Changing Alaska

Denali, the Great One!
Picture credit: Nic McPhee from Morris, MN, USA

 

President Obama will be in Alaska today for an Arctic Global Climate Summit.

He is the first US President to visit the Arctic while still in office.

His primary objective is likely to shore up support for climate change programs.

But another more important reason is about a majestic mountain called McKinley.

Today it will officially become Denali and for many Alaskans, it is about time.

You see, the locals have already been calling it Denali since the 1970’s.

The bitter battle over this name change has been going on for many years, those who live in Ohio where President McKinley, for whom the mountain was originally named is from, do not want it changed, but the Alaskan Natives do and today, they will get their way!

Denali is the highest peak in the United States at just over 20,000 feet.

This name change is very personal for the thousands of Indigenous, or Native Alaskans, as it is their name for the mountain in their Native tongue and it means ” the Great One. “

A separate, but equally important ongoing issue here, is that many of the Indigenous or Native Alaskans in this area, are being forced out of their homes on Kivalina Island, due to recent climate change, namely glacial melting and rising seas.

These Native Alaskans have been desperately trying to save not only the land that they live on, but their Ancestral way of life as well.

Over the years, they have been severely impacted by the Global Warming that has decimated their hunting and fishing abilities.
It has also affected many wildlife species that have either completely disappeared, or been reduced beyond recovery and the situation is alarming to all.

Their culture is just about all that they have left right now and they are determined to protect it.

Global Warming, accompanied by the resultant glacial melting and rising seas, have caused them much pain and grief and given them much to fear for the future.

These people are not at all happy about the way that their Alaska is changing.

 

Places to learn more:

Denali – Wikipedia

Obama renames nation’s highest mountain

Sinking into the Sea

Global Warming

Impacts of global warming in Alaska

Meeting the Global Threat of Climate Change

Arctic Peoples and Ecosystems

Climate Impacts in Alaska

 

 

Morgan Freeman, a Man For All Reasons and Seasons

Morgan Freeman as God in Bruce Almighty
Picture credit: Still looking~

 

Seeing a story on the Weather Channel this morning about Morgan Freeman, was both a surprise, as well as a delightful joy.

It appeared to be mostly about his wide range of Humanitarian activism, but was also about the release of his newest film.

Dolphin Tale 2 is being released this week and Morgan is from the original cast and of course, returns as the kindly genius who created Winter’s artificial tail.

You see, Morgan Freeman is someone that I have deeply admired for many years and learning about all of his other passions today, only deepened that admiration.

It does not hurt that his calming, deep resonating voice is as smooth as melted butter.

Morgan who is 77 and lives primarily in Mississippi, does so much for many, it is hard to keep up.

I was not aware of some of his other environmental activities until seeing the story this morning on AMHQ.

Am I surprised?

No.

This quiet man of deep convictions, just goes about doing his job, giving unforgettable performances that will live in our memory banks forever:  Shawshank Redemption, Invictus,  Million Dollar Baby and  Seven.

Oh, this could go on forever….

Shawshank by the way, is still number one  on the IMDB all time favorite film list.

My favorite of his countless great roles, you may be shocked to learn, is when he has played God.

I would like to believe that God would be similar to the character that Freeman has portrayed of him and that he also has a wicked, or wry, sense of Humor.

It comes as little surprise, that just being an actor, is not quite enough to quench Freeman’s seemingly insatiable thirst for giving back.

To call him a world-class Humanitarian is a clear understatement of the man and his many missions.

Morgan’s opinion on Black History Month and Racism is commendable and well-known.

Freeman co-owns a Blues Club and as of this moment, is involved in all of these Organizations:

One Earth, Global Warming, The Grenada Relief Fund, Autism Speaks, Rebuilding Together and Oceana.

This multifaceted man who has meant so much, to so many, has achieved well deserved respect and admiration, that has grown exponentially over the years.

Morgan Freeman truly is a man for all reasons and seasons.

 

Places to learn more:

Morgan Freeman Bio – Wikipedia

Morgan Freeman’s Top 10 films

Morgan Freeman narrates new LGBT equality advertisement

Morgan Freeman on Ending Racism: ‘Stop Talking About It’

Morgan Freeman Global Warming PSA

Morgan Freeman fund for scholarships turns 15

Morgan Freeman proves he’s real-life action hero by landing malfunctioning plane 4 times

Morgan Freeman To Receive AFI Life Achievement Award

Morgan Freeman to Receive an Honorary Degree from Boston University

Rebuilding Together PSA featuring Morgan Freeman

 

 

A New Blog!

Greetings Dear Readers and Followers~

 

It is here for your consideration:

Flawless Pandemonium

 

While we were away  this week,  a new Blog was busy percolating in my head.

It is now up and it is my fondest wish that some of you may come to see it.

This new Blog concerns the Corporate Bullies worldwide who hold all of us hostage daily,  in some way.

It may be the pet store where we buy our dog food, or the place where we buy our gas, or our groceries.

These are the Big Boys and they take no prisoners.

And as you soon will learn, neither will this new Blog.

Monsanto is number one on my list and the others have just been laid out on the newest post, called the List!

Please do  come, I am counting,  as always,  on your support~

thank you~

 

 

Branson’s Bunch~

Sir Richard Branson at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development June,  2012
Picture credit:  UNclimatechange

 

When going through my mail this morning,  a surprising story presented itself.

The unexpected subject of this great news, is not one who normally comes to mind when thinking of Endangered Wildlife, but there he was,  right there in my mailbox, Billionaire Richard Branson.

The story was concerning a new edition to an already growing group at his Necker Island  home in the Caribbean.

I was not aware that Branson had been rescuing Endangered Wildlife for years and in co-operation with several Wildlife Groups,  was using his vast wealth for such a good purpose.

Branson’s involvements in Humanitarian and  Environmental Issues are the only things that will be addressed here,  as it would take an eternity to describe the total sum of the man’s often outrageous,  or occasionally notorious life.

It is not often that I find that a Billionaire and I have much in common, but in Branson’s case this is not entirely true.

His lifelong admiration for Nelson Mandela’s Humanitarian efforts and causes and his passion for protecting the Environment, including Endangered Animals, are two areas where we are in complete agreement.

Branson’s  Island home in the Caribbean has been a source of much criticism, as many believe that he only lives there to avoid taxes on his vast wealth, but for whatever reason, he has managed to make this place a refuge for wildlife and it is for this reason that I admire him and am writing about him today.

My huge respect for Branson as a Humanitarian,  is only superseded by my admiration of his sincere efforts to care for Endangered Animals on his little island in paradise.

As he continues to add to his animal family, Branson has wisely teamed up with the Turtle Conservancy

The most recent guests to be welcomed at his Island retreat are several Endangered Tortoises.

Prior to them,  have been a wide assortment of mammals, birds, reptiles  and other,  amounting to a total of 140 species.

As one of the wealthiest men in the world, Branson does not need to do any of  this.

He could continue to carry on every single day of his life as the famous,  carefree playboy of the world, as many already believe that he is.

But for me at least, this particular side of such a multifaceted man shows that he is a complicated,  many layered person who has earned my respect, at least for this.

One amusing mention in the story,  is about a web site that Branson has had set up,  with a new family member or addition to be  “shown each week.”

Regardless of the flamboyant outer shell this powerful, passionate man consistently shows to most of the world, in my opinion, there is more importantly,  another softer, kinder side, and it is for this that I will always thank him.

Thank you Richard, for what you are trying to do with the Endangered Animals on your island,  or Branson’s Bunch.

 

Places to learn more:

Richard Branson adds endangered tortoises to Necker Island

Necker – more species than any other island on earth

New tortoises on Necker Island

The Turtle Conservancy

 

 

Earth Day Memories, then and now~

Stuntman Dar Robinson and Actor/Environmentalist Iron Eyes Cody, two kind and gentle men.

 

Many years ago in California, I had the privilege of meeting a person who was often shown in commercials to tug at the heart-strings of us all,  to treat our Planet or Mother Earth better.

This man and I were introduced one night at the Artists and Models Ball in the late 1980′s.

I had been sent to cover the event for the Entertainment section of the LA newspaper I worked for at the time.

Meeting him that night,  I was struck by his gentle, kind demeanor.

He truly was, exactly like the person he portrayed in the Environmental commercials for so many years.

His name was Iron Eyes Cody, or as those of us in California loved to call him, The Crying Indian.

He made a huge impact, just as he and this commercial were meant to do, on the status of a beleaguered Earth and his commercial was ALWAYS a central part of any California Earth Day event.

I will not discuss the controversy over his ancestry, it is not why I admired his work.

What this  man did then and will always do, is to make me aware of  the irresponsible,  often cruel way that Humans treat this place that they owe everything to, while showing her such little regard or respect.

What better way to shake up Environmental ignorance and empathy,  than the image of an Indigenous person disgusted and broken-hearted over  what humans do and have done to Mother Earth?

This commercial and the campaign worked, and began  a movement that started in California and spread throughout the country, to change or at least rethink, our bad behavior.

But that was then, what have we done as a species since then, to lessen our heavy footprint on this Planet?

Many groups and organizations in the United States are working tirelessly to reverse the damage already done, some are successful,  some are not.

The point is, that  because of Earth Day and the promotional awareness that  it brings with it, Environmental Issues remain on the table.

An example, this morning on our local news, was a story that made me smile.

Darden Restaurants Inc., whose home office is in Orlando, has begun a brilliant project.

At several of the restaurants in their chain, they are saving food scraps in a project that has them working together with  Organic Matters, who is a local organic recycler.

These scraps are then being used to feed chicken and cows.

The result of this new plan, is that  less food will end up in our land fills and many more animals will have a better, more natural food source.

It is a win-win.

Can the rest of the country consider picking this great idea up?

I have faith in us, with a little encouragement, we humans do try to get it right.

So, on this Earth Day, if you eat out somewhere, perhaps  you  might ask the owner or manager of the place, if they have heard of this idea and if they would be willing to follow suit?

We have nothing to lose and hearing about all of this, the Crying Indian may just be smiling from his final resting place.

God Bless you Iron Eyes, you were such a special man with a giant,  gentle heart.

I am grateful to have known you,  if only for just one night.

 

Places to learn more:

Darden turns scraps into animal feed

Food Waste Alliance

Organic Matters

 

Will You Honor Your Mother Tonight?

Image credit: Google Images

 

What began in Sydney,  Australia in 2007,  has now expanded and grown to become a Global Cultural Event and celebration, with countless Countries,  Nations, People, Organizations and Businesses involved,   each in their own way,  showing  their love and respect for our Planet, for our Mother Earth.

Tonight at 8:30 PM once again,  the entire Planet will have the chance to show its respect and love for this place that we all call home, Mother Earth.

Each corner of the Planet will observe this hour of lights out,  at their own local time.

By turning collectively off our power, we can all demonstrate that we do care for this place that gives us all that we need to live, survive and thrive as a species.

She gives her all to us,  can we say the same?

So, won’t you please join with the millions of concerned others just like you and turn off your  lights,  for at least one hour tonight,  beginning at 8:30 PM?

The fact that this event continues to grow exponentially every year and is now reaching even the most remote of areas of the Globe, says that we do care and that we do want to make the world a better place.

May God continue to Bless us all and may we all continue to  Honor Mother Earth on this and every night.

 

Places to learn more:

 

Earth Hour

 

Earth Hour:  Millions to switch off lights around the world

 

Earth Hour:  Time and date

 

Earth Hour – Wikipedia