America Marching to the Undiscovered Country.

[Piewhacket]

Recently I visited http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/ , the homepage of one of DU's distinguished members (Blue_In_Alaska), and looked at the wonderful photos there, including the glaciers that we all once thought would be timeless. It is a fearful thought that they are disappearing and could even completely disappear in our lifetimes. It is a global catastrophe, and arguably the greatest present threat to the survival of life on this planet. The Earth as second Venus. Sulfuric acid clouds, mountains frosted with lead sulfide, 92 atmospheres of CO2 with molten lakes at 860 degrees fondly Fahrenheit. Book your reservations early, vacationers, or maybe just stick around awhile.

We are the top predators on this planet and insanely dangerous. By 1950 it was apparent that mankind had the capacity to destroy the earth, and by 1962 (missiles of October) we seemed poised to prove it with nuclear holocaust and its aftermath, nuclear winter. No plant life. No sun. Perpetual planet wide glaciers. Man had become the warrior who could no longer afford to study war. For his survival he must beat his swords into a plowshares. Have we?

Of course, natural catastrophic threats also exist. Plagues, asteroids, super volcanoes. These things we must face as God wills. Yet it seems a particular form of insanity unique to mankind that we keep adding to these perils by trying to destroy each other, and in so doing recklessly sow the seeds of our own destruction. How easy it has become. Too easy.

Yet it should also be painfully apparent to all persons here in DU that there is also political catastrophe. The rise to power of leaders who are various combination of stupid, incompetent, insane, venal, and corrupt and who would themselves, or through delegation to seductive forces, use the machinery of power delivered to them in trust to entrench and enrich themselves, and to enslave others. We have just had a taste of this, a terrifyingly glimpse and reminder of how easily destruction and a totalitarian state can come upon even the greatest democracy. I hope that nightmare, at least, is passing (but not forgotten, work to do).

So I say now a silent thanks that we have elected political leaders who have recognized the threat and are committed to responding to it. We must all be prepared to do that. And I am breathing again to dare to hope that Obama, helped by many others, INCLUDING US HERE, will be such a world leader and help pull us back from the brink of self-made catastrophe.

We are indeed left in dire state, but hope remains. We must firmly turn our commitment toward our children, grandchildren, and the future of all mankind. That is decidedly our job now. To do that we must understand that a healthy, fed, and educated child, supported and mentored and with resources left to command in due course, is one who will be most effectively prepared to face the challenges ahead. We must also understand that a just society with just laws creates the strong and lasting civilization necessary to provide education and those resources. We should therefore firmly commit that America be that just society based on liberty, equal justice and democratic principles.

Thus, it really isn't about us, but it does come down to us. Here, Now, us. For WE are the guardians of democracy, of America, of the world, and of the future. Us. Here. Now. Let us not shirk. Let us resolve to come together to make a better world for each other, and to make America strong in fact and spirit, and once again a shining beacon of hope for the world.

So it is time, now, let prayers be given and we are ready.
America, we march to the undiscovered country, to secure its gate for our children.

[snappyturtle]

1. Passionately written. My hope is that we will be given more guidance

into what we can do in our daily lives to help the planet. I do what I know how to do but I'm certain there's more. With a national movement through the new administration I believe we can improve a great deal. I also hope that PEO uses his mandate early while he has the world's attention to use us as examples (we'll not want to let him down!) the world can follow. It's a big hope, I know.

edit: K&R Thanks for the link to the beautiful pictures!

[Piewhacket]

2. Thank you. I was hoping someone would read it.

The journey begins with a consensus of where we are and especially where
we must go and why. My post gave a view on that.

The journey itself will appear as a series of choices which we must make.
Support this, condemn that, brainstorm this, recommend that, do this,
stop that, lead here, follow there.

We have just finished making one critical choice. Obama/Biden.
We chose wisely. Let us continue on that path awhile.
As sounding boards for Team Obama here on DU,
(do you imagine they have all the answers? Doubt it.)
and in other ways in our own lives.
But always remembering where it is we must go.
Lots to do.

But not to worry about specifics, they will appear, you will know them,
you will know what to do. If we need help we will ask each other.
On the environment we must green the world or we will all surely perish.
So... More solar? Or just drill more oil?
Choices, one at a time, not so difficult.
Trust me, it won't be so hard to do a lot better than the last 8 years.

[snappyturtle]

3. It's excellent; please put it in General Discussion! I think you'll be surprised.

on edit: I thank you for your foresight...I hope you're right!