Response to Jeff P

Submitted by Graham Spence (United Kingdom), Jan 15, 2003 at 13:30

Thanks for your response to my comments.

My "Utopian" beleifs have been somewhat exaggerated I'm afraid. Throughout the democratic world, voter apathy is on the rise. This is punted (usually by the Utopian left) as disenchantment with the paucity of ideas within politics, and the homogenous nature of our political parties. Whilst this is true, it is not the reason for the decline in interest. As long as the populace are secure, wealthy and get their two weeks on the Med (or the American equivalent), politics becomes trivial, and nobody is bothed about voting.

My utopian beliefs are based more on the idea that this wealth is being provided by globalisation than a belief in the innate good of humanity. In my experience, they are a bunch of greedy numpties. Any future war within the trade area between differing factions is more likeley to be between MacDonalds and Burger King with Colonel Saunders waiting in the wings, Or is that selling the wings. No matter. Either that or internecine warfare between particularly aggressive franchisees in hostile takeover bids.

It will be special coatings versus special sauce at dawn. Battlefield hospital dramas will involve more liposuction than M.A.S.H. Hotlips will be available to everyone as collagen implants. This dream, unlike the previous utopian pipe dreams is happening now, and began with the Marshall Plan and came of age when Ronald MacDonald first said "Strasvitche Tovarich".

The one positive outcome of the tragedy of the Twin Towers was the advancement of this process by 10 years. Osama bin Laden tried to unite Islam in an Ummah born in Jihad. All he succeded in doing was laying the next set of foundations for the United States of the Northern Hemisphere in a way that no-one could have managed.

Nothing unites a people like a common enemy. .

If you think this is not happening, why do you think peace was acheived in Northern Ireland? Were they tired of the conflict, had they seen that violence is wrong and experienced a blinding flash of light on the Road to Newtownard? Or did someone just realise that within the context of the EU, with no borders, no passports, a single currency and a European Parliament, they were all going to end up looking very silly?

What about the dangers of militancy in religions other than Islam?....

Militant Christians.

"The meek shall inherit the earth, so if you can let us know when your finished with it, that will be fine. If that's allright with you of course. Bye Bye. Bless You Goodile-bye-doh"

Militant Hindus.

"What do we want "
"More Gods"
"When do we want them"
"Whenever they choose to turn up, they are Gods, and it is their choice you know. The next reincarnation would do"

Or my personal favourite, Militant Buddhists...

"Who are we"
"Buddhists"
" What do we want"
"Nothing very much really, but it was awfully kind of you to ask"

Or how about other sections of our population...Militant gays....

If you don't answer our demands for more musicals, we will come to your house and criticize your decor"

Within the west there are just no more battles to be fought.

Within this free trade area, we just will not have any of the problems that have dogged us for two thousand years. Out with the trading area....now that is scary. However, if you think my concept of Utopia is a Starbucks on every street corner, think again. I hate the place, but it is a small price to pay, especially as I don't have to go there.

Graham Spence

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