Thank you for the excellent essay reminding us to maintain balance in our thinking. When I read, listen, and think about the dangers evolving from the effects of climate change, the heat dome, wild fires, melting polar ice and warming oceans, the Web telescope photos offer the possibility of more revealing glimpses into the origin of the universe. As tiny as we are in this universe, yes, our travails do seem insignificant. At the same time, these photos from a very distant past, also emphasize the importance of working globally to change and improve upon the damaging effect of human activity on our home planet.
Comparisons do help in making sense of seemingly divergent events. Politically, we have witnessed the cowardice of Republicans and a few Democrats seeking financial advantage by aligning themselves with a rich, television personality pretending to be a qualified candidate for the Presidency, i.e., Trump. Compare the behavior of these Republicans with the courageous stance taken by Republicans Kinzinger and Chaney who recognize treasonous acts but use the laws of our nation to investigate and present the perpetrators of the treason to the people of our nation. Heard this morning on a news program that a small percentage of the American public are watching the Hearings on the January 6th assault. The larger percentage not paying attention may be compared to the climate change deniers. So- how do we go forward?
My interest in earth rather than space right now. We have sufficiently messed up earth , so why go to spece to mess with that too! Feeling cynical right now!
I like this essay. Something written in WHAT UNITES US about service "On a personal level, service may be considered a virtue. But in a democratic society such as ours, we must consider it a necessity. " The workings of the James Webb Space Telescope.
i believe Biden decided to come out of a comfortable retirement to save the nation from another round of TFG. it was clear from his comments that Biden realized how inept and dangerous TFG was from the beginning, and especially so after the Charlottesville tragedy when Biden apparently decided enough was enough. I think it's almost certain that Biden would not have run for the Presidency again if not for TFG's disastrous tenure and Biden's realization that he (Biden) probably had the best shot at defeating him, among the other Dem candidates at the time. If for nothing else than this, Joe Biden is indeed a blessing, perhaps more than we'll ever know. He's truly given himself over to the wellbeing of the nation, above his own in such contrast to TFG.
I agree 100% with the juxtaposition of Manchin and Webb. Sadly, there are millions and millions of people who disregard science in favor of opinion. As a nation and a world, it is time to forego the conservative/liberal and left/right labels and work towards a future in which we can survive and thrive as one people.
I am in agreement with your closing remark: "it is better to bet on the helpers more than the obstructionists, the builders more than the destroyers, and the dreamers more than the cynics."
We have opinion science today backing the elites money making Climate Change theory. Why does the creator of the Weather Channel, a formidable scientist state adamantly that their is no Climate Change just changes where the earth warms and cools? Actually as the Carbon increases above 18 we always see an ice age.
I have no idea, nor do I care, who created the Weather Channel or if that person is even a scientist. What I do know is that hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists worldwide agree that Climate Change is real and that unless we - all of us - do something now, there won't be a livable earth to call home.
By the way, after blocking the climate bill, Senator Manchin said today (7/20) that he wants Congress to pass new climate initiatives, but Manchin has no idea what he wants in the new climate bill.
Those scientists are not independent scientists but scientists funded by the government to protect their theory. Bought and paid for fake news. Besides why have not ANY ferries across the world seen any rise in ocean height in that they had to alter roads and docking of ferries to load and unload vehicles. Because they aren’t rising. It’s an insurance scam too as millions of homes are now in the 10 to 100 ft claimed rise in sea levels. If the sea rise 10 ft half of the US would be under water and most all of South America.
So, I see that only you and the Weather Channel guy know the real answer to Climate Change. Every other scientist is providing fake news.
The drought in the Western US is just normal. The Great Lakes overflowing their banks is normal. The increased number and severity of hurricanes and tornadoes is normal.
I am worried about the world we are leaving for my kids and grandkids. Climate Change is real. I am no longer responding. But I will leave one last thought ...
“It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt”
You doth protest too much. If you are not a liberal at twenty you have no heart but if you are not a conservative at forty you have no brain. Churchill
I’ve been calling Manchin “Lucy van Pelt” for months. Glad you posted the footage. Like poor Charlie B., the clueless Dems fall for it EVERY TIME. ~MickPea on Twitter
Our planet, which most normal people love and cherish, is in danger. But I don`t think that too much science will really save it. It has to be helped from both sides: natural solutions & scientific ones. If it`s only science it will certainly be too far from human values and human values are more important than we want to admit.
When one is ill one doesn`t have to run asap to the doctor because often simple ways can make us well; those which our past generations know and tell us about. The question we need to ask ourselves: what is good and what is helpful and what is harmful? I know that there are many who do not believe in natural healing methods, I do and will always believe in them for many reasons. Important is always to keep in mind the goals but just as important are the means to reach those goals.
End all wars between Nations; and, put those military budgets into a cooperative space program. The "spin offs" from those programs just might help solve our "endless (on a limited planet with limited resources) population growth (read the book, "Limited Growth") problem.
Thank you so much for introducing me and I'm sure many others to Mr. Gregory Robinson‼️
Thank you for the excellent essay reminding us to maintain balance in our thinking. When I read, listen, and think about the dangers evolving from the effects of climate change, the heat dome, wild fires, melting polar ice and warming oceans, the Web telescope photos offer the possibility of more revealing glimpses into the origin of the universe. As tiny as we are in this universe, yes, our travails do seem insignificant. At the same time, these photos from a very distant past, also emphasize the importance of working globally to change and improve upon the damaging effect of human activity on our home planet.
Comparisons do help in making sense of seemingly divergent events. Politically, we have witnessed the cowardice of Republicans and a few Democrats seeking financial advantage by aligning themselves with a rich, television personality pretending to be a qualified candidate for the Presidency, i.e., Trump. Compare the behavior of these Republicans with the courageous stance taken by Republicans Kinzinger and Chaney who recognize treasonous acts but use the laws of our nation to investigate and present the perpetrators of the treason to the people of our nation. Heard this morning on a news program that a small percentage of the American public are watching the Hearings on the January 6th assault. The larger percentage not paying attention may be compared to the climate change deniers. So- how do we go forward?
Very well said ! Without hope we have nothing ! Essays like this give us the hope that our concern for the common good will prevail !
Looking through the eyes of the Webb, I saw the beginning of time and I am at peace.
This article made me a little hopeful. Just slightly
Is this Jebb Clampet? Thought so.
I loved the ending. When I get too involved in all the cynicism I have to remember to stop giving them free rent in my head.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Marla, thank you for this timely reminder!!
My interest in earth rather than space right now. We have sufficiently messed up earth , so why go to spece to mess with that too! Feeling cynical right now!
I like this essay. Something written in WHAT UNITES US about service "On a personal level, service may be considered a virtue. But in a democratic society such as ours, we must consider it a necessity. " The workings of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Amen! to your last paragraph.
I love when you say, "we need to find inspiration to keep going." We are blessed to have Joe Biden as our President.
i believe Biden decided to come out of a comfortable retirement to save the nation from another round of TFG. it was clear from his comments that Biden realized how inept and dangerous TFG was from the beginning, and especially so after the Charlottesville tragedy when Biden apparently decided enough was enough. I think it's almost certain that Biden would not have run for the Presidency again if not for TFG's disastrous tenure and Biden's realization that he (Biden) probably had the best shot at defeating him, among the other Dem candidates at the time. If for nothing else than this, Joe Biden is indeed a blessing, perhaps more than we'll ever know. He's truly given himself over to the wellbeing of the nation, above his own in such contrast to TFG.
I agree 100% with the juxtaposition of Manchin and Webb. Sadly, there are millions and millions of people who disregard science in favor of opinion. As a nation and a world, it is time to forego the conservative/liberal and left/right labels and work towards a future in which we can survive and thrive as one people.
I am in agreement with your closing remark: "it is better to bet on the helpers more than the obstructionists, the builders more than the destroyers, and the dreamers more than the cynics."
We have opinion science today backing the elites money making Climate Change theory. Why does the creator of the Weather Channel, a formidable scientist state adamantly that their is no Climate Change just changes where the earth warms and cools? Actually as the Carbon increases above 18 we always see an ice age.
I have no idea, nor do I care, who created the Weather Channel or if that person is even a scientist. What I do know is that hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists worldwide agree that Climate Change is real and that unless we - all of us - do something now, there won't be a livable earth to call home.
By the way, after blocking the climate bill, Senator Manchin said today (7/20) that he wants Congress to pass new climate initiatives, but Manchin has no idea what he wants in the new climate bill.
Those scientists are not independent scientists but scientists funded by the government to protect their theory. Bought and paid for fake news. Besides why have not ANY ferries across the world seen any rise in ocean height in that they had to alter roads and docking of ferries to load and unload vehicles. Because they aren’t rising. It’s an insurance scam too as millions of homes are now in the 10 to 100 ft claimed rise in sea levels. If the sea rise 10 ft half of the US would be under water and most all of South America.
So, I see that only you and the Weather Channel guy know the real answer to Climate Change. Every other scientist is providing fake news.
The drought in the Western US is just normal. The Great Lakes overflowing their banks is normal. The increased number and severity of hurricanes and tornadoes is normal.
I am worried about the world we are leaving for my kids and grandkids. Climate Change is real. I am no longer responding. But I will leave one last thought ...
“It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt”
― Mark Twain
You doth protest too much. If you are not a liberal at twenty you have no heart but if you are not a conservative at forty you have no brain. Churchill
I’ve been calling Manchin “Lucy van Pelt” for months. Glad you posted the footage. Like poor Charlie B., the clueless Dems fall for it EVERY TIME. ~MickPea on Twitter
Not all of them. (Not me but I’m a nobody.) Sadly, those currently in power do. Over and over again ad nauseum.
DITTO!!
Needed is a new acronym for the likes of Manchin and Sinema: DINOs, as in Democrats In Name Only.
That acronym is at least a couple decades old, btw.
OK
Touche!
Our planet, which most normal people love and cherish, is in danger. But I don`t think that too much science will really save it. It has to be helped from both sides: natural solutions & scientific ones. If it`s only science it will certainly be too far from human values and human values are more important than we want to admit.
When one is ill one doesn`t have to run asap to the doctor because often simple ways can make us well; those which our past generations know and tell us about. The question we need to ask ourselves: what is good and what is helpful and what is harmful? I know that there are many who do not believe in natural healing methods, I do and will always believe in them for many reasons. Important is always to keep in mind the goals but just as important are the means to reach those goals.
End all wars between Nations; and, put those military budgets into a cooperative space program. The "spin offs" from those programs just might help solve our "endless (on a limited planet with limited resources) population growth (read the book, "Limited Growth") problem.