Greetings Earthlings. The rein of His Malignancy The Mad King 2.0 is upon us. Buckle up, rough road ahead but we need each other to guide the way. Remember the words of FDR to help show us the way, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". That said, we must defend the land and its inhabitants under this Administration, the oligarchs and anti-American freak shows like the New Apostolic Reformation, especially regarding our forests and all the critters. Dr. Dominick A. DellaSala, Chief Scientist for Wild Heritage, a project of Earth Island Institute returns to the show for a look into the past and the future. As always, we will also introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were Small and way more but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! The Assam Elephant Rampage.
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Rep. Andrew Clyde (Repugnican-GA) who some listeners may recall called the J6 Insurrection "a normal tourist visit" even though photos show him barricading doors at the Capitol during the violence. Owner of various gun shops, Clyde's extremism led to this: "..after an atypical spate of mass shootings in January [2023], several Republican lawmakers began wearing AR-15 lapel pins in the halls of Congress and in committee hearings, ostensibly to express their opposition to gun reform legislation. It was later revealed that Clyde, who has worn a similar pin for years, was responsible for distributing them." Also, Clyde is all in on denying His Malignancy's legal woes as so-called lawfare: "I've been fighting to DEFUND the Left’s lawfare against President Trump for nearly a year." he wrote on X last summer. Another dangerous fool lurking about the Peoples House.
Now, the moment we've all been dreading (except for comedy writers), The Return of His Malignancy The Mad King (bumper music please). We will spare you any notice of his cheesy inauguration and go straight to the prognostication and condemnation. You've no doubt heard or read about the evil clown car of His Malignancy's choices for his billionaires cabinet of curiosities. Here's Indivisible's link for the worst of the worst, though they left Zelden as EPA pick on the cutting room floor. Let's move on from there to some of the damage that evil clown car will do as it careens about. For starters The Mad King has said he will ditch windpower. However, he"..would not be able to control what is built on private land. He would have influence, but not absolute authority, over whether wind power can be produced on federal lands and waters. If the government has already issued leases for wind farms, then legally, companies must be issued permits if they choose to move forward with projects." reports the NY Times. Then there's electric vehicles. How about fossil fuels? "Starting on Day 1, I will approve new drilling, new pipelines, new refiners, new power plants, new reactors, and we will slash the red tape," His Malignancy said in September. Of course all the things he said he'd do on Day 1 wouldn't even fit into Year 1, it's just more of his unending bullshit. Plus, The Mad King is forever getting distracted by his so-called "Truth Social" blather, like when the "special counsel who investigated and charged Donald Trump over his attempts to subvert the 2020 election said in a final report released by the U.S. Justice Department.. [last] Tuesday" this guy could be busted. On the other hand, MAGA freak show queen MTG wants to make J6 a "national holiday"! We will continue covering the not-so-new Prez and his lackys assault plans on the planet next time. Let's move on to some good news.
Our Critter of the Week is one of d.o.'s faves. "American Red Squirrels are promiscuous, meaning both the males and the females have multiple partners. They have a fixed breeding season that lasts for 105 days, either once or twice each year. They may mate in early spring between March and May and then for a second time between August and early September. Males compete with other male squirrels for females who are ready to mate. The females mate for only one day in each breeding season, (one day??) with between 4 to 16 males. The gestation period lasts 33-35 days, and the female gives birth in her drey.. to a litter usually between two and five." And this, "Nests are most commonly constructed of grass in the branches of trees... or cavities in the trunks of spruce, poplar, and walnut trees. Each individual squirrel has several nests within its territory, and females with young move them between nests. Some behavior has been reported within human dwellings using insulation as nest material" like at d.o.'s house.
Just when we thought we might be Abinin' with Biden as his presidency came to a close (especially after his epic Farewell Address!) we find we are actually Backslidin' with Biden. The AP informs us: "The Biden administration... abruptly dropped its nascent plan to protect old-growth forests after getting pushback from Republicans and the timber industry...It brings a sudden end to a years-long process to craft a nationwide plan that would better protect old trees that are increasingly threatened by climate change. The effort had been supported by some conservationists as one of the most significant forest preservation efforts in decades." Say it ain't so, Joe. Our guest will have much to say about this giant step backward for humankind.
Hey Joe, did you forget "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!"? Common Dreams reminds us: "As catastrophic fires ravaged Southern California... U.S. government scientists confirmed that—as anticipated—2024 was the hottest year on record and the country endured 27 weather and climate disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion." You've probably seen the gruesome footage from LA where entire communities resemble bombed out war zones leaving behind a toxic soup of plastics and more. "With temperatures rising around the globe and the oceans unusually warm, scientists are warning that the world has entered a dangerous new era of chaotic floods, storms and fires made worse by human-caused climate change."the NY times reports. In another report it was revealed, "Despite continued rapid growth in solar and wind power, emissions levels stayed relatively flat last year because demand for electricity surged nationwide, which led to a spike in the amount of natural gas burned by power plants. The fact that emissions didn’t decline much means the United States is even further off-track from hitting President Biden’s goal of slashing greenhouse gases 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Scientists say all major economies would have to cut their emissions deeply this decade to keep global warming at relatively low levels."(Not much chance of that in the USA with incoming MAGA) OK, let's talk about capturing those emissions. Sadly, it's a topic far too many climate groups seem to avoid. Here in Massachusetts several groups(1) (2) (3) are trying to change that and protecting & preserving forests and municipal trees is a high priority.
On to "Their Brains Were Small and They Died" as we delve into modern day dinosaurs who would like to turn the clock back to the Gilded Age of Robber Baron corruption. "At least 100 conservative groups, many with alumni from the Trump administration, came together to craft the proposals for a vast restructuring of the federal government — from installing more political appointees at the Justice Department to reassigning government workers with law enforcement backgrounds to handle illegal immigration to dismantling the Department of Education" That and more was in the bilge water poured into Project 2025. "The plan proposes a dramatic expansion of presidential power and a plan to fire as many as 50,000 government workers to replace them with former President Donald Trump loyalists who will carry out a hard-right agenda without complaint, according to the Associated Press." With any luck they will suffer GREATLY while in the process of making their own asteroid. Hopefully we will not as well?
Our Doublespeak of the Week comes from the National Forest Service in regard to the Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project in the Green Mountain National Forest. NFS often justifies logging old trees with claims of “forest restoration,” “hazardous fuels reduction,” or “resilience” which is doublespeak for forest degradation, higher fire risk, and carbon loss. Where do we get these people??
And we have a good Quote of the Week to take us to our interview:
The largest logging projects I’ve ever seen are
targeting the last, best remaining old growth trees left in the
country....We have a rogue
agency in the Forest Service that is trying to benefit the logging
industry before reforms take place. The situation is rampant
as far as I can tell and it risks squandering a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to protect these incredible forests.”
- Chad Hanson, a forest ecologist and co-founder of the John Muir Project.
Now it's time for the Bus Stop Billboard:
Weekly on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The MA State House Stand Out is back in a new incarnation! This historic climate action lasted for 14 months and engaged hundreds of volunteers from across the climate movement. Volunteers are needed!The new version, lovingly referred to as Stand Out Two, happens at the Massachusetts State House between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This is a great way to participate in the climate movement with no risk
of arrest! Volunteers normally sign up for a 2 hour “shift." If you have questions about the Stand Out or would like to get a link to the sign-up sheet please contact organizers at fossilfuels.standout.ma@
January Weekdays MA Democratic Party Listening Tour will consist of virtual public forums held via Zoom. They’re excited to announce the dates and times of all nine of these forums HERE.
Saturday January 18, 12:15 to 3pm. Our Projects for 2025 - Envisioning the World We Want, Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, Greenfield, MA. Following the weekly Peace Vigil on the
Greenfield Common, 11am-noon, our January 18 program will bring
together local civil society groups, speakers, musicians and the public,
invited to share hopes and plans for the coming year. The program will include space to share information and meet with those
interested, and a simple lunch provided by participating groups. More HERE.
Saturday January 18, 2025 All Day. People's March in Washington, DC, and across the country. Tens of thousands of people will march to demand and defend our freedoms against fascism and the attacks on our communities. Go HERE.
Sunday January 19, 8pm. Join us for "Rapid Response for Our Freedoms", a powerful virtual event where we stand united to protect our rights, freedoms, rule of law, and democracy. RSVP today and don’t miss this critical opportunity to make a difference!
Thursday January 23, 2pm. A webinar discussion
about data centers and America's energy future: How to ensure AI and
cryptocurrency mining don't delay the transition to 100% renewable
energy. Electricity demand today
is growing faster than at any point since the 1990s, and energy use for
computing to power AI and cryptomining is projected to drive much of the
growth. Go HERE.
Saturday January 25, 9:30 pm. Western Massachusetts bands Rival Galaxies and the Frost Heaves & Hales are throwing a Post-Inauguration Hangover Party at The Rendezvous, 78 3rd St., Turners Falls, MA. The show has no cover and all donations will benefit the ACLU of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
Sunday January
26, 1-2:15pm. on
Zoom: From Supporter to Organizer: How to Take
Action with the Boycott Chevron Campaign As
Israel bombs Gaza,
Chevron's gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea keep their
genocide machine
running. Without Chevron's power supply, this devastation
couldn't continue. We
can follow in the footsteps of successful 1980s boycott wins
against corporations
that enabled South African apartheid. Jan. 31-Feb. 2 is the
#BoycottChevron:
Weekend of Action. From the US Campaign for Palestinian
Rights (USCPR).
Register here.
Sunday January 26, 7 - 9pm. Honoring Randy Kehler’s Activism and Impact. A virtual memorial. Many of us were not able to attend Randy’s memorial service on August 23rd in Greenfield MA. Therefore, on Sunday, January 26 from 7 - 9pm ET, we’ll provide an opportunity for people nationwide to honor and reflect on Randy’s activism as inspiration to continue the fight for a more just and peaceful world, notably one week after Donald Trump’s inauguration. We’ll hear from family members and people who worked with Randy, from his draft resistance, Traprock Peace Center and Nuclear Freeze days to more recent campaigns, including climate justice. Register HERE.
Monday January 27, 2:00 – 3:30 pm. MA Department of Energy Resources 's 2nd Town Hall will be held on Zoom. For those unable to attend, the Town Hall will be recorded and posted on DOER’s website. DOER Leadership will provide a brief
introduction to DOER, an overview of key initiatives for 2025, timelines
with opportunities for engagement throughout the year, and a brief
Q&A session. Please register at https://bit.ly/
Monday January 27, 6:30pm at Congregational Church, Greenfield
Common.
The event is the first in a series of talks on SUPPORTING BIRDS IN OUR
COMMUNITY. Dr. Martha Gach, challenges and explains how to choose
bird-friendly plants, including, ideas for cultivating a healthy habitat
using locally-adapted trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses that
provide food, shelter, and nesting material. Attendees will take home
specifics as well as general principles that can be applied to a variety
of spaces from patios to parks.
Monday, January 27, 7-8:30pm Climate Action Now Monthly Gathering via Zoom. Register here. Nurturing the web of life: Grounded climate actions we can take where we live! Featuring: Rose Chernoff. Rose is the Vegetable Manager for the Hampshire College Farm and will share their wisdom on creating climate friendly vegetable gardens in a time of chaos and change. Updates on new Climate Action Now Campaigns including: Creating networks of care and support embracing climate/justice activists, farmers and the community. The Miyawaki Forest Project. Wildlands Campaign to Preserve the Web of Lif
Tuesday January 28, 7pm. Methane Pipelines, Climate Change, & What Comes Next. We invite you to join us for a webinar later this month organized by the Stop Project Maple Coalition. Register Here. The webinar will feature Bill McKibben, author and the founder of Third Act, and Dr. Sandra Steingraber, author and biologist.
Wednesday January 29, Noon-1. Dam Busters 201! Free Webinar Series webinar by Professor Noah Snyder of Boston College about his research on dam removal across New England. The next webinar will take place on February 5, 2025 (back to our first Weds. of the month schedule) with a presentation about Stream Restoration by John Field. Typically first Wednesday of each month at noon, but some sessions will vary. Please see the schedule on our website. Starts Jan 29th, 2025! Via Zoom Go to DAM BUSTERS 201 INFO AND REGISTRATION
Sunday February 2, 7 pm. Following up on the enthusiasm at the December 11 Wildlands Campaign launch, we will continue building momentum at this next meeting. You’ll receive a Zoom registration soon. A recording of the December 11 meeting can be found HERE. If you haven’t already, sign up for the Climate Action Now Western Mass newsletter HERE, and the Regenerative Farming, Forests and Food System group (RF3) google group HERE, to stay in the loop on upcoming events, actions, and campaign information.
Tuesday, February 11, 7pm on zoom. Second Annual Conversation with MA Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer as she shares an update and discusses plans to ameliorate climate change in the Commonwealth. . This event will be hosted by Congregation Or Atid Climate Action Committee in partnership with Jewish Climate Action Network. The event is free and open to the public. Register HERE.
That's all folks, except for the reminder to Listen to Your Mother!
