Just makes me want to be a Mama again more than ever! I vote for 'endangered' if for no other reason than breathing room. A chance to live without danger for awhile. We all need it.

Jennifer:  Of course we all need it, but many of us can take care of ourselves better than these poor beautiful creatures.  There home... their natural habitat... is simply disappearin right under their feet.  How could anyone not come to their rescue.  Thanks for sharing your vote, Jennifer.  Take care...

Oh, shoot!  First it's the middle class on the endangered species list and now it's the Polar Bear!

Eric:  You forgot to mention Realtors being next.  Perhaps some of them could move to Madeline Island... is sure looked cold enough for them to be just fine during this past winter up there.  Maybe you need a new slogan up there... Adopt a Polar Bear... along with "Take a Realtor To Lunch,,," or perhaps "Hug Your Realtor?"

Wow - polar bear on endangered species list. What will coke do? All kidding aside, I am an avid lover of nature and God's creatures, both big and small. I'm going to do some reading on this one. - Carla

Karen Ann, did you ever get the button. I just have not heard from you. Did you not like it? I will do another till you're happy. Just let me know. Later in the rain~Deb

I don't think Realtors are next...nope .it's mortgage brokers, then Realtors. Pretty cramped quarters on those rapidly melting ice floes for all of us....and what about the old Eskimos that get put out on the ice...where will they go?

Karen Anne, The picture of the polar bears are so cute!  I don't know that I would think they were so cute if they were standing in front of me!  It's too bad they are endangered.  Hopefully, something is done about that.

Although my background is in molecular biology, genetics and immunology - I ended up teaching a biological survey course at Pace and it included a section on ecology.  One of the most delicate ecological systems are arctic systems.  The reason for this is that there are relatively few species that can thrive in such climates and when one species is endangered, there generally isn't another that could easily fill the gap. The arctic is an example of very delicate ecology. Polar bears are the primary predatory species, that they are in danger is very serious for the whole region.  They are also magnificent creatures.

Carla:  This is pitiful.  If we allow those creatures who have been entrusted to our care to be wiped out... how will be answer for standing by and watching that happen.  There is no excuse for letting that happen.  Thanks for commenting... take care...

Debra:  Yes, I did get the button... but I have no clue what to do with it.  I need to get together with you by phone and have you walk me through it.  I have taken up so much time trying to be "out there" doing what I call "stirring the pot" trying to get some of my referral sources back to where they are providing me some clients.  Between that, and trying to figure out which way is up in talking back and forth to the Tomato people... whew. 

When can we get together by phone.  I should be here up until noon tomorrow.  Please let me know, and if you can... I would love to chat over it until I can struggle through it.  Thank you so very much... I appreciate you !

Joan:  I think there is room for those Eskimos on Madeline Island with Eric Kodner.  He seems like such a nice guy... perhaps the polar bears being on the island would increase tourist traffic ?  And those loan officers ?  Well, we're just going to put them in a raft, and set them loose.  LOL.

Roberta:  Yes, they are cute, but I do not think Mama Bear is all that thrilled that her cubs are being threatened.  Perhaps we can get a super-sized refrigerated truck to bring them down to Washington, DC so they can have a little chat with Dear Mr Bush.  LOL.  I wonder if he would try and dance with them too, just like he did with those Saudi princes ?

I'm not surprised that the Bush Department of the Interior can't bring themselves to place the Polar Bear on the Endangered Species list.  It puts conservatives between a rock and a hard place.  If they admit arctic wildlife is in danger, they're gonna anger their loyal constituents who argue there's no such thing as global warming.  If they don't, it portrays them as heartless anti-environment thugs who are trapped by right wing political correctness.

Remember James Watt?  There's another prime example of the kind of cabinet-level ineptitude and corruption we get from a Republican administration.

Ruthmarie:  I totally agree with you.  An entire ecological system is in danger.  And what do we get from the administration.  Nothing.  So little concern.  Deplorable.

Eric:  Just more examples in the continuing parade of administration ineptitude.  All these people appointed to these position... as rewards for previous political or business favors or contributions.  No wonder Bush ran his own personal oil business into the ground... which is going in the oppositie direction of what the oil business should be... getting things (oil) out of the ground.

Eric... as a side note... one of the reasons I wrote these three posts tonight... is that I was getting sick of seeing that gigundo pizza staring me in the face from three posts ago.  I needed to replace it with something, and how nice it is... that I now see these gorgeous polar bears now when I sign on to my blog.  Take care...

Karen Anne -- The pizza was a thing of beauty!  But the polar bears are awfully cute, aren't they?

Honestly... they are incredible.  How wonderfully diverse Mother Nature's creations are.  And... when my vaunted intuition is in high gear... I can look at them and sometimes intuit what they are thinking... but definitely what they are feeling.  Not so good.

Hi Karen, love the polar bear photo!  The awwwww for the day.  Hope all is going well with the Tomato guys! 

I love all animals, even if I cannot have the "larger" animals perched in my window in my living-room purring. :)

I suspect placing polar bears on the endangered species list would cause conflict with President Bush's promotion of oil drilling in arctic regions.

aren't they some of the most beautiful creatures.    I just wanna hug them ... knowing full well I'd probably get my head chewed off....   I refrain :)   

Have a great day!

Susie:  She's (the polar bear)... she's just another single Mom trying to take care of her kids.  Only she needs some help from us.  I mean... talk about "adorable !"

The Tomato guys ?  Well... yesterday my designer Bronwyn and I had an extende "back and forth" on different ideas after my initial critique, and I am sure she is busy back at her drawing board.  I am both excited and apprehensive... waiting for the next batch of results.

Rosario:  I suspect that would cause him problems, too... or at least embarrassment.  Although drilling for oil is of prime importance, I think there are many other fertile areas to be explored.

Rick:  I was trying to imagine having one of these polar bear cubs alternate with Mollie T... sitting on top of my piano in the front window of my home.  I don't know... do polar bears purr ?  Or make some similar noise besides a wild roar ?

Rick... please either send or create a post sharing your purring children with us.

Desiree:  They are absolutely quite beautiful, and quite striking creatures.  Tell you what.  Why don't I feed them one of the undersecretaries over at the Department of the Interior, and then you can go hug them without fear of getting your pretty head chewed off.  And you have a wonderful day, too !  Take care...

Karen Anne - They say polar bears will be extinct by the end of the century.  One polar bear scientist was saying that he may not be able to call himself a polar bear scientist much longer, but may have to change his title to polar bear historian.  He may be one of the last to study polar bears in the wild.  And we still haven't signed the Kyoto Accord! 

Gail:  How sad your story is.  No more polar bear scientists... only polar bear historians.  Very sad.  And of course we have not signed the Kyoto Accord... our fearless leader doesn't believe in it !  The last eight years of Bush 43 have been such a disaster in so many different ways.  God help us if we end up with Bush # 3... Mr McCain.

Karen Anne, what a beautiful photo - it should move the icy hearts of in the  White House.  I'd say more, but they'd probably start tapping my phones!

Patricia:  It's not paranoia if they really are out to get ya !  But, these poor lil guys... how could anyone resist them ?  Take care...

http://http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=42284&cat=1 I may have believed it except for the "Federal judge in California "p art

Karen, great post and well said. Should be interesting what they finally decide.

Karen Ann, a picture says it all.

Well, if we can all get past the 'cute' and the hysterical Bush bashing, maybe a little balance is in order. Being from California I could give a rats ass about what some judge out here does. Read the rant I just posted about the corrupt hacks that run this place. Never believe anything that comes out of California (unless I write it).  

Or you could read this scientists study that disproves what the 'California Judge' says. Cute picture though.

http://www.forecastingprinciples.com/Public_Policy/PolBears.pdf

Gene:  I welcome all comments to my posts... even if they disagree with my premise.  I like starting good discussions and watching them grow.  However...  this is a public post, not a "member's only" post... so kindly keep your "rat's ass" comments to yourself !  I am not impressed.  Have a nice day.

Gary:  It that a cute picture, or what !  Do you have any clue as to how dangerous it is to go out on an arctic ice floe to take this... but... the bear and her cubs were irresistible.

Hugh:  Well... the picture is really cute, and sometimes that's all you need.  Take care...

Duane:  It just kind of figures that the Department of the Interior would let something like this be put off for so long.  Maybe they will come through for the little guy this time... or, should I say, for the little bears and their mom.  Take care...

Its about time we take notice to this issue and realize that this is going to affect everyone on the planet. Good post.

Ulises:  Thanks for your great comment.  Unfortunately, there are always those who feel that our Mother Earth is their playtoy to use and abuse... both the "grounds" and many of the living creatures here... both human and animal.  They make fun of "climate change"... and probably will... until it affects each of them up close and personal... or until it affects their own children.  Someday their kids may then ask them why they didn't do something about it when they had the chance.  What will these know-it-all's say then ?    Thanks again Ulises... take care...

The historically cyclical nature of the atmosphere is contributing to the demise of this beautiful creature's habitat - and when you add in the damage that we humans are doing ...

Sometimes in the name of progress we are our own worst enemy.  And then we wonder ... where did they go?

Karen, lets hope, they are such beautiful creatures. It worked for the eagle, now it's the bears turn.

Sorry if I offended but quoting a California Judge as a credible source for more climate/Bush bashing was just too silly. That would be like quoting a washed-up discredited former vice president on global warming - whoops, Well, the bears will either make it or they won't and nothing we can do will change that, unless you think we can chill the planet back down like we were afraid of in the 70's. Species have been dying out for millenia without any help from man and I suspect that will continue as the less adaptable make way for the mutants. That includes humans, by the way. If we get to be too troublesome to the planet, BOOM - no more blogging.

Karen Anne-It is really sad that the polar bear is may become extinct, but (excuse the pun), that is only the tip of the iceberg. Climate change is wreaking havoc all over the world with increased droughts in some areas and increasing numbers of hurricanes and flooding in others. We have done little to nothing to stop global warming. I'm afraid that by the time we start to do something it will be too little too late.

Even if you happen to be one of the minority of people who deny that global warming is an issue, isn't is better to err on the side of caution anyway? We need to move to alternative energy sources and reduce carbon emissions.