Saturday December 5, 2020
Before I say anything more, you should all know I feed birds (and some other wildlife, too) so when I read that the Interior Department was arguing that the Migratory Bird Act was being interpreted too broadly, I had to wonder. That is the part of government that is supposed to protect wildlife, not sell itself out to the highest polluter.
Over the past four years environmental protections for wildlife and people have been eviscerated by a government more interested in kissing up to the destructive actions of business interests. The promise to save coal mining jobs rather than bringing neglected parts of the country into the 21st century pandered to fears of change.
The underlying message of the book Hillbilly Elegy is that the people of Appalachia suffered not just neglect but political abuse because governments were unwilling to take on the environmental pollution that leads to social disintegration.
Prayer for the Day
We know, Eternal Creator, what is required of us, yet we falter;
We know, God of life, what we need to do, yet we hesitate;
We see the evil in the world around and often are afraid to respond.
But you, O God, tug at our sleeves and call us to step forward.
Move us, O Holy Spirit, beyond the excuses we create:
So we may live faithfully according to your Gospel.
We ask this in the name of him who shows us the way,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
What melody will our rivers remember if our songbirds forget how to sing?
- Sheniz Janmohamed, Canadian poet, spoken word artist
The scale of the mess we leave behind is proportionate to the level of respect we have for others.
- Stewart Stafford, American Irish writer and actor
You desire truth in the inward being, therefore teach me wisdom in my heart.
Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my inquities.
- Psalm 51: 6-9