Tag: Thinking

Patriotic?

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Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

I think I am patriotic, but not in a strong way. I disagree with acting in a xenophobic way. I think arguing that one race should rule one country isn’t right. I believe there is good and bad in all people’s and countries. Also there should be fairness to all. Attacking people because they are different is not a good thing to do.

Think about it, humans draw borders on maps, lines in the sand, rivers that seperate one place from another. But when you look at where humans came from in Africa, and how they spread out across the Earth, there was always movement. People gradually changed depending on the climate and amount of sunlight. In hotter countries skin colour was darker to protect skin. In Northern climbs lighter because of the lack of sun. I know it doesn’t completely fit that pattern, but I guess through evolution other changes occurred.

Once there is a slight difference in appearance or language it’s easy to get into an ‘us or them’ situation. We have probably always warred but I think its time the human race grew up. Learnt to be tolerant and fought for fairness not patriotic excuses such as invading neighbouring countries. Race, religion, money, fear can all cause problems, but sometimes strong patriotism can make it much worse.

Make tax avoidance illegal

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If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

Many people use loopholes in the law to avoid paying taxes. By moving their funds offshore for instance or using accountants to hide their money, and filing tax returns with lots of expenses included so their tax charge is reduced. In this way poorer people on income tax, paying as they earn, can pay a higher proportion of their income in taxes than those who are richer than them.

Avoidance is legal, evasion is not. Quote:

Tax avoidance is the legitimate exploitation of tax loopholes to reduce the individual or business’ tax liability whereas tax evasion is the illegal evasion of taxes properly due.

So why do we allow this? Especially the most egregious examples of avoidance? Yes, there should be legitimate reasons to cover normal expenses, but surely we could cut down on loopholes. Maybe every country could have the same tax rates, so no one can get away with it. I understand some countries offer lower taxes to increase their income, but there might be other ways of doing this. I think it would be difficult but not impossible?

It can’t be right that about 80 men have more wealth when its added up than half the world’s population. In other words 80 people have about the same as 4,000,000,000 people! Once you look at it that way it’s not really fair is it?

Digital rose drawing

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I used to draw at a website called Sketchfu before it closed. It had simple tools to draw with, no complicated applets, and consequently it was open to a large number of people.

Eventually it became a massive site and the owners lost interest in it. I was a moderator and had to deal with a lot of problems over the years I was there. I won’t go into details but it included bullying and inappropriate language and messages. There were a few of us that were allowed to remove inappropriate content but it was hard work. (I also moderated another site but did not disclose my role). When someone draws the same rude or racist image over, and over again for hours, but you are there deleting them as they appear, they eventually get fed up and stop. But if you admit you are a moderator you get a lot of stick, so I kept quiet. At one stage I was working in a full time job and coming home and doing four or five hours moderating!

Anyway I loved creating digital drawings, including portraits. I loved doing challenges. Someone would post a photo and we had to try and copy it. I’ve just found some of my old pieces so I might post a few of them over the next few days.

Beautiful girl

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The sweetest girl at just came to sit next to me. She’s now on the back of my chair keeping warm above the radiator.

I’m fed up of grey days and early sunsets, drizzling rain and sadness. I think about writing gratitudes again. I have health worries that I need investigating. I need to stop hiding in the house, but sometimes it’s easier to stay inside. BUT at least I have my sweet cats for company. They are companion animals. They help.

On my phone too much

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I keep playing games, watching videos, distracting myself. I played with my Artrage app and photodirector app yesterday. But is it productive, or am I just hiding. Trying to switch off. I don’t think it’s good for my hands, I think I might be getting a bit of arthritis. I think holding the phone cramps my left hand more as I’m already having problems with my left shoulder and elbow. OK I’m moaning, I need to stop….

Chatsworth

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Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

From Google

“Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is set in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, on the banks of the river Derwent. Explore the historic house for fascinating stories and one of Europe’s most significant art collections.”

I’ve seen it on TV lots of times but it’s always been just a bit too far to drive, or something else has come up and I never went. Maybe it’s time I did go before it’s too late? Before I get too totally doddery.

I found the picture on WordPress gallery of photos, one of only two. So I hope it is a real image of it.

I know there is meant to be a massive fountain there? I might try and find out its opening times.

Cats won’t always pose!

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Like Macavity the Mystery cat, the poem by TS Elliot, he’s not there…. Or at least was so eager to greet me that he jumped down from his perch and stopped me getting a shot of him looking cute on the windowledge in front of various glass ornaments. Plus hubbys wizard figurine and two dying plants that I have seriously neglected recently.

I’m glad I have the cats, small, medium and large keeping me company. By turns cheeky and cute. They are just what I need when I’m feeling low, and I need them more than ever at the moment.

Nuclear weapons

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If you could un-invent something, what would it be?

Yes, I know that there are weapons that have as much power as nuclear bombs but they are big and heavy and more difficult to lob at your enemies. I think we should un-invent nuclear weapons.

I would still keep power stations if they were built with safety features that stop incidents like three mile island, chernobyl and fukushima. Mainly because of the horrific damage nuclear material can cause. It’s tasteless and does not smell and you can’t feel it, but it burns and causes cell damage and death.

Sometimes radioactive isotopes are used in medical techniques such as imaging areas affected by tumors or other illnesses. I would keep these substances. I’m glad that the elements were discovered by scientists such as Marie and Pierre Curie, but turning it into bombs was, I believe, a terrible mistake. I realise they ended the second world war but the worry is that mutually assured destruction is still a serious possibility.