March 4th

Killer robots could soon roam the skies. Is this real or science fiction? 

While I earnestly desire peace for our planet, consider the wellbeing of every living creature, and promote a caring attitude between like-minded people, scientists have joined military personnel in a thrust to gain the advantage during a potential anticipated combat. 

Killer robots could soon roam the skies, seeking the enemy during a future war. They would carry lethal weapons, and no human being would be involved in the decision-making process. See BBC News here.

defense-update.com

The era of drone wars is already upon us. Unmanned aircraft demonstrators like the arrow-head shaped X-47B can almost fly a mission by itself with no involvement of a ground-based pilot.  Also, missile systems like the Patriot can identify and engage targets automatically. 

The era of robot wars could be fast approaching.  A laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta is already considering the jump to a fully-fledged armed robot warrior, a development with huge implications for future warfare.

How could humans even consider creating machines to release with the sole purpose of killing other human beings? They are planning for a future of war instead of peace.

While every decent person is deeply concerned with the welfare of other endangered creatures on the planet, others are planning to fight and kill a future unknown enemy.

 

March 3rd

Will countries finally solve the global extinction crisis facing many species?

The elephant’s plight, along with wiping out of rhinos for their horns, will be a key issue this week when 177 countries meet to discuss the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) this week. Statistics on the agenda are an appalling indictment of our exploitation of wildlife.

With a global extinction crisis facing many species, this year's meeting is being described as the most critical in its history. In immediate danger are: Elephants, rhinos, orangutans, lions, tigers, polar bears, manta rays and sharks.

Africa’s elephants are in crisis. Tens of thousands are being poached each year for their ivory used in Chinese good luck charms. Africa’s most reviled terror gangs are funding their brutality by killing these magnificent animals. At the moment, poachers use Thailand's exemption to sell native ivory to their advantage.

Also, 668 rhino, out of South Africa’s 20,000 rhino, were poached last year. African lion numbers have fallen by 50% to below 35,000 since 1980. 3,500 wild tigers are clinging to ­survival. At least 38 million sharks are caught annually to make fin soup. Thousands of manta rays are caught for traditional Chinese medicine, and approximately 600 polar bears are killed each year.

At the CITES convention, statistics on the agenda are an appalling indictment of our exploitation of wildlife. A political alliance between the world's two biggest economies - the US and China are co-sponsoring proposals to restrict trade in Asian turtles and tortoises. They hope to abolish the secret vote, which allows countries to put commercial interests above conservation.

Once again, politics play a huge part in determining how the world survives. Surely, the killers must realize that when the species is gone, they will have nothing to plunder. Can we, as a species, continue to allow greed to overcome short-term thinking? There must come a time when all countries consider the needs of Mother Earth as being more important than personal gain.

March 2nd

Judged by these pictures, see if you can guess what I'm writing about today.

motherearthnews.com

Rather than repeat my blog read it here.

www.nlb.org.uk

March 1st

A new report shows that we're living longer better. But what does better mean?

At the age of 71, I've outlived two of my children—a daughter to leukemia and my son in a drug-crime related car crash. Both children are cherished and deeply mourned. 

I love to write—novels particularly, three of which have been published to date (see the bottom of the page), four more ready to go, and three more written. That takes care of my mind, but what of my body?

www.healio.com

I've always eaten a healthy diet, maintained daily exercise and kept a positive attitude. However, I've noticed a decline in the last couple of years. More than ten years ago, an accident during a hip replacement caused a shattered femur resulting in a shaft from the joint to the knee screwed in place to the bone. After my recovery, I continued to work on my feet for 8 hours a day until I retired with osteoporosis at 64. Lately, I notice the struggle, using my walker for support, uphill and back. I'm getting old.

www.thehealthtime.com

I don't mind. Aging is a natural process as is death. I don't attempt to halt the decline, but notice the fine hair on my jaw, the wrinkle above my top lip and the stoop to my back. Then there's the pain in my bones and joints, which is more severe with the passing years. I tie my silver hair up high on my head. I'd like to think I look distinguished. I can't afford to have a professional photo taken, so, rather than show my image as it is now, I use one taken 15 years ago. Out of doors, nobody gives me a second look, whereas the reverse occurred in my youth. 

Although I speculate about the future, I thank God daily for the marvel and beauty of nature and for the games I play—after all, writing is just a pastime. I wonder what will happen when my husband is no longer around to take care of me. The fact is, most people who live into their 90s die after an extended period of disability. Do I want this?

scientificamerican.com

In America, everyone wants to look like 30 when they're 60 years old. Because they're better than ever at age 67, they think the same will be the case at 87 or 97. They exercise and eat with that future in mind. Do they want to live longer if that means an extended period of age-related illness?

What does the future hold? I guess we all want a long and healthy life and a peaceful death. In the meantime, I'll go on writing.