Debbie,
I have limited time because of UW job plus a business on the side, but I
know that human over-population is the base cause for most environmental
degradation, habitat loss and declining quality of life for people as
well. I personally am not opposed to abortion, either, if performed early
in pregnancy, but many people who are concerned about population problems
may have religious opposition to abortion, so prevention of unwanted
pregancies is the best common ground. No child should be born unless that
child is wanted and planned. There are policies in other countries,
especially Singapore, that are more direct and have general citizen
cooperation/approval in controlling human population numbers and in
protecting both the environment and the quality of life.

Many other societies, including our own, are still evolving the maturity,
discipline, intelligence, and concern-for-others to enact cooperative
population controls (China's policies are NOT acceptable), but we have to
take the first steps.............now.

The National Audubon Society Population and Habitat Campaign sounds like a
courageous and long-over-due first step. COUNT ME IN. What do I do next
after I post a call to Vice President Gore? The newly formed Reform Party
has a protective environmental agenda (yes, a diversity of ideas, some
conflicting also, but they are part of the first good steps to positive
change) and is looking for people of principle, character, and vision to
run for public office at all levels. There are some strong-minded and
vocal Tweeters out there....want to run for public office??? Yes, YOU!

I am forwarding this message to the Reform Party via my brother who is
National Communications Chairman. My assessment of the Reform
Party is that their ideas and ideals are good for the quality of life of
all living things.......birds, trees, habitats, wild places, and people in
cities with dreams of a better future. Soon, we may have a slate of
people running for public office with an intelligent balance of policies
and the courage to see things as they are and to ACT rather than react!

Thank you and we'll be talking again soon,

Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA