Global Hypocrisy Meeting
This weekend is the meeting of the G7 in Biarritz, France. A useless meeting, really, because few within this club are actually in agreement with anybody else, nor do they represent the majority of global population nor global markets. Yet, talks will be held concerning trade, human rights, what to do with Iran and China, and global warming.
In other words, the hypocrisy that is the principle affliction of the wealthy world will be aired these days. Beginning with global warming, the meeting is as hot as the air created by the words that will talk about it.
Seven heads of state from seven different countries, some on opposite sides of the globe, will fly to France on their private planes, all consuming enormous quantities of fossil fuel. Yet, those heads of state will offer their agreements on the fact that we should use more renewable fuels and curtail emissions. This is the twenty-first century. We have things called video conference calls. Just as at the meeting they have structured time schedules, so can they structure schedules to talk via video call with different leaders to reach agreements on different subjects. No one has to leave their cozy office in their capital cities. Just press a button, and the only energy used will be the same energy used to keep the lights on in their offices, and the heating and whatever else they need. Don't talk to me about saving energy and reducing my carbon footprint when yours is bigger than a t-rex's.
Then, human rights. I think it is agreed that among those rights is the right to expression. But no one will be allowed to express their views of the meeting anywhere near the place. No one will be allowed to shout in Macron's face or point out his failings to Shinzo Abe, from a decent distance. (I will not get into what most people would looove to do to Donald Trump. Because that would go beyond expression of opinion to physical attacks, which is a no-no.)
Other rights that are generally acknowledged that people have, are the right to a job, and to live peacefully. Not in Biarritz these days. Most places will be closed, the border will be shut down, and the residents in the "red zone" will need special passes to access their own homes, where they cannot go out on balconies nor even open windows. Nice, for the last week of August. For the unlucky tourists who happen to be there, the beaches will be closed, and they cannot leave their cars in the airport parking area, nor will they have special passes. They may as well stay in their hotel rooms. Others, who were arriving this weekend, have had to cancel the trip. Roads around Biarritz will also be cut off, and all residents must carry their identification and passes giving them permission to circulate in the area. All this, to keep safe seven heads of state who could just as easily have been sitting in their offices instead of interrupting the lives of thousands of people, and causing many to lose wages.
If I see those seven standing on the empty beach, saying, "ooh, how beautiful," I will throw something at the television. Hypocrites.
In other words, the hypocrisy that is the principle affliction of the wealthy world will be aired these days. Beginning with global warming, the meeting is as hot as the air created by the words that will talk about it.
Seven heads of state from seven different countries, some on opposite sides of the globe, will fly to France on their private planes, all consuming enormous quantities of fossil fuel. Yet, those heads of state will offer their agreements on the fact that we should use more renewable fuels and curtail emissions. This is the twenty-first century. We have things called video conference calls. Just as at the meeting they have structured time schedules, so can they structure schedules to talk via video call with different leaders to reach agreements on different subjects. No one has to leave their cozy office in their capital cities. Just press a button, and the only energy used will be the same energy used to keep the lights on in their offices, and the heating and whatever else they need. Don't talk to me about saving energy and reducing my carbon footprint when yours is bigger than a t-rex's.
Then, human rights. I think it is agreed that among those rights is the right to expression. But no one will be allowed to express their views of the meeting anywhere near the place. No one will be allowed to shout in Macron's face or point out his failings to Shinzo Abe, from a decent distance. (I will not get into what most people would looove to do to Donald Trump. Because that would go beyond expression of opinion to physical attacks, which is a no-no.)
Other rights that are generally acknowledged that people have, are the right to a job, and to live peacefully. Not in Biarritz these days. Most places will be closed, the border will be shut down, and the residents in the "red zone" will need special passes to access their own homes, where they cannot go out on balconies nor even open windows. Nice, for the last week of August. For the unlucky tourists who happen to be there, the beaches will be closed, and they cannot leave their cars in the airport parking area, nor will they have special passes. They may as well stay in their hotel rooms. Others, who were arriving this weekend, have had to cancel the trip. Roads around Biarritz will also be cut off, and all residents must carry their identification and passes giving them permission to circulate in the area. All this, to keep safe seven heads of state who could just as easily have been sitting in their offices instead of interrupting the lives of thousands of people, and causing many to lose wages.
If I see those seven standing on the empty beach, saying, "ooh, how beautiful," I will throw something at the television. Hypocrites.
When Clinton used to come to Geneva (and other big heads of state) They stayed at the Continental Hotel, halfway between my house and office. One day it took two hours to walk to work (normally 20 mins.) Through all the security checks. Another time they closed the office. The UN is all around the same area.
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