back at the enmore i am there to see and listen to one of my favourite political commentators douglas murray in a show called uncomfortable conversations, which is basically a chat hosted by some young gay podcast guy with the formidable intellect of douglas whom is also gay but in a less obvious way. i was there really to support douglas as he has been a lone sane voice and spokesman for israel in the current madness. he is not only articulate but funny, and easy to like. somehow i ended up down the front, and i think as douglas walks on stage can see he is overwhelmed by the audience applause. 

from the start it's a confrontational interview, the host is good, he challenges murray's stance and attempts to advocate for the other side, yet murray is able to remain calm and in control offering a counter- argument that is rational and reasonable. 

time flies by, most of what is discussed is already known to me, and although i am on side with murray i feel an elevated respect for a man who challenges the status quo and addresses the establishment with such ferocity and analysis. he can take apart the counter argument in the vein of that other incredible mind of the late christopher hitchens whom i also heard once demolish a pro-theocratic iranian audience. absolutely remarkable non politically correct these two champions are the last of a dying breed.

one thing that murray explains is how it is better to be true to what's just and true than what's expected as it's the trend, fashion or peer pressure forces you into. he says, 'one path leads to slavery, the other freedom, you may make a lot of enemies but you will also make good and true friends.'

at the end i stand up and clap, i chat with a few people in the packed enmore. we all agree it's nice not to feel so alone politically, and i must admit for the first time in a long time it was. 

as usual there are a crowd of morons outside protesting, screaming and spitting at people. the usual chants of 'rivers and seas' and intimidation. apparently they attempted to get the event closed down but the enmore refused and douglas mentioned how brave the management were to continue with the event as the pressure was quite hard with even staff being put at risk.

interesting times. 

on the way home i sit opposite a guy listening to his phone, and i pick up the familiar voice of douglas. i ask if he saw the interview and he says he just arrived from adelaide and loves murray but didn't know he was in town. we have a lively discussion all the way to gosford about israel and ezekiel 37, 38. 

we both share our stories about travels through israel, the incredible cities of tel aviv and jerusalem. about the amazing beauty of the galilee and the remarkable transformation of the dessert in such a short time. it's the beginning of some sort of friendship, the guy is very intelligent, and some sort of christian minister. whatever he is he attempts to explain the concept of jesus on the cross and the implications of sin to me. i don't have the heart to tell him i don't believe in sin or satan but listen actively as i never quite understood the idea of 'dying for our sins' and to be honest still don't but i am closer to it, thanks to this gentleman on the train. 

when i leave at gosford i wonder if i just encountered some sort of angel like intelligence. i don't know, how else do you explain that sparkle in his eyes.