Hank is wise well beyond his years and has a fine sense of humor. In this case Minecraft and Lego’s come together with their imaginary destructive force called the Formidibomb, or F bomb. Hank is telling me about the characters and interesting things in his video game. I give him the appropriate adult look to determine if he understands the potential problem, he smiles and says “it is not that F word, Boompa, I am not allowed to say that word”. We then had a discussion around other acceptable words that begin with f ultimately determining that their are a litany of fittingly fine fabulous funny familiar non banned f words. The conversation moved on to our skiing plans for the week end. I must say, what could have been an awkward conversation was not necessary and I was able to remain on the sidelines from a parental perspective because his mom had worked her magic. Hank knows when to change the subject and we transitioned to looking forward to skiing-“bring on those black diamond runs and let’s shred the pow.” Subject changing is a life skill only outweighed by tactfully and respectfully facing the issues directly.
You hear billions of dollars discussed like pocket change by leaders who feel we have unlimited funds to spend on questionable projects. I was very disheartened to hear a billion dollar dam project in a rainforest in Indonesia may well seal the fate of the rarest species of orangutan. There are 800 Tapanuli orangutans living on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. This isolated population is threatened by a new hydroelectric power plant that is proposed for the area to provide clean energy for an emerging market. These fascinating creatures live on caterpillars and conifer cones and are believed to be arboreal – they are not safe on the ground where Sumatran tigers prowl the forest. Are these beautiful animals more compelling than snail darters, rattlesnakes, spotted owls, or migrating salmon? A series of advances in energy sources in the Pacific Northwest has made it economically realistic to remove some dams. I can only hope those trying to find an alternative to the dam can preserve the critical habitat. Jane Goodall has heightened our awareness “only if we understand…can we care. Only if we care..will we help. Only if we help…shall they be saved.” Martin Luther King said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Ruth Bader Ginsberg turns 86 on March 15. Our second female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court brings an important balance. Thanks to the Notorious RBG for her unfailing dedication to her duties.
Here’s hoping you are encouraged to get involved in something meaningful to you this week end. Mike