Omar Mateen and Anders Breivik: a comparison

When someone does something bad it's always somebody else's fault. Right? So, when slightly coloured Muslim Omar Mareen killed 50 people in a gayclub in Orlando and the media discovered he was a fan of ISIL, of course his actions were the fault of the all to known Muslim organisation. Right?

When the white Christian Norwegian Anders Breivik killed 70 people at gatherings of socialists and the media found out he was a big fan of Dutch right wing politician Geert Wilders, they immediately assumed the killings were solely the fault of...Anders Breivik.

Is it me or does this way of thinking not make any sense at all?

Not yet (A short story on Saturday)

Would everyone see the stars as she saw them?

Would others experience the joy that she experienced
differently than she did?

She caressed the creature lying beside her
and tried to be aware of her happiness.

She knew it wouldn't last
but what meaning does time have
for one who is happy?

And so she dreamt on...

In his dreams he had saved the world with her,
survived a war and a nuclear disaster
and at one point he stood with her
at the cradle of a new beginning for mankind.

He knew that one day he would meet her
in the real world and so it was.

In his dreams she was blond
and here he was sitting next to a brunette.
And yet is was her.

They exchanged looks and words
but never more than that.

Not yet.

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Want to read more of my short stories? My author page on Amazon:  amazon.com/author/terrenceweijnschenk

Most people are good

Although it may not always seem that way, there's a lot of good going on in the world: people helping other people, regardless of their background, the colour of their skin, or the title of their favourite Holy Book. For most people it does not matter one bit if other people believe in Jahweh, Buddha, Gaia, Apple, Allah, Bieber or God. For most people it does not matter if other people have more or less money/donkeys/shells/women/cars than they do.

Most people are good.

And some of those good people create art, so other people can say:

'Wow, that's really, really good!'

Zheng Chunhui Longest continuous wooden sculpture in the world

Here (A short story)

He needed shelter. And a drink. On this street everything appeared closed but when he saw a well-known sign he walked on a little faster. It was not his favourite brand of beer but sometimes it is better not to complain.

On opening the bar door he felt slightly disappointed. It took him a while to realise why: he had not heard the cheerful 'Ting-a-ling-a-ling!' of a welcoming chime.

It was very quiet here in every respect. Not even music. Only now did he realise that all conversation had come to a halt and all faces were turned towards him. He straightened his back, walked to the bar and ordered his favourite drink.

The barman just looked at him with a question in his eyes. So he repeated his order. The barman heaved a deep sigh, shoulders drooped. He ordered a beer, was made to pay straight away and emptied his glass fairly quickly.

Outside awaited the pouring rain but still he would rather be there than here.

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Want to read more of my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00K4007NG

Why the gap between rich and poor gets bigger

Your government tells banks it's okay to produce money (in the form of notes, loans, coins or computer digits out of thin air. Banks give out that money at an interest. The first ones to lend money (governments and large corporations) profit the most. Next to the banks themselves of course.

The further down the pyramid, the less the money is worth because there is an always increasing amount of the stuff. Soon the ones at the bottom of the pyramid (you and me and actual poor people) can't afford what they used to be able to buy. And will have to borrow more money. From the banks. Who will create that money, charge interest. And so on.

Occasionally someone manages to climb a step on the pyramid. But not very often. That's how it works. That's why the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. But one day there will be no more people at the bottom of the pyramid because they will have died of starvation. People who are dead are incapable of borrowing money. And the banks will go bankrupt. End of system.

So perhaps the system should be changed into a system that works for EVERYONE and not just the 'happy few'?



Your thoughts on this are appreciated.

I am (Short Story on Saturday)

He stood on the deck of the boat as the steel grey clouds tried to cover the blue skies. They failed miserably.

The wind and the water joined forces to unsettle his sense of balance but they too failed because he had never felt more balanced than now.

He looked at his fellow-passengers without seeing them and a hint of a smile touched his lips.

He suspected that he saw more than the lady his eyes had now found and thought back to the one-line poem he once wrote for his muse:

'Had I only the strength to open your eyes, only then would you see how truly weak I am.'

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My author page: amazon.com/author/terrenceweijnschenk

Disliking someone based on their birthplace?

They came to the United States of America with 350,000 and are with over 8 million now. They did not speak English, held on to their own traditions and their leaders tried to abolish dancing and theatre!

Who are these immigrants? These foreigners?

They are the Dutch.

Yes, Christina Aguilera, Lenny Dykstra, Dan Aykroyd, Gloria Vanderbilt, Herman Melville, Humpfrey Bogart, George Bush, Johnny Depp, Tiger Woods, Marlon Brando, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Benjamin Spock,... All 'real Americans' of Dutch descent. They - or their ancestors - are...FOREIGNERS!

http://spartacus-educational.com/USAEholland.htm

But you don't dislike foreigners, do you? Hating someone because of were their ancestors were born is something from the past, right? Civilized people don't judge people by their birthplace, do they? That was yesterday.

Each other (A short story on Saturday)

It must have been a magnificent sight.
Hundreds of torches, held by as many young people who filled the evening air with expectations.

He marched along. So did she.

A sense of togetherness travelled through the masses and touched everyone.

The torches were extinguished.

Their light kept shining on their paths.
Their flames kept burning in their hearts.
Their warmth tangible in each other.

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Want to read more of my short stories?

My author page: amazon.com/author/terrenceweijnschenk

Nursery home versus cruise ship: which is cheaper?

There's this trend that has been going on for the pas decennia: we get less for more money. 'Best' example is healthcare. Especially when you're old.

Although it is getting ridiculous, some say it's cheaper to live on a cruise ship than it is to live in a nursery home. But is that true? At least you get better service: