This is easy

  • Göring: Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.
  • Gilbert: There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.
  • Göring: Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.

– In an interview with Gilbert in Göring’s jail cell during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (18 April 1946)

“An egg.” I answered. “Now it’s time for you to move on to your next life.”

The Egg

By: Andy Weir

http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

You were on your way home when you died.

It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.

And that’s when you met me.

“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”

“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. No point in mincing words.

Continue reading

What nonsense

Throughout school and college, we were bombarded with horror stories. Stories about how our use of fossil fuel, electricity and everything else that science has invented to make our lives better, is harming the planet.

Global Warming – we were told, was the impending Armageddon. Reform or be damned.

Lo and behold – the idiots in the white coats were wrong yet again.

Deplaning at the airport in delhi at half past three in the morning on the eleventh was a chilling revelation. It was a bloody three degrees.

O where is that promised global warming?

Why aren’t the glaciers melting?

Why isn’t it getting warmer?

Why are my bones clattering?

So does it mean that we should revert to our old ways?