It felt as if it was a continuation of an ECO-Logical fanzine that I used to write, edit and publish. The fish wraps (newspapers) that were available in Green Bay at the time were just two and the larger one, eventually procured by Gannett, had not only terrible editorial policies, but would screw up any letters to the editor in ways that made the writer look bad, especially if they did not like your points. The "opposition" or leftist paper was true journalism but on such a small scale and without any budget, that they were actually hard to read sometimes because of grammatical and spelling errors. My ECO-logical fanzine was produced by hand, with love and a true sense of the sanctity of the ecology and our environment. Most of the people I knew doing fanzines were really into punk music and mine was just about the Great Lakes and their (our) issues. I knew about the term birthright by then and understood clean air, water and soil, as well as safe food and healthy medicine (herbs) were all part of it. Modern life has nearly estranged us from the environment completely, but in my writing, I attempted to bridge the perceived gap between human-kind and nature. Back then, I understood that there were differences between folks who used the term "resources" and the tribal folks, Earthnicks and peaceful loving people who understood those same materials are Gifts of Creator. As creatures who inhabit the Earth, we are better served by seeing the world around us as sacred. The main points that I focused on in my original writing were those of conservation, living better for less and escaping the shackles that hold us down through the processes of poisoning the planet, destroying intact ecosystems and accepting what the marketers are selling.
In childhood, there were those who spoke of the big lie, but it took years of research to begin to understand what they were alluding to. Some are willing to accept what they hear and learn at face value, never questioning what they are told, but I had to find out for myself. It took me years to begin to understand the nature and kinds of power and control measures that the oligarchs have for keeping us down, but as I grew and learned, it is nothing much for them to exert great force on our social, political and media systems and often they use our own money, power and efforts to squish us like bugs. Not only do the 1% vehemently hate us, but the vast majority of those who worship wealth are willing to anything in their power to protect that wealth, stop us from rebellion or even to get us to rebel if it suits their needs. In our current state, 38% of all materials and energy that we burn through are for the military. Thirty-eight percent. Only about 1/3 of our population has a family member in the military and what we are all told about their service is that it is necessary to protect our "way of life", our freedoms and our security. In the mind-set of those who feed or rely on the military industrial complex, the world is full of people who would seek to destroy our nation, but the reasons behind their hate are never discussed.
In all my years of paying attention, what I have seen is the exact opposite. The images that rarely come out of Iran for instance is confounding. virtually everyone there seems to be enthralled and infatuated with our culture, our people, our nation. Why would one of our "arch enemy" nations be filled with people who want to be our friends? Likewise, we have set up shop with military bases in over one hundred countries, always claiming the same thing, "This provides a more secure world." Secure from what? If one chooses to look objectively at our current situation, we are spending many times more on our military than any other country on Earth. In fact, we (the U.S of A.) are spending more than twice as much as the next three countries combined. These next three down on the list are interesting in and of themselves. China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. All three of these countries spend a significant amount of their military budget on terrorizing their own people. As long as they are worshiped, the way we are told they should be, our military have great power over our collective American psyche. This still has not quelled the fears of some that our own government is gearing up for a civil war. If we can trump up no threat into a valid reason for having the largest military on Earth, how hard will it be to rationalize killing our own people for "peace and security"? Let me say right away, I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea, I do not go in for conspiracy theories generally, but when there is undeniable evidence showing that we are exploited and lied to, that the "reasons" for our behavior have been based on lies or that the rhetoric has no bearing on reality, I begin to see, through the smoke and mirrors, glaring misrepresentations and omissions that can only be designed to create consent amongst a public that just cannot make sense of issues that confront us.
When I speak of domestic conflicts like The Trail of Tears, Ruby Ridge, numerous organized murders of union organizers, Kent State killings, Outright violence against those who were speaking their minds in Chicago at the Democratic national Convention in '68, the attacks on Move by the Philadelphia police, the assault and burning of the Branch Davidian's compound, etc. or the fallacious "reasons" behind wars in U.S. history, including the Spanish-American War, Vietnam (Indo-china, or as it became known Southeast Asia), Iraq, Iraq II, Afghanistan, etc. I am speaking from a foundation of truth. The fictions that were used to incite all of these conflicts are available for all to study, for all to learn, but what the people in power to believe is that the justifications for all of these murderous exploits exist, are real and that we "did the right thing."
My dedication to ecological integrity has never wavered. The horrible costs of waging war are offensive for what they do to people, on that human level, but the environment is hit even harder than the people that war is meant to destroy. Even though hundreds of millions of lives have been squandered in war, the lasting legacy that the environment bears will live on long after our species extinguishes itself. My hope in spreading these words is not to stifle or stymie those who hear my message, but to uplift them and encourage their voices, their insights and their commitment to ending the insanity of de-sanctification of all life in the name of governments built and maintained by those who would exploit us. In my mind's eye, I see a day in which we can utilize the tanks and weaponry as lawn ornaments, as planter boxes and recycle some of the wasted resources into useful tools. Even though the uberwealthy refuse to yield to growing public opinion, if we all go our own way, they will not be able to stop us. Living a better lifestyle while using less energy and resources and being aware of the ecological footprint that we leave by our passing is a start. reigning in the urge to blow things up, wreak havoc on the earth and her people will take the concerted efforts of all of the planet's population, but if I did not believe that it was possible to do so, I would stop writing today.
This week we planted more trees. It felt like the right thing to do and hundreds of people will enjoy their shade, breathe deeply of their fragrant blossoms and delight in the lush handfuls of ripe berries and fruits that they will offer in abundance. Each of the trees was put into the Earth with a blessing, each one reflects hope for the future. When I was young, it felt like I was alone, the only one who knew what a dangerous path we humans were walking down. As I grew and gained perspective, I realized that there is a huge worldwide cadre of people committed to peace, seeking a better relationship with the planet and who are willing to do whatever is necessary to heal the wounds that have been perpetrated upon mother Earth in the name of the oligarchs. I am one of many who are committing their lives to sanity, teaching ways to harmonize with natural systems rather than slashing or supplanting them with destructive systems based on extraction, abuse and neglect, not only of the ecological systems that we rely on for our quality of life, but the people with which we must ultimately share the planet. Peace no more flows from the barrel of a gun than the cornucopia of life's abundance flows from a gas pump.
In childhood, there were those who spoke of the big lie, but it took years of research to begin to understand what they were alluding to. Some are willing to accept what they hear and learn at face value, never questioning what they are told, but I had to find out for myself. It took me years to begin to understand the nature and kinds of power and control measures that the oligarchs have for keeping us down, but as I grew and learned, it is nothing much for them to exert great force on our social, political and media systems and often they use our own money, power and efforts to squish us like bugs. Not only do the 1% vehemently hate us, but the vast majority of those who worship wealth are willing to anything in their power to protect that wealth, stop us from rebellion or even to get us to rebel if it suits their needs. In our current state, 38% of all materials and energy that we burn through are for the military. Thirty-eight percent. Only about 1/3 of our population has a family member in the military and what we are all told about their service is that it is necessary to protect our "way of life", our freedoms and our security. In the mind-set of those who feed or rely on the military industrial complex, the world is full of people who would seek to destroy our nation, but the reasons behind their hate are never discussed.
In all my years of paying attention, what I have seen is the exact opposite. The images that rarely come out of Iran for instance is confounding. virtually everyone there seems to be enthralled and infatuated with our culture, our people, our nation. Why would one of our "arch enemy" nations be filled with people who want to be our friends? Likewise, we have set up shop with military bases in over one hundred countries, always claiming the same thing, "This provides a more secure world." Secure from what? If one chooses to look objectively at our current situation, we are spending many times more on our military than any other country on Earth. In fact, we (the U.S of A.) are spending more than twice as much as the next three countries combined. These next three down on the list are interesting in and of themselves. China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. All three of these countries spend a significant amount of their military budget on terrorizing their own people. As long as they are worshiped, the way we are told they should be, our military have great power over our collective American psyche. This still has not quelled the fears of some that our own government is gearing up for a civil war. If we can trump up no threat into a valid reason for having the largest military on Earth, how hard will it be to rationalize killing our own people for "peace and security"? Let me say right away, I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea, I do not go in for conspiracy theories generally, but when there is undeniable evidence showing that we are exploited and lied to, that the "reasons" for our behavior have been based on lies or that the rhetoric has no bearing on reality, I begin to see, through the smoke and mirrors, glaring misrepresentations and omissions that can only be designed to create consent amongst a public that just cannot make sense of issues that confront us.
 | |
| This plant went in two weeks earlier, but we also planted a few more young sprouts during this trip. ECO-tours can be designed and carried out in just an hour, but they can change the environment for the better and for all time. |
My dedication to ecological integrity has never wavered. The horrible costs of waging war are offensive for what they do to people, on that human level, but the environment is hit even harder than the people that war is meant to destroy. Even though hundreds of millions of lives have been squandered in war, the lasting legacy that the environment bears will live on long after our species extinguishes itself. My hope in spreading these words is not to stifle or stymie those who hear my message, but to uplift them and encourage their voices, their insights and their commitment to ending the insanity of de-sanctification of all life in the name of governments built and maintained by those who would exploit us. In my mind's eye, I see a day in which we can utilize the tanks and weaponry as lawn ornaments, as planter boxes and recycle some of the wasted resources into useful tools. Even though the uberwealthy refuse to yield to growing public opinion, if we all go our own way, they will not be able to stop us. Living a better lifestyle while using less energy and resources and being aware of the ecological footprint that we leave by our passing is a start. reigning in the urge to blow things up, wreak havoc on the earth and her people will take the concerted efforts of all of the planet's population, but if I did not believe that it was possible to do so, I would stop writing today.
 |
| In just two or three years, this tiny sprout will turn to a ten foot by ten foot by ten foot plant (3.3m cubed) bearing blossoms for bees, fruits for birds and people and transforming a denuded glen into the beginnings of a food forest. |
This week we planted more trees. It felt like the right thing to do and hundreds of people will enjoy their shade, breathe deeply of their fragrant blossoms and delight in the lush handfuls of ripe berries and fruits that they will offer in abundance. Each of the trees was put into the Earth with a blessing, each one reflects hope for the future. When I was young, it felt like I was alone, the only one who knew what a dangerous path we humans were walking down. As I grew and gained perspective, I realized that there is a huge worldwide cadre of people committed to peace, seeking a better relationship with the planet and who are willing to do whatever is necessary to heal the wounds that have been perpetrated upon mother Earth in the name of the oligarchs. I am one of many who are committing their lives to sanity, teaching ways to harmonize with natural systems rather than slashing or supplanting them with destructive systems based on extraction, abuse and neglect, not only of the ecological systems that we rely on for our quality of life, but the people with which we must ultimately share the planet. Peace no more flows from the barrel of a gun than the cornucopia of life's abundance flows from a gas pump.
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