Jo Cox


Dear Reader,

 My ability to write with a clear head this week is severely interrupted by the awful news of the killing of this amazing lady and member of parliament, a mother of two young children.

 I therefore mostly limit this week's article to the words of others, including the following from a leading member of Avaaz, the well-known pressure group:
I can't imagine, in these tears, how to honour her, but then yes I can. It's through love. Jo was passionately campaigning for Britain to stay in Europe. Not just because it is smart, or advantageous. But because she spent her life caring for Syrians, and Africans. She was a beautiful light of love for all people, for humanity. The man who took her life, stabbing her and shooting her over and over, screamed "Britain First". Somehow it's not surprising, in an awful way, that her life would be taken by that kind of hate, that kind of selfishness. Because it was to fighting that darkness that she devoted her time on this earth.  
It so happens that this week I was looking more closely at the work of Nikola Tesla, and in his philosophical mode he reminds us (via his slightly awkward English) in a timely way about the significance of Life:
Life is a rhythm that must be comprehended. I feel the rhythm and direct on it and pamper in it. It was very grateful and gave me the knowledge I have. Everything that lives is related to a deep and wonderful relationship: man and the stars, amoebas and the sun, the heart and the circulation of an infinite number of worlds. These ties are unbreakable, but they can be tame and to propitiate and begin to create new and different relationships in the world, and that does not violate the old.
Knowledge comes from space; our vision is its most perfect [conduit]. We have two eyes: the earthly and spiritual. It is recommended that it become one eye. Universe is alive in all its manifestations, like a thinking animal.
Stone is a thinking and sentient being, such as plant, beast and a man. A star that shines [asks us] to look at [it], and if we [were not to be so] self-absorbed we would understand its language and message. [The] breathing, ... eyes and ears of the man must comply with [the] breathing, eyes and ears of the Universe.
It is extraordinary that at Jo Cox's home town of Birstall, Yorkshire, many flowers of tribute have been placed at an old memorial to Dr. Joseph Priestley, who was born in that place over 250 years ago. He became a famous scientist and philosopher, and, like Jo, was a great supporter of liberty. He was a friend of America's founding fathers. 

 Thank you for reading this.

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