"Why must geopolitics be played out at the expense of "ordinary people" and their desire for a decent life in peace? Why does the fate of billions of people depend on the whims of a few who wield immense power? Why are so many dubious, irresponsible, incompetent, corrupt, mendacious, morally corrupt and possibly insane politicians (henchmen of the powerful), intellectual midgets to boot, given a free hand in international affairs? (Sorry, strong words, but justified given the media coverage of these people's activities - which may of course be wrong and exceptions are easy to recognise. One might add: Sleepwalkers, , the title of a best-selling book by an Australian historian on the outbreak of the First World War).

Why does nobody stand up and say "Stop it", just "Stop it"? Where are the people? Where are the elected representatives who should be looking after the interests of their people - which are certainly not centred on destruction and chaos? Instead, they allow themselves to be bossed around by opaque powers such as big money, big business and the so-called "military-industrial complex" from which they themselves often benefit.. Questions like these must have been asked millions of times. Obviously in vain.

The pilot of the A380 comes to mind. If he or she were incompetent (etc.), that would jeopardise up to 800 lives at once. The incompetence (etc.) of our politicians jeopardises the lives of billions. (Which is not to say that you can trust the mental health and qualities of a pilot unconditionally: e.g. Germanwings flight 9525.) "

Incidentally, international air travel is relatively safe because intelligent people have come together to discuss and solve problems, to co-operate and, where necessary, to compromise. In contrast, international politics is very unsafe because co-operation and compromise are too easily thwarted by those who will not relinquish the exercise of their selfish power, and are incapable of abiding by the simple rule of "live and let live".