HOW can it be August? What happened to the rest of the year?

August used to be called the “silly season” in the news cycle – Parliament, schools and colleges break from their hard work to frolic and see what the rest of us are up to…

I wonder if some time ago we entered silly season – “you couldn’t make up”. International politics turns a blind eye to genocide while sending arms. “Influential” people are “found out” for who and what they are while others act with impunity and disregard for law and decency. (You can fill in your own names, there are plenty to choose from). “Silly season” and no-one is laughing.

For us fortunate to live in Cornwall, August heralds the cyclist and caravanner who hail Cornwall for its slower pace of life… That might be because we are all stuck behind you. A reminder to set out in plenty of time perchance we meet a “Sunday driver” on Wednesday morning.

These inconveniences pale when set against world events. We complain about a blister when many starve or are maimed and killed indiscriminately; a new generation of “freedom fighters”, or are they “terrorists”, being forged.

What can we do? Write letters to MPs on vacation, give financially, pray, advocate… go.

Many eschew the news as too awful… and what can we do about it anyway? I understand that attitude but when decent ordinary folks turn away, evil will have its full sway. Why else are journalists banned or targeted! Freedom starts with information, truth, protest.

The “church” is often criticised for its lack of intervention or imposing its views on the world while despots plot and connive. What about you and me? Rearranging deckchairs or warning of icebergs?

“Silly season” don’t get me started… And yet…

Paul Benney

Superintendent minister, St Austell Methodist Circuit