Earth Day's Founder Slams Bush, Gore
EARTH DAY FOUNDER ACCUSES GORE AND BUSH OF GROSS HYPOCRISY
by John McConnell
Founder of Earth Day
While Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush have wonderful family values and proclaim their Christian faith, their actions and what they have supported indicate gross hypocrisy. Jesus, whom they both claim to follow, stated that hypocrites were vipers (small, poisonous serpents) - Matthew 23: 29,33.
It is ironic how much good and how much evil can be in one man. Al Gore's family life is an ideal example of virtue. On the other hand his hypocritical actions in regard to the environment and world peace have diminished efforts for a better future.
Al Gore wrote a great book on the Environment describing the urgent need to eliminate pollution and protect nature's wondrous bounty. But it was flawed, because it stated the solution was to have the federal government correct the problem. This would only bring more bureaucracy, which is a major cause of our problems.
The Bible says, "Where there is no vision the people perish." The real solution to pollution is to persuade people and institutions, families, schools, businesses, etc. to think and act as Earth Trustees. The President needs to proclaim the importance of Earth Trustee attitudes and actions. His effective use of the White House "Bully Pulpit" would get the attention needed to effect change.
Legislation to reward compliance and punish gross indifference should be left to the local community and thereby minimize bureaucracy.
The needed policies and actions were born in the original Earth Day March 21, 1970. This event was based on nature's special "moment of equipoise" the March Equinox. The importance of having a great global Earth Day based on this event was recognized by United Nations Secretary General U Thant and has been celebrated every year since then in a UN Peace Bell Ceremony. This occasion has brought together world leaders in dedication to a common cause: peace, justice and the care of Earth.
The original Earth Day gave birth to the EPA and the United Nations Environmental Program. It played a key role in ending the Cold War complementing the efforts of the person most responsible -- Pope John Paul II.
Much more would have been achieved if Vice President Gore had not undermined these efforts. He backed the spurious April 22 Earth Day, which was organized to replace the original Earth Day and use the power of the Earth Day name to gain attention for a political agenda.
Repeated phone calls and letters to Gore and Clinton about Earth Day were ignored and Vice President Gore has done nothing to acknowledge or support the real Earth Day and its Earth Trustee agenda. He has never called attention to the Earth Day that has been celebrated for 30 years at the United Nations and the good that has resulted.
In regard to his flagrant plans for increasing military programs, more weapons to kill people is not the way to a peaceful future. It only encourages other countries to do the same. And with the devilish poisons, germs and explosives now available around the world, peace by force is not possible. Only education and understanding can bring peace. When money and media is seriously devoted to promoting peaceful attitudes and programs that are just and fair, the rejuvenation of planet Earth and prosperity for all will follow.
Neither Gore nor Bush have shown understanding of the present state of the world or provided a global solution for the human family. (Think globally, act locally.) I pray that God will open their eyes to the truth. Jesus said that we should love our enemies, find common ground. He said that what we do to other people we do to Him. When soldiers realize they are being asked to kill Jesus, we will find better ways of settling differences than buying more bullets.
Find in the Earth Trustee vision the way of love and faith.
EARTH TRUSTEE FORMULA
The first view of Earth from Space inspired the idea of Earth Day. "We set out to explore Space and discovered Earth." From this came the idea we should all think and act as Trustees of Earth.
The Earth Trustee idea is appealing to people of every creed and culture. It is very simple and powerful. All that is needed is for every individual and institution to think and act as a trustee of Earth, seeking in their own way to:
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"Make choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and nurture people and planet."
We can now halt the awful record of history with its injustice, wars and violence. Napoleon once said, "Imagination rules the world." The Internet opens new opportunities to capture the imagination of the world with a solution that can appeal to all. Projects and efforts that are achieving Earth Trustee goals can be posted as Earth Trustee actions on message boards and forums. Here is a chance for people of religious faith to prove their faith by their works.
Let's circle the world now with a positive Earth Trustee vision that can rejuvenate our planet.
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John McConnell, founder of Earth Day (1970), has devoted his life to "peace, justice and the care of Earth." Visit John McConnell's Earth Site on the WWW at http://www.earthsite.org
Remember -- Earth Day for People is on the March equinox each year, while Earth Day for Corporations falls on April 22. Which presidential candidates do you suppose will respect the Earth? Tell your views to The Progress Report:
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