Where Do They Find These People?

NMB, Florida January 19, 2002 A.H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.

WHERE DO THE CONSERVATIVES FIND THESE PEOPLE?

I wonder where the Republicans, particularly those of the conservative
right, find the people to represent their causes? I have in mind the
callous Gale Norton who is the present prime representative of the "screw
the animals" crowd. In the insane need to empty the earth of fossil
materials that can be burned for fuel these people want to put the
irreplaceable life of rare animals at risk.

I remember the Republican leader who made the magnificent statement that is
still on the logo of that Grand Old Party - " The Business of the United
States is Business." This may be true but it should not be at the expense
of losing animal life put on this earth for some other reason than enriching
the few who sit on top of the heap of debris their extraction of wealth
creates.

It may not be the action that is taken that is so bad. It might be the
calculated way in which the whole process is pitched. In times when there
is no work, we will provide work for those willing to go up into the frozen
north to extract oil from deep under the ice and tundra. Of course they
will not spill a drop of that oil. We, you and I, need it down here in the
lower 48.

I think it was John Watts who was the earlier Norton. He was not in the
least apologetic about his wish to rape any place in the world where profits
might be made to pay his bosses - the ones who put him in place to wield
enormous power.

The democratic process is slow - to be generous about it. But it is
necessary to slow down the despoilers of the earth. Let us talk about it at
length first. Proclaim openly what your plan is and who will benefit the
most. Meanwhile, explore the use of volcanic heat to make machines go and
look into the tides for power. And, while you are at it, look up and see
the sun. It has the power you are looking for.
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.