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Monday, September 22, 2008

Environmental Republicans? (Sadly no.)

What I'm Reading: On the Ipod, it's The Hollow by Nora Roberts (book 2 of her most recent series -- I'm totally addicted.) For pure fun, it's Driven by Eve Kenin. For consideration for next summer's community book for my fav high school, it's Never Surrender by Jerry Boykin. And finally, for book club, it's Splendid by Julia Quinn.

What I'm Working On: Tonight, I wrote 500 words of a long scene. I don't know if I'll finish it, but I'm going to go back and work on it some more. At least I'm writing. I guess that extra catch-up rest yesterday was good for me. Woo Hoo!

A co-worker friend of mine is voting McCain. I don’t get it, but okay. He lives in a neighborhood none of my other friends can afford. He’s a former pro athlete with a gazillion dollars. Maybe that explains it. Probably not. (But unlike my neighborhood where almost every yard sign says OBAMA, in his neighborhood, almost every sign is for the other guy.)

The thing that upset me (as if voting for McCain isn’t upsetting enough) was a comment he made to his middle school daughter, who happens to be the new president of the Environmental Club at her school. He said, “How about calling it the Conservation Club instead? Republicans are really not environmentalists, but it’s okay to be interested in conservation. It’s just that environmentalist in the name will make people wonder, you know……” blah, blah, blah

I hope his daughter is strong willed. I hope she doesn’t seek his approval on this issue and take his insane idea back to her club.

I’m ashamed he won’t let her form her own idea and pursue her own agenda. However, I am proud of her for being involved and for taking a stand and making a difference.

I can’t imagine not caring about the environment. I can’t imagine not wanting your kids to better stewards of it than we’ve been. I just can’t imagine.

But recycling isn’t cheap or convenient sometimes. Giving up the gas-guzzling Hummer has to be easier now, but for some people the increase in the cost of gas isn’t that big a deal. Those same people don’t need affordable healthcare or help paying a mortgage because they lost a job.

But me? I’d like to see blue sky and trees when I’m a hundred and I’d like to live that long in a healthy environment.

So I say, go little girl! Go! (And when you have your mock school election, vote Obama.)

M

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay, so he's your co-worker, which means he works in education (???) Hmmmm. . .

(I have met a couple of people who are environmentalists but who also vote Republican, or have in the past, which has always struck me as odd. But it's possible . . . and Teddy Roosevelt was progressive, environmentally-friendly and a Republican-- of course, he sort of precipitated a conservative faction taking over the Republican party for two decades.)

Anyway, I hope your coworker's daughter finds the strength to follow her own heart and instincts and callings. (Okay, okay, I confess. I also secretly hope she becomes a vegetarian, hugs lots of trees, sends Wildlife Defense type letters and petitions to Palin, opposes drilling offshore and in Anwar, and drives her daddy bananas, but I have a mischievous streak-- evil grin.)