The Olympics, the Klamath, and much more...

As I've been away for the last month, I always find it difficult to report on the many stories that continuously unfold each and everyday. Here's a shot at touching on a few points from the last month, bringing us into March 2010...

The Olympics reduced their ecofootprint, but what about their social footprint?

And did they really reduce their ecofootprint at all? Apparently several sources say they did(http://www.carbonfund.org/site/newsletter/entries/Winter_Olympics_Reduces_Its_Environmental_Impact/ ), but what I'm more concerned with is how the houseless community was treated in the run up to the games. Please read this and decide for yourself: http://secondgenerationradical.blogmatrix.com/:entry:secondgenerationradical-2010-02-12-0000/
...greenwashing alive and well...

If this article is true, and I pray it is, the removal of the Klamath dams represent one of the greatest recent victories I can think of for the promotion of peace, justice and sustainability.

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14432469?source=rss

With the removal of the dams we have a chance to see the health of this mighty river return, as well as the hopeful return of the health of the vastly impacted salmon. The peace fostered to Native American communities represents actual justice to their communities, who have been deeply effected by the loss of their traditional way of life through the loss of salmon and the loss of this spiritual river.

Sustainability, overall, takes a step forward with a move to bring justice to Native people, ecological health to the river and its non-human species, and the hope for a multi-lateral policy decision to make peace with the many diverse sides over this highly contested land-use conflict. If the Klamath and all its many ingredients can finally feel justice, then there's hope for the many difficult roads ahead!

President Obama, again states that he plans to greatly reduce the amount of nuclear weapons held by the US. GREAT! But why then does the US follow this statement with saying they will not commit to declaring the US would never be the first to strike in an exchange of war with a nuclear bomb?!? Does that commitment then make any sense at all?

http://article.wn.com/view/2010/03/01/Obama_is_rethinking_US_nuclear_policy/?section=TopStoriesWorldwide&template=worldnews%2Findex.txt



While Chile rebuilds from their massive earthquake, think about donating financially if you can, or doing whatever you can, in anyway to send prayers, or do anything to help these people in some way,

http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10339 , but let us also not forget the continued strife of Haiti as well,

https://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?siteId=220&itemId=40883&adId=43159&placementId=118873&origin=

And what happened to the Clean Water Act? Now because of a Supreme Court Ruling thousands of polluters say the law doesn't apply to them anymore?!? Although like NEPA, in that the law itself is inherently flawed but offers necessary protection and policy under the largely flawed US environmental system, now it seems a large step has been taken in the wrong direction.

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/03/01/companies-skirt-clean-water-act/

And this month's TIME magazine asks whether the war on the Taliban will be triumphant or not. I beg each any ever person to read the amazing book Three Cups of Tea and answer that one for yourself.

For the happiness, well-being and freedom of all...