Politics - Earth vs. War

I know this is going to sound very extreme, and I respect everyone's veiws and whatnot but...........

I CANNOT FATHOM HOW THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S #1 CONCERN!! My mom and I got into a huge arguement, and she actually said that fighting the war in Iraq is more important that preserving the Earth! I am throughly disgusted by our country's lack of interest in environmental relations, but our urgent support of war. It scares me that people with similar views to that of my mother are actually running the country and making decisions. Her point of view is "With terrorism existing Earth is going to have to wait her turn"...............WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!! Besides that, she tried making me sound stupid for, god forbid, being against war. I then called her an Earth Raper.
Lindsay

 

People are short sighted, we in our culture focus on short term gains, even when they are at the expense of our long term goals. It's a major cultural flaw that I believe comes down to our individualistic attitudes. No one's looking out for the 7th generation to follow them (as some Native Americans would) but are just looking out for themselves and MAYBE their children.

And so much pollution and destruction is subsidized by the government. Like ethanol additives to gasoline, actually uses much more fossil fuels to make than it ends up replacing. But the government (that is, your taxes) cover that cost via ethanol subsidies so everyone thinks it's a good idea. That's just one small example, among many.

Now, it's understandable that we'd want to fight terrorism because that's a very real, in your face threat to life and limb, unlike a vague concept like "global warming" or some pollution in a distant place. It's hard for people to feel truly threatened by environmental damage until it straight up threatens THEM.

 

Yeah and she probably won't ever see your side of it. I go through the same thing with my mom since she vited for Bush because she thinks he's 'basically a good man'. Damn I don't get anywhere with her, trust me. The important thing for you is not to let yourself feel belittled because she is your mom. Respect her yeah, but disregard her if she refuses to listen to your well articulated points

 

The government doesn't make any money off of protecting the environment...in all reality, it LOSES money.

Not only that, there is very little public pressure. We all like to live our comfortable lives the way we want to live them...most people (not me) want to continue their way of life. They don't like change. Hybrid cars, meh, who wants to deal with those? I'll just take a good ole SUV...

The environmental dangers we are embarking upon are not "in your face" most of the time we can see the pollution in the air or in our water sources. We can physically SEE terrorists.

It's pretty simple to see why our government isn't worried about the environment. I don't agree with it. But without public pressure and people demanding change. Nothing is ever going to happen.

 

I then called her an Earth Raper.

 

How deep have you looked into what your goverment is doing for the environment.. ?.

I guess it can't always be of No.1 [i doubt there is a list of prioritiies to be fair-each take precedent in some corner of the goverment] concern when the here and now have to take that spot.. episodes like rebuilding new orleans .. yes the 'war' in iraq and many other issues.


I don't think the medias No.1 concern The Iraq war .. should deflect from the ongoing environmental efforts.. of wich there are many.. shucks i guess i sound like a white house spokesperson.. but it is true imho...

I guess my goverment has the same accusations thrown at it.. people forget G8 and the other myriad of actions being done that does not include 'war'.

Also being apposed to the war .. should not be a bias in thinking NOTHING IS BEING DONE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT..oops i have know idea why i shouted that ????


http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1094235519969

see 'war' is a 'other issue'

 

How does the goverment lose money ?

 

I guess I meant people within our government. If the government funds alternative energy research, those people within our government (many of which are involved in the oil industry) will lose money.

And the government CAN lose money if they are giving cash incentives to companies to cut down on their emissions.

 

Oh i see Cheney/Haliburton etc etc .. even if he has no real connection anymore...Many are involved in the oil industry i agree .. imho it should really be looked at as the energy industry.. most if not all energy providers will eventualy have to move over to other forms of energy.. So really it does not matter if it is oil or wind.. The energy companys and those with vested interests within it.. will still reap profits anyway.
So you could argue that if they are looking to the future, they will invest in the alternatives.. and make legislative moves to make this more profitable...even though imho the worlds 'troubles' make effecting oil prices darn near impossible.

This is a very cynical attitude you have here anyway.

And this is a bad thing ?.

 

Lil pudd'n, I could understand quoting my 'Respect her yeah' to contrast her Earth Raper comment...perhaps you quoted the wrong part on accident. Of course you did and that would explain the

 

No accident.. i was trying to say that is not a very articulate point.. the .. was just to say i was being sarcastic.. and don't take offence.

You are right though ... i guess that is the nicer way to look at it.

 

I'm an environmental studies major in my senior year at a University. I've done intensive studies on many aspects of the environment. What I say isn't cynical, it's just reality.

It's a bad thing because we could be using those funds elsewhere, like schools. Instead, the government, in order for many companies to reduce emissions, will give money as an incentive to reduce them. In all reality, the public should be putting pressure on these companies to be more environmentally friendly, but like I said before, we like our comfortable lives...we want it to continue this way, regardless of consequences.

 

Your thoughts on the environment i never thought were cynical.. just the money train you seem to think some elected officials have.. and there moves to increase their personal wealth... I appreciate it goes on .. maybe not on the kind of level you maybe talking about though...
Thats what i thought was cynical... i never meant to be patronising.

Yeah thats a fair point.. i guess you have to put pressure on the public first though ?.

 

Well, the public won't care until they can SEE what's happening. When you get green water coming out of your faucet or everyone is getting black lung disease from breathing in the air. That's when the public will be in an uproar...

 

Would that really happen..?. I understand the point you are making.. but would it get that far..?.
Companys even if you only allow the possibility it is to further their profit margine.. do things with out pressure or incentives..its simply good business practice..

 

aha
what a global society we are living in right now... terrorism was created to justify war, we caused the terrorism or rather those in power did with their imperialist greed, war is money and the biggest earner of them all... so what can be more profitable for those with the power than to go to war over oil... and what could be there excuse for all this war??? hmmm... maybe the terrorism to which they personally created.... and most people are too stupid to fathom it out or even believe when people put the evidence in front of them... we need to bring this shit to an end, but is it possible? and if it is then I guess we all need to do something and at-least place our support where required in as many directions as possible... if you can change one persons opinions and knowledge for the better then you have done something, collectively that can count for a lot... ermm.. yeah I guess that means I agree with you whole heartedly...

 

Yup, I know it would. See, when did the American public go up in arms about terrorism? When it was brought right here on American soil on 9-11 and we SAW it for ourselves. I think that pretty much goes with everything. We don't care until it's right up in our face and we can't deny it any longer.

 

I think thats a little unfair broadly speaking.. but the sentiment i guess i can agree with..

 

In all cases or just in America? Because TECHNICALLY the US didn't go to war until after the 9-11 attacks. And even then we were attacking Afghanistan, not Iraq. I'm not sure what you're saying here.

It's not stupidity, it's called denial.