Comments Bob Morrison has made

  • Don't bet on losing our beautiful lands

    No they won't, not if we stop them.

    Let's not be fatalistic.  Pessimism can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    As long as the lands are there, unharmed, there is still hope, and we must act on that.On But House version doesn't call for drilling in Arctic Refuge or offshore areas posted 4 years ago 6 Responses

  • Fighting this should be #1 priority NOW!

    I am appalled at this evil mining bill -- and I am also appalled that the environmental community did not make fighting it a much higher and louder priority. It makes the ANWR debate, as important as it was, seem a red herring.  We're talking about an enormous amount of our beautiful public lands being opened to mining and development and literally getting sold off.  That's nothing less than the selling and destroying of America the Beautiful.  This needs to be framed and repeated vividly and vehemently in unison so that the media doesn't bury it and so that "moderate" Republicans can't vote for it without taking the enormous heat they deserve.  It would shock most Americans IF they find out about it.  That's why this is the line in the sand we must draw NOW.On But House version doesn't call for drilling in Arctic Refuge or offshore areas posted 4 years ago 6 Responses

  • Nature belongs to everyone

    Thank you for a vital conversation.  I agree it's important to "green" our local neighborhoods and cities as much as possible, so that nature is bigger part of our everyday life.  But let's also remember that when young people from the inner city (or anywhere) go to remote places of wild nature, it's not necessarily "something that belongs to somebody else."  America is filled with tens of millions of acres of beautiful public lands, from the Adirondacks to the Grand Canyon.  These places belong to everyone equally.  These places are the birthright of every child. Connecting with places like this can be tremendously inspiring and empowering, so that they can discover, as Luis so eloquently said, "all of that is you."  That's true on a spiritual level and also on a basic citizenship level - as an American, you're an equal co-owner.  And it's not just kids in the projects who need to partake of this.  Many of us are living in a self-imposed, spirit-starving TV/computer/pavement-saturated kind of prison (even if it's more comfortable than actual incarceration.)  The vast wonder of the natural world can help us all "break out" and also discover how much we all have in common -  equal in awe before such beauty.On An interview with activists at the Prison Moratorium Project posted 4 years, 5 months ago 6 Responses

  • Good point -- let's frame it ourselves

    Excellent point, Dave.  Just because the man knows about framing, and is able to talk about the concept brilliantly -- and even help us think and communicate more creatively and effectively in these terms -- doesn't mean that he himself is going to be good at doing the actual framing in this case.  In fact, why not see if the "frame" can emerge from our hearts as well as our heads.  To know what moves us deeply is the best way to find out what might move others -- rather than assume we have to come up with some ingenuous verbal formula to manipulate them.On George Lakoff is not the solution to our problems posted 4 years, 7 months ago 1 Response

  • Keep using the "protector" frame!

    If you actually read the 20-page report produced by Lakoff's institute, it spends a lot of time talking about the "Protector" frame that environmentalists have long used.  And it describes how rightwingers have co-opted this frame to their advantage.  Now they are the ones "protecting" property rights and freedoms from the "attack" by "environmentalists" and "big government."

    The report doesn't really come up with any solutions.  (We're still waiting, George!) But it seems to imply that enviros should cast about for another frame since the "protector" one has been taken over.

    I strongly disagree.  I think the "protector" is one of the strongest archetypes (never mind "frame.")

    It is so powerful because it is a way to be both strong and caring.  It's the way that men, in particular (Lakoff's Strict Father), can feel good about caring without seeming weak.  

    It's exactly what the Right uses in most of its campaigns:  We must go to war to protect the country we love.  We must change our laws (Patriot Act) to protect our homeland from terrorists.  We must ban gay marriage to "defend marriage."

    I don't think the environmental protector frame has failed.  It's just been outgunned lately, ignored in the media, distorted by rightwing.  

    If anything, it was underused in the past presidential campaign (as it also was tragically underused in the 2000 campaign).  

    It can be used simply and powerfully and co-opt what has been the rightwing's turf:

    • Protect America the Beautiful, the natural beauty that makes this great country so special.  PATRIOTIC.
    • Protect our traditional pastimes of hiking, camping, fishing, hunting.  FAMILY VALUES.
    • Protect God's creation and its treasures and pass it along to future generations. RELIGIOUSLY REVERENT, GOOD STEWARDSHIP.
    • Protect the health of ourselves and our children (and unborn children from mercury poisoning, for example.)  PRO-LIFE.

    So don't give up this "protector" frame.  Keep hammering with it -- and keep getting the facts out.  The facts are shocking and in our favor.

    There's also one other important frame to offer -- the bold visionary "can do," "man on the moon" kind of call for America to lead the way in new clean energy, forging energy independence, warding off global warming and powering another century of prosperity at home and abroad.  Right now, the Apollo Project and Tom Friedman's "geo-green" proposal are good examples. We can use more.

    The strong and caring protector, the bold and optimistic pioneer -- these are powerful American archetypes.  They are what we look for in our leaders, and especially our president.  That's why it's vital not to give up on electoral politics.  The last election was very close, notwithstanding the devastating disappointment many felt.  It was not a referendum on environmental issues, which barely registered in the debates.  (Even Bush claimed to be "a good steward of the land" -- in other words, an environmental protector.)  This is the kind of message we need our next candidates -- and ourselves -- to articulate front and center.
    On Enviros recruit Lakoff for reframing project, but concerns mount that he might abandon them posted 4 years, 7 months ago 9 Responses

  • Moral & spiritual common ground

    Joel, I was deeply inspired to read your eloquent pleas to engage culturally conservative people (including evangelical Christians like yourself) who care about a healthy environment and  the beauty of God's creation.  Your honesty and integrity come through loud and clear.  Even though I may disagree with you on some issues, and vote for different politicians, I agree we must - and can - find common ground.  
        As a lifelong Democrat, I have long thought that my candidates would fare better if they highlighted their environmental stances more emphatically - because the vast majority of Americans, Dems and Reps alike, agree with them.  As many of us know, Republican pollster Frank Luntz feared above all his party's vulnerability on environmental issues.  I still believe both Gore in 2000 and Kerry again in 2004 failed to take full advantage of this opportunity (whether or not it would have changed the outcome.)  But I would gladly forego any tactical advantage for the Democrats if this could become instead a truly bipartisan commitment - as I believe most rank-and-file voters wish - so that no longer would the fate of the our shared natural world hang in the balance each election cycle.
        I don't know the best way to bring this about.  But you are already articulating something that needs to happen, and maybe you can be part of making it happen.  
        One way is to try to influence the Republican Party.  I urge everyone who writes them off to check out Republicans for Environmental Protection at www.rep.org.  They are outspoken, committed, knowledgeable, wise and uncompromising on virtually all environmental issues I know.  You might want to get involved with them - and bring along others you know who might otherwise remain outcasts from what they see as a left-leaning, Democrat-voting movement.
        But I think there is also a great need for something that transcends political parties, and that is finding our common ground in protecting the environment as a moral and spiritual obligation.  I know that is what moves me - love and awe for the sacred as embodied in the beauty of the natural world we have been given, and responsibility for all beings who depend on it for health and life, including the generations to follow us.  
        I believe there may already be some evangelical Christian groups espousing respect and responsibility for the environment.  I hope you will become active in making sure that voice is heard - for surely you are not the only one.  This could become a truly great and lasting cause.
    (In fact, everyone, of every faith, can help their fellow believers to see this as a matter of religious conscience.)
        And, yes, as you suggest, mainstream environmental organizations should reach out to take part in this dialogue.  Maybe that should be a top priority - finding a forum in which this conversation can take place, perhaps a conference where participants could leave party affiliation and other issues at the door, agreeing to disagree, and forge a common bond to preserve our environment.  I hope you will be a part of this because your eloquence will make a difference.
    On Whither the environmental movement? II posted 5 years ago 14 Responses