People With Too Much Money

Bette Midler cut down hundreds of rare trees in Hawaii, claiming she "didn't know" they were valuable.  Canadians face continual invasions of big money into forests, delicate northern landscapes and natural environments.  And here are two more examples of people with more money than they know what to do with invading the resources of other countries.

A Golf "Disneyland" in Scotland

Mogul Donald Trump is developing plans for what he hopes will be the biggest, grandest golf course in the world.  It will be a kind of golf "Disneyland" on Menie Links in Scotland that includes a huge hotel and what is essentially an entire village.  Trouble is the government architectural watchdog has serious concerns about the baronial estate design that features turrets and flags, a design that, in fact, was developed by a firm that also works for Disneyland projects.  Even more trouble - the project is to be built on an important sand dune ecological area and officially protected wildlife site.   Environmentalists are horrified but the eyes of business are glowing at the prospect.  The Council of Aberdeenshire will have its hands full making this decision.  

Which side would you bet on?

A Billionaire's Resort in Africa

Supermodel Naomi Campbell's plans for a huge hotel and casino complex in Kenya are drawing outrage from residents of the Indian Ocean town of Malinda. The location is right in the middle of a coastal sanctuary for three rare breeds of turtles.  Protesters say the project will not only destroy years of work to save endangered marine life, it will also encourage the type of tourism the area has always tried to avoid.  As usual, there is great pressure on the development board to okay the project because of the jobs it would provide and the money it would generate in the area.

Which side would you bet on?

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1395662007

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article2441577.ece