Truth is complex, but hate is hate

Truth has many faces...

The Zhuangzi, a Daoist text from the Warring States Period, complains at the bigotry of the day. It bemoans how every school of thought considers that it holds the monopoly of truth. Different senses perceive different aspects of reality, it explains, and we must pay heed to all of them in order to obtain a fuller picture of reality. Over two thousand years later and it appears as though things have not changed that much. 

Scientists, of course, do use a range of methods to scratch deeper into the realities they are studying and they could certainly teach politicians a thing or two. Nevertheless, scientists sometimes also atrophy around a few precepts, equations and preconceptions. They may miss the magic of what it is they are studying. A scientist will often confuse poetry with meter, religion with dogma and beauty with utility. Feeling the magic of the universe is as important as describing it and its laws. In fact, it is more important. 

Ignorance is not inevitable

So here, it is the politicians who can teach the scientists a useful lesson. The world does not always make sense. I guess quantum mechanics says as much. The folly of people is a case in point. Ignorance can be explained, but the fact that it is there in the first place, defies the supremacy of logic. Devious politicians find ways of tapping into this ignorance and they even encourage it. Hence the Trumps, Putins and Bolsonaros of this world. 

Ignorance, however is not inevitable. It is the result of inherited bigotry, biased education or uninformed assumptions. Whilst truth requires a open-minded approach, as mentioned in the first paragraph, truth is not relative. Oppressing the underprivileged, destroying the planet and fanning hatred, as Trump loves to do, will always be evil and destructive. 

The US must tighten up its hate speech laws

Trump's recent comments on Ilhan Omar is just one of his many vitriolic and hateful Tweets that aims to sow lies, hatred and discord. He is a disgrace to the nation he leads and blemish on all those who support him. If American hate laws allow this sort of behaviour, then certainly it is high time that they are changed. 

UN-aligned: Inaction is no longer an option

If borders were drawn around ideals...

Imagine if borders were drawn around ideals. One nation will have people who are racist, bigoted, enamoured with weapons and quite contemptuous of the environment and other lifeforms. Another will have people of the opposite mould. A third can be made up of those who are neither here or there; the indifferent multitudes who just want to plod along. This is possible in the virtual world. Let us call them country A, B and C, respectively. What country would you find yourself in? 

The alpha bigots

If you happened to be in country A, you would have a lot of friends. You would certainly have many enemies too. Your country would probably have to be divided into countless different parts to cater for all your pockets of fanaticism. Your country will become many countries, each despising the other. The stronger will destroy the weaker, until a balance of power is achieved with a precarious peace. At this point there may even be a certain respect as the survivors will struggle to cope in a depleted world.

The good seed

B nationals would try to make the A's see reason. They would fail, but they may perhaps be able to preserve a corner of the world that can develop, despite the destructive tsunamis coming their way from country A and its spores. The tsunamis will be made up of climate change, mass extinctions ... even nuclear fallout, perhaps.

The wishy-washy complacent multitudes

Many citizens of country C will possibly be aroused enough to take sides as the world starts going to pot. Most will just carry on salvaging what they can for themselves, perhaps blaming everybody else in the process. 

UN-aligned

So there is something in the parable of the weeds amongst the wheat. The fact we are all jumbled up keeps the fools in check, somewhat. But for how long, when so many people are of the C mould? People of goodwill must pool together to ensure the planet and everything in it is not swept away once and for all. This is where UN-aligned can help. It is a force for good that will mobilise like-minded people and give them more of a say. The complacency of the C crowd is no longer and option. 

Assange Under Fire

Julian Assange is finally evicted...

After having been cooped up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for seven years, Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, is finally back in UK custody. There is an Italian saying that states that guests are like fish: after three days they start to stink. Assange certainly did not show gratitude to his long-suffering hosts. The statements by the Ecuadoran President below highlight the exasperation. He even threatened to sue them! The government of Ecuador has been remarkable patient while granting Assange asylum in their Embassy, after he had jumped bale relating to rape charges in Sweden. Seven years is a long time. There are, nevertheless, examples that are even more spectacular than his with regards to duration.

Extended asylum

The Hungarian Cardinal József Mindszenty is a case in point. After having been liberated from his imprisonment by the Nazi regime in 1945, he was soon behind bars again in 1948. This time under the Communists. He was freed during the short lived Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and this gave him a brief window of opportunity to seek refuge in the US Embassy in Budapest. He stayed there until 1971: a period of 15 years! His release was the outcome of a compromise Pope Paul VI reached with the Hungarian regime.

Smuggling him out was never an option

Assange has been confined to his quarters in the embassy since June 19, 2012. If you are wondering why they did not try to smuggle him out, the answer is that the chances of success would have been very slim. 

Crowds waiting to hear Julian Assange speak from a window of the Ecuadoran Embassy in London in September 2012

In November 1964, Mordechai Louk, an Israeli citizen spying for Arab interests was drugged and bundled into a crate in the Embassy of the United Arab Republic (UAR) in Rome. The trunk he was in, which was labelled: UAR Embassy - Diplomatic Bag - Do not open, was intercepted in Rome when custom officers heard his moans within. However, it was whisked away by awaiting agents before the Italian authorities could open it. Eventually, the police managed to retrieve it after a blockbuster car chase. The details of the case are sketchy. The spectacular chase was apparently setup so that the UAR would not realise that their every move was being scrutinised by Mossad,the Israeli secret service. 

The extradition nightmare

Anyway, the man is out now. In a manner of speaking, that is. Still, may find he is better off in a UK prison. At least he should be able to get some exercise and fresh air. What his long term prospects are, however, is another matter. If he is extradited to the US, which seem most likely, he will find himself in a country where the death penalty and by the looks of it, even torture is not out of the question. 

Ah, but Trump praised WikiLeaks over a 100 times, you may be thinking. Well, to go back to another Italian (Sicilian) saying: nulla saccio; nulla vidi... I know nothing; I saw nothing... It is what mafia witnesses were accustomed to say. Brazenly, Trump stated today that he knows nothing about WikiLeaks. Welcome to Trump's America, Julian... And good luck!

A Federal World Order

Religion and compulsion...

For much of our history as religious beings, it was a taboo to abandon or change one's religion. Unless it was the ruler who decided. When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity after his battle on the Milvian Bridge, for instance, the people of the Roman Empire were soon pressured to follow suit. The conquering armies of Islam did the same. Once these religions became entrenched, individuals risked their lives by converting to another religion or simply abandoning the one they were born with. In fact, in many cases, the present tense would also apply. Nevertheless, most educated people would nowadays agree that this is wrong and that people have a right to chose their religion, or none at all.

Nationhood and compulsion...

When it comes to nationhood, however, the situation has changed little. It is generally accepted that you are stuck with your nationality. Nationality, like religion, is a synthetic denomination that is freely accepted or imposed on people. It is different from ethnicity or culture, although often related to these. On the one hand, there are nations that respect and support the cultures and ethnicities within their borders. On the other, nations may view these cultures and ethnicities as a threat. 

Occasionally, a nation may be selective with regards to the what it will tolerate or support and what it will not. China for instance has 56 registered ethnic groups, including predominant Han, which constitute over 90% off the population. The categorisation is somewhat haphazard and different groups may be pooled in together for convenience. Most are respected and even celebrated. Some, like the Tibetans and Uyghurs are viewed with suspicion. The reason is obvious: separatism.

Separatism's many faces

There are many reasons why a people may wish to separate form the country they are lumped with. These reasons need not always be noble, such as a different tradition, history or belief system that suffers under the ruling majority (or minority). Sometimes, a people may wish to break away because they are sitting on the cash cows: oil, water, minerals... Of course, situations are rarely clear cut. There are so many factors involved in separatist claims, that adjudicating from an ethical point of view is far from straight forward. 

UN-aligned

The problem is always exacerbated by that one word mentioned above: synthetic. Nationality is fluid. It changes with time. We confine it in borders. We subjugate it to constitutions. It becomes a kind of religion. We want to exploit it; just as we have abused religion. 

Until individuals are put before nationality, it will always be an anomaly. The Unites Nations comes close to putting people first, but it has many flaws. The solution? A federal world order that respects individuals before national citizens. UN-aligned is an organisation working for such a world vision and it will be launched next month. Idealistic? Yes! Impossible! No! Follow the link and check it out!

The Malawi-Tanzania dispute: a quagmire that keeps their lake pure

The prolonged border dispute...

Almost seven years ago now, I had written an article regarding Lake Malawi. I was not alone in my alarm at the news that government of Malawi had signed contracts with oil companies who were keen to start drilling for oil in the lake. This could have proved a disaster to the unique and privileged position the lake holds as an environmental paradise. A border dispute with Tanzania slammed the breaks on the project and thankfully, it has not been resolved too this day.

Lu Gu Hu in China; despite its size nothing motorised is allowed on the lake 

The background to the dispute

It would only seem fair that the demarcation line of Lake Nyasa, or lake Malawi as it is also called, should lie in the median lines of the three nations surrounding it. They are Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi, and the 1884 Berlin Conference confirmed that that should be the case. Current international legislation would also lean towards the same conclusion. 

The Heligoland Treaty between Germany and Britain in 1890, however, left the British in Nyasaland (now Malawi) in control of what was Tanganyika's part of the lake. When, in 1914, the British took Tanganyika over from Germany, they still placed most of the the lake under the jurisdiction of Nyasaland. This did not cause too much of a problem then, as Tanzania's fishing rights were more less respected.

The ecological importance of Lake Malawi

Mozambique's portion of the lake has been a protected nature reserve since 2011, while a section of it in Malawi forms part of the Lake Malawi National Park. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. UNESCO describes it as:

Located at the southern end of the great expanse of Lake Malawi, with its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, the national park is home to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands.

A silver lining

Tanzania is not stalling the drilling for ecological reasons. It wants its fair share of the booty. Nevertheless, drilling could prove catastrophic to the wildlife. It could also jeopardise the livelihoods  of locals living and working around the lake. The Niger Delta and the Ogoni people can provide a perfect example of the nightmare scenarios that can ensure. So, for once, perhaps, a bureaucratic quagmire can preserve the limpid purity on a body of water on which so many lifeforms depend. Foe a time at least...

Bolsonaro and right-wing contempt for the planet

Undermining the environment...

One of the first things that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro did after his inauguration on January 1, was to attack the environment. He did this via an executive order that transferred the supervision of swathes of the Amazon to the business orientated Ministry of Agriculture. It's a bit like entrusting the welfare of elephants to ivory traders. Indigenous reserves that fell under a special Ministry that worked for their protection are now at the mercy of business. 

So, the Amazon forests, often referred to as "the lungs of the earth", are once again in danger and with them the health of the planet. As well as that, many species could be at risk owing to the destruction of their habitats. If all that were not enough, the livelihoods and very existence of indigenous tribes are also at risk.

Patronising the Macuxi

The Macuxi, who live around Raposa Serra do Sol, are such a people. They had fought for their rights and had won. For the last ten years they have been enjoying life without threats of exploitation. At the end of last year Bolsonaro put them back in the firing line:

“It is the richest area in the world. There are ways to exploit it rationally. And for the Indians, to give them royalties and integrate them into society,” he said in December.

Right-wing consistency

The consistent contempt right wing administrations have for the planet and for environmental issues is not coincidental. It is integral to right-wing philosophy, just as racism is. And for exactly the same reason: rapacious greed. This greed does not care if it steals from poor. It does not care if it slams the door on the rest of humanity. And most certainly, it does not care if it depletes the resources that belong to other lifeforms and future generations. No, It does not care, as long as the rich get richer. 

The Rwandan Genocide, 25 years on

A heartbreaking anniversary...

Today is the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. I wanted to write about it, but I cannot bring myself to give an account of those horrendous events. Up to one million people may have been brutally murdered. President Macron of France has just set up a committee to explore France's failings with respect to the slaughter; it's never too late, I guess. Other countries, however, are also criticised for having been complicit in one way or another, like the UK, the US and Belgium. 

The healing process is not over

President Paul Kagame said that the Rwandans are "a family again" and he does deserve much of the credit for that. There are, however, still so many open wounds relating to loss, rape and disability, for instance. The healing process will therefore have to continue for many years to come. Rich countries who had turned a blind eye to the atrocities, or actually inflamed them, must do more to help with the reconstruction of shattered lives and infrastructure. 

This documentary film on the genocide shows explicit scenes of violence. I could not watch it, but for anyone who can cope with the gruelling scenes, here it is:

Trump determined to ruffle Iran again

Name calling...  

Trump's administration seems determined to go ahead and label Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. In doing so, the US would be joining Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, two equally dubious administrations. The Revolutionary Guard is certainly "terrorist" in a sense, as it is responsible for terrorising Iran's own citizens, as well as those of other nations.

The defenders of the Islamic Republic

The IRGC is like a duplicate Iranian army, in as much as it structured that way, but that is where the comparison ends. The two forces have very different roles. The regular army (Artesh) has responsibilities similar to those of other armies around the world, relating primarily to defence and security. 

The IRGC's role, on the other hand, is specific to the Islamic Revolution. It was founded by Ayatollah Khomeini immediately after he seized power in 1979. Its mission is to defend the Islamic nature of the regime, both from perceived threats within its borders and from assumed ones abroad. The former role has led it to oppress Iranian citizens, particularly more open minded ones. In the latter role it finds the pretext to intervene in the affairs of other countries, such as Syria and Yemen.

Trump has a point

Conscription is voluntary, therefore recruits are generally zealous about their position. So, perhaps this is one of those rare occasions where Trump has a point. BUT... His decision could make matters worse in a number of ways. So much so, that advice to the contrary has even come from the Pentagon and the CIA. 

Labelling will only make matters worse

Their prime concern is that the move will add to the tension in the Middle East and open US troops to scrutiny and retaliation. As well as this, it would be the first time that the US government branded an army of a sovereign state as a terror group. This would open up a can of worms, since by the same criteria dozens of state armies would qualify, including, some would argue, the US and many of its allies. Making its hypocrisy public will not help the US in the long run. Thanks to Trump, the US is already experiencing a credibility problem. Why make it worse?

Diluting the word "terrorist" is also unhelpful

Another serious concern, however, is that by over using the word "terrorist" one can end up diluting its impact. It is a bit like "sexual abuse". When grown up people start moping about sexual abuse because someone may have tried to touch their knee or stroke their hair, they are actually making a mockery of what abuse really is. They are enemies to the cause that claim to espouse, often for their selfish interests. 

The suffering inflicted by the IRGC, is undoubtedly a serious matter. They are worthy of the title, as they are responsible for "terror". Still, it is not what we generally mean when we speak of "terrorist", which always has the qualification "unlawful" associated with it. To use Trumps own words, there are probably some "very fine people" working for the IRGC. Branding them all terrorists is unhelpful.

Ken Sara-Wiwa, a Prophet of the Ogoni People

The Ogoni people  

When I wrote about the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), on March 16, I said that I would cover some of its members. I have already written about Taiwan and today I would like to say something about the Ogoni People. They consist of about 2,000,000 people who live in a 1,000 km2 area of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. In October 1990 they presented The Ogoni Bill of Rights to the Nigerian government in the hope of limited autonomy. This was because they were victims of serious exploitation from the government, in collaboration with Royal Dutch /Shell.

Ken Sara-Wiwa their hero

Their champion was one of their own, Ken Sara-Wiwa, an environmental activist. He was also a talented author and well-known television producer. He dedicated much of his life to the Ogoni cause. This was linked to the depletion of arable lands and livelihoods that resulted from the oil industry. Moves to extract oil began in under British rule in 1956 and continued after Nigeria became an independent federation in 1960. Drilling resulted in thousands of oil-spills that devastated much of the Niger Delta region, including the Ogoni homeland. Despite the wealth that the industry produced, the locals were actually left worse off.

Sara-Wiwa and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) were equally committed to their cause as they were to non-violence. This, however, just made it easier for the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha to try to silence them through brutal repression. Sara-Wiwa knew what he was up against from the beginning. After his final arrest, he wrote in a letter to his Irish friend and ally, Sister Majella McCarron:

I'm not worried for myself. When I undertook to confront Shell & the Nigerian establishment, I signed my death warrant, so to speak. At 52, I think I've lived a charmed life. A few more books, maybe, & the opportunity to assist others would would have been welcome. But it's okay.

Suppression will not silence them

What he was worried about was his people; although he always believed that justice would triumph in the end. He was arrested in May 1994 on trumped-up charges and sentenced in a rigged trial with eight other activists (Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine) They were hanged in November 1995 and became  renowned as the Ogoni Nine. After the execution, in a rare display of principle, the Commonwealth of Nations stripped Nigeria of its membership. The struggle continues and as Sara-Wiwa pointed out, when he realised that he would not be allowed to attend a ceremony in his honour:

There or not, my words will ring through all the places...

I will share some of Sara-Wiwa's poems in the Scrapbook section of the site at a later date. Now I would like to conclude with a most touching one by his friend Sister Majella:

A Dying Village

No piercing siren to rise you,

No flaring light to guide you,

No nearby neighbour's love to reach you,

Dying village.

No caring friend to conceal you,

No towering soldier to defend you,

No rushing firemen to quench you,

Dying village.

No speeding ambulance to ferry you,

No humble priest to bury you,

No Red Cross pennant to fly for you,

Dying village.

No urgent phone to ring for you,

No loud-pitched radio to plead for you,

News is blocked in fear of you,

Dying village.

No strong one comes to hold you,

As children are torn from you,

A stranger's voice to wail for you,

Dying village.

Dawn comes late for you,

Vultures chuckle over you,

Our deepest human shame is you,

Dying village.

Too few prophets spoke for you,

Years of scribes and Pharisees denied you,

Evil powers abandoned and beggared you,

Dying village.

The world turned its back on you,

May God himself be good to you,

And hope renew in you,

Dying village.

Brexit and the special place in Hell!

Yesterday, the UK parliament passed a Bill that would ensure that the Prime Minister would seek an extension to Brexit negotiations rather than crash out of the EU without a deal. The Bill passed by just one vote, but it still has to get the go-ahead form the House of Lords. Owing to the little time left, filibustering by the Lords could easily make the Bill redundant, without anyone even having to reject it. It could even be undermined by delaying tactics after it returned to the House of Commons. Besides, without a concrete plan, asking for an extension from the EU would not be sufficient to secure one. So, the uncertainty lingers...

Here is a wonderful assessment of the Brexit situation in an article by Martin Fletcher in the New Statesman: The Humbling of Britain.

Scottish Future... Promising, Come What May

The 2014 Scottish Referendum...

When the Scottish people were asked to vote on independence form the United Kingdom in 2014, they were well informed. The Government published a 670 page document detailing all the implications: Scotland's Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland. This document begins with clear bullet points outlining the general benefits and additional ones relating to the governing party's plans to maximise the opportunities. 

When voters in the UK were presented with the referendum on whether to leave the European Union (EU) or not, they were given a pack... of lies. If the Scots had opted to leave, the situation, of course, would not have been comparable to the chaotic Brexit scenario. Apart form the planning and the availability of information, there was another important ingredient: the EU. Scotland's intention was to remain in the EU, or reapply if that were not possible. So, there were no headaches of "hard" or "soft" borders between the remaining parts of the UK and an independent Scotland, or other nightmare scenarios. 

The situation in 2014

The EU, however, was cagey about Scotland's position, if it were to choose to leave the UK. The last thing that countries with breakaway problems of their own, like Spain, wanted, was to encourage separatism. This uncertainty may have tipped the balance in favour of Scotland remaining within the UK. Then, the remain side won by 55%. 

The situation now

It is surprising how much can change in five years. Scotland is now faced with leaving the EU, even though it voted by a majority of 62% to remain, or staying in the UK. Ian Blackford MP, the Scottish National Party (SNP) representative has stressed in no uncertain terms that his party's priority lies with Europe. The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has also made this very clear. Whilst the result of another Scottish referendum is by no means certain, the fact that another is coming is evident. The Scottish government, unlike the one in Westminster, is not ignorant to the fact that situations change. The fact that Prime Minister Theresa May refuses to take the Brexit vote back to the people beggars belief, although she may still be forces to do that. 

What will an independent Scotland look like?

It would be difficult to predict, at this point in time, what an independent Scotland could look like. On the one hand, if a hard or "no deal" Brexit prevails, Scottish independence would be more likely. But it would also be more complicated. On the other, a soft Brexit, or the revoking of Article 50 (i.e. no Brexit) would make separation a lot easier, but less likely. In the second scenario, the situation would be similar to that described in Scotland's Future. In the first, it would be better still. Scotland would be in a position to scoop up much of the world's, and particularly the EU's, interest in Britain. All sorts of projects (business, educational, cultural...) could flourish flawlessly with the EU. 

Needless to say, this will come at a substantial cost, unless some sort of mutually beneficial trading agreement is not agreed between Scotland and the UK (minus Scotland). At the moment, Scotland exports £48.9 bn to the rest of the UK and only 14.9 to the EU. The free movement of people could also become a serious problem, without appropriate treaties. Whatever the likely consequences, one thing ia almost certain: the Scottish people will be given an informed choice.

Horse racing and other abuses

Horses are not exempt form human abuse...

When one thinks of animal cruelty, one's mind naturally lands on the dairy industry, which is  responsible for the ongoing slaughter and barbaric treatment of billions of farm animals. Other species, including insects, suffer in a variety of ways through human activity and many are on the verge of extinction. One could be excused from considering horses safe form man's cruelty. They are generally "owned" by horse "lovers" and are far from cheap to purchase or look after. Sadly, however, horses are not exempt from our contempt of animal rights. 

The kudos of dominating a horse

Horses evoke qualities of dignity, strength and independence, so dominating them has been seen as a sign of power. Throughout history, therefore, leaders were proud to be associated with them. Famous horses include Alexander the Great's Bucephalus, Emperor Caligula's Incitatus (whom the emperor wanted to make Consul) and Napoleon's Marengo. Whilst, some equines do get treated kindly - although I would rather see them roam freely in their natural habitats - racehorses certainly do not. 

Examples of equine cruelty

Last Sunday, at the Santa Anita racing track, a gelding named Arms Runner fell during a race. The horse had to be put down because of its dreadful injuries. Between December 26 and March 4, 22 horses had died in similar circumstances, resulting in a temporary closure of the track. Racing had only resumed a few days before this 23rd fatality. Santa Anita is no exception and injuries are not the only concern regarding race horses. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) list five:

1. Racing is hard on horses' bodies
2. Horses are often drugged
3. Around 24 horses die every week on US tracks alone
4. It's a lonely life for horses (since they are heard animals)
5. Horses, even young ones, who don’t win or stop winning races often get slaughtered for meat 

Other forms of equine cruelty exist. Last year, for instance, a horse named Justice was suing its previous owners for negligence (it had been exposed to hunger severe weather). Workhorses too can lead wretched lives, especially in countries where legislation is weak.

There is no excuse for abusing animals

Matters will only improve when people and their governments realise that, despite what many scriptures may say, animals were not created for our exploitation. They have their rights, just as we do. The fact that we are more advanced, means we have more responsibilities towards other life forms. It does not mean that we can abuse them.

Playing the fiddle, while Earth burns

We need to get our priorities right...

With improved communications, transport and technology, we should be working towards a more united world. The only thing that does seems to be going in that direction, however, is disaster. Our challenges are crossing our borders and  bringing us together in an apocalyptic scenario. If we were truly rational, we would read the writing on the wall, join forces, leave our petty differences behind us and try to do something about the situation. Climate change, the sixth mass extinction, pollution, waste choking the oceans, the stockpiling of nuclear and biological weapon... the list goes on. These are not only serious issues, but ones that can lead to the destruction of the ecosystem and countless of lifeforms including, humankind. 

So, what do we have instead of concerted action? Brexit, Trump's love affair with walls, Putin's belligerence, the rise of populism and similar nationalistic stances. Climate change protesters today striped in the public gallery of the House of Commons, while UK Members of Parliament we debating indicative votes regarding Brexit. It was a welcome sight (no, not the near nudity, though that was amusing). It was refreshing to see that some people are working to focus our minds of the crucially important issues.

Who is to blame?

While Rome burned, Nero blamed the Christians; others blamed Nero. Should the ecosystem die, recriminations will be useless as there would not be any body left to blame. We are not there yet, so we can point an accusing finger. At whom? Anyone who fiddles, while the earth is going to pot.