Floyd jumps the gun on Earth Day this year, celebrating it with activities at Floyd County High School, four days ahead of the international recognition of our need to do something to save the planet before we destroy it completely.

At this point, the rabid right wing jumps up and screams that global warming is a sham, that we should let mining companies scoop off mountain tops with giant shovels and that oil spills aren't all that bad.

Anyone who grew up in Floyd knows that the winters around here are a lot different than 40 or so years ago. Lot less snow, warmer temperatures and less wind sending trees crashing down across driveways and into rooftops.

Few people in Floyd County had or used air conditioning here in the 60s. Didn't need it. The summers were pleasant, not overbearingly hot. Scientists who put truth ahead of political gain say depletion of the ozone layer is to blame. Those controlled by the right wing cabals preach the party line and claim man is not to blame for what has happened.

Doors open at 9 a.m. and speakers start at 9:30.  At 2:00 p.m. participants will break into discussion groups on the following topics:

• Creating a local food system;
• Sustainably logged wood products;
• Asset based development;
• Local industrial bonds;
• Recycling groups;
• Renewable energy group.

Hmmm. Tree huggers looking at issues from a business perspective. Now that's something I've gotta see.

More information is available on their web site.