tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post6182566131191031789..comments2024-03-26T10:03:51.827+13:00Comments on Karl du Fresne: In praise of ageing hacks and snappersKarl du Fresnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-28585223802603377222008-11-27T16:06:00.000+13:002008-11-27T16:06:00.000+13:00Having known a few pie throwers in my time, I doub...Having known a few pie throwers in my time, I doubt the prospect of a prison sentence for assault would have deterred them. <BR/><BR/>They often see themselves as 'everyman' (or woman) standing up to the holders of entrenched and unaccountable power.....and there is no small amount of self-sacrifice in their view of what they do. <BR/><BR/>At the extreme end of the scale, death did not deter the 9/11 hijackers...who I have no doubt absolutely believed they were right in what they were doing. <BR/><BR/>In my view, it boils down to respect. People who show little can expect little. <BR/><BR/>In this context, flogging dirty, carbon-rich coal while the ice caps melt and world warms is seen by many to be ignorant contempt for the consequences one's actions will inflict on others. That shows a lack of respect. <BR/><BR/>You and others may not have any time for the evidence showing human-driven climate change is no longer debatable. In the eyes of people who have looked at that evidence and find it convincing, such arrogant ignorance fundamentally disrespectful of the 'truth' and intellectual integrity.....with very real consequences. <BR/><BR/>I'm not justifying anything.....I don't throw pies and won't be. I show respect to people even when they show none. I won't follow their example, I will set my own. <BR/><BR/>But I do understand the cycle of thought that sees essentially powerless people decide to stand up and challenge those who won't respond on any normal, civilised level to the real concerns of others. <BR/><BR/>Respect is a two way street...and the coal industry to show some where concerns about carbon emissions are concerned.Steve Withershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221815213521767405noreply@blogger.com