Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Reinventing Repower America......
And while he truly tried to sound reassuring and give hope for some sort of action from this Congress before the window closes, I am sorry but I was not fully convinced. I could sense the calm disappointment in his voice with a tinge of sadness, and it is a justified disappointment and sadness I share with him, along with my anger ( more on that later on here.)

I remember watching film of him in the Senate when he first arrived when he brought Roger Revelle up to Capitol Hill to explain to them the future consequences we face in a world where CO2 emissions climbed exponentially without abatement. His excitement and the urgency which he hoped would transfer to the other members of the Senate to look at this was quick to be dispersed, even at a time when environmentalism was a strong movement with the EPA just a baby and legislation on clean air and water passing. However, the implication that humans could so adversely affect the atmosphere and in turn the very ecosystems that sustain us was just too foreign a concept for them to comprehend at that time, and it wasn't an issue they could relate to their constituents in a way that would gain them support. It was all about politics then just as it is all about politics still, save for one difference: the environmental movement.

That is why I have linked to the story above because the author Mr. Brant claims that Repower America must reinvent itself. However, he has only scratched the surface. When I was but a young girl of 13 in 1972 there was a movement afoot. And it was a social movement full of passionate people, real people, working class people, down to earth people, and it also included Senators like Gaylord Nelson who birthed the first Earth Day and spoke true about how intrinsic the connection was between the environment and peace, social stability, and the economy. We saw the birth of the EPA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and other strides both politically and socially. And how did this come about? What made that any different than now? The movement and the equality and cohesiveness of it. So when I read this article wherein the author offers up some valid ideas I couldn't help but also notice he seemed to whether intentionally or not be giving much of the blame for the failure of the Senate bill to Al Gore, and stating that it was Repower America that must reinvent itself.

Of course, Congress failed so just blame Al Gore. Everything is his fault. (and yes, that was sarcasm. ;-).) I was in on that call as well, and it isn't just Repower America that needs to change its approach it is environmental groups in general. This bill failed in a big way because there is no real climate movement in America. They are all fragmented and too political in their outreach. Environmental groups on the whole are nothing now but political lobbyists like oil lobbyists, wheeling and dealing and compromising when they should be out here defending our planet. This should be a social justice movement but you would never know it from the lackluster response across the board.

In the seventies people of all backgrounds were also allowed to speak. It wasn't just those who were "celebrities" or people with money who were listened to. What makes Cheryl Crow's opinion (or any celebrity) anymore important than mine? Because she can play the guitar? I have been out here dedicated to this for forty years. In the final analysis it is ALL OF US, even the precious "celebrities" who use this for a photo op like anything else who need to share the blame. Unless you are willing to be relentless on this with all your heart and soul risking even your freedom to defend this cause, it will fail. So I asked the author, are you willing to do that?

And in asking that question that too goes back to the social movements of the past that were effective because they full of heart and soul. They were loud. They were out in the streets. They were relentless. They were empassioned. Now environmental organizations on the whole are too much like politicians and I think that has hurt  the cause. In order to renew the promises we have made to our children we must first renew our focus and ask ourselves, why are we in this? For fame? For notoriety? To make a name for ourselves? Why can't all environmental groups join together equally in the common cause of saving the sustainability of this beautiful planet for future generations? How can we expect people to understand us if we don't really know the answers to those questions?

So yes, while I can agree that the focus and approach of Repower America needs to change, they are not alone. This also isn't just about a bill, this is about a social environmental justice movement that defines who we are as humans! The question is, are we in these organizations truly willing to now sacrifice what we must to see a viable social movement take form in time to avert a true global catastrophe? A movement where righteous indignation is welcome and justified? A movement where facts never give sway to lies and propaganda and always meets them point for point? A movement where passion and principle precedes politics? Look to the voices of the past for the answer. They are calling on the wind. Looking back all of those years to when I was a young girl, also remembering a young man whose dedication to this planet spurred him to political office and a life of advocacy for our environment I can't help but be affected by those voices, and we need to listen to them now.