The decision to develop the entire over-century-old farm on Grant Road in Mountain View, CA is beyond devastating; not so much because many of my childhood memories revolve around times spent there, but mostly because historical, agricultural and biological significance has taken a backseat to man-made laws that in this case undermines common-sense. The farm on Grant Road has survived changes in traffic all these years; why must those who oppose its preservation use the zoning laws as their main argument? I mean, in this case, why not develop Coyote Valley right now? Bulldoze Hidden Villa? Rid this world of every acre of preserved open space in and surrounding this valley? What is the limit here? Has our world become so big-headed that all man has to do is write a single law into the books and as a result all of our open wilderness is gone tomorrow? Or can we look past that simple -- yet all-too-realistic -- analogy, and realize that our right to live is no more valid than that of other species? That man, that "human beings," are really no different than the bird, the snake, the lizard, or the skunk? Sure, we may eat and move our bodies differently; but do these creatures not have unique behaviors and ways of communicating that are "just" as valid?
As a whole, humans are not a ruthless species; none of you are bad people, nor by constructing houses, malls and golf courses, do you intend to do any harm. It is just that our world has become so brainwashed and fed such garbage by huge corporations and the like; somewhere along the way, we have gotten the idea that human beings are morally superior to everything else. It is now finally time for us to sit back and look at what is happening; to take notice of what is being destroyed for the so-called "betterment of mankind." It is time for us to look at how our tax-dollars are being spent; how many of our own governments anti-environmental dealings are being kept out of the news; how many of our own actions are destroying "our" home, much less the homes of other species. It is time for us to finally wake up.
And is it not ironic that while we are overly-developing in the name of progress, what we are really doing is destroying vital elements to not only the food chain, but also to the sustainability of life as we know it? "Everything" in biodiversity is connected; everything from the richest soil found anywhere (this valley) to the plants, grass and flowers growing in that soil to the insects who rely on and help nourish it all every day to the atmosphere which helps everything grow (and yet is being threatened by human activity) to the food which plants produce for us as a result of this amazing -- and all-too-vital -- process. And the more of this we destroy, the more of our future goes with it.
It is assumed that the addition of housing over the farm on Grant Road is progress, and that as a result of this progress we will be better off in the long-term.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
This is the kind of thing environmental groups and lawyers fight every day. The same thing is happening with Coyote Valley in San Jose, CA and other open space. Money talks, and unfortunately the environment and wildlife "always" takes a back seat at meetings. It is a constant uphill battle; but the awesome news is that we, the majority of the public, are fighting for ethics and morals; and that will "always" be the right thing.
As for city government's "interest" in securing a farm, I really pray that this goes through and that people put major major pressure on city government to wake up and do something. Too many accounts of open space being destroyed -- of wildlife and the environment taking a back seat to the almighty dollar -- does not raise my hopes about preserving any wilderness; not for a second.
What it all comes down to is this: it is our responsibility -- the community's responsibility -- to vote in to government people who actually demonstrate common sense and can differentiate between that and money. Otherwise, all we are doing is killing ourselves faster and faster.
I strongly encourage all of you to send off a letter to the Mountain View, CA City Hall expressing your feelings towards this decision!
Call me naive, but is it not the responsibility of governemt -- "any" government -- to do what is best for the people and their entire well-being? Otherwise, all we have are a bunch of short-sighted, egotistical politicians who listen only to their pocketbooks and special interests, and not common sense.
I apologize if this seems harsh, but it had to be said.
