This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Repugnican West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice who "oversaw a substantial expansion of diverse businesses, including coal reserves, Christmas tree farms, cotton gins, turfgrass operations, golf courses, and land development projects. In 2008, Senator Justice orchestrated a multi-million dollar sale of Bluestone Industries, Inc. Senator Justice repurchased Bluestone in 2015, reopening its mines and generating over 200 new mining jobs." So, Ol' King Coal who recently said this about His Malignancy not sending a rep to the COP-30 climate talks: “We know that we’re going to have an energy meltdown in this country and we have got to have our fossil fuels today like crazy...If you knew you had to have your fossil fuels like crazy would it make sense to go to a climate change summit? Maybe not.” To which we say, maybe if you Repugs would stop undermining clean energy like crazy that wouldn't be a problem.
Not sure why we have yet to nominate ICE for our "Their Brains Were Small and They Died" segment but let's get to it. Here's a news excerpt that provides some of our reasoning for this nomination: "A man whose wife was arrested by federal immigration authorities on Thursday morning in Fitchburg, Massachusetts said Friday that his toddler daughter had been “traumatized” by the chaotic altercation during which he appeared to have a seizure and the agents threatened to take both parents away and turn the child over the state." And here's a video link to the actual incident BUT be warned, it's very disturbing. Also disturbing is the presence of a Fitchburg uniformed policeman apparently supporting ICE. It's said some of the so-called Proud Boys have been recruited by ICE which, like the dinosaurs of yore, once again reminds us the law of the jungle is still with us........until they finally die.
Our Doublespeak of the Week comes via WBUR quoting the doublespeak champ of all time. Sorry about rendering he whose name shall not be spoken : "We know that besides “Trump,” Trump’s favorite word is “beautiful,” as in the “beautiful wall” he didn’t build (and Mexico didn’t pay for) and the “beautiful health care bill” that he never presented to Congress. Now he wants to beautify Gaza and has posted an AI-generated video of what this war-torn territory will look like after he’s turned it into the [beautiful] Riviera of the Middle East — a glittery escape for the elite, illuminated by golden Trump statues and balloons, and, of course, a Trump Gaza hotel." We're guessing His Malignancy refers to nuclear bomb explosions as beautiful but how about we advise congress HERE not to allow him to renew atomic testing, OK?
Since we're on the subject how about we take note of Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking at COP30 and referring to His Malignancy as an “invasive species”😏. We couldn't agree more and hope steps are taken to rid these United States of this plague. One of those steps may be in the Epstein files. Recently The Atlantic published a commentary on The Mad King (#NoKings) that should be required reading in all public schools and universities. The entire piece, written by Judge J. Michael Luttig could be summed up in this short segment: "For anyone who doubts that Trump is contemplating a monarchical reign, consider how very far down that road he already is. Since returning to office, he has sought absolute power, unchecked by the other branches of government, the 50 states, or the free press." Yet, it is best consumed whole as preparation for the struggle ahead. Read and note in closing this: "We have been given the high charge of our forebears to “keep” the republic they founded a quarter of a millennium ago. If we do not keep it now, we will surely lose it."
Luttig never even got to His Malignancy's crimes against Nature. Maybe he doesn't know "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!"? We have, in our files, more than enough to fill many blog posts. That said, we want to point out some of the worst, like this Emergency Alert from Environment America on the b.s. "Fix Our Forests" Act in the U.S. Senate. His Malignancy wants to clearcut our National Forests so his corporate billionaire trolls can divide the spoils. Of course we say #NoLoggingOnPublicLand . Here's another, the "UNtaxed Act" Tipping Point notes: "Every year, carbon pollution drives record-breaking heat, deadly wildfires, devastating floods, and storms that destroy homes and livelihoods. Now, Congress is considering a bill that would make it even harder to fight back—not just in the U.S. but globally. The so-called “UNtaxed Act” (H.R. 5888) would stop the United Nations and its member countries from exploring global carbon taxes." Meanwhile, His Malignancy et al want to expand deep sea mining far from our own shores. In a press release, acting U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, director Matt Giacona said the minerals could help U.S. manufacturing and defense." As they help themselves to it. AND, as previously noted, the U.S. Administration has zero presence at COP30 regardless of that group's sorry history, it's all we have in the way of international governmental approach to the climate emergency. Yes, there's way more but let's have some good news, OK?
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we repeat spot on Daily Hampshire Gazette's coverage of the excellent Signs of Fascism standout on the Coolidge Bridge in Northampton, MA this past Veterans Day. The Veterans Action Team of Indivisible Northampton-Swing Left Western Mass utilized classic Burma Shave signage, spacing about twenty feet between signs making them easier to read from passing traffic. Messages like "Falsely Charging Political Opponents - (that's fascism)" and "Scapegoating Minorities & Immigrants - (that's fascism)" make up some of the many messages in Signs of Fascism actions. Kudos to all involved on a freezing, windy Vets Day action up on the bridge. Also, glad to report New England's last coal plant has powered down. What, no "clean coal"??
Our Critter of the Week is appropriate for this time of year, it's the Wild Turkey and they surely have flourished since their reintroduction to New England and beyond. "Once nearly wiped out and absent from more than half the United States, wild turkeys have made an astonishing recovery – from just 200,000 birds in the 1930s to more than 7 million today. Once extinct in 18 states, they now roam in 49 states, including many areas where they hadn’t been seen in over 100 years. It’s not just a comeback – it’s one of the most successful wildlife recovery stories in U.S. conservation history." Audubon points out: "While they might not look like the fastest birds, Wild Turkeys are surprisingly confident fliers, capable of hitting 60 miles per hour. They are also more agile than they appear." Which is a good thing since Thanksgiving is upon us and given the tanking of the economy some folks are thinking DIY.
Our Quote of the Week comes from this week's guest:
Simply put, this historical moment calls for lifestyle change at the individual level and structural change at the societal level. We need this dual focus, for to call only for a reduction of our personal carbon footprints is to lay responsibility for causing and solving the problem at the feet of individuals and thereby let our economic system and powerful players like the fossil fuel industry off the hook.
- Christopher Ives
After the conversation it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard;
Weekly. Here's what appears to be 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 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. We also invite you to our general meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7-8:30, online. 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). Send Citizens Bank a clear message: financing private prison and immigration detention facility operators is bad for business. Register HERE. 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
Monday November 17, 4-5:30. MA Elders Climate Action is inviting Dr Richard Birdsey back so we can delve into the many questions we didn't get to discuss when he presented to us in our October 14th chapter meeting on The Potential of Forests in Massachusetts to Address Climate Change. Here is a link to that October 14th chapter meeting if you missed it or would like to review his slides to see for which ones you would like a more detailed explanation. Register here to get the Zoom link for the 11/17 deep dialogue.
Tuesday November 18, 2pm. Webinar: What is COP? Why is it important? How is 350.org involved? The annual UN Climate Summit (COP30) will be held November 10 - 21 in Brazil. 350, alongside hundreds of other activist organizations, will be in attendance to advocate for critical climate legislation. Go HERE.
Tuesday November 18, 7pm. Local Energy Advocates will host State Representative Joan Meschino for a presentation and conversation about the Mark/Meschino climate bank bill. Join at this Zoom link. Climate Bank Coalition, is supporting An Act to Create a Climate Bank in Massachusetts S.786/H3937. Here is why we are excited about it. If enacted, this bill would create a quasi-public bank that uses a public/private partnership model to finance and accelerate clean energy projects.
Thursday November 20, 7 - 8pm. The North Woods for Potential for Wolf Restoration in New England with George Wuerthner on Zoom. Wuerthner will provide background on the Endangered Species Act as it relates to wolf restoration, how wolves have shaped ecosystems like Yellowstone and how wolf restoration in Oregon and California has progressed. He will also discuss wolves in New England and opportunities for wolf restoration in the region. This presentation is co-sponsored by RESTORE: The North Woods. Go HERE.
Saturday November 22, 11:30am–1pm. The Public Value of Pepperell's Forest and Shade Trees. The Lawrence Library, 15 Main Street, Pepperell, MA or Live-streamed via Zoom: register here to watch online. William Moomaw is Professor Emeritus, Tufts University, the founding director of Tufts Institute of the Environment and Climate Initiative, and the co-founder of the Global Development and Environment Institute. Of course, it’s not just about Pepperell trees; it’s about the trees in your neighborhood, and every neighborhood.
Until next time please remember to listen to your Mother.
