[FOE Logo] Birmingham
Friends of the Earth
Action Briefing Feb/Mar 99

Vernon's World

It is the time of the year for predictions . Here are mine and I predict half will come true and the rest will be way off the mark !"

  1. "Rhys-Jones will be mentioned in the national press more than "environmental issues".
  2. A national newspaper will use the whole of the front page to promote an environmental issue.
  3. The Birmingham Northern Relief Road will be built.
  4. A road protestor will be included in the Queen's Honour's list.
  5. A multi-national company will promote some token environmental project while its core business will do far more damage to the environment.
  6. A multi-national company will put environmental and humanitarian issues before profits.
  7. Thousands will be killed because of their ethnic background.
  8. Western countries will spend more on the environment than on arms and the arms trade.
  9. A council will sell a greenfield site to developers.
  10. The government will ban all development on greenfield sites until all available brownfield sites are built on.

Here is my first letter regarding my column. It's not really fanmail.

Dear Vernon ,

I read your article and wanted to correspond. I've been out for six months but I feel lonely among all these people . They say I am a schizophrenic but I'm just like everyone else a person and a society. We need to perfect society. Societies have raped the earth and have reaped their rewards.

I was born with the sins of the society inside of me. Some think they are above society and have agreed greed. I'll build a big foot and tread on them and see if they bend back like a blade of grass .tee hee hee. Some feel put upon by society. I want to hug and hold them until they see others who need to be hugged and held.

Some sell themselves to pay to play or just to pay their way. I'll set their alarms until it wakes them UP and hope it dawns. Others say they know the way and want to lead us along the path. I will change the signs until they are lost and have to start again. Until everyone's voice is as powerful as the next we will not be able to perfect society.

Vernon

Birmingham Friends of the Earth
54-57 Allison St. Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5TH.