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The Earth Summit
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The Earth Summit |
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anya Member
since 2002-07-27
Posts 393London, UK |
The Eath Summit is going on in Johannesburg at this very moment, how much good it will do is up for debate but it can achieve NOTHING without the leader of the most powerful country in the world, why has George Bush not going, why can other world leaders turn up to discuss the issues of poverty in Africa and global warming but he can't. America is the biggest polluter in the world and yet it's head of state is not going to discuss these issues,I'm sorry but this makes me angry, Bush should go and at least defend his position on trade and pollution, it seems to me that he is happy to have isolationism when it suits him and then on the other hand expects the support of other nations when he wants it, I don't know I am not an expert or anything but this is getting alot of press coverage over here and it is making me MAD. Oh and I hope I havent offended any Americans, if I have then i'm sorry but I do believe this is the place for a rant, ok i'm done with my ranting |
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| © Copyright 2002 Anne Hegarty - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
sigh - I'm so tired of hearing about how awful my country is. I really am. No wonder this world has so many wars - people (from ANYWHERE!) are so busy hating people they can't even see... |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
You have to rant in order to rave. Speak out whenever you see things going on you don't agree with, it's part of the rights and the responsibilities of citizenship. Bush should be there, but it didn't surprise me that he chose to ignore the international forum. Heck, he doesn't even listen to the citizenry or his own political supporters. Rant away. I'll defend your right to say what you feel. |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Oh, I agree with you completely, anya. We suck.  California guy |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
quote: and quote: Neither of these addresses the issue. Should Bush be present in South Africa? Do you think he is making the right decision or the wrong one? Why? Anything less is to concentrate on mood at the expense of sense. |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Have to agree with Brad here. I saw a report on ABC news, which we see at midnight over here - gave some alarming stats on pollution in the states. California, Delaware and Texas are the most polluted states...and pollution levels are off the wall in many other states... Having said that - where I live, Auckland...terrible. NZ's clean and green image may be accurate in the rural areas, but that's certainly not so in the city. The fact is - this is our planet. And something needs to be now - for future generations, as well as for ourselves. Now, if the person who has the greatest amount of visible power within the capitalist world system, ie - George Bush, doesn't get off his hiney and make his presence known - what does that say? It's not about bagging America, it's about questioning a decision made by the American leader. And let's be honest - he is the 'head' of all the first world nations...in terms of power, visibility and sheer might - given the resources available to him. Now, if any nations have the power to alter the course of the world's pollution - it's going to be the first world nations isn't it. That's just logical. He should be there - all the leaders should be there.  K |
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anya Member
since 2002-07-27
Posts 393London, UK |
Just to say I was not slagging America or Americans, I have no reason to, I was just saying that I think the leader of the worlds only super power should be at such an important event, sorry if I offended anyone was just voicing an opinion, |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
quote: Excellent sentiments. However, this entire thread puts me in the uncomfortable position of appearing to defend gDb.... which I'm not... First -- Anya -- I haven't seen the current statistics -- but while pollution in the U.S. is not good -- it has been far worse in the past in the former Soviet block countries and China -- and on a per-capita basis in developing countries. Second -- the WSSB (World Summit on Sustainable Development) is even admited by the UN itself to be pretty much a toothless tiger -- nothing is enforceable -- agreements are voluntary -- and some pretty un-even guidelines have been set up in the past that don't make the playing field level for everyone -- in other words -- the conference is designed less as a means to protect the planet for future generations than it is to handicap the first world for present day operations. So, while I agree GB's foreign policies have been inconsistent, confusing, and inept and that something needs to be done about world pollution -- the WSSB aint it. Sorry good reading: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2129583.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2159552.stm http://www.earthsummit2002.org/ [This message has been edited by Local Rebel (09-02-2002 12:57 PM).] |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Thanks for the reading LR, and I stand by my sentiments - whether the WSSB is 'it' or not... Seems to me that no matter where world leaders gather together, problems will arise...if not - hell, we might live in Utopia by now eh?  Seriously, though, with or without it's thorn - that these world leaders have gathered is at least one step in what could be the right direction. Let's hope that, despite disorganisation or handicapping, something useful arises.. K |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Don't worry Bono will save the day.. ok kidding. Yes it is frustrating that Bush will not attend. It is the responsible of our world leaders to attend. If Bertie Ahern refused to attend I would be equally annoyed. But in the end what will this debate solve, It is doubtful that George W. will read these comments and have a change of heart. "To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank searching for you Moving through the silence without motion waiting for you" ian curtis [This message has been edited by brian madden (09-03-2002 07:28 PM).] |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
That's so defeatist Bri...shame on you...  Anyway, maybe we all just like to see ourselves talk... K |
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