A disturbing trend is occurring around the world: Climate change protesting imbeciles are interrupting sporting events, defiling priceless works of art, clogging up roadways, and generally making life a lot less enjoyable.
Consider these recent examples courtesy of the radical climate change organization: Just Stop Oil (JSO).
In early July of this year, two JSO climate change protestors burst on to the tennis court during a Wimbledon match and dispensed “environmentally friendly” orange confetti and jigsaw puzzle pieces before they were swarmed by security. Their childish temper tantrum halted play, disrupted the flow of the match, and resulted in both being charged with trespass and criminal damage.
In October of last year, a JSO duo walked in to London’s renowned National Gallery and lobbed a couple of open cans filled with tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece: Sunflowers. The two proceeded to glue their hands to the wall below the painting, shouting, “What is worth more, art or life?”
They also said, “The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis, fuel is unaffordable to millions of cold, hungry families. They can’t even afford to heat a tin of soup.”
So, these two are protesting the fact that Britons are suffering from high inflation due to soaring energy costs (because the U.K. government has stupidly sworn off fossil fuels without a reliable backup source), and oil is to blame? Do they not realize that more oil production would lower the price of energy, which would fuel (no pun intended) a reduction in prices across the economy, thereby raising the standard of living for all Britons?
Meanwhile, in July of this year, a group of JSO demonstrators performing a “slow walk” protest intended to block traffic and draw attention to themselves inadvertently caused a pregnant woman to crash her car in downtown London. In response to the incident, JSO said, “Disruption is difficult, but it’s necessary.”
Make no mistake, clogging up traffic on crowded roadways is a go-to tactic for JSO. They do it throughout Europe, typically in coordinated fashion in multiple locations simultaneously.
Just think how reckless, selfish, and irresponsible JSO is behaving by constantly causing manmade traffic jams. This prevents ambulances from rapidly transporting patients, possibly resulting in lost lives. It means police response times will be slower. It also is a major pain for drivers just trying to get from point A to point B.
For me, the straw that broke the camel’s back came this morning, during the 151st British Open, when four deranged JSO protestors stormed the 17th green at Royal Liverpool Golf Course and set off a smoke flare while throwing orange powder paint across the green.
Fortunately, the lunatics were quickly overrun by security (with the aid of professional golfer Billy Horschel), and the substance was cleared from the putting surface, resulting in a brief delay. All four are facing charges of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and public nuisance.
It could have been much worse. The protestors could have easily destroyed the green, which could have potentially ruined one of the greatest annual golf tournaments.
I just hope that the more people are exposed to JSO’s incredibly annoying antics, it will trigger a much-needed and long overdue backlash against the entire “climate change is an existential threat” movement madness, which is making us poorer, is unbelievably annoying, and just plain ruins the fun.
Chris Talgo ([email protected]) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.