Dear Friend:
There's no doubt about it. The past months have been rough for those of us who care about wildlife and the health of our planet. We can't candy-cane coat this one. The election results bode ill for environmental issues – already we are hearing that there will be a new push to gut the Endangered Species Act, drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other wilderness areas, and plow new roads into the last remaining roadless areas of our national forests. The folks who are leading the call for pillaging and plundering seek only short-term gain at the expense of the legacy that we should pass down to our children and grandchildren. Greed trumps fairness, selfishness leads to abuses of our planet. Their actions are not exactly in the holiday spirit, nor do they fit with the American ideal. They're like Dr. Seuss' classic character, the Grinch, who is cruel to his pet and always trying to figure out how to destroy the happiness and collective goodwill of the good citizens of Whoville – the everyplace town that represents all towns.
But in the end, the Grinch comes to his senses. We're hoping beyond hope that the greed heads in this presidential administration and Congress will do the same. Instead of seeking short-term gains, we're hoping they will recognize that great benefits can be earned by protecting wildlife and the land that we share with the animals and upon which we depend for our own lives. We're hoping that they'll understand that more jobs can be created and our children's future better secured by living sustainably – working with the planet and not against it.
The holidays are a time for hope, but at Defenders we know that hope will not be enough. We know that a visionary effort is needed to reenergize all those who already "get it" – and to convince those who don't – to spread the message that wildlife and our own welfare require us to change our ways for the better. We're asking that you continue to lead on this effort. By contacting your elected officials, by writing letters-to-the-editor, by becoming leaders in your communities and places of worship, by educating your children and by speaking up for wildlife, you've proven time and time again that you seek and demand better, more sustainable public policies.
So during this holiday season, we want to thank you for all you do! And to kick off the New Year right, we're asking that you sign, and ask your friends, family and neighbors to sign, our Endangered Species Pledge at www.saveesa.org as your gift to our planet's wildlife. It will not cost you anything, but if the Endangered Species Act is gutted, it will likely cost our diminishing wildlife their lives.
Again, thanks for all you do. And may your holidays be filled with joy and peace!
Best wishes,
Rodger SchlickeisenPresident, Defenders of Wildlife
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DENLINES
NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS? Just send an E-mail from your old address to: Changeaddress@defenders.org and put only your new e-mail address in the subject line. If you no longer have access to your old address send an e-mail to DEN@Defenders.org and in the text part of the message give us your "old" and "new" addresses.
Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE. If you don't have web access, send a separate e-mail to Denlines@den.defenders.org and put the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
DENlines is a biweekly update of Defenders of Wildlife, a leading national conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. It is known for its effective leadership on endangered species issues, particularly predators such as brown bears and gray wolves. Defenders also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that protect species before they become endangered. Founded in 1947, Defenders is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with more than 480,000 members and supporters.
Defenders of Wildlife1130 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20036
Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2004
There's no doubt about it. The past months have been rough for those of us who care about wildlife and the health of our planet. We can't candy-cane coat this one. The election results bode ill for environmental issues – already we are hearing that there will be a new push to gut the Endangered Species Act, drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other wilderness areas, and plow new roads into the last remaining roadless areas of our national forests. The folks who are leading the call for pillaging and plundering seek only short-term gain at the expense of the legacy that we should pass down to our children and grandchildren. Greed trumps fairness, selfishness leads to abuses of our planet. Their actions are not exactly in the holiday spirit, nor do they fit with the American ideal. They're like Dr. Seuss' classic character, the Grinch, who is cruel to his pet and always trying to figure out how to destroy the happiness and collective goodwill of the good citizens of Whoville – the everyplace town that represents all towns.
But in the end, the Grinch comes to his senses. We're hoping beyond hope that the greed heads in this presidential administration and Congress will do the same. Instead of seeking short-term gains, we're hoping they will recognize that great benefits can be earned by protecting wildlife and the land that we share with the animals and upon which we depend for our own lives. We're hoping that they'll understand that more jobs can be created and our children's future better secured by living sustainably – working with the planet and not against it.
The holidays are a time for hope, but at Defenders we know that hope will not be enough. We know that a visionary effort is needed to reenergize all those who already "get it" – and to convince those who don't – to spread the message that wildlife and our own welfare require us to change our ways for the better. We're asking that you continue to lead on this effort. By contacting your elected officials, by writing letters-to-the-editor, by becoming leaders in your communities and places of worship, by educating your children and by speaking up for wildlife, you've proven time and time again that you seek and demand better, more sustainable public policies.
So during this holiday season, we want to thank you for all you do! And to kick off the New Year right, we're asking that you sign, and ask your friends, family and neighbors to sign, our Endangered Species Pledge at www.saveesa.org as your gift to our planet's wildlife. It will not cost you anything, but if the Endangered Species Act is gutted, it will likely cost our diminishing wildlife their lives.
Again, thanks for all you do. And may your holidays be filled with joy and peace!
Best wishes,
Rodger SchlickeisenPresident, Defenders of Wildlife
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DENLINES
NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS? Just send an E-mail from your old address to: Changeaddress@defenders.org and put only your new e-mail address in the subject line. If you no longer have access to your old address send an e-mail to DEN@Defenders.org and in the text part of the message give us your "old" and "new" addresses.
Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE. If you don't have web access, send a separate e-mail to Denlines@den.defenders.org and put the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
DENlines is a biweekly update of Defenders of Wildlife, a leading national conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. It is known for its effective leadership on endangered species issues, particularly predators such as brown bears and gray wolves. Defenders also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that protect species before they become endangered. Founded in 1947, Defenders is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with more than 480,000 members and supporters.
Defenders of Wildlife1130 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20036
Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2004
posted by T. Scott Brineman at 9:16 AM
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