The Best Of Shut Up And Listen Year 2--Column 91

A War For The Twenty-First Century
Canada’s legislation voted in favour of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Fuck yeah.
	But while posting this good news on a message board, I of course encountered resistance. That’s something that haunted Kyoto ever since it was drafted, and I am fucking sick of it.
	What is so fucking bad about trying to improve the environment? People cite it could have an adverse effect on the economy. So? What kind of fucking economy does the Western world have if it is dependent on killing the planet? Look at our lifestyles, and ask yourself “Is all this really worth it?” Is it worth the cars that spew exhaust? Is it worth the air conditioners that deplete the ozone layer? 
	But then again, you’re reading this online. I’m typing this on a Dell Inspiron 2500 notebook while sitting in my nice, centrally heated house, with the TV on and my sisters downstairs watching another one. It’s pretty easy for me to say all this, isn’t it?
	Well, yes it is. I won’t deny that. It is very fucking easy for me to just say all this shit, but what proof can I give you that I’m willing to do anything about what I say? Well, none. That’s right, I can’t give you any proof I’d be willing to give up all this if it meant making a cleaner, better world. I’d very much like to believe I would. That’s all I can tell you, that I think I’d be willing to sacrifice what I’ve got.
	But that reminds me of something: most of the opponents are right-wing believers, right? And aren’t right-wingers generally the first ones to remind us about sacrifices that must be made for the good of everyone? Oh, I’m sorry, that’s in the time of war. So what, do we need the pollution to start dropping bombs for them to get on board? Sure, they’re willing to let the economy go to hell if there’s some foreign leader is possibly thinking about maybe consulting some guy about possibly thinking about considering ordering the parts for a weapon that will still take forty-seven years to actually design and then another five to build, but to help make cleaner air? No, they couldn’t do that. 
	To die at the hands of a bullet from some dumb kid just like you is noble! You’re fighting for something! You’re fighting for your country! For your children! For your grandchildren! You’re fighting so they won’t have to!
	Tell me: how is that really all that different from trying to make the environment cleaner?
	The problem is this is a much bigger fight. This fight actually affects the people who usually profit from war. There’s no pulling favours so that your kid can sit at home and guard some inland hick town from the remote possibility that those bullets from Europe or Asia will go all the way across the ocean and hit some little kid in the head. No, in this fight, it’s big business that loses out the most. Especially many of those companies dependent upon shit like oil. 
	Yes, the “common man” will be affected too. But seriously, how much can a lot of them be affected when most of these high polluting companies have already laid off a shitload of their workers? Also, what the opponents of Kyoto don’t tell you is that new jobs will be created. Who’s going to build the new cars that don’t run on gasoline? Think about all the alternate power sources that will have to be put into effect. Those are new jobs.
	Of course, there is always the possibility that despite the decision to ratify Kyoto, nothing will be done. As our Deputy Prime Minister said there is no Kyoto court and no one to enforce it. But I’m hoping we will keep our word and honour the agreement we’ve entered into.

Writer’s Commentary
Well, no one’s mentioned Kyoto since it was ratified, really. Another thing that just dropped out of site once it was done. Lovely, ain’t it?
	It’s interesting how no one’s ever really looked at the fight to clean up the environment in such a manner. I wish more people would. Putting it in terms of war might actually get people do to something. Like I said, a lot of people are willing to sacrifice when a real war’s on, so why not to save the planet?
	Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with people when they’re willing to send people off to die because of some fucked up notion of nobility and death in war, but won’t give up their SUV to make sure their grandkids can breathe outside?
	My poli-sci prof mentioned this week how when he was a kid they didn’t have those bad air quality days. We had like fifteen of them or something last summer. We have days where you shouldn’t go outside because the air is no good and yet millions of people don’t care. What the fuck is wrong with you people? Huh? Are you fucking stupid? Are you so fucking retarded that you can’t see that you’re killing the planet and everything on it? I mean, WHAT THE FUCK?
	(On a side note, have you noticed how the word “retard” has been showing up more and more in common language? I have. The word’s starting to become okay to say once again. It’s been separated from the mentally challenged for long enough for the two to become disassociated, I guess. I know I’ve missed saying it. For me, it’s used in the context of “moronic idiot”. Beyond stupid. But if I offended anyone by my use of it . . . well, suck it up.)
	I don’t get it, people. I really don’t.