Indonesia, Peat Swamp Forests, Islamist Petty Viciousness

       Indonesia holds most of the world's peat swamp forests. The peat in these forests can be layered up to 65 feet thick. What happens to these forests is of great consequence. These forests store enormous amounts of carbon. They are some of the most biologically rich places on earth. Unfortunately, they are being destroyed. Protecting these forests is extremely important. Instead of focusing on what matters, Indonesia is succumbing to the pettiness and viciousness of Islamists, and is choosing instead to protect their ever tender feelings. One of Indonesia's best politicians will now serve two years in prison for blasphemy for making a harmless statement.

       If Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, succumbs to the intolerance, bigotry, pettiness, and viciousness that is sweeping the Islamic world, it will be a quick descent from what Indonesia is now to what Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Gaza, Syria, South Thailand, South Mindanao, and many other places have become. With its large Muslim population and location in the heart of Asia, with its vast and extremely important rain forests, peat swamp forests, coral reefs and mangroves, Indonesia lost to the Islamists will be a disaster beyond repair.