[lit-ideas] Re: Where politics hits the grass
- From: Andy <mimi.erva@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 21:35:27 -0800 (PST)
I read about it too, but it really saddens me to think of the animals and the
way they're tortured so humans can eat, like there's nothing else they can
eat. Lately it's become a struggle even to go to Wal-Mart or Target because of
the way people treat their children. Sometimes I just can't deal with it.
It's like why do they have children. It's all the same thing, the same
heartlessness, the same brainlessness.
--- On Fri, 11/7/08, Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Where politics hits the grass
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Friday, November 7, 2008, 5:23 AM
I wasn't suggesting you join an environmental group (or any group) at all. I
think it is encouraging that there are some very real, very practical ways that
our society is addressing both the environmental and economic issues these
days. It encourages me. I like to be aware of things which look hopeful and
encouraging and pragmatic. Reading some of the ideas helps me think outside
the box a little. I like that too.
On Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 11:18 PM, Andy <mimi.erva@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
You're right. But the way I look at it, I'm just one yeast out of almost seven
billion, and I'm absolutely ineffective in swaying others. I did my best on
this list to convince people to vote for Gore in 2000 and I know that all those
good republicans out there voted for Bush anyway. Then they did it again in
2004. Best case scenario they voted for Ralph Nader which is a vote for Bush.
Plus look at all our discussions on pharma. What a waste of time that was in
convincing anybody.
I live my for the most part environmentally conservative little life, which is
to say, I don't eat meat and haven't for decades (tons and tons of pollution
and water saved) and a list of other things that I do personally to save energy
and water and electricity. Beyond that, there's nothing I can do. People
don't care. They love their meat and will not part with it. They think it's a
bother putting on a sweater. They use water like it's always going to be
there. They burn those stupid votive type lights in their windows all night
year round.
If I join an environmental group, what's that going to do? Those few who
care are already implementing changes; the vast majority will glaze over. My
neighbors have no idea about climate change. Can you imagine? No idea. If I
tell them, I'm being their mother and they wouldn't believe it anyway. And
companies like ExxonMobil spend millions advertising against climate change, so
those who even heard of global warming think it's some myth.
The society and the economy have to be rethought from the ground up. We have
to reverse consumerism, get people to want to build the economy around
environmentalism, and that is not going to happen. My efforts to convince
anyone would be quixotic at best. Beyond even all that, it's too late. The
problem if it isn't irreversible just yet will be in the near future.
That's not to say that I don't admire others who are activists, it's just that
I would feel *more* impotent, not less if I were to become active, the way
Cindy Sheehan finally in despair said Americans deserve the government they
have. Maybe the bottom line the way I see it is that the human race is out to
destroy itself, and there's no way I can stop them.
--- On Fri, 11/7/08, Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Where politics hits the grass
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Friday, November 7, 2008, 3:02 AM
You say things like "what can be done?" and shrug in resignation, but when
there are real, viable, approaches to solutions out there you aren't interested
in them? Or, rather, you aren't interested in what people who are passionate
about changing things are proposing? That sounds like exactly what you're
describing by "that's the way people are". The irony is that you aren't
interested in glancing at a website or discussing it which actually suggests
specific ways to make the economy thrive by working on the environment...you
seem to just want to complain that no one cares, there aren't any decent ideas,
and no one will pay attention ....wo, say, a website like that...
But whaddo I know.
--
Julie Krueger
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