Joe Van Langenberg

NETANYAHU TEETERS ON SHIFTING SANDS – by Joe Van Langenberg *Pledge to destroy Hamas ‘Unrealistic’…. Since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to stage a ground offensive against the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas, in quick retaliation for the brutal, unexpected strikes against his country on October 07.2023, the situation has seemingly reached an apocalyptic point of no return. As stated earlier, Hamas’ initial onslaught left 1,200 people dead; not to mention 240 persons been taken as hostages. Releasing the hostages figured prominently in the short-lived cessation of hostilities, which in fact was observed from November 24 to December 01 2023, but failed to lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, notwithstanding Qatar-sponsored mediation efforts. And now, it has been brimstone and fire emanating from every nook & cranny, on account of Netanyahu’s recalcitrance, unwillingness to seek a middle ground and determination to carry on, come what may. Hitherto, tens ...

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END OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS AND RICH CAREER – by Joe Van Langenberg It was with profound sorrow, that I learnt of the sad news of my good friend Desmond “Des” Kelly’s unexpected passing. My grief was palpable, raw, excruciating; rendering me speechless, given the fact it was only three days back, we spoke at length telephonically. And it was a tete-a tete embellished with his trademark humour and positive outlook on life. Des, as he was affectionately known to those privileged enough to have got up, close and personal with him, either on a personal or professional level, was one of the most likeable, and intelligent gentlemen ever. He became a very close friend of mine through our mutual love for music, which he happened to have an encyclopedic knowledge of, in addition to an eclectic taste for the same. Hence the enviable title of Mr Music. Des was additionally ...

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CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS – by Joe Van Langenberg With the arrest and subsequent jailing of Russia’s charismatic Opposition leader 41-year-old Vladimir Kara Murza, another nail has been deeply and inextricably driven into the coffin of sacrosanct democratic values. Kara Murza’s incarceration is tantamount to a callous, vindictive disregard for human rights According to his wife Evgenia (pictured alongside her husband), Vladimir Kara Murza had been initially arrested for 15 days and jailed, but the charges, which some political observers perceive to have been of a trumped-up nature, were swiftly upgraded to treason; in light of denouncing the war in Ukraine and allegedly denigrating the army. Kara Murza has never shied away from the fact, that he has always been one of President Putin’s most trenchant critics. And that needless to say, hasn’t sat well with Putin, whose authoritarian style of governance and unorthodox methodology, have incurred the wrath ...

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“MR MUSIC’S” GLITTERING ACHIEVEMENT- By Joe Van Langenberg Desmond “Des” Kelly has covered himself in glory. His dream has finally been realised. Des has reached numerous milestones in his long career as a multi-faceted musician; having a plethora of chart-topping original hits to his credit, in addition to accomplishing himself as a versatile instrumentalist in his own right. “Dreamworld” which was composed for his childhood sweetheart Maureen “Neliya” Hingert, has however been the icing on the cake for Des, not to mention the fact, that it has amazingly over the decades, maintained its popularity and magic, despite music’s rapidly evolving trends. And that in itself, has been a significant plus. But now, the song has been given a vital shot in the arm and the recognition it rightly deserves. “Dreamworld” which has warmed the cockles of many a heart, has been according to reliable sources, been unanimously nominated a “PERENNIAL ...

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PERFORMER WITH A FLAIR FOR CREATIVITY- by Joe Van Langenburg The gentleman under reference needs no introduction whatsoever. However, to the handful of those who aren’t sure who he is, his name is Desmond Kelly, fondly known as “Des”, to those who have had the privilege of knowing him, either on a personal or professional level. Since the halcyon days of the roaring sixtees, Des has been a constant in the rapidly evolving music industry. The late and Great Showbiz entrepreneur of yesteryear Donovan Andree, who was responsible for having kickstarted the careers of Bill Forbes, Clifford Foenander among a host of others, spotted Des’ talent, giving him the initial break he needed. And the rest as they say, has become a part of history. Over the years, not only has Des accomplished himself as a vocalist, but he has also showcased his instrumental prowess, as evidenced in the incorporated ...

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THE POWER OF LOVE – by Joe Van Langenberg It’s Valentine’s Day, which means there’s no better time for all the die-hard romantics to remind each other, how strong their feelings & respect for one another have been & will hopefully continue to be, though hell should bar the way. When life can be a drag at times, steadfast commitment can be the catalyst for couples, (irrespective of gender) to take each other for what they really are & not what they would expect them to be; as remorseless time grinds on, bringing in its wake, not only heartache, tears & fears, but also laughter & confidence in one another; vital requisites to guide them through the difficult times. The seven stages of our earthly sojourn comprises the good, bad & the downright ugly. Sometimes, we lose the will to carry on when the chips are down. But that’s the ...

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BID TO DISABLE THE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED: – By Joe Van Langenberg Craig Nolan aged 43, who was born in the Australian suburb of Geelong, has seen fire and has seen rain. He has been afflicted with a disorder called Spina Bifuda, a condition that takes its toll on the vertebra, resulting in mobility constraints, which necessitates the use of a wheelchair to help him get around. But Mr Nolan soldiers on, with nary a whimper. He has accepted the things he cannot change. And like many others, he has been making do and continues making do, with the less-than- favourable cards, that life has dealt him. Its no exaggeration to say, that Craig Nolan has been put through the wringer. But he has also seen sunshine, rainbows and rose gardens Nonetheless, through the peaks and valleys,, he has boxed on with his head held high However, December 05.2022 (Monday) brought about ...

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THE CURATIVE BENEFITS OF KINDNESS: By Joe Van Langenberg With the festive season already having kicked off and December 25 is slowly but surely fast approaching, with just over four days to go; a feeling of exhilaration especially among the young and carefree, is about to shift gears. For some, or most, with considerable financial wherewithal, Christmas Day is one of enjoyment, with no expense spared and an unrestrained desire to paint the town red. Those who do possess the means to indulge in the niceties of the season, shouldn’t be envied, nor should they be faulted for doing so, given the fact, that it’s their undeniable prerogative. That been said, it ought to be borne in mind, that there are a multitude of others who have the same right, as the rest of society’s affluent to celebrate this Great Day; but are sadly unable to do so, due to ...

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PUTIN’S BLOOD-CURDLING THREAT TO WEST: by JOE VAN LANGENBERG Russia’s increasingly isolated President Vladimir Putin, seems to be losing the plot, if he hasn’t already lost it. Most if not all, may be of the view, that his cognitive powers or what’s left of them, have been severely compromised. Given his invasion of Ukraine and his brutal crackdown on a nation, which finds itself at the mercy of Putin’s military aggression and superiority, a greater percentage of Western nations have been rendering invaluable assistance in the form of military aid, inter alia. Not satisfied with causing widespread death destruction and misery, the intransigent Putin has fired a salvo at the West, a blood-curdling threat, warning all countries which have been coming to Ukraine’s rescue, to butt out, or face dire and unprecedented consequences. That’s disconcerting to say the very least. Putin has even bragged about his nuclear arsenal. Which then ...

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BLATANT SHORTCOMINGS: by Joe Van Langenberg Image Source : climatecontrolnews While extending my heartfelt Congratulations to Dan Andrews on his historic re-election as Premier of Victoria, his attention needs to be drawn to the undeniable fact, that one of the leading public hospitals in Heidelberg, namely the “Austin” happens to be in urgent need of a panacea to fix its blatant shortcomings. Like a multitude of others, I have been on the waiting list for the removal of cataracts from both my eyes. The waiting period has been hitherto almost three years. Time and time again, I have contacted the hospital in question. Nonetheless, time and time again, I have been fobbed off with excuses. Notwithstanding my optometrist faxing a referral or two, stressing the urgency of my condition; which has worsened over the years, the medical authorities have been seemingly unmoved. This is lamentable to say the least. On behalf ...

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