Two True Heroes

The key conspirators who plotted against Hitler.

Yesterday was a day of double inspiration. First, I saw the new movie Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise. This movie is about the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt on Adolph Hitler's life. In the movie, Cruise plays the role of the key conspirator, Col. Claus Von Stauffenberg. I have read articles and watched documentaries on this plot before, and it has always inspired me.

A few observations:

• There were military officers and politicians committed to removing Hitler, but they did not seem to have the wherewithal or courage to do the job.
• Staffenberg learned that if you want something done in life, you have to do it yourself, and that's exactly what he did.

What Stauffenberg and his colleagues did was incredibly brave. They likely knew their plan was a big gamble, and they knew for certain that failure would mean certain death. Sure enough, the key conspirators were executed that very night, and many others were killed in the following months.

Stauffenberg sacrificed his life on a long-shot coup against Hitler. If anything, it showed the world that not every German agreed with Hitler, and maybe that alone was a good enough reason to die.

It reminds me today of the journalists and activists who stand up against Muslim extremists, Russian mobsters, corporate plunderers, and other destructive forces, even if it means giving up one's own life. There are people like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King who bravely stood up against an entrenched system and put themselves and families at great personal risk. These individuals are the greatest of the great.

We only have one life to live and maybe sometimes it is best to give up our existence to oppose an incredible injustice, so that others may have a better life. Stauffenberg, it appears, simply wanted to stop the killing, dying, and mass destruction of Europe. Had things gone just a little differently with his bomb plot, he might have succeeded. May Stuaffenberg always be remembered, and may we never forget his courage and example.

The Sea Shepherds

Then, last night I watched a documentary on the Sea Shepherds, a wonderful organization that works to protect

whales. One of their noble causes is to disrupt and harrass a Japanese whaling fleet, which goes to the South Antarctic each year to slaughter hundreds of whales. The Sea Shepherds actually follow the fleet in a ship and use a variety of tactics to disrupt the Japanese murder expedition.

I greatly applaud the group's leader, Capt. Paul Watson. A former director of the Sierra Club, I've exchanged emails with him before, and I've met members of his organization. He is very direct and consistent with his message, and he does not compromise. I really admire the guy.

In a world where there is little courage and conviction, both of these men set a great example for all of us. If nothing is done, nothing happens. If no risks are taken, nothing is accomplished.

Maria, You Will Bounce Back!

On July 7 my long-time friend and fellow activist Maria Wilson suffered a serious stroke. She has been in ICU for over a month now and is still not able to see many visitors. At this point she is very sick, but I remain hopeful that the old Maria will be back soon.

Over the past 10 years we've worked together on many environmental efforts and campaigns through our local Sierra Club Group. Maria has a special calling to care for the Earth, and for that I have the deepest respect and admiration for her. We have tabled together, demonstrated together, worked in political campaigns, and have fought for the same worthy ideals.

When I think of her, there are so many memories that come to mind. Maria, when you get better I'd like to share with you just a few of the ways you touched my life. Here are some things that immediately come to mind:

1) When you presented me with that beautiful plaque after my term ended as Sierra Club Group Chair. I still have that plaque and it's one of the things that truly mean a lot to me.

2) When you saw me bringing refreshments to all the Sierra Club meetings and you took the initiative to organize and coordinate the refreshments each month. I was so thankful to have the help.

3) When you attended a couple of the population workshops I organized. Just having you there was a great show of support and it meant a lot to me.

4) When we demonstrated against Saxby Chambliss and you were talking to the cops, no doubt saving us from getting arrested.

5) When I organized the first Earth Day tablings in 1998 I was at one of the tabling sites and was afraid that no volunteers would show up to staff our booth, but then you and Roger showed up — I was so glad to see you, and so grateful.

I have a special respect and love for anyone who volunteers and "gives back" to this world. But I have the deepest respect for those who help the environment and future generations. Chances are you may never see a return on your investment of time because the rewards are far into the future, yet you keep giving and giving, and serving and serving. This is remarkable.

Thank you very much for inspiring me. Thank you for reminding me that humans are for the most part wonderful, and that it is the most dedicated ones among us who will be the ones that will ultimately save the community of life.

You will be reading this soon, Maria. I know you will.

Todd

Brother Canary Brian Speaketh

Gulp

We interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcasting to hear from a guest Canary tonight. This is from Brother Brian, whom I met on the local Daniel Quinn discussion list (Atlanta Leavers). Of course I'm going to reprint this—Brother Brian says nice things about me. Would anyone else do that? Would W do that? Would my mom do that? Nope.


Okay, take it from here...


Your website is impressive, both interesting and enlightening, clear, concise and funny. I like it. Most importantly, your writing style is non-confrontational. You are able to portray your opinions as self evident facts, that you are amazed many people haven't considered or accepted. I like your quick guide to agree to reducing our footprint, it hits the big items that people can act on. This website will increase awareness of pressing environmental problems. Do you have much traffic on it? [Nope, just fellow bloggers and other Canaries, mostly] How long has it been up? [It keeps evolving as I keep growing in my walk - my first website went up exactly 8 years ago] Why did you choose the metaphor of yellow canary? [My last website on sustainability was too cut-and-dry. I decided I needed a metaphor. In April 2003 at a training class, an instructor said that we environmentalists are like yellow canaries — like the canaries that miners used to take down the mine shaft. We warn others of impending danger.]

This site probably works best for people that already see the dire global situation, to educate and inspire into action. [Correct - my outreach is for those young canaries just hatching out of the egg, and just waking up to what's REALLY going on in this world.] What do you think we can do for the vast majority who are brainwashed by culture and religion into denying a problem? [Most of what we are fighting is ignorance and denial. Open-mindedness is the antidote to the Hard Right mantra. Education is the poison to the 500-year-old establishment that is designed to benefit the privileged few.] Why don't most people think overpopulation and environmental destruction is a problem? [Because of a shocking and profound belief that technology or God will deliver us from all problems. But more realistically, I think it's a shocking laziness. People are just too lazy to care, they don't want to care, they forgot how to care. Instead, they immerse themselves in reality TV and sports, and just try to deny it all. People may feel the problem is too big for them. But in the area where I live, I think the biggest problem is that all that's going on in the world is a challenge to their religious beliefs. Both sides agree that we are in the final days, but one side thinks that God is going to do a rescue mission and the other side (those damn humanists) think it's up to us to save ourselves. There is a big moral divide here, man.]

Quinn shed light on this question, and it resonated deeply with me. That's why I haven't strayed too far from his ideas since I read Ishmael in 1998. It comes down to core beliefs that all "takers" share:

1) The world was made for man to tame and use.
2) Man is the pinnacle of creation, separate and superior to all other creation.
3) Our system of agriculture and civilization is the way humans were meant to live.
4) The earth is full of suffering and should be transcended, whether it is towards heaven or reincarnation to a higher being or nirvana.

I agree with Quinn that if these memes were dropped, then we would all stand a chance at survival, for humans and all other life forms. I think focusing on dispelling these cultural myths would be the most effective way to "save the earth", to encourage a cultural shift, and new Renaissance if you will. How can we do this? [I'm guessing that people won't wake up until their world is really falling apart and they are FORCED to deal with uncomfortable things, like the fallacy of their religion, culture, and way of life. It is no coincidence that the bloom of the Renaissance came on the heels of the Dark Ages. For all practical purposes, we are living in the Dark Ages now. Maybe not for the privileged few, but for most of humanity, for wildlife, and the environment, the current age we live in is a living hell. And it's going to get worse before it gets better.]


This is the point I'm at in my life. I've been sidetracked by sustainable solutions, reduce/reuse/recycle, environmental activism, etc. They help, but only appeal to those who care. While more and more people care, the number isn't increasing fast enough, and their resolve to make a change isn't deep enough. These bandages don't attack the core problem- how we view our place in the world. Any conversation in this area would be greatly appreciated, because I'm at a dead end. [I am optimistic because the things you mention, like recycling, are the first step in changing core values. Recycling is a great introductory function that brings people to a greater awareness. Remember that concepts like "little ol' me can impact the entire world, either good or bad" are entirely new to people. Folks are too busy singing in the choir or getting drunk at Hooters to really think about their role in the cosmos.]

Again, Brother Canary Brian -- thanks for sharing, and for caring.

The Yellow Canary

Okay, Some Positive Things

How Do I Feel Today?

I feel like the Space Shuttle Columbia as it re-entered the atmosphere in 2003. I feel that what little I have is falling apart — much to the joy of the neocons, who are probably at a bar right now raising their mugs of draft beer, proposing toasts, and proclaiming, "We really nailed that little Canary."

Okay, man, think of something POSITIVE

Well, the picture below is something positive. This is sister canary Patty, one of the greatest environmentalists in the state of Georgia. Like me, she got into this because she got tired of seeing all the tree loss in her county. She got involved and did great things in Forsyth County, and then she turned to full time environmentalism by working for a conservation organization, and then more recently, for a much larger, statewide organization.




My hope and dream is that more individuals like Sister Patty will wake up around the world and say, "ENOUGH," and really start giving their all to protect the natural world. It seems like many of us, including myself, would like to do so much more, but Mother Life keeps kicking us in the face and keeps us down.

But really, Patty is making a difference in my state. Since meeting her a few years ago, she has really gained in perspective and understanding of the greater issues. Her increased insight is probably due to the fact that she is an avid reader — that is so important. This country I live in is so utterly uneducated and uninformed.

So, today, I thank you Patty for helping to keep me going.

A few individuals CAN make a difference

If someone came up to me and said, "Well, Canary, what accomplishment are you most proud of this year?" I would have to smile and say, "I helped promote the statewide smoking ban."

The smoking ban was passed by the Georgia legislature this year and went into effect July 1. I'm telling you, it is now so wonderful to go into a restaurant. The air is so cleaner, and I can now more greatly enjoy the aroma of the foods. And the food tastes better, everything is better!I mean, come on, while nearly all restaurants put smokers in a separate area, the smoke was still everywhere in the building.



I really didn't do a lot to promote the new law, but I like to think that I helped make a difference. I went to a political forum and raised the issue, I sent an action alert, I left a message for my state representative. I also encouraged the Georgia Sierra Club lobbyists to take on this issue, and even though it was already on their list, I think my interest likely encouraged them. Even though the final version of the bill was watered down, it passed and was signed by the governor. So, I'm not saying that I singlehandedly made a difference, but I do think I played a small part in a really positive collective effort.

At this point, I would like to give a "shout out" to Brother Canary Gordon, who is president of GASP (Georgians Against Smoking Pollution). He is the one who really did the hard work in getting the smoking ban passed. He is a great hero of the movement and someone I deeply respect.

A quick diatribe

Now, as for smokers, I have one thing to say. Every time I see a tobacco addict stuffing a lit paper stick into his or her mouth, I'm thinking, "Wow, this is the greatest corporate coup of our time." Even with all the lawsuits and settlements, a whole industry is getting rich by addicting people to a drug, poisoning them, and then murdering one third of them. Now, that is free market capitalism at its finest. I'm so damn proud to be an American!

Yellow Canary
"The Troubled Bird"

In Memory of My Friend

Dedicated to Jim G. Hudson, who passed away
Jan. 28, 2005.

IN MEMORY...

Today I planted a tree in honor and in memory of Jim Hudson, my friend, high school classmate, and neighbor. Jim, age 44, was a loving and dedicated father and husband. He loved playing his guitar, spending time with his sons, and serving as a Scoutmaster.

The tree is a Pin Oak, which turns a beautiful red color in the fall. One thing unique about the Oak is that its upper branches reach up, it's mid branches are horizontal, and the lower ones arc down.

Last night his wife Del dedicated a star in his honor as well. She chose the star that flashed the brightest, and as we looked up into the winter night sky we could see Jim up there, looking down on us and smiling.

Yellow Canaries Are Everywhere

Let's put him on the mantel. No, let's
set him over the toilet. Yeah, that's a
good idea. Yeah, that Canary was
a tortured soul. Poor guy.

The Good News...

Is that there are actually thousands of Yellow Canaries around the world, just like me. These are people who care about the future and do great things to make the world better. They are writers, poets, politicians, ministers, corporate leaders, and lowly grunts like me. All of us have one thing in common — we care. We worry about what the world will be like in seven generations or in 100 years. We really don't WANT to see humans destroy both themselves and their home Planet. But with our nukes, sloppy land use policies, and indifference toward the Natural World, we seem determined to kill ourselves.

I can always spot a Canary out in a crowd. Always when I meet them, I find we have similar views about life. Whether they are trying to help kids out in the inner city or building solar windmills, I immediately respect and admire them. I have the deepest respect for humans that try to make my world better.

The Canaries who've been at this for a long time usually "see the light" and become concerned about SUSTAINABILITY. Simply defined, sustainability is living in such a way that we leave the world in as good or better shape for the next generation. That's all there is to it, and that's all I ask. There are hundreds of indigenous societies that have lived this way for thousands of years, but they are small. Western Capitalism, on the other hand, is a huge locust that consumes everything in its path. Armed with an accommodating religion, Western Capitalism consumes, rapes, and destroys. In return for our allegiance to this Whore, we get a house, color TV, and a can of beans.

But some people are questioning the Mother Culture that we worship. They are saying, "Wow, if we melt the polar caps then the poor island nations won't have a place to live." But Mother Culture says, "Buy that Hummer because God has blessed you and whip out those credit cards because it's Christmastime."

Interestingly, Canaries are more concentrated in some areas more than others. The Scandinavian nations, for example, are modern societies that appear truly committed to sustainability. They are leading the way for the rest of us. Even in some parts of the United States, there are concentrations of Canaries, such as in New England and the Pacific states. But in the so-called Bible Belt states, Canaries are an extreme rarity.

If you think I'm suggesting a correlation between fundamentalist Christianity and a disregard for sustainability, well, sadly, I am. My biggest goal in life is to get the conservative faith community to embrace sustainability. That is it. Sadly, my particular denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, was making small steps toward this goal before being seized by extremists in the mid 1990s. Most of the moderates have been purged from my denomination, and these were the men and women who provided hope.

Who the hell are these Christian extremists? I tend to think that they are people who are scared. At the very least they are scared of change, and at worse they are terrified of seeing their traditional religious paradigm crumbling.

Okay, well, I'm rambling. There's nothing worse than a rambling canary. So, I will end my post with an excerpt from a great Scandinavian Canary. It is from Gro Harlem Brundtland, MD. Dr. Brundtland is the past prime minister of Norway and recently completed a term as secretary general of the World Health Organization. When I first read one of her essays, I just started crying. I had never read anything more powerful.

From Gro Harlem Brundtland, one of the world's greatest Canaries:

Although modern transportation and communication systems are bringing the world closer together, the economic and social gaps between us are still widening. Our knowledge may have taken man to the moon, but our mismanagement and over-exploitation of the world's natural resources have brought life on Earth closer to extinction.

For the first time in history, human activities are having a severe, possibly irreversible, impact on nature and the living conditions of all the species on our Planet. Global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, lack of clean water, extensive loss of species and biological diversity, acceleration of deforestation, and desertification are all signs of the global crisis now approaching.

And that, my friends, is the crux of my problem. And whether you choose to accept it or not, it is your problem too.

Today I Have Hope

Well, I could just spend my life in front of my computer. Or I could just read books. But it's much better to go out and enjoy social interaction once in a while.

While still feeling glum about the slaughter of the Russian children by terrorists, I did make the 29 mile drive to attend Green Sunday at my favorite church — Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. Wow, imagine a racially and ethnically diverse church that welcomes gays, is sensitive to current world issues, and even cares about the environment. I went to attend their Green Sunday program and for 90 minutes I was in heaven. For once I didn't have the usual cognitive dissonance eating away my stomach. This is the church where I belong; too bad it's so far away.

The message on environmentalism was beautiful and touching. The part that stayed on my mind the most today is where the speaker said that compared to most of the world's religions, Christianity does not have much of an environmental ethic. Apparently traditional Christians see themselves at an airport. They are waiting to catch the flight to the next life, and are quite willing to let the maintenance personnel take care of the airport. Off they go, to fly to their gold streets and mansion, and as for Mother Earth, it is just temporal. One theory the speaker suggested is that early Christians were trying to differentiate themselves from the more nature-based pagan religions.

Oakhurst is the model for the Church of the 21st century. Rather than confining people to self-destructive, discriminatory, and illogical interpretations, the Decatur church acknowledges our changing world and is GROWING with it. And this gives me hope. Two bad there only two other Baptist churches like Oakhurst that I know of in Georgia. They are dots in a giant sea of business-as-usual religion.

Flashback:

When I was helping to launch a new church in 1993, we spent a few Sundays visiting other startup churches. One church we visited was Eagle Pointe Church in west Cobb Country, GA. This was one of those "seeker" churches designed to attract affluent yuppies from the zillions of new housing projects in the area. It was held in a school auditorium and everyone was just sitting there in their shorts sipping coffee. The pastor got up and gave a scathing, hateful, 35 minute tirade against gays. I think all of us were just kind of shocked. Wow, what a headline: "Yuppie Church of Love Shows Hatred." I wasn't sure what to do or how to react. If I had it to do over again, I would have walked out, or better yet, I would have tried to stop it.

Hate is Not A Family Value