Editorial
UP NOLAN CREEK: Jalapenos and Starships
Sunday, 05 August 2012 by Wayne Carpenter
One night after a large helping of Super Nachos with extra jalapenos, I woke up about three a.m. in the midst of a strange dream. We were camped at Lake Belton, having stayed up late gazing at the stars, when I was awakened suddenly by a bright, shining object that illuminated the water more than any full moon. The light hovered just above the campground, and a small bodied creature descended from it, standing just a few feet away with a hand-like appendage raised in apparent greeting. I was too scared to run or even scream, but the creature spoke softly to me in perfect English.
"I mean you no harm, Earthling." I was still shaking as he continued to speak." We have been visiting and monitoring your planet for over 65 of your earth years. My father was killed in a starship crash near here shortly after your last nuclear conflict."
"You mean Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947?" I said. "That isn't really near here, and the government said it was a hoax."
"Time and distance are relative Earthling; I traveled light years to visit this planet, and I assure you the death of my father and his crew was not a hoax. Your government knew your people could not handle the truth."
I stammered for words, "Uh, um, well...so why are you are here now? To attack us?"
Despite his strange appearance, the alien seemed saddened. "Only to see for myself the planet where my father died while it remains inhabited."
I shuddered: "What do you mean while it remains inhabited?"
After a long pause, he said: "I'm afraid you have little time left on this planet, Earthling."
"Why, is there an asteroid or a giant comet about to hit Earth?"
"No, you are destroying yourself. After our starship crashed near the place you call Roswell, your planet was deemed too dangerous for us to make contact, but we have been monitoring your radio and television broadcasts. Your airwaves are filled with hateful speech and meaningless drivel. We assumed after your conflict that ended in the use of nuclear weapons, your people would turn to peaceful pursuits and the wise use of your planet's resources. Our planet believed once your people saw the devastation of nuclear weapons, you would never again wage war. Instead, you have been in a constant state of warfare in many locations. You often kill each other over trivial reasons, but most often over your visions of God. There is only one God in this universe Earthling, but there are many paths to enlightenment. Can your people not see this truth? Also, there is great wealth in your homeland, but in other parts of your planet you willingly allow others to starve and to die of simple diseases for which you already have cures. How can your people allow this?"
"Well, I don't know....I'm sure we will figure those things out soon and do better."
The alien looked at me with very sad eyes, "I am afraid it is too late for you Earthling. The seeds of your destruction have already taken root."
"What do you mean it's too late? What about our technology?"
"It isn't your lack of technology. It is your lack of understanding. Each planet in the Universe has a balance, and as long as the balance is maintained, life on the planet prospers. When the balance is disturbed, life on the planet is expunged, and the planet renews itself. Your planet is going through a period of rapid warming which will soon destroy your civilization. Every planet has natural periods of heating and cooling, but your unbridled use of fossil fuels have sped up the process beyond your ability to cope...you just don't realize it. You'll probably annihilate yourselves in a nuclear war fighting over water and food when your agriculture system can no long be sustained in the changing climate."
I panicked, "What about God in all this? Won't he save us?"
The alien said: "Do you remember the part where God gave His people free will?"
"Yes, I remember."
The alien looked at me even more sadly than before. "He meant it....you made your choices."
Then I awoke and swore off eating jalapenos, thankful this was just a dream.
