Modern path of progress leaves scars on the earth
A new sign posted in front of some beautiful woods exclaiming a new grocery store "soon to be" prompted this e-mail. I submit a passage from Chief Seattle to remind us of our connection with earth:
"You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children — that the earth is our mother. This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself ..."
For those of us who know these words as truth, let us reject our own complaining and transmute our apathy into action. Earth needs our powerful and compassionate voices. May we do our part. Do our best, and live with renewed conviction, creating new awareness and doubt regarding our current definition of "progress."
Barbara Germain
Julian
Comments (2)
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Were these woods down in Julian? Just think of all the gas and money people will save by not having to drive up to Greensboro to do their grocery shopping.
Posted on September 2, 2007 10:46 AM
Oh, for Pete's sake. I didn't know there was anyone in the entire world who didn't know that this speech is a fraud. Apparently there is, both in Julian and at the world headquarters of the News & Record.
Personally, I prefer the timeless words of Chief Harristeeter, who said:
"Although we strive to be environmentally conscious, it is crucial to our consumers that we bring them a variety of foodstuffs at everyday low prices. This requires that we cut down trees. But since the US has as much forest as it did a century ago, tree-hugging hippies should try to avoid become hysterical."
Note: the above, like the speech included in the letter, did not come from an actual Native American chief.
Posted on September 3, 2007 1:18 AM