Eternal Refuge

I have always said I don't "do" politics, and even though I am posting these photos it's a hard set to collate.

As I said earlier I grew up with assorted bombings, and threats in London (as I was in that area) ... as well as hearing the news every day.

One of my pre-arranged trips was that of a Troubles Tour and it was centred in West Belfast which is where most of the fighting was based. I started off in the Catholic/Republican half, and our guide turned out to be an ex-IRA prisoner (for those who don't know they were the "army"). He had served 16 years before being released in The Good Friday Agreement. Nearly all of the murals in that area were of the soldiers who had died, either being shot, or in hunger strikes. We then went through one of the 6 gates in the 16 foot wall (these gates are still locked for 13 hours every night), and our new guide took us through the Protestant/Unionists. These murals included WWI & Royalty (not shown here) and of the victims of the fighting ... especially the children. There was also an image of Hyde Park bombings, showing the deceased horses










































On my last day I caught the bus and went to Stormont which is where, if there were an active Parliament, it would be based.



















Right, more to come later x

One of the reasons for going to London this weekend, despite the bugs, was to go to the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday.

Well I also went to The Field of Remembrance in St Margaret's Churchyard .... and wandered round Westminster itself.

( Wecome to the City of Westminster )

Cenotaph photos to follow

So many people say that they can't believe the Bible as it was written so long ago.  However this morning as I was reading in the book of Acts, from a modern version, I read the following verse -

"On the day set for the meeting, Herod, robed in pomposity, took his place on the throne and regaled them with a lot of hot air."
From Acts 12 (The Message)

So even though this was written about a political leader in 40AD, it seems to fit many of todays political leaders, whether here in England, or around the world.

While walking down the street one day a 'Member of Parliment' is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter. 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.'

'No problem, just let me in,' says the man.

'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.'

'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.

'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

'Now it's time to visit heaven.'

So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'

The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. 'I don't understand,' stammers the MP. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.

What happened?'

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning.. ..

Today you voted.'

I don't ususlly do anything political here - in fact I think this is a first.

Just wondered if others agreed with me though about a Party Political Broadcast I have just seen.

For the non-Europeans, we have European elections soon, and each of the parties are showing "adverts" around news time.

Well, I have just seen one, today, and was annoyed to see that rather than say what they agreed with, they spent their 5 minutes saying the bad that one of the other parties may do.

To me this is wrong - but is that only me?

Whatever way you vote, is not something that worries me, what annoyed me was one party running down another, and having nothing positive to say about their own plans.

Is it just me - or doesn't that worry you?

Or-  Have I mis-judged the ad?