The Voice Box

PERESKIAS Pereskias are really not very well-known plants. Even among succulent lovers, they are certainly not highly prized. The fact they are a significant part of the Cataceae group still does not reward them special attention. Mention pereskias to the general public, and they would probably stare at you in puzzlement. They may look like roses, but in the eye of masses they remain unknown. Often, botanists will tell you, that they are usually found only in botanical gardens. Yet, they serve as a significant starting point for the debate about the origin of cacti. For some, these are the first cacti, before evolution and mutation took its course. The real reason for their obscurity may have more to do with the fact they need highly a tropical climate to survive. Without warmth and sunlight, they cannot flourish. And therefore, in a temperate climate you would never see them at their best. Yet, they are interesting plants, and they are some of my favourite cacti. The fact that they a

HARD ON DRUGS The recent public debate, about whether an aspiring British politician should declare publicly, whether he used drugs in his earlier days, beggars a question. What attitude do you take to drugs? Do you smoke cigarettes? Would you be willing to admit publicly whether or not you take hard drugs? Are you someone who would commit to prison anyone caught smoking marijuana, even for the first time? Do you draw a distinction between say marijuana, and cocaine? Are you someone who generally conform to the dictum of law? Or do you regularly question laws which are legal, but you believe should be scrapped? And what about alcohol, what attitude do you take to people drinking alcohol? Of course, it is legal, but do you realise that alcohol probably causes much more damage to our lives than so called hard drugs. My attitude to drugs goes across the board. All drugs can be destructive, and this is some thing that needs remembering. Even approved prescriptive drugs can be dangerous, an

Is War Inevitable? Consider the history of mankind. Consider the evolution of nations, which in many cases may have been decided by war. Consider the technological advantages, and the sophistication of the twenty-first century in which some of us may live. I ask the question, is war still inevitable? Why do countries still see war as a way of resolving conflicts? You tell me why, or why not.

British Politics Today Politics is sometimes difficult to comprehend. Or should I say that politicians are difficult to comprehend. It took one little incident at the Labour Party conference to expose them for what they really are. In case you are not aware, during the Foreign Secretary's speech on why the country went to war in Iraq, an eighty two year old labour party member shouted, "Nonsense. You know that is a lie." He was then manhandled, taken out of his seat, and then escorted out of the hall. Later, when he tried to return to the building he was detained under the new anti-terror laws. The actions of the labour party are typical of politics today. Gone are the moments when there are actual debates about policy. Often, policies are now decided by a small clique, or even in some cases by a single individual, and the rank and file are forced to accept it. More disturbing are the slick media presentations of the policies, often to give the impression that they have c