Are there any winners in this crazy war against the vulnerable? Are there any winners in wars in general? The answer to those questions is a resounding NO! War reveals the ugly side of ourselves. It is so very sad when someone or a body of people - in this case, the Department of Work & Pensions and JCP (Enfield, in my case) - purposely provokes an otherwise genteel individual to lash out in anger or extreme rage. Something very strange is happening that I can see, at least in the UK. Those who are said to be in a position of authority and act on behalf and for the public interests are not making sense what with regards to pop-up legislations that appear seemingly overnight. It is so strange that the vulnerable have had their welfare assistance sanctioned. Finances are taken away either in part or in total for reasons that do not require any sensible justification. More families and individuals find themselves relying upon Food Banks these days as a result of the senseless sanctions. This is modern 21st Century Britain! What is going on and is there worse to come??? It could be that we are heading, as a country, and possibly globally, into a catastrophe! Can we as a worldwide species continue as we are? I think the answer to that question is quite obvious but we're too busy laughing at mediocre comedies, rooting for our favourite talent show contestant, vilifying the least favourite talent show contestant, watching an imitation of life through our favourite soaps... Once we stop these passive activities: watching TV and consuming media, we can observe how dire the situation really is. The chances are pretty low that some handsome, beautiful stranger will save us from our apathy; our numbers aren't going to come up in the lottery; not all of will be able to pack up and drive on out to a new town for a new life... Y'know... It's all well and good to sit there laughing at these so-called political comedies like my favourite, 'Have I Got News For You', for a good example of hilarious satire. But what is it that we are doing to bring about change? It's rather like standing there laughing your head off while you are being mugged. Before you know it, you will be totally naked as all your possessions will be taken away from you. How long will it take you to stop laughing before the coldness of reality hits you? I have understood that German Jews in Nazi-occupied Germany really thought that they were going to be repatriated out of Germany and that things will be alright. I can't remember that particular TV series of film. What has stuck with me is that people were taken unaware; the signs were there but people chose to ignore them. CHANGE I think we can change the direction of the train that is riding into oblivion; there is no more rail up ahead and the train will continue until it drops off the precipice; only then will some of us know that it is the end of the line! We can affect change. Change can happen without more spillage of blood. We really need to sit down and take stock. Look at how our media tries to snuff out what I have stated here. The leader of the opposition makes a statement about a fair and just society and the media treats him as though he's lost his marbles. The media has it that a fair society is a foolish dream and that we should keep going as we are... Keeping going closer and closer to the precipice... FEAR Does the 1% live in a constant fear that they will lose their wealth and become a subhuman species? And this fear causes so much suffering in the world simply from not wanting to share the resources and to preserve the Earth for future generations to come - if this planet hasn't been completely destroyed in the next 5 years. World leaders do not appear to be doing much - if anything at all - to clean up the chemical and oil spills into our waters. Water is the Earth's blood and if it, the blood, becomes toxic then we, the parasites, will surely perish, no? In the lead up to the day of the 25th of December, I was watching how the roads became congested, acrid exhausts causing fog and people scrambling like mad to pack food and drink that will feel like it is coming out of every human orifice on that one day! We are not learning. I had my first proper Vegan Winter Holidays and I loved it! I did not partake in the consumption of dead flesh, heavily processed foods that contain refined sugars and nor did I partake in the drinking of copious amounts of alcohol. One glass of wine was enough for me and it went to my head a little. But, for once, in the longest time, I can remember, I did not stuff myself to the point where it felt so uncomfortable. I felt fulfilled with a modest meal. My homemade Xmas pudding went down a treat. Normally, I'd have to wait until ages before I would go for the pudding! I think that what I am trying to say here is that we can change. We don't have to stay on a deadly course because of an invented tradition. I feel healthier for it eating modestly. Sure, I have the sniffles and that is due to me being stressed out with these mad sanctions! Sanctioned two months in a row for reasons that have yet to make sense! When the body is in stress then it is susceptible to illness. DID I SCORE A SMALL VICTORY? Well, today I met my new work coach and she seems like a nice, fair person. In no way am I looking for a soft touch; I welcome being pushed in the right direction! I welcome challenges. Obviously, my former work coach was an egotistical sadist. My former work coach was very, very destructive influence that I had wished that I had gotten rid of earlier. But I did try to work with her in the hope that she would see the real me and not the person that she had formed in her head. It is a shame that I had to put in a formal complaint against her. I do not have much of an idea where this formal complaint will lead. That said, I do feel optimistic with my new work coach. Yes, I do like to work. I do miss the camaraderie that comes from working with a team. I have high hopes that my new work coach and I can bring out the best in each other. Is that a victory? THE HARDSHI* FUND It was my new work coach who processed my application for the hard crap fund. She gave me the all-clear from her side of the equation. I was also told that I would get a phone call from the secret Service Centre in the afternoon to confirm that I would be eligible or not to receive that fund. The call never came. Maybe tomorrow? All I know is that I have a possible job interview that I may have to cancel - I do not have any money to travel. Sweet irony, eh? And I have bills that need to be paid and I am not sure at this stage as to how I am going to achieve this magic trick. So, I ask again... Did I score a small victory? The war, sadly, rages on. I hope to hear some good news tomorrow. I hope we can come to a truce. When we play a stupid game we can expect a stupid prize. I never wanted to play this game. All I wanted was to be treated as a human being. I guess I will continue to dare to live in hope. We should let this government know how damaging sanctions are to the already vulnerable. I urge you to dare to care! Peace!