Food truths and untruths by Susan Grimsdell
Who can keep up with dietary advice? Who can we believe? For years we were told eggs were good; then we were told they’re not, and now they’re in favour again. Butter’s good, then it’s not. On it goes, until we end up not knowing what on earth we’re supposed to eat, throw up our hands and order another double cheeseburger with bacon. The latest I’ve heard and, for once, it’s good news, is that eating chocolate is good – yes good! I’m gobbling it down with a clear conscience before ‘they’ tell… Read More
Muslims in New Zealand by Susan Grimsdell
Muslims have been getting a bad rap lately, fanned by the illustrious President of the USA. Concerned citizens with generous hearts speak up against this negativity and are distressed to hear criticism of the refugee influx into Western countries of people from Syria and other Muslim countries. Their argument centres on the fact that these people are not terrorists, not dangerous, just ordinary people wanting a better life for their families. Inequality on show I too don’t consider Muslim people to be terrorists in the sense that they do not wish to… Read More
Alt truth by Susan Grimsdell
Reading the news lately, you’d think ‘alt truth’ is a Trumpish invention. Of course it isn’t – lies and damned lies have been around since the beginning of time. The trouble with lies is that they quickly take on a life of their own and become truth. Jonathan Swift (born 1667), understood this power. He said, ‘If a lie is believed for only half an hour it hath done its work’. Housing falsehoods Once a lie is out there, a whole web is spun around it, until the original lie is buried… Read More
Triumph of hope by Susan Grimsdell
Not long after the world realised that the unbelievable had happened and Donald Trump had become the President of the US, the level of objection was astounding. It included people in state governments; many government employees, governors and mayors; workers in many federal departments; immigrant rights groups; religious groups; as well as one of the biggest demonstrations in history with the Women’s March on 21 January 2017. Women all over the world took to the streets. I was one of them and later, a friend asked me why I had bothered. ‘They… Read More
