Another 56 steps through the rainforest

Not dramatic at all Hoft.

We've seen throughout history that animals, wildlife, and the considered
weak, have been continually targeted and exploited for profit. Insurance companies, using vast sums of money to lobby congress, "legally" extort billions of dollars from taxpayers each year.

Consumer watchdog groups can do just so much - but until every citizen becomes involved with the political process, costs will increase and benefits will decrease - with bogus discriminitory profiling. Great for drug and insurance companies, but not so great for the vast majority paying the bills and those affected adversely with no say in the matter.

Any so-called doctor prescribing anti-depressive drugs to children deserves to be shot, imo.

Don't, Sumac, please, sink into any abject feelings such as you describe - it doesn't help in any way.

We as a nation are perilously close to bankruptcy and the dollar is about to join the russian rouble if things continue - but I'm heartened by the fact that things cannot continue as they're going considering we're a republic and the voice of the people can be heard.

Foreign adventures have been eating into the treasury. Whether we need them or not isn't for me to say - but sinking into despondency does - not - help - speak up, Sumac, you can't save save dolphins, humans, wolfies, unless and until you do.

It's not that my own opinion is important, it's that I believe every citizen's opinion matters and unless we do "bruit it about" we can't blame deaths of animals at any rate on anybody but ourselves. Keep posting - darling animals depend on you.

Thanks, Stradee - I know how much you've contributed to animal causes and at this point we're reduced to charity for them. So far it works, more or less - have had since I moved to NY to drive to terrifying neighborhoods in the middle of the night as an escort to a friend of mine who mans the 800 dog abuse line to help rescue abused dogs. Somehow word is out we're only there to pick up the dogs and neighbors help us - police cars wait for us at a safe distance, thinking us insane, but nobody has bothered my friend in over 10 years of doing this.

There ARE good people out there - despondency isn't the answer.

When people believe they have no say, or do not continue educating the public regarding issues of grave importance to all Americans as well as the international community - despondency follows.

I've met wonderful people - many organizations fighting tirelessly for the betterment of humans and animals. We're also fighting a belief system,
<included in most county ordinances> affecting the outcome of reported abuse cases. The beuacracy spends half the day working, the other half of the day covering thier butts/ using protocol and polices as a way of not taking the extra measures needed to ensure animal safety or enacting changes within their organization. When there are responsible people utilizing responsible methods, we then begin seeing progression in positive directions.

Protecting those who have no voice isn't an easy job, Helen <and I certainly don't have to tell you that beause of the good work you've done for animal protection issues>

sumac, all we can give is our best.

I tilt towards despondency naturally, but our regression is various areas has been disheartening.

Well that's the idea isn't it? We can opt for the removal of negative obstacles, or park. The choice is ours.

You and your 282 friends have supported 1,755,954.7 square feet!
Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 62,947.4 square feet.
You have supported: (34,743.9)
Your 282 friends have supported: (28,203.5)
American Prairie habitat supported: 33,049.2 square feet.
You have supported: (9,316.8)
Your 282 friends have supported: (23,732.4)
Rainforest habitat supported: 1,659,958.1 square feet.
You have supported: (158,943.8)
Your 282 friends have supported: (1,501,014.3)



1 Aktbird57 .. 1016 40.308 acres


Moving on!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, and I am an activist. Belong to organizations, sign petitions, forward to presumably receptive people. Sometimes I question its effectiveness.

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/02/18/travel/escapes/18whoop.html?ex=1109480400&en=c830b6fbef48f715&ei=5070

"Where Whooping Cranes Cheat Extinction"

Danon, how far are you away from the coast?

470, now.

You and your 282 friends have supported 1,756,188.8 square feet!
Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 63,087.8 square feet.
You have supported: (34,743.9)
Your 282 friends have supported: (28,343.9)
American Prairie habitat supported: 33,049.2 square feet.
You have supported: (9,316.8)
Your 282 friends have supported: (23,732.4)
Rainforest habitat supported: 1,660,051.8 square feet.
You have supported: (158,967.2)
Your 282 friends have supported: (1,501,084.6)


40.316 Acres!!

sumac,
I'm not too far from the coast of LA and SE TX - but, I'm over 500 miles from where the cranes nest. The birds rest at a point closer to Mexico.

Keep those clicks clicking................!

sumac, your absolutely right! Seems we take two steps forward and then one step backwards...but the point I was trying to make was - even when the odds seem overwhelming, we cannot give up. If any consolation at all - you're doing a terrific job!



Endangered Status Sought For Polars Bears <global warming>
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2026&e=19&u=/latimests/endangeredstatussoughtforpolarbears

Now, let's not forget the sandhill cranes:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/travel/article-page.html?res=9A00E2DB1230F935A15750C0A9629C8B63&n=Top%2fFeatures%2fTravel%2fActivities%20and%20Interests%2fBirds

Thanks, Stradee, for your kind words. Wish I could do more. Now....if I just had some money, or contacts with influential people I might touch......

Ok, I'll send the sandhill cranes a check via transport pigeon.

LOL. I hope I didn't step on any political toes with my comments. Everyone has been rather quiet - with the exception of the two of us.

We're all reading interestedly............

And, great links!!

Love the crane stuff - we have many egrets here.

Was outside with the kitties this afternoon, weeding (me) and playing (they). Noticed it again this morning, as I have been all week, or so. Meant to mention it here, but forgot. Writing backwards I am. LOL.

All this unnecessary stuff is by way of stating that there has been a most noticeable increase in the quantity and varieties of birds in the past week or so. In small quanitities or in flocks.

Northern migration definitely happening.

Aww, outdoors with the kittens and gardening sounds great!!! Raining for the past few days, so me and the kittens staying indoors. They're napping quietly now, but we were a bit rowdy this afternoon.

I mentioned the return of the Hummingbirds I believe a few pages ago, but also have noticed the return of smaller wrens and songbirds from their winter quarters. I was standing on the porch enjoying a bit of sunshine peeking through the clouds, when a hummingbird stopped, then hovered just a few feet from me, then flew away, then returned again! Perhaps the little guy was thanking me for replenishing the feeder - but whatever the reason, i was glad for the reminder that Spring will soon arrive.

It's really been a WARM Winter here in the South.


The Daffodils and the Lilies of the Valley are all in FULL bloom here !!!!! Now, in February !!!!!

Needless to say the INSECTS are going to be really TROPICAL this coming year. As well as the rest of the BIOLOGISTIC future results we are to expect down here !!!!!

I just said some expletives to myself.

You ladies are absolutely correct in your assessment of our politics. It has always - and continues to be guided by money - and, by the people with money behind the scenes which we never see in the headlines or ever hear of in the "NEWS".

And - That's the way it is.

And - Always was.

BUTT - doesn't always have to be.


Hi Stradee,
Good pic. Thanks.

Yup, great photo. We only have the one - Ruby-Throat. Too early for them to be up yet.

Warm in Texas? NC has had some real cold periods, and we are 3 inches down in rainfall.

Southern California getting creamed again with rain.

We're expecting snow Monday in Boston. Things bloom in February??? That's incredible to this New England Yankee. We don't plant tomatoes til after Memorial Day. Untul then, killing frosts at night are commonplace even when daytime temps have been around 70.