Is it too far a stretch to suggest that when the bees are gone so are we? After all, they are responsible for the fertility of a large percentage of crop plants throughout the world. Or how about the ice caps? When they are gone we will under go two (at least) major social disruptions. First the oceans will rise about 20 feet, flooding untold acres of the most heavily populated lowlands around the world. Billions of people will be forced to relocate, putting ever more pressure on the remaining green belts on the planet. Secondly, and more importantly, without the ice caps reflecting 90% of the suns radiation from the area, the water will absorb 90% of the suns energy. Then the ocean temperatures will rise dramatically. Global warming will shift into second gear.

     Although congressmen and senators with large coal or oil constituents in their districts dispute the findings of the most respected scientists and researchers in the field (as if being a politician gives them some special insight), I believe those of us without a vested (financial) interest would agree global warming is a fact. Those whose profession, like firefighters for example, put them on the front line of it’s affects have seen the trend for decades. As the world’s oceans increase in temperature the weather patterns everywhere become more extreme. Formerly arid areas get drenched and some wetlands become deserts. Wind patterns undergo major shifts and weather related traumas are subject to showing up anywhere. The southern hemisphere, for example, is suddenly introduced to hurricanes and tornados, which they never experienced before. Areas used to the capricious behaviors of the weather see huge increases in frequency and intensity of weather related disasters.

     These facts are real. And yet, in this country, we still employ dozens of lawmakers who continue to deny this. They are paid extremely well by special interests to confuse the figures and keep the electorate ignorant or bewildered, and ineffective at forcing change. Greed, for lack of a better word, is not good for America, or anywhere else. It is not, as a wall street pariah has said, the force behind innovation, job growth or income redistribution. Greed is self destructive, counter productive,anti-competitive, anti-social and down right disgusting. I believe it is time to throw the pigs out of the trough. It is time for a gentler partnership with the planet. It is time for more civilized points of view to hold sway. Let the war mongers and arms makers, the industrial polluters and the giant monopolies either slide into or be legislated into oblivion. Their time has passed.

Robert Parmelee: Kudos to Al Gore for being the first citizen of the world. We owe him a debt of gratitude for recognizing a higher calling than running this country.