Documentary Review: Flow: For the Love of Water

It took me a few weeks to watch this movie. I turned it on. I turned it off. Every time I turned it on I had to look something up and I would get so involved in what I was reading I would run out of time.

I wrote this after I was inspired by what I saw about the people of Bolivia.

https://cyndi-lenz.com/2015/07/27/water-inc-the-water-story-of-bolivia-aqua-para-todos/

Very informative and very inspiring. You realize WE are all in this together and it’s so important to remain hyper vigilant when it comes to our water.

Here is the New York Times Review.

The War Between Public Health and Private Interests

By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

“A documentary and a three-alarm warning, “Flow” dives into our planet’s most essential resource — and third-largest industry — to find pollution, scarcity, human suffering and corporate profit. And that’s just in the United States.

Yet Irena Salina’s astonishingly wide-ranging film is less depressing than galvanizing, an informed and heartfelt examination of the tug of war between public health and private interests. From the dubious quality of our tap water (possibly laced with rocket fuel) to the terrifyingly unpoliced contents of bottled brands (one company pumped from the vicinity of a Superfund site), the movie ruthlessly dismantles our assumptions about water safety and government oversight.

Still reeling, we’re given a distressing glimpse of regions embroiled in bitter battles against privatization. In South Africa, villagers drink from stagnant ponds, unable to pay for the water that once was free, and protesters in Bolivia — where waste from a slaughterhouse is dumped into Lake Titicaca — brave gunfire to demand unrestricted access to potable water.”

There was one funny bit by Penn and Teller.

This is about the Nestle Issue in Michigan. Nestle is everywhere. They are here in Florida and they now own my beloved Poland Springs Water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cucVKZj-c00

Not only stealing the water that doesn’t belong to them but causing people’s wells to go dry. Pumping during a drought.

Remember it’s Nestle’s CEO that believes that water is not a human right and should be privatized.

Nestle CEO: Water Is Not A Human Right, Should Be Privatized

According to the former CEO and now Chairman of the largest food product manufacturer in the world, corporations should own every drop of water on the planet — and you’re not getting any unless you pay up.

The company notorious for sending out hordes of ‘internet warriors’ to defend the company and its actions online in comments and message boards (perhaps we’ll find some below) even takes a firm stance behind Monsanto’s GMOs and their ‘proven safety’. In fact, the former Nestle CEO actually says that his idea of water privatization is very similar to Monsanto’s GMOs. In a video interview, Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe states that there has never been ‘one illness’ ever caused from the consumption of GMOs.

This is why I’m keeping my well. Your all invited to come get your water here.

What I learned from “Flow” is that there are some magnificent people in the world and we truly are in this together.

This is article 31

Everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family, and no one shall be deprived of such access or quality of water due to individual economic circumstance.

Say it with me!

Aqua Para Todos

Water is Life

Port Everglades Expansion – A Coral Reef Apocalypse

Sep8

Important information regarding our reefs in south florida.

Reef Rescue - Coral Reef Blog

A dozen South Florida businesses and conservation groups challenge the Army Corps of Engineers’ expansion plan for Port Everglades.

In a 15 page letter the group details the Corps multiple failures to protect coral reef resources during the recent Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project.

Their letter cites reports from NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, USEPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection documenting coral mortality and damage to the reef habitat that far exceeded what had been permitted for during the Miami dredge project. The Miami project smothered 100’s of acres of coral reef as far as 3,000 feet beyond what had been anticipated.

Since the Port Everglades dredging project is based on the same, and now disproven assumptions the group is asking the Corps to reinitiate consultation on the effects of the Port Everglades expansion given the lessons learned from the Miami dredging project.

The reefs off the…

View original post 56 more words

Save the Halpatiokee Nature Trails! Move the Bridge! Stop destroying us!

Sep8

Many kudos to Shari Anchor who leads us in this fight to save this important piece of land.

http://www.tcpalm.com/opinion/shari-anker-lessons-from-our-battle-to-save-two-preserve-state-parks_67688320

The story of the Port St. Lucie Crosstown Parkway Bridge tells how we lose Florida’s natural beauty, resources and ecosystems, even if they exist in our preserve state parks. It’s the story of a battle that must be fought if we are to save any of them.

In 1990, the city surveyed federal, state and regional natural resource/regulatory agencies about building a bridge through the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve using two potential routes. All agencies commented both routes crossed very environmentally sensitive lands and waters, impacting important wetlands, but of the two, they were firmly against what is now known as Route 1C.

Undeterred, the city manager stated that since there was unanimous disapproval, the next step was to go “political.”

Then-Sen. Ken Pruitt was enlisted to lobby for the cause. Engineering consultants were hired for millions of dollars to make the case that Route 1C was the “most beneficial.”

In 1996, the city began purchasing properties along the Route 1C corridor, even though the National Environmental Policy Act dictates an objective Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Impact Statement be completed prior to route selection. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection demanded, unsuccessfully, that an environmental-impact statement be performed for the entire proposed Crosstown Parkway from Interstate 95 to Hutchinson Island. Project segmentation does not accurately assess impacts.

By 2006, the bridge project was being reviewed by the Department of Transportation, which solicited input from reviewing agencies such as the DEP. Many agencies “red-flagged” the proposed bridge crossing because of impacts to parks, wetlands and wildlife. No matter, the environmental impact statement declared a road piercing the heart of important public lands was the very best possible route.

If the city chose any other route, the bridge would likely be built by now and for tens of millions of fewer dollars. What’s holding it up is that pesky irritant called the law, at least according to the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County and the Indian Riverkeeper. We filed a federal lawsuit in 2014, arguing the Federal Highway Administration and the DOT violated Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act when they approved Route 1C.

Section 4(f) states there shall be no taking of parkland for incompatible uses such as road infrastructure if any other route exists which would have less or no impact to parklands. Route 1C would take the most parkland, from the aquatic preserve and from the Savannas Preserve State Park Buffer Preserve.

Taking no parkland, another route, known as Route 6A, would fully comply with this law.

Likewise, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act dictates every effort must be made to avoid the destruction of wetlands. Other less-impacting routes must be chosen. The Army Corps of Engineers states that Route 1C “is the most ecologically damaging” route, with the most impact to the most acreage of the highest functioning and quality wetlands, thereby likely not in compliance with the act.

The South Florida Water Management District has requested a “formal finding” as to whether a bridge through the aquatic preserve is compatible with state law. Of the 10 types of activities permitted in aquatic preserves, none of them involve bridge construction.

Another sleight of hand at work here is the strategy to mitigate for the “worst-case scenario,” suggesting that was what was intended from the get-go. A big, expensive mitigation package was supposed to make it OK to take highly ecologically valuable preserves. Nothing in the law absolves the parties from choosing the least impacting route.

The Overton Park decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971 established that park land must receive priority status in law, otherwise the economic and social factors at play in highway construction would always prevail and no park lands could survive.

It’s up to us to make sure the laws designed to protect park lands count.

Shari Anker is president of the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County.

Here is a link to the lawsuit.

http://www.conservationallianceslc.org/uploads/5/0/3/6/50361177/lawsuit_to_move_bridge_location.pdf

Thank you so much Shari, Marty, the Conservation Alliance of St Lucie County and the Indian Riverkeeper.

This must be saved.

The thought of having a bridge crossing over to the Island and all the construction that will come after that just slays me. People will not be happy with a bridge. They will want giant apartment buildings, places to eat and that whole of the Island that is just beach will destroyed. People complain it’s hard to get there. It should be. It should be hard. No one’s asking anyone to hike in. Just drive in the comfort of their car for an extra 15 minutes.

Let’s get this part done first.

Here is a video I put together of the area last year. You don’t have to sign that petition any more but you should watch to see what we are talking about.

Oral arguments on Oct. 6th at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building Courthouse in West Palm Beach. More info on time when we get it.

Florida Back Roads: Yesterday’s Woad Twip , The Peace River and oh ya pollution.

Sep7

Yesterday, I drove over to Sarasota to see my family and go to a party. It was a pretty special day. Two birthdays and we would find out a baby gender. I decided to take Barney because there would be a fenced in back yard and it’s cool enough if you leave early in the morning for him to be in the car.

Even though there is so much to talk about, think about and write about we have to remember why we are here in the first place.

It’s a great ride.

We started off in Jensen Beach from our little house on the hill and this glorious sunrise.

Here is Barney my almost 18 year old golden. There’s nothing he loves more than a “Woad Twip.”

Here’s the fog out at fog at Alapattah Flats Management Area. I’m still in Martin County.

Here is our Martin Grade Scenic Hwy. It’s fabulous and worth the ride. The best ride would be coming from the west early in the morning because the light is amazing. Make sure you have a driver because there is no place to stop. I looked behind me as I drove and it was like the light was following me down the road.

The end of this road is the end of Martin County.

Through Okeechobee, Highland County and onto Desoto County which has a grand sign about tranquility and prosperity and something else I can’t remember.

I had to stop. The main reason was I really needed a bathroom and it’s very hard when you travel alone with a dog to find a place you can just run into and safely leave your dog in the car with the windows down. Barney barks not when you come towards him but when you leave. I’m sure if we were ever robbed he would bark as the robber’s were leaving abandoning him. “Come back. Don’t leave me!”

Just an interesting note. In Arcadia, FL the streets are names for the Florida Counties. I’ve stopped there a few times and I really need to go back and I think it would a fun place to meet the kids in the future.

Check it out.

“Arcadia is famous throughout Florida for its historic downtown antique district. Additionally, on the fourth Saturday of each month, vendors from surrounding locations take over our streets with even more wares and precious finds. Tucked between the shops, you’ll have the chance to enjoy cafés, home cooking, a tea room and even an old fashion ice cream parlor, complete with homemade delicious flavors, sundaes and shakes.”

The second reason was I wized past this place so many times I just wanted to see what it was and take Barney for a little walk and shoot some photos.

Across the road there were guns going off. Hundreds of cars and people shooting guns and a big no trespassing sign.

This is where we went.

http://www.desotobocc.com/department/parks_recreation/desoto-veterans-memorial-park

DeSoto Veterans Memorial Park

2195 NW American Legion Dr Arcadia, FL 34266

“With boat ramp and picnic areas, this park is used frequently by groups and large gatherings such as Pioneer Days and Relay for Life. With the shade provided by the large oak trees, this is the perfect place to park and enjoy your lunch hour. This park also features restroom facilities.”

When traveling in Florida you always to leave a little early because there’s always someplace to stop with your dog and take a moment to breath and use the rest room.

Here is the Peace RIver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_River_%28Florida%29

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (photos are mine)

The Peace River is a river in the southwestern part of the Florida peninsula, in the U.S.A. It originates at the juncture of Saddle Creek and Peace Creek northeast of Bartow in Polk County and flows south through Hardee County to Arcadia in DeSoto County

and then southwest into the Charlotte Harbor estuary at Port Charlotte in Charlotte County. It is 106 miles (171 km) long and has a drainage basin of 1,367 square miles (3,540 km²). U.S. Highway 17 runs near and somewhat parallel to the river for much of its course. The river was called Rio de la Paz (River of Peace) on 16th century Spanish charts. It appeared as Peas Creek or Pease Creek on later maps. The Creek (and later, Seminole) Indians call it Talakchopcohatchee, River of Long Peas.^[3] Other cities along the Peace River include Fort Meade, Wauchula and Zolfo Springs.

Fresh water from the Peace River is vital to maintain the delicate salinity of Charlotte Harbor that hosts several endangered species, as well as commercial and recreational harvests of shrimp, crabs, and fish. The river has always been a vital resource to the people in its watershed. Historically, the abundant fishery and wildlife of Charlotte Harbor supported large populations of people of the Caloosahatchee culture (in early historic times, the Calusa). Today, the Peace River supplies over six million gallons per day of drinking water to the people in the region. The river is also popular for canoeing.^[5]

There were many Pleistocene and Miocene fossils found throughout the Peace River area, eventually leading to the discovery of phosphate deposits. Most of the northern watershed of the Peace River comprises an area known as the Bone Valley.

The Peace River is a popular destination for fossil hunters who dig and sift the river gravel for fossilized shark teeth and prehistoric mammal bones. Several campgrounds and canoe rental operations cater to fossil hunters, with Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, and Arcadia being the main points of entry.

http://www.protectingourwater.org/watersheds/map/sarasota_bay_peace_myakka/peace/

A number of major restoration activities are under way in the watershed, particularly in the Peace River region. The objectives of the SWFWMD’s Upper Peace River Watershed Restoration Initiative include the restoration of surface water storage and flows and aquifer recharge, as well as improvement to water quality and ecosystems that have been lost, degraded, or significantly altered. The initiative will provide a critical link to a major greenway that extends from Florida’s lower west coast up through the Peace River watershed and Green Swamp, and north to the Ocala National Forest. Projects undertaken through the initiative involve Lake Hancock, the upper Peace River, and the Peace Creek Canal.

Why can’t I just write a blog about the great things in Florida.

THREAT: PHOSPHATE MINING
HUGE PHOSPHATE MINES ARE DEVOURING THE PEACE RIVER WATERSHED, LEAVING BEHIND UNSTABLE CLAY POOLS THAT PREVENT WATER FROM REACHING THE RIVER — UNTIL THEY COLLAPSE.

Peace River Makes the 2004 Most Endangered Rivers List

Lorelei Jackson
04.14.04

Florida – America’s rivers and streams are becoming more polluted — and the White House and Congress are making a bad situation worse by cutting clean water law enforcement and spending on pollution prevention, charged American Rivers with the release of its 2004 Most Endangered Rivers report.

* On President Bush’s watch, EPA is issuing less than half as many “violation notices” to polluters who break the law, and is levying smaller fines, as well

* One-fourth of America’s largest industrial and sewage treatment plants are in “significant noncompliance” with water pollution standards at any one time

* The White House and Congress have declined to reauthorize the Superfund tax to ensure that polluters pay to cleanup toxic waste instead of the taxpayers

* On his first day in office, President Bush scrapped a proposal to require wastewater treatment plants to notify the public when the spill sewage into streams and rivers.

* In November 2003, the EPA proposed to sanction dumping fully and partially treated sewage into rivers when it rains.

* The federal government used to pay 20% of water infrastructure costs. Now it pays 5% and President Bush has asked the Congress to cut this by another third for 2005.

* Removed restrictions that protect streams from mountaintop removal coal mining

* Issued new nationwide permits for building shopping centers, tract housing, and corporate campuses on top of wetlands and flood-prone areas

* Discouraged federal field staff from protecting many wetlands and streams under the Clean Water Act.

* 51% of the mouths of America’s rivers were designated “impaired” in 2000, up from 37% in 1994

* EPA estimates that sanitary sewers overflow directly into streams, lakes, and estuaries 40,000 times and that as many as 3.5 million American get sick from swimming in water laced with sewage each year.

* Forty-three states have issued fish-consumption advisories along 500,000 miles of river

* The United States loses 60,000 acres of wetlands each year – increasing the frequency and severity of floods

Summary
Phosphate mining in the Peace River watershed has been the source of serious environmental problems for many years, and large new mines are planned. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) must take measures to safeguard the river and communities in the watershed from mining impacts, including protecting drinking water, and important tourism and commercial fishing industries.

I have to do more research. If any of you guys have any more info email me at clenz@mac.com.

writing 101: why i write

Sep7

I used to write. Then I stopped.

Last January I made a commitment to my blog to use it for the highest good.

I started out just posting video. This a great way to post all the video from a particular event and send to everyone so they could watch and share.

As a documentary filmmaker I let the film do the talking for me.

Then I started to write. I felt that if one person read what I wrote and it resonated with them I would be happy. One became two, became ten, became fifty. The US became Australia that became Brazil that became all kinds of countries.

I am so humbled.

I can’t stop writing. This is one my issues. My friends complain that it takes a week to read one of my blogs.

There are many things to talk about. What I have found is lots of people have the same questions and concerns that I have but not the time to think about it. I do on my blog what I do in my daily life. I educate. I write about the water. I write about the environment. I write about mental health. I write about Golden Retrievers.

I make list of things I want to write about and then I loose them.

My daily life is that of a psychiatric home health nurse. The writing I do for that is no of your business and protected information.

I have to have an end to that day and a beginning of one where I live in the universe with my fellow travelers.

Thank you all for being here! I am so grateful.

Must watch Video on Bear Hunt. Then funny bear video.

Sep5

The national news (Newsweek) are painting us as ok with this bear hunt.

http://www.newsweek.com/florida-totally-cool-black-bear-hunting-season-347367

Asked whether bears are the biggest threat to bears, Wraithmell responds: “I don’t believe that’s supported by science right now…. In addition to habitat loss, major causes of mortality for bears in Florida are roadkill and euthanasia for nuisance bears.”

This is the video from the hearing in Ft Lauderdale.

http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/9215-florida-fish-wildlife-conservation-commission-part-4/

Here are some comments I jotted down as I listened.

“Letters after Letters and we are being ignored.” (Sound familiar?)
Vivian Handy : 28 biologists redefinition was not due to the population number but when it was delisted as threatened. This will effect the success of dening. The hunt will introduce noise and fears, pregnant mothers could be short and the cubs could be shot.
People talk about Florida’s reputation. (Just kick us in the head.)

http://www.newsweek.com/florida-totally-cool-black-bear-hunting-season-347367

Persons with masters wetlands biologists says this ignorance greed trumping science

the humane society of the united states was there.

Chuck O’Neal: Your hunt is based on cherry picked data

We don’t even know how many bears we have!

You are appointed and not elected and you don’t have to listen to the people
we’ll see you court. We’ll see you in the media

Jon Ullman the sierra club: ” Its about development. ”

Your not going to get rid of the nuisance problem by opening up the hunt

If your going to kill something you should eat not stuff it.

I can’t believe these are the people making decisions for our animals.

There’s no explanation. This is rigged.

Ronald Bergeron, one of the commissioners, said he can’t vote for any quota is against the hunt because he doesn’t see the science. He believes that bears are an icon of Florida. He think the train has moved very rapidly.
(at about 2:00) He lays out the scenario about when hunting is appropriate.

2:08 water in the WMAS blamed sfwmd
position paper on water level (Have to go look for that)

Just so people know we have plenty of hunting in Florida but here on the FWC has proudly put a hunter with a dead bear on their website.

http://myfwc.com/hunting/

We NEED people to go hunting the Everglades for pythons and we need divers to go after Lionfish. We have alligator hunting, hog hunting, deer hunting, dove hunting, duck/waterfoul hunting, Raccoon, opossum, skunk, nutria, beaver, coyote, bobcat, and river otter, Quail, turkey and wild hogs.

Dove hunting really?

apparently so. If you google dove recipes there are plenty. Like this one.

Continue reading →

Goldstock 2015 Left Behinders Club

Sep5

Some where around 1998 my golden Casey died. (otherwise known as Casey 1.) He was about 15. I wanted to rescue another golden and i went to the Humane Societies and no luck and I called a local rescue and no one called me back.

I ended up at a pet shop in Davie and brought home little Machiavelli. A few weeks later Casey joined us. I rescued him from a wonderful family who had to move into a small apartment and could not keep him.

Machi

Casey

I joined a list serve called Goldens@hobbees and then we had another group called “Aloveofgoldens.” From these wonderful people I learned every thing golden and throughout the years we all became friends, supported each other, cried when one of us sent our precious pets to the rainbow bridge, delighted in every new puppy and rescue, and had fundraisers to support all the golden rescues out there.

To this day we still have A Christmas card exchange that I always look forward to and decorate my house with photos and cards and memorabilia that I have collected over the years.

I started my rescue originally it was called Tropical Dawg Golden Rescue and then it morphed into Golden Rescue South Florida when a lovely attorney whose husband would not allow her to adopt a golden did our 501c3 as a gift.

artwork by Adam Lenz

Later in our rescue life when Mrs Brickell was old she asked Lelo who had a big rescue in Miami who was the best golden rescue around she said we were. Because of this Golden Rescue South Florida along with a bunch of other rescues, was given a parcel of land in downtown Miami- i think its a parking lot and there is money given to the rescue every month. The two wonderful people I started my rescue with Jan Lepore and and Carol Johnson have both passed away from cancer. Other people are in charge.

I’m not here to talk about my rescue. I’m here to talk about Gail Lustig. Gail is a golden rescue person who lives in NYC and owned a camp. She opened up her camp right around the same time and people went from all over to the mecca- to Goldstock which is held every year on labor day weekend.

http://www.goldstockcamp.com/about/

“From a small beginning of 60 attendees, Goldstock has grown to include rescue groups from all over the US and attendees from all over the US as well as from overseas and from Canada. Although still predominantly a golden retriever event, Goldstock now includes some all breed groups as well as some “golden hearted” dogs that don’t look like goldens, but share the golden temperament.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suz-redfearn/goldstock-400-golden-retr_b_5739080.html

Every Labor Day weekend, Goldstockers from around the world flock to Camp Weequahic, a kids’ sleep-away camp on 100 woodsy acres outside Scranton, Pa., to let their dogs frolic on the hillside, participate in events like agility trials and the Golden Olympics, and also a lot of wildly joyful dock diving.

When the fun slows down and the dogs are napping back in cabins and RVs, the humans hold fund raisers to benefit the nearly 30 different rescue groups that have representatives at Goldstock each year, sending the groups home with thousands of dollars from sales of golden-centric items, as well as proceeds from the silent and live auctions.

If you go to the link on the bottom of the page is a fabulous slide show.

and some is even working on a dogumentary.

I have never gone so I’m part of what we call the Leftbehinders club. We would sit and wait for updates. One day I’ll go to Goldstock but I don’t even think that’s important. What’s important is the work and that we all support it even if we are not there.

There is a Goldstock Fund

http://goldstockfund.org/

This fund has helped many many dogs that would not have been helped otherwise.

The Goldstock Fund’s mission

… is to provide funds to rescue organizations or individuals to pay for transportation, boarding, evaluations and medical costs of golden retrievers and golden hearted dogs taken into rescue. The Goldstock Fund also provides educational information and materials to rescues and the public.”

There is also the story Lucy’s Legacy. I’m saving that for another day. Lucy was a very special golden and she deserves her own blogpost.

What’s important is Goldstock happens every year. People can go and meet the most amazing people and dogs with the hugest of hearts and see these wonderful dogs that we all love and support.

What I did I did with the support and help of my golden retriever community.

Many of you guys are still my friends today.

One of the things they do at camp is have a memorial for our dogs who have passed. This is Casey’s. Casey’s spirit went to Goldstock. People have told me that this is an amazing spiritual experience.

(Thank you who ever did this. I am in a puddle of tears)

I’m still a Leftbehinder (Not for lack of being invited) but always a supporter!

Have a great time everyone. We are there in spirit. I love you guys and all the great work you do.

Best wishes

Cyndi, Barney and Meme

Stop the bear hunt, save the panthers. manatee’s you’re next. SOS SOS Please help us! save our Florida!

Sep4

It’s never too early to start thinking about who we need for Governor and we need to start doing this right now. We simply will not survive any of Rick Scott’s cronies and I’m sure he’s got his own people up his nasty evil sleeves to pass on this murderous deregulation.

I’ve been told the end game is total deregulation so polluters can pollute and builders can build where ever they want. I see it going on here even in Martin County where this guy wants to build these really ugly places where you have your business downstairs and you live upstairs. The location is right near our beautiful greenway and Haney Creek.

This is not the Martin County I moved to. The one I moved too had a clean lagoon, lots and lots and lots of green. The old road near my house was upgraded to a pretty road with little circles just ripe for a developer to build what ever he wants and the sewage lines are not moved up near the lagoon where we could all hook up but close enough for developers to develop.

I read on twitter last week that the most protected animal in Florida was the developer.

But right now I want to talk about black bears.

We used to have black bears here on Hutchinson Island. My friend, fellow wordpress blogger and future Martin County Commissioner wrote a blog about it.

http://jacquithurlowlippisch.com/2014/02/25/black-bears-of-hutchinson-island-our-wild-past/

“According to historian Alice Luckhart, the black bear population on Hutchinson Island was completely wiped out by about 1930. (http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/feb/03/historical-vignettes-when-bears-roamed-hutchinson-/)

Before modern man came and planted bean fields and produced honey, the bears ate turtle eggs, palmetto berries and the riches of the Indian River Lagoon and St Lucie River. But they they became a problem, so we “wiped them out.”

We wiped them out.

We must stop wiping things out.

must.

We must live in the sunshine. We live in the sunshine state but do not have sunshine. Only evil darkness that lurks like the boogeymen under our beds. Koch roaches.

I spent the last few years documenting our water issues. We didn’t get what we needed and there is lots to do but I really believe in my heart that we were meant to go through what we did together to make us better, smarter, well educated advocates who have a really clear vision of what the big picture is. We literally saw people following the orders of rick scott. It’s our job to educate others. Asking for things will not work. The will of the people does not work. We are seeing this with amendment 1. The people of Florida voted for amendment one and the legislators stole it.

We need a Governor who will remember that he represents us and not his evil cronies.

You watch this trailer and then you tell me if you want to go out and kill a bear. For what? Bear doesn’t taste good. No one wears fur.

Who is the enemy of the bear? Humans.

This week there was a big meeting in Fort Lauderdale. This is what happened.

http://www.wptv.com/news/state/harvest-numbers-set-for-revived-florida-bear-hunt

“The bear hunt, approved by the commission in June and set to start Oct. 24, will last from two to seven days. While the hunt is supposed to end in each region once the preset quotas are reached, hunters are guaranteed a minimum of two days of pursuing bears.

The state has sold 1,948 bear hunting permits SO FAR.

I’m go to throw something else out here. The purpose of government is to protect us. I never really thought about this until I went for training to be a weather spotter. The mission of our weather service is not to entertain us or drive us crazy when storm are approaching. Life and Limb. That’s it!

Florida fish and wildlife have the nerve to have this on their website.

https://license.myfwc.com/Customer/InternetCustomerLookup

“Whether fishing or hunting, we hope you enjoy your time and we appreciate your thoughtful participation in the preservation and conservation of the natural resources in the great State of Florida. Thank you.”

Hypocrites.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/fwc-officials-to-set-bear-hunt-limit/35058086

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. –

“Despite throngs of protesters, bear advocates were dealt a crushing defeat Wednesday when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the killing of 320 bears next month during the state’s first bear hunting season in more than 20 years.

“When this many people are speaking out and advocating for the bears, how would it have hurt them to put it off for a year and get better science behind it?” Terri Miller asked.

The decision by FWC comes after a series of bear attacks on people and pets.”

Except those bears are not the one’s getting killed. The hunters are going into the forest and chasing the bears out of their habitat into the populated areas.

Only in Florida.

Of course there is no science because the government of Florida doesn’t believe in science. They only believe in cronies.

Here is the video from Ft Lauderdale yesterday.

http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/9215-florida-fish-wildlife-conservation-commission-part-4/

We need your help.

What can you do?

Go here and stay connected with whats going on.

https://www.facebook.com/stopbearhunt?fref=nf

This is an online bear hunt protest on Facebook. It will take place every Friday and you can send a message to the people who are in charge. Tell them you won’t come to Florida if this hunt goes through.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1064535313556616/

and you can sign this petition.

http://www.care2.com/causes/how-you-can-help-stop-the-upcoming-florida-black-bear-hunt.html

Thank you so much everyone! It’s very important that people from outside Florida speak out and condemn this.The majority of the people of Florida do not want this bear hunt. We need to take our Florida back.

Stupid pills: Throwback Thurs Marco goes to Stuart.

Sep3

Stupid pills: Throwback Thurs Marco goes to Stuart.

http://martincountytimes.com/wpbf-senator-rubio-meets-his-indian-river-lagoon-critics-at-stuart-city-hall

“Where have you been for the past 13 months?” called out one protester.R

Another held a wanted poster with Rubio’s face on it, calling him “No Show Rubio” and accusing him of “murder of our rivers.”

After begging him for a year he finally showed up. The initial meeting was invited Republicans only. Some people we knew stuck their tongues out at us as they walked by into the meeting. Truly a dagger into the hearts of the “clean water” River Warriors which is non partisan.

In the end we were invited in if we promised to be quiet.

Marco Rubio

The speakers were all very respectful to Marco Rubio.

He was given a bottle of dirty river water. He was given an explanation by Mark Perry our expert on all things St Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon and Estuary.

What the issue? Not that we were decimated and destroyed by the discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

This is the issue.

To be far almost everyone takes sugar money. Florida’s own Debbi Wasserman Schultz is the worse. She’s a great buddy of Marco Rubio.

This week this happened.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/423243/rubio-sugar-subsidies?GE1yGQlf72Ql5Rrv.01

Rubio: Our National Security Depends on Sugar Subsidies

“If we eliminate our sugar subsidies first, Rubio warned, “other countries will capture the market share, our agricultural capacity will be developed into real estate, you know, housing and so forth, and then we lose the capacity to produce our own food, at which point we’re at the mercy of a foreign country for food security.”

Read the rest of the article. Then read the comments. They wonderful. People are really getting with this program.

Here is some excellent commentary from our friend Mista Gimleteye!

http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2015/09/marco-rubio-our-national-security.html

“With a little more space, Mr. Mann might have added some pungent details. How Rubio, for example, while leader from Miami in the Florida legislature, strongly supported Big Sugar’s right to pollute the Everglades at taxpayer expense. That was in the early 2000’s, when Rubio was Jeb Bush’s point man in weakening federal and state agreements to protect the dying River of Grass from Big Sugar’s fertilizer runoff.

A decade of litigation by Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe resulted in an $880 million dollar agreement in 2012 by the Gov. Rick Scott administration that is now shifting the entire burden, again, onto taxpayers and away from the sugar industry.

Instead of siding with taxpayers, Marco Rubio chose the team that controls the state: billionaire insiders like the Fanjuls of Coral Gables and Palm Beach who run the sugar industry and insure its prerogatives like a syndicate.

What Mann doesn’t quite explain is how Rubio’s logic in defense of Big Sugar works. Rubio’s defense of Big Sugar as “national security” is rote memory from the Big Sugar’s playbook: “if you don’t let us grow sugarcane and pollute, we will put suburban sprawl on the land we own.” That’s not a threat: it’s gospel that is blithely accepted by Democratic leadership as well as Republican, gliding past the awareness that strong growth management regulations in favor of the Everglades once attempted to guide sprawl away from what taxpayers have already spent billions to protect.

The Big Sugar nonsense goes on: “If you don’t heed our threat, instead of dealing with us (sensitive sugar billionaires you can negotiate with in good faith) you will have to deal with owners of zero lot line homes who want more Lowes and Home Depots and Friday’s in wetlands.” The only problem: Big Sugar has never negotiated in good faith with the public or, to be more accurate, only negotiates from a position where it defends its profits down to the very last penny.”

I know this is a lot of stuff. It’s important stuff. But the most important thing to remember is when we needed our Senator to show up for us he didn’t. We begged. We tweeted. We emailed him letters. We sent him letters.

He couldn’t be bothered.

This is what happened to us.

No show Rubio. How in the world can this person expect to be president if he can’t show up in his own state?

Goodwill For the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon!

Sep2

Thank you Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Tony Polito! I am in tears. This is fabulous.

Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch

Gulfstream Goodwill industries, Inc. Stuart, Fl. The group has been studying the river for months and now advocates for its goodwill. Group photo with guest speaker JTL, photo, Irene Laverty 9-1-15.)

GULFSTREAM GOODWILLS’ MISSION STATEMENT: “Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Inc., assists people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to become self-sufficient, working members of our community.” (http://www.gulfstreamgoodwill.com)

I am certain the St Lucie/Indian River Lagoon has a new group of outspoken advocates. And let me tell you, they know their river stuff!

Yesterday, I spoke before sixty Martin and St Lucie County residents with disabilities at Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, in Stuart. The coordinator of “Adult Day Training Services” is Mr Tony Polito; he was fantastic with me and with his group. My visit was a remarkable experience, one I shall always cherish. —-The river brings all people, yes, all people together for a common good.

Before I got there, I…

View original post 502 more words

cyndi lenz

psych nurse, documentary filmmaker, photographer, crazed river warrior of the Indian River Lagoon.

Monthly Archives: September 2015

Documentary Review: Flow: For the Love of Water

The War Between Public Health and Private Interests

By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Nestle CEO: Water Is Not A Human Right, Should Be Privatized

Aqua Para Todos

Port Everglades Expansion – A Coral Reef Apocalypse

A dozen South Florida businesses and conservation groups challenge the Army Corps of Engineers’ expansion plan for Port Everglades.

Save the Halpatiokee Nature Trails! Move the Bridge! Stop destroying us!

Florida Back Roads: Yesterday’s Woad Twip , The Peace River and oh ya pollution.

DeSoto Veterans Memorial Park

2195 NW American Legion Dr Arcadia, FL 34266

writing 101: why i write

Must watch Video on Bear Hunt. Then funny bear video.

Goldstock 2015 Left Behinders Club

The Goldstock Fund’s mission

Stop the bear hunt, save the panthers. manatee’s you’re next. SOS SOS Please help us! save our Florida!

“Whether fishing or hunting, we hope you enjoy your time and we appreciate your thoughtful participation in the preservation and conservation of the natural resources in the great State of Florida. Thank you.”

Stupid pills: Throwback Thurs Marco goes to Stuart.

Goodwill For the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon!