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

Darth Vader and Alien Intelligence

(Artist credit:  Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan)

Does this sound familiar?

During the slaughter, the sea turns a deep red from injured and dying whales. Pilot whales share a sophisticated communication system and are often heard calling out for one another. Despite all indications that they experience severe physical and psychological suffering, Faroese authorities have made this astounding statement: "... the Faroese whale drive has over the years successfully adapted to modern standards of resource management and animal welfare." 

Ric O'Barry is calling the Faroe Island hunts the "Taiji of the North Atlantic."

It should be required reading, IMO, that countries such as Japan and Denmark as well as any individuals out there who hunt or otherwise abuse, torture, or harm dolphins in any way, to read In Defense of Dolphins: The New Moral Frontier.

 

There is much research out there dating back many decades, that proves mammals belonging in the whale and dolphin families, are highly intelligent, sentient beings.  Some researchers categorize them as "alien intelligence" or "non-human persons."  It is rather unfortunate that the majority of humans are so anthropocentric and seemingly unwilling to expand their minds to consider there are, indeed, other living beings on this planet that are intelligent, of having moral standing, having their own social mores and community ties, etc.

We should all take a moment to consider that maybe, just maybe, we are not the center of the universe and that it is highly likely other species know and understand our world and/or universe in ways we could not even begin to comprehend.

You know that famous Gandhi saying: "Be the change you want to see in the world?"

Turns out one man who, sometimes labeled as the Darth Vader of dolphins, and who had hunted them for over a decade, changed his attitude after two things happened:  (1) the Sea World incident last month and (2) The Cove film.  He is planning to release the remaining 17 bottlenose dolphins back into the wild.  He has said:

...who previously believed some animals must be captive educational ambassadors for their species, is beginning to doubt the value of shows, where animals are forced to perform tricks.

“Are we really educating and providing the best representation of wild animals in an aquarium?” he asked.

The artificial, sterile environment in which most marine mammals are kept bears little resemblance to their habitat. Killer whales are likely to become frustrated, increasing the chance they will lash out."

Read more here:  Darth Vader of Dolphins

"The Cove" debate continues on and this is an interesting read from the Japanese perspective, including a response from someone involved with The Cove production.  I think you'll find it worth your while to read.  

Another one: Cove Mind-Set Harms Japan

Obama has so far, for me, been a very disappointing President.  The following must be some of what he meant by "Change you can believe in."

(1)  He is currently supporting overturning the IWC moratorium on whaling. 

I guess he reserves the right to change his mind and be a flip-flopper.  

During the presidential race, then-Senator Obama gave this response to a Greenpeace questionnaire dated March 16, 2008: “As president, I will ensure that the U.S. provides leadership in enforcing international wildlife protection agreements, including strengthening the international moratorium on commercial whaling. Allowing Japan to continue commercial whaling is unacceptable.”  (Source: Mark Crispin Miller)

And last year he said he would firmly oppose whaling.  Link:  Obama Toughens U.S. Line Against Whaling

(2) Offshore Drilling in the USA

One of many articles discussing this issue:  Risk of Offshore Drilling is Clear; Payoff Isn't

Instead of enabling continued oil dependency, why aren't we instead pursuing stronger efforts in alternative resources, solar energy, etc.? 

It'll probably take years before any drilling commences.  In the meantime, environmental impact reports must be filed and you can be sure a number of environmental groups will attempt to block the drilling from happening.

I'd hate to see offshore drilling given the green light.  I get it that we need to get away from foreign dependency on oil.  But it seems to me that we do have the technology and the resources to explore alternatives.  So instead of pushing for more oil, energy should be centered on alternatives.  And striking a balance between the two just does not seem feasible to me especially considering the various negative factors that, to me, far outweigh the benefits.

What if there are oil spills?  What effect will all that drilling and building out there do to the marine life?  Would it impact the areas' tourism economy?  Real estate?  Etc etc etc.

Check out the this great blog, via the Surfrider Organization, on this issue:  Oil on the Beach

Thank you Mr. President, you have definitely been the change I can NOT believe in.  

I've said this before and I feel it's worth repeating.  If we take care of the Earth, the Earth will take care of us.     Destroying it little by little is tantamount to committing an agonizingly slow suicide. If one listens carefully enough, one can hear the soft sobs of Mother Earth crying.  It truly makes me sad how badly so many treat our home.  But then humans have killed and abused one another for thousands and thousands of years.  It shouldn't surprise me that we are this way, but unfortunately it does.

I've never been a fan of Sarah Palin's.  Her record on nature, wildlife, and the environment is among the worst of any politician I've ever learned about.  It is rather unfortunate (to put it mildly) that the Discovery Channel is giving her a show of her own called "Sarah Palin's Alaska."

She's gone on record as disagreeing the polar bear population is endangered.  She's been an opponent of the Endangered Species Act.  She's hunted wolves and offered bounties to people to kill wolves.  I could go on. 

And yet she's being paid millions of bucks to host her own nature show?  :: shaking my head in amazement ::   Just when I thought the world couldn't get any more stupid or insane.

I'm honored to share that I have received as a gift from the author Eric Rankin, his book:  The Aquarians: 2012 - A New Era Begins

I've only just started reading it but so far, I'm quite enthralled with it and highly recommend it.  I strongly encourage you to check it out.  If you'd like to learn more about the author and the book, you can not only check him out on Facebook but also at his website:  The Aquarian Age    :-)

I appreciate you being here and for being interested in my rants!

Mahalo!

P.S. I don't know what's going on with Blogger, but I've had all sorts of issues for hours with trying to get this entry to come out normal.  I apologize for any visual difficulties you may experience.  Hopefully it'll sort itself out soon.

IWC Debates Legalizing Murder

(Artist credit:  Jeff Wilkie)

How does anyone or any country compromise on the murdering of sentient beings?   Such is the situation at the IWC talks currently taking place down in Florida.  The two countries battling it out the most are, to no one's surprise, Australia and Japan.

Japan is basically still whining that whaling is part of their culture and they want a return to unlimited whaling.  

Australia wants ZERO whales killed.

Neither is willing to compromise nor meet each other half way.

Meanwhile, the coward in this game?  The good ole U.S.A. for abstaining, so far, on any decisions.

Politics - ain't it grand?  

Meanwhile, whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, manatees, etc do not play the game of politics.  They are simply trying to live their lives in their rightful homes - the ocean, and to have the right to be free of human egoism and greed.  

Links to articles discussing the latest IWC talks on the fate of our planet's whales:

Whaling Compromise Reaches a Dead End

PM Set on Suing Over Whaling

IWC Draft Document Promotes Regulated Whaling

Danish Whaling Request Postponed

Lots of articles out there on the IWC talks, just put "IWC" in your favorite search engine.

If you're against whaling, you may want to send a message to President Obama and let him know how you feel.  I've personally sent an email a couple days ago.  Does this sort of action work?  I don't know, but at least I'm speaking up for a species that has no voice.  What are you doing?  :-)     Contact President Obama at the White House.

There's still a lot of talk out there about the Sea World incident and about keeping wild animals in captivity and/or for the purpose of entertaining us dumb humans.  This one article is short, sweet, and right to the point:  Best to Allow Wild Animals to Stay Wild

Another related and just as short and sweet:  Skip the Zoo, and Sea World

Sea World doesn't give a crap about their whales and dolphins.  They do give a crap about money.  Money talks people.  Please do NOT support Sea World in any way and any other park like it.  Imagine the power of people NOT buying tickets to see the shows and NOT buying the merchandise?  People fail to realize just how much power they have over corporations.  The common language we have with the greedy corporations is MONEY.  They want it, you don't have to give it to them.

The battle between the whales and the military rages on and looks like it will continue to do so for some time to come.  As with any battle, there are victories and there are defeats.  This article gives us a mixture of both:  Whales vs Navy: NOAA May Limit Sonar Tests

Are you planning to tune into the Academy Awards?  As you know, The Cove has been nominated for best documentary.  I normally do not watch awards shows, but will be checking for updates on the internet to see if they've won :-)

If you live in Australia, you may be interested in this site:  Save Our Marine Life    Having less than 1% of the marine life protected is a pretty sorry number wouldn't you say?  Get involved!

Site spotlight:  Earth Island Institute

Be sure to check out Sea Shepherd for their latest updates.

As new age'y and hippie'ish as this sounds, we are all connected on this planet.  This isn't about being a tree hugging environmentalist.  This is about caring about your world and all that live on it and in it.  Saving the whales and the dolphins, etal, and caring about the fate of our oceans could result in you saving your own life.  Otherwise, we're all just committing a slow and agonizing suicide.

The choice is ours.

Mahalo,

Dolphin