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[ebonlock]

Happy Earth Day to those who even bothered to remember the day this year. I just love waking up to an article on Yahoo claiming that the Environmental movement is all but dead. Not that our current administration hasn't done everything in its power to drive a stake through the movement's heart, but c'mon, pre-mature burial is a nasty thing.

As a Wiccan I often have trouble understanding how people can look at the planet with anything but naked awe and adoration. To see the world as nothing more than something to be exploited (or, in the ever appropriate word choice of the She Beast Ann Coulter, "raped"*) seems so sad to me. Well, sad and incredibly frustrating.

I suppose I could wring my hands about it all day, or I suppose I could choose to do something a bit more constructive. I think a commitment to do everything I can to help the environment from now on is a great start. No more getting sloppy about recycling, phasing out all the toxic chemicals already in my household for more environmentally friendly ones, donating again to organizations who are working on a grassroots level to make a positive change.

It won't make much of a difference, hell I'm only one person, but I'm not sure I can comfortably look at myself in a mirror just now if I don't do something.


*"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"--- Hannity & Colmes, 6/20/01

Comments

[branwynelf.livejournal.com]

Actually I think the Bible says that mankind was given stewardship, not dominion. Sadly, while stewardship used to mean "caretaker" and implied someone who took the role of caring for the details leaving the owner free to deal with other matters, these days the interpretation seems to be a synonym for "I get to do what the hell I want." :-/

[branwynelf.livejournal.com]

erm ... I do realize you were just quoting someone else by the way. I wasn't looking to correct you or anything, was just sort of muttering out loud about that point. It continues to bother me (about as much as the mis-translation of "poisoner" by King James' translators. Big difference 'tween "poisoner" and "witch")

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same boat with you on that, though it is fun when people quote passages like that at you to be able to ask politely, "And which interpretation are you referring to? Also, could you put that quote into context for me?" :)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Actually I think the Bible says that mankind was given stewardship, not dominion. Sadly, while stewardship used to mean "caretaker" and implied someone who took the role of caring for the details leaving the owner free to deal with other matters, these days the interpretation seems to be a synonym for "I get to do what the hell I want." :-/

Agreed, though what scares me is that someone like the She Beast is starting to actually voice the opinion of more than just a fringe element these days.

[branwynelf.livejournal.com]

Yah, I hear you there. The whole world seems to be swinging to a much more conservative "all that matters is me" attitude. I think it may have to do with insecure people having too much access to too much information - it scares them and makes them dig their heels in to "preserve the status quo 'fore it all changes beyond recognition." Fear seems to motivate people to be a lot more vocal about what they want/don't want.

Maybe that will be the factor that gets the left to stand up and speak out more? Fear that soon there will be no left ... left?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Maybe that will be the factor that gets the left to stand up and speak out more? Fear that soon there will be no left ... left?

If the Holy Joe Lieberman types have their way the Dems will indeed become Republican-lite, a sure sign of the end times if ever I saw one.

[branwynelf.livejournal.com]

My parents are English, and my dad often complains that there really is no "liberal" party in America. Hell, in England even the Greens here are considered middle of the road, if not leaning to the conservative side (conversely, the Conservatives in England would be considered left of center here).

It's funny, my parents are getting more liberal the older they get. It's strange to be one of the most liberal people I know, 'til I'm in a room with my father. *grin*

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

It's funny, my parents are getting more liberal the older they get. It's strange to be one of the most liberal people I know, 'til I'm in a room with my father. *grin*

LOL, well my dad's gotten a bit more conservative. In college he was a firm believer in the economic policies of communism, now he's just a socialist :)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

http://www.thenation.com/edcut/index.mhtml?pid=2341

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

So it would seem you've decided to be the optimist today? :) Thanks for raising my spirits a bit with that.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I figure since you got up first, you've sort of set the course. (: I just take whatever moral position is left when I slide out of bed.

[caitlin.livejournal.com]

Mark Twain said "THe Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."

I suspect the same is true about the environmental movement.

as for the neo-con religious fanatic right... I think I'm glad I don't watch much TV or pay attention to most media anymore... I get my news from NPR and cbc.ca..

It won't make much of a difference, hell I'm only one person, but I'm not sure I can comfortably look at myself in a mirror just now if I don't do something.

I think that if more people felt that way (I try to act on it too), the better off the planet and the existence will be.

But that's IMO

C.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Personally I think you're absolutely right about that, the question is how do we motivate people to a) consider the long term consequences of decisions rather than just the short term benefits, and b) to start practicing personal responsibility? I'm afraid I don't currently have an answer for either.

I was reading on a blog recently about someone musing over what was going through the head of the Easter Islander who cut down the last tree on that island. My response would probably be, nothing more than what he was having for dinner that night.

Every little bit helps.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

It's like the butterfly effect. You think globally and act locally, and you may never know how much of an effect your actions influence the world around us. It's like the rock tossed into a still pool - one can never see all the ripples that come about through our actions.

Just keep doing the right thing, and keep blogging about your beliefs. You are probably causing more change than you think.

Re: Every little bit helps.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I think the thing is, even if I don't create any kind of change in anyone else's life or beliefs I have to stay true to my own, you know?

Re: Every little bit helps.

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

I think the thing is, even if I don't create any kind of change in anyone else's life or beliefs I have to stay true to my own, you know?

*pssst* You already have. I'd been lax about the recycling thing until some of the talks we've had... and now my friends are watching me recycle and... well, you see where I'm going with this. :)

Re: Every little bit helps.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

*pssst* You already have. I'd been lax about the recycling thing until some of the talks we've had... and now my friends are watching me recycle and... well, you see where I'm going with this. :)

So you're saying I've lured you into slash and recycling? Wow, I'm more persuasive than I thought :)

Re: Every little bit helps.

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

So you're saying I've lured you into slash and recycling? Wow, I'm more persuasive than I thought :)

One of these days I should write out a list for you. You might be a bit shocked at its length. :)

[dragonelle-fics.livejournal.com]

By now, I shouldn't be surprised by anything Coulter says-- but that quote just takes the cake :-/

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

By now, I shouldn't be surprised by anything Coulter says-- but that quote just takes the cake :-/

Oh there's much worse, trust me on that, though I'm shocked, SHOCKED that none appeared anywhere in that Time article on her recently...

[elenderel.livejournal.com]

Earth Day is the one day a year that people open their eyes and notice that they've soiled their own beds. Unfortunately, too many people mutter "harumph" and, after half-heartedly picking up the trash around their yards and telling their neighbors how to tidy up the neighborhood, go back to sleep in that same filthy bed. Meanwhile, the rest of the community can't afford to purchase the stuff that produced the trash in the first place, and stare in mixed hatred, scorn and admiration at the rich folk and the mess they've made for everyone else to suffer.

And that's it for my allegorical diatribe of the day. :)

Good to find you on LJ. how ya been?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Good to find you on LJ. how ya been?

Oh my lord it's the Chickmonki! {{hug}} My gosh it's been forever since we spoke. LJ truly is a small world :) You realize my crazy sisters are on here too, right? They're divine_debris and enuffistoomuch.

I've been great, really busy, working, dancing (I'm in a bellydance troupe now), working some more, socializing, paying outrageous amounts of money in rent, a bit more working, and some crafting when I have time. How have you been? And what are you up to these days?

[elenderel.livejournal.com]

I've similarly been busy: work, paying outrageous amounts on money in mortgage payments, lying low on the social radar, being involved in church stuff, etc. :P Not much going on, actually, apart from the joys of working and home ownership. I've become an obsessed hiking/backpacking freak who can't wait for a weekend with good weather to load up the pack and head out into utter wilderness and veg. :)

So friend me! I'll friend you & The Sistahs :)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

So friend me! I'll friend you & The Sistahs :)

Already done, my dear ;)