‘Goodwill to all.’ … that’s Christmas and New Year wrapped up in one.
On another matter, a surprise when a legal phrase stirs the imagination, gives hope.
I was watching a detailed examination of the South China Sea, the Spratly Islands, in which the concept of freedom of navigation was mentioned. International law allows for maritime zones, adjacent to countries, in which vessels may pass but needs do so by basically travelling in a straight line. To do otherwise, such as travel in a meandering manner, indicates that the vessel doesn’t recognise the dominion of a country over that part of the ocean.
The U.S. navy has travelled in such a meandering manner – just to let the Chinese know that China’s claim isn’t recognised. None of this concerns me much but the phrase ‘Innocent Passage’ stays with me. It relates to Freedom of Navigation and is the legal phrase which covers the ability and freedom of vessels to stop, start, go in zig zags, turn in circles, do as one wishes, after all it’s a big ocean but, as much to the point, what a wonderful image ‘Innocent Passage’ is for an approach to life.
Innocent passage and freedom of navigation not just held dear on the high seas but through country and across culture, religion and so on.
Meanwhile the sun beats down and people are tired and in some shock. Lives lost and fires burning across huge areas, mass evacuations, loss of power … it’s been going for awhile and, without rain, it will continue. It’s not within the power of man to control such conditions. It’s horrible. The aftermath will be immense in terms of challenge. Radio news of a dairy farmer staying in danger with no power, no refrigeration yet because the herd had to be milked he stayed and did it and then had to pour the milk down the hill. Somehow that image sums up so much.
Here, there are fire fronts within a few miles to the north and south. Our saving grace has been four or five days of fairly still conditions but a change is expected tomorrow.
It’s very quiet.
