Fairly ignorant and poorly informed politicians in this country seem to believe they have exclusive rights to the use of the word terrorism. It is they who dictate who falls in this heinous category and who’s innocent from its purported crimes.

And who keeps track of their own terrorist attacks against the environment via their lobbyist-skewed legislation?

Terrorism can take all shapes and forms and your very own senate –heavily influenced by the republicans in it- is now adopting one novel form of terrorism for their own particular use. Don’t forget: thru law, states also wage terror. The US –and this administration in particular- has one of the worst environmental records in recent history. And the bill is yours and mine to pay.

For the first time in a very long while, this country has reached the apotheosis of the political favor State: Bush’s friends, business partners and cronies (think of the new Saudi Port scandal) are now sitting unchallenged in pivotal government positions dictating policy favorable to their industries and private companies, not to our needs as constituents.

Let it slide a bit more and without your noticing, you’ll be back in dictatorial territories long ago left behind by this once progressive nation.

Having abandoned important environmental treaties (Kyoto Protocol, etc), the United States and its mediocre upper crust leadership pretend that this country and what it represents will continue to be respected by the international community while there continues to be a flagrant violation of all possible laws against ‘conflicts of interest’.

No administration like this one, has turned the White House into a run of the mill Men’s Club.

Where is your limit as a US citizen? What right of yours will they take away that will make you realize this current trend cannot continue at anyone’s expense but your own?

This government, if you bother to read viewpoints from outside the country, borderlines in a terrorist state by all standards. Waging war against poor countries under the pretense of reacting to ‘solid evidence of weapons of mass destruction’. Waging pre-emptive crusades ‘against terrorism’ when the proof points to directions entirely different and more cynical: oil, fat wallets… Bush’ hunting buddies.

As if all this wasn’t enough, recently announced new legislation from the US senate may irreversible harm many sea and land endangered species. Perhaps under this light, you can easily see why in the movie The Matrix, agent Smith calls our entire species: ‘a virus, exhausting the resources of one area and moving into another in an endlessly vicious cycle…’ Unlike most species, ours, claiming to be the smartest, has never reached a natural equilibrium with its surroundings and resources.

Trying to reverse part of the complacency so common to affluent societies, The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, one of the most progressive sanctuaries and wild life museums in this country, invites you to join them in their weeklong awareness program from March 1^st through the 8^th. They hope, with the help of media and community members like you, to bring light to this urgent matter pertaining endangered species.

For detailed information on the Endangered Species Recovery Act being proposed as an amendment to the existing ESA provision, see below. For details about the week long awareness event at the aquarium, please visit their site and make sure to support their worthy endeavors. (http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/)

ESA BILL: Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005. This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to revise various provisions relating to determinations of endangered or threatened species, recovery plans for such species, and the role of states and private property owners in protecting such species.

WHAT: 

Of all marine mammals, sea otters are the smallest. Unfortunately,

       they are not only small in size, but small in numbers. They are

       designated as an endangered species in the U.S. government’s List of

       Threatened and Endangered Species. The Aquarium will allow the media

       for the first time ever to have a face-to-face encounter with one of

       the nation’s endangered species sea otters kicking off the

       Aquarium’s endangered species awareness program. Despite their

       cuddly look, sea otters are related to skunks, weasels, and

       wolverines, which make them aggressive sea creatures. Since senate

       may consider proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA),

       the Aquarium is working to create awareness about the threats

       endangered species face and how the proposed changes could impact.

       The Aquarium of the Pacific is helping bring awareness to the public

       through special activities during Endangered Species Week at the

       Aquarium, during the week of Wednesday, March 1 through Endangered

       Species Day on Wednesday, March 8. The importance of protecting

       endangered and threatened species will be highlighted through

       special animal presentations and surprises. Through education and

       action, people can make a difference.

WHEN: 

Press Conference: Tue, Feb 28, 2006 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Public Program:

Endangered Species Week at the Aquarium, March 1-8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

WHERE:

Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

The Aquarium of the Pacific, a non-profit institution, celebrates our planet’s largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean. A world of discovery awaits.