Strangler Fig ...living bridge in the Mekong

The rivers of the world are engangered by each of us... and we need to find a way to understand these resources and then to become shepards who will protect and improve them. Consider that survival, like the living bridge, is more than a lifetime's work.

The Khone Falls on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia have more water flowing over them then any other falls in the world, an important fact in meeting the needs of this high population region. The average discharge of the Mekong at this point is nearly 3 million U.S. gallons per second, though the highest volume on record was reached at over 13 million U.S. gallons per second.

As those of us who are committed to sustainability know, we need to find a way to make the earth's limited water survive the imprint of man...

Watch http://youtu.be/x6R0LaZtxis BBC: Human Planet ep. 7 of 8

The End of an Era

Some friends of mine have noted that in this austere period Americans can put our money to better use than to space flights and other non-social programs that NASA runs. Let's put that aside for now, though NASA does a great deal more than space flights. But the Hundreds of Millions spent on Shuttle Flights is clearly a targeted expense... one that many feel we should forgo.

Me, I don't agree. NASA has opened doors with the flights of our shuttle fleet. And Americans are adventurers... and space offers that human adventure. Add to that the advancements in technology and the knowledge expansion achieved for all human kind.

Our galactic focus needs to now go to the International Space Station (ISS) and finding ways to advance our understanding of Science, Math, Technology and Engineering... to make this happen demands our continued focus on NASA and, from my perspective, increased commitment to manned space flight on a new NASA space vehicle.

No matter your position on continuing NASA funding, I would ask that you join me in thanking the men and women who have flown...and those thousands of men and women who have made their flights possible. Congratulations NASA... mission accomplished.

Whose World is it Anyway?

Take a moment to consider...

If you look back to older tribal cultures and philosophies
you will find that the concept of ownership was limited to the things that the
individuals made, but not necessarily to real property. We agree with that
somewhat today when we look at our coastal planes and shore lines. Generally if
tidal rise and fall, extending even to surge, reaches an area the laws of many
countries (including the USA) prevent title or ownership…as this is considered
part of the sea… But it is more than that.

Our Native American Cultures did not consider that they
owned the land; instead they were committed to the idea that they were part of
the land.

In reviewing other nomadic societies, even today, we find that many are
less committed to individual ownership and more to the concept that Spirit, or
Nature (mother if you wish), or the Universe is all things…and that it is
foolish to believe that we own things like land…after all, we will be long gone
and the rocks, and sands, and soil will still be…

Hindus have a presence that they call Atman… or the
in-dwelling God, or God within…which is acknowledged and awakened when we put
ego aside and discover the one Truth. It is the attainment of this truth, the
recognition that ego is counter to peace, and that service to others is the way
of truth that leads us to understand that working to cleanse the world, improve
our planet, and ensure sustainability is central to Life’s Purpose.

The world, after all, belongs to all …not to a privileged
few…and we all, if we believe what our ancient cultures believed, belong to the
world.