When I worked with Earth First! in the mid 80's, I told everyone that even if we were successful in getting all unspoiled land protected as National Park Wilderness, if the exploiters ran out of resources or land, they would ignore the laws, or change them to their liking, and take what they want regardless of any legal protections.  This is what's happening here and with the Endangered Species Act, the most important environmental law in the U.S.

The point is that without somehow getting people to feel deeply that the Earth (i.e., land, air, and water) is alive, and that all life is part of the same interconnected whole, we can never have meaningful protections against ecological or environmental degradation or destruction.  I realize that Dave thinks I'm a hopeless idealist who doesn't recognize reality, but I instead recognize the reality that real change can only come with a significant change in people's attitudes toward life in our universe and on our planet.

It's human nature- a left-over from our animal beginnings. Ever watch young boys play? Do they build things, nurture nature, watch in awe as life unfolds? Not usually. They break off a big stick and beat something with it, until it's destroyed. And this is encouraged- 'boys will be boys', their mothers say, and fathers chuckle. "Hit it again, boy, it's not dead yet". This is the macho attitude, and the Republicans have adopted it as their motto- Democrats and Liberals are 'girlie men', remember? Enviro's and Progressives are 'commies', and most of my neighbors think we should be strung from the highest tree (before they hack it down and burn it on the spot).

I don't see the enlightenment of mankind coming any time soon to my neighborhood- most of them haven't given up that boyhood urge to destroy something, and many of them think that's what makes them the masters of the world- "it's my right to destroy it- why? Because I can- and you can't stop me."

But I must agree that the enlightenment is our only hope of saving our planet. I'm still working on just how to force love and respect of nature down their gaping consumer holes.

a liberal in redsville