Posted on 09/08/2002 3:11:18 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Is it just me or is there something ironic about a summit on sustainable development that features the leading environmental groups of the world emitting 290,000 tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
Even more interesting is the fact the regional government of Johannesburg set a plan whereby the delegates could donate money to clean the environmental mess they created and only one seventh of the amount needed was donated.
I have my doubts about a conference that gives Robert Mugabe a warm reception, ignoring that his regime recently killed 186 political opponents, continues to confiscate lands of white farmers and give the choice ones to supporters and family members and uses donated food as a political weapon.
After the applause and approval of his speech by many delegates and journalists, Mugabe was moved to say, " I feel good. It's an approval of our position. A position of truth, as opposed to the British position of lies and dishonesty."
Mugabe wasn't the only leader with fresh blood on his hands to get a warm reception. Osama bin Laden supporters were also in attendance during Earth Summit demonstrations. Members of The Palestinian Solidarity Committee marched through Johannesburg chanting, "Viva Osama, comrades. Phanzi (down with) George Bush. You suffered under apartheid but you are our brothers."
You get an idea of where many at the conference were coming from when you consider no speaker was given a tougher ride than U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. While Mugabe was warmly received, Powell was jeered and interrupted during his speech.
We're talking about a summit at which Canada was called part of "the axis of environmental evil," the president of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, accused rich countries of "creating AIDS," and food to starving people was turned down because it was genetically modified. That one goes under the heading of "better dead than fed" (with politically incorrect food.)
As is the norm for global gatherings, the summit attracted the usual anti-American, anti-globalization crowd but what is particularly noteworthy is the sentiment of many of the environmental activists. Consider the following statement by Edward Goldsmith, editor of the environmental magazine the Ecologist.
"Poverty is not the problem but development is. Until recently, people could feed themselves very satisfactorily without money, and usually maintain themselves in excellent health. Development requires a cancer-like expansion." The only solution is to put development into reverse. "This will mean most of us will live in largely, but not entirely, self-sufficient villages, geared to small-scale, low-tech production of food and artifacts."
How does that sound to you?
What about the words of Gar Smith of Earth Island Institute? He stated, "there's a lot of quality of life to be had in poverty. The idea that people are poor does not mean they are not living good lives. Regarding electricity, people who [once spent] their days and evenings in the street playing music on their instruments and sewing clothing for their neighbours on foot powered sewing machines have lost their culture. If there is to be electricity I would like it to be decentralized, small and solar powered. "
No electricity, modern medicine, technological innovations for fear they may facilitate change.
With the diversity of opinion represented in Johannesburg it's amazing anything meaningful came out of the meetings. Whether anything did or not depends on your perspective.
These environmental whack jobs are about the most lunatic political activists in the world. They are certifiably insane if they really believe that BS. I'm talking mad dog foaming at the mouth mad. It's a wonder they have any supporters at all.
Good article. My other faves on the farce of "world summits" are:
INTRODUCTION OF THE FLUSH TOILET DEPLORED AT EARTH SUMMIT Maybe welcome as stew, I mean...
Then what are you complaining about?
Oh, don't worry, I didn't. But that looney was mentioned in this piece.
;^)
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