While pretty much everyone who works in the environmental industry believes in and supports its goals, the bottom line is that without financial support no gains can be made. Massive cleanups and structural changes that have brought us to the cleaner world we have now took lots and lots of financial investment.

As in our newfound ability to buy organic and natural products in almost any kind of store, from Walmart to Whole Foods to Green Mama's to Lowe's and HEB, the purchasing policies of the public will always dictate the way of the merchant. If we didn't make our desire for these products known, we wouldn't get them. Voting with your wallet is always the strongest way to go and the bottom line.

Howard, while on the front lines of a wonderful cause, is also a businessman and many people and projects depend on the success of his programs. As such he must make prudent decisions regarding his programs. There's no conspiracy and no backdoor blacklisting.

And if I may say so, IMNTBHO (in my never-to-be-humble-opinion), while many of us hold a level of loyalty to Howard because his cause is emotional because it so greatly affects our lives, he does not truly owe any of us an explanation of his motives or decisions in minute detail. In our country, we are privileged to choose whether to listen and believe, listen and doubt or TURN THE PROGRAM OFF. Our decision to spend money or join a cause of any kind is distinctly, permanently our own. I don't mean to be harsh, just tired of the "ass-uming", complaining and downright whining going on here. Let's act like the grownups we are.

Kathe