Question of the Week: What events occurring right now are leading to world-changing moments?

The rescue of the Chilean miners and the ongoing Gulf Coast oil mess are highlighting the cost of our use of fossil fuels. Every new gardener, experiencing greater connection with the nature we are part of, is tilting us toward balance.

I think in the increasing power of the Tea Party, we may be seeing a legitimate third political party arise within the United States. People seem to be more engaged in the political process and more aware of the issues. As it moves from being a lot of loosely-defined grassroots groups to a more organized national group that now has meetings for local leaders to exchange ideas, it’s looking more and more like a true political party. What influence it has on the traditional two-party system, and the balance of power in America, will be interesting to observe.

Climate change is happening before our very eyes, just as the scientists have predicted. Polar ice caps are melting, species are dissappearing. The sum of all the grief from the losses we face now and the losses we realise we will face later will equal the motivation we have to do something about it. As the losses get greater the motivation will get greater until …… we do something signficant. But the greater we realise that time is running out, the sooner we will act.

Unemployment and the utter contempt and disregard the political class has for the continuing misery. In some respects the worst culprits are those who are supposed to care about the problem and who make loud and ineffectual noises. I’m talking about the liberals, the labor unions, the socially-progressive academics and think-tank who… er… uhm… policy consultants.

There will be a reckoning.

Two positive change, that is, positive for humanity are occurring now, and have been for a few years. One is the destruction of stored chemical and biological weapons by the US and Russia. I believe it is now about 75 to 85 % complete. A second similar change is the reduction of the nuclear weapons help by the US and Russia. This sets an important example; it must continue.

Dear Sandwichman, I acknowledge your concerns, I hear what you share here however, in the spirit of non violent communication and non partisen universality I disagree with broadly labeling people who seem to share various societal or political beliefs different than your own. When we do this we separate ourselves from them. When we separate ourselves from others we can not solve our universal problems. It works both ways. Only when we each take personal responsibility for our part in the problems that plague us can positive change happen. Change does not happen according to our sense of time either, it taked decades. Be a part of the slow but ongoing solution through self observation and non violent communication. Blessings to you and yours.