Patriot Realm

I read a story about a woman who is hoping to break the world record for something that I find beyond belief: 

British adult entertainment star Lily Phillips aims to set a new record by having sex with 1,000 men in 24 hours. The 23-year-old has reportedly commenced training in preparation for this endeavour.

People from all over the world are being recruited to participate in this event through email, and out of all the applications received, 1,000 people will be selected. This event has been named ‘Record-Breaking Event of the Year’, and it will be organised in January 2025.

In this one extraordinary post, it sums up the level of the moral void we find ourselves in today. No wonder our countries and world are in such a sense of decay. Even the use of the words " entertainment "  and " star " are somehow cheapened ... not to mention the word "adult."

There is nothing entertaining or adult about this. And it seems to me that the light has gone out of the sky if this behaviour is rated as star-like quality. 

When I was a young girl, I wanted to be beautiful. Clever. Successful. Happy. 

Back in December 2019, White Island erupted. My heart reached out to those who were caught up in that very frightening and dangerous situation.  

A place that used to be known for tourists taking selfies and the harvesting of sulfur suddenly gained worldwide attention as a scene of horror and terrible suffering. 

A few days ago we had an article about that terrible day.  But for now, I would like to share my memories of the time my parents, Redhead and my late Dad, went fishing. Off White Island. 

It might be a family failing that we always try and see the good in bad situations but that is the way we are.

For me, just because a place is now remembered as the home of tragedy, I cannot help but remember when it was a place where my Dad could have ruined a perfectly good fishing trip. And didn't have a book to read. 

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and nowhere is that truer than in the world of political cartoons.

With a few strokes of ink, cartoonists have toppled reputations, challenged authority, and sparked revolutions...all while eliciting a chuckle,  a gasp or a laugh or two.

These satirical sketches called cartoons turn complex issues into powerful, often humourous images, proving that sometimes a well-drawn caricature can wound more deeply than any blade.

No wonder they are seen as enemies of the establishment these days.  But then again,  they always have.  

In a world where the news often feels stranger than fiction, we need the sharp, exaggerated truths of political cartoons. As Mark Twain apparently said, “Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.”

On December 9, 2019, New Zealand's White Island erupted in a sudden and devastating display of nature's fury, claiming 22 lives and leaving survivors with life-altering injuries.

What began as a routine tourist adventure to the country's most active volcano quickly turned into a harrowing race for survival, as visitors and guides were engulfed by searing ash and toxic gases.

The disaster shocked the world, prompting urgent questions about the balance between natural wonders and human safety.

Tragedy struck New Zealand as White Island, an active stratovolcano located in the Bay of Plenty, erupted. 

White Island, also known as Whakaari in Maori, is an active volcano situated about 48 kilometres off the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its otherworldly landscapes and unique geological features. 

In the heart of Ballarat in 1854, a ragtag coalition of gold miners took a defiant stand against colonial authority, sparking an uprising that would forever shape Australia’s democratic identity.......until recently. 

The Eureka Stockade was more than a clash over mining licenses and unfair taxes ....it was a fiery assertion of rights, equality, and the power of collective resistance.

Though brief and bloody, the rebellion became a touchstone for the values of justice and representation, igniting debates that still resonate in the fabric of Australian society. This is the story of how a goldfield rebellion became a cornerstone of a once great national identity.

‘We swear by the Southern Cross, to stand truly by each other, and fight to defend our rights and liberties’

The memory of Pearl Harbor lives on as a powerful reminder of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of a nation tested by tragedy. On December 7, 1941, a surprise attack by Japanese forces thrust the United States into World War II. 

More than 2,400 American lives were lost, countless others were wounded, and the mighty Pacific Fleet lay crippled. Yet from the ashes of devastation emerged a profound resolve to defend freedom and ensure such aggression would not prevail.

Remembering Pearl Harbor is not just about honouring the fallen or the bravery of those who stood their ground that day; it is a solemn reflection on the cost of complacency, the value of vigilance, and the unyielding spirit of those who rose to meet the challenge of war.

The attack at Pearl Harbor was a blessing and and curse, depending upon which side of the pond you lived. For the Americans, it marked the beginning of a bloody war that resulted in so very many dead and wounded; so much misery and pain. For the British, Australians, New Zealanders and other allies, it was an injection of much needed support  - both moral and material.