tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post6226629746628850551..comments2024-03-24T19:55:32.537-05:00Comments on The View from This Seat: Does the Environment Need Protected?LKSeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860725174433173015noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-47169309470773655302012-02-21T16:43:32.307-06:002012-02-21T16:43:32.307-06:00Elimination of the EPA is such a backward step to ...Elimination of the EPA is such a backward step to take that it's difficult to imagine. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/08/24/what-if-republicans-closed-the-epa/no-epa-welcome-back-smog" rel="nofollow">THIS LINK</a> is to a N.Y. Times article written by Chip Jacobs, co-author of the book, <i>" Smogtown: the Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles."</i> He suggests that the announcement of ending the EPA be made in Los Angeles where people can remember what it was like before the EPA. <br /><br />Another good place for such an announcement would be on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, the river in Northeast Ohio that's famous for being "the river that caught fire" in 1969.Clif Hostetlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09192652526880912362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-29335609435594287982012-02-20T22:01:28.588-06:002012-02-20T22:01:28.588-06:00As it happens, last night I attended The Great Imm...As it happens, last night I attended The Great Immensity at the KC Rep. It is a world premiere, still in "previews," of a play about global warming, and about why we collectively refuse to believe in it. Sometimes it touches on history, such as the sad story of the last passenger pigeon, living alone at a zoo. Once darkening the skies in their billions, the birds were mercilessly hunted on the assumption that they were an inexhaustible resource, until suddenly only one was left. And then none. Another story told of nomadic people, who after living for thousands of years as hunters, were moved by Canada into permanent homes near Hudson Bay. Alcoholism and death become their new life style, until a new generation rejects their city, and lead the remnant of the people back to their nomadic life. Throughout the play, scientist wonder, and, improbably, sing, about how to get out the message of our fragile environment, and their frustration at their failure to persuade us.<br /><br />It is easy to blame it all on great amoral economic powers, such as the coal industry, and the corrupt politicians in their pay. However, that is only part of the picture. A deeper is why so many people are in their sway. Here, I think the theory of grief probably comes closer than any other to explaining what is happening. The typical list moves from right brain to left brain, from denial to anger, fear, bargaining and finally acceptance. Wherever we see excesses of denial and anger, it is appropriate to ask, What died? Whether it is denial of personal mortality, the holocaust, or global warming, the process is similar. How do we get the environmental deniers through their grief fast enough to save our world? I wish we knew.Craig Dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00033176451913108084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-72916430974942427702012-02-20T14:21:52.730-06:002012-02-20T14:21:52.730-06:00The coal industry holds a hard grip on its favored...The coal industry holds a hard grip on its favored position in Kentucky. Its position is so strong that its Democratic governor Beshear strongly opposed the EPA when running for re-election. The problem: the EPA finally had begun positive and practical moves to enforce limits of pollution caused by mining. Coal's strength is seen in its building a new lodge for the University of Kentucky's basketball team (about $7 million). It will be called the Wildcat Coal Lodge with the guarantee of a coal exhibition space in the lodge controlled by coal interests. Wendell Berry, state honored and nationally known writer holds environmental concerns. He withdrew his papers from the university's library in protest. All those speaking against pollution control for whatever end claim they will lose money--the highest value!Les Hillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-40275374076227448862012-02-20T09:56:38.688-06:002012-02-20T09:56:38.688-06:00Leroy and friends,
Political rhetoric reflects som...Leroy and friends,<br />Political rhetoric reflects some powerful trends in public opinion, and the more ominous thing is why do we Americans think we can "fix" the environment by choosing denial? Or do think short term exploitation of resources trumps long term problems for future generations? Or do we think the end of the world is imminent and we don't need to worry beyond 2050?Pip Rhoadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05949840977134345709noreply@blogger.com