“It is my purpose, as one who lived and acted in these days, first to show how easily the tragedy of the Second World War could have been prevented; how the malice of the wicked was reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous; how the structure and habits of democratic states, unless they are welded into larger organisms, lack those elements of persistence and conviction which alone can give security to humble masses; how even in matters of self-preservation, no policy is pursued for even ten or fifteen years at a time. We shall see how the counsels of prudence and restraint may become the prime agents mortal danger; how the middle course adopted from desires for safety and a quiet life may be found to lead direct to the bull’s-eye of disaster…” Winston S. Churchill, The Gathering Storm, © 1948, Houghton Mifflin Company, pp. 17-18

I first read these words over 40 years ago. By quoting them I do not mean to imply virtue to those counseling us to talk to the animals today. I’d use a different “v” word, venality.