Ariel,
Thank you for pointing this out. Geographic titles are a confusion that I've
always wondered about. Why is there a mid-west yet no mid-east in America?
Even broken down to one country this sounds odd, is odd. I apologize for the
slight and I appreciate it most that you remind me that there are many pacific
northwests.
I am writing from Idaho, inland. On another geographical note, I regret
letting this post go out with my note about Chuck, that was a local rub. Our
professors at the University of Idaho in the College of Forestry never come
out of the closet and join the environmental movement until after retirement,
when they can safely denounce the extraction industry. We've seen many fine
retirees on the front line in the movement.
I often wonder if the battles we face here in America with timber, mining,
range, fisheries, commercial exploitation and general manipulation of laws are
the same in other countries. Are there countries who are sincere in their
efforts? I long for greener pastures to exist somewhere on this planet, a
place where political parties called 'green' can win an election.
After years of Forest Service public hearings, I have completely lost
confidence in our lawmakers and our laws. America's inability to reauthor the
Endangered Species Act, refusal to fund our Environmental Protection Act, and
hideous lack of commitment to United Nations are a horrifying statement to any
credibility this country may assume. From within and without, America must be
challenged.
It isn't enough for Americans to think that we are doing something right
(democracy?) simply because we have the option to attend public hearings or
speak in a public forum. This mean nothing in reality. Racism, sexism,
political prisoners, exploitation, manipulation are a big part of America.
>From within and without, America must be challenged.
. . . and / or taught in the simplest of cases, as you've just taught me, the
lesson that America is not so big as to claim any part of this continent as
the given pacific northwest.
thank you for this revelation in revolution
donna
> Dear Sisters
>
> What a buzz to read the Devil's Dictionary posted by Donna "from the
> pacific northwest".
>
> Thanks for a great contribution Donna and for your New Year greetings.
>
> But one thing: at risk of sounding pesky, I'd like to invite our global
> sisterhood to be a bit more global about geographic labels.
>
> Viz Donna's "Pacific north west" (in Oregon?)is the "Pacific north east"
> from where I stand - here in Sydney at the "Pacific south west".
>
> The only thing that makes Oregon etc "north west" is the economic/political
> hub of New York/ Washington - an arbitrary capitalist patriarchal reference
> having nothing to do with the Pacific.
>
> If we are going to relate to the Pacific, let's create a new reference
> point which is right in the middle of our great ocean, one which respects
> its integrity and that of the peoples who live there.
>
> After that, we can start dismantling the eurocentric geography of the East
> as Orient, which is really to my north and is really the centre for so many
> others.
>
> And then of course North and South - which are mere indicators of
> industrialisation - speaking that is,as an inhabitant of a South which
> happens to be industrialised.
>
> Yours in revolution, Ariel
>
> Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1999 21:12:41 -0700
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> From: donna <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Devil's Dictionary
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>
> Happy New Year to All.
> >From the pacific northwest,
> love/donna
>
> THE DEVIL's DICTIONARY follows
