News: How to tell fact from fiction?

You know something is a fact because you just know it's true, right? On top of that: you read it on Facebook ánd it was on Fox. So, if the media confirm your believes they just have to be true!

If a thousand people say something, but science proves otherwise, some believe it's science that must be wrong.

But point is: there is no such thing as 'the media'. I'm sure you love your friends and relatives but can you rely on their sources? Turns out: not always. Here's what to do if you REALLY want to know what's going on:

https://dose.com/how-to-read-news-when-trump-is-president-32223dabe1c4#.wtpp2h1xv

An example of how fake news is created is in this story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/business/media/how-fake-news-spreads.html
A young man saw a couple of buses, just assumed they carried anti-Trump protesters to a rally in Austin, posted the message (including pictures he made) on Twitter and later claimed he was 'too busy' to factcheck every bit of news he makes up. So, if he really is that busy, where does he get the time from to make up news, take pictures and post all that on Twitter? Not to mention the time he needs for all those interviews afterwards.

In the meantime some more fear and false facts were spread.

The world is on fire and we should vote for politicians who's sole purpose in life is to bring the rest of us back to  'the good old days'! Never did our future look so grim!' Right? Wrong!

                                                        

Perhaps these facts did not convince you. Why is that? Would you rather believe someone who says we're doomed unless we vote for him or her to lead us to a better place, a better economy, a better life? By the way: it's not your 'gut feeling' telling you it's all going down the drain. No, it's a populist.

Here are some more facts (click) to tell you all's not that bad.

Donald Trump became president because his followers believe every single thing he says. His proven best way to trick his people is to repeat his lies over and over again. It's just a pychological trick: when you hear something often you automatically start believing it to be true. Even if it is the complete opposite of what that same person has told you before. Here's an example (click).

What I also don't get: why did the FBI spend so much time and money om investigating accusations made against Hillary Clinton but waited until after Donald Trump was elected president before they started investigating (click) his ties with US' arch enemy Russia?

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

Why do people hurt other people?

While Picasso was living in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, one German officer allegedly asked him, upon seeing a photo of Guernica in his apartment, "Did you do that?" Picasso responded, "No, you did."

Which brings me to the point: why do people hurt other people? Especially since they know nobody wants to get hurt.

A lot of people (especially men) are afraid to show their emotions. They think it's a sign of weakness to show others you can be hurt. I think it's a sign of strength to show you're human because humans make formidable opponents.

It's emotions that drive us. So yes, I cried when Trevor Bolder died, bass player in my favourite band, Uriah Heep. He also was an original member of the late David Bowie's 'Spiders from Mars'.

So yes, you may express yourself when you're hurt and yes, you may ask others the reason for them to hurt you.

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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

A lot of good going on!

With all turmoil going on in the world and in our personal lives, it's a relief to see there's still a lot of good going on.

Take Puddles for instance, with his sad kind of humour. I love it!



And a whole lot of people are apparently so very bored that they don't only have time to read this blogpost but also stories like: 'Is this photo proof of a soul rising up from a dead body? (click) Is it just smoke or maybe just a clever use of Photoshop?' I don't think it's sad that people share and comment these stories but I think it's a great accomplishment from humanity as a whole that we've transcended from a species who's main concern is survival to individuals who's main concern is 'What's for dinner?'

How do you see this trend of boredom being a natural state of being? Let me know in the comments section of this blog!

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

#1Label4All (We're all human so forget about racism)

There are women in the world. There are muslims in the world. Handicapped, jews, buddhists, beliebers, petrolheads, idiots, musiclovers, skinheads, democrats, scientists...all labels. And often confusing: that female handicapped black senator, do we call her a women, a negro, handicapped, politician?

If I may suggest - and if you agree - how about making it easier for all of us ánd end racism while we're at it? How? Simple, from now on we all call eachother 'human'. There will only be #1Label4All

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

#Brexit

It seriously looks like the so called 'Brexit' will turn out to be a disaster. Thousands of Brits will loose there jobs and prices of every day products will rise. 95% Of British farmers see other EU countries as their main source of income. Import tarrifs will rise and food (and cars, et cetera) produced in the UK will be subject to more checks before they are allowed to enter the common European market.

UKIP's Nigel Farage (click) is generally seen as the one who started the 'movement' but refuses to take responsibility. As a matter of fact: he boldly stated that should England leave the EU and the economy will suffer a severe blow he will simply become an economic refugee (you know, of the kind he says he hates so much) and move to America. Or maybe he will simply stay in France where he has a home. Obviously buying French, not British products. So...England first? No, Nigel first. Everyone else can suck it. 'Not my problem that people actually bought any of the male cow excrements I said.' Now that is clear, how will the British cope?

I wish them the best of luck!

And much wisdom to the people of France, Germany and The Netherlands. Only people who actually THINK can prevent a Frexit, Gexit or Nexit.

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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

Caresses (a #ShortStory)

It was late. Too late to catch a tram. And too cold really to be waiting at some stop for the night bus. But considering his failing motor skills due to excessive alcohol use he decided not to walk.

At the next stop she got on, a few years after he last saw her. She noticed him right after showing the driver her bus card and walked towards him as fast as was ladylike.

Before she properly sat her hand had found his. She looked deeply into his expectant eyes and said: 'I am glad to have found the man of my dreams again.'

He suggested that they get off together at his stop but she told him she couldn't for reasons that do not matter here.

That is why he informed her of the existence of a literary magazine in which a haiku dedicated to her could be found:

Breathe quietly love
hear how the touch of my breath 
your breath caresses

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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

14 Signs humour isn't dead yet

In the light of more or less recent events it's nice to see people haven't lost their sense of humour. And can still see things in perspective: we've never had so few violent conflicts in the entire history of the planet as we've had in het past few decades. It just seems a lot because news nowedays travels at the speed of a fast modem. Especially when trouble is far away most people can't do a thing about it. And consider this if you're in a situation you can't escape from:

So here are a few of the people I'm referring to:

http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2016/11/15/14-funny-protest-signs/

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

Good news!

The Europarliament is a democratic body so as a member of European Parliament (MEP) you can say what you like, when you like, to whom you like. Simply because you have freedom of speech. Right? Wrong! In a civilised society you should behave accordingly. Especially as a representitive of the people. That's why 'the EU' sanctioned Polish MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke. He crossed the line of decency. More than once. And now he pays the price. And rightfully so, if I may ad.





More good news is that everyday more and more people are convinced helping other people is a good idea. For less than $100 a child can see again and has a change to be independent. That's a whole lot cheaper than providing for her for the rest of her life. With just a small investment it's possible a society as a whole can save a lot of money ánd ad some extra pair of hands to the working force!

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/two-blind-sisters-see-for-the-first-time


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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

Syria attack: Trump's response

Civilians - including women and children - , living in the provence of Idlib, Syria were recently killed with poisonous gas. According to president Assad and his friend Putin of Russia, the attack was executed by rebels pretending to be soldiers from Assad's army and they bombed their own hideouts to make Assad look bad in the eyes of the world. Somehow I find that hard to believe.

It's easier to believe that 'president' Donald Trump would blame Barack Obama for the massacre in stead of taking up action against Assad, Putin and the likes. So, guess what Donald Trump did?

Statement from @POTUS on today's chemical attack in #Syria pic.twitter.com/EkbNikTmzA

— Department of State (@StateDept) 4 april 2017

He claims Obama was weak for not wanting to intervene in the war in Syria.

But this is how Trump thought about intervening in Syria in 2013:

AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 5 september 2013

So, the question is: why did Trump intervene in the Syria conflict by firing 60 Tomahawk cruise missiles and starting a war with president Assad from Syria, angrying Assad's close friend and ally, president Putin from Russia?

Either way: who still does not know Donald Trump is a hypocrite and a liar must be extremely stupid. There are no excuses.


The Donald also liked to complain about Obama's golf trips:

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

Are you an immigrant? Why (not)?

'Trump is right! Immigrants are to blame!'
-'What's the definition of 'immigrant'?'
'An immigrant is someone who is of foreign descent.'
-'So you are an immigrant?'
'No.'
-'But you are from foreign descent?'
'Yes.'
-'So according to your own definition you are an immigrant.'

'Maybe so, but my ancestors and me worked really hard so we are true Americans.'
-'So foreigners who work hard are not called immigrants who steal American jobs but 'Americans'. Correct?'
'Yes, that's right.'
-'So what do you think of Slovenian women who come to America, don't work but simply marry a rich American man in stead of working for a living?'
'They are basically prostitutes who should be send back to where they come from!'
-'So you are convinced Donald Trump will divorce from Melania and have her deported.'
-'Well er...'

You've heard an American president say some harsh words on immigration and crimerates. Here are the actual figures (click). Just in case you're more interested in facts than in tweets.

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

A world without immigrants

In the past eight years we saw the rise of Obama and the smartphone.
Which of the two had a bigger impact on your life today? Yes, the smartphone.

Who gave rise to the immense popularity of the smartphone?
Steve Jobs (click). A man who was the son of a Middle Eastern Muslim immigrant from Homs, Syria.

That's right: without immigrants you would not be able to complain about immigrants via your smartphone.

Workout for your brain: think of the people around you. At work, in the streets, in politics, in sports, entertainment and in your family. Now think how your world would look like without immigration.


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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