This is my second post today.  In all honestly, I took a pain pill last night and laid across the bed, thinking I’d get back up and post this morning’s DD.  I post them last thing at night for the next day.  Well, I didn’t get back up until 6:15 this morning.  My BAD!  Since it was too early for me to write about Earth Day, I decided I would come back.  So, here I am!  LOL

Since my “hippie” days, I have been an extremely active proponent of the environment.  I’m proud that I played a role in bringing about the environmental changes that came about as a result of my generation’s protests.  It takes many a voice to bring on change.  So, though mine was just a tiny ‘squeek from the corner’, it was part of the larger voice which finally brought about government regulation for the environment.

Back in 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin announced his idea for a nationwide teach-in day on the environment in a speech to a fledgling conservation group in Seattle on 20 September 1969, and then again six days later in Atlantic City to a meeting of the United Auto Workers. Senator Nelson hoped that a grassroots outcry about environmental issues might prove to Washington, D.C. just how distressed Americans were in every constituency. With students across the nation already willingly and actively protesting their concerns for the war, racial equality, society as a whole and the environment, the movement took on a life it’s own.

Out of the movement came the popular icon:

Which soon adorned a flag:

The first Earth Day was celebrated April 22, 1970.  To me, it seems as though it has taken the 40 years since to convince folks that this is a serious matter.  Back in the ’60’s, it was a joke to say, “Save water; shower with a friend”.  But, it was representative of the fact that this generation of idealists were keen to what was happening to the planet.  So, here we are 40 years later and look at the mess we have.  What was it?  Were the powers-that-be afraid the “hippies” were right?  It makes me mad!  I protested the war; it finally ended.  I protested women’s rights.  Look where we are today.  I protested discrimination at every level, race, religion, sex, etc.  Look at the leaps and bounds these issues have made.

Don’t get me wrong.  I am not taking credit for any of this.  But, if no body got out there and protested, if no body wrote letters to congresspersons, if we all just rolled over and said the hell with it, where we would be now?  Somebody has to do it and I was young and naiive and an idealist of the highest degree.  Each and every one of us ‘squeeks from the corner’ made a powerful voice, though, when done in unison.

Greed, at some level, is the most powerful cause of environmental damage.  The cutting down of forests is for someone’s profit.  Why else would the ancient trees be a target of the bulldozer?  Somebody was in it for the profit.

Whales are hunted for their blubber, meat and numerous by-products.  They’ve been nearly hunted into extinction.  Greenpeace still wages sea warfare with the whaling ships.

I realize protesting isn’t a ‘hippie’ invention.

Those gentlemen lost their fight against the TVA’s plans to flood their valley for the new dam.  But, they tried!  We tried.  Apparently, I think, this country was ready for change.  With so many people protesting, voicing thier opinions, it was just a matter of time.  Things couldn’t stay the way they were.

Whatever the case, I am proud to say that I made a difference.  We do every time we vote, too, you know?  LOL

So, by now, you’ve given thought, perhaps celebrated, even, this Earth Day 2010.  If I could have one more wish, it would be that each and every person act like it is Earth Day everyday!

I made this in honor of the day.  It isn’t the greatest, but, if you like it, click on the image to enlarge, then, right click and save.  It’s a total freebie.  Use any way you like.

 

That’s a gonna be a wrap for me, tonight.  Here is today’s “Feathered Friends” DD from Magickal Scraps:

First thing this morning, my granddaughter, Jaela, came and got in bed with me.  I turned my TV on cartoons for her.  “Blue’s Clues” was on and the episode was all about recycling.  They played a game to show which bin each of the recyclables went in to.  Plastic bottles went into the plastics, carton into paper, etc.  Jaela was trying to play along, but, she didn’t get the concept of the ‘material’ of each of the recyclables.  She’s only 3.  So, I showed her a few things I recycle, which I do everything the city will pick up.  We are able to place all the goods into one bin and the city sorts it.  But, I thought it was great that she was interested and eager to learn.  She is our future.  Her generation will have to take what is left and try to make it right, or, at least, good enough to survive.  I don’t envy the children.  We’ve handed them our problems.  But, thank the gods and goddesses, we’ve come a long way.  Maybe they’ll have something left after all.

This year, to celebrate, I prayed for the future for our children.  Then, I made a vow that I will do everything I can to teach the grandchildren how to reduce, recycle, reuse, and to tread lightly on our dear mother – earth.

Thank you for your interest.

Hugs,

Su