Tom's Blog on Life and Livingness
I continue to be impressed at the wisdom and eloquence of America’s founding fathers.
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” – George Washington
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”— Patrick Henry
Through the cacophony of the UN’s global climate talks, an Australian farmer is quietly spreading his plan to reforest the world.
Over more than 30 years in west Africa, Tony Rinaudo has regenerated more than 6m hectares – an area nearly as large as Tasmania. His farmer-managed natural regeneration technique is responsible for 240m trees regrowing across that parched continent.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/14/reforesting-world-australian-farmer-240m-trees
I cannot speak to the intent as I cannot read the minds of legislators.
What I can state with certainty is that the effort is wrong headed. Sane, capable people want to work. Getting something for nothing is a criminal level of exchange and turns the receiver into a criminal.
When one does not want to or is not capable of working, being forced to work is not much fun. The person who cannot work needs to have his willingness to work rehabilitated by having him confess the things he did wrong for which he is now withholding his effort. Only then will he be able to work and feel comfortable about it.
What you do makes a difference. For some, the difference between life and death.
This Dolphin was found on the big beach yesterday. He died of starvation due to the water bottle seal that caught on his snout.
When you go to the beach, throw the trash in the trash. Don’t leave it in the sand.
Photo: Kaio Nunes / Institute Institute
At present I do a 20 minute walk, morning and night. Most days I pick up 10-20 bits of trash. My highest ever was 154 pieces on one trip.
For the sake of the wildlife, I invite you to join me and make trash collection part of your daily routine.
“In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions:
“When did you stop dancing?
When did you stop singing?
When did you stop being enchanted by stories?
When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?”
Gabrielle Roth
It is vitally important that we change the system and elect representatives of hte people to parliament rather than those beholden first to their party and second to their political donors.