The Power of People

(Artist credit: CrystalsPanther @ Deviant Art)

Yesterday I mentioned that Amazon had been allowing for the sale of whale meat on their site.  Environmental Investigation Agency brought this to the public's attention and all hell broke loose.  Amazon's Facebook page was overwhelmed by hundreds of people posting on their wall in protest, among numerous other places and numerous other news reports.  The word spread like wildfire and it appears the power of the people has spoken and Amazon listened.

Amazon has yet to release an official statement saying anything.  But just hours after I found out about it myself and joined the chorus of other protesters on their Facebook page, all whale meat products were quietly removed from Amazon's site. 

Australia was the first to report this last night / this morning at:  Amazon Backs Down

If only activism was this easy in everything else :-) 

A few days ago, Norway announced it was resuming whaling and set a quota for this year at 1,286 minke whales.  I wonder if Sea Shepherd will head over to Norway next to try to cut into this quota?  One can only hope.

Ric O'Barry of Save Japan Dolphins needs your help.  Please check out his latest post here: Letter From Taiji Whale Museum.   Sign the petition and please take a moment to email WAZA and ask them to release these two dolphins in the world's smallest dolphin tank.

Hong Kong Airlines is profiting from the sale of Taiji dolphins by transporting them on their planes.  See here:  Misery of the Dolphins in Flying Coffins.  There is a petition urging Hong Kong Airlines to please stop this practice.   It's never been easier being an armchair activist - please take a few minutes and make your voice heard too.

If you are a PBS supporter / viewer, you may already know this, but in case you don't ... Nature is showing a special on whales and dolphins starting tonight called Ocean Giants.  There will be repeated airings at various times so be sure to check your local listings.

BP continues to profit enormously despite last year's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the people living in that area continue to suffer.  Gotta love how the oil companies get richer and make certain politicians richer while millions of folks are suffering needlessly because of their stupidity.

A lot of discussion is currently taking place about giving cetaceans equal rights and recognizing them as non-human persons with basic rights such as life, freedom, and well-being.   One article here:  Dolphins Deserve Rights

I have to take issue with this quote: 

“I sometimes wonder whether we’ve got our priorities mixed up when we treat animals and the environment with more respect than human beings,” Paul Schratz said. “There are billions of people around the world who deserve our attention.”

One of the problems I personally see with humanity is our ego and misplaced sense of superiority.  All life is interconnected on this planet.  All beings deserve respect and humane treatment. I find it highly hypocritical and anti-compassionate to think that humans rule the earth and are far more worthy of life and liberty than non-human species.  Why is it that way?  Because we say so? 

I'm reminded of this wise Native American saying: 

Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.

~ Native American Elder ~

Far too many humans seem to know squat about living in harmony with nature and other species and treating all life with balance and respect.  It's no wonder our planet is so messed up.  It's not the mammals in the sea or the wildlife on the land that is causing all this misery, it's US!   Our oceans would be abundant with enough fish for everyone, both human and non, if we'd find that balance and use everything sustainably, humanely, and with respect.  We have the power people.  Please don't give up the fight.  

"If a group of beings from another planet were to land on Earth - beings who considered themselves as superior to you as you feel yourself to be to other animals - would you concede them the rights over you that you assume over other animals?"  ~Attributed to George Bernard Shaw

Gulf Oil Flow Stopped, But BS Still Flowing

(Artist credit:  Andy Serrano @ Deviant Art)

Obviously it is great news that the oil spill/leak in the Gulf of Mexico has been stopped. I have been reading various reports that seem to conflict with one another though as to where the oil has gone, how toxic the corexit dispersant has been/is, if the seafood is safe to eat, and why the number of animals/mammals killed seems so low given the millions of gallons that flowed into the gulf.


Is there a conspiracy behind everything?  Is BP and/or the government hiding certain information from the public?


Let's have a look, shall we?

BP has been back and forth on the issue of corexit or any other dispersant that was put into the gulf.  Information has been conflicting as to how safe/unsafe it is and whether or not the amount of dispersants used has had a detrimental effect on the wildlife and the people living and/or working down there.   Documents Indicate Heavy Use of Dispersants and Coast Guard Allows Toxic Chemical Use on Gulf Oil Spill

Where has the oil gone?  Some reports indicate natural bio degradation is at work.  Others credit the corexit dispersants for breaking down the oil. Further reports indicate oil has simply settled deeper into the water and is therefore less visible to the naked eye above water.  And still others credit various human beings around the planet sending out healing energies and prayers to the gulf to heal it.   Where Has the Oil Gone?   

How about the wildlife?

"Official reports indicate that the BP oil spill has resulted in the death of 4,100 birds, 670 turtles, 70 sea mammals and 1 snake, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service report.

The numbers are astonishingly low when compared to the official numbers after the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 which killed 200,000 birds, 3,000 sea mammals and 20 whales while this oil disaster pales in comparison to the Macondo BP oil spill."

Some are questioning whether or not BP is hiding the actual numbers of wildlife killed:

Death Gyre in the Gulf

BP Processes Dead Animals Out of Sight

Or one article to cover most of the above:  What BP and the Govt. Don't Want You to Know

Did you know that oil disasters are pretty common and frequent?    We may be slow to learn, but it's not too late to change our ways and get off our oil dependency, wouldn't you agree?  We'd certainly clean the planet's land, water, and air if we kick the habit.  Imagine that.  

To overstate the obvious, this disaster, and all other oil related disasters around the globe, are far from being over and/or dealt with.  And further disasters will continue to impact us in big and small ways unless or until we change this.  As long as there is a demand from people for oil, the oil conglomerates will continue to quench our thirst.  And our air, seas, lands, wildlife and humanity will continue to suffer for it.  At this point, I personally see the negatives of oil far outweighing the positives.

By the way, if you are a fan of the Whale Wars or The Cove movie, you might be interested in knowing the Animal Planet will begin airing a new show called Blood Dolphins, starting August 27th following the season finale of the Whale Wars.

And on August 29th, Animal Planet will be showing The Cove movie on its network. 

You can find more information at the Save Japan Dolphins blog.

Last but not least, Michelle Rodriguez (who had roles in Avatar and Lost) has currently stated she will be on Sea Shepherd's next campaign. 

Healing the Gulf

(Artist credit:  Sky_19 @ Deviant Art)

Did you watch Obama's speech last night?  I did and I have mixed feelings about it.

While I appreciate that he finally addressed the nation on the oil spill disaster, I do not feel he said enough or offered up any information that we don't already know.  I also do not feel that he came across as reassuring, encouraging, or as positive as he could have been. 

I'm cynical when it comes to politicians. 

That said, I have to be nit picky about a couple of things here.

Obama said: " Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that will someday lead to entire new industries."

We've had these technologies around for ages.  The reason why they haven't been made public is because it's not profitable.    Take away our dependence on oil and move to free energies, you take away billions of dollars in profits and taxes to a lot of powerful people.  It's all about money.

"Already I have implemented a six month moratorium on oil drilling."   No offense, but that's not good enough.  We should have a permanent ban.  I don't care how many safety features they add, the oil spill in the Gulf has proven that (1) our sea floors are fragile and drilling into them creates further disasters and (2)  we'll never get off oil as long as we continue to allow new drilling.

This takes me back to the free energy, clean energy, alternative energy, etc.  It exists.  It's been proven to be out there.  It's obvious why they aren't currently being used on a wider scale.

Obama also talked about accountability of the oil companies and basically learning a lesson now from the Deep Horizon explosion.     That's also not good enough. It's also been proven that for at least the past decade, reports have existed of various problems on various rigs around the world.  This is not the first accident that has happened and it certainly won't be the last.  It's happening now in Venezuela, Alaska, the Amazon, etc.  Please stop insulting the intelligence of good people everywhere. 

I'm no expert and I'm the first to admit it.  So some solutions I've been reading about, to a layman, certainly make a lot of sense.

(1)  Kevin Costner's oil clean up machines.  We've heard they've been bought by BP.  But we have not heard if they've been used yet. 

(2)  Bio-remediation.  Spill Fighters details how this works and it appears to me to work better than that stupid environmentally dangerous dispersant BP is currently spraying over the miles and miles of the Gulf ocean. These dispersants have been proven to cause more harm to the water, the wildlife, and to the people living in the region.

(3)  Seize BP assets, holdings, cash, etc right now and tell them to get lost.  Have someone independent take over the clean up.  BP has proven thus far to be completely incompetent and to care more about maintaining their profits than the damage they are doing to the environment, the wildlife, and the people living along the Gulf states.

(4)  Stop keeping things tight to the vest and start being more transparent about everything that's going on.  Just a reminder, Mr. President. One of your campaign promises was that the government would be more open and transparent. It's another insult to good people everywhere that we are not being 100% informed of what is going on out there.  And let people help.  If Florida wants to take charge of protecting their own shores, then let them.  Stop the bureaucracy and get it together.  Time is of essence.

(5) If you're thinking you're going to get away with taxing more people on the climate bill and/or the Cap and Trade, you'd better re-think that Mr. President.  People are being taxed to death enough as it is.  We are trillions of dollars in debt as a country.  Who's fault is that?  The politicians in D.C.   The American people are sick and tired of bailing out corporations, banks, politicians, etc for every bumbling poo poo they make without regard for the consequences.  It's got to stop now.

Like I said, I'm no expert.  I freely admit some or all of these ideas have their pros and cons.  But politics and business as usual just isn't going to get it done.

Obama said:  "..for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency  that this challenge requires. Time and again, the path forward has been blocked - not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor."

Please remember your words Mr. President and act on them.  Again, time is of essence.

In the meantime, if you believe in the healing power of vibrational light energy, then please take a moment to look at this video and participate:

Share Visualization for Healing the Gulf

BP = Bumbling Poopheads

(Artist credit:  Egank0 @ Deviant Art)

Various news reports offer up various versions of what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico.

I'm amazed that there would be a media blackout considering BP does not own the Gulf of Mexico.  On one hand, I can understand doing so out of safety concerns.  On the other hand, silence doesn't ease concerns or fears.  It only encourages speculation and conspiracy theories.

That said, take the links I will be sharing here with a grain of salt.

It appears that shortly after the oil rig explosion, Britain offered to help with the clean up and the U.S. government declined.     Why?  This mess is only growing worse and is now on the precipice of being a global disaster versus a local one.  Politics and money should be set aside in the interests of ensuring this is nipped in the bud as quickly, as efficiently, and as safely as possible.  Right?  I must be missing something.  If an asteroid was heading straight for earth all the nations in the world would be banding together to brainstorm on how to stop it and then get busy.  Right?

Well this oil disaster in the Gulf has the potential to quickly reach the point of leaving no one on the planet immune.  Whether the oil ends up in the gulf stream and reaches our neighbors across the Atlantic, or creates oily rain across the eastern half of the USA causing pollution and harm to crops and our food supply, or a hurricane hitting the gulf and lifting up and spreading that lovely stuff even further inland.

I must be naive or missing something somewhere.

Has the silence of some environmental groups been bought?  Check out this article:  Sierra Club and Gang Green: Oil Spill Cleanup "Just Fine"

Is BP engaged in a massive cover-up of the disaster?  See this video:  BP Coverup

Another video:  Toxic Alert

Yet another:  Is It Raining Oil in Florida?

As if things couldn't get any worse, at first BP denied there were cracks in the sea bed (so shocking, them denying yet something else) but now they are admitting it:   Oil Spills from the Sea Bed

Folks in the Florida Keys aren't waiting for BP to get their crap together.  They are taking preventive action and attempting to prepare for the possibility of the oil spill reaching them:  Florida key Residents Plan Their Own Oil Spill Cleanup

BS politics and excuses from BP: (Excerpt from the Keys link)

But there's a problem with their plans for grass-roots activism: BP (and the Deepwater Horizon's Unified Command, which BP runs with the Coast Guard and other agencies) has so far insisted on complete control of the cleanup operations. A BP spokesman told TIME that the only appropriate way for interested boat captains to become involved would be to register with the Unified Command's Vessels of Opportunity program. Never mind that according to BP's numbers, only a third of the 7,200 boats "under contract" through the program are in active service. Robey says captains in the Keys haven't even been able to register. "It's a joke, a total joke," he says. "Our people have called them for over a month. They don't return phone calls."

I think I'm being way too kind calling these people bumbling poopheads.


In other news, as we approach the IWC meeting coming up next week in Morocco, things are heating up on this issue all over.

In Australia:  Canberra Acts on Whale Claims

In Palau:  Palau Ends Support for Japan's Scientific Whaling

Good one:  Whistle blower Aims to Expose the Dark Side of Japanese Whaling

Have you taken action yet against the IWC proposal?  It's not too late.

There can't be action against whaling without Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson weighing in:  Japan Dives Deep into Depravity to Destroy the Whales


Please watch this video: What Have We Done?

Then remind yourselves that "It only takes a fraction of 1% of a population to tangibly shift the energy of a whole area ..."    Peace in the Water

Ballsy Whalers

Artist credit:  Dreamlonging @ Deviant Art

Without a doubt, Japan whalers certainly have some serious cajones.  Just ten days before the IWC meeting, they have headed out to the NW Pacific to kill themselves some more whales. See:  Japan Launches Whaling Fleet 10 Days From Vote

IWC Chairman Cristian Maquieira has shared his proposal and believes anti-whaling nations, if they agree to this, "might actually secure a better deal for conservation."  :: cough cough ::

I like what one person said in the comment section after this article:

"I have a friend of mine who like to break into people's houses and take their things. He doesn't do it to be mean. He just needs to support his family. Now he is making society a very good deal. He will REDUCE that amount of robberies he commits by 1/2 if he is allowed to keep the the takings from his remaining outings without legal consequences. It sounds crazy, I know. But I am offering a reduction of home robberies by 1/2! How is this deal not good!"

But wait!  Here's the shocking part about all of this brouhaha over the whaling issue.  You ready?  It's all about money!  Shocking, isn't it?

See, it's going to cost just under 20 million buckaroos over the next decade to support this proposal.  Guess who pays for it?  Yup, tax payers.

Suuuuuuuurrrrrrreeee!  Why the hell not!  We're already paying untold amounts of taxes to our government to murder people in other countries so why not whales too!

But back to Japan and their undying love for all things whale and dolphin related.  The Cove was originally set to open in 27 theaters over there but were suddenly shut down.

Ric O'Barry is currently in Japan though fighting this.  You can read his update here:  The Cove Tokyo

Meanwhile, in another cove far far away, the Faroe Island dolphin culling continues. 

And to further compound Japan's hypocrisy and their cries of "We only kill whales for research" comes accusations of whale meat embezzlement!   I guess embezzlement is part of their cultural argument too?

By the way, Pete Bethune being held in Japan on various charges is another example of Japan's deceitful character.

Excerpt:

Bethune is on trial in the Tokyo District Court, charged with trespassing aboard a Japanese whaling ship, forcible obstruction of business, destruction of property, violations of weapons law and intentionally causing harm to a crewman, the latter offense being the only one he has not admitted.  (The bold is mine.)

Umm ... I seem to remember during this year's recent whaling in the Southern Ocean one of Japan's whaling ships pretty much running down Pete Bethune and his crew in the Ady Gil.  So how is it possible that he's awaiting trial in Japan, and yet Japan is getting away with attempted murder?

Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd has a commentary relating to Pete Bethune and his current situation.  Knights of Consequences

Interesting article:   BP Should Face Cruelty Charges

Last but not least, lest anyone think all us whale and dolphin loving tree huggers are just extremist environmental fanatics, please remember that without the ocean, we would not be alive.  As Sylvia Earle so eloquently puts it, the ocean is the key to our survival:

“The ocean drives climate and weather, shapes the character of the planet. We do know now that the ocean, where 97 percent of earth’s water is, is vital, not just to the dolphins, the whales, the coral reefs, the kelp forests; it’s our life support system, too. We are sea creatures as much as any of the other creatures who actually live in the ocean, because without the ocean, our lives would not be possible. Anything we care about—our economies, our health, our security, life itself—depends on the fact that this is a blue planet. The ocean is the key to our survival.”

Is BP Turning a Deaf Ear to Solutions?

Artist credit:  Wolverine080976 @ Deviant Art

There are two camps in this gulf oil disaster:  (1)  Those who think and believe BP and the government are doing everything in their power to clean it up and (2) those who do not.

No surprise, but I'm in the 2nd camp.

Maybe I'm missing something and as always, I welcome enlightenment from anyone wiser, more educated, and more knowledgeable than ordinary folks like myself.  It just seems to me that I'm seeing a lot of solutions being offered up, some seemingly quite viable, reasonable, cost effective, and far more environmentally friendly yet they are being shot down by BP or whoever is in charge.

Examples:

Bio remediation.   Two links provided for your perusal:

(1)  Spill Fighters

(2)  Gutsy Solution Restores Environment in Six Weeks (YouTube video)

BP has so far shown themselves to be liars.  Not good ones mind you, but liars nonetheless.  They've spouted all sorts of contradicting figures about how much or how little oil is in the gulf.  They also deny any underwater plumes.  They minimize the damage in any way they can while more stories, more photographs, more evidence everywhere down there indicates not only the opposite, but that things are going to get a helluva lot worse before we see a modicum of improvement.

Meanwhile, the whole of the natural environment is being pretty much raped 24/7, including just about all sea, land, and air life in the area.  But never mind that.  It's much more important for BP to save as much oil as it can.  Saving the turtles, birds, fish, coral reefs, dolphins, whales, etc. simply is not profitable.

In addition, would it surprise you to know that the U.S. has known for at least the past decade that this oil spill disaster was a real possibility?  If so many people involved in the govt. and the oil business have known about this for at least that long, why wasn't anything developed to prevent this damn thing from happening?

I'll say it again:  If we have the technology to drill into the earth a mile under the sea, then we damn well should have the technology to prevent such a disaster.  I realize my thinking is flawed because after all, people have car accidents and after much trial and error, adjustments and modifications are made to reduce accidents and minimize injuries, etc.  But various reports out there indicate that the people working on the Deep Horizon oil rig and BP KNEW there were problems BEFORE the explosion and millions of gallons spewed out into the gulf.

They can't say this was an accident.  They can't say they are not at fault and that basically "shit happens."  They KNEW and yet ignored the reports of problems.  They KNEW and figured "It's not going to happen to us."

I know I sound redundant on this whole matter.  It just pisses me off.  Because here we are, almost 2 months later with no end in sight to the biggest global environmental disaster in human history.

Based on what I read on various news sites, both mainstream and alternative, I get the impression that BP is basically just taking rags and mopping up the mess and not much else.  So if they are claiming to be as frustrated as everyone else is on this issue, then it's time to take their thumbs out of their asses and look at all the various ideas being offered to help clean this up.  Continuing to put a band aid on such a humongous wound isn't working, And  continuing to spray dispersants over the area when it's been well documented that it causes further negative effects on the water and wildlife obviously isn't working either.

Is Bio remediation the answer?  Is Kevin Costner's solution the answer?  I don't know.  But to hell with liability issues, etc.  BP needs to stand down and basically try every single thing until something actually works instead of behaving like mice running on a wheel.

Personally, I wouldn't want the fate of our future environment resting solely in the hands of oil executives and politicians.  Would you?

I'm Angry

(Artist credit:  Jim Warren)

Okay, so that break didn't last too long.  I can't shut up.

I have a rant I need to get out of my system. 

(1) I'm angry that BP still hasn't gotten a handle on this damn oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

(2)  I'm angry that BP, the Federal government, and various other so-called politicians and regulators and other people in positions of authority and/or power appear to be mostly standing around not knowing whether to scratch their watches or wind their butts.  

(3)  I'm angry that various wildlife, on the land and in the water, are getting sick, getting slicked, and getting killed.

(4)  I'm angry that it took President Obama over three weeks to act like he was doing something about this mess.  Even now, he's still not taking a strong enough stand on this.  I'd put him in the "scratching my watch, winding my butt" group of nincompoops on this matter.

(5)  I'm also angry at Obama for breaking his promise to not turn his back on issue of ending commercial whaling.   

(6)  I'm angry that Sea World is not yet out of business.  And I'm angry at the people who continue to buy their tickets, merchandise, etc. and don't seem to give a damn.  What part of captivity is cruel do folks not understand?

(7) I'm angry that despite the obvious environmental catastrophe in the Gulf, that certain people are still clamoring for more oil drilling.  I'll be bitchy for a second and put them in the category of folks who actually want Sarah Palin to be our next President of the United States. 

(8)  I'm angry that according to this poll (CNN Oil Spill Poll)  16% of the respondents state they do not feel they, or anyone they know, are now or will ever be directly impacted by the Deep Horizon Oil disaster.  What?!  I knew narcissism was alive and well, but this one takes the cake.

(9)  I'm angry that when the EPA demanded BP to stop using toxic dispersants, BP basically flipped 'em the middle finger and said "It's not as toxic as you think."    Right, 'cuz ya know, you KNEW you had a problem with the Deep Horizon rig BEFORE it blew up and caused this big hellish mess.  So therefore, we should kiss your ass and believe whatever you say?  Okay, I'm convinced :-P

(10)  I'm angry that if just three sperm whales die in the Gulf as a result of all this, we could be seeing the end of them.  They are already on the endangered species list.

(11)  I'm angry that we need sites like these:  Gulf Oil Spill Tracker and Live Cam of the OIl Spill

(12)  I'm angry that we need sites and petitions like Cetacean Rights when it should be a given that these mammals have the right to co-exist with us in harmony and without fear for their lives.  And I'm angry that not every single human being on this planet has signed it.

(13)  I'm angry that countries like Japan take no heed to warnings like "Pride cometh before the fall" with their arrogance, ignorance, and greed in continuing to murder whales and dolphins without remorse or conscious.

Some important links well worth your time:

Message From the Dolphins & Whales From the Gulf of Mexico

Time to Say Goodbye

Road Less Traveled

(Artist credit: Barshomy @ Deviant Art)

The cover-ups, the lies, the corruption, the scandals, and the lack of oversight by people in positions of power and/or money continues on like a bad soap opera or a really unbelievable and crappy spy novel.

BP has a history of spills and safety lapses.

The interior department of the U.S. government doles out more off-shore oil drilling regulatory exemptions like they're candy to give out to excited children.

According to Sea Shepherd, they rightfully state this whole disaster could have been avoided.    BP paid a $20 million dollar fine and was charged with a misdemeanor before an investigation that would prove BP was operating in a negligent manner was concluded.

It's not enough that oil is blackening and poisoning the ocean, but for BP to attempt to hide millions of gallons of toxic oil and ignore safer alternatives for cleaning up?  "Dispersal of the oil does not eliminate it, nor does it decrease the toxicity of the oil. It just breaks it up into small particles, where it becomes less visible."    Folks like this are such an inspiration to folks like me. :-P

No tests have been done on the toxicity levels of these dispersants.  You know what Einstein said about insanity?  Why oh why aren't these buttwipes learning anything but how to cause further harm to our planet?

This whole clean-up in the Gulf continues to be a "challenge" because, ya know, they weren't required by law to be responsible to ensure not just the safety of their employees, but the whole of the environment.  Their capping of the spill has failed.  So now, among many ideas, is the theory that "throwing garbage" at the hole will stop the leak.  Can you say "idiots!" in sign language?

How does the thought process work after such a blow to the environment and MORE people are now supporting off-shore oil drilling?  According to the folks at Politico, 55% are in favor of developing more off shore drilling.  See the bewildered expression on my face over that one.

Meanwhile, the gulf is getting more dirtied with more than 210,000 gallons a day continuing to vomit into the sea, the marine species are washing up on shore either dying or dead upon arrival, and all that icky oil stuff that's getting into the fishies is going to enter into the food supply too.  No, I have no proof that the latter will happen.  But should it be expected otherwise given the lack of oversight on this mess that's going to affect all of us for decades to come?

I find it absolutely amazing that those with all the money and power can play havoc with billions of lives, both human and non human, and screw with Mother Earth, and yet be exempt from full responsibility for crap like this.  Why is it that people who have money and power are above the law?  And why aren't more people being angry about this instead of just accepting it and calling it "business as usual?"  Do most people simply not care? 

Five experts weigh in on ideas on what should be done about the clean up in the gulf.   They forgot to add one last idea:  STOP drilling for more oil and start using cleaner, alternative energies.  If it means we have to each make sacrifices for a more sustainable planet, then dammit, we should.  Enough with this continued and repetitive attempted murdering of our Earth.

And finally, we should all take time to listen to what the dolphins have to say.  After all, they've been around far longer than us human beings, are far wiser than we could ever aspire to be, and have lessons and insights into our world that we can only hope that one day we'll be as caring and as enlightened as they are.  Please see their message here:  A Message From the Dolphins

"The 'control of nature' is a phrase conceived in arrogance, born of the Neanderthal age of biology and the convenience of man."

"We stand now where two roads diverge.  But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road / the one less traveled by / offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth."

~ Both quotes by Rachel Carson ~

For far too long we have taken the easy road with proven disastrous results.  It's not too late to change our journey and to take the road less traveled.