A tale of hot air and disparity
Friday, June 8, 2007
AMIDST heavy security involving nine naval ships and dozens of thousands of police officers, eight knights of the Developed Kingdom reportedly out to save the Developing Kingdom have gathered at the German resort of Heiligendamm in the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommen on the Baltic coast.
Included in their shopping list of damsels in distress to be rescued is Princess Africa who is now locked in the Tower of Poverty and Mother Earth who is about to be ravaged by a vicious dragon called Climate Change. Led by Prince America of the Land of Freedom, Prince Britain, Prince Canada, Prince France, Prince Germany, Prince Italy, Prince Russia and Prince Japan are discussing strategies to also rescue a series of other maidens of lesser importance to the knights such as Princess Democracy and Princess Iran.
Prince America, however, believed he had to set the tone of the gathering first and ensure that all the knights toe his line. He expressed his support for global democratic aspirations and made a sidesweep remark against Prince Russia which he implied had not advanced much in the freedom agenda, together with an ally, Princess China.
Prince Russia refused to take the insult lying down, and delivered a slap on to Prince America as well as Prince Britain. The three then bickered even before reaching the table. Russia is unhappy about America-backed bid for independence for a prisoner by the name of Kosovo. America wants Russia to press Princess Iran to abandon her suspected nuclear weapons programme. Threatening "to change the entire configuration of international security" Russia remarked that he may aim missiles at neighbouring countries in response to America's plans to put elements of a defence missile system in the courtyards of Princesses Poland and Czech Republic who happen to live close to Russia.
Protesters and onlookers outside of the venue have tried all means imaginable to remind the bickering knights and steer them back on course, most notably to save Mother Earth whose demise would bring doom to all, but the knights feeling all important have suddenly been struck deaf.
Prince America, who claims to have a very deep affinity for Mother Earth, has in the past jabbered about protecting her existence and slaying the Climate Change dragon, but a fear of commitment has prevented him from taking the real step. At home and outside, he either abuses or condones abuse of Princess Democracy. Further, the whole group of knights have made a promise to aid Princess Africa but have no qualms about reneging their pledges at one time or another.
The three-day meeting has barely begun when those in the Developing Kingdom started to realise that the knights are not out there to save Africa, Democracy, or the Earth, much less the whole world. They are out to save themselves and their power. They care about creating hot air and producing the proper soundbites for the world media but do not care as much about turning them into binding commitments.
The alliance has called itself by many other names in the past such as the North and the First World, but its real achievement over decades has been to sustain gaps with its less fortunate neighbours who have been known by names such as the Third World and the South.
Disparity keeps them alive and powerful and they intend to keep it that way. Princesses who may grow and turn into strong challengers when set free, are better locked away behind their prison bars. This is why the knights' meeting is nothing but a fairy tale.
Included in their shopping list of damsels in distress to be rescued is Princess Africa who is now locked in the Tower of Poverty and Mother Earth who is about to be ravaged by a vicious dragon called Climate Change. Led by Prince America of the Land of Freedom, Prince Britain, Prince Canada, Prince France, Prince Germany, Prince Italy, Prince Russia and Prince Japan are discussing strategies to also rescue a series of other maidens of lesser importance to the knights such as Princess Democracy and Princess Iran.
Prince America, however, believed he had to set the tone of the gathering first and ensure that all the knights toe his line. He expressed his support for global democratic aspirations and made a sidesweep remark against Prince Russia which he implied had not advanced much in the freedom agenda, together with an ally, Princess China.
Prince Russia refused to take the insult lying down, and delivered a slap on to Prince America as well as Prince Britain. The three then bickered even before reaching the table. Russia is unhappy about America-backed bid for independence for a prisoner by the name of Kosovo. America wants Russia to press Princess Iran to abandon her suspected nuclear weapons programme. Threatening "to change the entire configuration of international security" Russia remarked that he may aim missiles at neighbouring countries in response to America's plans to put elements of a defence missile system in the courtyards of Princesses Poland and Czech Republic who happen to live close to Russia.
Protesters and onlookers outside of the venue have tried all means imaginable to remind the bickering knights and steer them back on course, most notably to save Mother Earth whose demise would bring doom to all, but the knights feeling all important have suddenly been struck deaf.
Prince America, who claims to have a very deep affinity for Mother Earth, has in the past jabbered about protecting her existence and slaying the Climate Change dragon, but a fear of commitment has prevented him from taking the real step. At home and outside, he either abuses or condones abuse of Princess Democracy. Further, the whole group of knights have made a promise to aid Princess Africa but have no qualms about reneging their pledges at one time or another.
The three-day meeting has barely begun when those in the Developing Kingdom started to realise that the knights are not out there to save Africa, Democracy, or the Earth, much less the whole world. They are out to save themselves and their power. They care about creating hot air and producing the proper soundbites for the world media but do not care as much about turning them into binding commitments.
The alliance has called itself by many other names in the past such as the North and the First World, but its real achievement over decades has been to sustain gaps with its less fortunate neighbours who have been known by names such as the Third World and the South.
Disparity keeps them alive and powerful and they intend to keep it that way. Princesses who may grow and turn into strong challengers when set free, are better locked away behind their prison bars. This is why the knights' meeting is nothing but a fairy tale.
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