“Perceptions” by Gerry Warner

Op-Ed Commentary

Today there’s only 85 seconds left on the Doomsday Clock according to some of the most famous scientists in the world who set the dreaded instrument every January.

Created 1n 1947 at the University of Chicago, the scientists including several Nobel Laureates say the Earth faces an apocalypse of threats including accelerating climate change, increased warfare, rampant industrial pollution, out of control technology and new challenges brought about by artificial intelligence.

Should we be scared? Damn right we should be even though we’re only dealing with metaphorical “seconds” at this point. But metaphors have a strange habit of becoming true even though most of us would prefer otherwise, especially in this case.

Last week, Alexandra Bell, president and CEO, of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. issued a terse warning to mark the grim occasion. “The Doomsday Clock’s message cannot be clearer. Catastrophic risks are on the rise, cooperation is on the decline, and we are running out of time. Change is both necessary and possible, but the global community must demand swift action from its leaders.”

But is anyone listening?

In a world dominated by a rogue US president waging war as he did in Venezuela the belligerent answer appears to be “no.” What else can you say when a federal government security agency (ICE) is killing protesters in the street under the guise of calling them “would-be assassins” and “terrorists?”

No wonder last year the Doomsday Clock crept closer to midnight than it has ever done threatening nuclear Armageddon and environmental collapse for all 8.3 billion of us living on the third planet from the sun. Our bleeding earth is only a mere spec in the cosmos but it has existed for more than 4.54 billion years. Will six billion more ever exist? That’s getting increasingly hard to say.

Meanwhile, President Trump seemed somewhat chastened by the ominous events of the past two weeks. For the first time ever, several of his Republican members have openly disagreed with how he’s handled the atrocities committed by ICE troops and called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem who heads the beleaguered agency.

“She clearly does not know what she’s doing. She’s not up to the job. She’s lied to the American public, and it’s time for her to go.” said Jeanne Shaheen, a Democratic senator who crossed party lines to vote for Noem.

Even Canada got dragged into the controversy with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney receiving world-wide praise for a speech he delivered at the Davos World Economic Forum in which he said the world’s international rules based economic order was being “ruptured” by Trump’s heavy-handed abuse of tariffs. Carney didn’t name Trump in his comments, but everyone knew who he was talking about.

The brazen president responded referring to our prime minister as “Governor” and sarcastically saying “Canada lives because of the United States.”

In the meantime, Trump’s polling numbers have dropped below 50% for the first time this term even though the Democrats have yet to decide on their candidate in the 2028 presidential race. However, the November mid-terms will be critical in indicating whether the Republicans retain the White House and win another sweep or lose their massive majority.

Whatever the case, one thing is for sure. The results will be reflected by the Doomsday Clock, and the clock may make its biggest jump yet. Will the jump be towards restoring calm or more bloodshed?

Will protesters continue to be shot in the streets by dark hooded policemen sent to protect them? Will more lives be lost? Will anarchy reign? Will people be forced to hide in their houses and lock their doors? Will America still be called a shining house on a hill?

When will peace and goodwill be restored to the commons? Hopefully, soon.

If not, the contagion will spread.

University of Chicago image

– Gerry Warner is a retired journalist who almost has had enough.

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