Rachel Carson's book examined the harmful effect of unrestricted chemical pesticides into the environment. Although the use of pesticides had raised much anxiety at the time among various groups -- there was little factual data. Carson's detailed study on the effects of the pesticide DDT made an earth shattering difference. Everywhere grass root groups protested aerial spraying by the government and run off. Rachel Carson's name became associated with the use of pesticides throughout rural America---in the halls of Congress --and throughout the world.

In her book--Carson described the post World War II industry as being "Intoxicated with a sense of his own power...(mankind) seems to be going farther and farther away into more experiments for the destruction of himself and his world." She accused Science and Technology as being handmaidens of the chemical Industry in their rush for profits and control of the markets."

Carson noted that the proliferation use of toxic chemicals -- pesticides -- was the ultimate act of destruction to all life. She argued that the widespread use of the pesticide DDT "permeated" animal and human tissue--a claim the chemical Industry vehemently disputed. (The Chemical Industry argued human "thresholds' and "assimilative capacities" on permeability.) She challenged the government's wisdom to allow the use of DDT in the environment without knowing the long term consequences. "Can anyone believe it is possible to lay down a barrage of poisons on the surface of the earth without making it unfit for all life?"

Although the Chemical Industry attempted to portray Rachel Carson as "a hysterical woman" they eventually placed her argument on the "wrong side" of the issue and tried to discredit her study and claims. Luckily Carson's book came to the attention of JFK who ordered a state and federal investigations into her claims. Although Rachel Carson died 18 months later of breast cancer (April 1964) it wasn't until 6 years later that the Environmental Protection Agency became government policy and Earth Day was established.

Perhaps the most daunting part of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring -- is her Fable for Tomorrow. Carson wrote about a town -- it could have been any town, "A strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community, mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens, the cattle and sheep sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families, In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing their patients. There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths, not only among adults deaths but even young children, who would be stricken suddenly while play and die within a few hours."

"The birds, for example -- where had they gone? The feeding stations in the backyard were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were moribund, they trembled violently and could not fly.

It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was no sound, only silence lay over head the fields and woods and marshes. On the farms the hens brooded, but no chicks hatched. the farmers complained that they were unable to raise any pigs--the litters were small and the young survived only a few days. The apple trees were coming into bloom but no bees droned among the blossoms, so there was no pollination and there would be no fruit...No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The people had done it themselves."

Resolution 1:  Preemptive action: Mr. Peter Torkilden spoke of the "growing dangers" around the nation and the world. He referred to the Anthrax scare in the nation's capital and the resulting deaths and the Dirty Bomb with its radioactive material and implications. Mr. Torklisen read a statement from one of Bin Laden's top guard aired on Al Jazeera from the new York Times (2/25/04), "Bush fortify your defense, intensify your measures ...because the Moslem nation, which sent brigades to New York and Washington, has decided to send you one brigade after another, carrying death and seeking paradise." Mr. Torkilsen said, "Preemptive action has to be an option....If we fail to gain UN approval the US has the right to act in its own national interests. We should not give up our right to the UN to craft our war on terror."

Dr. Breen drew on Harry Truman address to the founding of the UN for his rebuttal, "America's power and strength did not give it the right to do as it pleases around the world." Dr. Breen noted also our preemptive action on Iraq and Israel's preemptive action on the Palestinians is responsible for mounting tensions around the world. He noted these actions have brought us "greater instability not greater stability" around the world.

Resolution 2:  Non military Resources: Mr. Peter Torkilsen noted how the Bush Administration has been committed to the improving poverty and disease around the world. He cited the Administration's 15 billion dollars fund air marked for Aids in Africa which will begin in a few weeks. Mr. Torkilsen also noted that the President's commitment to providing better preventive services against Aids. Domestically Mr. Torkilsen noted the President's concern for education. There were a few scattered boos from the audience when Mr.Torkilsen noted the overall increase in human services part of the President's budget for next year. The grumbles were a result of the low percentage points (2-3 percentage) in comparison to the military budget which was given a sustainable seven percent increase.
                                  
Dr. Breen's rebuttal on non military problems focused on how poverty breeds misery and serves as a fertile breeding ground for terrorism. He argued that environmental degradation runs across states and countries and should have a global perspective on setting standards and regulations. Dr. Breen
also suggested assisting countries to achieve a sustainable economy as a way out of poverty and terrorism. Many heads in the audience nodded in agreement.

Resolution 3:  Commitment to national and International Institutions: Mr. Tackling said he was committed to "a dialogue" with other nations. Although he reiterated the need for the United States to uphold its right to defend itself if other nations did not support us. Mr. Torkilsen said he recognized the importance of FBI and CIA but we need to improve our Intelligence capabilities. He accepted the role the administration plays in protecting the environment. Mr. Torkilsen also endorsed support for Atomic Energy Commission in monitoring the proliferation of nuclear weapons and containment.

Dr. Breen said our commitment to national and international institutions "was essential if we are going to be effective in addressing environmental issues such as terrorism; poverty; disease and nuclear weapons"  Dr. Breen also stressed the importance of the International Atomic Energy Commission IAEC in monitoring nuclear proliferation and containment.

Many people from the audience joined in the Public Comment session at the podium following the debate.  Their views varied. The First speaker said we needed to "respect" other nations. He said "America is now a rogue state." He asked rhetorically, "Who gave us the right to go into Iraq? Today, over 500 soldiers (US) are dead and over 30, 000 Iraqis are dead because of us... "

Dean Yarbough from the groupto Reduce Military Spending reminded the audience how "overloaded" and "overspent" the Defense budget is from the war on Iraq. He noted the price tag today is 103 billion dollars. Massachusetts has paid 3 billion towards this bill and Framingham's share is 30 million dollars. Mr. Yarbough also noted the nation's poverty gap has deepened and many social programs were hurting because of this. Carol Oakley, from Millis said we should "spend less on the military and invest more in helping people in poor countries out of poverty through a sustainable economy: providing education and jobs to keep people out of gangs and guerrilla groups."

Laurel Tanenholtz expressed the need for people to avoid acting on their fears of 911, terrorists and WMD. She pointed out "war is the worst kind of violence." She suggested, "people need to connect" with one another. "We are all the same" she told the audience. Edward Mac Grath, the Republic chairman from Framing ham pointed out, "If President Bush was interested in getting contracts for Halliburton he could have "done business with Saddam."

Satnam Singh an economics student from Framingham State noted how during the Cuban Missile crisis when Defense Secretary Mc Namara wanted to show Charles De Guillle the evidence of the Russians stockpiling their weapons on Cuban soil -- the French President said he didn't need to see the evidence, the American President's word was "enough" for him. Singh's aroused the voices in the audience to a clatter when he purposed "Today, who would accept the President's word at face value?" One audience member yelled out, "Yeah ,that's where we are today...with no trust..."

The voting on the Three Resolutions was nearly unanimously opposed to Preemptive action in the future; voters supported redirecting America's resources to non military means and for returning power and support to national and International institutions as a means of securing a more peaceful and a more orderly world in the future.