ARE WE HEEDING A JUDAS GOAT?
RACHEL CARSON

Rachel Carson was a remarkable individual. Her book Silent Spring made an impact on the public, governments and the chemical conglomerates as no single book has done before or since. Its publication in the early 60s was translated into many languages and was quoted in Parliaments and Legislatures around the world.

Her concerns about pesticide contamination were conveyed and acknowledged by many people. Silent Spring was on the best seller list for many weeks. People demanded political action. The fires of indignation raged. New agencies were set up but these soon became infiltrated and controlled by the conglomerates. Laws were enacted but these were all watered down to the point that they meant little. This fire of indignation was a straw fire; burning brightly with high heat and without sustainability. The concerned citizens soon succumbed to the defensive rhetoric of the chemical industry.

The industry's profits had been threatened and it reacted swiftly to condemn Miss Carson as an irrational tree hugger. The propaganda that was assembled in defense of the pesticide producers would have made Goebbels (Hitler's propaganda Minister) envious.

Collectively, we the public choose to be convinced that there is no pesticide and chemical pollution problems. We elect to be hoodwinked by contrary rhetoric. We would rather not dig too deeply into the controversy for fear that we also become convinced, against our will, of the severity of the problem. It is much easier to accept the thinly veiled deception that constantly bombards us then risk a change to the status quo.

I met someone recently whom I hadn't seen in years. After the usual "good to see you(s)," he said "I read your column -- interesting -- mostly crap though." I was not offended. It is the reaction I expect. 'Dismiss the messenger -- dismiss the message -- all remains well with world.'

We are a curious species. We can find a conspiracy in everything, and yet we ignore the most obvious deceptions of all, in spite of the volumes of published literature to the contrary. We even ignore the 1600 scientists who came together and collectively warned us that the 'point of no return' is getting very close.

Rachel Carson listed 27 pages of references derived from her investigations before writing Silent Spring. The fifty or so environmental books that I have read have countless references to scientific research; in spite of which, we can accept a single word or a single phrase to contradict it all. "Crap."

Are you familiar with the expression 'Judas Goat'? It doesn't sound complimentary, and it isn't. This was the name given to a specially trained animal used to satisfy one of man's purposes. I am not sure that they are still used in this day and age but it matters not.

When cattle are taken to the slaughter house they can sense the impending doom. To easy their anxiety, a goat was introduced which starts to lead them. The cattle will follow this goat as it is the only thing giving them guidance in this insanely chaotic situation they are in.

The goat of course is not leading them to safety; it is leading them to peril. The cattle are stopped at the killing floor as the goat makes it way back to 'Point A' to pick up more followers.

The goat's reward in this vocation is sustenance and continued life. The reward of those who deceive you is also sustenance and the good life that profit provides.

Enjoy the ride, our children and grandchildren will pay the fare.