Rock the Earth
Rock the Earth members work closely with the music industry and its fans, many of whom are concerned with the fate of our public lands, air and water. Based in Colorado, we invite our members to gather to discuss and act upon our most pressing environmental issues.
This week, the missus and I spent some quality time doing a couple of things that really educated us on some of the issues that are not being fully addressed or ignored by politicians, politicos, progressives, 'pinkos', and neocon peons.
First of all, there was a lot of back slapping at the Academy Awards for Al Gore's Infotainment documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth.' I've seen the documentary and my question is when science does not square with the way corporations want or need to do business, they have a propaganda machine available to develop 'alternate theories' for the sources of problems…why do we as consumers automatically assume that a) the corporate version is correct until its too late b) there's no need to question why a corporate has to develop an 'alternate theory' c) don't we immediately suspect that these competing theories represent an attempt to cover up the fact that we may not fully understand all the dynamics and resulting complications of miracle products like say thalidomide or DDT?
Okay, next topic…because its all related to the lack of green business. We attended a talk and film last night at Vitamin Cottage in Lafayette on genetically modified food and the dangers of seeds that have been manufactured by the major corporate producers to be interlocking with their own products, for example a wheat seed that is engineered to work with a specific pesticide, both of which are patented by the same producer and there for can only be purchased from one source. EXCUSE ME? One source? What kind of crap is this? The film was more disturbing than an 'Inconvenient Truth', and what worse, it involves every one of the major corporate seed producers in this country. One company has set the goal of being the sole supplier of a certain seed crop by 2010…this is their MISSION. Its not about feeding people, its about money. They don't care if the crops fail, as long as the seed sells…and they even made that statement in the film, though the corporate spokesperson would not elaborate or appear on camera. So thank you very much but screw the family farmer if he doesn't buy our products.
Finally…and this really irks the bloody hell out of me. Do you really frigging have to have a 4, 5, or 6 thousand square foot home? Everyone and his mother's brother is talking about the cost of energy in their CARS…do you know how much electricity and gas it takes to light, heat and maintain that much space? The reason this is even an issue is because the development going up around Lafayette seems to be predominated by this power sucking mega-McMansion behemoths, that while they may have efficient appliances, are still using the same amount of power for heat and light as a small business employing several people. So when we talk about our energy use but buy a large house ten miles further one way from work…where's the power behind those words…and where will the power come from to drive that economy.
The consumers' mind set, according to popular theory (Dick Cheney) is that we Americans cannot conserve. And while we laugh and say he's a fatalist, we're proving every word he said. We've been told that our technology will solve the problems of food production, exhausted fossil fuels, overcrowding when these problems arise…well, their here on our doorstep and we don't have a solution…hell we don't even have a plan. This isn't politics…this is survival.
Okay, its a free country, but do we have to prove it by freely choosing poorly?
First of all, there was a lot of back slapping at the Academy Awards for Al Gore's Infotainment documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth.' I've seen the documentary and my question is when science does not square with the way corporations want or need to do business, they have a propaganda machine available to develop 'alternate theories' for the sources of problems…why do we as consumers automatically assume that a) the corporate version is correct until its too late b) there's no need to question why a corporate has to develop an 'alternate theory' c) don't we immediately suspect that these competing theories represent an attempt to cover up the fact that we may not fully understand all the dynamics and resulting complications of miracle products like say thalidomide or DDT?
Okay, next topic…because its all related to the lack of green business. We attended a talk and film last night at Vitamin Cottage in Lafayette on genetically modified food and the dangers of seeds that have been manufactured by the major corporate producers to be interlocking with their own products, for example a wheat seed that is engineered to work with a specific pesticide, both of which are patented by the same producer and there for can only be purchased from one source. EXCUSE ME? One source? What kind of crap is this? The film was more disturbing than an 'Inconvenient Truth', and what worse, it involves every one of the major corporate seed producers in this country. One company has set the goal of being the sole supplier of a certain seed crop by 2010…this is their MISSION. Its not about feeding people, its about money. They don't care if the crops fail, as long as the seed sells…and they even made that statement in the film, though the corporate spokesperson would not elaborate or appear on camera. So thank you very much but screw the family farmer if he doesn't buy our products.
Finally…and this really irks the bloody hell out of me. Do you really frigging have to have a 4, 5, or 6 thousand square foot home? Everyone and his mother's brother is talking about the cost of energy in their CARS…do you know how much electricity and gas it takes to light, heat and maintain that much space? The reason this is even an issue is because the development going up around Lafayette seems to be predominated by this power sucking mega-McMansion behemoths, that while they may have efficient appliances, are still using the same amount of power for heat and light as a small business employing several people. So when we talk about our energy use but buy a large house ten miles further one way from work…where's the power behind those words…and where will the power come from to drive that economy.
The consumers' mind set, according to popular theory (Dick Cheney) is that we Americans cannot conserve. And while we laugh and say he's a fatalist, we're proving every word he said. We've been told that our technology will solve the problems of food production, exhausted fossil fuels, overcrowding when these problems arise…well, their here on our doorstep and we don't have a solution…hell we don't even have a plan. This isn't politics…this is survival.
Okay, its a free country, but do we have to prove it by freely choosing poorly?
We had a little fun with 'Foxy' the fox today... NO, not That Kind of Fun!
We heard that Frontier was doing a Campaign Interview style promo for the 'Foxy' Frontier's Favorite Animal at the Civic Center today across from the City Hall. So we thought this would be great test of our Concept of Instant Vigils.
We flew downtown and did a 'one indian' to their 'circle the wagons' maneuver. The media types applauded my arrival but grumbled later when they had trouble getting a shot without our signs in the background.
Our sign on one side said.
Call Foxy and tell her to
Stop the Iraq War
and impeach Bush
and on the other side
Call Foxy and say
Stop the War and
impeach Bush.
Amazing the amount of eyeballs these signs got.
It was Fun...
you all shoulda been there.
Maybe next time, eh! Join Us.
Impeachment can be fun.
John
WeeklyVigilsToImpeach.Us
Link
ProgressNowAction Member
Link
We heard that Frontier was doing a Campaign Interview style promo for the 'Foxy' Frontier's Favorite Animal at the Civic Center today across from the City Hall. So we thought this would be great test of our Concept of Instant Vigils.
We flew downtown and did a 'one indian' to their 'circle the wagons' maneuver. The media types applauded my arrival but grumbled later when they had trouble getting a shot without our signs in the background.
Our sign on one side said.
Call Foxy and tell her to
Stop the Iraq War
and impeach Bush
and on the other side
Call Foxy and say
Stop the War and
impeach Bush.
Amazing the amount of eyeballs these signs got.
It was Fun...
you all shoulda been there.
Maybe next time, eh! Join Us.
Impeachment can be fun.
John
WeeklyVigilsToImpeach.Us
Link
ProgressNowAction Member
Link
Where is the activity 'for' the environment?
Is it where the mountain bike paths are plenty? Where the yoga classes happen outside under the palms? Near the Off-Road trailheads for the local 4x4 clubs? On the beach towels of the plentiful coastal areas?
Or perhaps is it where the steel mills pour and press for the continuance of industrial progress? Miles from the vertical spike of our 100+ nuclear power plants steam plumes? How about the coal mining belt in the Appalacians? The Major metro areas in the parks or conference center complexes? Read More »
Is it where the mountain bike paths are plenty? Where the yoga classes happen outside under the palms? Near the Off-Road trailheads for the local 4x4 clubs? On the beach towels of the plentiful coastal areas?
Or perhaps is it where the steel mills pour and press for the continuance of industrial progress? Miles from the vertical spike of our 100+ nuclear power plants steam plumes? How about the coal mining belt in the Appalacians? The Major metro areas in the parks or conference center complexes? Read More »
Click below to call for an investigation into a USDA Forest Service Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that authorized access to the site of a proposed "Village" at Wolf Creek Pass. To construct and operate a proposed development of 10,000 people just below the Continental Divide in the headwaters of the Rio Grande, developer B.J. "Red" McCombs needed approval from the Forest Service for access to a 287.5 acre inholding surrounded by Wolf Creek Ski Area and the Rio Grande National Forest.
Evidence continually mounts revealing that McCombs' development team has had inordinate and possibly illegal influence over Forest Service policies and decisions regarding access to the inholding, including potential violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and Forest Service policy ensuring adherence to these laws.
Link
Evidence continually mounts revealing that McCombs' development team has had inordinate and possibly illegal influence over Forest Service policies and decisions regarding access to the inholding, including potential violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and Forest Service policy ensuring adherence to these laws.
Link
RtE to Challenge Colorado River Management Plan!
Since our inception three years ago, Rock the Earth has been monitoring the development of a new management plan for the Colorado River. The plan involves the management of the River as it passes through Grand Canyon National Park ("GCNP"). The Colorado River courses through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. As a scientific resource, the Grand Canyon is a mecca for geologists, geographers, and biologists throughout the world. It is also a place of tremendous natural and historic interest; a place of beauty, peace, quiet or exciting adventure. The Colorado River within the GCNP is the longest stretch of recreational whitewater in the world and offers one of the most sought-after river trips in the United States as well. The desire of the American public to experience this unique area has dramatically increased over the last 20 years. In 1967, 2,100 people traveled the river through GCNP. By 1972, that number rose to 16,500. While exponential growth of visitors wishing to make recreational use of the river has had an impact on river resources, far more damaging have been the effects from the Glen Canyon Dam.
RtE's Position: The Colorado River is Being Mismanaged
The Colorado River is not being managed by the National Park Service ("NPS") in accordance with the Management Objectives, the terms of the current Management Plan itself, other federal statutory and regulatory requirements, or NPS Guidance documents. The current data warrants the consideration of substantial modifications to the way that the Colorado River is currently managed. In 2002, and again in 2004, we recommended that the NPS and U.S. Department of the Interior should, in reviewing the current Colorado River Management Plan ("CRMP"), consider altering management of the Colorado River so as to implement policies and corrective actions that remedy the problems that protect against further impairment to park resources and values. This position is based on a wealth of data indicating that the current CRMP adversely impacts endangered species and wildlife, diminishes visitors' experiences, and results in inequitable access to the river. These adverse impacts are due in part to: (1) the way water flow is regulated at the Glen Canyon Dam; (2) allowing the use of motorized river transport; and (3) a disparate system favoring those who can afford to pay commercial river trip guides over individuals and other non-commercial interests.
NPS mandates, as set by U.S. law, NPS guidance documents, and NPS management policy that directs NPS decisions and activity, support our position that natural flows need to be restored to the Colorado River and that motorized river transport needs to be eliminated, in order to stop any further impairment to both the Colorado River and Grand Canyon National Park.
Recent Developments: The 2005 Management Plan
Just this past month, the NPS issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the CRMP. The recent draft EIS does not adequately address our concerns, ignores the deleterious impact of the Glen Canyon Dam on species and biota in and along the river, continues to allow for motorized transport through the canyon, maintains access discrimination against private boaters in favor of commercial interests and recommends changes that actually increases the number of people who may travel the river, thereby increasing the damage to the environment.
Next Step: RtE's Challenge
RtE is currently in discussions with potential partner organizations like River Runners for Wilderness, evaluating the prospects of forming a pro-wilderness coalition to challenge the NPS's deficient plan. With the aid of veteran environmental litigator and RtE Advisory Board Member, Bob Lippman, RtE is in the process of approaching attorneys to represent RtE and other groups in a formal lawsuit against the NPS. If pursued, this will be RtE's first formal, legal challenge and a big step towards our goal of becoming a full-fledged environmental advocacy group, capable of bringing matters to litigation, if necessary. Look for more details in the December issues of Rock the Earth Notes or check our website frequently for the latest news.
Roadless Rule Reminder
As we detailed in the October edition of Rock the Earth Notes, RtE is joining partners such as the American Lands Alliance in a coordinated effort to petition the Department of Agriculture to restore the Roadless Rule to ensure the protection of our remaining national forests. Join us by writing a letter to voice your concerns over the attempted rollback of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. To add your name to RtE's list of concerned citizens urging for the restoration of the rule, go here.
For more information about the Roadless Rule, see the RtE Website.
RtE
Since our inception three years ago, Rock the Earth has been monitoring the development of a new management plan for the Colorado River. The plan involves the management of the River as it passes through Grand Canyon National Park ("GCNP"). The Colorado River courses through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. As a scientific resource, the Grand Canyon is a mecca for geologists, geographers, and biologists throughout the world. It is also a place of tremendous natural and historic interest; a place of beauty, peace, quiet or exciting adventure. The Colorado River within the GCNP is the longest stretch of recreational whitewater in the world and offers one of the most sought-after river trips in the United States as well. The desire of the American public to experience this unique area has dramatically increased over the last 20 years. In 1967, 2,100 people traveled the river through GCNP. By 1972, that number rose to 16,500. While exponential growth of visitors wishing to make recreational use of the river has had an impact on river resources, far more damaging have been the effects from the Glen Canyon Dam.
RtE's Position: The Colorado River is Being Mismanaged
The Colorado River is not being managed by the National Park Service ("NPS") in accordance with the Management Objectives, the terms of the current Management Plan itself, other federal statutory and regulatory requirements, or NPS Guidance documents. The current data warrants the consideration of substantial modifications to the way that the Colorado River is currently managed. In 2002, and again in 2004, we recommended that the NPS and U.S. Department of the Interior should, in reviewing the current Colorado River Management Plan ("CRMP"), consider altering management of the Colorado River so as to implement policies and corrective actions that remedy the problems that protect against further impairment to park resources and values. This position is based on a wealth of data indicating that the current CRMP adversely impacts endangered species and wildlife, diminishes visitors' experiences, and results in inequitable access to the river. These adverse impacts are due in part to: (1) the way water flow is regulated at the Glen Canyon Dam; (2) allowing the use of motorized river transport; and (3) a disparate system favoring those who can afford to pay commercial river trip guides over individuals and other non-commercial interests.
NPS mandates, as set by U.S. law, NPS guidance documents, and NPS management policy that directs NPS decisions and activity, support our position that natural flows need to be restored to the Colorado River and that motorized river transport needs to be eliminated, in order to stop any further impairment to both the Colorado River and Grand Canyon National Park.
Recent Developments: The 2005 Management Plan
Just this past month, the NPS issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the CRMP. The recent draft EIS does not adequately address our concerns, ignores the deleterious impact of the Glen Canyon Dam on species and biota in and along the river, continues to allow for motorized transport through the canyon, maintains access discrimination against private boaters in favor of commercial interests and recommends changes that actually increases the number of people who may travel the river, thereby increasing the damage to the environment.
Next Step: RtE's Challenge
RtE is currently in discussions with potential partner organizations like River Runners for Wilderness, evaluating the prospects of forming a pro-wilderness coalition to challenge the NPS's deficient plan. With the aid of veteran environmental litigator and RtE Advisory Board Member, Bob Lippman, RtE is in the process of approaching attorneys to represent RtE and other groups in a formal lawsuit against the NPS. If pursued, this will be RtE's first formal, legal challenge and a big step towards our goal of becoming a full-fledged environmental advocacy group, capable of bringing matters to litigation, if necessary. Look for more details in the December issues of Rock the Earth Notes or check our website frequently for the latest news.
Roadless Rule Reminder
As we detailed in the October edition of Rock the Earth Notes, RtE is joining partners such as the American Lands Alliance in a coordinated effort to petition the Department of Agriculture to restore the Roadless Rule to ensure the protection of our remaining national forests. Join us by writing a letter to voice your concerns over the attempted rollback of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. To add your name to RtE's list of concerned citizens urging for the restoration of the rule, go here.
For more information about the Roadless Rule, see the RtE Website.
RtE
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Change begins with Me
Posted Jan 08, 2009 2:55pm
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Corporate Profit Continues to Define Health Care Reform & U.S. Race to the Bottom
Posted Jan 07, 2009 9:23pm
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This sounds familiar
Posted Jan 07, 2009 5:43pm
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NASA + DoD
Posted Jan 03, 2009 7:53am
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National Night Out
Posted Jan 01, 2009 5:28pm
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Posted Dec 31, 2008 11:29am
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I spit on the rule of law
Posted Dec 30, 2008 11:58am
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Rifle Shots: Republican lawmakers grain-fed at Mesa State
Posted Dec 29, 2008 11:05am
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Two Christmas pics
Posted Dec 24, 2008 6:14pm
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Destroying the evidence
Posted Dec 24, 2008 9:30am
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