Along with the Chagos island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Ascension is crucial in the quest for total domination of the space around the planet and indeed total domination of the planet itself.

In a similar situation to Diego Garcia, where the inhabitants were illegally removed from their homes by the British, in order to make way for a U.S. military base (and who have since been living in illness, poverty and desperation), most of the workers on Ascension are from St. Helena. When their contracts expire, they are forced to leave, or are threatened with deportation, wrecking their lives. Some have put their life savings into trying to make a living on Ascension and have several generations of family there, only to be forced to leave.

Despite seeing Ascension (and also having bad dreams the previous night, of a sonic attack on the ship), I actually had a very good day. It started with a dolphin escort to the shallower areas surrounding the island, shortly followed by great big turtles swimming by the ship coming up for air and shining in the sun. While waiting for the pilot boat to return with the customs officials, we took a swim in the warm clear water... fantastic. A restful day off followed an hour with the needle gun, pizza and ice-cream for dinner courtesy of Miguel and Celeste, then a lovely sunset with the Green Flash that apparently only I saw.

World domination... really... who needs it?

- Ed

Ascension links
Earlier weblog about the animals of Ascension
US military blamed as Britain kicks out islanders
No place like home - The U-turn on Ascension Islanders' rights shows that military wishes mean more to the Foreign Office
The government's mistreatment of Ascension Islanders

Diego Garcia & Chagos links
The Ilois Trust supports the Chagossians living in Mauritius, the Seychelles and the UK.
The UK Chagos Support Association
Wikipedia: Diego Garcia
John Pilger - Diego Garcia: Paradise Cleansed
John Pilger - The secret files that reveal how a nation was deported
Stealing a nation
BBC: The Chagos Islands: A sordid tale
Diego Garcia: Exiles Still Barred

Here's a photograph of a cargo ship that was lying off Georgetown, Ascension. It's the TSgt John A Chapman - a cargo ship for supplying 'Air Force ammunition in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean'.

©Greenpeace/Gleizes

MV TSgt John A. Chapman (T-AK 323) Container & Roll-on/Roll-off Ship
Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program

- Dave