It was around this time that the
Christmas Carol "The 12 Days of Christmas" emerged. The singing of
prayers in celebration was no longer considered a distraction by the not
entirely Puritan CoE Protestants. Provided the song reminded people of
the 12 days of worship between Christmas Day and the Feast of the
Epiphany.
Heavily influenced by Puritans, CoE Protestants at the
time did not consider Catholics to be Christians, let alone members of
the master race. They particularly objected to Catholics veneration of
the Saints. These other messengers of God were considered an
unacceptable distraction.
So at a deeper level The 12 Days of
Christmas was a coded way for Catholics to venerate the first 12 Saints.
Jesus Christ's 12 Apostles. Judas Iscariot's suicide by hanging being
the Partridge in a Pear Tree.
It was also a coded way of telling
the story of the period of chaos between the First English Civil War and
the Act of Settlement (1701). The French Catholic hens, the armies with
pipes and drums. All the shocked Lords leaping this way and that.
At
the 2020 Summer Games Japan used its ceremonies to look at the rise of
European Colonialism. Particularly John Locke's Labour Theory of
Property. That the natural environment is a gift from God. It is only
through work that humans can turn this gift into private property.
It
is the, particularly, CoE Protestant belief in The Covenant of Grace,
that they are a master race. That justified European Colonialism. God
only giving the gift of the natural environment to members of the master
race.
Exploiting the teaching that people can only discover they
are members of the master race by studying the New Testament Bible. CoE
of Protestants simply rewrote the New Testament Bible, the King James
edition, to justify slavery.
So "Amazing Grace" is a seriously
weird song for descendents of the African Slave Trade to be singing.
Written as a celebration of God's endorsement of slavery. Africans being
a gift of property from God to his master race.
Being very big
supporters of European Colonialism. Who were becoming increasingly
unpopular at home. Many CoE Protestant Puritans set sail for the new
found North American colonies. Establishing themselves around the New
England area of the US.
Harbouring a particular hatred for the
Animist notion that God expresses himself through nature. They became
obsessed with rooting out Paganism, Pentagrams and Witchcraft. Most
famously the Salem Witch Trials.
In light of the recent
revelations regarding the Muon g-2 sub-atomic particle. I, along with
those who subscribe to Asian Animist beliefs systems, are wondering if
they're finally ready to apologise?
There also seems to be a
longstanding British tradition. Of either writing children's songs;
"Nursery Rhymes" or using existing nursery rhymes to mock public figures
of the day.
Take for example; "The Grand Old Duke Of York."
Although its exact origins are unknown it's been said to refer to
several holders of the title of the Duke of York. Along with a Dutch
version about Prince Maurice of Orange.
In light of NATO's wholly
illegal war against Ukraine and the Donbas Republics. Along with
Britain's training of Ukrainian Nazi troops on Salisbury Plain. The 1688 version
seems the most appropriate.
This mocks James II, Duke of York
amassing his army on Salisbury Plain to battle Dutch Prince William II
of Orange. Only to have to disband his army and flee. When he discovered
the widespread support he thought he had didn't, actually, exist.
Then
there is "Humpty Dumpty." This has been claimed to be a reference to
the humpbacked King Richard III defeat at The Battle of Bosworth Field
(1485). The downfall of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey after he failed to secure
King Henry VIII a divorce.
It has also been claimed that Humpty
Dumpty was a reference to a Siege Engine used in The Siege of Gloucester
(1643). Along with a cannon used in The Siege of Colchester (1648).
All the differing answers are understandable. Humpty Dumpty is a riddle;
"Humpty
Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's
horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together
again."
"What was Humpty Dumpty before his great fall?"
The sort of riddle that Chinese people might write on their lanterns. When they go out to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
Also,
in light of NATO's wholly illegal war against Ukraine and the Donbas
Republics. They seem to need to be reminded. That all those men on Salisbury
Plain aren't at all good at putting things back together again.
As it's certainly no riddle. Who launched the wholly illegal attack against Ukraine.
At the 2014 Winter Games. Or these 2022 Winter Games.
At around 17:35 on 20/10/22 (UK date) I really want to finish this after dinner.
Edited at around 11:00 on 21/10/22 (UK date) to tidy all of the above and copy & paste;
With the Pandemic still so fresh in everyone's minds. Particularly
the minds of people in China. It seems impossible not to mention; "Ring A
Ring O' Roses."
This is a children's song which even has its own
game. In which children hold hands in a circle around one child. Then
dance in a circle as they sing the song.
This fun children's game
is all about The Black Death (1346-1859). The Pandemic of
Bubonic/Pneunomic/Septicaemic Plague which struck in three waves. Killing an
estimated 200 million people globally.
More accurately it's the
(relatively) modern post-Enlightment science mocking the early beliefs
of what caused Plague. Back when the Black Death started 600 years
before, in the Dark Ages.
So you've got the red ring which springs
up around the Flea bite that spreads Plague. Then you've got the pocket
full of sweet smelling flowers; "Posies." Which people in the Dark Ages
believed protected them from a disease they thought was caused by foul
smells in the air.
Finally you've got the consequences of such
foolish beliefs. The sneezing which is the first symptom of Pneunomic
Plague. Followed by the falling down dead which is the last symptom of
all forms of Plague.
You could almost think of it as public health educational jingle. Certainly a lot more fun than the press briefings and slogans/memes we all had inflicted on us during the Pandemic.
Perhaps though we now need to update the lyrics. To
include references to N95 masks and viral vector vaccines. Both of which
seem about as useful as a pocket full of sweet smelling flowers.
At
the 2018 Winter Games the South Korean hosts took the opportunity to
teach us about things which are common across Asia. At the delayed 2020
Summer Games the Japanese hosts built on that idea. Looking at things
which are common throughout the World.
So far at these 2022 Winter
Games the Chinese hosts have examined that topic even further.
Using
nursery rhymes to compare things which have spontaneously appeared in
different parts of the World, independently of each other. With things
which have started in one place. Then spread between and been adopted by
different cultures.
So in the Opening Ceremony we looked at the
nursery rhyme which is commonly known as; "Frere Jacques" in the west
but; "Two Tigers (Liang Zhi Lao Hu)" in China. A simple tune which has
appeared, spontaneously, in different parts of the World.
In this
Closing Ceremony we've looked at; "Ah! Vous Dirai-je Maman." The
original, definitive version of a nursery rhyme which has spread between
and been adopted by many different cultures. Which have adapted it into
many different versions.
One English variation on Ah! Vous Dirai-je Maman is; "Baa Baa Black Sheep." That is widely seen as a
protest against land reforms made during the Second Agricultural
Revolution. Summed up by the Inclosure Act (1773).
As Japan
covered, extensively, during their ceremonies. The main change of the
Second Agricultural Revolution or; "The British Agricultural Revolution"
was the industrialisation of farming. People stopped being subsistence
farmers on communal land and started being employees on large farms
owned by a single person.
So the complaint goes; "I work hard all
year. Yet by the end of it I've got two bags for the landowner, one bag
for his wife. Nothing for me(!)"
The Second Agricultural
Revolution had a massive impact on Communist China. Through his;
"Cultural Revolution" Chairman Mao Zedong almost completely rejected it.
Fetishising the life of the Peasant Farmer, the Mass-Line.
The
Second Agricultural Revolution overcame; "The Malthus Problem." That
human population would grow faster than its ability to feed itself.
Causing a mass die-off event. A famine.
People also became fixated
on the Malthus Problem during Chairman Mao Zedong's rule. Only for it
to be solved by the technological advances of The Third Agricultural
Revolution. The Green Revolution.
Having rejected The Second
Agricultural Revolution Chairman Mao Zedong also rejected The Third
Agricultural Revolution. Instead trying to stop China's population
growth with the infamous One Child Policy.
China still seems extremely pleased about the retreat of Chairman Mao Zedong. Bringing up that Long March at every opportunity.
When
writing for an international audience I try to avoid word play and
puns. Words which are spelt the same and are pronounced the same. Yet
have different meanings. Or words which are pronounced the same yet have
different spellings and meanings. Such as; "Sleigh/Slay."
That's
because I know they can be extremely difficult for people for whom
English is a second language. Let alone those for whom it is a fifth,
sixth or seventh language.
For example I know that even Irish
people in my family. Whose first language is, technically, English. Just
can't cope with London's River Thames. The "h" in "Thames" being
completely silent.
Likewise a lot of American tourists seem unable
to cope with that Scottish city being spelt; "Edinburgh" but
pronounced; "Edinborough."
In looking at Mozart's; "12 Variations
on Ah! Vous Dirai-je Maman." China taught us that their spoken language
is a tonal language. Each character in written Chinese can refer to up
to four completely different words. Which word depends entirely on the
subtle tone used to pronounce it.
Either Dark Level (Yinping), Light Level (Yangping), Rising (Shang) or Departing (Qu).
So
I don't think any Chinese who is able to hold a conversation in English
is going to be troubled by the wordplay of; "Sleigh/Slay."
In
fact it sounds very similar to that, not particularly, common Mandarin
phrase; "Shay, Shay (Xie-Xie)." Which is the simplest way of saying;
"Thank You" in Mandarin. Not that any variation of that phrase is widely used.
As the Child-Like Ciphers and their
giant Ice Skates/Bobsleighs skated around the arena. They appeared to carve into
the arena floor, the World's largest LED screen, intricate knotted
patterns.
These were done in the style of Traditional Chinese
Knotting. An ancient Chinese artform. In which intricate knots are tied.
Then, often, given as totems and goodluck charms.
As was
mentioned in the; "Family Portrait" section of the Opening Ceremony.
These intricate knotwork designs, either drawn carved or tied. Are
another example of something which have spontaneously appeared in many
different cultures. Independently of each other.
They are almost always seen as a symbol of protection. The goodluck that comes from that protection.
As
was also mentioned in the Family Portrait section. I, myself, have a
knotwork tattoo on my back. Based on a design associated by the Pict
Tribe. Who originate from what is now considered Scotland.
It is
one of the stranger lies I've heard told about me. That it is a Neo-Nazi
tattoo. Similar to the; "Sun Cross" used by the Zodiac Killer. Which is
a Swastika with the arms extended to form a circle.
It's not. In the same way that it's just not a picture of a Tiger.
However
it's a particularly strange lie for US-led NATO to tell about me. As I
actually had it done in the home of my Israeli Jewish girlfriend.
Admittedly while her Black British girlfriend was out.
The tattoo artist was actually from 2016 Summer Games hosts Brazil. If anyone's that interested.
So that's an open challenge to all the creatives of the World; Can you even imagine a less Neo-Nazi scenario?
The
Sun Cross is not to be mistaken for the "Black Sun." Which is a just a
vaguely Swastika inspired design created by the head of the Nazi Waffen
SS, Heinrich Himmler, in 1936.
The Black Sun is currently used as
the insignia for the Azov Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In
proud reference to their origins as part of the Waffen SS.
While
the Svoboda Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces use the Odal Rune as
their insignia. In proud reference to their origins as part of the
Waffen SS.
Both those brave heroes of Mariupol.
To be continued in Part 4.
12:20 on 21/10/22 (UK date).