In the 90s some illustrators, photographers, writers, poets, anthropologists, policemen & ecdysiasts would meet at the Railway Club on Thursdays. We would occupy the corner table and converse over lunch.

Sadly the world changed and time prevented most from ever meeting in mass at one place. But also I now realize that these fine afternoons could not be repeated because of the polarization of our world.

Conversation would lead to ranting and arguing.

From my little corner in Kitsilano where I see very few of my former friends and the phone (an obsolete medium of communication) never rings I find my isolation a melancholic one but also one of relief.

I see my friends and “friends” in social media get into terrible arguments about politics, religious matters, environmental issues. Few if any harbour both sides. They only see one side of everything.

My grandmother used to say something pertinent about those who say something with the authority of Ex Cathedra.

“Dijo Blas, punto Redondo.” This sort of translates to, “Blas spoke. That’s final.”

So I avoid like the plague in making comments on anything about the above subjects. Some of these friends hold views that must be fanatical. They search the internet for opinions (some from questionable sites) that are mated to theirs.

The photograph of the Aleppo Statue of Liberty has been circulated by many. The culprits (mostly from my left-wing friends are the Americans aided by that most efficient Central Intelligence Agency.

I would like the following questions and doubts answered which I think might in the end push the left and the right into a centre of (even!) friendship.

Much has been written how dirty coal’s days are numbered and that Trump’s Environmental Agency Chief is an idiot.

From my days in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila (run by the American Smelting and Refining Company) I knew that coal and zinc were being extracted. The coal was then burned in oxygen-free ovens to convert it to coke.This coke was sent to Altos Hornos in nearby Monclova to manufacture steel. Without coke (coal) there  is no steel.

Can our planet in its present state live without steel?

While petroleum is so important for airplanes and automobiles and alternative methods of propulsion are being studied how many understand that there is a large percentage of plastics even in all-electric cars?

What would substitute, in a pinch, all that plastic? Carbon fibre alloys are now used in airplane air frames. But that's coal!.

And finally I think of those Vancouverites who do not want a cannabis store next to theirs, or a safe drug place next to their home. Could this be the same (at least a tiny bit) of the idea of not wanting tankers here? They can be anywhere else but not here.

In short pragmatism is dead along with land lines and phone calls.