Posted on 10/05/2007 12:13:34 PM PDT by presidio9
Saving the environment is not about protecting the fish and the birds, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It is about protecting the human race. Kennedy, nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, spoke at Western Hall Wednesday as part of Western's theme, "Global Challenges and Personal Responsibility."
An award-winning journalist and lawyer, Kennedy spoke about the lackadaisical state of environmental law. He also talked about the roles of corporations with respect to nature and the media's impact on the issue in his presentation.
He added that the biggest threat to water resources in America is the Bush administration. According to Kennedy, under President George W. Bush, portions of the Clean Air Act have been dismantled and the administration ceased enforcement of already weak environmental laws.
Many audience members said they agreed.
Pat Sullivan, an area resident and teacher at "Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center," said, "Corporations have turned this world into a non-democratic society."
Kennedy said the economy and environmental policy could coexist, and one did not have to be chosen over the other.
"Good environmental policy 100 percent of the time is identical to (good) economy," Kennedy said. "You cannot separate one from the other."
According to Kennedy, in 19 states, including Illinois, it is no longer safe to consume fish. The high levels of mercury contamination within the waterways are from the lack of regulations to keep rivers clean. Bush "pulled back mercury regulations after he accepted $100 million from a utility industry," Kennedy added. The mercury in the waters can have detrimental effects on the consumer as it works as a poison to the brain.
Sophomore pre-law enforcement and justice administration major Chris Mortimer said he agreed with Kennedy and was disturbed by the statistics, especially those concerning Illinois.
"It's sad and scary that people in this state cannot go and fish in the rivers and eat the fish," he added.
Kennedy continued by explaining that part of the problem with environmental issues lies with the national media.
"Five giant multinational corporations (in America control) 14,000radio stations, 2,500 television stations, 80 percent of newspapers, all billboards and most large Internet content providers," Kennedy said.
He attributed most of the fault to the Reagan administration, which "abolished the fairness doctrine in 1988," but he added that Clinton "finalized the deal" by signing the communications act in 1996.
Kennedy said this has influenced a "negligent and indolent press," so the American public is no longer aware of environmental issues occurring nationwide.
He added that only when the press starts informing America and when it begins to take action to establish a better administration on this issue would environmental problems be resolved.
He added that the biggest threat to water resources in America is the Bush administration
The dems will never stop hammering on that one theme. Bash Bush.
Bet the farm on it.
Kennedy on environment? Ha! Did he say that he would now welcome windmill power being generated within sight of the Kennedy Compound? Still “NIMBY” for him, I suppose. Hypocrite.
Sigh...
Too easy, Senator Kennedy...
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/04/27/kennedy_faces_fight_on_cape_wind/
Until the McCain-Feingold Censorship Act came along and reversed all of that progress in 2002.
Is there anything in America, or the world for that matter that the Bush Administration isn't the biggest threat against it?
Is there anything in America, or the world for that matter that the Bush Administration isn't the biggest threat against it?
Hordes of criminal invaders.
“Good environmental policy 100 percent of the time is identical to (good) economy,” Kennedy said. “You cannot separate one from the other.”
At least he was right on one point.
“He added that the biggest threat to water resources in America is the Bush administration. According to Kennedy, under President George W. Bush, portions of the Clean Air Act have been dismantled and the administration ceased enforcement of already weak environmental laws.”
You want clean air? how about some wind power off of cape cod? Oh cant ruin the view can we?
Personally, I think the biggest threat to the environment is automotive leakage, like toxins from “drowned” cars polutting our water and fumes released into the air when cars crash into trees and fences on Capital Hill.
“And the biggest threat to secretaries are drunken Kennedy’s”
Now we know why he didn’t save Mary Jo...he was concerned about the quality of the water she was drowning in.
No he wasn’t. “Good” is a subjective term. Do you want the Dems defining it like they already do ?
It’s all in the definition.
Doesnt that depend upon the definition of what “is” is?
LOL his uncle is a threat when he drives cars into the beautiful waters of Cape Cod!
Kennedys talking, that’s OK. I guess.
But no: driving, skiing, flying, shooting, boating, sports or anything requiring fine motor skills.
Nice that Kennedy is now an expert in something since he flunked the BAR exam. Let the idiots follow another over the bridge.
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