Like the butterfly effect 15 year old Greta Thunberg sat alone in front of the Swedish parliament making clear her concern on global warming and she captured the world. Her revolt against the inaptitude of grownups began just over a year ago and since then School Strike for Climate has become a thorn in the flesh of the men in suits, even getting to the dubious heart of Donald Trump who tried to swamp her UN Summit speech with his childish sarcasm. People are dying, she said, the world’s ecosystem is at extreme risk and, basically that those in control should wise up and smell the roses when there are still roses. Trump’s comment? ”She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”
Apparently this young woman is being tipped for a Nobel Peace prize, personally I think that’s too soon, she’s a force of nature but people are becoming hysterical about her and if they heap honours on the child she could become even more of a celebrity and the serious message might get lost. However, if it happens wouldn’t it be one in the eye for Trump who has actually said he thinks he should be awarded the prize:
“I think I’m going to get a Nobel Prize for a lot of things, if they gave it out fairly, which they don’t,” He always allows that little bit of wriggle room just in case it doesn’t work out for him. Boris Johnson seems to be in his thrall.
Cleaning Up Our Act
Recently Northern Ireland school children marched in their hundreds highlighting climate change, of course some just mitched off school just for the hell of it, of course teachers were in a dilemma about the whole thing and of course the union protested about the protest, but it was an impressive and good natured demonstration and made a point. If you think it was a one day wonder then think on. Saturday two weeks ago was Big Beach Litter when on each side of Belfast Lough children were out with pickers and yellow vests, clearing away plastic and paper including the Whitehead Wombles, about 50 young people meticulous in their quest and delighted to feed the Lough Ness Monster who had come ashore at Jordanstown.
Nessie was the brain child of artist Steve Diamond (above) who fashioned the creature in his garage and she feasted on crisp packets, drinks tins and a lovely white hard hat! This particular group meet every week to tackle litter so the message is being taken up in ways that don’t get the same publicity as a mass march to the city Hall.
Boo to those who made negative comments on Facebook about the climate change march – did you drive in? – you’re just holding up traffic – they need to use a bar of soap – how many trees were cut down to make the banners?.
No wonder young people get down in the dumps with adult behaviour, some even become depressed as the world begins to let them down, stress of school, relationships, the prospect of financial difficulties, growing up is never easy but sometimes it can be very difficult. Mental health is a big talking point, many companies, and last week universities, are taking this subject seriously due to the number of suicides especially amongst young people.
Recently I was at the funeral of a 21 year old boy who took his own life. His mates filled the church and they were sobbing. The priest spoke to those boys about their own mental health, their own feelings of despair and advised them to talk to someone who would listen and understand. That’s all very well but the majority of us are not trained in helping someone in despair. Could we do more damage, ask questions that could upset the vulnerable person even more? I phoned the Samaritans and asked advice. The gentleman I spoke to explained this is a delicate situation and one answer doesn’t fit all situations.
The main thing he said is to trust your judgment, if you think someone is experiencing troubling feelings, ask can you help? Ask ‘how are you feeling?’ Then, if you are excepted, perhaps gently ask ‘what has happened to bring you to this?’ Something we can all do is research what support there is so at least we can give them a live line. Let the person know you are there to support them and certainly don’t start saying you know how they are feeling because you’ve been there and begin to ramble on about your own problems.
If you watch EastEnders you’ll have seen young Bobby going through mental health problems to the point he began walking down the railway line towards an oncoming train. This is more common than we know to the extent that a campaign is being launched called Small Talk Saves Lives aimed at stopping railway suicides through announcements and advice to passengers. ‘There’s no single sign or set of behaviours but someone standing alone and isolated, looking distant or withdrawn, staying on a platform for a long time without boarding a train or displaying something out of the ordinary in their behaviour or appearance.’ On the recent World Suicide Prevention Day announcements were made with one conductor on the Derry line expressing in his own words how important it is to look out for anyone who seems to be distracted or in distress, he got a round of applause and 200 likes on Facebook.
Samaritains have a national free phone number – 116 123 – but there is often a queue.
Lifeline is a local confidential helpline for anyone of any age experiencing distress or despair, I got through first time and immediately.
Their free number is 0808 808 8000. Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call on 18001 0808 808 8000. Counsellors are there to listen and help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.
Please, persuade your family and friends to put these numbers into their phones.
What’s It all About Alfie?
Well really! Out of curiosity I watched Ru Paul Drag Race UK. What is that all about, 10 grown men screaming with laughter, moths wide open, horrid chat, lavatorial humour which isn’t funny – I guess it pleases some people but not me. Pantomime time. Vivienne without makeup looked like the Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz but our own young man JoshCargill who’s only 23 well held his own with the other ‘queens’.
Drag Queen name Blu Hydrangea he was dressed in a yellow and black dress with great cranes Samson and Goliath growing out of his shoulders making no mistake where he came from and it’s obvious that he’s a very nice guy, genuine sense of humour and no silly carry on like the big queen who collapsed in tears at the drop of a hat. So often drag queens are beautiful, exquisite make up and an sophisticated wardrobe. The Lady Boys of Bankock are an example of beauty and it’s hard to believe that they are males dressed as females.
Why would anyone, man or woman want to dress like this,
The beautiful and sophisticated side of drag below.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
