Jeff described a Utopian world I think we'd all like to live in, but it is
destined to fail because it doesn't account for the lack of uniform ethical
standards and goals, and the realities of human nature. We humans can't
even treat all individuals of our own species with decency, and I've long
since ceased being surprised that so many people feel that the environment
and all that it is comprised of (air, water, species, minerals, landforms,
etc) have to be defined and valued in human terms; that species of plants
and animals should even have their mere existence evaluated and justified
by those people or governments who claim "ownership" during this
millisecond in time in which we share our existences. Seemingly in
response, many people and organizations who value biodiversity protection
have adopted the approach of suggesting how plants or animals may contain
the chemicals to improve lives and cure disease through biotechnology or
medicine. I'm sure many of those people and their organizations feel
compromised by having to reach people on these terms.
Sure, I've had influences in my life and I can't imagine what my life and
my perception of the world would have been like without the illumination
they've provided: from the insightful observations and dreams of
conservation-minded people; to the images streaming through my television
and newspapers on environmental disasters and species extinctions in my
lifetime; to the activities of land speculators and developers,
profit-blinded corporations, and corporate agri-businesses who have little
in common with the family farmer; to increased knowledge and understanding
through science, research, and environmentally-responsible living; to
individual heros who put the needs of the environment ahead of personal
gain and profit-- the environmental educators using the tools of logic and
science, the farmer using earth-friendly crops and cultivation methods, and
the earthwise consumer who tries to lessen their impact on the environment
and insists on safe and healthy foods and household products; and to the
information being monitored by data collection devices on earth and in the
atmosphere; and to the silent warnings being issued by the most
environmentally sensitive species of our planet right now-- insects,
amphibians, aquatic invertebrates-- to those who know how to read such signs.
-- Jay DeLong Olympia, WAAt 11:12 PM 2/3/01 -0500, you wrote: >Jeff from PA hit the proverbial nail on the head. And Jay, I just can't >believe how adamantly you persist in your faith of government solving our >problems. Dang it, you just can't accept that people in the private sector >(you & me!!) nearly always is quicker and more innovative about finding >solutions to every problem than the bloated, bureaucratic federal government. > I know you're a decent guy, but I have to wonder what kind of influences >you've had in your life to make you want us to embrace the government as our >savior. > >Bruce Scott
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