Wolf shot/killed in southeastern Mt. had traveled far

There goes another part of “wild America.” That’s my immediate reaction to the wolf-killing described in this article from Montana. Humans still cannot find it in their hearts to share the land with the wildlife of our natural heritage. What a damn shame.

A pointed word on the 2011 climate talks

This editorial page cartoon says it all.

Wandering gray wolf inspires hope, caution in Oregon

Naturally, just for the sake of so-called “balance,” I’m sure, the writer of this wire story had to quote a cattle rancher who grazes livestock (cows) where once upon a time wolves and their natural prey, like mule deer, roamed. And of course, certain wolves are now subject to being killed because they had the wherewithal to prey on cattle belonging to a certain rancher. Another debacle in the face of wild nature.

Climate talks open, focus on emissions cuts

Good news on the climate front: World leaders are again convening to talk and act. On the ugly news front: The typical American continues to ignore the threat or dismiss it as nothing to worry about, while driving a quarter-mile to check the postal mail or motoring a half-mile to buy a gallon of milk. Same old laziness. Read it all here.

Big-box store hysteria – in VT and PA

I have written more than a few columns over the years about this topic, but sprawl marches on between each essay’s appearance in the daily newspaper of Hazleton, Pa. In any case, here’s my latest effort.

Big Oil moves into North Dakota . . . the blight proves it

Blight, shacks, slums on wheels . . . it’s all part of the industrialization of yet another part of the United States. Houston, Texas, with its sprawl and ugly air isn’t bad enough. We have to do it to North Dakota and the high prairie, too. All for some crude oil that we’ll burn through in a matter of months as real people drive a quarter mile to pick up their mail (as some of my neighbors do daily). Read about the North Dakota experience here.

Natural gas industry turns to, what else, money to get its way

In time-honored fashion, the industry is throwing zillions into tee vee advertising, etc., all in a bid to win favor for hydrofracturing with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Nothing changes when it comes to campaign cntributions, especially when it comes to results. No corporate giver gives just to be nice. Nosireebob. They esxpect results. Read about the money bonanza.M

Officials push for clarity on oil, gas leases

This effort is yet another telling indicator of the industrialization of America at the hands of the fossil-fuel drillers and diggers.

A desert eyesore

I found this big gem of a roadside sore in southeastern Arizona while en route to Fort Huachuca, a Sonoran Desert outpost of the U.S. Army.

It’s the big one that got taken away

It is an 881-pound Tuna and because it was taken – inadvertently it seems – with a net, federal fishery enforcement agents laid claim to the big one as the New Bedford fishermen looked on. The Boston Herald has the tale of woe.