monsterzero’s Recent Comments

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  great point

  Words are important, and the words used to frame a debate or discussion in the public sphere and the media are doubly so. The Bushies are very good at realizing the power of words (count the number of times words like "liberty", "freedom", "values", etc. come up in one of their speeches), both to support their own causes and downplay the views and opinions of those who oppose them.

  This is especially true in their environmental policies (refer to the "Clear Skies" bill that was recently defeated), and the transition from "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge" to "the 1002 area" is just another example. By manipulating words they can make this pristine wilderness sound less like a vital part of our ecosystem and more like the sort of place where aliens would land. This is one of those shrewd Republican strategies that we need to stay constantly vigilant about - thanks for the post.

  "The stone age did not end because we ran out of stones."

  On Norton and the 1002 -- I mean the Arctic Refuge posted 4 years, 8 months ago 1 Response

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  Well Said - especially at almost midnight(!)

  "Instead of using some of the most valuable real estate in the media world to take potshots at us, why don't you give us a hand? You say it's 'critical' to have a 'highly respected environmental movement'? Start by showing us some damn respect."

  Well said, Dave - I couldn't agree more.

  I would urge Mr. Kristof to use his power more wisely and responsibly - his alarmism about the so-called 'alarmism' in the environmental movement is not helpful at all, and doesn't add anything productive to the public discussion about the environment. His patronizing and disrespectful comments (i.e. his assertion that "environmental alarms have been screeching for so long that, like car alarms, they are now just an irritating background noise") made me furious.

  He does mention the disturbing stats, which I have seen in many places, that while more than 75% of the country agree that we should do "whatever it takes to protect the environment", 41% of Americans considered environmental activists to be "extremists". This is a genuine area of concern for all of us, and it is positive and healthy that we are all taking a good look at what environmentalism means, what it stands for, and where it's at. Of course there is room for improvement (there always is), but that doesn't meann that comparing environmentalism to a screeching car alarm isn't absurd and way out of line.

  As a friend of mine says (please excuse the science geekiness) "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate". Mr. Kristof, your essay is part of the participate - a slimy mass that sits at the bottom of a test tube, kind of gross, often stinky, and certainly not anything I ever want to see again. I would urge you to be more respectful and more responsible in the future - and we're sorry if our "screeching" bothers you, but one has to speak awfully loudly sometimes to be heard over all the bullshit, especially the bullshit that makes the New York Times.

  "The stone age did not end because we ran out of stones."

  On An open letter to Nicholas Kristof posted 4 years, 8 months ago 19 Responses

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  Environmentalism

  Environmentalism is about putting the health of future generations above higher profits for today's corporations. It's about hope, beauty, wonder, fairness and a better tomorrow for everyone.

  "The stone age did not end because we ran out of stones."

  On An elevator pitch for environmentalism posted 4 years, 8 months ago 154 Responses

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  Environmentalism in an elevator

  No one said anything about only entering once, so here's my second crack at this. If it helps, assume we are going down in this mythical elevator from the 7th floor.

  Open-minded yet skeptical guy: What is environmentalism and why should I care?

  My answer:

  Think of life like elevator floors: (said as we slowly descend)

  6 - Toys
  5 - Needs
  4 - Home
  3 - Family
  2 - Health
  G - Environment

  Without a healthy environment, we have no foundation. Environmentalism is about ensuring our lives don't collapse around us.
  On An elevator pitch for environmentalism posted 4 years, 8 months ago 154 Responses

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  Elevator Environmentalism

  What is Environmentalism all about? (in 30 words or less...)

  Environmentalism is about...

  Seizing our opportunity. We've learned the Earth cannot withstand current levels of impact, and still have enough time to do something about it. Together, we'll make it - are you in?On An elevator pitch for environmentalism posted 4 years, 8 months ago 154 Responses