The Dark Path

[labelwench]

As the originator of this thread, I take artistic license in altering it's course.

The dark subject I would mention briefly today is the tragic course of the wildfires in Australia, the loss of life, and the observation that this kind of fire/weather behaviour is beyond the experience and best preparations of a nation and a people that live with wildfire as a matter of fact.

Drought in China is another sombre spectre threatening food supply and income for large numbers of people.

Weather is going to play it's part in the human drama, as ever it has.

We have accomplished much yet we still know so little.

Labelwench

[leskey]

Hi, labelwench.

As if any environmental factors weren't enough, it's now appearing that the Australian bushfire devastation in the state of Victoria has mainly been the work of arsonists; the number of fires still being lit is unprecidented. With the death toll expected to rise above 300, it's being dubbed Australia's worst "natural" disaster...

I've just been talking to a friend on the phone who's advised that authorities have discovered a website inciting fanatical Muslims to light fires. Melbourne and Sydney harbor Australia's largest Muslim populations. Just last week in Melbourne seven Islamic terrorists were sentenced to jail for plotting to blow up a major football stadium and the imminent Formula 1 Grand Prix...The fires are thought to be in retalliation...

If this is true, environmental degradation may not be our greatest threat, instead, the real threat may arise from the degradation of the human psyche...

[labelwench]

Hello Leskey,

I was aware of some of the fires being of a suspicious nature but had not yet researched the political angles. Thank you for bringing this aspect forward.

Additionally, I quite agree that we have far more to fear from our fellow beings, environmental degradation and resource pressures being just a couple of of the factors to consider.

As a volunteer fire-fighter, I was most struck by the details of temperature, relative humidity, the flammable types of vegetation and winds that contributed to a fire behavior that even an experienced community could not predict or withstand.

Regards,

Labelwench

[Mikal]

Hi guys...I wonder if Disaster Capitalism works as an angle into these fires. I also wonder about quick de-population which is also a present concern in our societies. If you want to understand how these forces are playing a hand in present disasters globally you have to study The Shock Doctrine, The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein. I know Noami... Leskey and will email her and ask her for an educated run-down.


Mikal

[leskey]

Hi, all.

If you've seen any footage, lw, you'll be aware of the incredible temperatures involved - I've noted 1000 deg C on statellite news reports...molten window glass draped over the charred skeletons of vehicles...

With eucalypt forests (especially in summer) the air is filled with eucalypt oil vapour: the air literally catches fire and explodes as fireballs in the prevailing, parched and terrible summer winds...all life vaporized or cremated before it...

This is some of Australia's most beautiful countryside and abundant forests. In an arid continent, it is a cruel blow...much beautiful and endangered wildlife (especially koala bears) wiped out.

For many years, the environmentalists have actively blocked the maintenance of the fire trails and fire breaks. We've arrogantly ignored the wisdom of the native aboriginals who routinely set fires to clear undergrowth at appropriate times to avoid massive devastation.

Thanks for that offer, Mikal. It would be interesting to have Naomi's take on the topic...

[labelwench]

Hello Mikal,

The Disaster Capitalism angle certainly bears consideration and it has been established in the past that some fires, even here in the Yukon, have been set in the hopes of gainful employment for Extra Fire Fighters, EFF, seasonal work.

A quote often heard is that there is nothing to sell except fear and greed, once you get beyond the basic needs of food and shelter.

I look forward to the comments of Naomi Klein, and thank you for your informative posts, Mikal.

Labelwench

[Mikal]

Hi Labelwrench....have you got the opportunity to read The Shock Doctrine?? If not it is certainly a book that is an eye opener into these times we live in.
It will be abit before I hear from Naomi...have to have patience with her busy schedule promoting her book which has been world-wide and state-wide.


Mikal

[labelwench]

The stars were scintillating sequins spilled against black velvet. The horses were not drinking much water. It was cold and bound to be considerably more so, come the dawn. The mercury retreated from a temperate -12 to an attention getting -30C in a matter of hours.

Arriving at work, it was a "cold day in hell" there also. Four employees, ranging in experience from two weeks to seven months had throw in the towel for a variety of reasons.

The eyes of the supervisor looked much too old for his young face. She was glad that she had not called in sick, ill though she was with a wicked cold, and whacked out of her mind on good med's.

The wraiths were sombre this night, each lost in their own reflections.

Labelwench

[austintorn@aol.com]

It always gets darkest just before… everything goes pitch black.

The economic snowball was rolling on, crunching jobs in its wake of destruction, continuing on towards the Gates of Hell, within which the residents were being forced to watch reruns of ‘The Brady Bunch’ over and over.

(cheered up yet?)

But it didn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hell…

[roundhousekick]

hi wrench,

Well... I kinda find myself lost in the later posts but for input into the night shift thing... I think it's more of a mentality problem than the dark or lack of sun. I've been through many months of shift watch, well, to be exact, I was on a carrier and didn't have much chances to see the sun. Discontinuos sleep is unavoidable in my environment. Most of my co worker only complaint or show a change of personality due to lack of sleep. The majority of them turn violent mostly due to stress. Overall, I believe it's the stress that cause chemical unbalance and it would be worse if one does not have decent meals.

Anyway, I do hope everyone will soon return to themselves. A storm is coming.