What a surprise?

From the BBC

More than 1,000 illegal immigrants from Africa have landed in Spain's Canary islands so far this weekend and the number shows no sign of slowing.

Some 20,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in the Canaries this year.

Tens of thousands of migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, have attempted to reach Europe this year, often undertaking dangerous sea journeys in rickety boats.

What a surprise? With millions of people on the African continent being affected by AIDS, unnatural weather patterns, civil war brought on by greed or greed disguised as religious zeal, it is hardly surprising that sensible people want to get away from the dangers and go somewhere safe.

I think someone should have a look at the relative exploitation combined with neglect that African nations have received in the last few centuries and begin the slow process of realisation that the policies of the past and the present are largely responsible for the situation that most of these people now find themselves in. Keeping out the hordes of refugees is ONE answer.

Rehabilitating their countries and cleaning up the mess that has been left by previous colonial endeavours so they can stay at home, is another.

The 21st century seems to be one in which all of the disastrous decisions of the past millennium are coming home to roost.

It will be interesting to see the changes that will happen in another few decades much less centuries. As I stated before in my earlier note - I wonder when we are going to learn the lessons of history?