Month: September 2010

Like vultures, they gather. They circle over a carcass as yet barely visible through receding ice. Today they’ve landed in Moscow, squawking and arguing with each other over who’ll have what part.

No-one wants to fight over it, they say. But they will. One way or another, they’ll fight. Because that’s the way of vultures. Today, they may sit around, eyeballing each other with suspicion, pretending to divide up the spoils between them. But the weak know the strong will grab the best for themselves, and leave only the bones for them. Because that’s the way of vultures.

And the carcass is not yet warm.

Russia, Canada, the US, Norway, and Denmark have today sent representatives to Moscow for an international meeting intended to slice up the spoils waiting to be devoured under the Arctic ice shelf. With seaways barely navigable for more than a few months of the year, already the major powers are moving in to exploit vast oil and mineral reserves beneath the North Pole.^[1]

In far off Russian yards, the sounds of shipbuilding fill the frigid air. But these are not ships being constructed. Eight floating nuclear power stations are planned for launching, the first in 2012. They’ll be arrayed along Russia’s northern coastline, within the Arctic Circle, and will supply the power for Russia’s push to the Pole.^[2]

Canada disputes Russian claims to Arctic territory. A Russian spokesman says his country wants no conflict with other nations. He says Russia wants compromise. Then added, “Of course, conflict is always possible.”

And it is.

Because that’s the way of vultures.

^{[1] “Arctic summit in Moscow hears rival claims” BBC, September 22nd 2010}

^{[2] “The struggle for Arctic riches” BBC, September 22nd 2010}

Filed under: Scavengers

Finally, as we bring to a close our celebration of Popey Benedict’s four day visit to Britain last week, I give you the ultimate, the complete, the definitive evaluation of His Holiness, and all others like him:

The Pope has gone back home to his gold and jewels and finery. No doubt there are mistresses also, tucked away somewhere in the depths of the Vatican. His visit could hardly be called a success, not even as a ‘damage limitation exercise’, which of course, is what it was. There were empty seats at every gathering.

It’s been almost thirty years since the last papal visit. Let’s hope it’s at least as long before the next.

Goodbye Popey Benedict, 90% of British people will be happy if you, or your successors, stay home for another thirty years.

On behalf of the thousands and thousands of young lives you and your henchmen have destroyed with your wickedness, may I simply say – GOOD RIDDANCE!

Filed under: Pig or a pope

Continuing our brief celebration of Popey Benedict’s four day visit to Britain last week, which incidentally, cost the UK taxpayer around $6,000,000 (whatever their belief system!), I give you a five-way precis of the religious establishment by acknowledged experts on the subject:

My thanks to T.M.Carter, whoever he may be.

Filed under: Poke at the Pope