On May 6, 2006, at 10:44 AM, Michael Pollak wrote:
>
> That's a non sequitur, Martha. If population leveled tomorrow, but
> we left our energy patterns unchanged, we'd still boil in our own
> juice. Conversely, if we do nothing about population growth (which
> on current trends is projected to level off at 9 in 2050 IIRC) but
> drastically change our energy patterns, we'll be okay. Global
> warming is scary and might be literally apocalyptic but it's got
> nothing to do with the 1970s fears of "population bombs."
No it has to do with the same theory that we cannot have infinite growth on a finite planet. Capitalism heads us for destruction by gorging up finite resources for profits. It is an infinite growth economics. It must keep growing to reproduce itself. You can't have infinite consumption on a finite planet either. As my friend who IS a lefty here in LA says the world needs to realize that at this point we need a ratio of 10 adults per one child. He's done the math over years of study.
>
> Have you been hanging out with a group of environmental Malthusians
> lately? This seems to oddly mesh with your recent thoughts on
> immigration.
>
This is the kind of below the belt nastiness I've come to expect from some on this list but not from you. I am surprised. Do you want to join in on the ever-popular LBO game of throw darts at a target? Jump to a conclusion based on self righteous opinion and then everyone see who can hit the hardest? First amendment, fooey.
It should be embarrassing for those of you who profess to be progressive in economic, social, political and cultural justice the way you treat one another. Human beings basically cooperative, ehh???? I could just as easily ask you if you've been hanging out with a bunch of died-in-the-wool hypocrites. If you think a better world is possible than why make such a miserable one here?
Hack em to the right, hack em to the left, hack em, hack em, that's were the fun's at -- boys and girls!
I remember when I first came to this list serve how I was basically a calm responder. I did not make snide remarks. But this list brings out the worst. It has rubbed off on me. As if we all don't have enough in our lives to deal with! My father fell two days ago and broke his hip. That is infinitely more important than responding to cheap shots.
After a few years of this, I'm taking a hiatus.
Marta