| by John Jewell (London, England) |
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| That’s what most of the British people were wishing each other as the chimes of Big Ben rang throughout London and resounded from the loudspeakers of radios and television sets throughout the rest of the western world as their citizens likewise wished each other a Happy New Year or however it is in their local language. Bonne Annee, I think, in French! Throughout the United Kingdom parties were being held, fireworks let off in celebration. And, I suppose, the usual competition for best firework display between Sydney in Australia and London. I enjoy firework displays. In past years I’ve had the opportunity of organizing firework displays which helped to make a church convention a little more special. But as an expression of hope that a new year will be a really happy one, I feel they lack somewhat. Do you remember much about this past year of 2010? It was a year of earthquakes, including one very big one in Chile in May. It was a year of destructive hurricanes, a year of floods, a year of drought, of violent weather conditions, of massive snow falls, of terrorism. Who now remembers the violent eruption of that volcano in Iceland which shut down virtually the entire air transport system of the planet! One event that we, in Britain, have ever before us is the “no-win” situation in Afghanistan – it is also an ever present and continuing tragedy for many families of both Britain and the United States. A time of trouble has come upon the planet and especially so for both our nations, which we are bringing on ourselves through our total rejection of God and His word, as a result of which He will reject us nationally. The last few weeks of 2010 saw particularly heavy snow falls which had the effect of generating yet another strangulation of the airlines of Britain, adding to that caused earlier by the airborne volcanic dust, 2010 was not a good year. And it wasn’t just the airlines! The heavy snowfalls brought the transport systems of Britain to a standstill. Then, in addition to the onslaught from the adverse weather conditions we have experienced a virtual meltdown of the financial and monetary systems of Britain, the United States and much of western Europe with one or two notable exceptions, of which one is Germany. The near collapse of these monetary systems has brought in its wake a considerable loss in the value of houses and land, a very uneasy situation regarding interest rates in international exchange rates. In Europe and especially Britain severe unemployment is looming because of uncontrolled immigration from the eastern European nations, members of the EU. This has been aggravated through 2010 by illegal immigration from the east and from the African nations. which, because of European Human Rights legislation, is very difficult to correct and control. To add to this witches brew we have to consider China and India. Both these nations are very active in their drive to corner the world markets in almost everything! And markets in especially Britain and the United States. Our two nations seem to be the prime targets. Europe less so! Germany and France, the driving force of the EU, still have a mass production of cars and trucks. Both nations still make trains and ships. When Britain needs some new trains, it has to go to Germany or France for them. If Britain needs new passenger ships it has to go to Germany or France for them. Or, if their order books are completely full, we might just be able to get them from Italy. The United States is in exactly the same position as Britain. We have lost count of the number of ships leaving China every day just to supply Walmart in the U.S. And at the same time the unemployment rate in both the US and Britain continues to rise. Happy New Year is what everyone was saying to each other in Britain, and presumably the US also, late on the evening of the 31st of December as everyone prepared for the New Year celebrations, 12 months ago. But it wasn’t a happy year and we have learned nothing. Both our nations have successfully exported our manufacturing industry and with it a major source of income and work. We have behaved as the bible says, like a silly dove! But fireworks displays went ahead on Friday evening in most parts of the western world. Although we didn’t see it, it certainly took place in London! And, no doubt, most people in Britain and in the United States, were saying “Happy New Year” to each other as the bonfires were lit, the fireworks ignited rendering their displays to a lot of ooos and aahhs and giving pleasure to the TV audiences throughout Britain and Europe. Were you among those wishing others “Happy New Year”? We generally say, “thank you and we hope you have a happy and prosperous year.” We somewhat doubt that it will happen, but at least we can express the wish and desire. And so here we are, Monday, 3rd January as I write. We prepare articles and radio scripts roughly three days ahead of time as it does take that time to edit, correct, print the Newsletter, and get it into the post, and it takes time to record the broadcasts, and to get them to the radio stations, and up on to the internet for our radio station, radio4living. This can be easily accessed by going to our web site, whatnextmedia.com. Breaking news is for the national broadcasters as they serve the population. We focus upon analysis, evaluation and the direction that events are leading us and the nation as a whole. Editor’s Note: As far as we can see, John Jewell’s website is no longer online. Laura Lee So, as I said a moment ago, here we are, Monday, 3rd January. Just under two days ago the late BBC news reported an earthquake in, once again, Chile. This was a 7.1 magnitude earthquake which was centered just off the coast on the central coastal region of Chile on Sunday, 2ndJanuary.The epicenter being about 385 miles south of Santiago. So far there have been no reports of serious damage or injuries. And there has been no tsunami alert. However, with the experience of the 8.8 earthquake a year ago, tens of thousands of people, approximately 50,000 fled from the coast for higher ground. Last year’s quake resulted in the deaths of 400 people and the destruction of 200,000 homes. Not exactly a Happy New Year! Either last year or this! Although just a minor tremor we have just had an earthquake of 3.7 in northeast England. This follows one a couple of weeks earlier in Cumbria in the northwest. No damage was experienced, but it’s a warning to Britain that we are not immune! This, the first month of the happy new year has seen widespread floods in Australia. The floods, at latest report, are said to be up to 30 feet deep and covering an area of Queensland in northeastern Australia equivalent to the size of France and Germany combined. These areas of Queensland could remain submerged for a considerable time, this being the worst flooding for 50 years and affecting over 200,000 people. Some cities, such as Rockhampton and Gracemere are so ravaged by the flood that military planes are now flying supplies into the towns. It is also reported that Gracemere is actually slowly sinking beneath the swollen rivers. Reuters reports that these floods may disrupt the movement of grain for weeks. This could have the effect of limiting exports of grain to other nations which need those supplies. TV news reported that there is also an impact on the harvest of fruit including grapes. This will have an impact on the production of wine. This will have a further effect on the world demand for these products, thus sending up the price. There is also an impact on coal and sugar production. Queensland actually produces half of the world’s coking coal which is needed in steel manufacturing. Although more than 20 towns in Queensland have been cut off or flooded, very few deaths, thankfully, have been reported. Regarding the town of Rockhampton, it is now reported as being completely stranded. Three Australian Defense Force helicopters are all there are, at the moment, to provide the city’s only lifeline for food and medical supplies. This is not a happy new year for Queensland, or for Australia. Just to round off the bad news we have to report that the United States Department of Agriculture forecasts for 2011 severe drought and famine for most of Africa, India, Asia, and Russia resulting in reduced output of wheat and rice. For the people of Haiti it is not a happy new year! It is an awful continuation of the destruction emanating from the powerful earthquake of a year ago. There has been little clearance of debris let alone any reconstruction. And there is virtually no law and order! A BBC reporter recently interviewed some of the people and found how little hope they have, with over 1 million still living under tents and plastic sheets. One might wonder whenever will there be some good news! When will there be a really happy new year? On present experience and looking back at the history of mankind there isn’t going to be one. But that isn’t the end. There is to be a new world! Jesus Christ is going to return, and the government of God will run this planet, which mankind has proven himself incapable of doing. Only with the spirit of God within him is it going to be possible. And then, as the bible says, no one will hurt or destroy anyone else or anything. No one will teach the waging of war ever again. The inhabitants of this planet will learn the right way to live life. All human beings, whoever they are, will live in peace and harmony. The children will play in the streets in complete safety. No more implements of war! Any around at Christ’s return will be made into agricultural implements. Finally, even the environment will be at one with God and become healthy and productive. Every new year will be happy, prosperous, and productive as mankind learns to live life in accordance with God’s way and with His spirit. Editor’s Note: And in 2022, mankind still hasn’t learned too much. It just keeps getting worse and worse. Laura Lee |
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