Posted on 09/24/2004 1:25:36 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Former president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev called for a new glasnost - openness on the environment today.
Mr Gorbachev also said during his appearance at Holland Park School in Kensington in England that the Russian people were still feeling the effects of the quick fix from poverty promised by Boris Yeltsin.
Speaking through a translator, Mr Gorbachev, aged 73, said: The US, with 5% of the worlds population, consumes 25% of the worlds energy. If this is implemented globally, where do we get the energy?
We need to change the paradigm of our development, we have to look for a new model. If we dont, we will cut the roots that make it possible for mankind to live.
Answering a question from Russian-born year 13 student Anastasia Zabinskaya, on the potential results of perestroika (restructuring), Mr Gorbachev said that his plan for Russian wealth would have taken 20 to 30 years to attain.
He attacked Mr Yeltsins pledges for immediate prosperity as political posturing.
He said: They (the Russian people) believed the promise of a quick fix and they felt that if Gorbachev was not delivering on a better life quickly lets support Yeltsin.
The result was the disintegration of the country, shock therapy in the army and chaos. We are still feeling the consequences of this.
He spoke to around 100 selected students for almost an hour. He told them about his first foray into politics at his secondary school.
Following his campaign speech to become the Secretary of the Youth Organisation another candidate for the post pulled away his chair causing him to stumble.
My conclusion is dont be afraid to fall and if you do fall, rise to your feet, he said.
Headteacher Colin Hall said: To be taught history by someone who shaped history was a unique experience.
Mr Gorbachev visited the school, founded in 1958, as part of the launch of the WMD Awareness Programme.
Gorby? Gorby? Wasn't he ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
Can someone find for us a region of the planet with a worse environmental record that the former Soviet Union?
Any real environmentalist would be pointing out the fact that our toxic tax code encourages stupid and wasteful consumption of the earth's precious resources with a myriad of loopholes and write-offs.
Yup -- CHINA
Can someone please take Gorby and Carter, stuff them in a shipping container, and then send them somewhere that their opinions matter? Like the Antarctic? Or maybe somewhere nice like North Korea.
Gorbachev. The Jimmy Carter of Russia.
I don't know. I would put the former USSR up against China in a battle of the worst environment.
nic. very nice.
>>>The US, with 5% of the worlds population, consumes 25% of the worlds energy<<<
Third-Worlders disgust me.
It was the USA who BROUGHT those morons out of the dark ages! If we use 100% or 25% of what we invent or produce - eff 'em all!
Start by cleaning that disgusting waste off your head!
Once a socalist, still a socialist.
http://www.greencrossinternational.net/index.asp
http://www.gfna.net/index.php (The Gorbachev Foundation of North America, Located at Northeastern University)
BTTT!!!!!!!
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