China faces a terrible dilemna; one that much of the world faces too.

China has been hit with several acts of ‘terrorism’ of late, the latest being the attack on a market where many died. It has been obvious for many years that there is tension in the far west of China and that an ethnic/Islamic group is trying to either maintain some sort of independence or outright nationhood. This tension has increased as many more Han’ Chinese move into the area; one in which oil abounds. The inhabitants of the region are now in the minority and the tensions have led to a response that we have seen in much of the world where Islam runs up against state authority. In their defence the Chinese have pointed out that they have poured resources not the area to bring about economic growth and in infrastructure. The Chinese Government is very nervous about the possibilities within China as a whole, because of the ramifications it knows it now faces re terrorism’ within its borders.

That’s the nature of the world now; one in which the major powers are showing little cohesion in facing this world-wide threat. Of course there is always a precedent, going beyond religion for most the terrorist flashpoint in the world, namely fed by people who have been marginalised either from the democratic process or lack of access to resources.

In China’s case the warnings have been there for a long time and now that the USA and NATO are pulling back in Afghanistan, we can expect more focus to go on other regions. Hopefully, China will join the struggle to contain or address ‘terrorism’ and the issues that feed it.

Australia needs a 'level head' leading at the moment!

There are many issues facing the leadership and people of Australia at the moment, including the economy and illegal entry by various groups of people. No one doubts the seriousness of the latter problem and country with such a massive coastline the issue is daunting. It is a problem that is not Australia’s alone as its northern neighbour, Indonesia, also has to deal with the dame issue, but with far less resources.

It is going to be very difficult for Australia to deal with both issues if its present PM continues down the same arrogant and insensitive pathway he has exhibited so far. It is time for a broad-based approach to Australia’s future and time for a recognition that leadership is not merely about showmanship and personalities. Australia needs a leader who can unite and for the past few years that has not been the case. That ‘special quality’ is lacking and it will not be ‘discovered’ while factional infighting occurs on the scale we have witnessed of late. Perhaps Labor’s loss in the last election will have ‘honed’ the lesson for that party, but there must be many in the ‘Coalition’ who are wondering what they have let themselves in for now that they are witnessing the ‘witless’ response of their leader. I wonder if he feels an itch in is back!

Australia deserves so much more and must strive to achieve the right balance if it wishes to be portrayed as a major nation on the world stage.

Abbott, you insensitive, cynical and poor excuse for a leader!

Tony Abbott, the new PM of Australia showed us his true colours the other day when he exhibited a crass and poorly judged ‘wink,’ possibly knowing the camera was on him. He was speaking on radio talk back to a ‘retiree,’ who was having difficulty making ends meet and subsequently was working on an adult sex-line. When asked a question while on air, he did that now notorious ‘wink’ earning him a place in history as yet another ‘gate’ affair, meaning in this case---‘winkgate.’ He seriously misjudged any potential reaction to his response and to make matters worse, yesterday he came out with what can only be described as an even more cynical response---he compounded his position by saying that he had learned from the mistake and wouldn’t be making the same mistake today. Not his exact words, but certainly a portent of what we can expect from him in the future.

Coming on the back of his budget and the fact that he has made one of the biggest nose-dives’ in the polls in recent years, he is indeed lacking a political brain, never lone a speck of genuine contrition. His arrogance will be remembered and I very much doubt he will survive long before the knives come out, within his own party.

Oh well, such is the nature of politics!

Prince Charles says what many of us think, but ---should he?

Prince Charles is very much like dis dad—he says what he thinks, often causing embarrassment to those who easily succumbed to that state. The fact that he is heir to the British throne doesn’t seem to come not it—he keeps on keeping on. IN ay ways, that is what I like about him. Yeah—I know—one in his ‘position’ should be a little more diplomatic’ and swallow his real feelings. I say—no. Maybe we need to hear what someone in a high position really thinks and to hell with all the ‘aspects of diplomacy’ that often hinder honest discussion. Putin is a bully and he does keep the lid on any new-found-short-tem-freedoms,’ in Russia. He is a leader on a mission to re-invent the old Soviet Union, at least as far as its reach went! So---good you Prince Charles—tell it like it is. Putin is behaving in a similar manner to Hitler, minus some of the more extreme bits. He is fermenting a situation whereby he can go in and rescue those’ Russian-speaking minorities,’ all in the name of Russian expansionism.  Keep up the good work, Prince Charles and if we are lucky, the next in line to the ‘throne’ will carry on in the same manner. This is the real world—not the imaginary ‘Game of Thrones’ as seen on TV!

Tony Abbott underarm bowls the most vulnerable and scores an 'own goal!'

Is Tony Abbott an insensitive creep or just plain stupid? Are Australians so fickle that they vote in a leader on a ‘broken promise’ ticket but don’t see behind the façade of that person who now leads them into---what? Have the days of ‘digging another hole’ to manage the Australian economy gone forever or this phase just that—a short term blimp for the ‘lucky country?’

Whatever the case, time will tell, but his ridiculous ‘wink’ to God knows who that was caught on camera speaks volumes about the man. What gets me is that Australians voted for him, believing that he was going to be a better option than the team he sent to the political ‘outback.’

Isn’t it incredible what a short period of time can do in politics—it seems that a few months is indeed a time when anything can and usually does happen. After just one budget delivery, the ‘man’ has become the enemy of far more people than he ever believed possible. If the polls are to be believed, he has lost the lead he had and would suffer a huge defeat if an election was held today, but then again, polls are not real unless they---are---an election one!

Australians were pretty much peeved at the shenanigans of the former Government, with leadership battles and mishandled policies like the ‘insulation fluff debacle’ and various other silly and possibly arrogant responses to issues of concern. That attitude seems to come to all who have been in power for long. Australia is not alone in that ‘political public perception trap.’

But---how can a leader so quickly have the tables turned---after a few months; to need to cancel appearances because his ‘journey’ so far in Government’ is so cast in controversy? I guess his own party and coalition partner see him as some sort of ‘brave hero,’ willing to take the ire of the public in the interest of the ‘country.’ That he seems to care little for those who did not vote for him is more than a little cynical; it is in the style of some other world leaders who also care little for what ‘anyone  thinks.’

Well, Mr Abbott, that wink may come back to haunt you. No one likes a bully (even other bullies!) and that is how you are perceived—as an uncaring and cynical bully. I think you have reinvented the ‘underarm bowl’ and presented it in a whole new light; a self-goal and one that no amount of smug ‘selfies’ will help. You must have been hanging around John Key, way too much.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

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When fanatical religion destroys a nation, we are all the losers! God help Nigeria.

 The vast majority of Nigerians are no different to the citizens of most other nations: They too just want to get on with life, to look after their families, to love, to enjoy life and to have the freedom to believe in whatever form of faith they choose. They wish to be free from persecution; that of the State and of the extremes within their midst.
Today we hear of yet another crime visited upon the people of Nigeria, once again from the criminal group that goes by the name---Boko Haram. Nigeria is in danger of being torn apart by a minority that wishes to take this nation back to the a time that History has long consigned to those epochs that we would rather forget. Perhaps we should not---because we need those lessons to inform us of what 'humans are capable of,' when they sink to such levels.
Boko Haram is an abomination; a mixture of hate, ignorance and exclusion of all that most people hold as truths. Now that Africa and the world, including the Islamic World, are raising their voices against this 'throwback,' perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. They cannot be trusted to negotiate a peace, because there is nothing in their belief structure that would contribute anything positive to the future of Nigeria. Nigeria cannot do this alone.

Coastal Yarns | The blog and website of author Neil Coleman: Who is reading my blogs?---some figures.

Coastal Yarns | The blog and website of author Neil Coleman: Who is reading my blogs?---some figures.: Here are some figures as of today about who is reading my blogs. USA------------------69208 New Zealand---------35175 Russia-----------...