Let’s face it. Humans are the only species without Earthly predators and without consistent natural sensibilities. Except for war. That seems to signify that we have no purpose, as all animals are either predator or prey or both. War may be our only predator. Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, probably while hiding under his bed: “War is the father of all things.” So talks of peace become unnatural in some weird, ungodly way.
When the Norsemen first trod on British soil, you can be sure there was an advance greeting party from the host nation to meet the visitors with baskets of fresh fruit, gift horses, a clutch of barmaids and some choral singing — diplomacy at work. And then the Norsemen plundered. It was inevitable.
For those of you who find international diplomacy puzzling, or wonder why few, if any, critical global issues ever get resolved, it’s because diplomats and ambassadors are too diplomatic and ambassadorial: diplomatic is diplomatic for “toothless.”
And good diplomats are rare. I believe they are actually born not bred. When diplomats are butt-smacked at birth, instead of wailing, they come out saying, “That’s a good point.”
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