A falling tree claimed the life of Richard Heard (49), Birmingham Airport's managing director. Heard was driving his BMW X5 (one of the most fuel hungry SUVs) to work on his way to work at 5.45 am in what was described as a "freak accident".
Heard presided over Birmingham Airports plans for a massive expansion by 2030. These include the lengthening of the existing runway to accommodate larger aircraft and a second runway (by 2020) to increase the number of flights plus terminal expansion.
Heard could accurately be labeled as a true climate criminal.
Local MPs Lorely Burt (Lib Dem) and Caroline Spelman (Conservative) paid tribute to the man they seemed to have great respect for. Burt said Heard was, "an exceptional man" and he,"will be greatly missed".
For more see:
http://icsolihull.icnetwork.co.uk/news/local/tm_headline=airport-boss-dies-in-gale-&method=full&objectid=18502109&siteid=91411-name_page.html
Heard presided over Birmingham Airports plans for a massive expansion by 2030. These include the lengthening of the existing runway to accommodate larger aircraft and a second runway (by 2020) to increase the number of flights plus terminal expansion.
Heard could accurately be labeled as a true climate criminal.
Local MPs Lorely Burt (Lib Dem) and Caroline Spelman (Conservative) paid tribute to the man they seemed to have great respect for. Burt said Heard was, "an exceptional man" and he,"will be greatly missed".
For more see:
http://icsolihull.icnetwork.co.uk/news/local/tm_headline=airport-boss-dies-in-gale-&method=full&objectid=18502109&siteid=91411-name_page.html
Comments
Hide the following 11 comments
How is this news?
21.01.2007 23:35
It strikes me as being a bit disconcerting that you're rubbing your hands with glee whilst pronouncing that this person was a "climate criminal"
get a life!
Mrs. Heard
Trees killed by Airport Boss
22.01.2007 01:51
We mourn deaths in ALL Nations.
Why is it news?
The mainstream lot and now the indymedia threaders have chosen to make it so.........
His unfortunate death being solely as a result of the seasonally inclement weather in the U.K. for January.......i.e high winds, rain, storms, etc! (Did I say inclement?amazing).
This poor man was one of the unfortunate 11 or so that were killed, died, by the seasonal activity of nature.......being nature, climate being climate? and was, in particular, singled out by the mainstream lot, because, it seems, he was deemed to have some high profile, tooty flooty job in the capitalist world.
I am not sure if any of the other 10 or so had jobs or names that were worthy of special mention.
Airport bosses kill trees. Trees kill airport bosses.
C'est la vie. C'est la mort.
We mourn deaths in ALL nations.(sadly)
Not Heard
Never Heard
News and non news
22.01.2007 10:08
What you really mean is that it's not news YOU want to read about. Fair enough. Few people, if any find every newswire post of interest. However the title is pretty clear - if it doesn't interest you click on another title.
Aviation is one of the most polluting forms of transport because emissions are released high in the atmosphere causing more problems than if the same fuel was burned a ground level. Many activists (inc. me) have campaigned against airport expansion so this is of specific interest.
Would the death of Blair or Bush also constitute non-news simply because it was covered by the mainstream lot? I doubt you would complain if it was their deaths that had been reported.
Steve
3rd attempt at 'reporting' this story
22.01.2007 10:56
Another indymedia admin also commented that your previous post (360308) was a 'tad distasteful'
What exactly are you trying to do for the climate change cause as an "activist" by repeatedly publishing this?
not impressed
Best news all year!
22.01.2007 11:41
As Im surrounded by the knowledge and experience that capitalism is not only oppressing, exploiting and generally screwing over ordinary people everywhere, murdering thousands in war and oppression and poverty, but is also murdering the planet I live and depend on, generally ruining mine and everybody elses lives through ecological catastrophe, to hear that one of the bastards contributing most to climate chaos has been killed by the newly chaotic climate strikes me as the best piece of 'news' Ive received all year!
You reap what you sow....
reaper
Unimpressed
22.01.2007 12:17
Who is the "you" you are referring to? If you bothered to check the articles you'd see that they're three different articles by three different people, no doubt each unaware that this news had been reported prior to their own version.
What exactly are YOU trying to do for the climate change cause by moaning about other people's news items? Instead of dissing others efforts try contributing something positive instead.
The fact an airport boss has been killed by a tree may be distasteful to you doesn't mean it is to everyone and besides, sometimes the truth offends. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be reported.
Deaths and obituaries are a normal part of news reporting.
If you wish to discuss this further I suggest an email list is the more appropriate place. I am on the Sheffield one which is quiet right now.
steve
that's no defence
22.01.2007 19:51
Somewhere along the line we have to take responsibility for our actions, whether it's working actively for the expansion of air travel (& thus death), or having a quick weekend over in Barcelona, by plane.
So whilst one death doesn't cancel out another, there's a lot of people dying, a lot more will, and that's because humans aren't taking responsibility for the future.
Here's hoping we have one, xx
ooom-sayer
Retread
22.01.2007 19:59
UKTV Gold
come on...
23.01.2007 09:49
get things in perspective.
trees
Kill Them All
23.01.2007 16:39
Amused
What if...
24.01.2007 16:14
How would you feel about people laughing at their death on the Internet?
moral relativism