ethics

Howie Gardiner – Fond Memories

/ John Bartels / 5 Comments

Howie Gardiner, the Zimbabwean First Class cricketer died on 19 June 2018. We both went to Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Bulawayo and played together in the first cricket team. We were very good friends. I last saw him in London a few years ago.


One memory about Howie I remember will remain with me for the rest of my life.

It was 1962. Our last school year. We were playing against Gifford Tech. It was the last ball of the day. Gifford Tech were 9 down. Howie was fielding close to the batsman at silly mid off or silly mid on. The bowler ran in and bowled.. The ball hit the batsman on the pads. He was plumb lbw. Up went the appeal. The umpire was CBC’s Brother Thackaberry. His decision was immediate: “Out”.


But we did not win. The decision was reversed. Why?

Because Howie turned round immediately and told us “He snicked it”. Only Howie heard the snick. The batsman was given “not out”. And so the match ended in a draw.


Such was the measure of the man, Howie Gardiner.

Rest In Peace Howie.


“All shall be well, all manner of thing shall be well.”

From your friend

More about Howie

God’s reply to a call for help

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Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

A person looked up into the heavens and cried:

“God, there is so much anger and grief and loss in your world.”

“Why don’t you send help?”

God replied:

“I did send help”

“I sent you.”

Credit: Rabbi Wolpe CNN 31 May 2020

Inconvenient Truth vs Comfortable truth diagram

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When choosing between Inconvenient Truth and Comfortable truth the choice is up to each of us.

Consider this diagram and read the explanation below the diagram.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0953.jpg
  • Most people have decided in advance what they will decide (Person already running right).
  • Following “Comfortable truth” is dangerous (Red).
  • People following “Comfortable truth” may not have the courage (yellow) to face up to “Inconvenient Truth”.
  • “Comfortable truth” is “truth” not fully investigated (lower case “t”)
  • Following “Inconvenient Truth” in the long run leads to positive growth (Green).
  • Well researched truth is “Truth” (Upper case “T”)
  • Relatively few people have the courage to follow “Inconvenient Truth”.

Verbal abuse incoming? A tip from a USAF female combat fighter pilot

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I don’t know which jet fighter Sn. McSally flew.

You are in an important discussion. You are about to demolish your opponent’s argument, Your opponent knows it and starts to abuse you verbally instead of dealing with the issue. Lots of verbal flack is coming your way.

You can be sure of one thing: You have found the weak and vulnerable spot in your opponent’s argument. You are at the jugular.

This was very well summed up by Senator Martha McSally, a former USAF combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, who said:

“We fighter pilots have a saying: You know when you are over the target when you are getting flack”.

There we have it!

Take care next time you are in verbal combat.

Source: CNN 27 May 2020 and here.

Belief System Power: Ask the Fox

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(On a mobile please scroll down past the picture. Thank you.)

Things that happen to us make us happy or sad.

What is going on here?

It’s all about our belief system. Each person has their own belief system.

Take fox hunting with hounds.

Photo by Alex Andrews on Pexels.com

Some people think it is cruel because their belief system tells them that it is cruel to tear a live animal to pieces.

On the other hand, some people’s belief system tells them foxes are vermin and it does not matter how they are exterminated.

So, you see it all depends on the belief system.

And we all have one.

I wonder what the fox thinks.

Canned Lion Hunting: A Shameful disgrace

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“Asking tough questions does not stop in tough times.”

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According to a Guardian article on the internet:

“Canned hunting is a fast growing business in South Africa where thousands of lions are being bred on farms to be shot by wealthy trophy hunters”

I repeat:

“Asking tough questions does not stop in tough times.”

So:

  • Is the article a genuine Guardian article? There is no reason to believe it is not genuine.
  • Is the article true? There is no reason not to believe the article as the Guardian is a very well respected news source.
  • If true, why is canned hunting allowed?
  • If true, why has it not been stopped?
  • Where is it happening?
  • Is it happening in other countries?
  • Does it not contravene animal anti-cruelty legislation?
  • Who is responsible to stop it?
  • Are lions the only animals killed this way?
  • Has a “follow the money” investigation been done?
  • Does your Member of Parliament have a strong view on the killing of captive lions? You don’t know? Ask him or her.

I repeat:

Canned lion hunting is a shameful disgrace.

It should be stopped. Internationally.

Photo by Marcus Herzberg on Pexels.com

Go to Google. Put in words like : canned, lion.

Also put in the words: Cook report lions

“Asking tough questions does not stop in tough times.”