Rep. Kucinich Wants Reconciliation with Nature

(Alexandria, Virginia) Excuse the poor cell phone vidcap. It shows former presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) earlier this week at the 2010 Animal Rights National Conference.

Kucinich said reconciling with nature is the central challenge of our time.

Kucinich, who is vegan, called for an economic transformation away from exploitation of the earth and animals.

“The schism between mankind and the natural world has become so pronounced in the 20th and 21st centuries,” he said, citing endless mining, the destruction of natural habitats, broad-based animal experimentation and other pernicious activities that emerged in conjunction with the industrial age.

“All of these are indications of how far we have gone to separate ourselves from the natural world,” he said.

“We also have to look at transformation of our economic system because you and I know that we have a kind of economic system which is predatory, which is extractive, which is about using the earth and taking anything and everything out of it. It’s really anti-social … and it’s against the higher principle of community.”

Frankly, it appears that Kucinich wants to de-industrialize. He promised to launch an initiative next month.

With all due respect, Congressman, it's hard to get charged up about reconciling with nature and animal rights when you don't have a job. Contrary to your assertion, I suggest that the lack of jobs is the central challenge of our time.

[Add.] It dawned on me that Kucinich's desire to transform the economy away from exploiting the Earth and animals leaves nothing. Everything humans use for sustenance and comfort comes from animals and the Earth.

Of course, I've heard frequent reference to pie in the sky. Maybe that's what Rep. Kucinich is referring to.