Party! November 15, 2005March 2, 2017 IT’S YOUR PLANET, TOO Hurricane Gamma seems pretty likely to form over the next few days – when have we ever gotten three tropical depressions into the Greek alphabet before? – which may be as good a reason as any to direct your attention to Al Gore, here, in Rolling Stone: It is now clear that we face a deepening global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly and wisely. ‘Global warming’ is the name it was given a long time ago. But it should be understood for what it is: a planetary emergency that now threatens human civilization on multiple fronts. Stronger hurricanes and typhoons represent only one of many new dangers . . . The new extremes of wind and rain are part of a larger pattern that also includes rapidly melting glaciers worldwide, increasing desertification, a global extinction crisis, the ravaging of ocean fisheries and a growing range for disease “vectors” like mosquitoes, ticks and many other carriers of viruses and bacteria harmful to people. The Republican response is to scoff, give tax incentives for the purchase of Hummers, and push for more drilling in Alaska. The Democratic response is to encourage conservation and fund alternative energy research. What can one citizen do about any of this? Well, you could build an ark. But you could also start by going to a party. GO TO A PARTY TONIGHT Progressive environmental policies are just the start of what distinguishes the Democratic Party. We also ‘believe in’ evolution . . . in stem cell research . . . in affordable health care . . . in a social safety net . . . in privacy . . . in diversity . . . in thinking things through before starting a war – and more. Would you like to be in on the ground floor of the effort to organize the progressive grassroots? Click here to find a party to begin the conversation and see what role you might play. I know it’s short notice, but heck . . . drop by on your way home from work. There are a thousand to choose from, some with just a couple of folks sitting over coffee, some larger. But first read Al’s essay. It will put you in the mood to get involved.