The 2022 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony. Pt.3

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).