Saturday, December 18, 2010

Start where you are

Start where you are

Mon, 03/03/2008 - 07:38 — Steven Huyser-Honig
I had a sudden moment of clarity last week. You know what I mean. Something has been nagging at you for a long time that just seems confusing and opaque. And then, when you least expect it, a sudden awareness dawns. In the space of breath, what was confusing makes perfect sense. What was opaque is perfectly clear.
Well, here’s my latest revelation—I am tragically self aware. I hope you see the irony in that, since the statement implies that I’d be better off not knowing that about myself. This lightning bolt of awareness struck me when listening to radiolab on my local public radio station. The program was on the theme of lying and included a segment on self deception.
Now I had always assumed that self awareness was a good thing. And I’m not the only one. The Greeks used to engrave the aphorism “know thyself” on their temples for Pete’s sake.
So I was bowled over by the conclusion drawn on this radio show. It turns out that people who are good at self deception are happier. To quote a study cited in the show “Our motivation to negotiate daily life depends on some degree of misplaced optimism about what we are capable of accomplishing.”
Like everyone who is likely to read this post, I love the Great Lakes and would like to accomplish a great deal to protect them. But I’m dogged by self awareness. I know I’ve the mind and heart of an artist, not a mover and shaker. I know the problems are huge and far beyond my skill to solve. I know I don’t have as much energy to devote to this as I’d like…All this awareness can be paralyzing!
But luckily, long before my latest “Aha” moment, I discovered a quote that I’ve been repeating as a mantra whenever I need a pep talk. Arthur Ashe once said, “To achieve greatness, start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
Come to think of it, maybe self awareness isn’t so tragic after all. I know where I am, I know what I’ve got, and I’m determined to do what I can.
Is there a quotation or saying that keeps you inspired? I’d love to hear it!

Comments

Favorite Inspirational Quote...

Submitted by Stacy Niedzwiecki on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 11:10.
My favorite quotation as of late is one from Native American musician, R. Carlos Nakaihttp://www.rcarlosnakai.com:
"...We were put on the earth to experience life in its totality. And if you're not doing that, you're essentially wasting your time." - R. Carlos Nakai
—
Stacy A. Niedzwiecki
Creative Solutions
Matt Jones's picture

Favorite quote

Submitted by Matt Jones on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 12:21.
Usually, it's the quote from "Buckaroo Bonzai" that goes something like "...no matter what you do or where you go, there you are."
Then there's the old college quote "Socrates said "to do is to be;" Sartre said "to be is to do;" Sinatra said "Do, be, do, be, do." I love the playfulness and wisdom of the last quote. It's sort of like the biblical "to everything, there is a season" thing but doesn't take itself as seriously.
When it comes to the 'business-as-usual" attitude of neglecting environmental impact and water quality issues, Ihope it's not "...deja vu all over again!" (Yogi Berra).
—
Matt Jones
"With water, we are blessed and cursed; Both by it's excesses and our thirst" -self, 2007
Alan Maki's picture

Favorite quote...

Submitted by Alan Maki on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 18:21.
I think in relation to the problems plaguing the Great Lakes is Lincoln's quote of November 21, 1864: "Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow...."
It didn't take long for people in the Great Lakes Region to realize the truthfulness of Lincoln's remark... starting with "Slag Beach" in Fayette to "Big Rock" nuclear plant near Charlevoix... its all been about corporate wealth, power and corruption.
Just driving around the Great Lakes and picking up a newspaper in any local community you can readily see how perceptive Lincoln was.
One only has to look at what is going on concerning the permitting process of the Kennecott sulfide mining project north of Marquette.
What people want means absolutely nothing... it is all about how much a corporation contributes to campaign coffers--- this used to be called "bribery and corruption."
Look at the discussion on a television station's web site as a result of this news story they posted:
Kennecott lawsuit filed
Several groups sue the DNR for granting a permit.
Posted: Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:04 p.m.
INGHAM COUNTY (AP) -- Opponents of a nickel and copper mine in Upper Michigan aren't giving up their fight. They've filed another legal challenge.
Opponents sued the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Thursday. The DNR approved Kennecott Minerals' plans earlier this month and agreed to lease 120 acres of state land for the mine's surface facilities.
The suit was filed in Ingham County Circuit Court by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Huron Mountain Club, the National Wildlife Federation and the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.
They also sued the state Department of Environmental Quality in December after it approved the mine, which would be located in Marquette County.
Comment about this story...
Huron Mt. Club has been paying taxes and employing Yoopers for over 100 years.
Glad to see that the Huron Mt. Club and other environmental organizations have organized and are paying for the necessary challenges to Michigan's DNR, DEQ--and most likely will have to ride herd on the US-EPA, concerning foreign-owned Kennecott's ill-concieived plans to profit and pollute in Marquette County; and now, from recent reports about other mine sites, Baraga County, too.
Since when have we found that the Michigan DNR can properly handle their public responsibilities? (They didn't even know about their multi-million budget surplus in 2007!--and not to mention proper use of the hunting and fishing fees to be used for wildlife--as those who purchased such licenses expected them to be doing...)
Let's remember that the HMtC has been paying taxes and employing locals for over a century. They have a right to their privacy and group ownership. They have also preserved thousands of acres, have paid for and shared useful ecological research for decades; assisted local families back during the Depression and have always been good neighbors.
There are 10,000 persons who have signed petitions against Kennecott's plans--and only now are we learning of their plans for expansion and the taking for great profit the strategic minerals like our copper and nickel and selling these to China--Sorry, but I don't see the safety or logic in their plans--either to exploit our valuable minerals, to potentially pollute our watersheds, roadways, forestlands and air--then ship the product to China to feed the dragon.
— Douglas Scott Treado, Marquette County
Huron Mountain "Club"
to the normal people that live here this "CLUB" is nothing more than a millionare's vacation spot. No regular yooper would get past their heavily guarded gates. If you are against Kennecott, they are NOT your friends
— Dick O'fuchski, Ishpeming
Environmentalist Follies
Why do the environmentalists seem to act like spoiled children? A corporation has met all the requirements that it has been asked to meet and yet that is not good enough. The environmentalists and their limitless pockets of cash choose to enforce their agenda on us "little people" who live here and desire to, heaven forbid, work at a better job. Don't they realize the fact that the very existance of the human race can be viewed as a detriment to nature? In fact, I'm a little upset that many of the trees I have enjoyed looking at have been killed to build houses for those hypocrites. I guess that is a different matter in their eyes. It doesn't matter to The Huron Mountain "Country" Club and others that there are families that can trace there roots back to the first mines here. Definitely before the country club and the other environmentalists were here to play in their playground. Yes, I know the indian nations were here prior to that, but that is a whole different story. Blocking all development besides indian gaming is not in the best interest of the rest of us. The idiots that feed the machines to allow you to buy back the country are very short sighted.
Anyway, companies and corporations exist solely for the purpose of making profits. This is not a crime, this is by design and it is no evil dark secret. This is a fact of life that benefits those who seek to survive through the act of employment and those who invest in these companies. Secondly, the majority of us do not have a trust fund that allows us to force our will on others. We instead need jobs to feed our family as we strive to reach a higher level of wealth. This is also not a crime, it is the beginning process of "earning" wealth. Inheritance is nice, but values are added when wealth is earned. Some proceed further than others, but this is not to be used as a measurement of who is better than another.
Finally, maybe we need to build a fence around the U.P. and not along the Mexican border, so we can better monitor who enters. At least most of the Latin Americans want to be productive members of our society. I still say, although it isn't perfect, having the jobs in America will do more good environmentally for the world than if they were in China, or another such country. At least here we attempt to minimize our negative environmental impact while still giving jobs to other Americans. That should count for something.
— Michael Parent, Iron Mountain, MI
Lawsuit Hipocracy
The law suit brought on by the Huron Mountain Club complaining about 120 acres of old brush and scrubpine that the state will take out of public use, pales in compare to the 90,000+ acres of prime forest and lakes and waterfalls that the club already have removed from the public. It is hard to believe that any judge will side with this hipocracy.
— Mad Dog, Big Bay
lets go u.p
the tens of thousands of us for the mine plus all of the miners in the u.p are tired of getting bashed by anti mine liberal nuts.lets get with it or stop crying about no money in michigan
— cci miner, ishpeming
A son of a son of a miner
Allowing a sulfide mine in the UP, one that has never been proven to not pollute, not to mention all of the tons of air pollution that would go along with it, and the dust pollution that would turn to AMD from the proposed processing facility, then to allow multiple more projects of the same or greater magnitude, is not what the UP needs.
This is not CCI. Kennecott keeps trying to ride the coattails of the history of the UP, playing on people's emotions to push this project through.
To the tens of thousands that have signed petitions against Kennecott, here's an opportunity to get your voice heard worldwide. The internet is a powerful tool and social license can prevent this mine from happening, such as what has recently happened in Canada, Wisconsin and Colorado. Very few want this mine,except for those that would directly profit. It would be wise to do everything you can to protect your public lands, or they will be taken from you in the blink of an eye.
— james jeske, marquette
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs... or--- Profits, Profits, Profits
Every time there is a very legitimate environmental concern, as there definitely is with this sulfide mining operation, someone starts yelling, "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs."
There are plenty of jobs.
All across the U.P. thousands of workers are employed in loud, noisy, smoke-filled casinos receiving poverty wages while working long hours without any rights under State or Federal Labor Laws in the Indian Gaming Industry, which is nothing but a front for organized crime and mobsters.
The problem is corporations are dictating the terms of these jobs.
Cut the work week to 32 hours... pay everyone for 40 hours based on a real living wage.
Make every job a good job, either through a union contract; or, raise the minimum wage to a real living wage based on what the United States Department of Labor calculates a living annual income to be, together with good social programs like socialized health care and free public education right through college.
I never heard of a boss yet who didn't want workers to work more hours for less pay.
Its time that the working class gets organized and fights for real social and economic justice for all workers.
If employers don't want to treat workers right--- with respect--- and pay decent wages and provide good working conditions and benefits along with shorter hours, then let them do the jobs themselves.
At some point we need to look at this situation and become aware that a job doesn't mean anything if the results of what you do--- and how you do it--- are going to destroy our living environment and us right along with it.
Kennecott doesn't do anything for the good of workers or the good of communities. This multi-national corporation has a proven track record of leaving behind environmental disasters and injured workers.
What is really at issue is not--- "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs;" but, "Profits, Profits, Profits."
If government can't be trusted to work for the good of the community and the environment than people are going to have to step forward and take the kind of direct action required... this is what democracy is all about.
As I travel through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan all I see is our living environment and ecosystems being destroyed and huge pits and messes along with massive clear-cuts along with joblessness, poverty and despair--- continuing to do things in the same way by giving these corporations complete control to come in and truck away the profits while we end up paying to clean up the messes--- when they can be cleaned up--- is no solution.
Any government that will allow thousands of people to go to work in smoke-filled casinos without any rights isn't going to give two hoots about making sure a corporation like Kennecott is a "good corporate citizen."
Abraham Lincoln said it best on November 21, 1864, "Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow." This sulfide mining dispute sure substantiates Lincoln's observation.
Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
— Alan Maki, Warroad, Minnesota
Right On! Huron Mountain Protesters!
You hear of the 120 acres of Sage Brush and Jack pines they claim it will take out of publc use, it makes me want to cry, when I think about the 94,000 acres of heaven they have already taken out of public use. Hmm! Something seems very wrong here.
— Wm. Ford, Big Bay
Agree with fellow miner for Kennecott
I as a son of a former miner, who retired from one of the local respectable iron mines in the area. I would have to agree with the fellow miner who mentioned, let there be a mine in our backyard.
Reason for saying it, right now with the economy and many of our children who attend Michigan colleges and universities (myself included); are forced to leave state of Michigan because of the work leaving Michigan.
Look at many towns that had a mine in its backdoor, all were successful with economy. Now with those mines left, the communities are all virtually ghost-towns if already. Besides, mines have to follow strict and clean guidelines, otherwise have to pay a hefty fine, plus clean up the mess.
My point is, if you want your brothers, sisters, children, and others have to leave the state of Michigan and look for work, then its your economy going elsewhere. Think about it...
Sincerely,
Concerned Yooper
— Marvin Kytola, Arizona
KENNECOTT MINING
Let them put a minine in my back yard!! I've been mining for a while now and i've seen the DEQ in action it is so unbelievable how close they monitor us.So let it go-Michigan has to get on it feet again!!
— U.P MINER, Manistique
Huron Mountain Protesters
If the Huron Mountain group has the clout to help stop Kennecott from poisoning and ruining such a beautiful pristine area, then all the power to them. I don't see enough people in the area standing behind the environmentalists to help stop what will be irreversible destruction. If you want to keep Marquette County the amazingly clean and incredibly beautiful place that it is, then put your 'weight behind the wheel' along with the others and help stop this project. For, once it's gone, it's gone.
— Abby de Roche, Ishpeming
The Huron Mountain Club should talk...
I find it rather funny (not really), that the Huron Mountain Club is saying anything for or against this potential mine. For a group of out of state people who already control enough land amongst themselves to be getting in the way of our economic development is just plain wrong. I invite them to open the gates to heaven and let all the local and visiting sportsman in to get a taste of the true U.P. paradise they are hording for their selfish, sometimes visiting selves. But we all know that will never happen, so maybe they should stay out of U.P. affairs unless they are ready to truly contribute to them.
— tom clark, gwinn
—
Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Blog: h

a few conservation quotations

Submitted by Dave Dempsey on Tue, 03/04/2008 - 14:22.
“Lake Superior is the well from which countless future generations will drink. We must stop poisoning that well.”-- Alden Lind, Duluth environmentalist
“All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise that the individual is a member of a community of interdependent parts. His instincts prompt him to compete for his place in that community, but his ethics prompt him also to cooperate (perhaps in order that there may be a place to compete for).” -- Aldo Leopold, “The Land Ethic”
“Just as much as they need the love of parents and the company of friends, and far more than they need computers and educational toys, children require the outdoors. Not “benefit from,” not “enjoy, but require.” -- Bill McKibben
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