Greetings Earthlings. As the title says, we are still looking into all those rock formations out there, this time with Peter Waksman who blogs at https://rockpiles.blogspot.com/. Meanwhile, in the news we continue to look into those who seem to have rocks in their heads like our Fool-on-the-Hill and "Those Whose Brains Were Small and They Died" and more, but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! Big tusker on the rampage in India.
The week's Fool-on-the-Hill is "U.S. Rep. Max Miller... telling Ohio constituents concerned about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities that “ICE does not conduct patrols, raids, or sweeps looking for illegal aliens, but strictly conducts targeted enforcement actions” focused on “those who pose the greatest threat to public safety.” (O, like dragging kids from their schoolrooms??) Does this Ohio fool watch the news?? He went on that “targets are often those who were arrested on local criminal charges or have a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws.” However, a Washington Post analysis of ICE data through mid-October found that more than 60% of people detained in at-large arrests since June did not have criminal convictions or pending charges. Never mind rando bystanders getting beaten, apprehended or shot dead. Here is an Indivisible Action link on ICE. And HERE is a list of Dem congressional fools who voted to fund ICE last week. Now it goes to the Senate in the wake of yet another ICE murder. Alex Pretti, Presenta'. BTW, did you know Verizon is supporting ICE ??
Many in today's FBI, under the alleged leadership of weirdo Kash Patel, as well as the U.S. Dept. of Justice, now a unconstitutional prosecutorial wing of the White House, are behaving like giant reptiles of the Mesozoic Era. "There Brains Were small and They Died" by the way. Where to start?? The Presidential pardons for all the J6 Insurrectionists? The FBI refusal to investigate the murder of Renee Nicole Good and instead investigate her widow and non-violent protesters? How about this: "A report published... by the watchdog group Public Citizen shows that the Trump administration in the president’s second term has so far canceled or halted 159 enforcement actions—from federal investigations to lawsuits—against 166 corporations accused of illegal conduct."? (That bit of corruption is just the tip of the ice berg). Like dinosaurs rampaging across the landscape, this lot acts for all the world like the monsters they truly are. Take heart, someday soon they'll all be history.
Our Doublespeak of the Week goes to she who must daily try turning reality upside down, His Malignancy's Press Secretary and slave to disinformation, Karoline Leavitt who said: "America is back, and the whole world knows it. @POTUS is undoubtedly the leader of the free world. He's also the businessman, and negotiator-in-chief.." Umm.....do we really have to vet that one?? Does the term "pariah" come to mind? At Davos this "leader of the free world" spoke about himself (surprise!) "Usually they say, 'he's a horrible dictator-type person.' But sometimes you need a dictator." Actually.......no, we don't. Even some Generals agree.
Once again we must turn from The Mad King's (#NoKings) war on reality and the U.S.A. to his War on Nature. His Malignancy pimping for Big Oil & Gas while simultaneously trying to vanquish clean energy is only part of this ugly destructive picture. His executive agencies are also working to undermine their own decades old mandates. The EPA is "attempting to eliminate its own power to govern pollution. The agency is soon expected to release its final proposal to repeal the landmark “endangerment finding,” an Obama-era rule that gave it the authority to regulate the greenhouse gases that warm the earth; at the same time, it will also repeal its rule limiting automotive carbon emissions. The agency also confirmed..that it will no longer quantify the human health benefits of regulating industrial pollution, a change that could justify far more lenient oversight of toxic emissions from things like smokestacks and power plants." How twisted is that??
That and more and "It's STILL the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" with an ‘Unprecedented Run of Global Heat’ according to Inside Climate News. And, Ocean heat in 2025 was also at record levels. And as World Meteorological Secretary General Celeste Saulo explained, “High land and ocean temperatures helped fuel extreme weather – heatwaves, heavy rainfall and intense tropical cyclones.” The link between all that and its cause tells many of us that Big Oil & Gas should pay for it, yes?
ENOUGH! It's time for our Critter of the Week and some good old news from David Foster: "Wolves are becoming well established across mainland Denmark, are reproducing, and are expected to increase substantially. Through ongoing immigration from Germany and native breeding since 2019, the population now stands around 78 animals, comprising at least eight breeding pairs, six packs, 23–28 wandering individuals, and 35 pups born in the country in 2024. What makes this phenomenon so astonishing is how ill suited this countryside appears for wolves. That is, unsuited by conventional thinking, the kind that suggests that moose could not adapt to southern New England; that bears would not situate around the cities of western Massachusetts; or that coyotes, beavers, and fishers would not saturate these same landscapes. As I explored the dynamics of wolves in Denmark, I reflected on the ongoing return of native wildlife to the much more heavily forested landscape of New England and asked—Why not here?" Glad you asked, David. One reason is the cowboy mentality from days of old. We've talked about that on the show for years, just recently Glen spoke of Aldo Leopold's "Sand County Almanac" and the author's epiphany regarding this keystone species.
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we repeat New England Public Media's report about a regional response to MAGA's takeover of the CDC: "...the CDC is unfortunately no longer a reliable source of information on anything that is related to public health,” Snyder said. “It’s unbelievable that we have to say that and that that's reality. But they have lost all credibility because of the decisions they’re making.” That’s why Snyder and other providers have launched a new website – ValleyVax.org – which they say focuses on science-based vaccine information, in contrast to what’s now on the CDC website." Duly noted!
And that brings us to our Quote of the Week:
The cowman who cleans his range of wolves does not realize that he is taking over the wolf’s job of trimming the herd to fit the range. He has not learned to think like a mountain. Hence we have dustbowls, and rivers washing the future into the sea.
- Aldo Leopold.
After Glen's talk with our guest it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Weekly. Here's Indivisible Northampton — Swing Left Western Mass's complete daily listing of all the pro-democracy events in WMass: https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html. If you're looking for an easy weekday way to jump into the climate movement, you'll love the State House Stand Out! We gather at the Massachusetts State House between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers stand together for 2-hour "shifts," either outside or inside depending on weather, and talk with visitors and State House staff about the Climate Crisis. And This: Western Mass General Strike is hosting drop-in sessions on Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Hadley Public Library for conversation and networking around general strikes and other forms of economic resistance. If you would like to get involved in organizing prior to that, contact us at wmgeneralstrike@proton.me. And This: Every Wednesday, 11am-1pm | Bearing Witness to ICE, Burlington, MA. Stand in solidarity outside the ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations Office. Together, we can show love and support for immigrants, express our shame at ICE, and bear witness to the cruel and unconstitutional actions of our government. Info/Sign Up. Fridays , 11:30 AM – 1 PM thru Nov 21: Stop Citizens Bank From Financing Private ICE Prison Standouts. At Public sidewalks on King Street in Northampton, in front of Stop and Shop Plaza (Citizens Bank has a branch inside Stop and Shop). Register HERE. ALSO Williamsburg, 11:30 to 12:30 Fridays 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Overpasses for Democracy Coordinated Visibility Standout, Wisdom Way Overpass on I-91, Greenfield. Join us for a coordinated event where Indivisible chapters across Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut stage a massive bridge overpass banner event. Register here on Mobilize.us. ALSO: De-ICE Hanscom is excited to announce weekly afternoon standouts will take place every Friday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at the Hanscom Rotary. The Hanscom Rotary is at the intersection of Hanscom Dr. and Old Bedford Rd. in Lincoln, MA. Please park along Old Bedford Road or Hanscom Drive without impeding traffic or blocking bike lanes. Folks can sign up for De-ICE Hanscom's contact list at this link. Every Monday, 11:30am. -12:30pm. Join us each Monday at the VA Medical Center to show your support for our veterans and federal workers. All the cars honking will brighten your day, too! Bring flags, signs, and friends! VA Medical Ctr, 421 N Main St, Route 9, Leeds, MA. Park in the VA Visitor lot or, if you have a sticker or are a Veteran, park in Look Park. Register here. Saturdays: Noon to 2pm. Weekly Standout at Pride for Migrant Workers, Sidewalk in front of Pride gas station, intersection of Routes 9 and Bay Road in Hadley, 25 Russell St. Hadley, MA 01035. & 2 to 4pm Peaceful Protest, Granby, MA Town Green, U.S. 202 & Connecticut 20, Granby. Go HERE. AND: No Fear Street Theater stands out on Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA every Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm. with signs, costumes, and flags to show support for our immigrant neighbors. Sign Up HERE
Monday February 2, 1 & 6pm. Hybrid public comment hearings by Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) on Site Suitability and Cumulative Impact. "No one seems to have been notified. This is what we care about most so we should attend the hearings and comment. These are for the "large" clean energy facilities." To comment during the meeting: send an email by Feb 6 at noon to SitingBoard.Filing@mass.gov with the subject line “EFSB 25 10-A SPEAKER SIGN UP,” or leave a voice mail at (617) 305-3544. Please provide your name and email address by noon, February 2, 2026. In person attendance at One South Station, Boston, MA 02110 3rd floor, Large Hearing Room. Deadline: Written comments on 980 CMR 15.00 are due no later than Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. All documents must be submitted to the Siting Board by e-mail attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and sitingboard.filing@mass.gov. The text of the email must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (EFSB 25-10-A); (2) the name of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document. The electronic filing should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing. Documents submitted in electronic format will be posted on the Siting Board’s webpage.
Tuesday February 2, 7 pm. "Just in time for Tu B'Shevat—learn about Massachusetts’ efforts to impact climate change. Join us for an update on Massachusetts Climate Action progress and future plans with Massachusetts Climate Chief, Melissa Hoffer. " [Reality check? ] Go HERE.
Wednesday, February 4, 6 pm - 8 pm: LUCE Bystander Training, Fundraiser, and Performance: First Congregational Church in Amherst, MA. Led by organizers from the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network, this evening will be part bystander training, and part LUCE Hotline fundraiser. It will feature traditional Latin American dance performances by Grupo Folklorico Tradiciones and community singing with Show Up Sing Out!
February 5th from 5:30 - 6:30pm. “Make Your State House Fight For You: A Climate and Transparency Webinar.” We’ll debrief the recent developments in energy legislation and outline how our fight for transparency and accountability is essential to climate progress in MA. If your head has been spinning with the news on energy legislation and the risks to our state’s climate goals in recent months, I’ve got good news for you: Act on Mass is hosting a webinar with our friends at the Sierra Club and 350 Mass to discuss the ins and outs of recent legislative shenanigans on energy! Go HERE.
Thursday February 5, 8 – 9pm. Join our call, Eyes on Ice: Document and Record. We will cover the latest updates on ICE and CBP's out-of-control and dangerous operations. We will talk through rights when documenting and recording law enforcement encounters, and how you can continue to take action. Indivisible is managing registration, data, and communications with participants for this event, and will be sharing data collected via this form with our NO KINGS event co-hosts and partner organizations. Go HERE.
Friday February 6, Noon to 1:30pm. Webinar: AI, Data Centers & Environmental Justice. Join the Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and Mass Power Forward for a webinar. We will present and have a Q&A for the first hour, followed by open discussion from 1-1:30pm. History is repeating itself as data centers fueled by dirty energy and clean water are sited in overburdened and under-resourced sacrificial zones, and as AI companies build their models on extractive and unaccountable knowledge harvesting. Come learn information and perspective. Go HERE.
Saturday February 7, Noon-6:30 pm. America’s wild public lands and endangered species are more at risk than ever under this cruel Trump administration. Fighting for these natural resources that belong to all of us will take all of us. Join us in Organizing to Protect and Defend America’s Public Lands! The Sierra Club’s Wildlands and Wilderness Grassroots Network Team is holding a Wilderness Renewal zoom on Saturday, February 7, from 9 am – 3:30 pm PT/noon-6:30 p.m. ET. Some of you have joined our gatherings in the past, and we hope to see you and many new activists and chapter volunteers on this day of learning and activism. Go HERE.
Saturday February 28, 2:30pm. Heading for Extinction Talk (Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA): This is an Emergency. Scientists say we have entered a period of abrupt climate and ecological breakdown. We have very little time to avoid societal collapse. In our Heading for Extinction Talk, members of XR will share the science, explore how governments and corporations are lying to us, and invite you to join the movement and help turn the tide. Humanity needs you! The talk will begin at 2:30 pm and lasts approximately 1 hour. It's interactive! There will be time for questions and discussion.
February 5 – March 26, 2026. How Trees & Forests Shape Our Climate, an eight-week, science-based course that explores how intact forests regulate climate through water cycles, biodiversity, and living ecosystem processes, while challenging the persistent myths driving unnecessary forest destruction. Entry fee. Go HERE.
Thursday February 5, Noon. "Tree Committees & Urban Forestry – Making Collaboration Work". Tree committees are a common platform for volunteers and professionals to share expertise and guidance on local urban forest management. Join Connecticut’s Urban Forestry Coordinator, Dr. Danica Doroski, as she draws from research and practice to inform these important collaborations. To attend live on 2/05/26 @ Noon (Eastern) and receive an ISA/0.5 MCA CEU at no cost, click here or visit www.joinwebinar.com & enter 719-727-803 (Space will be limited – all attendees should be prepared to join the live broadcast promptly)
Saturday February 7, 2 to 4pm. In Person Indivisigather! Come together with like-minded others to learn more about IN-SLWM - what we've been up to , what our plans are for this crucial upcoming year, and how YOU can get (even more?) involved! We'll have yummy refreshments, time to schmooze, time to take action and maybe even some swag and games! And, help grow the resistance by bringing a friend - or two! Go HERE.
Monday February 9, 7pm. Growing Climate Resilience: The Charles River Regional Tree Planting & Protection Plan Virtual via Zoom. Join our webinar to learn about CRWA's 2025 Regional Tree Planting & Protection Plan for the Charles River watershed, highlighting the recommendations for communities to protect, maintain, and grow our tree canopy.
Tuesday February 17, All Day. National Day of Direct Action. FLARE and Citizens’ Impeachment are teaming up for a national day of action. Where Your representative’s office. “On February 17th, 2026, we will hold organized meetings with congressional offices in their home districts. This is an opportunity to show directly to their face that their constituents demand better. We will not be satisfied with empty promises. We want leaders who will honor their oath and do their job: Defending the Constitution by impeaching Donald Trump.” Website: citizensimpeachment.com
Sunday February 22, 2pm: In Conversation with Chuck Collins about his new book: Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives and Planet (published Oct 2025) & implications for the fight to stop the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere. Interview by Diane Proctor, Concord-Carlisle League of Women Voters. At Concord Public Library, in person & remote. Collins will discuss his book and how its focus intersects with the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom. More details and RSVP form to come soon!
Tuesday February 24, 8:30 - 11 am. Join us at the James Michael Curley House for a morning of gratitude and celebration! Enjoy light refreshments as we honor our dedicated Emerald Necklace volunteers and recognize our Volunteer Award recipients. Go HERE.
Wednesday March 4, 7pm: SPJE Webinar with Dr. William Moomaw on how trees are critical to biodiversity and carbon sequestration & implications for the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom and its 20 acres of threatened trees. More details and RSVP form to come soon!
Saturday March 28, All Day. No Kings Day 3 History is on our side. On June 14, 2025, five million people rose up to say “No Kings.” On October 18, 2025, seven million more made it unmistakable: America does not do dictators. On March 28, we rise again — stronger, broader, and more united than ever. Every No Kings event is rooted in nonviolent action. We de-escalate conflict, act lawfully, and never bring weapons. When People Power United says “fight,” we mean fierce advocacy — never violence. Our work is grounded in peaceful protest, free speech, voting, and collective action to defend our rights, freedoms, and democracy. Go HERE.
That's all folks......except remember to listen to your Mother!
