[Zaney1]

Yes, again, I agree you have a point. Growing up I had a real interest in the native american side of my heritage, small though it is. I loved the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. This approach was taken by many indigenous cultures. I still laugh at how the european influence "civilized" the world.
Too bad we didn't realize sooner that even the hated cockroach has it's place in the ecosystem.

[Melquiades]

well... nature gets in the way of progress... too bad that just might be the thing that kills us off...

[poochee]

Originally Posted by Melquiades

why were cats gone/disappearing?

I suspect someone trapped them and took them to the pound. Many people hate cats.

I have a friend who used to trap ferrel cats and have them fixed and released them again. Due to health problems she can't do it anymore.

[Melquiades]

Originally Posted by poochee

I suspect someone trapped them and took them to the pound. Many people hate cats.

Yeah, I can see that happening...

Their ability to get rid of pests was one of the many reasons why cats were venerated (they were even mummified in ancient egypt) in ancient civilizations, specially ones that stored grain in silos for the winter.

It would be interesting to see if the number of rodent transmitted diseases has increased in that area, i'm thinking of leptospirosis (bacterial infection - not pretty),toxoplasmosis (parasite - symptoms: bad case of flu), and even the plague (yes, it's still around)

[poochee]

Originally Posted by Melquiades

Yeah, I can see that happening...

Their ability to get rid of pests was one of the many reasons why cats were venerated (they were even mummified in ancient egypt) in ancient civilizations, specially ones that stored grain in silos for the winter.

It would be interesting to see if the number of rodent transmitted diseases has increased in that area, i'm thinking of leptospirosis (bacterial infection - not pretty),toxoplasmosis (parasite - symptoms: bad case of flu), and even the plague (yes, it's still around)

I will post if I see anything pertinent.

One of my friend's husband hated cats. He was always complaining about the neighborhood cats coming into their yard. They were mainly taking short cuts and he couldn't even tolerate that. He also complained about the squirrels. They nested in the wiring under their RV and did damage to the wiring. The little devils.

I was always telling him they need to have a cat. So she started putting out some food and the cats started visiting daily. Took care of the squirrel problem. Unfortunately, he passed away last year. She has become very attached to the visiting cats and worries if the don't show up daily for a feed. Finally learned to appreciate cats.

[Wiskycoo]

...I've heard the plague is actually on the rise again. Most people think of it as a medieval disease but it's not...no one has ever found the cure for it...there is just preventative measures.

I think we'll only see more of an effort done to save the Earths living things when farmers are directly being effected by it... like for instance the bee's this year and their 90%-100% death rate in hives right now. It's going to have to be the ones who produce our foods that will have the strongest voices to make our governments do what they need to do... as it seems governments don't consider normal population a threat to their vote any more.... its all about big business and money...and the farmers have both of that.

And sure, the third world countries MIGHT do better if they had the education to do more with what they have... but once again it's not solely a third world problem... we are talking about EVERY country here... EVERY sea, EVERY forest, plant animal...you name it...and as far as I know.. we first worlders are pretty educated....supposedly.

I know I have a real pet peeve with golf courses... they kill, poison,chop, cut everything that doesn't involve a white ball and some nitwits chasing it. ... it's like here where I am... the other day a family of skunks walked across the golf course... a big hairy stink(no pun intended) was made and the poor little things were trapped.... TRAPPING is NOT away to go... most animals that are relocated don't do very well...most of them die... it's like taking you from your house and dropping you off some place else without all your stuff...you wouldn't do so well either.

Red squirrels...trapped and killed...another golf course tragedy... they happen to be a very rare squirrel these days....same with chipmunks... crows... birds in general that pick at the greens.

...anyway... that's my green rant of the day.

[poochee]

It seems like humans want to cover every square inch of land with houses, malls etc. The animals get displaced. A friend of mine looked out on her patio door one morning and a buck with huge antlers was looking in. Heavy building around her area.

Occasionally mountian lions show up in Sacramento. Some years ago a woman running along a bike path by the river was killed by one. I live about 5 blocks from the river.

I don't know what the answer is!

[Zaney1]

I agree with you Wisky that farmers will only change if they feel the pain. But how do you make an Archers Daniels Midland feel anymore than a pinprick. They are so large they have a hand in every aspect of Agro. And don't get me started on the politicians...

[Melquiades]

Politicians go with the flow, we are the ones that put them in office, arent we?
Politicians, at least when they first start, really believe that they can change things. They promise a myriad of changes during the campaign. Unfortunately, when in office disillusionment kicks in when they realize that in order to accomplish what they promised they have to undertake the daunting task of changing the way a society thinks.
It's easy to say that we want to go green, but in reality, no one wants to give up large gas guzzling cars, cheap products from asian sweat shops, or beautifully manicured-grass golf courses. I do not think it is the politician's fault, but our own, that no action is taken. If we show that we are willing to commit to change, politicians will act, even if only out of greed for votes to get re-elected.

Again I think we (I'm including myself when I say "we") tend to speak bold statements, but yet seem to coward when we have to act upon our words. I guess it's human nature.

[Melquiades]

Yes, that is pessimism.

[ekim68]

Originally Posted by Melquiades

Politicians go with the flow, we are the ones that put them in office, arent we?

Are we? Or is it that the majority don't vote..? But, no matter what, we should hold them accountable...And, status quo isn't doing it anymore....I think we should be concerned about the broader aspect of rules, but, we can do a lot individually.....We should make that first step..

[Melquiades]

I am not saying that we should not hold them accountable, I am saying that it is our fault as well that nothing significant is done.

We LOVE status quo. It is too damn hard to get off our ***** and do something.

and you are right, the majority do not vote, and yet feel it is their right to complain.

I do not think that individualism cuts it anymore. We need an organized community of intelligent individuals willing to put something forth. Unfortunately, right now the only organizations big enough to maybe enable some change are the crazies from PETA, Greenpeace and the likes, who I thoroughly dislike.

[Melquiades]

Eco extremist wants world population to drop below 1 Billion click here to read.

[Zaney1]

Say what you want about PETA & Greenpeace. I thought they were nuts too, for decades. But they were shouting the truth & no one was listening. I think finally they went over the edge & jumped up on the desk & started a tantrum.
As for the politicians, $ puts them in office, they can't even run a successful primary without so many millions of $.
I think politically the biggest problem for the US is apathy. Look at the voters in France 84 % turnout. And Sarkozy wins but still has to go through an election in the legislature. And the voters are sophisticated enough to follow all of this & leverage it.
No, I think some type of crisis is the only thing that will bring about an upheaval to get us off our collective *****.

[Melquiades]

There was such a high turnout in France because the previous president was absolutely disastrous, and people could not stand it anymore.
...and I would not call rioting in the streets because you do not like the new president sophistication.