peter jay brown

It is finally spring with a whole new array of issues, but the scent of renewal is in the air.

Many activists from my past have re-appeared to support my new (www.gaianetwork.net ) project with my good friends Dr. Myra, and Peter Wallerstein jumping on board. Just by chance, two days ago I had coffee with Pete Bethume. Pete is in LA to do a speech for the 5 Gyres folks, and I suggest you look it up and go if you are in LA.

I was involved in the whole “Pete vs. SSCS” drama from when I first cut the promo to “sell” Pete’s earthrace boat to Ady Gil…. If interested, you can look up the whole drama online I am sure. At the time I found it a waste of time and money…

Before the coffee, I had never met the man, although I have publically clashed with him on tactics… I like to say that I enjoyed the live conversations immensely, and this just goes to show you how putting a “face” to a reputation so changes things… like truth.

He is a man who actually does stuff. Like him, or hate him, he is enacting change. Good for him, and his no compromise stance. Check out his website: https://www.youtube.com/user/petebethune

Our meeting, and one I had shortly thereafter actually invigorated me. Later at the end of the day, on my drive home through the area recently burned by the Thomas fire, I had an epiphany. I realized that my recent brush with corporate politics had worn me out. I was ready to give up, but… Not anymore! I realized that as the new plant growth was pushing through the blacked earth, I, too, will come back. My philosophy is that I came from the earth and go back there, so we are one. The earth all around me was springing back to life and so could I. Maybe Captain Pete needs crew?

Believe it or not, my recent political and legal education is actually giving me new hope in our legal system. Imagine that? Although I had fully expected no fairness, and no justice, I felt the majority of individuals I dealt with were qualified and caring individuals. The devil is always in the details, and we will see. But… Hell if this spring brings me hope and renewed faith in lawyers, and activism… a win, win! After having my reputation disparaged in legal documents and elsewhere, I have to admit that I enjoyed the experience and opportunity to defend myself. Like every life experience, I learned so much, and certainly paid for the education.

It should be a lesson learned by all: putting a face and personality to a ominous term like: terrorist, and other accusations always helps. I always remember that Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Thomas Jefferson were also condemned by governments and corporations in their day. The Dal Lama today. Say what you will, I’ll let my ancestors judge my reputation.

As spring turns to summer, may I suggest that we all go forward and continue the fight for “right”. Do not worry how much money and fame you make, but how your actions will leave the earth for future generations. It is the eco-movement, not the ego-movement after all. It’s about the earth, stupid!!!

Doug and Kris Tompkins set out years ago to leave the earth better than they found it. Today Kris carries on the legacy to do exactly what the loving couple set out to do.

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/chile-new-national-parks-10-million-acres-environment/

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/14/patagonia-park.cnn/video/playlists/intl-latest-world-videos/ 

A 10-million-acre National Park in Chile made possible through co-operation. What a concept!

CONGRATULATIONS!

If there is a heaven… and I’m one of those: you come from the earth, you go back to the earth, kind of guys… but, if heaven exists, Doug is smiling down.  My late friend and shipmate accomplished something with his wife that few others have ever achieved.  Humans should take notice! Here is your proof!

The earth is a better place today for the Tompkin’s great work.

I have lately pontificated about what I consider shady spending in the eco-movement, and how people should really think about where they want their money spent. With 360 billion dollars out there, how about spending it on making a difference?

Maybe the testosterone infused eco-movement of old can learn a lesson from two great women finally making a deal. It is time for a different perspective on how to run the world. If this is any indication, I’m all in, and pray my grand daughters will continue this proud legacy.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I am not one to tell someone else what to do with their money, yet in this case, it’s very obvious.

Give your money and help to Tompkins Conservation. They are “doing” great work, while others are giving awards and celebrating their greatness.  Kris Tompkins deserves our admiration, our love, and our money. Check out their website, and volunteer. It will change your life, and leave the earth a better place.

Thank you Kris, thank you, Doug, and all those who helped!

Today I want to pay credit to a few real activist heroes out there. These people are often forgotten as they spend their time actually doing things. They don’t have the PR resources to raise money or promote their present needs. These people are the front line soldiers in the fight to save the earth so valuable to all of us.

Esmond Bradley Martin is yet another high profile activist murdered. Mr. Martin, renowned for his work investigating the trade in illegal elephant, was killed at his home in Kenya. Police called it a burglary gone bad, but with political unrest in Kenya at the most violent in years, I wouldn’t put it past illegal traders to take the opportunity to wipe him out.

http://www.latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-kenya-conservationist-killed-20180205-story.html

I hope another dedicated individual will take his place, as men and women with courage will always be missed.

On another front I was dismayed to see the Keystone Pipeline activists were sentenced to jail time today. I believe that they all took the actions they did because they were “the right thing to do”. I was not asked to join, and oil pipelines are not my passion, but I was happy to see the support the protesters initially garnered from the public.  Most media coverage and “noise” seemed to stop when the activists were arrested after finally having to make their stands. Now that they have been punished by the justice system of the United States, I was proud to see that they accepted their punishments after they had their say in court. They didn’t agree, but they were courageous enough to defeat the system within the system. None of them whined or ran away. It is refreshing to see young people not afraid to question authority. Not afraid to act. Not afraid of consequences…Way to go, you could teach us old folks a thing or two.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/feb/06/seattle-activist-sentenced-in-4-state-oil-pipeline/

May I suggest that Sea Shepherd spend some of the millions in their legal war-chest to help these folks out. I know Paul Watson claims native spirit… might I suggest he translate some of that native love into cash help. Help those who stood in his stead.

Perhaps Paul could write a poem or use some of his literary talents to keep their plight in the news. We earthlings lost Keystone but the fight will go on. We must meet the enemy on every front and I just hope there will be brave activists that continue to step up. The rest who are too afraid… should stand aside and allow those that do, to do.

I wish I could help more, but as most know, I’m presently fighting a legal battle with the Sea Shepherd Society over my right to use a video archive I donated a year before… How dumb am I?

It’s a stupid fight that cannot help the very animals we have both sworn to protect. I can agree to disagree. I’ll start over, I’m launching a new effort: www.gaianetwork.net .

It was wonderful news hearing that the Pebble mine was defeated in Alaska. This news is long over due news to protect our oceans I might add.

Numerous activists struggled to save the Sockeye. Humans against industry, David against Goliath…  and the Pebble gold mine was finally defeated.  About “f*cking” time!

The mine in question was to put “at risk” half the wild Alaskan sockeye salmon stock… that means “whacked”… Why you might ask?  For pretty trinkets that, although unquestionably a big draw for humans, are not really worth the death of one single species…

It was good to see Native groups standing firm and defending our general human natural heritage. If tribes do not take care of their futures, who will?  Governments? Corporations?

I doubt it . We, concerned humans,  need to do it ourselves.  I would like to think that we humans have finally smartened up after the last 1000+ years of earth’s exploitation.  This time the decision was between wild fish or shiny gold… for once the fish won!

This is very unusual.  In history, most  often gold wins… The Aztec were wiped out for the shiny metal, and many a stream in the western United States has been raped for a chance few nuggets. What are they really worth, these nuggets?  Are they worth the food we eat? The culture and future of our children?

Not to me. Maybe more humans are beginning to see the “real value” of nature… This is a start.

Far across the pacific, one of the world’s great exploiters of wilderness, the Chinese have also chocked up a win for the good guys. In this case they have outlawed the sale of Ivory in Hong Kong, and the Mainland.  This is a huge win for elephants everywhere. Forget the trinkets most eco-groups show on TV,  that’s small change. it’s the chop sticks stupid!

Millions and millions of shiny ivory chop sticks. This could be big!

Now if we can just figure out a way to stop the same culture from buying Taiji dolphin, and using just about every part of every near extinct animal as a “medicine” to keep their dicks hard.  Then we’d have something. I mean is there no end to human absurdity.

Eco groups everywhere should give who ever is responsible for these victories a big atta boy. I am sure credit will be claimed by all with a website, but I don’t care. A WIN, is a win!

New ideas and tactics need to be used across the board if we want to win anything at all in the future.  Let’s build on this, and move forward as one movement.  Remember there are no animal rights, no vegan rights, and no human rights on a dead planet.

Get up off your couch and make a difference.  Hell, even some governments are following suit… the smart ones anyway.