Why Doesn’t Anyone Ever Say That?
By Donella Meadows
–December 14, 1995–
Back a decade or two ago when we weren’t paying much attention, the advertising industry took over American politics, reducing debates to soundbites, using polls to tell politicians what to say, polishing image while banishing ideas.
Worst of all advertisers taught government leaders their central trick. Say any fool thing over and over and over, and it [...]
Gotta Watch That Congress Every Minute
By Donella Meadows
–September 21, 1995–
When there’s time for the press and the people to find out what’s happening in Washington, some of the worst ideas do get stopped. The commission to choose which national parks to sell was derailed in the House last week. The people heard about it and told their representatives that it’s just plain stupid to balance [...]
What Would Happen If We Went Beyond Partisan Politics?
By Donella Meadows
–June 29, 1995–
Suppose we all woke up one fine morning and decided, as a nation, to solve our problems instead of beating each other up over them. Suppose we quit twisting ourselves into knots trying to put all blame on one party and all credit on the other. What if we chose instead to move forward together?
Right, I [...]
Don’t Worry, Be Happy, The Environment is in Great Shape
By Donella Meadows
–June 8, 1995–
I have before me four reviews of Gregg Easterbrook’s trendy book about the environment (A Moment on the Earth: The Coming Age of Environmental Optimism). All the reviews are written by scientists whom I know and respect, and all of them are scathing. The reviewers are more than negative; they’re frustrated, because it isn’t possible to [...]
Shining a Spotlight on Hate Speech
By Donella Meadows
–May 11, 1995–
“Dear Dumbella: If there was any lingring (sic) doubt that the liberal mentality is a product of severe brain damage at birth with continued degeneration from there you certainly dispell (sic) those doubts….”
Normally I wouldn’t read further in a letter like that, much less subject you to it. Columnists get used to a continuous low flow [...]
