THE MESSAGE:

Extremism is everywhere. People who feel strongly about their cause join groups that are given names by outsiders that are facetious, derogatory or hateful. They are committed to the cause and conduct public protests, place ads on radio and television or occupy buildings, streets and parks or become intrusive and more a public nuisance than agents of change. Some even become missionaries; seeking to convert others to the cause. Most are peaceful but some are not. Most are reasonable but some are not. Most are genuinely interested in correcting some inequality or injustice but some are concentrated only on self aggrandizement or civil disobedience.

Constitutions in democratic countries guarantee freedom of speech, of association and a voice in how their society will be governed. Minority groups often feel that they have no voice in the ruling majority. Environmental Activists are convinced that the status quo is dangerous and uncaring towards future generations. Aboriginal groups clamour over treaties and land claims. Religious sects are convinced that their ideals are the mores that must govern society.

Governments seem to be interested only in power and control.

THE ENVIRONMENT AT HOME

'Our Economic Model Is at War with Life on Earth.'

CANADIAN WRITER, Naomi Klein:

"The case I want to make to you is that climate change—when its full economic and moral implications are understood—is the most powerful weapon progressives have ever had in the fight for equality and social justice."

In Canada radical environmentalism seems to be on the rise. An RCMP report cites potential dangers from environmental activists to offshore oil platforms and hazardous marine shipments. This represents perhaps the starkest assessment of such threats by the Canadian security community to date.

Canada’s new counter-terrorism strategy lists environmentalism next to white supremacy as an “issue-based” terrorist threat. Is eco-terrorism really a danger to Canadians?

An anarchist group, using the acronym FFFC, claimed responsibility for firebombing a Royal Bank branch in Ottawa partly because of the bank’s role in financing the Alberta tar sands.

In 2006, a Canadian terrorist group from Montreal called Résistance Internationaliste, an anti capitalist, anti American, environmental group, claimed responsibility for firebombing an SUV belonging to an executive with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

IN THE USA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommended the approval of new varieties of genetically engineered corn and soybeans. Watchdog groups denounce the move as a path towards more toxic pesticides that threaten the environment and public health.

Hundreds gather in Richmond California to build a strategy to move away from an economy that is 'crashing the planet.'

A judge in Fort Collins Colorado threw out a 5 year ban on fracking on the grounds that it “impedes a state interest and prohibits what the state law allows.”

EXTREMISM LEADS TO WAR

ISIS IN IRAQ:

Militants seize Iraq's largest dam. This could affect the flooding of several cities in Northern Iraq.

The latest advances by Islamic State Sunnis trigger a "humanitarian crisis" in northern Iraq. Obama authorizes air strikes and air drops of food and water to rescue thousands of Yazidi stranded on a mountain.

HAMAS & ISRAEL IN GAZA

Violence, and casualties continue as rockets fly and Israel resumes airstrikes on Gaza. As the 72-hour ceasefire ends, the international community calls on Israeli and Palestinian representatives to return to the negotiating table.

RUSSIA IN THE UKRAINE

The humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine worsens. Violence intensifies, supplies dwindle, and more than a thousand people flee their homes every day, a UN official said Tuesday.

THE QUESTION:

When is Man's Inhumanity to Man going to end? Is extremism rooted in Hatred or Justice or Both?

THE QUOTE:

"Extremism can flourish only in an environment where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism." - Benazir Bhutto

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