In the midst of serious news like the fact that the eight largest oil companies doubled their profits over the last three months and Putin’s attacks on Kyiv killing at least 17, we must be at least still amused (if that is the right word) at the President’s ranting over the withdrawal of charges against David Hearn, former Olympic champion, for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.
For those of you who had put this novella-type saga out of your minds, there was a no-bid contract awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, whose owner John Cafaro is both a long-time contributor as well as working on some of the pools at Trump golf courses. D.C. Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro was forced to withdraw charges against Hearn sending the President into a fury.
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, followed by Chevron and ExxonMobil, have managed to stymy attempts at reducing carbon emissions, pushing instead for more production. So while the President rants, we at the bottom of the totem pole are paying the price for fossil fuel contributions to politicians who care more about protecting their power than caring for the people who elected them.
Prayer for the Day
You have given us an infinite variety of beauty, O Creator,
From Northeast forests to the ochre red hills of the West;
You created the lynx of Maine and the condors of Bears Ears,
Which have inhabited our world from time immemorial.
Empower us to protect the variety of creation made by your hand,
By taking on those who put greed and profit above all else.
In the name of the One who looked at the birds in the sky,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Conservation of any endangered species must begin with stringent efforts to protect its natural habitat by the enforcement of rigid legislation against human encroachment into parks and other game sanctuaries.
Dian Fossey, forest protector (1932-murdered 1985)
Living wild species are like a library of books still unread. Our heedless destruction of them is akin to burning that library without ever having read its books.
John Dingell, Member of Congress from Michigan (1926-2019)
When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
But the righteous will look upon their downfall.
Proverbs 29: 16