In his book, 1984, George Orwell described a world where the population was brainwashed to believe the government's propaganda and to behave in an obedient and predictable manner.

It didn't happen exactly as Orwell described but it did happen.

Religionists now rule the most powerful and warlike nation on earth. Many of those people – about half the population – believe that a global nuclear war is inevitable and desirable. To them it is 'Armageddon,' a war which will set in motion a chain of events culminating in the return to earth of their christ thing.

If we were talking about a few snake-handling Kentucky hillbillies it wouldn't matter, but we're not. We're talking about programers of Pentagon computers, commanders of nuclear submarines and stealth bombers, and pairs of fresh faced Baptist boys down missile silos. And we're talking about the president of the USA and his advisors.

Werner Erhardt used to refer to "the drift called a drift," and he pointed out that unless people intervened to impact the drift, "the drift drifts". It was perhaps an odd way of putting it but he was spot on. If humanity does nothing to change the course we're on we'll continue in the direction indicated by the drift.

And that direction is most decidely towards global war.

For all your learning and quasi intelligence there appears to be no one on Vibewire who grasps that fact.

You look upon me as a crazy man, an extremist, a rabid, foaming at the mouth, atheist. While you young people – the people who have most to lose – sit back doing nothing to counter the drift.

And in your minds, that is the intelligent way to behave. You are perfect 'Oceania' citizens, George Orwell saw you coming.

Despite the fact that you occasionally write a letter to a newspaper, maybe vote Green, or complain to your mates about the price of petrol, you are dyed-in-the-wool conformists. Sorry to disillusion you but spiky hair, an earing, a cheeky T shirt and a bumper sticker does not a rebel make.

Even the atheists on Vibewire have learned to keep their mouths shut, to grovel to the god of conformity. Anything rather than risk losing the respect of their peers.

And so I ask you, who is the maddest, the person who risks friendships and reputation to impact the drift, or the person who sits back, blinkers on, and does nothing to alter the perilous course the world is on?

Call me any insulting and disgusting name you like, but don't call me one of you.

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