When I was growing up, the BBC used to broadcast the Black and White Minstrel Show:
My aesthetic sensibilities were insufficiently developed to recognise it for the rubbish it truly was. Today, of course, its violation of the aesthetic would pale in comparison to its strident political incorrectness; the producers would count their blessings if they were merely lynched. So I find it quite strange that it has been resuscitated for the Copenhagen Climate Conference:
Copenhagen bells ring, candles flicker, archbishop links love to climate.
Archbishop Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the 77-million strong Anglican Communion, preached the main sermon before Danish royalty, Denmark’s prime minister and religious leaders in a packed Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen’s Lutheran cathedral.
“We cannot show the right kind of love for our fellow humans unless we also work at keeping the earth as a place that is a secure home for all people,” Williams said at the December 13 service described as “an ecumenical celebration for creation”.
I think I’m going to cry.
It wasn’t quite all love, though; to keep the chthonic barbarians at bay:
Shortly before the service, police with bomb-sniffing dogs combed the church and its surrounding area
While those protesting the heat had to brave the cold in order to listen to that bombastic old fart, Desmond Tutu:
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, enthralled thousands of people braving the cold weather
Those who were serious dressed up as polar bears and sported inflatable icebergs:
concerned families carrying inflatable icebergs. Some people were dressed in polar bear suits
Communists, having run out of other ideas, think climate change is a capitalist is plot:
A small group carried the red hammer and sickle communist flag or signs reading, “Toxic capitalism”. Another sign read, “Save the plan, scrap capitalism.”
To fit the occasion some dressed :
as clowns.
While others believe the solution lies in sartorial blackness and breaking glass:
one small group clad head-to toe in black that was seen hurling street cobbles and smashing shop windows.
It is some consolation to realise that, in spite of all the jet fuel burned, limos hired, candles lit, bells rung and hot air expended, little will come of all this apart from a temporary glut of used polar bear suits on ebay.
