Blogging from the Bog

   What started out as school project a few years ago has grown into an international effort of creativity, forward thinking, and co-operation among individuals and groups with a view to the future.  Not satisfied with the rhetoric of government, big business, or doomsday theorists these visionaries are proactively making a concerted effort to prepare their communities for the inevitable.  They are not passing judgement, they are not getting entangled in spurious debates or mudslinging, and they are not promising miracles.  They are creating Transition Towns.

   In 2005 Rob Hopkins was teaching a class in the world’s first two-year program of permaculture at a college in Kinsale, County Cork a seaside community on the southern coast of Ireland.  Permaculture, in theory and practice, is the idea of sustainable living and as part of his lecture series Hopkins showed the movie The End of Suburbia to his class.  At a time when the price of oil was still around the $35 per barrel stage the implications of peak oil were not lost on the students and a proposal was drafted designing the Transition Town concept.  The cleaner, greener, community based initiative was adopted by the Kinsale Town Council as proposed by student Louise Rooney and the project was underway.

   The Transition Town concept is becoming more and more relavent, as the price of oil is now $135 a barrel, and deals with how communities will adapt, adjust, and flourish despite being faced with declining natural resources, rising fuel and energy prices or shortages, and climate change.  There are currently 50 towns actively participating in this project and hundreds of others contemplating the idea of getting involved.  Is your town or city considering the prospect?  Check this list of communities around the globe.

   A quote from Rob Hopkins’ website reads, "We are communities, a society, a world in transition, and to do that we need a culture of transition, but also we need the tools for manifesting it."  Indeed we do Rob, indeed we do.

Rob

   In our globalised economy and lifestyle many things have changed here in Ireland.  The increase in discretionary income has allowed for more frequent travel, a larger variety of exotic food and beverages on our grocery shelves, and some changes in our consumption patterns.  One notable item features high on our new shopping list, wine, the Irish are now in love with the nectar of the vine. 

   Amid all the controversy with global warming, fuel prices, and a slumping world economy the French wine growers, Irish truckers, UK and Scottish fisherman, and others around Europe are reacting to rising costs, EU controls and dwindling profits by holding strikes, slow downs and riots.  Is this a sign of the times and a preview of what is to come?  Or, will we take a pro-active stance, adapt as humans are capable of, and rise to the challenges we face as we approach peak oil?

   In late July a ship will quietly leave a dock in France bound for Irish shores, it’s hold will contain 12,000 bottles of wine for the thirsty Irish market, and it will be using free fuel.  A three-masted schooner, the Kathleen & May, is scheduled to deliver her cargo to the Dublin port on the 25th of July.  Over one hundred years old, the sailing vessel is one of many operated by the Compagnie de Transport Maritime a la Voile, and according to company executives will save nearly 5 ounces of carbon emissions per bottle. 

   Will we again see horse drawn wagons and a return of the canal barges in Dublin?  We can only hope! 

   On Friday the European Union instructed member countries to tighten border security.  The new policies will include fingerprinting and screening of all visitors, including North Americans, Africans and others coming to European countries and will cost several billion dollars.

   Nicolas Sarkozy will take over the leadership position of the EU on the first of July and is making "border management" and immigration policies some of his top priorities.  Other items on Sarkozy’s plan for Europe include boosting Europe’s military defences and energy security.  The Lisbon Treaty may be dead but the agenda behind it is not.

   Satellite tracking will be used to monitor "illegal immigrants" and many believe privacy and human rights abuses could result.  Will this have any effect on tourism?  Will our visitors appreciate the Cead Mille Failte after they are photographed, fingerprinted, and processed?

   A tip o’ the hat goes out to the blog Eurealist for this post about the secret European Union plans to establish a diplomatic corps and create their own embassies at 160 locations throughout the world.  The UK Telegraph story goes on to say that these arrangements are being "held behind closed doors" for "fear of political fallout" that may erupt prior to the Irish referendum on the 12th of June.

   The Brussels Journal has reported that "a secret Interior Ministry" will be developed only after the Treaty is voted upon in Ireland.

   On March 16th the Sunday Post online ran a story about corruption in the ranks of the officials within the EU Parliament.  The article quotes Brian Cowen, Irish Minister of Finance and soon to be the leader of our government, as saying, "For those who believe in a democratic  Europe, Yes is the only way to vote.", and then further goes on to describe the secret investigation and the internal audit "cover up".

   Benita Ferrero-Waldner is the European Commissioner for External Affairs who made a speech to the College of Europe, Bruges, on the 7th of April in which she described the need to implement the Lisbon Treaty and that "But of course what you don’t know, what indeed none of us yet know, is exactly how this will work out in practice."

   Does the question "What else don’t we know?" pop into anyones mind?

   Ten days after the 13th annual Iranian Oil Show, the government, led by President Ahmadinejad, has announced that it will no longer be accepting US dollars when selling it’s oil.  Deals struck before and during the show have solidified Iran’s position on the global stage as the 4th largest oil producer, while the Oil Minister called the US dollar "worthless paper" and announced his country will be dealing in Euro and Yen for future sales.  This news does not bode well for the weakening US economy nor will it help with Ireland’s celtic meltdown.

   This move comes as no great surprise as it allows Iran to sidestep trade sanctions, imposed by the US, over it’s nuclear ambitions and will give Iran a "bonus benefit" from it’s oil sales while divesting itself of weak dollars.  Trade and investment projects with countries like India, Russia, and Venezuela will guarantee Iran’s influence in global oil markets.  Chavez, of Venezuela, has already toyed with the idea of replacing petro-dollars with euros and his close association with Iran could embolden his attempts to renew a euro-petrol policy.

   Iran has oil and lots of it, what they don’t want is dollars, will they convince OPEC to dump the US dollar too?

   Is there an idea, concept or belief that is more valuable than a human life?  Are ideas, concepts, or beliefs, even considered reality?

   Throughout history we have heard of people risking and losing their lives for ideals and principles; but, these were people who were able to rationalise for themselves what the consequences and outcomes might be.  What is the proper consideration for us to take with regards to people who are not competent, who may be children, or even infants?

   There was a discussion on this very topic at Ash’s place over at Into the Rabbit Hole as to what the community responsibility should be when an eleven year old girl was allowed to die because her parents refused to get her the medical care she needed to live.  At what point does a person have a unique presence on this earth and the right to life?  In the womb? at birth? at eighteen or twenty-one?  If pre-natal abortions can be legalised how about post-natal ones?  The threat of post-natal abortions would go a long way in controlling the Anti-Social Behaviour problem with modern teenagers wouldn’t it?  *that was sarcasm ok?*

   There is a case here in Ireland that will be heard in the court system within the next few days.  Parents of unborn twins are trying to prevent medical intervention and blood transfusions, that doctors feel necessary to save the childrens lives, because of their beliefs.  In this country, I believe, that the State can intervene and declare the newborns to be Wards of the State because of the sanctity of life provisions within the Constitution and in doing so can approve of any necessary medical treatment regardless of the parents wishes.  Would it be morally feasible to have the courts allow the medical staff to treat the infants while they are still in the womb?

   Should we as a community take the responsibility to care for each and every life even if it goes against the wishes of the parents?

   What is all the fuss about?  What is there to know about the Lisbon Treaty referendum?  The answer to this Euro-riddle is as plain as Irish stew!  And for all the eejits out there having a great auld chinwagging session on the pros and cons of our future economy, neutrality, or our small voice in the greater European scheme of things answer me this one question will ya?

   Why, if voting yes for this treaty will make the EU 27 a more democratic union, are they not allowing all citizens to vote in a democratic electoral process throughout the member States?  If this passes in June do you think they will ever allow us to vote on anything again?  Why should they?  For Heaven’s Sake people wake the feck up will ya?

   Only a flock of bloody sheep would vote yes for this shite.  Off ya go!

   View this video, posted by Jazz Biscuit, before you vote!

   More often than not, what begins as a civilized debate often degenerates into an irrational argument, when reason and truth are exhausted the baser elements rear their ugly heads.  When fear of losing the debate over-rides the concept of the original plan to have an open exchange of thoughts or ideas with others, isn’t it amazing how personalities, backgrounds, or beliefs creep in?  The next time you happen upon a new blog try this test, read the comments first, this should give you the best representation of what kind of blog you are visiting, and quickly tell you if you should bother with the blog at all!  Blogs are fairly easy to categorise because the comments sections offer an immediate reaction, by the debaters, that can be seen by all.  Some bloggers don’t even respond to honest criticisms or questions, that says even more.  But, this post is not about blogging etiquette, styles, or preferences.

   The reaction, or lack of it, to the recent publication of the film "Fitna" tells us more about our ability to rise above our baser instinctive need to retaliate than it does of a religion.  Reason and tolerance seem to prevail on all sides amidst this controversial release.  There is hope.  Oh sure, there will be some reactionary responses, there always are a few misfits, malcontents, and under-achievers that want to be heard; but, in the main, it seems as if the majority see this film for what it is, a tabloid piece of media, a 15 minute non-event.  The horrible things we’ve been doing to each other for thousands of years is what is truely shocking, not that a small part of it is shown on a piece of video.  Some of the un-educated are exchanging a bit of foul language between them and a few of the main stream media outlets are fanning the flames to sell advertising but it seems that most are ignoring the hate filled bickering.  Balance and objectivity are what we need, and that is just what you get from Euro Yank where he posts the "Fitna" video and a short rebuttal film along with commentary.  A "must see" for anyone who wishes to gain some insight into the situation.

   Monotheism blossomed out of the harsh desert environment between western Asia and the Middle East almost 4,000 years ago.  Something about this idea of only one God rang as true in the hearts of the inhabitants and Abraham, of the Old Testament, is credited with being the first human to commit his beliefs in this way.  Down through the ages this idea caught on with the general public and became a concept that most of the world embraces and adheres to today.  Of all the other options, this idea of only one God, made more sense to a wider assortment of peoples than the idols formed by men.  Not everyone made this transition at once or in the same manner.  Words, ideas, inventions, and people travelled at a much slower rate in those days than they do now; but, travel they did, these ideas followed the trade routes and were welcomed as a sign of hope in these arid lands.  Even now, when we are confronted with new ideas and concepts, it spurs great debates both oral and written, and eventually some sort of consensus or public awareness is born.

   Nearly 300 years after the mission of Jesus, in the year 325 of the Common Era, a council was convened by the Emperor Constantine I that would once and for all decide which of all these writings and oral traditions would be deemed acceptable to the new Christian movement.  It was the Council of Nicaea that chose what the Christian Bible would become.  The Jewish writings, unchangeable by Constantine’s councils, were much older and were included as the Old Testament and the common history of Jews and Christians was forever bound under the one living God of Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah.  This new Book also made it’s way along the trade routes of the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and the Arab Peninsula.

   The city of Mecca was the largest at the time on the Arabian Peninsula and was a crossroads of trade and commerce for Jews, Christians, Arabs, and Africans.  It was here, about 300 years after Nicaea, that the Prophet Mohammed began his mission to bring the estranged descendants of Abraham back to the one living God.  It was from Abraham’s sons, Ishmael and Isaac, that the great peoples of Arabia and Judea came.  As if a long lost rememberance was re-kindled in the minds and hearts of the Arabian nation they followed Muhammed back to the God of their ancestors and joined their brothers and sisters in believing in the one true God of Abraham.  Allah, Yahweh, and God are the different names of the same Supreme Being.  The similarities between Christians, Muslims, and Jews far outweigh the differences and in time it will be these similarities that will allow us to co-exist in tolerance, compassion and peace. 

   In the world today diplomacy between different nations and peoples allow us a relatively comfortable existence in the West.  We need to overcome our differences and embrace our sameness with everyone, this can be a successful achievement even though our track record isn’t stellar.  All nations and peoples are guilty of abandoning the Faith and committing atrocities.  If you think you can find justification for your actions in the Scriptures, Proverbs, or Surahs of your written tradition then think again.  No, don’t think, that is where our problems lie, with you thinking.  Instead, check your interpretations with the Ten Commandments of The Book, if there is a contradiction with your version and the Word of God, can you guess who is wrong?

   The threat from Islam does not come from it’s religious beliefs it comes from it’s economic ones and it is aimed at the rich and powerful.  The socio-economic philosophy of Islam is to redistribute natural resources among all who need it with no regard for private profit, a banking system with no interest payments, and an idea that all basic human needs be cared for.  It is a system that blends the positive aspects of capitalism with a type of communism that includes incentives for the ambitious.  Is it any wonder that this Third Solution is gaining converts faster than any other?

   The events unfolding in eastern Chad and the Darfur region of Sudan this week are bringing to light the confusing nature of the EUFOR mission.  It is not surprising to think, that when military men stumble upon each other in the desert and see soldiers in strange uniforms, that bullets will fly, and they did.

   Two EUFOR personnel, of the French Special Forces, who were on a reconaissence mission were fired upon inside Sudan.  One made it out alive and one did not.  After apologies from EUFOR Command and the French government measures are being undertaken to recover the dead soldier from Sudanese officials.  Why were a special forces recon team "lost" and why would France apologise for a EUFOR border crossing?

   There are at least three missions going on simultaneaously within the borders of Chad and Sudan.  The one that the Irish military is involved in is EUFOR, a UN mandated peacekeeping force that is to secure humanitarian agencies, their aid workers, and refugee camps in eastern Chad and the Central African Republic.  This unit will have about 4,000 ground troops and support staff when it is fully deployed in May.  There are at least 14 countries participating in this exercise each wearing slightly different uniforms and use a common blue beret.

   This common blue beret is being used by UN forces in a separate mission inside the Darfur region called UNAMID.  The goal of this operation is similar to EUFOR’s mission; but, it is supposed to have the approval of the Sudanese government.  There are 8,000 UNAMID soldiers now on the ground in Darfur and 12,000 more on the way.  This group is an upgraded UN-AU (African Union) cooperative effort and has also sustained attacks from the regular Sudanese army in northern Darfur.  The recent attack was in the southern regions near the Chad, Sudan, and Central African Republic borders, and given the fact that Darfur is the size of France (or Texas), is it likely that these blue berets are still unknown by the Sudanese military and that the UN peacekeepers are considered hostile by them?  It’s about time that Sudan’s generals pass the word down through the ranks that they shouldn’t be shooting at blue hats don’t ya think?

   There is a third military mission being conducted, ostensibly in western Chad near the capital, called "Operation Epervier".  This is being solely run by the French Army, it has no UN mandate, no blue berets, and has been going on for 22 years.  They assist or deny military support for the government of Chad by whim and by chance.  They supported Deby’s predecessor against Libya in the 80’s then stood by while Deby overthrew that government in a coup in the 90’s.  They transported weapons purchased by Deby from Libya to prevent the recent armed rebellion in the capital and flew sorties of rebels and arms into N’Djamena to support Deby.  This is Sarkozy’s operation.