Good morning. It's an honor for me to join this distinguished group of leaders from nations around the world. We come together here in Copenhagen because climate change poses a grave and growing danger to our people. You would not be here unless you -- like me -- were convinced that this danger is real. This is not fiction, this is science. Unchecked, climate change will pose unacceptable risks to our security, our economies and our planet. That much we know.
So the question before us is no longer the nature of the challenge -- the question is our capacity to meet it. For while the reality of climate change is not in doubt, our ability to take collective action hangs in the balance.
I believe that we can act boldly, and decisively, in the face of this common threat. And that is why I have come here today....
. . .
To conclude, we all agree on this:
2. We agree that deep cuts in global emISSIOns are required according to science, and as
documented by the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report with a view to reduce global emissions by 50
per cent in 2050 below 1990 levels, taking into account the right to equitable access to atmospheric
space. We should cooperate in achieving the peaking of global and national emissions as soon as
possible, recognizing that the time frame for peaking will be longer in developing countries and
bearing in mind that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and
overriding priorities of developing countries and that a low-emission development strategy is
indispensable to sustainable development.
For the full agreement in detail, you are welcome to go to:
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
This is what is required to play safe:
It now seems clear that whatever transposes in Copenhagen; major problems are looming. The skeptics have had a field day with the recently released hacked emails from an important research agency into climate change. The mere hint that some of the data was ‘corrected’ has proven more than sufficient justification for most deniers to stick to their guns. Indeed some have gone further and are now actively claiming success. Glenn Beck from Fox news is one such denier who has taken this path. His oversized ego just can’t help himself.
This dreaded truth of denial is alarming in its likely consequences. It is entirely possible to move towards a more energy efficient future through sufficient commitment by all world governments. With sufficient research and development it is possible to mitigate runaway climate change. Unfortunately and only because of the deniers, this future is unlikely.
What is more likely is this. This is what is required to play safe:
Keep global increases within 1.5c or 350ppm.
Anything less than this is quite frankly unacceptable for most credible scientists. It is certainly unacceptable for anyone else thinking about the welfare of the planets many species.
Whatever commitments are made at Copenhagen, these commitments are dependent on a handful of greenhouse gas contributors. These same contributors are currently the world’s biggest emitters or soon will be. (not necessarily by capita)
Number 1 is the US.
Number 2 is China.
Number 3 is the EU including Russia.
Number 4 is India.
Number 5 is the rest of Asia.
Number 6 is South America.
Number 7 is Africa
Number 8 is everyone else.
Let’s not spin words here. The US has some ground to make up ever since it unwisely decided to exit out of any Kyoto Protocol negotiations. Thankfully the previous US voice of ignorance is increasingly being superseded by voices of reason.
"Climate change negotiations started over 20 years ago," he said. "This is an incremental, progressive process so if you take the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)as a first milestone in the negotiating process, the Kyoto Protocol as the second milestone, I think that Copenhagen ought to be the third. Efforts for human kind to respond to climate change will not end in Copenhagen. They will continue. They need to continue."
This dreaded truth of denial is alarming in its likely consequences. It is entirely possible to move towards a more energy efficient future through sufficient commitment by all world governments. With sufficient research and development it is possible to mitigate runaway climate change. Unfortunately and only because of the deniers, this future is unlikely.
What is more likely is this. This is what is required to play safe:
Keep global increases within 1.5c or 350ppm.
Anything less than this is quite frankly unacceptable for most credible scientists. It is certainly unacceptable for anyone else thinking about the welfare of the planets many species.
Whatever commitments are made at Copenhagen, these commitments are dependent on a handful of greenhouse gas contributors. These same contributors are currently the world’s biggest emitters or soon will be. (not necessarily by capita)
Number 1 is the US.
Number 2 is China.
Number 3 is the EU including Russia.
Number 4 is India.
Number 5 is the rest of Asia.
Number 6 is South America.
Number 7 is Africa
Number 8 is everyone else.
Let’s not spin words here. The US has some ground to make up ever since it unwisely decided to exit out of any Kyoto Protocol negotiations. Thankfully the previous US voice of ignorance is increasingly being superseded by voices of reason.
"Climate change negotiations started over 20 years ago," he said. "This is an incremental, progressive process so if you take the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)as a first milestone in the negotiating process, the Kyoto Protocol as the second milestone, I think that Copenhagen ought to be the third. Efforts for human kind to respond to climate change will not end in Copenhagen. They will continue. They need to continue."
Saturday, December 5, 2009
This kind of thinking is a fatal flaw.
Of late there have been several documentaries about saving energy. One such programme puts well off families in situations where they have to face the reality of having to do without.
What is quickly apparent is the general apathy and reluctance of the youth to participate with any degree of enthusiasm towards a new way of living. They have no real desire to reduce waste and move to a more sustainable lifestyle. This may be largely a result of previous apathy by their wealthy parents towards energy conservation.
The youth seem to have a strong desire to return to their old wasteful and lazy habits as soon as possible after the film crew have disappeared. There seems to be no attempt to take any issues around conservation seriously and a barely disguised wish that their parents’ recent attempts at changing their wasteful ways will become little more than a fleeting thought.
Perhaps I am being overly harsh on the youth generalisation, but I doubt it. The dreaded facts are the youth of today are at a serious disadvantage to the youth of the past. They have become accustomed to an easy life where many things about the facts of living are taken for granted. Life to them is all sugar coated and largely revolves around causal sex, friends and getting intoxicated. For everything else; you turn on the tap and water flows. After all, anything and everything that a person wants and desires is only a shop away. Of course as a youth you need money to shop successfully without undue hassles. This is where parents come in. indeed some youth would suggest that this is parent’s main purpose in life. Thankfully this rather selfish phase in youth does not normally last more than a few years unless reinforced. The rather unsettling issues surrounding working for a living or serious study soon brings the majority of youth to their senses. For the rest they soon learn that it is not always possible to get your own way and money is definitely something to be taken more seriously.
The problem is that by and large, things have been good in most developed countries for several generations. Sure there are exceptions, but on the whole this is all the youth know. This is what they have come to expect. When faced with looming problems associated with the waste of ‘good times’ there is a tendency to turn a blind eye or only make a token effort. Sacrifices may be involved and needed, but any serious sort of sacrifice will have to be made by someone else. Lifestyle is king, and any lifestyle choices that involve giving up gains such as long hot showers, plastic bags, and the convenience of supermarket shopping. (I dare not mention fast and large motor vehicles) This scenario is unlikely unless it is proven without reasonable doubt that such changes are necessary.
This kind of thinking is a fatal flaw. By the time any such doubt is removed, any hope of actually solving looming problems will be too little and far too late.
What is quickly apparent is the general apathy and reluctance of the youth to participate with any degree of enthusiasm towards a new way of living. They have no real desire to reduce waste and move to a more sustainable lifestyle. This may be largely a result of previous apathy by their wealthy parents towards energy conservation.
The youth seem to have a strong desire to return to their old wasteful and lazy habits as soon as possible after the film crew have disappeared. There seems to be no attempt to take any issues around conservation seriously and a barely disguised wish that their parents’ recent attempts at changing their wasteful ways will become little more than a fleeting thought.
Perhaps I am being overly harsh on the youth generalisation, but I doubt it. The dreaded facts are the youth of today are at a serious disadvantage to the youth of the past. They have become accustomed to an easy life where many things about the facts of living are taken for granted. Life to them is all sugar coated and largely revolves around causal sex, friends and getting intoxicated. For everything else; you turn on the tap and water flows. After all, anything and everything that a person wants and desires is only a shop away. Of course as a youth you need money to shop successfully without undue hassles. This is where parents come in. indeed some youth would suggest that this is parent’s main purpose in life. Thankfully this rather selfish phase in youth does not normally last more than a few years unless reinforced. The rather unsettling issues surrounding working for a living or serious study soon brings the majority of youth to their senses. For the rest they soon learn that it is not always possible to get your own way and money is definitely something to be taken more seriously.
The problem is that by and large, things have been good in most developed countries for several generations. Sure there are exceptions, but on the whole this is all the youth know. This is what they have come to expect. When faced with looming problems associated with the waste of ‘good times’ there is a tendency to turn a blind eye or only make a token effort. Sacrifices may be involved and needed, but any serious sort of sacrifice will have to be made by someone else. Lifestyle is king, and any lifestyle choices that involve giving up gains such as long hot showers, plastic bags, and the convenience of supermarket shopping. (I dare not mention fast and large motor vehicles) This scenario is unlikely unless it is proven without reasonable doubt that such changes are necessary.
This kind of thinking is a fatal flaw. By the time any such doubt is removed, any hope of actually solving looming problems will be too little and far too late.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Be warned:
This movement towards becoming more energy conscious may start slowly, but it will quickly become a major marketing force in coming years. It is simply a more responsible attitude for society to take.
It should be remembered that economically; Issues associated with climate change are a boon for builders, engineers, technicians and the entire construction and manufacturing industry. Massive amounts of investment are required in the move towards a more energy conscious society. It is almost akin to starting from scratch. Existing thinking about infrastructure is now largely obsolete. For example; thermal power stations will need to be replaced or modified completely in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.
Be warned: A time is fast approaching when rising sea levels, increased flooding and storms will begin to cause havoc with insurance policies. In the not too distant future, vast amounts of money will need to be spent on sea walls and flood prevention to keep the waters at bay. Then there are issues associated with lack of water. It bears not thinking about too much if you forced to leave in some locations around the globe.
It should be remembered that economically; Issues associated with climate change are a boon for builders, engineers, technicians and the entire construction and manufacturing industry. Massive amounts of investment are required in the move towards a more energy conscious society. It is almost akin to starting from scratch. Existing thinking about infrastructure is now largely obsolete. For example; thermal power stations will need to be replaced or modified completely in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.
Be warned: A time is fast approaching when rising sea levels, increased flooding and storms will begin to cause havoc with insurance policies. In the not too distant future, vast amounts of money will need to be spent on sea walls and flood prevention to keep the waters at bay. Then there are issues associated with lack of water. It bears not thinking about too much if you forced to leave in some locations around the globe.
Monday, November 30, 2009
scientists just doing their job?
"The collapse of communism was a disaster for the left. They embraced environmentalism as their new religion,"
Minchin said, sparking a blizzard of controversy.
Minchin is a red neck ‘liberal’ politician from the right in Australia. Liberal in this instance just means he supports less government intervention. You can see how an issue like climate change would tend to wind him up into overdrive.
However the chances of a left wing conspiracy seem remote. How about scientists just doing their job?
Postscript
Just as it is hard to accept the negatives in some relationships; it is equally difficult to accept that some of your opinions might be wrong. For example; accepting that man made climate change is real is a big ask for some people. For these people they prefer to escape into some other blissful state better known as denial and turning a 'selective' blind eye.
Hard as it is to believe as a credible scientist, but yes: in this blissful state it is even possible to think that the world is currently cooling, even as sea levels rise and glaziers melt at record rates.
Minchin said, sparking a blizzard of controversy.
Minchin is a red neck ‘liberal’ politician from the right in Australia. Liberal in this instance just means he supports less government intervention. You can see how an issue like climate change would tend to wind him up into overdrive.
However the chances of a left wing conspiracy seem remote. How about scientists just doing their job?
Postscript
Just as it is hard to accept the negatives in some relationships; it is equally difficult to accept that some of your opinions might be wrong. For example; accepting that man made climate change is real is a big ask for some people. For these people they prefer to escape into some other blissful state better known as denial and turning a 'selective' blind eye.
Hard as it is to believe as a credible scientist, but yes: in this blissful state it is even possible to think that the world is currently cooling, even as sea levels rise and glaziers melt at record rates.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
even more hot air
The chances of a successful outcome at Copenhagen have faded dramatically over recent weeks. The talks seem fated to become nothing more than even more hot air.
The dreaded facts are the number one emitter of co2 is energy sourced from fossil fuels. Of all the energy sources, burning coal is the largest contributor to man made greenhouse gases. Therefore it makes a lot of scientific and economic sense to target coal first. (read Carbon sequestration)
Once this technology is perfected, then a dramatic commitment to electric powered vehicles can be achieved by all world governments by 2020. In this way achieving 350ppm is possible by 2100.
More dreaded facts:
The dreaded facts are the number one emitter of co2 is energy sourced from fossil fuels. Of all the energy sources, burning coal is the largest contributor to man made greenhouse gases. Therefore it makes a lot of scientific and economic sense to target coal first. (read Carbon sequestration)
Once this technology is perfected, then a dramatic commitment to electric powered vehicles can be achieved by all world governments by 2020. In this way achieving 350ppm is possible by 2100.
More dreaded facts:
per-capita-anthropogenic-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country-for-the-year-2000-including-land
Thursday, August 13, 2009
no such thing as ‘soft’ targets
To have any realistic chance of meeting global targets of 40% by 2020; there can be no such thing as ‘soft’ targets. Target number one; must be the countries contributing the most to greenhouse gases per capita. This paints an ominous picture to most countries in the OECD. Within these countries needing to make drastic changes, the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions must be targeted first. In New Zealand the choices are especially grim. New Zealand must reduce the number of farm animals and plant more native trees. (and improve the rail network)
How to achieve this feat is not necessarily difficult if action is taken today. It is all remarkably easy in some ways. Taxes are introduced on all sources of greenhouse gas emissions. For example take the average animal farmer. They are taxed per farm animal on a strictly scientific basis. Farmers simply pass this ‘fart’ tax on directly to the buyers.
It goes without saying, that doubling the price of meat is likely to have a dramatic impact on demand. Animal farmers by necessity will need to reduce supply and will face potential economic hardship. However the ‘fart’ taxes collected are used solely to compensate animal farmers. Taxes collected are ploughed back into suitable research and development. Many farmers are encouraged to diversify. For example, suitable land may be brought by the government and replanted in native trees.
How to achieve this feat is not necessarily difficult if action is taken today. It is all remarkably easy in some ways. Taxes are introduced on all sources of greenhouse gas emissions. For example take the average animal farmer. They are taxed per farm animal on a strictly scientific basis. Farmers simply pass this ‘fart’ tax on directly to the buyers.
It goes without saying, that doubling the price of meat is likely to have a dramatic impact on demand. Animal farmers by necessity will need to reduce supply and will face potential economic hardship. However the ‘fart’ taxes collected are used solely to compensate animal farmers. Taxes collected are ploughed back into suitable research and development. Many farmers are encouraged to diversify. For example, suitable land may be brought by the government and replanted in native trees.
Ministry for the Environment (NZ) does not have the solution
Thursday, August 6, 2009
carbon tax at source
It is highly probable that come the end of the year; the ETS or emission trading scheme will become more mainstream. Either that or a carbon tax at source.
These are the improbable targets. To keep the average temperature increase within 2c by the year 2100.
An easy target you might suggest. However to achieve this remarkable feat will require some remarkable changes. Somehow the world has do reduce global greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2020. (ie 40% below 1990) OR RISK A 6C RISE instead.
Here in New Zealand, it should be noted that 50% of our emissions are in the form of methane gas. (ie farm animals)
How is it going to be possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and at the same time have a growing global economy?
These are the improbable targets. To keep the average temperature increase within 2c by the year 2100.
An easy target you might suggest. However to achieve this remarkable feat will require some remarkable changes. Somehow the world has do reduce global greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2020. (ie 40% below 1990) OR RISK A 6C RISE instead.
Here in New Zealand, it should be noted that 50% of our emissions are in the form of methane gas. (ie farm animals)
How is it going to be possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and at the same time have a growing global economy?
Saturday, July 4, 2009
"Indeed it is the ability of the human species to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others; that defines our human evolution."
28 Days
Imagine if you were in an accident and suffered a minor head injury. The doctors thought it wise not to awaken you from your sleep and decided to induce a coma through medication for 28 days. During this time you were connected to a life support system and fed food and liquids intravenously.
28 days later and you awake. You are obviously in a hospital, but no-one is around. You are dazed and groggy. (and in the movie version, naked)
You stumble to your feet and are met with some pain as you inadvertently remove the drips from your arms.
Now you yell out in pain. ‘Is anybody there?’ “where the %#$%$ is everyone?”
The response is deafening in its silence. You say to yourself, ‘I must still be dreaming’ or ‘this is some $#%$@# up hallucination’
The world as you previously knew it has changed irreversibly, and forever. What remains is but a hollow shadow. Appearances are the same, but life has all but disappeared. A deadly virus has wiped out 99.99% of the human race in a matter of 28 days.
The fact that you were in a coma during this period, probably saved your life. Plus that fact that you were quarantined when the virus was most virulent. However the most likely cause is less coincidental. You were simply one of those rare people who were immune to the virus.
Not that you know anything about this right now. As you stumble out of the hospital room where your bed was located, all you know is that everything smells of decaying flesh. You are taken back. You make efforts to cover you mouth and nose and breathe less deeply. Then you start to see bodies. All the bodies have a dark blue/black hue and dark liquids oozing from their orifices. The bodies are to be found almost everywhere, well at least it seems that way in the beginning. It is a grotesque sight. The bodies have been dead for some time, deadly stiff in obscenely twisted positions. It this is not bad enough, facial expressions paint a thousand worlds of the kind of death suffered by the poor victim. One can only prey and hope that the end came swiftly for them.
God only knows what you would do if you ever found yourself in this predicament. I would suggest that once/if you recovered from your shock and grief, survival instinct would take over. What follows, is what I would do. (if ever this scenario did occur)
First and foremost, I would plan ahead as from today. Hopefully I will have more than 28 days to do this. This is simple practical stuff. I might suggest the following items: Food, water, utensils, candles, lighters, torches, batteries, first aid, educational/inspirational books, music.
My advice to anyone reading this would be to secure the above items right now and always keep a minimum 28 days supply. It goes without saying that the food should be able to be eaten without being cooked and stored without the need for refrigeration or freezing. This is now your personal insurance policy to safeguard yourself and your family. Just in case there ever was a pandemic or some kind of major natural disaster.
Realistically, if ever there was a pandemic, it is unfortunately unlikely my advice would be of much use. (eg to quarantine yourself in your house) This is one of the weird things about human nature. We become so attached to family and loved ones, that the very thought of seeing them suffering needlessly; is too much. We rush to their aid and through our natural act of charity; we also become infected with the virus. I would suggest that it is futile to resist this urge. After all, this urge is what defines our species as human. (at least for the majority) If you resist this urge in the beginning, you are only likely to spend the rest of your life wondering what sort of person you have become. My advice would be the following: be more practical with your conscience.
It is all related to our evolutionary path. It is this path that we learn all about sacrifice. Sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice the innocent lives of a few for the sake of improving the survival of the whole. Indeed it is the ability of the human species to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others; that defines our human evolution.
Imagine if you were in an accident and suffered a minor head injury. The doctors thought it wise not to awaken you from your sleep and decided to induce a coma through medication for 28 days. During this time you were connected to a life support system and fed food and liquids intravenously.
28 days later and you awake. You are obviously in a hospital, but no-one is around. You are dazed and groggy. (and in the movie version, naked)
You stumble to your feet and are met with some pain as you inadvertently remove the drips from your arms.
Now you yell out in pain. ‘Is anybody there?’ “where the %#$%$ is everyone?”
The response is deafening in its silence. You say to yourself, ‘I must still be dreaming’ or ‘this is some $#%$@# up hallucination’
The world as you previously knew it has changed irreversibly, and forever. What remains is but a hollow shadow. Appearances are the same, but life has all but disappeared. A deadly virus has wiped out 99.99% of the human race in a matter of 28 days.
The fact that you were in a coma during this period, probably saved your life. Plus that fact that you were quarantined when the virus was most virulent. However the most likely cause is less coincidental. You were simply one of those rare people who were immune to the virus.
Not that you know anything about this right now. As you stumble out of the hospital room where your bed was located, all you know is that everything smells of decaying flesh. You are taken back. You make efforts to cover you mouth and nose and breathe less deeply. Then you start to see bodies. All the bodies have a dark blue/black hue and dark liquids oozing from their orifices. The bodies are to be found almost everywhere, well at least it seems that way in the beginning. It is a grotesque sight. The bodies have been dead for some time, deadly stiff in obscenely twisted positions. It this is not bad enough, facial expressions paint a thousand worlds of the kind of death suffered by the poor victim. One can only prey and hope that the end came swiftly for them.
God only knows what you would do if you ever found yourself in this predicament. I would suggest that once/if you recovered from your shock and grief, survival instinct would take over. What follows, is what I would do. (if ever this scenario did occur)
First and foremost, I would plan ahead as from today. Hopefully I will have more than 28 days to do this. This is simple practical stuff. I might suggest the following items: Food, water, utensils, candles, lighters, torches, batteries, first aid, educational/inspirational books, music.
My advice to anyone reading this would be to secure the above items right now and always keep a minimum 28 days supply. It goes without saying that the food should be able to be eaten without being cooked and stored without the need for refrigeration or freezing. This is now your personal insurance policy to safeguard yourself and your family. Just in case there ever was a pandemic or some kind of major natural disaster.
Realistically, if ever there was a pandemic, it is unfortunately unlikely my advice would be of much use. (eg to quarantine yourself in your house) This is one of the weird things about human nature. We become so attached to family and loved ones, that the very thought of seeing them suffering needlessly; is too much. We rush to their aid and through our natural act of charity; we also become infected with the virus. I would suggest that it is futile to resist this urge. After all, this urge is what defines our species as human. (at least for the majority) If you resist this urge in the beginning, you are only likely to spend the rest of your life wondering what sort of person you have become. My advice would be the following: be more practical with your conscience.
It is all related to our evolutionary path. It is this path that we learn all about sacrifice. Sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice the innocent lives of a few for the sake of improving the survival of the whole. Indeed it is the ability of the human species to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others; that defines our human evolution.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
7 days into 2009
It is now 7 days into 2009. The year has started o.k. from a sharemarkets perspective. Recent volatility seems to have disappeared for now. This may simply be reduced volumes due to holiday trading, however most markets are up so far this year and some are approaching 2 month highs. What is more likely is that most people are taking a wait and see approach for now and are taking advantage of any shares that may have been oversold in recent times. 2008 was a treacherous year; make no mistake. It is far too early to say how widespread the casualties are. Already in 2009 a few more big names have been named to the list. You know that it is getting bad when Billionaires are starting to commit suicide. It goes without saying that most reputable resource companies and retailers are battling down the hatches until the worst is in the past. Those who have not taken the necessary precautions in liquidity reserves are the first to go into receivership.
One thing is certain. Until Obama takes over the US presidency in around 2 weeks, the world is in something of a stalemate. In Geopolitical terms the window of opportunity to take advantage of the current political stalemate is fast running to a close. It is not surprising that a few main players have taken advantage of this free window for political manoeuvring.
Israel as widely expected has taken a dramatic stand to rout Hamas for good. The latest war has taken out over 600 palestinian’s including known terrorists, Hamas officials, innocent civilians, soldiers, police, ambulance drivers, and children. It is an outrageous exercise in bully tactics and I fear that any sympathy that Israel may have deserved; is lost in a sudden rush of shock and anger as its own list of damage, casualties and fatalities fade into total insignificance. Meanwhile a humanitarian crisis in Gaza looms…
...
100601 A flotilla of ships headed towards Gaza has been intercepted by Israeli forces in International waters. As the Israelis soldiers boarded the ships to inspect cargoes, they were attacked. In self defense the Israeli soldiers killed ten activists and injured many others with paintballs and pistols. All flotilla ships and occupants are now confiscated and under arrest. Anyone that is known to have assaulted Israeli soldiers will be summarily arrested and face Israeli justice. At the very least, all occupants will face hours of intense interrogation. Immediate deportation will be a mercy ending reserved for the more fortunate cases.
As it is; the flotilla intercepted is a lot smaller than was intended, and the flotilla originally headed off from Turkish shores. It may or not be a coincidence that most of the activists killed were of Turkish nationality. It may also be a coincidence that many of the ships that intended to travel to Gaza from Turkey suffered engine difficulties, or seemed in urgent need of other repairs at the time of sailing.
Let’s not spin words here. Israel is fighting a deadly foe and this foe is known as Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization that will stoop to any low levels necessary to achieve its goal. Remove Israel from the map. As a terrorist organization, Hamas is not alone in this goal. (Hezbollah)
What is perhaps more insidious is the influence of Iran. It seems highly likely that Iran is smuggling more sophisticated rockets into Gaza, or waiting patiently for the opportunity to do so.
No wonder that Israeli forces are taking no chances no matter what the international community might say. They are not the ones who will have to live with the result if the smuggled rockets do get through. Make no mistake; the chances of any flotilla of ships getting through without thorough Israeli inspections are slim. This means that future confrontations are inevitable. This is a dangerous battle of wills that will quickly inflame the Islamic world, especially Turkey and neighbours of Israel.
Meanwhile in the midst of all the ongoing turmoil in the ME, Russia decides to ratchet up the rhetoric with its own favourite neighbour, the Ukraine. This is a dangerous war of words because inevitably the inevitable happens. Russia cuts or slows down gas supplies and the Ukraine gets up to its own dirty tricks. This is a war of words that no-body can win. This especially applies to all those European countries that depend on gas that comes from Ukrainian pipelines. A catch 22 situation make no mistake and especially deadly in the middle of winter with a cold storm approaching.
The thing is that this is all becoming slightly repetitive. When will all of this nonsense end?
One thing is certain. Until Obama takes over the US presidency in around 2 weeks, the world is in something of a stalemate. In Geopolitical terms the window of opportunity to take advantage of the current political stalemate is fast running to a close. It is not surprising that a few main players have taken advantage of this free window for political manoeuvring.
Israel as widely expected has taken a dramatic stand to rout Hamas for good. The latest war has taken out over 600 palestinian’s including known terrorists, Hamas officials, innocent civilians, soldiers, police, ambulance drivers, and children. It is an outrageous exercise in bully tactics and I fear that any sympathy that Israel may have deserved; is lost in a sudden rush of shock and anger as its own list of damage, casualties and fatalities fade into total insignificance. Meanwhile a humanitarian crisis in Gaza looms…
...
100601 A flotilla of ships headed towards Gaza has been intercepted by Israeli forces in International waters. As the Israelis soldiers boarded the ships to inspect cargoes, they were attacked. In self defense the Israeli soldiers killed ten activists and injured many others with paintballs and pistols. All flotilla ships and occupants are now confiscated and under arrest. Anyone that is known to have assaulted Israeli soldiers will be summarily arrested and face Israeli justice. At the very least, all occupants will face hours of intense interrogation. Immediate deportation will be a mercy ending reserved for the more fortunate cases.
As it is; the flotilla intercepted is a lot smaller than was intended, and the flotilla originally headed off from Turkish shores. It may or not be a coincidence that most of the activists killed were of Turkish nationality. It may also be a coincidence that many of the ships that intended to travel to Gaza from Turkey suffered engine difficulties, or seemed in urgent need of other repairs at the time of sailing.
Let’s not spin words here. Israel is fighting a deadly foe and this foe is known as Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization that will stoop to any low levels necessary to achieve its goal. Remove Israel from the map. As a terrorist organization, Hamas is not alone in this goal. (Hezbollah)
What is perhaps more insidious is the influence of Iran. It seems highly likely that Iran is smuggling more sophisticated rockets into Gaza, or waiting patiently for the opportunity to do so.
No wonder that Israeli forces are taking no chances no matter what the international community might say. They are not the ones who will have to live with the result if the smuggled rockets do get through. Make no mistake; the chances of any flotilla of ships getting through without thorough Israeli inspections are slim. This means that future confrontations are inevitable. This is a dangerous battle of wills that will quickly inflame the Islamic world, especially Turkey and neighbours of Israel.
Meanwhile in the midst of all the ongoing turmoil in the ME, Russia decides to ratchet up the rhetoric with its own favourite neighbour, the Ukraine. This is a dangerous war of words because inevitably the inevitable happens. Russia cuts or slows down gas supplies and the Ukraine gets up to its own dirty tricks. This is a war of words that no-body can win. This especially applies to all those European countries that depend on gas that comes from Ukrainian pipelines. A catch 22 situation make no mistake and especially deadly in the middle of winter with a cold storm approaching.
The thing is that this is all becoming slightly repetitive. When will all of this nonsense end?
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