While browsing through bushwatch, I came across the headline section of the Boston Globe wherein Derrick Jackson (May 11, 2005) interviews a biologist who has studied monarch butterflies for 50 years. Here is a quote from Dr. Brower re the Admin's lifting of the deep forest road ban - endangering the successful migration of the Monarchs. Dr. Brower calls the problem "development at all costs."
"Mr. Bush in an incredible ignoramus and utterly oblivious. I don't understand how so many of the nation's leaders are so massively ignorant and no one stands up to this. I don't understand why Bush does not seem to have a single person who can tell him how these decisions add up to disastrous effect on the whole environment."
Wait - whaa, whaa -- a scientist criticizes the admin in strong language. We haven't seen too much of this kind of thing. A scientist stands tall for his passion. Dr. Brower has also extensively researched the controversial Btcorn pollen used by our mega-agricultural community -- and its negative impact on biodiversity.
A further quote by the good doctor: "People ask me, What's the difference whether we have a monarch migration or not? I say, Why do we care about the Mona Lisa or classical music....because it is a cultural treasure. We have to start viewing the natural world as a cultural treasure."
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Well -- until the bushwackers...
Go to http://www.oriononline.org/pages/om/01-2om_canary.html for a really comprehensive article by Dr. Brower - warning: he doesn't hold back.