I had someone walk up to me in the street over Christmas and asked me if I believed in god.
I told him that I was a Scientist, which meant that I believe that science can answer a lot of questions that we could not answer many years ago.
As humans we are always looking for ways and answers to how things happen, so I feel that in the past we invented ways of explaining how things effect our life’s and the world around use.
I pointed out to the young guy that the war in Iraqi and Afghanistan came from what was said to be a voice from God, given to both Bush and Blair during a meeting in America. (What)?
It was not so long ago when this could be called schizophrenia. And you could be locked up for such voices.
I still feel that we can not go trigger how across the world killing a lot of innocent people in the process of democracy and freedom with out it coming back to our shores and this has happened.
I was brought up in the church as a young boy and I try and stick to the basic principles of respect others and trying to understand the differences in peoples no matter that they are. This seems to be what is lacking in some areas it is still very dictatorial.
Every life is a privilege and has value and it is not for others to take life.
Back to my resolution for 2008
Not to drink alcohol until next Christmas, to be focused and confident in what I do.
And try and learn from past mistakes.
Photography and Filmmaking
Creative, conceptual and technical; contemporary and historical
Some time ago, I saw this simple meaningful graffiti on a wall of a famous road in Tehran, Vali Aser Street.
I guess this image will be my LAST IMAGE for the YEAR 2007, where there are still lots of wars and invasions going on in different parts of the world.
As a result of these invasions, many people similar to us have been murdered, injured or lost their beloved ones.
I hope in the year 2008 and beyond peace and happiness scatters all around the world especially in the hearts of those innocent victims.
Discretionary budgets in $ (billions) and percentages
Year - Total - Defense - Education - Health
2008 - 930 - 51.8 - 6.3 - 5.6
2007 - 873 - 52.7 - 6.5 - 6.1
2006 - 840 - 52.0 - 6.9 - 6.1
2005 - 820 - 51.0 - 7.0 - 6.2
2004 - 782 - 51.0 - 7.0 - 6.3
2003 - 767 - 51.6 - 6.8 - 6.4
The defense budget is only the Pentagon's request each Fiscal Year. It does not include nuclear weapons programs from the Department of Energy, or funding for wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/ArmsTrade/Spending.asp#WorldMilitarySpending
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-19-war-costs_x.htm
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&q=victims+of+wars+in+year+2007&meta=
Is this going to turn into another discussion on religion again? There is a great book by ROry Stewart-"The Places in between" It's of his travel across Afghanistan on foot, in 2002.
For 2008, peace on earth, health and happiness, and stay active in my field. I stopped making resolution years ago since I never stuck to them.