 mailbag
Dear Making Waves,
The article "The Case for a Better Model" in your February issue resonated with me because I have recently come to a similar conclusion on my own. I was just explaining to my husband last night over dinner, that in economic terms, we are generally focusing on "output" solutions as opposed to "input" solutions. All the boycotting and organic products in the world won't make a difference unless our laws change. I feel great frustration that so many NGO's are trying to basically accomplish the same things and are thereby wasting valuable time, effort, and resources. My dream is that a great many groups can form an alliance of some sort with a common vision ('Win-Win' of course—a vision that doesn't create 'opponents' or leave any behind), and then set about methodically proposing and pushing legislation that makes it happen.
Sue Reynolds
via email
Dear Making Waves,
After receiving the latest issue of Making Waves, I have decided to resign my membership in the Surfrider Foundation. Just like all the other environmental organizations, you have bought into the anti-Bush, anti-environment propaganda. I am specifically referring to the editorial from Mark Spalding. Let me make one point, to refute one item on his list on page 5. The Bush administration has loosened the rule protecting roadless areas to enable logging to thin the forests and prevent more fire seasons, like we had under Clinton and Gore every year. Every item on his list can be refuted, but I have not the time, nor energy to waste on people who are too stupid to discern truth from the ramblings of an environmentalist wacko moron, much less publish them in a supposed non-partisan publication.
Ashley Long
Richmond, VA
Dear Making Waves,
Thank you for the article on the contributions to the environment made by Republicans. I would like to acknowledge the environmental efforts currently being made by Republicans in Hawai'i. My state senator, Fred Hemmings, was the first world surfing champion, and has been instrumental in saving the beach. Our governor, Linda Lingle, just signed into law a bill that will prevent beach front property owners from accruing beach land to their property. That bill was vetoed by her Democratic predecessor. In fact, in the last gubernatorial election, Lingle's web site included an extensive policy paper on the environment, while her Democratic opponent did not mention the environment at all! I grew up a Democrat, but the environment is more important to me than party affiliation, so I vote Republican. Mahalo (thank you) to all our Republican supporters.
Makana Risser
Kailua, Hawaii
Making Waves welcomes letters from our readers. Send hoots, hollers and hassles to makingwaves@surfrider.org. Please make sure to include your name and location. In order to print as many letters as possible, some letters may be edited for length.
|
|
