Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

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Sierra Club Defies Bush, Landrieu's Position On Drilling, Energy Conservation

1. March 19, 2002
2. Source: Times-Picayune

Melinda Pierce, a lobbyist for the environmentalist organization, the Sierra Club, has made public her defiance of the President's and the Senate's positions on oil drilling and energy conservation.

1. "I think it is false to suggest we can drill our way to energy security, or national security for that matter, given that we sit on less than 3 percent of the known oil reserves. You can't drill your way to independence, but you sure can get yourself out of the hole a lot quicker with conservation."

According to Pierce, the Senate failed to do its job in March of 2002, when it voted down a measure to increase fuel economy for American cars, SUVs and trucks. This amendment to the energy bill would have raised the standard miles-per-gallon ratio from 25 mpg to 36 mpg. The old mark, adopted almost 20 years ago in 1985, should be reconsidered given the increase in efficiency of more modern technology.

The day after that amendment was defeated, another proposed amendment was voted down which would have required that 20% of the nation's energy would be from renewable resources (such as solar, wind, and biomass) by the year 2020. Currently only 2% of the nation's energy comes from renewable and sustainable energy resources.

The use of renewable, alternate sources of energy and the increase of fuel conservation in cars are two issues that require more attention from the Bush administration and the rest of the U.S. government.

Also, in response to the secretive meetings that led to the formation of the Bush administration's energy policy, Carl Pope, the executive director of the Sierra Club said:

1. "There is no real debate, and the administration doesn't even seriously contend that there is a debate. We [the environmental groups] didn't get access, industry groups that didn't give money got access but not policy, and industry groups that gave money got access and got policy."

It is time that the Bush administration pays attention to the environmental groups, and instead of selling the country's energy policy to the Oil and Gas Corporations for 'political contributions', they should take into account the enourmous environmental and financial benefit of renewable energy and conservation.

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1. Environmentalist "Shocked" at Tirade
2. Landrieu Makes Environmentalists Blood Boil
3. U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu is No Friend of Wetlands