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Human beings have no control over planet's temperature

| May 4, 2007 12:00 AM

To the Editor:

I'd like to comment on some of the dribble I heard over the last weekend by certain individuals and special interest groups concerning Earth Day, but more specifically, global warming.

I've had it up to here with all the horse hewy surrounding this subject.

I don't deny that it's a reality and I wholeheartedly agree that we are the custodians of this planet and it's surely our responsibility to keep it as clean as reasonably possible, while still making wise use of the natural resources bestowed upon us.

I certainly don't think we need to compromise our personal hygiene in the interest of saving a tree. (i.e. the Sheryll Crowe suggestion on the revised usage of toilet paper, one square per visit, 4-21-07).

The idea that we mere mortals can somehow control the temperature of this planet is absurd and maybe even a little egocentric.

This old girl we call mother earth has been around for billions of years taking care of herself and her inhabitants, and as geology proves, she's had many "cold snaps" as well as "hot flashes" and will continue to do just that.

When man gets too far out of hand, mother nature will administer some sort of catastrophic event that will not only humble us, but will also likely reduce our numbers by 90 percent or more. (Yellowstone is just about due for another eruption).

Of course, most of this is my own speculative opinion, but there's one thing I am sure of, we're not in charge here. Never have been, never will be.

I believe the prayer goes like this: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

I think we would do well to dwell a little on that, especially the last line, and stop beating ourselves up over an issue that we ultimately have no control of.

Bob Creighton