With local elections fast approaching, the hapless British conservatives are bent on courting the 'green' vote. As a part of that campaign, their newly—elected leader David Cameron traveled yesterday to the remote Norwegian island of Svalbard. There he pranced around in a dog sled which — his aides proudly pointed out — was the ultimate in environmental friendliness.

The only problem is that to get there Mr. Cameron flew in a ten—seat private jet which during its 2,000 miles flight released five tons of CO2 per passenger into the atmosphere. It is not the jet flight that grates, but the photo—op's underlying phoniness and ridiculousness. These, of course, happen to be the defining hallmarks of the whole environmentalist movement. What's more, they have a way of quickly infecting anyone foolish enough to enter this silly game. In fact, the environmental circus should carry a government—mandated warning to this effect:

Environmentalism makes its advocates silly, phony and ridiculous. Join only at your own risk.

The whole Norwegian episode would be rather funny and amusing had it featured as protagonists the Left's usual suspects. But these are the British conservatives who have not only lost their bearings, but — it would seem — also their sense of dignity and self—respect.

Teardrop... teardrop... teardrop... boohoo!

Vasko Kohlmayer   4 21 06