In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. (Martin Luther King)
I found it interesting and I’m afraid quite disappointing to watch Greta Thunberg give her speech the other day, my decision to watch the clip came from seeing the severe look on her face and reading the caption below – “We will never forgive you”. It was not long ago I praised her for her courage to stand up for what she believes in, inspiring others to do the same. I feel it is important to add my concerns to my earlier statement. I still believe in the importance of standing up defending our right to ask for change, but not in the manner she doing so.
I think what she is striving for is very admirable, but I had concern over the hate I saw in her eyes as she neared the end of her speech. When we let our anger turn to hate, when we speak for others as we express our concerns, deciding for them, forgiveness is not possible, we start to walk a dangerous line. I would have to say I saw a lack of spirituality in her as she spoke, her anger very personal, becoming I think, full of resentment. This will not create positive change. Inspiring our youth in this way is a bit frightening considering how quickly the anger can turn to violence.
I hope she can find balance in her feelings as she continues on her path, she has every right to be angry, but I wish for her the wisdom to understand when she has crossed the line, something not so easy to do when you start a crusade. She needs more of a Ghandi approach :).
There is division regarding climate change, some certain we are going through it, others who call it propaganda, so who do we believe when there is such opposition, no middle ground? My decision after weighing the opinions I have listened to, is that we are focusing on the arguments rather than facing the solutions we must consider. As long as we continue to argue and create animosity with our disagreements, time passes by without the answers needed to give us sustainability. I believe our anger is only feeding the uncertainty, pitting even family members against each other. Perhaps if we stop giving the issue a label, rather seeing what is right in front of us for what it is, then maybe we can get past the name calling and derogatory remarks, the ideas then having room to come into the light.
Right now, this very day, I am in the middle of what happens when the governments decisions create a situation of great difficulty for the people struggling to have a decent life. The anger will only build as the realization their protests will not make a difference this time. Looting, food shortages, banks and ATM machines shutting down, the inability to travel, to sell their goods, all very much an issue after just one day. This is when we realize the extent of our reliance on subsidies, the sudden stop a very rude awakening indeed. Of course it affects most those with the least, and one can only imagine how they will be able to make ends meet now. The domino effect is inevitable with those who are able to stock up becoming obvious targets for those who are desperate enough to steal what they need.
I have decided not to allow myself to be afraid of what is happening, it will not help of course. One day at a time is all I am capable of at this point, my belief things will work out becoming my most important thought. Having never been through anything like this makes it difficult to know what to expect, but really it is not a predictable situation. Everything depends on the people and how they choose to continue. But this situation has brought home the idea of places, even Canada, who are facing severe weather changes each year preventing the normal growth cycle. Those who are experiencing this will understand the effects, both long term and short. What if there is no government assistance? This is an important question to ask yourself because I am in a place where this reality just hit home.
QUITO (Reuters) – Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency on Thursday as protesters hurled stones and erected burning barricades after the end of decades-old fuel subsidies as part of a $2 billion government fiscal reform package. Riot police officers remove a fence used by demonstrators during protests after Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno’s government ended four-decade-old fuel subsidies, in Quito, Ecuador October 3, 2019. REUTERS/Daniel Tapia
Police responded with tear gas in the worst unrest for years in the oil-producing Andean nation.
“Down with the package!” demonstrators shouted, referring to measures enacted this week as Moreno puts Ecuador on a centrist, market-friendly path after years of leftist rule.
With the fuel subsidy cut taking effect on Thursday, taxi, bus and truck drivers blocked streets from early morning in the highland capital Quito and in Guayaquil on the Pacific coast.
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Indigenous groups, students and unions joined the action, barricading roads with rocks and burning tires. In Quito, masked youths faced off with riot police who drove them back with tear gas and deployed armored vehicles.
“It’s an indefinite action until the government overturns the decree on subsidies. We’re paralyzing the nation,” said bus transport leader Abel Gomez.
Officials say the elimination of fuel subsidies was necessary to lift a struggling economy and stop smuggling.
“To ensure citizens’ security and avoid chaos, I have ordered a national state of emergency,” the president said of the measure that suspends some rights and empowers the military to keep order. Moreno, who won election in 2017 to replace Rafael Correa, told reporters the “perverse” and highly costly subsidy, in place for 40 years, had distorted the economy and protests would not be allowed to paralyze Ecuador.
“I have the courage to make the right decisions for the nation.”
Diesel prices rose from $1.03 to $2.30 per gallon while gasoline rose from $1.85 to $2.39.
As darkness fell, several thousand marchers headed for the presidential palace in downtown Quito, which was ringed by police and soldiers. The protesters were eventually dispersed.
LOOTING AND ARRESTS
In Guayaquil, several shops were looted, authorities said. In Ecuador’s third city, Cuenca, the local opposition mayor led a protest.
Early in the day, Interior Minister Maria Romo said 19 people were arrested, but that number was expected to rise. Speaking mid-evening on a visit to Guayaquil, Moreno said that violent unrest was “almost totally” under control and praised security forces for restoring order.
With a population of more than 17 million people, Ecuador has a long history of political instability. Street protests toppled three presidents during economic turmoil in the decade before Correa took power in 2007. Slideshow (14 Images)
Ecuador hopes to save about $1.5 billion a year from eliminating fuel subsidies. Along with tax reforms, the government would benefit by about $2.27 billion. Earlier this week, Ecuador announced it was leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to pump more oil and raise revenues.Ecuador pumps nearly 550,000 barrels per day.
State energy company Petroecuador said oil facilities were operating normally despite Thursday’s unrest.The government wants to reduce the fiscal deficit from an estimated $3.6 billion this year to under $1 billion in 2020.
Ecuador’s debt grew under Correa, who endorsed Moreno in the 2017 election but has since become a critic of his successor’s turn toward more market-friendly economic policies.
Moreno’s government has improved relations with the United States and reached a $4.2 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in February, dependent on unspecified structural changes.
Skepticism of the IMF runs strong in Ecuador and throughout Latin America, where many blame austerity policies for economic hardship.
“We’ll close all the main roads,” said taxi driver Sergio Menoscal, 55, helping to block streets in Guayaquil.
“We’re tired of false promises … we can’t be blind to a government that has done nothing for the people.”
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