Lions led by Sheep -

Sep 11 2008

When Politicians Ruined the World

Email to a Friend

Print This Post

42 Responses to “When Politicians Ruined the World”

1. # Roger Rankin, Fresno, CAon 11 Sep 2008 at 9:11 pm

   Hi Steve,

   How could anyone NOT like what you have to say? I think you’re Right ON with everything here…..connecting the dots is so easy with your writing and HOMEWORK!

   Thanks for all that you are doing.

   I look forward to more of the same. Roger

2. # Louise Bristowon 11 Sep 2008 at 9:22 pm

   You are so right Steven! Keep at it. Your blogs are shining.

3. # Joycey Berryon 11 Sep 2008 at 11:29 pm

   And they are still ruining the world. Thanks for this great post Steve.

4. # Bonnieon 12 Sep 2008 at 5:06 am

   Excellent Steve. I am paying 1.59 per litre here in Canada for gas, (translate that to a gallon),heating oil has also increased as well as natural gas and hydro. What gets me is the NT is on the border of Alberta, one of Canada’s oil producers. So why with the shorter trucking distance we have with Alberta, iare our prices so high. Because the taxes Canada imposes on fuel is outrageous. You should see the tax on alcohol products.

   Hell they are destroying even more of the environment with the new Oil Sands project in Alberta, which I might add has already had two major enivronmental disasters….migrating birds landing in the reservoir thinking it was water not oil Course that problem was not supposed to ever happen and was supposedly remedied after it did, not so…..

   Now there is a new drill/mining operation called by a witty reporter as the “Nahanni Experiment”. Nahanni is a wildlife preserved area, pristine and pure, mining is to take place along one of it’s boundaries. Never mind the migratory roots of caribou, moose, etc. Gotta dig for those minerals. Gotta make someone rich.

   Then there is the American outfit who has come in looking for more diamonds…oh wow…more money for the corporations and for the governments who will tax these profit hungry corporates.

   And what about all the arsenic left behind in the gold mining industry in the North. Hhhhm, the corporation made their millions, and paid their taxes, they abandoned the mine without cleaning up. Now there is a major attempt at cleanup , at taxpayers expense, and it will take years. So much for the watertable, fertile lands…..wildlife.

   Now it is the pipeline, yahoo, more big bucks for corporates and bigger bucks for the government. Who runs the governments….POLITICIANS.

   You are right on the money once again Steve, no insult in the reference to money my friend. Keep posting, sooner or later someone will turn on their light bulbs, maybe even a Politician..do you really think that could happen?

5. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Sep 2008 at 10:48 am

   That’s very kind of you to say, Roger. Thank you. My posts take a lot of work, as you can imagine, which is why there’s only one a week, so it’s very gratifying when they are appreciated.

   But I’m only telling the truth. Some will say it’s the ‘truth’ as I see it, but the evidence is there for all to see - gas prices, Haitian’s eating mud, extinction rates, starvation… Everything I talk about.

   If it isn’t the truth - the only truth that matters - then I despair of what people really think is really going on in the world. Do they think everything is fine and dandy!?

   Yes, Joycey, they are. That’s why we should double our efforts to stop them.

   Thanks for visiting and for your kind words.

   That’s very kind of you, Louise. Thank you. Let’s just hope they shine on the right people, huh?

   Thanks all of you. Have a great weekend,
   Steve

6. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Sep 2008 at 10:50 am

   Hi Bonnie,

   If you think that’s a lot, the prices around here are £1.10 a litre ($1.95US, $2.08 CAD)!

   There are around four litres to a gallon but I believe our gallons are slightly bigger than the US gallon (don’t know about the Canadian one). As you can see, we’ve got it pretty rough!

   And yes, taxes are the biggest part of that. As with alcohol. So it’s no surprise politicians aren’t eager to do anything - they’d have to think of new ways to milk us dry then!

   As for what the government/corporations are doing/trying to do to Alaska/Canada/Antarctic… well, it’s just plain criminal, isn’t it. We’re quick enough to condemn Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, etc, for not doing enough to protect the Amazon, but look at what we’re doing to pristine wilderness areas. Criminal. And I’m sure that’s exactly how it will be deemed by future generations.

   Oil, diamonds, gold… it’s all just people seeing dollar signs, isn’t it? Forget what it does to the environment as long as someone somewhere can buy another Rolex, another private jet, another gold palace!

   Thanks for giving readers plenty to chew on, Bonnie. Great comment.
   Steve

7. # Gregon 12 Sep 2008 at 9:29 pm

   Hey Steve,

   Aside from the silly Bush rant and such you make some good points and I do agree that the high prices are the Pols fault. You combine high taxes with worldwide increasing demand with a complete unwillingness to do anything to increase energy supplies and you have higher prices. Simple as that. I’ve been referring to our Dems (and the republicans than want to be Dems) as the OPEC protection agency, since that’s what their policies are intended to do. We all love OPEC, right?

   Our Govs make FAR more from taxes than the Oil Cos do in profit, so they’re loving it and the Oil Co make great bad guys, don’t they? Who cares if the “info” against them is accurate? “Fake, but accurate,” the motto of CBS and other US (and Euro?) media.

   Isn’t it interesting that no one notices when pump prices come down, which they HAVE been?

   I don’t have any great issue with these companies drilling or mining for the resources, but the mess left behind isn’t acceptable. So what the Gov should do is approve, even encourage, exploration AND insist on AND enforce certain regulations. Bonnie’s reservoir is one thing, but strip-mined waste lands are another. So the agreement should be that they can go in and mine/drill and be clean about it, or else. They leave a mess and the Gov can clean it up, after charging the company a 500% markup in cleaning costs.

   Of course the companies will try to get out as cheaply as they can and will try to buy influence, but we need the energy so a workable solution has to be made.

8. # Steve N. Leeon 13 Sep 2008 at 11:47 am

   Greg, I’m sorry and somewhat mystified as to why you see this post’s intro as a ’silly rant’. If I wanted to rant about Bush, and let’s face it, there’s plenty to go at, I would, but this was merely setting the scene for the post through reporting facts. Plain and simple. Bush wanted to allow oil companies to decimate a pristine wilderness and the Democrats stopped him. That’s the truth. I merely gave the wording a ‘cosmetic’ makeover to make it more entertaining, but it was still reported factually.

   If the Democrats win in November but treat the people and the world just as badly, rest assured I will be on their backs. This has nothing whatsoever to do with anything as petty as party politics!

   To be honest, Greg, I never notice when fuel prices come down - if ever they do! I don’t drive but use public transport and I have NEVER known ticket prices to come down. Honestly. Once corporations get you paying a high price because fuel has rocketed, they never give you a break and cut prices when fuel comes back down. It might be different in the States, but that’s how it works here.

   But I’m afraid I can’t agree with your suggestion that we give corporations full reign to exploit the world on the condition they clean it up later. Sorry, but no way. Like corporations would ever do it. Like they’d never find a way to weasel of out of it. Like they’d never find someone to take a backhander to turn a blind eye. Like they’d never tie the issues up in court so long nothing ever got done about the problems they’d created. I know it, you know it - it just wouldn’t work.

   Apart from that, how about all the species of plant and animal that would be displaced or lost forever? You can’t decimate an area of wilderness and then, years later when you’ve extracted every last ounce of use out of the land, return it to it’s former glory. If it was so easy, we could burn down the entire Amazon now, plant tons of soy and graze billions of cattle, then in a few years when people’s diets have changed, we’ll replant the rainforest and everything will be back to normal. You can’t do it. It’s absolutely impossible.

   On a very, very tiny scale, with vast investment of time and money, and extreme care, yes, you can transform land into wilderness. But not on the scale corporations demand to sate their greed for profit.

   And apart from that, accidents happen. A chemical spill could be accidental but the effects could be catastrophic. It’s not worth the risk.

   So sorry, but I have a VERY great issue with corporations drilling and mining our resources. Unless there’s a tremendous mindshift by those in control AND harsh, unwavering legislation in place, the tighter we keep that environmental leash on corporations the better. And that’s just on what we let corporations do day to day. New ventures into pristine wilderness, what could be our most prized ecological treasures? Not unless the survival of the human race depended on it!

   If that means Western civilization grinds to a halt, then so be it. As I said, if we’d got off our fat lazy asses and addressed this situation decades ago, we wouldn’t be in this mess. It’s our fault. We’re suffering for the problems caused by past generations, but what right do we have to make future generations suffer even more.

   You don’t crap in your own bed and expect to get a good night’s sleep - why crap on our planet and expect a good life?

   Thanks for sharing, Greg. I wonder if other readers have any views on the issues you’ve raised?

   Hope your weekend is going well,
   Steve

9. # Phyllison 13 Sep 2008 at 5:00 pm

   What I don’t understand is our oil companies record BILLIONS of dollars in profit, but still they raise the gas prices? Come on, is the almighty dollar that mighty that you can’t do w/out, let’s say one billion of it? Thanks for the blog.

10. # Bonnieon 13 Sep 2008 at 5:39 pm

    Hi Steve,

    I agree fully with your response to Greg. The irreparable destruction to pristine wilderness is far too high a price to pay, and it is far much easier to leave the land stripped of its resources afterwards than to clean up the mess left behind. Look at the old growth trees harvested yearly for want of supply and demand. Sure some companies will replant, but the original trees are centuries old.

    As for the mining and oil companies, nothing can be done to bring the devastated lands back to their original state. I you have ever seen the pictures of the Diavik, DeBeers and Snap Lake Diamond mines, it is clearly evident that these giant man made crates would be far too costly to fill in once the mine goes dry. These shafts run thousands of feet deep and encompass miles of area above the surface.

    As for having the companies who mine gold, submitting monetary deposits for cleanup afterwards does not cut it. One such company who left all of there arsenic by product behind, deposited a $1M for cleanup, that is just a drop in the bucket compared to the profits the mine owner made. Now it will take many, many years to clean up after them and it is too late to get further moneys from this former mine owner.

    The same situation is again about to happen with another mine for ore opening up at Pine Point. The north is riddled with mines. Wilderness is being destroyed, migratory routes are being destroyed, wildlife is being summarily displaced. It is a sad and unacceptable situation. Further with the proposed pipeline going through further environmental issues are not on the plate.

    I seriously doubt that those diamond rings that feed egos are worthy of the cost of destruction.

    The results of corporate greed, as well as overall apparent sticking ones head in the sand, to me is the major cause of Global Warming. Hell our Polar Bears are drowning because there is no ice from which to hunt and they are having to swim miles in open waters before they can find solid flows.

    As for gas and oil prices increasing….just over night since my last post, the price of gas at the pumps rose 13 to 18 cents in some areas in Canada…all blamed on Gustav and Ike. Our wonderful Prime Minister made the comment that he believes that the oil companies are taking advantage of these hurricanes in order to gouge consumers. But what will he do about it, quite likely nothing. The higher the corps charge, the more taxes increase and those taxes fund the pockets of those politicians who like to live the high life. Why should they be concerned about you and I, when they don’t pay for their own fuel, can jet anywhere they want and get huge expense accounts?

    A number of years ago, due to public outcry at high gas prices, station owners had large signs placed on the pumps showing that 15 - 18% of the fuel cost went to the producers. The balance was shown broken down as government taxes. Got to keep the political coffers full.

    The same thing happened a number of years ago with cigarette prices which went through the roof. Due to the increased smuggling of “smokes” all of a sudden the price of cigarettes dropped from $12/pack to $3/pack, an attempt of our government to put an end to the smuggling. Consumers again returned to the retailers and smuggling fell back, of course the government was quick to again raise the price over a period of time back up. Got to get that tax money.

    Health and Welfare Canada spend millions of tax dollars advertising the perils of smoking, laws have been passed throughout North American banning smoking in public areas, all for the sake of citizen’s health issues. Yet the government continues to allow the product on the market, why for tax dollars. They reap the rewards of corporate taxes and citizen taxes.

    Then there is the matter of double dipping. You buy a new car; pay the Provincial Sales Tax and GST. (GST is the Goods and Services Tax that replaced the Federal Tax) (they just gave it a new name).After a few years you sell the car. The new owner then pays the Provincial Sales Tax again in accordance to what the government calls the Blue Book price. Then that owner sells the same car a few years later. The new owner again pays the PST. This will continue for as long as that same car remains road worthy. It is ridiculous.

    I guess what I am saying is that we are taxed to death. Did you know that a few years ago, Ontario was considering a “Fat Tax” to be levied on all fast food, munchies and sweets.? A ridiculous consideration to attempt to control obesity in the population. Of course this did not fly.

    As long as our politicians keep their hands in everyone’s pockets, as long as humans continue to support the supply and demand of natural resources, instead of finding positive alternatives, the large mining and oil companies will continue to plunder and destroy this planet.

    As evident with all of the natural disasters taking place across the planet, Mother Nature is really ticked off, and well she should be. Mass destruction by way of exploitive industry has caught up to all of us. and as a result we are all reaping just rewards for our centuries of complacency and indifference.

    Keep it up Steve, keep banging heads, keep your voice loud and clear, you are making a difference my friend.

11. # Gregon 13 Sep 2008 at 7:56 pm

    Hey Steve,

    Actually Bush isn’t making any plans to pave over Area A or Area B. Right now the big issue is ANWAR (and driilling elsewhere) and the Dems are wrong on that one. I called your remarks a silly rant because I prefer accuracy to hype and I didn’t see any accuracy there. But given that all of the Bush press is written by the opposition I may be a bit touchy there.

    Sorry, but we’re going to have to disagree on yet another thing. Western civilization grinding to a halt will cause more death and misery than we care to imagine. I thought you wanted to lift people out of their misery? It goes deeper than that, but that’s another rant.

    The corporations have already proven they’ll clean up their act given suitable incentives (be it carrots or whips and chains.) If you’re a corp and you’re given license to develop a resource and you KNOW that you ass is toast if you blow it, then you’ll follow the rules. People, of any group, are far more willing to break the rules if there are zero consequences. Eco-terrorists, for one.

    The resources can be developed cleanly and private companies are the best way to do that. Every buck that goes into their hands is worth far more than every buck that goes into Gov hands, in term of jobs, taxes, any way you want to look at it.

    As I said in my earlier remark,”… the mess left behind isn’t acceptable.” I’ll modify that remark, since it’s one area that we DO agree on. “The mess created before, during, and after isn’t acceptable.” It can be done cleanly and it needs to be done cleanly, but it does need to be done.

    Yes, the Oil Cos make billions in profit. So what? They pay far more in taxes and their % profit is actually far less than many other companies. So by any real terms their profits are quite fair and reasonable (this windfall profits stuff is total BS,) it’s just that the numbers are so big that it completely blows our minds.

    Gas prices have dropped 50 cents per gallon in my area over the last few weeks. I don’t know about your area of the world, where Gov seems to be doing everything it can to keep prices high, but in the US gas prices tend to follow the usual economic laws, modified by the usual Gov meddling. You should pay more attention to fuel prices, you’d get better data.

    Prices are high not because of the Oil Cos, who’d actually love to be able to drop prices, they’d sell more. Prices are high primarily because of Gov regulation and somewhat short supply. The supply issue is caused by increasing worldwide demand and by our unwillingness to access our own resources. Worldwide demand isn’t going to go away just because some of us want to cut our own wrists.

    Gov meddling is also why, in the US anyway, one country has one price for gas and the one right next to it is 30 cents higher or lower.

    Nuclear and Hydrogen are the two best candidates for cutting into the oil demand and you’re not going to get there by slamming the brakes on western civilization. You’re going to get there by developing western civilization.

    You’re right about public transport (and a lot of Gov services.) You’ll never see prices there go down. Personally, I think it should be privatized. You’d get better, faster, friendlier service at a lower cost and the Gov could spend your tax money on some other boondoggle.

    The fact is that development of resources, which we need to do if we’re going to fight the need for mud cookies, is far more efficiently, and cleanly, handled by private entities (corporations) than by government entities. Gov can ride the gravy train, but it has to avoid killing it and it has a certain job to do in *enforcing* the rules.

    What makes it hard is that you have the same SOBs in the Corps, the Gov, and the Enviro movement. You also have some pretty stellar people in all those areas (there may even be one or two among our Pols.) There are also have a variety of viewpoints.

    And then you have the rest of the world, where much of the power structure is made up primarily of ruthless dictators, thugs, criminals, tyrants, and other such lovely people. Think we’ll get clean resource stewardship out of them?

    Personally, I think we have a certain responsibility to try and GROW western civilization. We don’t need Empire or any of that rot, but it’s the best way to left people out of their situation.

12. # Steve N. Leeon 14 Sep 2008 at 12:35 pm

    Phyllis, these kinds of people can NEVER have enough money. That’s what drives them, how they measure their contribution to the world, their individual worth. It’s sad - with such drive, they could achieve great things if it was channeled into more worthwhile causes.

    Thanks for contributing, Phyllis. Glad you liked the post.

13. # Steve N. Leeon 14 Sep 2008 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks for such an indepth reply, Bonnie.

    I like the breakdown at the pump so motorists can see exactly who’s getting what. They should do that with more products.

    I never heard about the cigarette smuggling and price drop. Cigarettes could be subject for a post in themselves, not least for the very reasons you mention - death and taxes! I’ve made notes on this subject to include in a future post but that about sums it up.

    And taxes? Don’t get me started on how we are taxed in so many different ways over and over again. (It’s another area I’ve thought about as the subject for a post.)

    Thanks for including some real world examples so people can see what you’re talking about and that it’s not just ‘talk’ but founded on fact.

    I don’t think anything is going to change without a major mindshift. Money is the be all and end all for so many people that to divert their attention to more humanitarian goals is going to take one hell of a lot of work. I honestly don’t know if it can be done, hence my suggestion for law to enforce it until it becomes ingrained behaviour.

    Let’s hope that’s a pessimistic attitude, huh, Bonnie? Let’s hope change is just around the corner and we start to lose fewer and fewer of of wilderness areas and our species.

    Great comment, Bonnie. Thank you for following up on your earlier thoughs and the developing conversation.
    Steve

14. # Steve N. Leeon 14 Sep 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Thanks for coming back to share your thoughts further, Greg.

    I think we totally agree that things need to change and what that change should be, the problem is we differ on how to effect that change. But then, that’s usually the case when people discuss important issues, isn’t it?

    (By the way, I’m adding nothing to what I’ve said about Bush - he’s just a politician and my thoughts on their kind must be pretty obvious by now. I don’t support a party so don’t try to crucify the ‘opposition’ as there is none. There are merely obstacles to overcome, politicians en masse being one of them.)

    If you think of the world as having a virus, then as with most viruses, the patient will get worse before he gets better. That’s pretty much the way I look at the world today. If we have to suffer so that things in the future can be better - if civilization grinds to a halt - then so be it. Ultimately, we will survive and the world will be a better place for it. Yes, there will be casualties, but we have to look at the greater good. When you look at all the suffering across globe, it’s not like there are no casualties today, is it?

    Today, we don’t look at the greater good, just the bottom line. I do see what you mean about a free market economy being able to build better lives, a better world, and yes, I do agree to a great extent. The problem is in the execution of that. I don’t believe that less regulation will lead to the greater good.

    The gap between the rich and poor is widening all the time - and not just in the Third World, but in ‘our’ world. I don’t begrudge people having wealth as long as their gaining of it doesn’t adversely impact upon the world in general. Sadly, that’s usually the case.

    Unless new generations are educated to worship life and their fellow man instead of money and possessions, I can’t see anything changing. Only if this new ethos comes about will less regulation ever be possible.

    You’re right about the tyrants of the world. How do we get through to them? Well, again, that’s an issue way to big for a simple comment. I’ve touched on that in the past and will do again, probably in a proper post. But there again, surely the best way to bring them into line is through some form of regulation, not trading freely with them in the hope that wealth will bring reform - that’s not working too well with China, is it? (I’ve seen locals washing in the street right outside big posh Westerners’ hotels!)

    It’s clear you are passionate about seeing an improvement in how we treat the world, Greg. Thanks for adding new avenues to the discussion for readers to explore. It is important that different views are presented so that ideas can be expanded upon and developed - not least in helping me clarify, modify or even dismiss my own views on things!

    Thanks for another valuable contribution, Greg.
    Steve

15. # Zoe Robinetteon 14 Sep 2008 at 5:59 pm

    Dear Steve:

    Right on! That seems to express my sentiment completely. Let’s not forget that America was founded on the precepts of freedom, equality and justice for all.

    And now, Ms. “Annie Get Yer Gun-Burn them Books Billy-Don’t teach them kids about sexual heath and reproduction-and drill baby drill” has joined Mr. POW, don’t support the veteran’s initiatives, don’t support equal pay for equal work for women-just be sure you get to the 3 percent of oil we have and tear our natural resources and country to bits boys!” McCain.

    It is time that all Americans demand alternative energy initiatives, preservation of our natural resources, equal pay for equal work, care for our veterans, and support for the family farmer and more monies toward education. Last and most importantly, total seperation of Church and Government!

    When we elect leaders whose values are so poorly aligned we have only ourselves to blame for what we create. We must demand release from our absurd co-dependence on fossil fuel to live in this nation. We do not have the natural resources and we no longer need to be dependent. The alternatives are ready, so are we, lets not let the tail continue to wag the dog! We have a choice, and the choice is clear.

    One last rant. We should demand that all politicians step-down on abortion issues. When they stop taking monies and decide to step down on the issues –women may have the right to think for themselves and make decisions that they alone will share with their God. This issue is between the woman and her God-her Church. No human being was put on this earth to judge another — let’s stop this madness.

    Steve, you BaROCK on!

    Zoe

16. # Steve N. Leeon 14 Sep 2008 at 6:55 pm

    Well, I think there’s an inkling there that you kinda, sorta, just a tad think I might have touched on something there. Or am I reading that wrong, Zoe?

    Thank you. I’m pleased you feel I’ve said something worthwhile. Especially if it voices your own concerns. Now, if we can just make that catch on, huh?

    You do raise a good point, though. One which has been voiced before here. Those damn precepts! They do get in the way of today’s politics!

    Plus, you kind of read my mind about a future post I’m playing with - sex education. I’m still toying with it at the moment, but it’s looking promising and will probably make it on here inside the month.

    But you are right - we elect these people. If we’re not happy, we’ve only ourselves to blame. I know there’s little choice many a time, but does that mean we’re powerless? I’ve spoken about this before in a couple of posts - we do have options it’s just that they could be risky so aren’t that appealing. If you want to get my take, have a look:

    http://www.lionsledbysheep.com/2008/05/08/lazy/

    http://www.lionsledbysheep.com/2008/06/26/how/

    I keep themes running throughout my work in the hope that they’ll sink in if I present ideas in different formats enough times. Only time will tell.

    Thanks, Zoe. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend,
    Steve

17. # Ivonne(spirit-bride)on 14 Sep 2008 at 7:34 pm

    I am in agreement with you, I am sure that if you have a My Space page, you can find a lot of people agreeing also with your articles. It is all about the money and power. Controlling the economy, and filling their pockets at our expense. Afghanistan, Iraq and the coming Iran all about the oil and their money! The Iluminatti and the NWO controlling the world! Love, Ivonne

18. # Steve N. Leeon 14 Sep 2008 at 7:53 pm

    Yes, you’re right, Ivonne. As I’ve written about before - it’s all about money and power, isn’t it?

    If only we ‘normal’ people could simply sit down and work things out between ourselves, huh? Think what a harmonious world we could create. Of course, there will always be extreme views on either side. It’s such a pity we can’t silence them so the majority of us can live in peace and prosperity, each helping each other, feeding each other, sheltering each other.

    One day, perhaps. One day.

    Thanks for visiting, Ivonne,
    Steve

19. # Gregon 14 Sep 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Hey Steve,

    You want to clean up the rest of the world? Say… China? Develop western civilization, develop clean and efficient technologies, and then sell it to them. Both sides win.

    By the way, Iraq wasn’t for oil (that’s just propoganda) and the Polar bears are quite happy with the lack of ice in the arctic. That’s why their populations have increased so much over the years (they are awesome swimmers, you know.) And the lack of ice is a cyclic condition which has happened many times before (and will again) and is not God’s (Nature’s) revenge for our sins.

    People claim to want lower taxes, but you’re going to have around 50% of the people in this country voting for Obama who’s promised to greatly increase our taxes (and not just the other guy’s,) massively increase Gov spending, and greatly increase Gov control over our lives. Not that McCain is all that great, but he’s at least right on some issues. Hopefully Palin will actually have some influence on hm.

    By the way #2, Obama has major political debts to pay off. Ponder that.

    By the way #3 - this nonsensical drivel about people being powerless is silly. You want to be powerless? Keep to yourself and complain a lot. You want power to do something? Go out and get it. Join a committee, make connections, get into local office, etc. You won’t be dictator (which is what we really want to be, right?) but you’ll have FAR more influence than otherwise. You probably won’t be president (would you even want to?), but congress isn’t out of the question. Heck, if that idiot Kerry can make it then anyone can.

    You have more power than the average person, Steve, because you have this blog. Now, imagine that you catch the notice of someone in the media… Or would that be selling out?

    All politicians, CEOs, Monsanto Attornies, Brutal Dictators, eco-terrorists, etc started from pretty close to zero and PUT themselves in their current positions. You form networks, make connections, and put yourself in a position to drive your agenda forward. How do you think Greenpeace got started?

    You want to make the world a better place? Come up with a series of green products that work as well as the non-green products, and as cheaply, learn some business and marketing, form a corporation (ack!) and use the money to drive charity projects and teach free market enterprise to the peoples who need to know it.

    The extermination of millions (or billions) of people, an idea put forth by some of the more extreme eco types, to make God (er… Mother Nature) happy is certainly one of those ideas that fits into your “It’s such a pity we can’t silence them so…” remark.

    Corporations have proven that they can run things cleanly and I’m not saying that they’ve always done so. Resources can easily be extracted cleanly. You want to end diamond mining? Make a good synthetic diamond and put them out of business (and then hire their workers.) Or come up with a clean way of doing it and put them out of business with your superior methods.

    You want to keep an area from looking like it was a weapons testing ground? Make the clean conditions of the lease clear beforehand and make it really clear that they will be enforced, with penalties for bad behavior that can’t easily be put into the “just another expense” column. I’m not talking about putting pennies into the clean up jar, either. You make clean behavior cheaper, much cheaper, than bad behavior. Then you get your cake and you can eat it, too.

    As far as the people running the corps? I don’t see any difference between them, the Pols, and anyone else (including the ecos, libs, cons, left, right, this, that, etc.) You have your good and bad types in all areas. Come up with a way to encourage the good guys and give the bad guys enough reason to be in your camp and you’ll change the world.

    Now, if we could just agree on who the bad guys are…

20. # Steve N. Leeon 15 Sep 2008 at 9:27 am

    Now, now, Greg. What was that phrase you used recently? Hmmmm… Oh yes, ’silly rant’!

    After putting us straight not only on what evil plans Obama is conjuring up with which to persecute the American people, I see that Iraq, polar bears, and even Mother Nature herself are all swiftly dealt with in just a single paragraph.

    I hope this means we’ll never have to see that pesky ’silly rant’ phrase again!

    But seriously, I would be interested in seeing the reference to polar bear numbers increasing, if you have it, please.

    As for being powerless, I’m afraid many people do feel that. When they see the choices they have and none fit their worldview, it’s understandable. Especially when the alternatives are no more palatable (alternatives I’ve spoken about on numerous occasions in other posts, referenced above).

    But then that brings me to one of the other problems that my blog keeps returning to - apathy!

    Yes, people are unhappy with their choices and the way they see the world going, but they’re also unhappy with the thought of having to get off their butts and do something about it. You’re right there, Greg. If people can’t help, they should quit whining! Now, that might sound harsh, but come on, people, it makes perfect sense. If I tell you not to play with a sharp knife but you do and cut yourself, why whine to me. Likewise, if I try to motivate people to take responsibility for their lives and the world, if they don’t, then who’s to blame?

    Where I do take issue, though, is in ‘my suggestion’ that we exterminate millions so we can build the world as we want it. Silencing extremist views is a little different to genocide, Greg!

    For example, even though we believe in free speech, we will prosecute people who incite riots or preach racial hatred. While I’m not talking about imprisoning people who disbelieve the theories on global warming, I do get really p*ssed off by the utter crap I have to listen to day in day out on TV. I don’t think I could live in the US right now and have to listen to all that schoolgirl bitching that’s going on around the forthcoming election. They behave like cheating little kids and yet want us to give them absolute dominion over the planet. And it’s like that with everything these days. Advertising, spin, politics, the media… everything is polluted with crap!

    That is what I’d silence. There’s too much ‘noise’ in people’s lives. It makes it hard to hear the truth. I’d like to redress the balance.

    Thanks for more thoughts, Greg. Though I do think polar bear lovers may be a little less forgiving than I’ve been - be careful where you venture after dark!
    Steve

21. # Steve N. Leeon 15 Sep 2008 at 11:30 am

    Hi,

    I’m surprised that no one has picked up no Ford’s decision not to sell their eco-friendly car in the States. I would’ve thought someone would’ve voiced some concern. Or, to set the cat amongst the pigeons, is Ford’s research right, and Americans simply won’t buy diesel cars despite the benefit they’re mpg efficiency provides for the environment?

    I’ve also just spotted an ad for a Volkswagen, the ‘Bluemotion’ Polo, which supposedly does a phenomenal 74 to the gallon. It’ll be lower in the real world, I’m sure, but even if it’s 20 miles lower, that’s still a terrific consumption level!

    Steve

    P.S. Pity I’m not working commission, isn’t it? Ford, Peugeot, Volkswagen - I’d be rolling in it!
    It’s not often I get to shout the praise of corporations. It would be nice if I get to do it more often!

22. # Gregon 15 Sep 2008 at 6:36 pm

    Ok, bait me into another long post. ;)

    By the way, since your comment system doesn’t want links in the post, you’ll find links to references here: http://blog.gems4friends.com/bears.php

    “After putting us straight not only on what evil plans…”

    Heh. I figure a few good Bush remarks deserve some Obama remarks, hmmm? He epitomizes Big Gov and since I’m strongly opposed to Big Gov, well, there’s an obvious conclusion. Everything I said about him follows directly from his own remarks.

    As for Mother Nature, I don’t believe in it as a Diety figure, though many do. This says nothing about respect for the natural world.

    “I hope this means we’ll never have to see that pesky ’silly rant’ phrase again!”

    Yeah, I think you’re right on that one. ;) Consider it dumped.

    “But seriously, I would be interested in seeing the reference to polar bear numbers increasing, if you have it, please.”

    Sure. Some highlights, first. All sources seems to agree that measuring polar bear populations is tough. They also seem to agree that populations were maybe 5,000 worldwide some 30+ year back and are maybe 20-25,000 now. A hunting ban seems to have allowed at least some of that increase.

    Refer to the link above for links to the articles.

    Keep in mind that satellite data has only been available since the early 70s that any remarks along the lines of “Sat data show…record levels of…” only applies to records kept since then. Navigational records show periods of clear ice dating back into the 1700s.

    The notes link has links to articles referring to prior de-icing.

    NASA, hardly a hot-bed of “climate change” criticism, says that the de-icing is due to weather patterns, not warming.

    The point, of course, is that Polar Bears, which do just fine on land, have survived prior periods of comparable de-icing.

    Polar bear lovers should be quite happy about this.

    Now, toxics that may be present in the system, and which may pose some threat, are an entirely different issue.

    “Where I do take issue, though, is in ‘my suggestion’ that we exterminate millions…” Ok, let me re-read my post here to verify what I “said”…

    I said this, “The extermination of millions (or billions) of people, an idea put forth by some of the more extreme eco types, to make God (er… Mother Nature) happy is certainly one of those ideas…”

    I don’t recall YOU making those remarks, but it IS an idea that has been put forth by certain people. My opinion of you is that you want to insure the survival of Earth’s peoples, and we’re on the same page there, though we may disagree on how to do that. I apologize if you thought my remark was directed at you. It was directed at the (hopefully very tiny) number of pople who DO think just that.

    “…schoolgirl bitching that’s going on…”
    British/European elections/politics don’t get heated? Really? Everyone is really nice to each other? I didn’t assume that Politics was a blood sport over there, but there’s really no “schoolgirl bitching” on your side of the pond?

    Heh. Here’s another area where we disagree. I wouldn’t silence ANY of it. I want the nutcases making public remarks. That way we know who they are, what they’re thinking, and can make a response and prepare, if necessary.

    I’ll rephrase… Yelling “Fire!” in the theater, when there isn’t one, is speech I’d stomp on. Things like that.

    Pols love to censor speech. Our Dems write Censorship bills, McCain writes one of his own, and too many (even some Republicans) want a “fairness doctrine” which is simply censorship of speech that isn’t Gov approved.

    I understand that Freedom of Speech is losing ground in your part of the world, too?

    I agree about the noise, and it’s irritating, but it’s gonna be hard to save the world if we’re not allowed to talk about it, or only one view is permitted.

23. # Steve N. Leeon 16 Sep 2008 at 10:36 am

    Thanks for the links, Greg.

    Sorry, but as ever we don’t seem to agree. It’s all to do with interpretation!

    One says the research confirming that global warming could wipe out polar bears is flawed - that’s the research. It doesn’t categorically state that polar bears will not be wiped out.

    Another states that there is a population of around 23,000 polar bears. I’m no expert on species extinction, but 23,000 doesn’t sound that big a number compared to other species populations and extinction levels I’ve read about. Especially when their habitat has to compete with man’s and is dwindling - the sea ice IS melting.

    The third report is 2 1/2 years old, so you could ask how current it is, especially as the research it draws on will be considerably older than the publication date of the paper. It proposes that man is not responsible for the thinning ice, so, basically, why should we care about the polar bears as it’s not our fault. Polar bears have survived past ice melts, so we should just leave them to get on with it.

    I was sincerely hoping you’d discovered some rare, undeniable facts that could change my perspective, but sadly that hasn’t happened. Sorry.

    Just because global warming may not directly be our fault doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye to the polar bears’ plight.

    But as seems to be the case EVER WEEK, you’ve hit upon a subject I intend to write a proper post about! I wrote about global warming months ago ( http://www.lionsledbysheep.com/2008/04/10/global-warming-the-beautiful-hoax/ ) and said I’d return to it but have yet to do so. Maybe this might spur me into action!

    I never said only US politicians indulge in schoolgirl bitching. Whenever I mention politicians or corporations, please don’t automatically assume I’m anti-America and bashing everything you have. I’m not. In that instance I was particularly referencing the presidential election, and said so. Usually, however, whenever I refer to politicians and corporations I mean ALL of them, not just yours.

    Don’t worry, British politicians make me sick, too!

    As for ‘my suggestion’ of exterminating people, apology accepted, but here’s what you actually wrote: “The extermination of millions (or billions) of people, an idea put forth by some of the more extreme eco types, to make God (er… Mother Nature) happy is certainly one of those ideas that fits into your “It’s such a pity we can’t silence them so…” remark.”

    “… fits into your… remark.”

    I’m not talking about general censorship where people are locked away if they complain about a weatherforecast being wrong! I’m primarily talking about silencing people through the use of common sense and the truth - something I’ve written about before ( http://www.lionsledbysheep.com/2008/06/26/how/ ). Sadly, the media, politicians, and corporations don’t like common sense (and we all know their opinions on telling the truth) as it would make their jobs harder. Not least by allowing people to think for themselves! God-forbid! Can you imagine the state of the world if that happened?

    Here, as is often the case, we kind of seem to agree - you’re ‘Fire!’ example, etc.

    Free speech is a wonderful thing, but it has to be tempered with integrity by those in control or it’s worthless. It’s no good the average man having freedom of speech if he’s been so conditioned by the media and politicians that the only thing that comes out of his mouth is utter garbage.

    Okay, you might say that people have the right to spout garbage. Yes, but not if it adversely affects others by dragging them down to his level so having a detrimental effect on society. (Hence my earlier reference to someone spreading racial hatred, for example.)

    As ever in replying to your comments, it’s difficult to address so much in such a short space, but I hope you see where I’m coming from.

    Thanks, Greg,
    Steve

24. # Gregon 16 Sep 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Hi Steve,

    Heh. I might just pass on the global warming post, you’ll ban me from your blog. ;)

    Polar bears. Hmm… very roughly 5,000 to somewhere over 20,000… Not bad. I think by most people’s standards they’re doing a LOT better.

    The articles are a bit old, yes, but they still make the point.

    I didn’t get the impression that we shouldn’t care about the bears (or any other critter) from that article. My reading of it was that there are alternative theories to global warming thinning the ice. Good ones. There are other threats to the bears that are FAR easier to deal with (and more effective.) Their encroachment on human inhabited areas, for one.

    That the bears have survived prior ice ages and warming periods shows that they can survive this one. Since the ice thinning seems to be cyclic I think the ice will be back in a few years making that point moot anyway.

    “… fits into your… remark.” Your remark was that certain views should be silenced by rational people. I gave an example of one that should be silenced, if any are. So how about we close that one? ;)

    “I’m primarily talking about silencing people through the use of common sense and the truth…”

    Ok, that makes sense. Well said. That kind of silencing I can deal with. Freedom of Speech applies to speech we DON’T like, not the stuff we DO like. If the KKK wants to throw a peaceful rally then I say, “Let Them.” And the same for their opposition. Rock throwers (real rocks, not figurative) can get tossed head-first into the can.

    “Sadly, the media, politicians, and corporations don’t like common sense…” Good point. I don’t think the media cares much for sense, they want headlines and “explosions.” They put forth their one-sided view and present it as fact. People who agree with that view point to it as fact and people who disagree point to it as the reason for the Media’s plummeting stock prices.

    The Gov wants to buy votes and Pols will say one thing to one group and another to another group. They say what people want to hear. Of course, if they said what they really think and talked about what’s “good for us” (especially with the Nanny State) then we wouldn’t elect them, so what’s a Pol to do? I wouldn’t want the job, I’m way too thin skinned. That’s a job that requires armor plating, especially if you don’t agree with the media “view” on things.

    It’s especially rough on the Pols when the alternative media is constantly heaping well-deserved criticism onto their plates. No wonder they like censorship laws.

    More on Pols… Yeah, it sounded like you were making a reference to our particular collection of schoolyarders bitching at each other. The bitching doesn’t stop after the election, is just eases up a little. Nice (?) to see it’s the same over there. :)

    “Okay, you might say that people have the right to spout garbage….”

    In today’s political climate where speech that we disagree with is frequently referred to as “Hate/Racist Speech” (in total violation of the ideas of free speech, tolerance, diversity) I think we need to be very careful about what speech we put a lid on.

    So I’m in favor of letting the garbage speakers speak, especially since I don’t think we’ll ever agree on who all of them are. Even the average man. Besides, it lets us know who they are and what they’re “thinking” and we can respond accordingly. Perhaps with our own propaganda campaigns to show the greater truth.

    Have a Good One Steve.

    Greg

25. # Deniseon 17 Sep 2008 at 6:26 am

    I agree with what you say, but there’s no politician running that truly cares right now, unfortunately. I have to pick the lesser of 2 evils, which sucks, but I guess better than not voting…

26. # Steve N. Leeon 17 Sep 2008 at 11:01 am

    Ban people? Me!?

    Okay, yeah, I’ve done that! But only people who’ve used comments/abusive language purely to offend. NEVER someone who made an intelligent remark, irrespective of whether it agreed with the ethos of the blog or majority of readers. So, don’t worry, Greg, you’re safe. Kinda! ;-)

    Yeah, the alternative theories is something I’ve mentioned before and will again. But just because we may not be causing the problem doesn’t mean we should turn our backs on wildlife and let it struggle for survival in these ‘natural’ circumstances. If we have it in our power to help, why shouldn’t we - even if it means addressing carbon emissions that ‘may’ not be causing global warming? After all, as I’ve said before, isn’t a less polluted world better for all of us?

    As I said, spouting garbage is fine unless it’s detrimental to society through people believing it. That I’d address.

    With regards to your other points, I’m glad to see our ideas are starting to mesh somewhat. Don’t worry, you don’t have the monopoly on post-election bitching! The ridiculous thing is that in Parliament, where all our hard-working politicians struggle to achieve what’s best of us (Really. That is their job!), they aren’t allowed to call each other by name, so refer to ‘my esteemed colleague’ etc, then make some insulting remark. It really is like kids at school! Pathetic.

    Thanks for more thoughts, Greg. Hope you’re having a good week.

    Thanks for commenting, Denise. Yes, choice is a major problem, and not just in the US.

    It’s amazing that the world is moving on and yet politicians can still get away with presenting nothing but the same old sleaze!

    Thanks,
    Steve

27. # Gregon 17 Sep 2008 at 7:19 pm

    Hi Denise, Steve

    Steve, I promise to be unabusive and keep the language clean. :)

    I think that a Politician, pretty much any politician, has several major forces pulling at him, making it hard to be much other than “the lesser of two evils.”

    To get to any higher political office you need friends (a big network) and money. Both will exert their influence. Then you have to say the right things to the people who might vote for you. The catch, of course, is that group A has very different views than group B.

    And then there’s the issue of whether or not “the media” is on your side, which is a whole ‘nother rant. ;)

    It also helps if you can get your party’s “support.” Think that doesn’t add another influence?

    This makes being a Pol a pretty tough job, honestly. Of course, there’s a way to do it that’s completely wrong, too. Which is why our (Democrat led) Congress’ ratings are 1/3 that of our President’s.

    There are some Pols who actually do try hard to work that “bi-partisan” thing and bring two sides together. McCain happens to be one of those and Obama hasn’t been. And this says nothing about what their policies might be or might have been or whether that “coming together on an issue” is good or bad or whether the plan is good or bad.

    A Pol also has to write and vote on legislation covering everything from military to ecomomics to environment to a host of other things. How many of any of us can be experts in all those areas?

    So that’s why, I think, we get the same old stuff. And sleaze? Heh. Take power, add temptation, add voices pushing the temptation. How many of us can resist?

    But you know what? All this crap about being powerless is still just that. People have a voice and Politicians do listen. Yes, even Bush. ONE voice won’t count. And shouldn’t. Many voices aligned together DO count. That’s why the environmental lobby has a lot of power in this country. Not ALL the power, but a lot. That collective voice still counts. Big time.

    You want a bigger voice? Join a group that aligns with your point of view, contribute to that group, volunteer, participate, get the word out. If you REALLY want to bring people together try and get your group to find a win-win situation with the group that opposes you.

28. # Monaon 17 Sep 2008 at 7:51 pm

    You people are irresponsible idiots. The is loads of scientific evidence to support global warming and our greed and over consumption are the cause.

    By the way, Greg, polar bears aren’t encroaching on our habitation, we are encroaching on their habitation, because enough is never enough.

    It frightens me that there are people that are so willfully blind to the truth just so that don’t have to take responsibility for their selfish stupidity!

29. # Steve N. Leeon 18 Sep 2008 at 11:14 am

    “You people are irresponsible idiots.”?

    “You people”???

    Mona, who exactly is this aimed at? As far as I recall, only Greg has voiced any thoughts to the contrary of this post’s issues, yet you use the word ‘people’, meaning more than one. So I’m guessing I’m one of those irresponsible idiots! Have you even bothered to read the posts on my blog?

    Greed and over-concumption? Again, have you even bothered to read the posts on my blog?

    Please don’t abuse my readers. They are entitled to express their opinions just as you are. In fact, I encourage it so that we can all learn from each other. Or are you telling me that you are omnipotent, so don’t need to learn anything, your knowledge on every subject being complete and unlacking? If that’s the case, please accept my apologies.

    Sorry, but such an unwarranted, unfounded, illogical and unintelligent statement proves only one thing - who really is the idiot here!

    Steve

30. # Steve N. Leeon 18 Sep 2008 at 11:15 am

    Greg, you make some good points there, you ‘irresponsible idiot’!

    What were we saying only the other day about being thrown to the dogs just for daring to voice a contrary opinion? So much for freedom of speech!

    Yes, people do whine when the world doesn’t go the way they want it to and yet how many actually get off their butts and do a damn thing about it?

    As for politicians having a hard time - I doubt you’ll find much sympathy for that argument. Besides, they have all manner of experts to do all the donkey work for them. If they haven’t the intelligence to get the research done well and then follow the advice it provides, then they shouldn’t be doing the job. Okay, not every situation gives black and white results, but many do, yet there’s still arguments, inaction, and hidden agendas getting in the way.

    Better get some mace ready for your next visit here - those wild dogs can be a real nuisance.

    Thanks, Greg,
    Steve

31. # Bonnieon 18 Sep 2008 at 3:29 pm

    Back again and in disagreement with Greg concerning the Polar Bears. Our Arctic Rangers have witnessed these bears swimming great distances in open sea waters with no land nor ice flows in sight. Bears have also washed up, drowned along the Alaska coast. Only yesterday it was announced that due to the Global Warming effects on the Arctic (which is the first major indicator) that we will lose the ice within 10 years.

    Secondly, Polar Bears go into starvation mode during the melt down each year when they are land locked. In otherwards these bears do not hunt on land for 4-5 months and subsist only on their fat reserves built up during the big freeze which is getting shorter and shorter. With the new freeze ups taking much longer to take it means these bears must endure lengthier periods without food. They are starving to death. When their hunt begins, their fat reserves are so depleted they do not have the much needed ability to float and swim. Muscle has depleted as the body has already begun to convert muscle into energy due to the increasing periods of starvation until the freeze comes.

    In addition to their plight, the Arctic Fox is also suffering. These little wonders rely heavily on food scraps left from Polar Bears in order to survive. They follow the bears on the ice in order to scavenge whatever is left of the seals hunted. During summer they have the ability to hunt on land unlike the Polars. So once we lose the Great White Bears we will also likely lose the foxes. Then we have the Northern Outfitters who continue to fulfill the ego needs of the big game hunters..give me a break. The Polar Bears will soon go the way of the DODO Bird. Every few seconds another species becomes extinct, is lost forver except in picture books. Why? Because humans continue to infringe and exploilt for greed and profit, indifferent to the total destruction and carnage left behind.

    As another point, concerning enforcement of corp cleanups. We have a situation here in the Cdn North called “Giant Mine” One of the most toxic results left behind due to gold mining. Sure the mine owner at the beginning of operation was kind enough to make a small deposit to aid in cleanup but it is a drop in the bucket compared to the costs now being expended to cleanup 137,000 tons of arsenic left behind and in comparison to the profits made on that mine.

    Imagine, 137,000 tons of arsenic sitting in your back yard, rendering water supplies poisonous, arsenic dust being carried on your air currents..the effects on soil, your children, wildlife…need I say more. What a lovely heritage to leave behind. Where is the accountability here?

    A great deal of the aboriginal peoples here in the North are victims of cancer, I wonder why. Even the toxins from pesticide use in South America have been found in the peoples and wildlife here, all carried on air currents. This is a global issue, Global Warming, yes it is happening, are we poisoning ourselves, yes we are. Are major corps doing ALL that is necessary to stem the tide of the destuction they cause? Some maybe yes, others no.

    Power is held in each and everyone of us to use our own voices to speak out, to make positive change and I applaud all who do so. To those others who prefer to whine, whimper and cry about it, without taking positive action, to those who prefer to stick their heads in the sand depending on others to take a stand, or sit in total denial….I say you are wasting valuable space on this planet…just rollover and be done with it. As for Mother Nature, she is surely standing up and her voice is loud and clear. Look what you have done to my planet, look what you have done to my earth, my wildlife, my environment! Payback is a bitch, and she is making sure we all pay the price…Go Girl.

32. # Steve N. Leeon 18 Sep 2008 at 4:51 pm

    Well, that’s certainly a passionate comment, Bonnie. And informative, too.

    I’m aware that bears basically starve when they hibernate, but polar bears don’t hibernate as such, so need even more energy reserves to survive these long periods.

    As for populations, I’ve found this page http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/faq/#q15
    which says some populations are increasing while others are declining. The research is a few years old, though, so who’s to say which way it’s going now?

    But as I said before, does it matter if this is natural, cyclical or whatever? If we can do something to protect these creatures, shouldn’t we? What kind of morality are we developing here?

    You do highlight a very valid point, Bonnie - the knock-on effect on other species. Okay, so we lose the polar bear. Big deal. 22,000 animals is all. But is it? What will that do to the entire Arctic eco-system? The fox could disappear, but what else? We honestly have no idea. And worse, in our profound wisdom, we don’t really care, do we? What a wonderful species we are!

    And so dumb too - do we honsetly think we’ll escape every knock-on effect our suffering environment has to endure?

    As for that mine? Well, Bonnie, that’s an excellent example of what I’ve been talking about. Thanks.

    That said, it’s nice to see that we both agree with Greg on one major point - the whiners really need to get off their lazy butts and do something constructive!

    Thanks for taking the time to share insights into Canada and species that most of us know little of.
    Steve

33. # Heidi M.on 22 Sep 2008 at 11:43 am

    All I can say is you are absolutely right. We’ve known for decades that we have to move away from fossil fuels. But money talks and Big Oil has Big Money and Washington in it’s back pocket. Now we’re scrambling for solutions that we should have worked out 40 years ago. If we had worked it out then, it would be affordable for the majority of people now. As it is, now it will be new technology that most of us can’t afford and it will take a few decades more for it to become feasible for widespread use.

34. # Steve N. Leeon 22 Sep 2008 at 3:00 pm

    Yes, that’s a big worry, Heidi, isn’t it? How will ordinary people
    afford the latest technology to help us combat environmental threats?
    Everyone knows that when a technology is first introduced it costs the
    earth and takes years for the price to come down. Time is of the
    essence, though, with this problem, so how can we address it? Well, I
    doubt ‘we’ will. Everyone will just be out to make as big a killing from
    this opportunity as they can, as ususal, won’t they?

    Thanks for contributing, Heidi,
    Steve

35. # vtierce750on 26 Sep 2008 at 3:27 pm

    excellent post dear. Good to see someone else it trying to save the planet.

36. # Steve Leeon 26 Sep 2008 at 3:35 pm

    Thanks, vtierce750, I’m glad you liked it.

    Yes, there are a few of us trying, aren’t there?! The numbers are swelling, but, oh, are they swelling slowly!

    Steve

37. # Harry Shadeon 26 Sep 2008 at 9:01 pm

    Steve,

    I have to absolutely agree with you. We are in this mess because we have elected officials from both parties who are lazy, short sighted and only concerned with getting reelected.

    I call them Rebublicrats and Demicans because you really can’t tell them apart anymore. they both talk a good game promising things they cannot or will not deliver upon and the American people just sit idly by and watch. They count on the fact that we refuse to become involved.

    I for one am tired of being fed lie after lie, like somehow just because they are elected officials their IQ is 100 points higher than mine.

    So, what am I doing about it all. I am actively harassing my current elected officials to do something. I am involved with T. Boone Pickens group for alternative energy and several other social networking groups to raise awareness and encourage action. I am working on grass roots campaigning to get others involved as well.

    I really wish when we go to the polls that we would have the option of voting for “none of the above” and if none of the people running get enough votes then they are out, even the incumbants, and we get to try again with new candidates.

    And don’t even get me started about the technology for running our vehicles on alternative, renewable fuels. this technology has been around and has been buried by the auto companies and their evil henchmen the gas companies. Why is it there are people actually converting their cars to run on tap water? Here are a couple sites to check it out: http://www.gasconversionkits.com and http://www.carsrunwith water.com. How is it a European company has come up with a car that runs on compressed air.? This was featured on the Discovery Channels Future Cars.

    We can and must find ways to harness and use cheap renewable energy sources in a effort to save this planet. It will be too late when we are running out of air or being sizzled by the sun without an ozone to say, damn should have done something about that.

    I have said in my book, we need the planet, the planet does not need us. We are simly a parasite!

    Keep up the good fight as will I!

    Harry E. Shade
    Author - Rare Sense, One Day It Will Be Common

38. # Steve N. Leeon 28 Sep 2008 at 12:10 pm

    That’s great, Harry. I’m thrilled to hear that you are actively involved in so many projects that will make a difference. So many people complain about being powerless when in reality they are simply gripped by apathy. If everyone who is unsatisfied with the way the world is progressing actually got off their butts and did something… well, we’d be well on the way to seeing that wonderful world so many of us dream about, wouldn’t we?

    ‘None of the above’? Yes, a few of my readers have voiced similar thoughts. What a sad state of affairs it is when that’s your preferred option. Harry, have you read this post of mine?

    http://www.lionsledbysheep.com/2008/05/08/lazy/

    Please do. I’m sure you’ll find it fascinating.

    Yes, the renewable energy fiasco. Well, the answer why we’re still struggling in the quagmire that we are is simple, isn’t it? I know the answer, you know the answer, everyone knows the answer - GREED!

    Thanks for a great comment, Harry. Good luck with Rare Sense,
    Steve

39. # Cynthialeeon 30 Dec 2008 at 1:30 pm

    Greed and stupidity has ruined the world, for hundreds and hundreds of years mankind has seen what war has done, what greed has done, what pollution, waste, dishonesty, and all of the negatives we are seeing now. Why we as a race havent learned one freakin thing is beyond me. People are still stupid, greedy, dishonest, self serving and corrupt to the core. A man in florida has a machine that runs on water, Goodyear designed a tire that could last the lifetime of the car, a ligh-bulb that could last twenty or thirty years, a scientist discovered “mirror sugar” no calories, tooth decay or ill effects for diabetics, and all were purchased by the big corporations and buried because of the bottom line. They didnt care if it killed people as long as they made money. they paid off the government to get their way, cripple their competition, and spent millions advertising the lies that made people think they wanted that crap. I could go on, but I am preaching to the choir.

    Food, soil has added nitrogen to make the yield larger per acre and animals are being fed more corn, hormones, antibiotics, the whole thing is a crime, fast food is garbage, margerine should be illegal, it was made to fatten up turkeys, it killed the turkeys so they added food coloring and some flavor and sold it to humans… greed. Diet coke has a ingrediant called -Potassium Benzoate that turns into benzene, you know? that cancer causing chemical? my brother just died from it a week ago. I am so angry that people as a whole are too stupid, lazy and dishonest to do anything about it, heck most of them dont believe the truth.

    I dont know what the answer is, I got involved with the Ron Paul campaign and saw how the Rupert Murdock owned stations and papers totally ignored him, it is all corrupt.

    Where does obama come up with a billion dollars? Doesnt anyone ask? The large banks and corporations paid him to get in office and continue screwing the citizens of the US just like they did with Bush.

    I am totally disgusted with mankind, in all the time we have lived on this planet, why havent we gotten anywhere?

    Thanks in advance for your work, your feelings are very similar to mine.

    Cynthia

40. # Steve N. Leeon 07 Jan 2009 at 3:25 pm

    I’m sorry to hear about your brother, Cynthia. You have my sympathy. Losing a loved one is always traumatic, but especially so in the holiday season as sharing this time with family is such a big part of the festivities.

    Yes, I wonder what future generations will make of us when they uncover all the life/energy/environment saving devices that have been buried by corporate greed? I remember decades ago complaining to my mother that my beloved bacon sandwiches tasted of fish and that I didn’t want them anymore. She thought I was crazy. Then it came out that such huge amounts of cheap fish were being fed to pigs that it was affecting the taste. Mad cow disease? Didn’t anyone think it would be a mistake to feed meat to herbivores!?

    Man’s stupidity, arrogance and greed really defy belief at times, don’t they?

    And please don’t worry about preaching to the choir - I’m always eager to disover new facts and I’m sure there will be readers who aren’t so well-versed in the issues we are discussing so would appreciate the info (I can only include so much in my posts before I risk overwhelming people).

    Obama? He’s making some of the right noises but only time will tell just how much he can shake off the corporate leash, if in fact he wants to. Still, he has to be a step up from Bush.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope the New Year brings some happiness in what must be a very upsetting time.
    Steve

41. # Cynthialeeon 07 Jan 2009 at 5:52 pm

    Your message was very welcome, thank you. I am grieving for my brother, I so want mankind to get a clue but when I read some of the opinions that are so wrong, so foriegn it blows me away.

    Thank you again,

    Cynthia

42. # Steve N. Leeon 07 Jan 2009 at 8:55 pm

    You’re very welcome, Cynthia.

    I know just what you mean about the state of the world. Hence this blog and the themes in my book. Sometimes, no matter how much you’d just like to keep your mouth shut and live an easy life, there’s no way you cannot voice your concerns, is there?

    Good luck to you and your family for 2009,
    Steve

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Email (will not be shown) (required)

Website

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.