'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Purple haze all in my eyes
Don't know if it's day or night
While George Bush continues to deny the effects of an unchecked industrial convulsion of our environment, his actions and inactions are bringing the seemingly hallucination-induced lyrics of Jimi Hendrix to fruition. In many parts of the United States and the rest of the world, a purple haze can be seen hanging over large cities and smaller hamlets near these cities. It is now even affecting our National Park system. In Central California's Sequoia National Park, the haze is affecting the once pristine scenic views from the top of Beetle Rock. Beetle Rock sits more than a mile high in the Sierra Mountains and as you look down, you come to realize the truth . . . down below, Kings Canyon has more smog than New York City. It is considered to be smoggy when ozone levels violate the federal government's health-based eight-hour limit. Over the past three years, Sequoia National Park has had 63 such days. When you consider that major metropolitan areas like San Diego and San Francisco are only averaging 5 or 6 days a year, you know something is wrong. Only the Los Angeles basin which averages 103 days a year is worse. Yet George Bush actually wants to allow more industry into our National Forests.
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Many states have to issue pollution warnings, suggesting young children, senior citizens and anyone with breathing problems stay indoors. There is such an alert today in the Midwest. Is this what we have come to? Summer used to be for outdoor activities, but with pollution levels and smog exacerbated by higher temperatures, it's no wonder children around the country have taken to DVDs and Play Stations as their extracurricular activities.
Purple haze all around
Don't know if I'm comin' up or down
Yet George Bush continues to dismiss the evidence that stares him in the face on a daily basis.
Purple haze all in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Bush and the rest of the pro-big money / anti-little people establishment keep telling us that we have to cut standards in order for these businesses to survive. What they don't seem to realize . . . or care about . . . is the simple fact that the Earth won't be fit for human occupation if their policies continue.
You got me blowin', blowin' my mind
Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?
I'm not sure how many more chances we will have before it's too late. Every nation on Earth needs to go back to the table and not only agree to the Kyoto Accords, perhaps even make the language of the Accords even more strict. Here at home, we need some federally mandated legislation that can't be cut back by the President. Something that says our world is more important to the future of mankind than big business, because when it comes to push or shove, I'm on the side of Mother Nature.
Am I happy or in misery?
Whatever it is that girl put a spell on me
Purple Haze lyrics © 1967 by James Marshall Hendrix