In 18th century England, wise and compassionate people decided that child labour should be outlawed. However, the folks that were profiting from it cried that the economy of Britain would fail without it. It was eventually outlawed, no disasters ensued, and the world became a better place for it.
Then in the 19th century, in the United States, wise and compassionate citizens decided that slavery should be abolished. However, the people that were profiting from it cried that the economy (at the time largely based on cotton) would fail as a result. Eventually, slavery was abolished, with no disastrous results, and the world again became a better place.
In the 20th century the fight was for the equal rights of women. Women would take men's jobs and ruin politics if they could vote. The economy would surely fail. But once more we fought, became better people and made a better world.
Now we are in the 21st century and again, wise and compassionate people have a human rights battle to fight. This fight is over cruelty to human beings just like the last three were. But these humans aren't born yet and the fight is for the world they hope to live in.
This fight is against fossil fuels, and again the folks that are profiting from it are trying desperately to convince us that, we are strong because of the fossil fuel industry, and that the economy will fail without it.
Are you going to believe them? Will we make this a long-fought battle like the last three? Will we eventually look back and see it for what it was?
A case of profiteers propagandizing the masses to convince them that the status quo should not be messed with or terrible things will happen.
Can we, once more, take a step in the right direction and make a better world?
Laurie Embree,
108 Mile Ranch
