"When we destroy nature, we diminish ourselves."

Thanks to my Hanover alumni wife we had the opportunity to see environmentalist/lawyer Robert Kennedy Jr. speak at Hanover College on Wednesday night.

It was a mesmerizing experience.

For well over an hour he spoke passionately and reasonable about environmental policies in The United States.

For those that have seen him on TV and what-knot...most people are aware that he is somewhat of a shaky (yet confident) speaker and at the onset of his presentation that was true. But by the end of his speech...he was in complete control delivering a powerful and resonating message. (That was also true of the way his father delivered speeches as well). Overall Kennedy's speech was a very informative and passionate plea that The United States can have a environmental policy that not only protects the environment but have a policy that strengthens (and not diminishes) the economy.

Kennedy went to great length to dispel the rumor that having a strong and sensible environmental policy is not economically friendly. He made several arguments when new technology was deemed ridiculous (for example...personal PC's in the '80's) and then eventually lead to a revolution (information in this case). Kennedy believes this is possible with energy. He also argued that our dependence on big oil companies--which is significantly assisted by our federal government is anti-capitalist and anti-free market and that it perpetuates an environment where original and creative thought is not rewarded...that basically the individual entrepreneurship spirit that has driven this county is not being appreciated (or even looked at in some cases).

I also liked how Kennedy seemed to tailor his speech to his audience. I'm sure some of that was by design but he spoke of hunting and fishing and how hunters and fishermen became some of the first modern day environmentalists in our country. Not all environmentalists fit the generic label of being left wing nut job tree-huggers Like I said before he spoke of free-markets and that's always going to set well with a southern Indiana audience. But he also spoke of the spiritual aspect of nature...not the worshiping of nature but expressing the historical and present-day notions of people finding God through nature...or how nature reflects God's design.

I was just very impressed by his overall message. I'm sure there are two sides to some of the points he was making but his message was well thought out and well presented.

I think we have to get past the notion that caring for nature is not in our best interest because it is in out best interest. Additionally...and not to make this a political issue...but it is in our best interest to find common ground and have an energy policy that is forward thinking.