 home
archives
last week
feedback
Rolla Peace News October 16, 2018 |
|
Dear Friends: http://tomsager.org/Peaceletters/peaceletter101618.html In this newsletter is: 1. NOON VIGIL FOR PEACE: THURSDAY, OCT. 18, 2018 2. THE MISFIT MATHEMATICIAN (Tom's column, http://tomsager.org) a) After 17 Years, War Against Afghanistan May Be Ending Soon b) Fire And Rain c) War And Climate Change 1. NOON VIGIL FOR PEACE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018 We vigil for peace in front of the Rolla Post Office THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, FROM NOON TO 1:00 PM (and most subsequent Thursdays until peace is established). Please try to join us. The temperature is predicted to be in the 50s. If you do not feel comfortable standing with us in front of the Post Office, please consider driving by and showing your support for our message by honking your horn and flashing a peace sign. 2. THE MISFIT MATHEMATICIAN (Tom's column, http://tomsager.org) a) After 17 Years, War Against Afghanistan May Be Ending Soon b) Fire And Rain c) War And Climate Change AFTER 17 YEARS, WAR AGAINST AFGHANISTAN MAY BE ENDING SOON This month the War Against Afghanistan entered its 18th year. That is, if you count from the October 7, 2001 invasion by the US and allies. There are other reasonable times you could count from, such as: 1979: Beginning of US supported jihad against the Soviet Union. 1838: Disastrous British invasion in which the entire British army was totally annihilated except for one lone survivor. Counting as you wish, an end to the current War Against Afghanistan would be a wonderful thing for Afghanistan, the United States and the world. In 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan with around 49 allied nations in what was supposed to be a “cake walk.” 17 years later, the Taliban controls more territory than at any time since 2001, with its influence growing. The United States and the Taliban are meeting in Qatar to discuss ending the war. The Taliban precondition is the negotiation of the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan. I am amazed by the Afghan people. In the United States they are almost always portrayed by the Left as victims. Yet in modern times, they have been victorious over the British, the Russians, and perhaps soon, victorious over the United States too. Of course, Donald Trump will claim to have brought Peace to Afghanistan; just as he claims to be bringing Peace to Korea. However, I suspect history may pass a somewhat different verdict. FIRE AND RAIN Wildfires, floods and droughts are intensifying throughout the world. Here are two sites that specialize in climate disasters: Natural disasters and extreme weather Floods News And here are two important articles from the Guardian's Natural Disasters page on recent devastation: This is what our future looks like: Hellfire From Harvey to Michael: how America's year of major hurricanes unfolded The IPCC has come out with another document claiming dire consequences if humanity doesn't drastically cut its use of fossil fuels immediately. As far as I'm concerned, the IPCC is again a day late and a dollar short . My conjecture is that we passed a tipping point during the monster El Niño event of 2015-16. Surface temperatures have declined since then; but devastating fires and hurricanes have increased. Current events would seem to support my conjecture. WAR AND CLIMATE CHANGE In my writing, I try to bring out the strong correlation between War and Climate Change. Here is a short five minute talk I gave at the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center's Lewis Green Environmental Service Awards Party which, I think, establishes the connection in very few words. Rolla Peace News is distributed by email once a week on Tuesday evenings (except on rare occasions) and is posted on the web at http://tomsager.org (click on Grassroots Rolla: near the top of rightmost column). If you don't wish to get notices of peace events in the Rolla area, let me know and I'll take you off this list. If you want to be added to this list, let me know. Wage peace, Helen helenm (at) fidnet.com |