You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha Doin' - 2019
Peggy wrote: "Oh, I think I may have heard about the Nigeria one, but it didn't get much coverage. Just one news item. Non-Western countries always get less coverage when something like this happens. Latest is..."
I also heard the gunman opened fire in several locations in the city, not just inside the tram as previously reported. Hopefully he will be caught soon.
Unfortunately shootings in Nigeria are not uncommon. The attack in Holland is bad news. It must be scary for people to think that he is still loose.
Lisa wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Oh, I think I may have heard about the Nigeria one, but it didn't get much coverage. Just one news item. Non-Western countries always get less coverage when something like this happen..."That's what was thought in the beginning, but it was only in one place.
Still not sure it's a terrorist attack though. Could also be something relational. Witnesses said that it seemed he was really aiming for one specific person and people helping her. He also has been in court for attempted murder, rape, shoplifting, breaking into trucks, drunk driving and vandalism, all since 2012. It's not sure if he was convicted.
Sounds like a pleasant chap - not! I heard on twitter yesterday that it was an honour killing. Any updates on that?
Margo wrote: "Sounds like a pleasant chap - not!"My thoughts exactly, Margo!
Latest is that the police still strongly suspect it to be a terrorist attack. People who know him said it was likely personal, either his ex-wife or his ex-inlaws, because he had issues with them and he was very unstable. But police have not been able to find any evidence of the shooter knowing his victims, and in the car he used they found a letter which also points to terrorism.
Every time something awful like these attacks happens, once the initial anger and dismay has subsided, I start asking myself how can I do something to have a positive impact on the world. It usually seems overwhelming, but I feel it has to start small, in communities and schools. How do we help the people we interact with on a daily basis? How do we catch the signs early and reach out to these people, encourage them to seek help before they reach a point of violence. People often share the quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world", but how many of us are actually living out that phrase? I started volunteering for book buddies in the local school while at my old job. It's a program for kids who are reading below their grade level for any number of reasons. I had to quit because I work in a different town now, but there are other opportunities in this area too. Luckily, my new job supports and encourages involvement! Now to find the best place to volunteer!
Laudable thinking Laura. Good luck with the volunteering :-)Thanks for the update Peggy.
Noooo... We had elections today for the provinces which indirectly also affect the senate. Early days still (voting ended 40 minutes ago) but the first exit polls are not good. The big winner so far is a relatively new right wing party. They are skeptical of climate change, want a Nexit (Dutch brexit), and want much stricter immigration policy (following Australian example). This is so not good.. I feel disappointed in my fellow Dutch-(wo)men.
Great idea about courses Rusalka! But would the people who really need some education on it voluntarily seek it out? I think the media and government need to be the ones to change how they portray the news and different races. Drip feed affect. But courses are definitely the way to go for the next generation and for those who are intelligent and open to ideas.I'm so excited because the lock opens on Friday so we can finally move after being stuck in one place for 5 months. We've been getting really itchy feet. I never thought i'd feel that way so it's a bit of a surprise. I can't wait to get moving again.
Peggy wrote: "Noooo... We had elections today for the provinces which indirectly also affect the senate. Early days still (voting ended 40 minutes ago) but the first exit polls are not good. The big winner so fa..."Oh dear. How frustrating. Many countries seem to be going this way with more right wing parties getting voted in. very worrying. I woukd not wish a brexit on anyone. Our country is a joke. It has been stressful these last few weeks as we approach the deadline next week. Still none the wiser what is going to happen. ridiculous. I personally think they should revoke article 50.
Why were the locks closed for so long Sarah?I think that party mostly gains votes because of their ideas on immigration, not so much nexit or climate change. You'd think everything that's happening in the UK is a lesson for the rest of Europe.
Great idea about courses Rusalka! But would the people who really need some education on it voluntarily seek it out? I think the media and government need to be the ones to change how they portray the news and different races. Drip feed affect. But courses are definitely the way to go for the next generation and for those who are intelligent and open to ideas.I'm so excited because the lock opens on Friday so we can finally move after being stuck in one place for 5 months. We've been getting really itchy feet. I never thought i'd feel that way so it's a bit of a surprise. I can't wait to get moving again.
Sarah wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Noooo... We had elections today for the provinces which indirectly also affect the senate. Early days still (voting ended 40 minutes ago) but the first exit polls are not good. The bi..."TBH, I think a group of 5 year olds could do a better job of running the country. Our MPs have become an absolute joke. They don't listen and they no longer represent the people who vote for them. It's all "me, me, me" and "looking out for my own personal agenda". And I'm not just talking about the whole Brexit debacle either. The NHS is going down the pan, the roads, railways and other infrastructure are falling apart/can't cope, crime rates appear to be going up, there is hatred and intolerance everywhere, homelessness is going up and very little appears to be being done about any of it. It's about time these so called politicians opened their eyes to the world around them, instead of focusing solely on their little Westminster bubble, and started doing the things that they are paid to do and that they were voted in to do.
Okay, rant over. Sorry, just needed to get that off my chest.
Sorry it's all such a mess, Lisa. I like Laura's volunteering. I'm still doing the language coaching thing with refugees, and especially now with that horrible party winning the elections, I'm glad that however small, I do something that's aimed at a better world.
Agreed Lisa! We need some politicians who didn't go to Eton. I've been glued to the live feed of what's happening at the EU meetings today. Really pleased to see the petition for revoking article 50 doing so well that it's crashed the government website. I have had a migraine for the past 24 hours which is allnoying me now. But I did see an otter today so that's good!
I have been swamped with company and events. My daughter and a friend are in town until Tuesday so that’s the latest time suck- though I’m enjoying the visit. Have managed to sneak off and read a bit but not as much as I’d like.
There was a massive pritest in london today for a people's vote. Over a million people which a british record i believe for a protest. I wish i could have been there. The petition now has over 4.5 million signatures. I hope the MPs take all this in to account when they vote next week.
I read about it on the news Sarah. Great that so many people joined the protest!
Marnie wrote: "I have been swamped with company and events. My daughter and a friend are in town until Tuesday so that’s the latest time suck- though I’m enjoying the visit. Have managed to sneak off and read a b..."Visitors surely do cut into reading time Marnie!
As for the britex shamble, well it even makes our politicians look good! All we are hearing is contingency plans for a hard brexit, I am so sick of it. It is already costing businesses a small fortune to prepare for the worst.
Both of the exteme parties in northern ireland are behaving very badly. Even our Leo (irish leader) is getting a bit outspoken. We stand to be damaged by this every bit as much as the uk. And I think ireland will be very isolated in the EU without Britain.
Do you really think the protests can work? It would be a massive deal for any government to go against a referendum result. I mean the people have spoken, to say that the people have changed their minds doesn't cut much ice! It would be thrown at that party every time things went wrong til the end of time!!
I am still impressed with May (I know I am in minority!). I don't know how she faces it day after day. And the irony is she wanted to remain! I feel so sorry for her every time she has to Europe when such horrible things have been said there. I don't see how that rift can ever be healed.
I had a super busy weekend. My birthday is coming up and I celebrated with friends yesterday evening and had family over all day today. I'm exhausted! I got lots of great presents, including €65 worth of book gift cards, so bookshops here I come!
Oh, book vouchers are my favorite pressie! Happy birthday Peggy :-))
Happy birthday, Peggy. Enjoy your trips to the bookshops :)
Happy Birthday Peggy, and happy book shopping.
Happy birthday, Peggy! Have fun choosing your books.
Happy birthday Peggy - enjoy book shopping!
Peggy wrote: "Why were the locks closed for so long Sarah?"Some locks close over the winter for maintenance. Normally it's only for a month or two but this time around, there was an emergency closure due to one of the clocks being unsafe for use. So we were stuck for 5 months in total. It felt so good to move yesterday.
Happy birthday Peggy for whenever it is.
Hi all I have been hit hard by a spring virus. No hospital this time but my reading time has been hampered. Happy birthday Peggy
I hope you feel better soon Renee.
Get better soon, Renee. I hope you can also fit some reading now.
Feel better Renee. It's that turning of the seasons, I tells ya.
Oh my god i've had enough of brexit. It's seriously stessing me out now.
Sarah wrote: "Oh my god i've had enough of brexit. It's seriously stessing me out now."hmmm mmmm. That petition I could sign (although couldn't vote) with 5.8 million signatures to cancel Brexit just got thrown out.
And last night one of the Terrible Tories (or Grand Wizards as they are now calling themselves, as no one thought to wiki that, and I know that is SUPER RACIST even here in Aus), said they should back May as a deal is better than no deal.
But still... here we are with every man and their dog and their dog's mate George, putting forward their ideas on what they should do to vote on. And even if doggo's friend George's idea is a good one, and the MPs vote for it, there is no guarantee at all that the EU will buy it. Which means... well... this will be a fun week and I have a couple of cases of good wine to watch on and frankly, see my other country screw itself in a non-sexy way.
Quite! Indicative votes are happening today. But even if another referendum, revoking article 50, or people's vote on the deal on the table draws lots of support, the PM still might say no. There is never going to be a good brexit deal. If the eu gave us one, everyone would want that and it would be a disaster. No deal is a ridiculous notion. So how about we stay in the eu where we have the opportunity to change what's crap about the eu and make it betterforeveryone?!?!?!
I do admit to a lot of confusion over what is happening with Brexit. To be honest this whole time scares the bejezits out of me. We here in the States are divided by politicians to set on getting their own way. No one will compromise and it is breaking out county.
The Brexit thing sounds just as ugly. It just feels like too many stable governments are at odds. I fear something somewhere is going to break
Sarah wrote: "Quite! Indicative votes are happening today. But even if another referendum, revoking article 50, or people's vote on the deal on the table draws lots of support, the PM still might say no. There i..."I got a text from car insurance company about an hour ago with a form to apply for a green card that will enable me to drive across the border into Northern Ireland. This is a sad day 😢
Margo, a friend of mine who lives in Belfast got one this week too. She is outraged! It is so wrong. It feels like a massive step back for Ireland. The indicative votes were a shambles, May promised to resign if everyone backed her deal and the deal didn't go through. Who knows what happens now. Will she still resign? When? And god knows who will take over - the other Tory options scare me. General election? More indicative votes Monday. Let's see if anything changes now May's deal has been thrown out.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
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The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire (other topics)
The Doll Factory (other topics)
The Binding (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jamie Ford (other topics)Madeline Miller (other topics)
Jamie Ford (other topics)
Madeline Miller (other topics)
Ruta Sepetys (other topics)
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Latest is that at least 3 people were killed and at least 9 injured. Most schools, libraries, shops and other public places are closed because the gunman has not been found yet, although they know who he is.