The white screen, titled ‘From Where I Stand”, blank until this second, this word; is filled with expectation. I am awash with views from where I stand, both physical and mental. Physically I am on the occasionally beautiful, yet neglected Lancashire coast in the North of England, the scenery that greets me during the car journey to and from work fills me with pure delight. A shining ocean, long sandy beaches, Victorian trams and depending on the weather, the Isle of Mann. I love being near the sea and cannot imagine life without it as my companion. I lived in Luxembourg once and despite the incredible wonder of the place, felt stranded; bordered by France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, I was in an ocean-less expanse. I didn’t stay too long. The mental view from here though is clearly centred on Washington. Until recent years, the exploits of the US Government held about as much interest for me as my cat’s meticulous grooming routine holds for my untidy little dog. Now, I actually feel the whole world may be entitled to a say in the next elections held in the US. All decisions made in the White House are like ripples in a world pond, we all feel the force eventually.
 
What first strikes me about my view is that I don’t trust it; the images I see and the words I hear appear inconsistent with the truths that I hold. I believe war is not an answer to any question and yet the governments of both the US and UK insist it is the solution to instability anywhere that they claim that such instability might exist. What is their definition of instability? An ever-changing population that grows to differing views will appear unstable – though not necessarily harmful. A country trying to step into the worldwide marketplace to trade amongst the established, will appear unstable until it is allowed to participate fully – but is not likely to cause harm. Our governments seem to view regimes with differing views and ambition to trade, as dangerous. Even those that may be dangerous would surely best be made safe through cooperation, open dialogue and honesty?

Here here – where?
I realise that naivety is a pleasant weakness that feels like knowledge and sometimes I wonder if it isn’t actually better than knowledge. What the governments know through ‘intelligence’ appears to put them in a position of constant battle. Naivety, on the other hand, puts me in a position where I truly believe all can be solved peacefully if we stop acting like politicians and start acting like human beings. I often look at the activities and faces in the White House, Downing Street, Congress, House of Lords etc. and am amazed at how these people who work for the people who pay the taxes and elect them, look nothing like us, behave nothing like us. I am obviously more familiar with UK politics and the sound of parliament in session is ludicrous; it reminds me of the constant shuffle and cries from a kindergarten. Half of them baying their ‘here here’ and half booing; where is the intelligent, rational conversation and debate that leads to rational solutions? All I see are egos bustling for position and acceptance by their peers and seniors in the parties.

When I gratefully accepted the opportunity to write this column, I envisaged a platform on which I could highlight some of the inconsistencies in my view, give words to some of the more neglected issues and generally enjoy the chance to share. However, trying to condense even a fraction of the major stories today is impossible and that is very worrying. Who amongst us has time to absorb all the important issues of the day and then have the time left over to get active about them? It is hard enough in a world of 24 hour news that is forever abusing the phrase ‘Breaking News’ with insignificant drivel, to find what needs to be heard.
 
So many contradictions occur to me… the more news we have, the less we know – the more choice we have, the less easy it is to decide – the more opportunity we have, the more we contemplate our navels and the more power we give to our governments, the less control there is. I realise it is risky to say this (that fact in itself could have a whole page!) but I believe that Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair and some of their closest advisors are liars. I believe these same people have abused the power they have been given by their electorates. I believe their actions are endangering many lives. I believe that our freedoms are being taken away by these people and I believe that this is the saddest of beliefs. If you were them and had a say, would you choose the actions they are choosing each day? If you had the power, how would you use it and for whose benefit?
 
Right now I am pondering the editor’s face, wondering about the worry lines and wrinkles my statement of discontent might cause. That speaking my mind causes worry is new, I never felt this before recent years and it signals a change in society and the way I live my life. I have wandered the world happily, treating the whole place like home and never before have I felt my freedom so curtailed as I do today in my country of origin.

So the view from where I stand is misty and mysterious in a way that is more scary than exciting, the unknown is worrying, not simply a surprise waiting to be revealed and the ripples from those in power, ever more tsunami sized. But, I am naïve and naïve people live with silver lined clouds, pink tinged glasses and rays of hope as guide lights. My naivety will get me through the worst of their intelligence and maybe lead me to wisdom before they bury it under a torrent of terrifying news.