Sorry for the hiatus. I am suffering one of my periodic periods of self-doubt and depression. This was caused in part by my being very disappointed at the number of people who listened to my talk at Occupy London, and subsequently by my inability to get anyone mainstream to publish a major piece I have been working on. That has never happened to me before.
A little niche on the web helps you forget how insignificant you are; try to step outside that niche and you are brutally reminded.
“Absolute Suicide”
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8yAn7vnLG0
Thinking!
Caring!
Craig, don’t be too disheartened!
Remind yourself, how many of us had ever heard of you before you revealed the awful truth in the Stans? I’d say just about none! But now you have this blog, which gets referred and linked to all over the place (world!).
Next time you give a speech, take along someone to video it so it can be uploaded, then at least a 1000 times as many can hear what you have to say, not only those of us in the UK who can’t get to London, but all over the planet. Go forth and multiply your following!!!
In Your Eyes a Sandstorm
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Book Review
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“The Palestinian Authority’s United Nations bid for statehood is, in a word, divisive. It has set America and Israel adrift from the international community—confirming, yet again, the United States’ deep bias towards Israel. The request is also controversial within Palestinian circles. Even if the bid is successful, will it create meaningful change on the ground? Can it end the occupation? What about equal rights for Palestinian citizens of Israel? What about the Palestinian refugees and their right to return, enshrined in UN resolution 194? And, in light of the fact that few Palestinians feel represented by the PA, is the move legitimate?”
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“Interviews in Ramallah reveal no clear consensus. Still, Abbas’ recent speech to the UN was enthusiastically received in Palestinian cities across the West Bank. For some, it represented, perhaps, a small victory—a moment that the voiceless were given a voice. But this begs the question: which voices are we still not hearing? What are their stories? Who are these people, the Palestinians?”
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Arthur Neslen’s groundbreaking new book, In Your Eyes a Sandstorm: Ways of Being Palestinian, holds some answers.
A collection of 51 in-depth interviews of Palestinians from all walks of life, In Your Eyes a Sandstorm introduces readers to everyone from a Hamas official, to a Palestinian citizen of Israel who served in the Israeli government, to sisters who were born and raised in Beirut’s Shatila camp, to a drug dealer in East Jerusalem, to a West Bank zoo curator. Candid, colorful, and sometimes surprising, the portraits remind us that Palestinians aren’t the monolithic group that the Western media depicts them as.
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Neslen points his attention to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. While these areas are crawling with journalists, Neslen brings us the stories that go overlooked—like that of Neriman al-Jabari, a 26-year-old widow of an Islamic Jihad leader who was assassinated by Israel in 2004—forcing the reader to interrogate pre-conceived notions about Palestinians.
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Neslen’s focus on interviewees in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories serves another purpose. As Neslen points out, location affects both experience and one’s sense of self. The Palestinians nearest to Israel seem to best know “the terror that conflict brings.” Those inside of Israel—an oft-ignored group—wrestle with “identity contradictions that especially afflict Palestinians living close to Israeli Jews.” They also offer a glimpse at the segregation that plagues Israeli society.
As Tamer Nafar, a 29-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel and founder of the rap group DAM, tells Neslen about his hometown of Lod, just south of Tel Aviv:
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“If you buy a map of Lyd, you won’t find the Arabic neighborhoods on it… There are cops here all the time. You have no street lights, unemployment, drugs, and a five-meter-high separation wall between Arab and Jewish areas. You know when someone does something very ugly, and he doesn’t want to look in the mirror? That’s the wall.”
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In Your Eyes a Sandstorm also serves as a primer of Palestinian politics, history, and culture, grouping the interviewees by their generation and, thus, the events they have lived through. It’s sophisticated enough to hold the attention of those who are already involved in the issues but accessible to those who have just begun to explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is a difficult balance to strike and Neslen does so gracefully.
There was, for me, a slight stumble. In the introduction, Neslen describes himself as the son of “left-wing and anti-Zionist Jewish parents.” He also mentions that “trust was often difficult to establish” with his Palestinian interviewees. It’s a catch-22: Neslen can’t not mention these details; but, naturally, some readers might wonder if Neslen’s Jewish background was ever an issue. Was there tension with his interviewees? Why was trust difficult to establish?
One interaction was particularly intriguing. Reflecting upon his interview with an 82-year-old fisherman in Gaza, Neslen remarks, “Strangely and unexpectedly, I felt at home.” This moment seemed worth exploring.
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But this is a minor complaint. And Neslen has made the right decision. First off, this book isn’t a memoir. If Neslen had introduced too much of himself, he would have run the danger of his story swallowing up those of his interviewees (a Jew in Gaza! A Jew in Palestinian refugee camps! How does he feel? There’s no room for that but, still, it’s a book I’d like to read).
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In Your Eyes a Sandstorm is a gripping look at a society and people who are misrepresented by the mainstream media and misunderstood by much of the Western world. Through these carefully-crafted portraits, Neslen gives Palestinians the space to speak for themselves.”
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http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520264274
Craig, you have opened so many eyes that self doubt should disappear like a footprint on a sandy beach.
I would have liked to hear you, but could not come to smelly ol’ London due to a small affliction and I’m as skint as you are.
There is always somebody worse off, as was pointed out, put yourself in their shoes, just imagine you would have been on the Tahrir, interogated for the next two weeks….
Alternatively its back on to a motorbike for a 90mph. focus freshener.
Craig I hope it doesn’t mean you will join the Liberal Democrats again?
Isn’t that what happened the last time you got all depressed?
Remember, when you didn’t win the elections, you were like, “If you can’t beat them, join them!”
And you joined the Liberal democrats and helped them get elected?
Here is some guy who really has reason to be depressed.
Babar Ahmed.
7 years in a British prison without charge.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/885
Craig stop being a rich white middle aged guy, upset when he doesn’t get enough attention. Others have it far worse then you.
Buck up and do what needs to be done. As long as you put all your energies in what you do and you do what you know is right and you stay away from what you know is wrong such as joining the Liberal Democrats then you should be pleased with what you do.
Do what is right, and results to Allah.
Your actions are in your hand and whether Allah grants you victory or not is in his hands and in his hands alone.
Craig,
You are a voice crying in the wilderness. Don’t expect appreciation or results, but do keep on crying out.
I have read your two books and have recommended them to others.
There are very few who speak out, those who should don’t and those who do are often not entirely as persuasive as they might like to think. Yours is a voice of reason (not always right, but hey we can’t have it all).
Thanks & best wishes
“Get a grip or I shall stop commenting here.”
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Thank you, bye.
Ingo: I can certainly vouch for the final one of those suggestions! Particularly if you find a decent empty stretch to really let it rip. Wondering if you dare glance at the speedo for a moment to see if you’ve passed 150 yet… there’s no room in your mind for the blues. The buzz stays for a good while, too, it’s about as exhilarating an experience as one can get.
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Mind you, it’s not for everyone. The misses generally likes it kept below 147.
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A bungee-capsule launch is pretty good fun, too. Had a blast on one of those things last year, ace fun. I’d recommend it to anyone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtumLJ18m94
@mike
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“we dont always see eye to eye”
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In fact I look forward to your posts. We’ll disagree about Scotland but I’m very immersed and invested in that, and usually forget that it isn’t everyone’s journey.
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@craig
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I’m inclined to pessimism – my kids call me ‘Mr Worst Case Scenario’. Despite your personal travails, this blog is a little pool of light on the web. Even when you’re down, you’re still pulling a lot of people like me up. You’re my prosthetic optimism. Oh, here’s another poem, from Bonario Overstreet (yes, seriously, that was his name):
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To One Who Doubts the Worth of Doing Anything if You Can’t Do Everything
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You say the little efforts that I make
will do no good; they will never prevail
to tip the hovering scale
where Justice hangs in balance.
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I don’t think I ever thought they would.
But I am prejudiced beyond debate
in favour of my right to choose which side
shall feel the stubborn ounces of my weight.
Craig, if you can’t be bothered then we have no right to expect anything from you. If it feels right then carry on doing whatever is taking your attention – but do not ever, ever think that what you do is unapprecieated.
This struggle is a long-term one; none of us should expect to make any discernible difference. Yet if people in, say, C14th, had given up because of that, we’d all still be dying of plague every few years. And so on. We midgets stand on the shoulders of other midgets… we are billions.
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There’s the good Nextus, telling you that the event was a great success. So. And there’s the apetising Arsalan, cooking fish.
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Fame is an empty vessel (Kabbalistically-speaking). One discovers this by smashing the vessel against the side of one’s head (metaphorically-speaking).
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Have a cuppa, Craig, and ponder not upon eternity.
Never Give Up, don’t let your cynics smell victory but only fear of being caught.
You may be wrong on many things Craig but neither you or anyone else is insignificant.
Cahnge the music talk about something else – there are plenty of people listening.
Hang on in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m a total unknown unlike you but understand your feelings – like every time I go on an anti war demo that never gets (much) coverage in mainstream.
You are an inspiration to many – yet of course, should be allowed to be exposed to many more.
Friendship…. & persistence – Mike
They ignore/minimise all the malcontent % of noise + SAD this time of year too
We need an equivalent to the anti bank movement – to credit unions…………
Stop voting movement would attract their attention – me thinks
“A little niche on the web helps you forget how insignificant you are”
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Ahem. Your little niche on the web makes you much more significant than you would otherwise be. Get used to it. Only last month there were extraordinary headlines in the MSM because of the information you were able swiftly to publish here. Also, be aware that your little niche helps many others remember that they are not alone.
Another post down the drain. Here’s the gist, delete if the original reappears, please.
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I thought I’d found you a job to take your mind off things; right up your street (probably not)
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In the Guardian today:
“An office of the US Embassy London based in Berkshire is looking to recruit full time Current Affairs officers specialising in Iran. Duties include coverage of media developments, breaking news, production of translations and multimedia, web content management, research, and written analysis….Full details of these positions can be found on
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/4373227
”
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So, it would seem that the Brits need educating about the evil Iranians….
Just lost two posts in a row. Am I banned?
Phew. If at first…
Check this:
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/4373227
Maybe you need to sit down and have a chat with Mrs. Murray over a nice strong cup of tea. No doubt she will be encouraging!
I used to like that Arthur Clough poem till I found out it was Margaret Thatcher’s favourite poem 🙁
@angrysoba : “Get a grip or I shall stop commenting here.”
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Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out! 🙂
Craig this Blog is the first place i come to When i fire the computer up. You Matter alright!…. Both you’re Posts and most of the Comments are top Quality…
I get downhearted too, When I find that VERY few of my friends are interested, when i try to tell them the truths, which they never hear of in the MSM – with regards the Horrors we have inflicted on the people of Libya
keep it up, you’re doing a great job
Komodo They have the reply address wrong in that US Embassy ad. It should be:
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Psyops Department
Dirty Tricks Division…
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Who’d have thunk it. In Royal Berkshire no less.
Thanks, Mary. And there was me thinking that the nice American Embassy wanted to educate us Brits about the culture, history and generally good stuff concerning Iran….
King of Welsh Noir
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I thought the old bag liked these lines attributed to St Francis
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Where there is discord, may we bring harmony.
Where there is error, may we bring truth.
Where there is doubt, may we bring faith.
And where there is despair, may we bring hope.
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Funny tragic looking back isn’t it especially in the light of the present incumbent of No 10.
+1 for Nextus. Well done Craig.
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The small tent filled nicely and there were a steady stream of questions afterwards. I’m pretty sure you overran the end-time requested by the OccupyLSX MC, all with next-to-no advertising.
A lot more people now have a superb new source of reliable and objective information and a top-notch discussion forum.
More people are reading your books.
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I should have come to the pub as well but wanted to have a wander around more of the site and watch its workings. Will have a pint next time.
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Well done, a brilliant session, take a break, put on some good CDs.
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In the meantime I’ll try this as I’ve not seen it taken up so far.
The BBC have endlessly trailed the ‘leaked’ IAEA report, with horror of horrors, revelations that Iranian scientists and engineers have been ‘investigating’ nuclear weapon technology.
Heaven forbid that this becomes the reason for another war. Because, of course, they have. (Have knowledge of nuclear explosion processes).
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It will have been a significant part of their training, easily found I’m sure by anyone checking up on their qualifications.
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As an example right at the other end of the spectrum, back in the 60s I was in Engineering college, aiming for Telecoms Engineering.
The first two years covered about every branch of engineering possible, mechanical, electrical, electronics, hydraulics, structural, pneumatics, molecular, nuclear.
Yes, we covered, briefly, nuclear fission, nuclear power generation, nuclear explosions. The last really caught our interest – Einstein was our hero. When friends found out what we were doing for a short while at college they wanted to know all about it, as long as it was entertaining over a pint of beer.
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Engineers designing, building and operating nuclear power plants will have extensive education and training in nuclear safety which must include all the conditions necessary, and processes involved, in an accident or other event leading to an explosion. How can they build in safety otherwise?
Standby for this to be hyped as a need to invade Iran.
(You can guess that I’m long retired from Engineering – maybe Clark, if he’s around, can tidy up my summary here).
The real reason, with Fox and Werrity and countless other villains helping things along, is that the US and its partners have had enough of Iran trading its own oil on its own exchange in currencies of its own choice.
The slogan of an insurance comparison website springs to mind……
Suicide is painless…