Middle East discussion from Rotarian's guest speaker
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This week's Zoom meeting of Inverurie Rotary was attended by 28 members and guests was chaired by vice-president Bill Duncan.
There are not very many good things to say about the present Covid-19 situation but in his introductory remarks and welcome to all, Bill was able to draw attention to the fact that Honorary Member John Ramage was able to join the meeting on Zoom from his home.
That was, indeed, a welcome surprise to all.
Attention as also drawn to the fact that, recently knighted captain Tom Moore had been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) by his local Rotary Club.
Customarily, each committee convenor is asked for updates in their plans for the coming months and not surprisingly there was little to report except from Bill himself, convenor of the events and fund-raising committee.
Some fund-raising events are in jeopardy because of Clovid-19 so the committee are working on ideas and projects which will allow them to fulfil our plans to assist others.
Mike Barron was then invited to introduce the speaker, from his current location in Spain.
George Mitchell noted Journalist and Writer is, of course, a local lad, known to many of the members.
The title of his address was Perceived Dangers of the World.
A rather different scenario compared with the topics covered at our meetings over the last month, all of which concerned our local community.
George, who writes a weekly column for the P&J Saturday magazine, concentrated on his visits to the Middle East.
As a regular traveller to these troubled lands, with the use of some rather graphic pictures, he gave an insight into life for ordinary people.
His picture of sharing a family meal in a refugee camp speaks volumes.
Quote “ We can walk down the street in the UK and feel safe because of our laws but that said I feel safer walking down a street in Gaza because the local people are naturally very friendly.”
As a journalist, George would have occasion to interview people on either side of the 'divide', in itself a dodgy situation, his guiding principle being 'do your homework'.
The Middle East to most of us remains a troubled place and as George commented it is also a very confused place, power and control changing hands over a period of years with the 'good guys' becoming the 'bad guys' and needless to say complicated by interference (sometimes well-intentioned ) by other world authorities.
Sadly, caught up in it all are ordinary people and their families.
As Rotarian Jim McColl noted: "It was quite an experience to have listened to George's story.
"Once again we learned that when politics and power get out of hand, I repeat, it is the majority of ordinary people who have to bear the consequences.
"After several questions and comments, vice-president Bill Duncan offered our thanks for such an interesting and thought-provoking story."
