Walt Kelly (1913-1973) well known, popular and often political cartoonist, perhaps best known for POGO, was beloved in his time and still. Kelly, in looking back to the War of 1812, drew upon a report from Master Commandment Perry (US Navy) to Major General Harrison (British Navy), when Perry wrote "we have met the enemy and they are ours."
Kelly reimagined the quote some 150-plus years later for Earth Day, 1970, and then in his POGO comic strip the following year. And as is said, the rest is history. It is often noted that as political commentary it speaks strongly that the damage we do most often is the damage we do willingly and knowingly to ourselves.
.png) |
| Walt Kelly (c. 1970/1971) |
And here we are, some 55 years later. Surrounded by an even bigger and more destructive enemy. One attacking NOAA: the source of study for climate research, weather broadcasting and more of critical value. Budgetary and staff cuts to the EPA, deep and severe, which will have wide reaching impacts on our environment for years to come. Basic destruction of the U.S. FORESTRY SERVICE and again, budget and personnel cuts in the DEPT of INTERIOR impacting those who care for, manage, protect our public lands, our natural resources, and cultural heritage sites nationwide.
Without even doing a deep dive into actually "reading" some of the 130 Executive Orders signed since January 20, I found at least a dozen directly related to the environment. I did read some. And to use a cliche, the devil is in the details, with much that is critical deeply buried. That is to say: orders that will either roll back long standing environmental achievements that protected our natural resources and encouraged serious research and study (grants awarded, now rescinded) for climate change issues now impacting us worldwide.
So. What can be done? With our voices we can protest, in our local communities in whatever ways are in ones comfort zones. With our votes, we can vote from the local level all the way up to the very top for those who will return sane and good policies to our government. Politicians (yes, there are some out there) whose goals are not pride or profit driven, but have chosen to serve for the greater good. Do not sit out the next time.
On a lighter note, (this was told me to not long ago) ...
as Smokey the Bear, said, "only you can prevent forest fires ..."
No, I mean it. Only YOU can prevent forest fires.
And by extension, all this damage to Mother Earth.
Don't let our world burn down. It's up to you.
