Blog Archive

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Urban Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings. Time to talk about Mother Earth, the urban dweller. She’s stressed, she’s pressed-in, she’s not happy! Jonathan Bates, board member of Nuestras Raices, joins us to discuss that Holyoke organization’s work to protect the urban environment and create sustainable models for city living. As always, we’ll be checking out the latest from The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, the Quote of the Week, and naturally, the latest in dastardly deeds from The Empire, but first it’s time for....Revenge of the Critters! A listener suggestion: Parrot won’t talk! (at least not to the cops!)



In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber: This just in from The Montague Reporter - The state investigation into the remarks made by Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission director Robert Welch has officially concluded. You may recall from our last show, Welch was the guy who said "Tree-hugging Indians" were holding up progress on the proposed Turners Falls airport expansion. Welch has resigned, as of June 4th, according to Klark Jessen, director of communications for the Executive Office of Transportation. Soooo, will TF Airport Commissioner, Mark Fairbrother, who called Narragansetts trying to protect a sacred site, “rock-hugging Indians” follow Welch into the dustbin of history? We hope so! That would be FAIR…..brother! AND this from Grist: The Hulk talks up green buildings for low-income housing. AND FINALLY (and in keeping with the show’s theme) Our Enviro Show Blog Bonus, Grist Special Series on Smart(ish) Cities.



O no, it's that sound again! They’re back! Glen, when?? Yes, The Empire’s Big Oil operatives are still barricaded in the White House and, as always, up to no good. It looks like Henry Waxman is about to wax their collective ass however. He’s got Evidence that the White House influenced the EPA to deny a waiver California needed to regulate vehicle greenhouse-gas emissions. ALSO: the high priests of The Empire launch their latest offensive against the planet!



On our Enviro Show Quote of the Week we have this question from the year 1888:
“In this country the mass of the people are entire strangers to the sentiment of beauty; they deform whatever they touch. Will it always be so?”
–John Burroughs
(OK, it’s over a hundred years later, will it??)



We revisit “Toxic City”,by System of a Down on our way to the interview with Jonatan Bates. Then it's on to the....

Bus Stop Billboard:

Saturday, May 31; 8:45 to 1pm.; "Where on Earth are we going? What can we do about it?" A symposium to explore these questions and bring about an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet. Mass Audubon-Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, 127 Combs Rd., Easthampton. To register call (413)584-3009, ext.812. Also go to: www.awakeningthedreamer.org

Saturday June 7; 10 am. Brattleboro Downtown. Come for the Strollin’ of the Hefers! Help Awaken the rest of Vermont and the tri state area to the threat of Vermont Yankee! We are going to be handing out literature and atomic red hots for the kids! Let them know if you would like to participate in distribution! call 413-863-8952 or email cchang@nukebusters.org

Saturday, June 7, 10 to 11:30 a.m. REPTILE SURVIVAL! Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street., Amherst, MA. To register call (413) 256-6006 Denise Passias & Jay Whitney, Reptile Enthusiasts. It will be a hands-on presentation that will be fun for all ages! Featuring more than ten different species of reptiles brought to you from the Kiss-A-Lizard show by Jay and Denise. Member: $5 Non-member: $8

ALSO at Hitchcock: NATURE'S STORYTIME. Free Every Tuesday, 11 a.m.
Come listen while we read a story book from our collection of nature-based children's literature and follow up with a short nature walk or activity. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Saturday – June 14 – 7:30 pm. “Magpie” performs at the Echo Lake Coffee House, Town Hall, Leverett, MA. Terry and Greg are internationally known for their musical work in the environmental movement. For more info: www.magpiemusic.com Admission: $12/$10 seniors Call Diane for reservations: 413-548-9394/diacrowe@yahoo.com


June 18, 7:15pm. NUCLEAR POWER: AT WHAT COST? Bangs Community Center, Boltwood Walk, Amherst. Presented by CITIZEN AWARENESS NETWORK. This important program will offer information from experts regarding nuclear power and how it affects our society -
Merely 30 miles from Vermont Yankee, our local towns are subject to the effect of nuclear power in many ways, many of which are misunderstood and unclear. The Enviro Show is a co-sponsor.

Friday, June 2O & 21; 'Taking Charge of Our Energy Future' Summit UMass Amherst Campus Center. Help create a nework of thriving local communities - urban and rural - working together across race and class - building a way of life and an energy future that is sustainable and just. More than 30 workshops for municipal leaders, business owners, community leaders, environmental justice leaders, people wanting green job skills, teachers, parents, and students. Call 877-266-7543



That'll do it for this week. Next time: Pesky Mosquitoes, plus UMass scientist takes the sting out of fuel prices. Until then, remember to listen to your Mother!

Friday, May 09, 2008

The Threats to the Northern Forest Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings. It’s more gloom & doom, this time right here at the doorway to the Great North Woods. Dr. Lee Frelich, director of the Center for Hardwood Ecology at the University of Minnesota joins us to discuss things like the European Earthworm invasion…yes, you heard me right, it’s not some “B” sci-fi flick AND it’s coming to a forest near you! Speaking of invasions, we’ll check-in with Darth Cheney and the boy emperor to see what sort of dastardly deeds they’ve been up to. David Kroodsma joins us live in the studio this time to talk climate and we’ll do a perusal of the news in the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, but first (you gussed it!) it’s time for.....Revenge of the Critters! Screwed by worms!.



The Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes from none other than Rachel Carson. Tune in for those words of wisdom. Then: there’s that chilling sound again! Glen, how much longer will this torture go? LITERALLY!! OK, we knew Darth Cheney was a bad guy, right? We knew he probably kicks dogs and scares little kids, but now we find out he even hates whales!! ALSO, the Bush regime eats its’ own (for not putting the corporados first, of course): Top EPA fired for doing her job. Surprise!



In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber Destruction of mangrove forests in Burma left coastal areas exposed to cyclone. Finally, we echo the good work of the Native Forest Network in their struggle to prevent the Plum Creek corporados from turning Maine’s Great North woods into some sort of yuppie playground. Development….it’s a threat, who’d a thunk it?? AND our Enviro Show Blog Bonus: Losing The Forests For the Trees: Tree Monocultures and Biofuels; that from our friends at the Global Justice Ecology Project.



"Earthworms" by Andrea Bunch from “Numinous” takes us to our interview with Lee Frelich. So we talked about some of the threats to the Northern Forest coming from slimeballs like Plum Creek, let's see about those worms.




On to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Like we said last time: it's Mass Bike Week with events throughout the Valley. Checkout www.massbike.org for details.

Thursday, May 15, 7pm. “Nowtopia”. Food for Thought Books, North Pleasant St., Amherst. Talk with author, Chris Carlsson. Outlaw bicycling, urban permaculture, biofuels, free software, and even the Burning Man festival are windows into a scarcely visible social transformation that is redefining politics as we know it.

Thursday, May 15, 7:15pm. Valley Coalition to Prevent War on Iran meeting,at Seeley hall, Smith College.

Friday, May 16, Noon; Iraq Moratorium: Vigil/March, Noon - 1:00, Main and State Street, Northampton. ALSO: Vigil Noon - 1:00, Amherst Town Common, Pleasant and Main Streets.

Saturday, May 17, May 17, 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Birding by Ear
This is the best season and time of day to be immersed in the dawn chorus of bird songs. This is an experience in ear training that will expand how you see and hear the world. Bring binoculars and a field guide. We will be visiting sites at the Quabbin, along the bike trail, and at the Notch. Pre-registration is required and space is limited to 12 participants per trip. Meeting location provided upon registration.
Hitchcock Member: $10; Non-member: $15 Call (413) 256-6006

Sunday, May 18, 1pm The Rattlesnake gutter Trust’s 20 Year Celebration. Call 367-2842 for more info.


Monday, May 19 is the 332 anniversary of the massacre at Great Falls and a good time to meet Narragansett Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Doug Harris and documentary filmmaker Ted Timreck bringing Timreck's work-in-progress documentary about Native American sacred stone landscapes in Eastern North America, with a section specifically dealing with the stone ceremonial site at the Turners Falls Airport. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Great Hall of the Discovery Center, across the street from the town hall and the Shady Glen. At a meeting at the Turners Falls Airport on April 4th,
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission executive director Robert Welch
claimed "tree-hugging Indians" were holding up progress on the runway
project, and Turners Fall Municipal Airport Commissioner Mark
Fairbrother said they were "rock-hugging Indians." TO WHICH WE SAY: ROCK ON INDIANS!!


Monday, May 19; Last day to register for 20% discount to the 2008 Regional Sustainable Energy Summit at UMass, June 20 & 21st. Dozens of exciting workshops on cost saving energy ideas for homeowners, businesses, and communities, full-day green job training sessions, and networking opportunities for good time to community, business and campus leaders. Go to: www.cooppower.coop .

Wednesday, May 21st, 7-9pm. Solar Workshop for residents & Small Businesses. Town Room in the Amherst Town Hall. To register call: 586-7350, ext.25

Friday May 23- Monday May 26; Spring Maine EF! Rendezvous.
In the Great Maine North Woods near Moosehead Lake. Right now in northern Maine, the worlds largest land owner is trying to suck up the largest wilderness east of Mississippi and spit it out as condos and golf courses. In other words, its time to get our ERRR together, build our skills and grow our resistance, to this plan. Arrive Friday night and set up camp in time for an open-mic-less night. There will be a Night to Howl on Saturday evening. Bring musical instruments and your favorite circus tricks. Email: maineef (at) yahoo.com





"Forest" by System of a Down from "Toxic City" rocks us out (careful, this one has ragged edges!). Next time it's urban enviros and the struggle. Soooo, remember: Listen to yur' Mother!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Eco Fem Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings. On the eve of May Day & in the wake of Earth Day, and here where we never tire of reminding you to listen to your Mother, we’ll check-in with Alison Bailey and Chris Cuomo, authors of The Feminist Philosophy Reader.This is our last show starting at 6pm on WXOJ-lp. In two weeks we'll come on at 6:30pm following Free Speech Radio news, sooooo, make note! As usual, we catch-up on the dark exploits of the patriarchal Bush regime and checkout the Enviro Show Quote of the Week, but first it’s time for..... Revenge of the Critters! Lily the fish poisons jailer!



Then it's on to The Enviro Show Quote of the Week: “You know, what’s happening in Latin America, any aggression or provocation by President Bush improves the image and the acceptance of candidates to the presidency.” - Bolivian President Evo Morales. Looks like the Empire has lost South America to the Commies! Too bad they're soooo busy spreading their mess eastward that they've overlooked their southern flank. ;)



Then it’s time for that dreadful sound again! Glen, what’s the countdown? When will we no longer read Hundreds of scientists at EPA report political interference? Nick Kristoff’s NY Times column Our Favorite Planet takes a piece out of the boy emperor and his (ahem) climate plan. ALSO, we replay a piece in the New York Times in which Terry Tempest Williams takes on Big Oil right in Darth Cheney’s backyard!



Our Enviro Show Blog Bonus: ACT NOW to stop bear poaching!



Then “Cottonwood”by Andrea Bunch, from her “Numinous” album takes us to our interview with Alison Bailey and Chris Cuomo. Maybe we all can visualize a virtual maypole and get some serious pagan rites going in the studio!



Onto the Bus Stop Billboard!


Sunday, May 4, 2008, 2:00PM to 4:00PM. Clean Water Action’s 14th Annual
Party in the Springtime. Doyle Conservation Center, Leominster, MA, 464 Abbott Avenue (off Route 2). 413-584-9830.

Sunday, May 4: The Environmental Task Force of the Hampshire Interfaith Council will present the ninth update on Environmental Legislation in the Quaker Meeting House in Northampton (43 Center Street) at 7:00 pm. Legislators present will include State Representatives: Ellen Story Peter Kocot), and John Scibak, and State Senator Stan Rosenberg. This year's update will concentrate on Massachusetts's response to climate change, toxic chemicals, water and the Environmental Bond Bill.[and maybe Cape Wind??]

Sunday May 11 11:45 - 1:45; Women’s Congress for Peace presents the Annual
MOTHER’S DAY MARCH for PEACE & JUSTICE! Beginning at 11:30 meet at Bridge Street School, Route 9 Northampton. Noon: walk through dowtown Main Street with the your signs, banners, Song and puppets.1:00 Masonic Street speakout plus!

BIKE COMMUTE WEEK EVENTS:
Saturday 5/10 10 AM to Noon--Bike Rodeo at Jackson Street Elementary School
Saturday 5/10 Noon to 2 PM--Basic Bike Tune-up in Pulaski Park
Sunday 5/11 1PM to 2PM--Mother Earth Ride, Meets in Pulaski Park
Monday 5/12 7 PM (time?)--Film Screening, Forbes Library (A Sunday in Hell )
Wednesday 5/14 7AM to 10AM--Bike Breakfast, Courthouse Lawn
Wednesday 5/21 7PM--Ride of Silence (meeting place TBA)

Friday, May 16, Bike Commute Day in Amherst during Bike Commute Week
in the Pioneer Valley. Organized by MassHighway, in conjunction with the Town of Amherst and PVPC Call: 413-582-0554.

May 17 – 23; Mountain Justice Summer Camp. Harlan County, Kentucky
Our 2008 Mountain Justice Summer camp will be at the base of beautiful
Pine Mountain, with an old-growth forest and incredible hiking just
above the camp - plus live mountain music, great food, films, workshops
on coal mining and Appalachian culture, skills training, and plenty of
time for fun and relaxing.
http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org



That is all. End of story until May 13 at 6:30pm when we go all wormy on you with Dr. Lee Frelich. Until then remember: listen to your Mother! OK?

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Return of the Fuelish Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings. Well, once again David Blume author of "Alcohol Can Be A Gas!" bailed on us. We had hoped to talk about the troubled subject of gasohol/ethanol and perhaps have a look at other alternative fuels. Instead we talked with our friend David Kroodsma about the upcoming climate ride from New York to DC in September. Also we had a call-in from Molly at the Center for Biological Diversity about the troubling crash in the bat population. And, we dished out some more "chewy rhetoric" during our Darth Cheney and Enviro Show Echo Chamber segments, but first it was time for....... Revenge of the Critters! Bunny attack!



On the Enviro Show Echo chamber we checked out the Democracy Now! Interview with Raj Patel, a writer, activist, former policy analyst with Food First, formerly worked for the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the United Nations, who said "...in terms of a climate change strategy, ethanol is madness". Hmmm, what would our "guest" say about THAT? AND, adding fuel (ahem) to the fire, Paul Krugman in the New York Times gives us a look at Demon ethanol as does their editorial board. AND, checkout local pol, Peter Vickery's blog on the issue and a plan being hatched on Beacon Hill. ALSO, speaking of destroying the rainforest to grow crops, how about saving the rainforest to grow condoms!. FINALLY, our blog bonus: a link to Richie Davis’ piece in the Greenfild Recorder, River at Risk. What, no good news??



We revisited "Cars, cars, cars", by our own Liberty Cabbage Theatre Revival segwayin' into our interview with David Kroodsma.



Then came that gruesome noise! Glen, is it over yet? How come these guys are still with us?? What ecological damage will the Dark Lord and his little sock-puppet have done recently? We were sure to highlite Bobby Kennedy Jr's. The Next President's First Task [A Manifesto].



Then we stoped by the Bus Stop Billboard for a perusal of the postings:

Wednesday, April 16, 6:00 p.m. - Dr. Robert Newton a representative of the Barnes Aquifer Advisory Protection Committee will be presenting information regarding the proposed Northampton Landfill Expansion to the Easthampton City Council. The BAPAC representative will be talking about the impact of the proposed precedent setting expansion onto the Barnes Aquifer. The Easthampton City Council meeting isin the Music Room, White Brook Middle School, 200 Park Street, Easthampton, MA
http://www.savingparadise.info/

Saturday April 19th from 10am - 1:30pm. The Clam is back!! Western Mass. Clamshell Alliance gathering, downstairs meeting room at the Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main Street, Greenfield. Potluck lunch. Call 978-544-3911 or Sharon at 978-544-8822.

Sunday April 20, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m., Responding to God's Call (i believe that's a collect call) and Climate Change: The Low Carbon Diet, First Congregational Church UCC, 165 Main Street, Amherst. An introduction to this opportunity to be part of the global climate change solution. Led by Jennifer Unkles and Betsy Krogh. More information at www.uccam.org or call Betsy at 549-2846.

Sunday, April 20, 1-3pm. Earth Day Hike into the Sawmill Hills. Northampton Wildlife Committee and Nonotuck Land Fund sponsors. Meet at the parking lot behind the Arts and Industries Building and we'll carpool up to the Avis Circle Trailhead. Come celebrate Earth Day as we check vernal pools and do some trail maintenance along the way. We'll get to see lots of vernal pool activity and maybe the Pileated Woodpeckers will make an appearance!

Monday April 21. Matriots Day --- Walk, ride, run for Peace!!
Walk, bike, sing, and dance our way do peace and justice with Code Pink.
One-day walk from Barnes Airforce Base in Westfield to Westover Airforce Base in Chicopee. (details coming soon - get involved- contact us: babzisapinko@gmail.com)
Homeland Needs NOT CORPORATE GREED!

Thursday, April 24, 6pm. Community Conservation Forum for Leverett, Montague, New Salem, Pelham, Shutesbury & Wendell. Shutesbury Town Hall. Light dinner provided. Pre-register. Call Jay at (978)248-2118.

Friday, April 25-26, END THE WARS ABROAD AND AT HOME: CHARTING A PATH FOR 2008. A New England-Wide Conference at Tufts University - Medford, MA. Go to www.newenglandunited.org for latest conference and registration information. More Information: Phone: 617-497-5273

Saturday, April 26. Derrick Jensen at UMass. 2pm—Roundtable: Activism & Art, Science & the Soul; Memorial Hall, 5pm—Reading: Derrick Jensen, author of “A Language Older than Words”, and “Listening to the Land: Conversations about Nature, Culture, and Eros”; Memorial Hall, University of Massachusetts.

Sunday April 27, 7:30. "Peak Oil and How Pioneer Valley Towns Can Prepare". Franklin Patterson Hall, Hampshire College. Richard Heinberg, national expert on peak oil and author of Peak Everything. He'll be joined by Michael Klare, Hampshire College's resident expert on this topic. Suggested donation of $3 - $10. Contact: ehoffner@yahoo.com





So much for that. We go out with “Sweet Grass”, by Joanne Rand from “Into the River”. It's Spring, remember to listen to your Mother!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Fossil Fools Day Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings, it’s Fossil Fools Day. Let's see if we can outdo our usual selves foolin' around on the airwaves. Jean’s off to the Everglades (watch out gators!). We're supposed to get a call-in from the folks at Rising Tide fresh from one of the Fossil Fools Day actions and we’ll listen to The Yes Men make fools out of the corporados. As always, we’ll checkout Darth Cheney and the Boy Emperor's latest assault on the planet and listen into the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, as well as hear our newest feature: The Enviro Show Quote of the week, but first it’s time for.....



Revenge of the Critters! Trickster coyotes attack!! Seven people were bitten by coyotes between March and August in the Lake Tahoe area in 1999, including one tourist who was bitten in the thigh while walking in the Caesars Tahoe parking lot over Memorial Day weekend. Airplane flights at the South Lake Tahoe runway had been cancelled or delayed due to coyotes on the airport runway, who have even chased planes as they took off!



Now, for the Quote of the Week. Regarding the recent collapse of a section of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica, seven times the size of Manhattan: NSIDC Lead Scientist Ted Scambos, who first spotted the disintegration in March, said, "We believe the Wilkins has been in place for at least a few hundred years. But warm air and exposure to ocean waves are causing a break-up." Hmmm, now about that warm air....



Tom Neilson's "Fools no More" takes us to The Yes Men clip as they get in the corporados collective face (and we use the term "collective" advisedly) and let the chips fall where they may. Then, hopefully, it's on to the Fossil Fools Day Call-in.



There’s that sound again! Let’s see what the Backwards Bush Countdown says. Also this Fossil Fools Day Special: Bush to Phase Out Environment by 2009! AND, Bush sends curt letter to his own EPA crony. No foolin'?



In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we rerun these from Grist: Pollution is on Vatican's updated list of mortal sins! The Vatican has put a modern twist on the seven deadly sins, announcing a list of "social sins" -- including pollution and genetic manipulation. (And just when we had successfully rid ourselves of lust, gluttony, avarice, sloth, anger, envy, and pride.) The nature of sin itself has changed, says Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti, head of the Vatican body in charge of matters of conscience: "While sin used to concern mostly the individual, today it has mainly a social resonance, due to the phenomenon of globalization." · ALSO: Boston gives new meaning to the term urban decay!



On to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, April 2, 6 PM to 8 PM. Public Service Board hearings on Act160 and VT Yankee. A VERY important meeting on Vermont Yankee’s possible relicensing is happening in Brattleboro at the Red Roof Inn, which is near Entergy Headquarters on route 5 leading up to Putney. 978-249-6224.

Thursday, April 3, 7:00 pm. RideBuzz Forum at the Jones Library, 43 Amity Street in Amherst. The Future of Ridesharing in the Pioneer Valley. Sponsored by River Valley Market. www.ridebuzz.org. For more information, contact Jeff at 978-394-3740 (cell) or email: Jeff@RideBuzz.org.

Thursday, April 3, 6:30p.m. - 8p.m. Greenway Design; Historic, Economic & Ecological Resources found along Southampton's Greenway. Edwards Public Library Meeting Room, 30 East Street, Southampton, MA, 01073, (off Rte.10). mail@southamptongreenway.org

Sunday, April 6, 2:30-4:00pm, The Turtle Island Medicine Show. Greenfield Middle School Auditorium, 195 Federal Street, Greenfield. The show features whimsical kinetic sculptures, richly painted paper mache masks and puppet figures. Presented by the Greening Greenfield Campaign.

Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00 pm Nuestras Raices staff will give a presentation called "Connecting Urban People to the Environment" at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor’s Center, 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke. The illustrated talk about community gardening in Holyoke is sponsored by the Valley Environmental Education Collaborative. Admission is free, though a $5.00 donation to support the series is appreciated. For more information call Holyoke Heritage State Park at 413-534-1723.

Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 5th Annual Green Fair at the Better Living Show, Franklin County Fairgrounds. For info call 413-774-2791




That about does it. Did we makes fools of ourselves yet? No more so than some!! Joules Graves takes us out (finally!) with "The Land of Fake Fires". Remember: listen to your Mother!

Friday, March 14, 2008

The Enviro Scams Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings! On this, the birthday of Rudolf Diesel, father of the diesel engine, we look into carbon trading scams as well as the upcoming global actions on Fossil Fuels Day. Speaking of scams, we’ll hear from U.S. Senate candidate, Ed O’Reilly on the fatal flaw in the proposed Cape Wind project. Ed’s lookin’ to displace the junior senator from our fair Commonwealth, the squishy patrician, John Kerry who failed to defend his presidential win in Ohio in ‘04, thus giving us four more years with the criminal Bush regime and the Repugnican Torture Party. As always, we’ll delve into the dark side with Darth Cheney, but first it’s time for.....Revenge of the Critters! Elephants strategize attacks on humans!.




There it is again! The theme from the dark side!! Glen, how many days until we are free? We'll get into yet more examples of THE worst White House occupants in history, such as the Bush regime’s EPA continues dragging its hobnail boots on CO2. And, Ozone rules weakened by boy emperor! ALSO, White House operatives dis wolverines.



"Land of fake fires" by Joules Graves from the album,"Plunge" takes us to our next segment. Sooooo, we’re coming up on Fossil Fools Day, April 1st. Here you can vote for the biggest Fossil Fools on the planet, or you can sit tight 'til Tuesday and let us and Jesse from Rising Tide bend yur’ ear about this upcoming satiric take on a world out of balance. Jesse was part of the Greenwash Guerrilla action at the Point Carbon conference.



Then it's on to...SURPRISE! the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, March 19, Washington, DC; No War No Warming Green Zone Action. Part of DC actions in observation of the 5th Anniversary of the illegal U.S. invasion of Iraq: Checkout: http://www.nowarnowarming.org/
Also, locally: Vets Speak Out and Vigil on the Amherst Common at 5pm, and a Rally, Vigil, and March in Northampton; City Hall steps at 7pm.

Thursday, March 20, 1:48AM Vernal Equinox: Happy Springtime!


Thursday, March 20; 4-5pm. Weekly Green Energy Vigil!! Wells Fountain, Junction of Linden and Main, Brattleboro, VT. Call: 802-387-4060


Thursday, March 20; 7-9pm. “The Power of Community”, the story of Cuba's experience with peak oil. The film will be shown at the Greenfield Community Downtown Center near Wilsons on Main Street in Greenfield. Discussion and dialogue will follow.

Friday, March 21 at 12:00 noon. Participate in a worldwide ceremony called the "8,000 Drums" The purpose is to fulfill the OTOMI PROPHECY. The Otomi's are Mayan Olmec and Toltec decendants. The drum will be played so that the Creator will hear us and grant our wishes as we pray for help in the Healing Process of our Mother Earth. All you need to do is play a drum either alone, or with a group. See: http://www.northeastcultural.com/northeastnews.htm


March 29; 8pm. Bright Morning Star Reunion Concert - Benefit for Safe and Green Campaign. All Souls Church, 399 Main St, Greenfield, MA. Tickets: $15/adult $8/child in advance at Everyone's books, Food for Thought, Boswell's Books, World Eye Bookshop. $18 at the door. Email: safeandgreen@gmail.com


March 30; 3-5pm. Annual CAN meeting. At the Media Education Foundation, Masonic St, Northampton, MA. Get the update on the latest actions and events and news about the fights against nuclear reactors in the NE. Call 413-339-5781.


Tuesday, April 1st; Happy Fossil Fools Day! An action is planned for Boston (What, no action in the Valley?? Come on, people!!). Send an email to: bostonfossilfools@gmail.com




Enough! We'll go out with our favorite anti-Iraq Invasion/Occupation tune,"Out of Iraq" by Simple Fears on this, the 5th anniversary of the Bush regime's illegal and immoral assault on that nation. Time to empty out the White House and, of course, to listen to your Mother!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

The Arts & the Environment Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings! It’s time to kickback a bit and contemplate the contemplators. How do artists interact with Mother Earth? What effect does this big blue ball we call home have on a person's artistic expression. We’ll hear from our favorite bardic insurgent, Tom Neilson and fellow programmer and visual artist, Mo Ringey, as well as our own in-house Enviro Show poet. Tonight we’ll meld our usual Darth Cheney Watch (which will add a degree of….um….fear & loathing?) with the Enviro Show Echo Chamber. That should resonate nicely, ey? but first it’s time for....Revenge of the Critters! What goes around comes around: Revenge of the marine mammals!




There’s that sound again! Glen, when will this curse be lifted from our nation? Will the Bush regime really go quietly? Stay tuned! There’s a whole lot of science geeks sounding off about the Regime’s assault on science. Regarding the Empire’s evil corporado friends at Exxon/Mobil, Greg Palast reminds us: “Exxon was the largest contributor to George W. Bush’s political career after Enron. They were a team, Exxon and Enron. The Chairman of Enron, Ken Lay, prior to his felony convictions, funded a group called Texans for Law Suit Reform. The idea was to prevent Natives, consumers and defrauded stockholders from suing felonious corporations and their chiefs. When George went to Washington, Enron and Exxon got their golden pass in the appointment of Chief Justice John Roberts. Today, as the [Supreme] court heard Exxon’s latest stall, Roberts said, in defense of Exxon’s behavior in Alaska, 'What more can a corporation do?'"

Since you asked! DROP DEAD! Also, PBS on: "Actions the Bush Administration took over the last eight years that will have a lasting impact on our environment: Denies California the Clean Air Act waiver... Interferes with climate change science...Advocates for more nuclear power plants...Dismantles the [U.S. Forest Service ] Roadless Rule... Opens public land to oil and gas drilling... Declares carbon dioxide not a pollutant...Weakens regulations governing air pollution... Rejects the Kyoto Protocol." AND finally, if you like The Empire, vote McCain for more of the same!

Bring on the arts! In alphabetical order (is that still considered fair?): Tom Neilson, D.O. and Mo Ringey express themselves and we all pour over the arts and this poor fouled nest around us. Celebrate what’s left!!



Then it's on to (you guessed it) the Bus Stop Billboard:

Saturday, March 8 (International Women's Day) 11 a.m.-Noon, Greenfield Weekly Peace Vigil, Greenfield Town Common. Focusing this week on "Women Say NO to War! US Out of Iraq and Afghanistan; No War on Iran". Sponsored by the Greenfield Weekly Peace Vigil, Coalition for Women's Lives, CODE PINK, and the Socialist Party/Western Mass Local. Contact person: Mary McClintock: mcclinto@verizon.net.


Sunday, March 9; 1:30 - 4:00. Help plan Traprock Peace Center's future? First Congregational Church; 43 Silver Street; Greenfield. The plan is to form working committees that can begin to put our ideas from this day into action.


Cape Wind Hearings: No privatization of the Commons! Move it!!

Monday, March 10, 2008 - Mattacheese Middle School Auditorium, 400
Higgins-Crowell Road, West Yarmouth, MA, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - Nantucket High School Auditorium, 10 Surfside Road,
Nantucket, MA, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - Martha's Vineyard Regional High School
Auditorium, 100 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs, MA, 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 13, 2008 - Campus Center Ballroom, University of
Massachusetts, Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, South Boston, MA, 6 p.m.
Call: 508-775-9767. Go here.


Wednesday, March 12; 7:30pm. Jim Hightower at Gamble Auditorium, Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, South Hadley (Lower Lake Road, off Park St. & off Morgan St.); Call: 538-2000.

Saturday, March 15, 2008. Environment 2008 Conference at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. New England's largest conference for citizen activists protecting public health and the environment. Email Meredith at info@toxicsaction.org, or call her at (617)747-4362

Some day soon: The newspapers have been reporting on the recent issuance of a draft DEP permit to Russell Biomass to take up to 885,000 gallons from the Westfield River daily. Many environmental organizations disagree with the assessment of DEP. The reason for this is that the Westfield River is already too low and too warm in summer to adequately support healthy fish populations. The DEP is asking the public to send their comments in as soon as possible but according to the DEP’s Eva Tor there’s no deadline. Anyone interested in preserving the unique treasure of the Westfield River can send their comments as soon as possible to: Jim D. Bumgardner, P.E., Mass DEP Western Regional Office, Drinking Water Program and Water Management Act, 436 Dwight Street, Springfield MA 01101. Or you can email:
james.bumgardner@statema.us or FAX (413) 784-1149. Also, look here.



That's it. Next time it's Rising Tide's Day of Action & the carbon trading scam along with a special call-in from the NEXT junior senator from our illustrous Commonwealth, Ed O'Reilly (so long,John!). Check him out here. O, did we mention Ed is oppossed to Cape Wind? Save the Commons! Vote for O'Reilly!!

Friday, February 15, 2008

The “World Peace Diet” Enviro Show



Greetings Earthlings, on the eve of The Full Hunger Moon we try once again for a call-in interview with Will Tuttle, author of "The World Peace Diet". According to the author’s website, the book "makes explicit the invisible connections between our culture, our food, and the source of our broad range of problems—and the way to a positive transformation in our individual and collective lives." Whoa! That's a tall order!! ALSO, our usual visit with Darth Cheney (ARRGGHH!), the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, and perhaps a call from our roving repoter, Tom Neilson down in Nashville on the drought affecting the water supply for nukes and other states, but first you may suspect it’s time for....Revenge of the Critters! Frisky cows terrorize man & dog!



There’s that theme again! Darth Cheney has returned to the scene of the crime. Glen, when will he and his ilk be history? Meanwhile, the Bush regime’s plans to add more mercury to your diet were struck down by the federal court. That’s the good news, the bad news is Darth, Bush and their fellow travelers from Big Oil sold off those oil leases in prime polar bear habitat.



In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber Venezuela battles Exxon. Go Hugo! Our Enviro Show Blog Bonus link is from Friends of the Earth who, sadly being big Cape Wind boosters, are right-on with climate crisis legislation (the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2007 to be specific) asking the musical question: Why are Senate Dems advancing a bill by McCain supporters that doesn’t reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2050 and make polluters pay for carbon credits? Take action here. AND, 40T; it’s back!! Like a zombie developer coming to a municipality near you!!



Thanks to fellow VFR programmer, Arjuna we play "Against the Grain", by Tret Fure, bringing us to our interview with Dr. Will Tuttle (NOT Buttle, for you "Brazil" fans). The recent outrage at the slaughter house in southern California and ongoing revelations about the ecological effects of meat consumption make concepts like "The World Peace Diet" all the more timely.




As always, we go out with the Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday, Feb. 21 2008; 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Water, Snow, and Ice
How does wildlife cope with changes in weather and water? Come discover some survival strategies with Refuge staff. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376, Ph 413.863.3221.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:30pm; Honoring Mother Earth: Forum & Art Show. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street, Amherst (Amherst Cinema building). Call (413)256-4250.

Friday, Feb.22; 7pm. “In Search of Ghandi”; A filmmaker follows the route of Gandhi's Salt March to see what grows there today. Northampton Committee P&J Film Series. MEF, 60 Masonic Street in Northampton. Enter via Woodstar Cafe, at the front of the building. The venue is accessible.

Saturday, Feb.23; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Weekly Peace Vigil in front of the County Courthouse (on Main Street between Gothic and King) Northampton. Rain or shine. Contact: info@northamptoncommittee.org


Saturday, Feb. 23; 1:00 - 2:00 pm): Before There Were Stores.
Explore rocks and local plants to see how Native Americans met some of their everyday needs, like making twine, dye, tasty tea, pot scrubbers, cutting and scraping tools and more. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376, Ph 413.863.3221.

Thursday, March 6th 6:30-9:30pm Liberation Ecology: Refuse to Choose Between Social and Ecological Health. Media Education Foundation Community Room; Masonic Street, Northampton, MA Cost: free-$50. Child Care provided (please contact for details) Maximum Participants: 20. Please register by 3/1/08 email: dips@riseup.net phone:(610) 955-7168

Wednesday, MARCH 19, 2008. Everywhere and in Washington, D.C.:
Nonviolent Civil Resistance and/or Disobedience in All 435 Congressional Districts and in the Nation's Capital on the Fifth Anniversary of the Occupation of Iraq.



That is it. We are headin' out into the ice & snow. Next time: The Arts & the Environment Enviro Show with our own Mo of The Mo Show, right here on Valley Free Radio, and our favorite local troubadour, Tom Neilson. Sooooo, in the meantime, remember: listen to your Mother!!

Friday, February 08, 2008

Greenpeace promotes privatization, blows off birds


Greenpeace is emailing its membership in the service of Cape Wind, a for-profit company seeking to erect a massive industrial wind plant in the public waters of Nantucket Sound off the Massachusetts coast. The message asks supporters to notify the Bush regime-headed Minerals Management Service of their support for Cape Wind during the present public comment period. This comment period leads up to public hearings to be held in Boston and the Cape & Islands.



Cape Wind intends to erect an industrial scale wind power plant on Horseshoe Shoals in the public waters of Nantucket Sound. According to the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, a diverse group of Cape Wind opponents: "Covering 25 square miles, an area the size of Manhattan, the plant would consist of 130 wind turbines, each standing 440' tall - significantly larger than the Statue of Liberty (305’) and the Cape Cod Canal bridges (275'). The plant also includes a 10-story electrical service platform holding 40,000 gallons of transformer oil and 1000 gallons of diesel fuel, with a helicopter pad on top."



It's more than a bit ironic that a group like Greenpeace, among others, is promoting this privatization scheme given the projects potential threat to wildlife and the marine environment. It seems Greenpeace is ready to trade-off untold numbers of dead birds (the site is on the Great Eastern Flyway) and other marine life just so their Big Enviro resume can include the nations largest "clean" wind plant. On the other hand, the radical environmental group Sea Shepherd opposes Cape Wind.



Wind power can be an important part of our energy needs, however where it is sited is also important. Cape Wind has not seriously considered less harmful sites for their project, nor have they really considered using private property, rather than the commons, to install their windmills. In addition, there are other options that residents of Massachusetts and New England need to consider, including on-site residential and commercial power production such as solar panels and geothermal heat pumps.



Remember "turtles & teamsters"? Environmental & political activists have struggled against the corporate privatization of the commons for years. It's a sad testament when groups like Greenpeace and others find themselves promoting capitalist moneymaking schemes that reduce the commons to an industrial sacrifice zone.

Friday, February 01, 2008

The Gimme' Shelter Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings, it's Adjective Burdened Tuesday, time to exercise your mandate in the Massachusetts Primaries. Given that this is The Enviro Show we naturally recommend you checkout the Green-Rainbow Party. It’s also a good time here in winter-bound New England to think about shelter, especially warm cozy ones, sooooo while Glen interviews Becky Kemery, author of "Yurts – Round & unbounded", and maybe starts waxing poetic about how much he enjoys rugged winter camping, D.O. will be entertaining dreams of ecologically sustainable little grass shacks on warm, sunny beaches down in say, Costa Rica? Nicaragua maybe? And, as always, we’ll look into the latest assaults on the planet by the Empire, and checkout the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, but first it’s time for.....Revenge of the Critters! Mother Moose trashes snowmobiles. Go mama!



There’s the dreaded theme again. Glen, when will the dark lord and his little executive sock puppet become history? Soooo, the puppet..er..pres...um..boy emperor? seems to be into recycling according to Grist. Also, certain Big Oil operatives in the White House are lookin' to privatize western public lands for destructive Oil Shale. And finally, the Empire unveils plan to trash the Tongass National Forest.



On the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, and in keeping with the show’s theme, we’ve linked to the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s superinsulated houses page on our blog. According to NESEA "A superinsulated home can save 75% of the annual energy costs for heating and cooling compared to a standard home, and is also more comfortable and healthy for the occupants." That works for us!



"Gimme’ Shelter" by The Rolling Stones takes us to our interview with Becky Kemery, author of "Yurts – Round & unbounded". Like Yurt dwellers say: "Versatile, beautiful and spiritual, both ancient and contemporary versions give [you] an option for shelter that is affordable, accessible and gentle to the earth". You can checkout Becky's site here.



Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday, February 7, 2008, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cabin fever Environmental hootenanny; Peter Siegel’s blend of traditional, folk and indie music combined with his Sloop Clearwater roots make him a compelling modern voice for the environment. Held at the Northfield Mountain Yurt, Northfield, Massachusetts. A $5 donation is appreciated. To pre-register, call (800) 859-2960

Saturday, February 9: Animal Tracking with Colleen Kelley. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst. These family science days are designed for families with children ages 5-8, with adults participating along with their children. For registration call: (413) 256-6006

Monday, Feb 11; 6:00 - 8:30 pm. CAN lobby training. 208 Rotch Building at SIT, Brattleboro, VT RSVP - Claire Chang, cchang@nukebusters.org. Find out how a bill becomes law in VT and how to stop Entergy!! Join us and learn more about the legislative process and how to win the ear of your legislator.
These workshops are free, though space is limited, so please register ASAP.

Wednesday, Feb 20; 8 - 11 pm. Fear sucks! The Dog is out!! A Benefit for CAN!!
Mole's Eye Cafe, Brattleboro, VT. Book signing, short reading, the World Music improv magic of Mr. Derrik Jordan,the kick-ass vocals and guitar of Kathleen Simms, and a special appearance by Deb Katz (CAN's founder!).

March 19, Mass Nonviolent Direct Action in Washington, DC. There’s a No War, No Warming action planned in conjunction with this important national event. Checkout: www.nowarnowarming.org



OK, that's it for this week. Check us out in two weeks when we interview Will Tuttle (not Buttle) on the "World Peace Diet". We'll go out with Loreena McKennitt's "Ancient Pines". O, And remember: always listen to your Mother!

Friday, January 18, 2008

The Post-Holidaze Solid Waste Enviro Show



Greetings Earthlings. Have you recovered from all the ’07 Holiday glut yet? Well, recovery is what this Enviro Show is all about, resource recovery or solid waste if you like. We’ll checkout waste reduction, composting, recycling, and household hazardous waste with Amy Donovan, Program Director for the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District. We may get a call from Jana about the latest on the Russell biomass mess too. Also, we’ll shudder together at the dark deeds of Darth Cheney and the boy emperor and scope out the news on the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, but first, as always, it’s time for....Revenge of the Critters! Binky the Polar Bear’s legacy.



"Toxic City" by System of a Down rocks us into the Enviro Show Echo Chamber: did some climate crisis skeptic say the Antarctic is GAINING ice? EERRRRR! Sorry,There’s the buzzer! Wrong. The headline in the Washington Post sez’: "Antarctic ice loss steadily increasing". Hmm, maybe they misread the headline? Maybe they should read this.



What's that dark theme rising in the background? Glen, is it over yet? Puleeeeezzzee say it’s over for the Bush regime! Last time we pointed out the boys from Big Oil in the White House plan to offer oil leases to their friends in prime polar bear habitat. Now, according to the New York Times the emperor’s cronies at USF&W have postponed the decision to list the polar bears as a threatened species, no doubt so their other cronies in the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service can unload the leases. O, did we mention that those very same political hacks at Minerals Management just gave the green light to the Cape Wind industrial power plant in Nantucket Sound? THAT should make Greenpeace; Clean Water Action; Mass Climate Action Network; the Interfaith Walk for a Divisive Climate; and their friends happy bedtime buddies with the Bushies! And speaking of an ill Cape Wind that blows no good, it’s time to go to the movies!



O, wait! there's more: Scientists mad as hornets at Bush, swarm Capitol Hill! And finally, Bush exempts Navy from environmental law. With the Bush regime it's never over 'til it's over, huh?



On the Bus Stop Billboard:


Thursday, Jan, 24, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; 4 - 5 pm. Weekly Green Energy Vigil!!
Wells Fountain, Junction of Linden and Main, Brattleboro, VT
We will be here every week until Vermont Yankee is closed. Come join US!!
for more info 802-387-4060

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 7PM—10PM, FOCUS THE NATION national teach-in on global warming.
Umass: TBA. Contact; (413)549-0245; stein@ecs.umass.edu
Mt. Holyoke College 50 College St. S. Hadley, MA. Milk & Cookies Kick-off
Help kick-off events at Mt. Holyoke College with an evening of music, storytelling, and community and a community viewing of the nationwide webcast, "The 2% Solution." AND all-day workshops next day, Thursday, Jan. 31. For more info:
www.focusthenation.org, www.mtholyoke.edu/ce, Alexandra Weston at westo20a@mtholyoke.edu, 413-538-3091.
Smith College: Focus the Nation LIVE, INTERACTIVE webcast "The 2% Solution". 8 p.m. Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall
AND all day workshops at Smith Thursday, Jan. 31. Contact: jlowenth@email.smith.edu.
Amherst College & the Town of Amherst (at Town Hall) also screening webcast. No info.


Thursday, January 31, 2008, 7 p.m. DARWIN'S "DESCENT WITH MODIFICATION," VERNADSKY'S "BIOSPHERE," AND LOVELOCK'S "GAIA". Part of the Valley Environmental Education Collaborative (VEEC) Lecture Series with Lynn Margulis. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Inc. 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst. Call (413) 256-6006


Thursday February 7; 7-9pm, LOW CARBON DIET WORKSHOP
The Greenfield Solar Store, 2 Fiske Av, Greenfield. A free workshop on how to reduce your carbon footprint in home and neighborhood, by Tomasin Whitaker, Center for Ecological Technology (CET). Sponsored by the Greening Greenfield Energy Committee, the Greenfield Solar Store, & CET. Info: 772-3122, mailto:cet@cetonline.org, www.cetonline.org.



That's it! We'll go out with "Wind did whisper" by our friends The Reagan Babies. And speakin' of babies, remember: listen to your Mother!!

Friday, January 04, 2008

The Fuelish New Year Enviro Show













New Year’s Greetings Earthlings, will this one be better than the last? You better hope it will! We’ll be speaking with David Blume author of "Alcohol Can Be A Gas!" about gasohol/ethanol and have a look at other alternative fuels. Also, on the award winning Enviro Show, a New Year’s reflection on post-holiday glut. With that in mind, there’s a "must see" doing the rounds on the Web, checkout The Story of Stuff. If you don’t have access to a computer send $10 for the DVD to Story of Stuff, 1442A Walnut Street #272, Berkeley, CA 94709. Finally, we’ll dish out some "chewy rhetoric" during our Darth Cheney and Enviro Show Echo Chamber segments, but first it’s time for....... Revenge of the Critters! A special New Year extended segment: Hold that Tiger! Tatiana takes out taunter.




On the Enviro Show Echo chamber we climb onboard the media bus with just about everyone whose covered our hometown boys made good: Greasecar.com. We review some of the Q&A on their website about the wonders of running that ol’ beater on Straight Veggie Oil. On our blog there’s always time for a commercial break! Checkout Joe for Oil if you’re having trouble keeping that furnace going. Nothin’ like choosing between heat and food to keep you on your toes when it's below zero! From the Washington Post via the Globe: Massachusetts sues EPA on Emmissions. Gosh, maybe that belongs in the Darth Cheney segment, after all it’s Big Oil’s EPA.



"When the oil runs dry", by Dave Rovics takes us to our Interview with David Blume. Then it's time for...(groan)...umm, Glen? Is it over yet? How come it’s a new year and these guys in the White House are still with us?? What’s the Bush countdown clock say? It seems the Bush regime rated 11th place in Grist’s Top Green stories of 2007. Was it for the Bush regime's stellar record on the environment? We don’t think so!




Finally, we checkout the Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday, Jan 3 10, 17, 24; 4 - 5 pm. Weekly Green Energy Vigil!!
Wells Fountain, Junction of Linden and Main, Brattleboro, VT
We will be here every week until Vermont Yankee is closed. Come join US!!
for more info 802-387-4060

Saturday, January 12; 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m: Birds and Bird Feeders with Ted Watt. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street
Amherst. Call (413) 256-6006. These family science days are designed for families with children ages 5-8, with adults participating along with their children. Non-member: $6 per person.


Thursday January 10th 9am-5pm
Friday January 11th 9am-5pm
Saturday January 12th 9am-2pm
Thursday January 17th 9am-5pm
Friday January 18th 9am-5pm
Saturday January 19th 9am-2pm

Nuestras Raices greenhouse moving project. A huge (40’ x 80’), state-of-the-art greenhouse has been donated by Chicopee Comp High School. We have to dismantle the greenhouse by the end of January and bring the pieces to the farm in Holyoke for storage. Please contact Eric at (413) 531-2767 or erict@nuestras-raices.org if you can help us out.


Saturday 1/12 Newport RI
Sunday 1/13 Bristol/Providence RI
Monday 1/14 Oneca CT - Voluntown CT
Tuesday 1/15 Rest Day
Wednesday 1/16 Norwich CT
Thursday 1/17 New London/Niantic
Friday 1/18 ---> East Hartford CT / Hartford CT
Saturday 1/19 call for more information

Walk for a New Spring (partial itinerary); No nukes, peace and sanity for the world. For more detailed information please call or email: Walk4NewSpring@gmail.com; (413)695 7404 or (413)695 2871.


That's it. We are out of here. Let's hope '08 will be great! But remember, in order for that to happen you must.....listen to your Mother!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Enviro Show Holiday Special










Greetings Earthlings. Our Enviro Show Holiday Special will be on Christmas Night. We'll be airing Robert F. Kennedy's "Crimes Against Nature" speech given at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco in its awesome entirety. He takes the Bush Regime apart piece-by-piece, describing their war against the planet during the early part of the Bush era. It's only gotten worse since this speech was made in September '04. For their dismal record post-'04 go here. Of course, if you've been listening to the Enviro Show these past few years you'll know a lot of this stuff, but hey! can you ever get enough of these guys??



We'd like to entertain you again this year with Frosty The Snowman. You may recall this...umm..dark? version of Frosty's tale sung by Angela McCluskey from The Rumor Mill's Christmas On Clinton St. charity album, available on iTunes. Visit www.savefrosty.org for more information and...umm...stay cool! After the amazing Rev. Billy was on the Enviro Show last month talking, among other things, about the film "What would Jesus Buy" which follows the good revs good works among the shopaholics, we took it upon ourselves to notify The Amherst Cinema about the film and lo, they went for it! Check it out!! It opens December 21 but PLAYS 4 DAYS ONLY!!! Friday 12/21 through Sunday 12/23 2:00 4:00 6:30 and Monday 12/24 2:00 4:00. That's at The Amherst Cinema, Amity Street, Amherst (across from the Jones Library)



The Holidays sure can create a whole lot of waste. We recommend you checkout the Franklin County Solid Waste Management Reduce, Reuse and Buy Recycled page before you wrap one more gift!




A little follow-up news on our last anti-nuke show with Deb Katz of CAN. Six women from the Shut It Down Affinity Group were busted at Vermont Yankee the other day. Go Shut It Down!



The Bus Stop Billboard must've been cleared off by the PVTA 'cuz there ain't much on it, but here goes:

Saturday, January 5th, 8pm.; VFR Benefit Concert, Music for "Now," an evening of creative music and dance with Miro Sprague and friends; Rocky Hill Co-housing Community House, Florence. For Info call Joann 413 586 6384.

Monday, January 7, 6:30 pm. Windham Regional Energy Commission Public Hearing on ENVY's Petition to extend operation to 2032. Quality Inn, 1380 Putney Rd, Brattleboro, VT. Entergy presented a Petition to extend operations of VY to 2032 on Dec 13th,2007. Now it is your chance to express your concerns about the extended operations of VY!! check Windham Regional Energy Commission website for more information on ENVY's petition http://www.rpc.windham.vt.us/energy/index.htm.

Friday January 18 2008, Ani DiFranco and Pete Seeger will be at the Riverspace Theatre in Nyack, NY, for a special benefit concert to help fund the legal campaign to stop the re-licensing of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. General admission tickets and reserved seating tickets for Pete Seeger and friends, and Ani DiFranco and her band will go on sale at the Riverspace Box Office on Wednesday December 12 at 12 Noon. The proceeds from the show will benefit the legal campaign work that The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, WestCAN (Westchester Citizen's Awareness Network), and other community groups that are working on to stop re-licensing of Indian Point for another 20 years.
General Admission tickets are $48.50, reserved seating is $75, and a limited number of Golden Circle tickets that include an aftershow ?artists' gathering? with Pete, Ani, and special guests are available at $150 and are tax deductible.. Reserved and general admission tickets may be purchased beginning December 12 at noon, at the Riverspace box office, 119 Main St in Nyack, www.riverspace.org or by phone at 845 348 1880. Golden Circle tickets including after show, ?Artists Gathering? are available at www.guacfund.org and tickets will be mailed.
The Guacamole Fund ~ P.O. Box 699; Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 ~ 310-374-4837



Sunday, January 20, 2008, 1:00-5:00 pm (lunch and snacks provided)Massachusetts Climate Coalition Summit. Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA. Sponsor: New England Wildflower Society. An excellent opportunity to learn more about hot issues in the upcoming legislative year and help plan strategy. Seating is limited, so please contact Rob Garrity at (617) 515-0600 if you'd like to go.



Like we said: not much happening around the holidays, soooooo remember, if you're out on your bike at night use chains! AND listen to your Mother! See you next year.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

The Radioactive Enviro Show


Greetings Earthlings. It’s our special Glowing Holidaze show. Deb Katz of the Citizens Awareness Network returns to these microphones with news of the Vermont Yankee nuke looming ominously just over the border, poised to make a mess out a' your holidays. We’ll poke around the Enviro Show Echo Chamber for news to brighten your day and we’ll engage in some Winter Solstice Bush bashing if time allows, but first it’s time for....Revenge of the Critters! Santa attacked by sex crazed reindeer!



"Radiation Babies" by Die Warzau takes us to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber. You think nukes are the answer to the climate crisis? Think again! Checkout the nuclear carbon footprint here! Apparently, Obama's into nukes but not free speech! Plan on protesting yourself? You too can be labeled a terrorist and locked away forever! The proposed Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act aims to throw us all in the slammer for exercising those quaint constitutional rights. Also, you thought we drove the Nestle water corporados out of Western Mass? Think Again! We'll rundown the list. YOUR community may be targeted.



Yes, it’s that time again! Speaking of the demise of the Constitution, Glen, how long now until the White House Grinch Machine is shutdown? The latest Bush Regime assault on the planet finds the Bush regime avoiding action at the current climate meeting by calling for......another climate meeting!



Following our interview with Deb we'll move onto the Bus Stop Billboard (watch out for that sticky duct tape residue!:

Wednesday, December 12, 2007; 7:00pm. "Oil Smoke & Mirrors", Film screening and following discussion at the Media Education Foundation, behind the Woodstar Café, Mason St.,Northampton, MA.

Thursday, Dec 13,20,& 27, 4:30 - 5:30 pm. Weekly Green Energy Vigil!
Wells Fountain, Junction of Linden and Main, Brattleboro, VT
We will be here every week until Vermont Yankee is closed. Come join US!! for more info 802-387-4060

Wednesday December 12, 7pm. PIONEER VALLEY COALITION TO CHANGE & CHALLENGE WAL-MART. Converse Hall Room 209, Amherst College, Rt. 116 at Rt. 9, Amherst. Info: Aron Goldman, 549-1193.

Friday night, December 14, 6pm-11pm. The "No Biomass Christmas Celebration" is next Friday night at the Russell VFW on Route 20 and tickets are just $10.00 for adults ($5.00 for children ages 6-12, under five free). This is a fundraiser for the legal fees of plaintiffs in the Special Permit Appeal. Tickets can be purchased at the Huntington Country Store on Route 112, or at New Horizons Sports on Franklin Street in Westfield, or at the door on the 14th. For more information: (413) 862-0037.

Sunday, December 16th, 7pm.. Winter Solstice Celebration, also known as Yule, is the holiday celebrating the rebirth of the Sun in the Pagan year. North East American School of Dance on the fourth floor of the Fitzwilly's building (Dance Spree Space)
23 Main St. Northampton. Call 413-238-4240.



We'll go out with "Snowfall" by Liz Story from "A Winter Solstice VI" in honor of the Solstice and in hopes for a white Christmas. Speaking of white, don't forget: if you're out on your bike at night, wear white AND don't forget to listen to your Mother!

Friday, November 23, 2007

The Return of The Climate of Crisis Enviro Show



Greetings Earthlings. It’s serious doom & gloom time once again on The Enviro show. Us tree-huggin’, dirt-worshippin’ WHMP green team rejects are all over the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) final report released last week. Thousands of international scientists state it is "unequivocal", climate change will bring "abrupt and irreversible changes." What they don't say is that it's time to pull the plug on industrial civilization! We’ll gnash our teeth and moan over that later, as well as blame the Bush regime for just about everything. Also, Ted Glick calls in once again to update us on the Climate Emergency Fast as well as the December 8 International Day of Climate Action, but first it’s time for.........Revenge of the Critters! Wild boars invade Wurtzburg!



Melodeego's "1 Sky" takes us to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber. We found this from the AP: A Carbon Monitoring for Action database, or CARMA has been created. Check the database for a mega CO2 emitter near you! ALSO, we checkout this New York Times editorial on the IPCC final report. Glen will comb through that in search of any hidden gloom. That bit of liberal Bush bashing naturally takes us to...



Yes! There’s that sound again. It's the Darth Cheney dirge. Glen, what’s the countdown? OK, by now you Enviro Show enthusiasts may have noticed we make little or no distinction between Darth Cheney and the boy emperor, right? That’s because it’s a package deal! Buy one...err...sort of...get the other free! Sooo, speaking of the other,whose name shall not be spoken, check this out: U.S. power company linked to Bush is named as top polluter. Surprise! Opps! We mentioned his name.



"O, Exxon!" by That Guitar Man, David Ippolito will segway us into the Enviro Show Question of the Day. I know we've said that in the past, but this time we may actually play those clips.



On the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, December 5, 7pm. Protect our water! A Lake Pleasant community forum at the National Spiritual Alliance Meetinghouse, Lake Pleasant. An evening of discussion and information sharing on the threats to the Montague Plains Aquifer.


Friday, December 7 "What Would Jesus Buy?". That's right! the very film Rev. Billy was telling us about on the last show will be at the Real Art Ways Cinema in Hartford. Call for times & directions: 860-232-1006; or go here.

Saturday, December 8th, 3rd Annual International Day of Climate Action at the Lenox Town Hall; 6 Walker Street, Lenox, MA "Because We Love This Earth" Come learn about how you can take climate action in your local community in Berkshire County on December 8th. For more info visit the Climate Crisis Coalition website at www.climatecrisiscoalition.org or email Tom Stokes at tstokes@kyotoandbeyond.org. Tell him D.O. sent you.


Wednesday December 12, 7pm. PIONEER VALLEY COALITION TO CHANGE & CHALLENGE WAL-MART. Converse Hall Room 209, Amherst College, Rt 116 at Rt 9. Info: Aron Goldman, 549-1193.

Friday, December 14, 6 – 11pm. No Biomass Christmas Party. Russell VFW; Rt.20. A fundraiser for the struggle against the Russell Biomass plant. $10 adults, $5 children. Kids under 6 free. Call (413)862-0037




"Turn towards peace" by Jerusha Korim takes us over & out. Until next time, remember: listen to your Mother!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Mass Climate Action Network spins for Cape Wind


A recent email alert from Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) has a section titled: "New Opinion Poll Finds Growing Support for Cape Wind" in which it says: "An opinion survey released October 25th found that 61 percent of residents of the Cape and islands - slightly more than three in five - support the Cape Wind project. The survey, commissioned by the Newton-based Civil Society Institute and conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, also found bipartisan support for the Nantucket Sound offshore wind project..... A total of 501 residents of the Cape and islands were interviewed by telephone Oct. 10 to 15."



However, if the reader follows the link to the Cape Cod Today story she'll discover this: "The CPN/CSI poll is biased by its very design and based on leading questions designed to influence the results," Parker said by email in describing the [The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound] response to the survey. "The poll consistently positioned Cape Wind as a positive while downplaying concerns or ignoring them completely to support their results."



As an example, Parker cited a question claiming that Horseshoe Shoal, the proposed site for Cape Wind's 130 turbines, "is not in waters used any longer for significant commercial fishing. "The Mass. Fishermen's Partnership and the commercial fishermen who earn much of their livelihood on Horseshoe Shoal know differently," Parker said.
A day before the new survey was released, the Alliance released a statement through PRNewswire challenging CSI's credibility in previous surveys about Cape Wind and renewable energy."



So, MCAN continues to spin for Cape Wind and the privatization of the commons. Such shameless obfiscation is expected from outfits like Cape Wind, but from concerned enviros? MCAN needs to give both sides of the story upfront and let the people decide if Cape Wind is a good thing or the right project in the wrong place.




Checout the Alliance website here.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

The Stop Shopping Start Pledging Enviro Show




Greetings Earthlings, it's the Stop Shopping Start Pledging Enviro Show coming to you during Valley Free Radio’s On-air Fund Drive which runs from Monday, November 12 to Sunday, November 18. We'll be getting a call from the indomitable Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping, but first we’d like a call from YOU. We can’t keep doing this without you. Valley Free Radio is not only on the cutting edge, it’s on the fiscal edge as well. This whole operation could tank without your help. PLEASE call and make a pledge, dig deep and make a donation to Valley Free Radio. Like they say: operators are standing by to take your call. The number is (413)584-1160 or click on the hot link above.



Even Revenge of the Critters! takes a backseat to our Fund Drive, but doesn't "Man killed by trouser snake" sound...um..intriguing? (no, it’s not what you think).In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we want to stick with the show's theme of Stop Shopping and recommend Freecycling. Checkout Northampton Freecycle, as well as the Amherst Area Freecycle. Also, America Public Media's Marketplace (of all people!) has put together a special series call Consumed. Checkout the segment with Jared Diamond, How much longer can we overshoot?. How about no longer?? Also mentioned on that series are the Freegans. Checkout some of their dumpster diving tips here.



"Buy Nothing" by Bernie Boulanger, from the "Buy Nothing Day Album" takes us to our sermon from Reverend Billy. Don't forget Buy Nothing Day is just around the corner on November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving. Yes, buy nothing BUT support community radio. That’s money well spent! Hey, why shop for more junk you don't need when you can have a voice in the media mix? Yes, that's right: you can have your own radio show on Valley Free Radio. Checkout the website here to learn more about that.



There’s that theme again! Glen, do we have to wait or can we rid ourselves of Darth Cheney NOW?? Go to Rep. Denis Kucinich’s site and contact John Olver. Add your voice to the call for the impeachment of Darth Cheney!



As usual we visit the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, November 14; 7pm. Leverett Energy Committee meets at Town Hall. Cal (413)548-9716 for info.

Thursday, Nov.15, 22, 29; 4:30 - 5:30 pm. Weekly Green Energy Vigil!!
Wells Fountain, Junction of Linden and Main, Brattleboro, VT
We will be here every week until Vermont Yankee is closed. Come join US!!
for more info 802-387-4060.

November 16-17 Day of Action Against Coal Finance. RAN, Rising Tide and others are asking anyone and everyone concerned with stopping the US coal rush to join us in taking the message to Wall Street. From flyering and leafletting at your local Bank America branch or ATM, to creative street theater or non-violent direct action at bank offices - help our climate and communities by demanding clean energy! Email dirtymoney@ran.org.

Sunday, November 18, 2007; 2:30 p.m - 4:30 p.m. Carbon Trading: A Critical Conversation on Climate Change, Privatization and Power. Larry Lohmann, the editor of an exhaustively-documented new book that says that the politically popular "Carbon Trading" approach to the problem is both ineffective and socially unjust. Food for Thought Books, 106 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA (413) 253-5432.

Friday, November 23, All Day. BUY NOTHING DAY!



We go out with "The Smile that cost a fortune", by Sarcastic Mannequins, also from the "Buy Nothing Album". See you in two weeks, and remember SUPPORT COMMUNITY RADIO! (and, of course, listen to your Mother).

Friday, October 26, 2007

The Night of the Living Dread Enviro Show







Greetings Earthlings. Yes, we will be live in the studio, but you never know! Vermont Yankee could meltdown anytime; Russia could pre-empt the neocons and launch the nukes; a climate change-induced mega-storm could wreak havoc in the Happy Valley; mutant staph bacteria could rage through town; Gene Tacy could get elected mayor of Northampton! Yes, it’s Halloween eve and we’ve primed the basement sump pump. Who knows what we’ll drag up!! Also, Tamara, the house witch, haunts us once again with tales of the season. Darth Cheney returns to scare the beejesus out of you! But first, it’s time for.......Revenge of the Critters! It’s a scary Halloween special!



There's that horrible theme again! Brrrrr! Glen, save us from the Dark Lord! How much longer must we endure this torture?? Like the latest White House deception on the climate crisis. Checkout our Halloween Blog Bonus: there’s some really scary repugnicians here. Here’s another Halloween Blog Bonus concerning some of those monsters in the White House. AND we have a truly frightening Halloween screed from a group working on depleted uranium weapons issues. We can easily lay that one on the White House doorstep, right? Hey, it’s THEIR war, THEIR watch! Trick or Treat!



A Wahington,DC Indymedia report on last week's No War, No Warming action takes us to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber where Bears invade DC! How about this for scary: Trees with rabbit genes hopping your way! Not scary enough? How about this letter about the Vernon nuke from the Citizens Awareness Network website? AND, this from Grist: UN report says world environment is, well....grim. Finally, bad enough the elephants have to put up with being the Repugnican Party's mascot AND being hounded into extinction, now our own State Rep, Ellen Story is refusing to come to their rescue! Why not let her hear from you?



Our Enviro Show Action Alert finds the Berkeley Tree Sit threatened by a court ruling that could result in a police sweep at any momement. The sitters are trying to protect old-growth oaks being cut down to make way for a $125 million athletic training center (interesting priorities over that UC Berkeley, ey?). Take Action!



We hope to find at least SOMETHING positive in our clips from The Enviro Show Question of the Day. If anyone is left listening after all that scary news they might find some glimmer of hope amongst the people. We taped this last spring in Pulaski Park during some sort of tree-hugging, dirt-worshipping festivity.

Sadly, a special person and true friend of the trees, Ed Cotton, has died. Ed was on the show last summer talking about elms, trees in general and his love of the planet. Let his own words speak for his memory:
"We must preserve this planet for future generations, preserve this miracle that has been provided for us by nature."
Ed Cotton, presente!

Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Saturday, November 3, 11-12:00pm. Step It Up Northampton. In front of First Churches, located at 129 Main Street in Northampton on the corner of Center Street. Gather together and write postcards to political leaders demanding that they provide leadership and take the bold actions necessary to confront the climate crisis. This event may include dance and musical performances. Volunteers welcome. Call (413)584-1925; Email: stepitupnorthampton@verizon.net

Saturday, November 3, 10:30-12:30, corner of Northampton and South Sts. in Holyoke. Standout for Richard Purcell, who's running for Holyoke City Council in Ward 3. Rich is a Green-Rainbow Chairperson in Hampden County. If you can help, please contact Leslie at 413-522-1559 or at purcellforholyoke@gmail.com

Monday, Nov. 5, 7 to 9pm. An interactive panel discussion on the Bush regime’s recent efforts to brand The Green Scare and the San Francisco 8 defendents as terrorists under the so-called USA PATRIOT Act. The event will take place at Food for Thought Books, 106 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. Call 413-584-3158.

Thursday, November 8, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Turtles of the Connecticut Valley. Lori Erb, Turtle Conservation Biologist, Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. (413) 256-6006. Member: $5 Non-member: $8

Wednesday, November 14; 7pm. Leverett Energy Committee meets at Town Hall. Call (413)548-9716 for info.

November 16-17 Day of Action Against Coal Finance. RAN, Rising Tide and others are asking anyone and everyone concerned with stopping the US coal rush to join them in taking the message to Wall Street. From flyering and leafletting at your local Bank America branch or ATM, to creative street theater or non-violent direct action at bank offices - help our climate and communities by demanding clean energy! Email dirtymoney@ran.org.


Enough! How much chilling news can a body take?? Happy Halloween every BODY!! And remember: if you're out at night on your bike, wear white and listen to your Mother!

Friday, October 12, 2007

The No War/No Warming Enviro Show






Greetings Earthlings. Happy Blog Action Day (get active!). It's the War against Nature meets the War for Oil on The Enviro Show. Ted Glick, who is on the second month of the Climate Emergency Fast, called in about the upcoming No War, No Warming action in Washington, DC on October 21st and 22nd. Also, Kate Sowder Zalzal, a Masters of Science Candidate at the Umass Climate System Research Center, who is conducting paleoclimate studies in the Canadian High Arctic, joined us to discuss some of the science behind the climate crisis. If you were anywhere near Montague during the show there was a meeting about the corporate threat to our water. Also, we delved into the news on The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, but first it was time for......Revenge of the Critters! Keeping with the military theme: Flipper armed and dangerous!



"Blood for Oil" by Lisa Rhodes and Mary Ann Naz took us to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber. First we gloated over Nestle's bailing from their Montague Plains wildlife refuge aquifer privatization scheme, as reported in the Greenfield Recorder, but don't put away your monkey wrench just yet, they may look for private land to facilitate their theft of the peoples water. Also, we warned you it was coming, now it's official from the BBC: "Warming opens Northwest Passage". Of course the big news last week was Al Gore and the IPCC receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Run Al, run! But hey, check our Blog Action Day bonus link out: our friends at Rainforest Action Network think Al should get arrested! And this from Grist: Think outside the bottle campaign kicks off! Also, U.S. Interior Department slammed on climate data.



Following our conversation with Ted Glick, we went on to our interview with Kate Sowder. At that point one of our loyal listeners burst into the studio (so much for homeland security) waving around an old folk LP with a song titled "Northwest Passage" by Stan Rogers. We went out on that. What else could we do? She held the album to our heads!



As usual, we checked out the Bus Stop Billboard:

Tuesday, October 16 --Public Meeting on Nestle Corp and the Montague Plains aquifer; 7:00-9:00pm, at the Grange Hall in Montague Center.

Thursday , Oct. 18, 5 PM Wake Up Wal-Mart Rally in response to new reports of lead-laced toys, tainted snacks, poisonous pet food and other products which Wal-Mart is buying from China at low cost. Simultaneous rallies will be held in Springfield, Chicopee, and Westfield. For more info, please contact Tyrone Housey at thousey@ufcw1459.com , call (413) 732-6209 x17, or visit www.wakeupwalmart.com

Friday, October 19. Iraq Moratorium. Wear a black arm band all day to remind yourself and others that the war grinds on and people are dieing. AND take part in a Vigil and demonstration on the corner of State and Main in Northampton at 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.

Oct. 21-23, all day. No War, No Warming. Washington, DC. Go to: http://www.nowarnowarming.org/ or email: jodie@ran.org or indpol@igc.org
Monday, Oct. 22, 6:30pm, Food for Thought Books. U.S. Social Forum Report-back & Next Steps for the Social Forum movement in Wmass. 106 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA. Contact Maya at 917-833-1950 or Doug at 413-584-8975.


Tuesday, Oct. 23, 11am. Mass. Fish & Wildlife Board Meeting in Northfield. At press time the venue site was yet to be announced but when it is, get there at 10:30 for a vigil in support of the protection of the Montague Aquifer. Stop Nestle’s scheme to privatize the peoples water! Watch www.montagueMA.net for the announcement.

Saturday, October 27th & Saturday, November 10th , 1:00 – 3:00 pm. A walking tour of the Montague Plains and Bitzer Fish Hatchery will explore the aquifer that Nestle is interested in tapping as a source of bottled water. Learn the natural history of the aquifer by walking on the glacial sands of the Montague Plains off Turners Falls Road in Montague, then drive onto Hatchery Road where the Bitzer Fish Hatchery raises trout for stocking across the state. Meet at the Montague Plains parking area, east off Turners Falls Road, diagonal across from Hatchery Road in Montague, MA. Sponsored by the Montague Alliance to Protect Our Water. Call 367-2281

Saturday, October 27, 12 Noon. New England Mobilization to End the war Now! Boston Common. Bus information: From Northampton: Call AFSC at 413-584-8975 or email at afsc@crocker.com to reserve a seat on the coach to the demonstration. From Amherst: Call 413-324-1025. Scholarships are available for those who need them, and we urge those who can’t go to contribute money for scholarships.

Ok, that's it. Next time it's The Night of the Living Dread Enviro Show, a Halloween eve special. Brrrrrrrr...

Monday, October 08, 2007

Cape Bag 'O Winders play the class card










This life-long visitor and working-class former resident of Cape Cod, Massachusetts has about had it with Cape Wind proponents such as a recent writer to the Martha's Vineyard Times who tried to give readers the impression that the privately-owned industrial wind plant proposed for the public waters of Nantucket Sound has all kinds of support from "union workers" and "fishermen". Driving away from the Cape recently I noticed the proponents even have a bumber sticker now designed to appeal to us workers, further playing the class card and giving the false implication that only wealthy shoreline residents are opposed to Cape Wind. Such disinformation shows just how low Cape Winders will go to push their privatization scheme. They have been using the same corporate tactics used against environmentalists in the past in their effort to silence sincere opposition to the particular sitting of this project.

The list of working people who have serious concerns about the project is long and diverse. Try these: Cape Cod Marine Trades Association, Edgartown Charter Fishing Association; Edgartown Shellfish Organization; Massachusetts Marine Trades Association; Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association; Massachusetts Commercial Fishermen’s Association; Mass Bay Inshore Commercial Fishermen’s Association; Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association; and the Provincetown Fishermen’s Association, to name just a few. In addition, I'm told the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line ferry operators are critical of placing an industrial power plant in the middle of Nantucket Sound due to navigational concerns.

If Cape Wind proponents would put as much energy into seeking alternative sites for their beloved project as they do misinforming the public, we might be able to reach more agreement on the placement for such power plants.

d.o.