Outcry on Its Way

Hunkered down recovering from an incessant headache, a lingering affliction from covid, I have been watching a lot of environmental videos (not sure what to call this "cry for help" form of media) as they induce tears, which seem to help my sinus pressure and allow for a brief respite from the pain. 

The company Patagonia is behind a lot of the shows ranging from sustainable farming practices to anti-fish hatchery, to dam removal, to transgender rock climbers, to protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Needless to say, I'm becoming quite the environmentalist. Although, after dating a real radical in the realm of decolonization, I tend to see these films as almost a paper tiger. For example, the fight to memorialize the Bears Ears, while done with good intentions, is still fortifying an America that, in the eyes of some, should be totally and violently deconstructed. I could go on about this, but for an awareness of my own hubris I'll not.

Aside from re-writing the complete American narrative I do feel a need to rebel against big industry (logging, mining, power) that is obviously wrecking the planet and its inhabitants: detestable corporate greed. Am I a communist? I don't think so. It's more like I am compassionate and feel that the extraction of natural resources by big companies is wrong, while the extraction of natural resources by local artists is right. This art can be sold and thus I could be called a capitalist - a compassionate capitalist.

One thing that might be good is a way to bring awareness to the money-trail, so everyone can see who's benefitting from these environmental exploits, which must be done in secrecy (clearcuts) lest public outcry. The idea is that images of the landscape wreckage and the sneaky legislation that allows it be illuminated. For example, drilling in the ANWR was allowed and restrictions rolled back thanks to a piece of legislation called the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" which is prevaricate if you ask me. A better name would be "Selling Oil Leases in the ANWR".


After a little digging I discovered that Trump rolled back protection on the ANWR and allowed for the sale of oil leases (sure to hurt the porcupine caribou herd and the Gwich’in tribe who depends on these caribou) on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. According to this article by NPR there were only three bidders: Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, Regenerate Alaska, and Knik Arm Services. I'll let you do the research on these companies, but they appear to be bad actors.

This morning I came across a slogan used in a Harvard demonstration back in the 60s which said, "Fight Capitalists - Running Dogs" and I wonder if these companies are not running dogs. Or maybe Donald Trump is a running dog, or maybe Don Young is a running dog. The important thing to understand is that while it seems impressive, this oil money amounts to scraps compared to the survival of the porcupine caribou herd and the native people who have been here "since time immemorial".

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