Can anyone tell me what kind of tree this is, spilling its crimson beauty outside a local creche and office block? Reflected in the glass windows of the building is a crane across the street, where an underground parking lot next to a church is under construction. Work began in 2006 and is scheduled for completion sometime in 2008.
Remember the "purple mountains majesty" for which America is renowned? Yes, remember is the operative word. Because the Bush administration has greenlighted many mountaintops to be bombed and destroyed. You may be aware of this shocking story about what's happening to the Southern Appalachian Mountains, but it hasn't been reported in Europe. It makes me so sad and angry that no one has been able to stop the rape and pillage of our natural resources.
I've written previously about how the Bush administration has dismantled more than 400 environmental protection laws passed over decades. Now the administration has allowed deforestation and devastation of America's rain forest, causing landslides, flooding and polluting rivers and streams and poisoning the air with as much as 38 million tons of carbon dioxide, scientists say. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 800 square miles of mountains have been destroyed, equal to a one-quarter mile wide swath of destruction from New York to San Francisco.
Evidence suggests Bush cares nothing for our environment; for our children (witness his veto of SCHIP); our cities (New Orleans); our economy (billions poured into the black hole that is Iraq, but funds cut from education and health programs eliminated.) Instead, this administration's primary preoccupation appears to be lining the pockets of their already-wealthy cronies, whether for security and rebuilding contracts in Iraq or strip-mining our natural resources, then protecting the culprits from prosecution.
What's happening in West Virginia is a national tragedy and a disgrace to the ideals on which our country was founded. Shame on this administration for their key role in destroying mountaintops, an important legacy in our country. And pity the poor residents of Appalachia, whose lives have been turned upside down by these unconscionable acts.
And yes, I meant "spilling crimson" as a metaphor for innocents' blood spilled in Iraq and Afghanistan and for the purple mountains bleeding into what's left of the soil in Appalachia.
P.S. Have a cookie - have two or three! I was so upset by this story, I baked sugar drop cookies - a recipe from Better Homes & Garden's Junior Cookbook that I first made at age nine.
Of course comfort cookies won't help the situation one iota, but they'll make us feel better for a moment or two. I'll send most of these cookies to my husband's office - otherwise, I might eat half of them, in my state of anxiety!
It truly is sadly remarkable that Bush can be so responsible for so many high crimes and misdemeaners and not be held accountable. He needs to be tried for war crimes. He is without doubt responsible for many war crimes, beginning with the ultimate war crime, aggressive war.
Unfortunately, and just as sadly, the Democratic and Republican front runners are a sad lot, without a clear vision of restoration of the Republic. I once was an admirer of America and now I mourn for her.
One faint hope could be an overwelming draft of Al Gore. He need to hear that the Nation needs him.
Posted by: Philip Robinson | 31 October 2007 at 01:21
I don't understand why they are destroying mountains. I can't understand why he's getting away with so much. I can't understand anything at all about U.S. politics anymore. I need a cookie or four!
xox
Posted by: Colette | 31 October 2007 at 00:28
I remember how shocked I was when West Virginia voted for Bush. They supported him.
Posted by: M erisi's Vienna | 30 October 2007 at 23:33
Hi Tara,
This tree looks exactly like a Japanese Maple we have in our garden except yours has Red Sumac leaves...it almost seems like a hybrid of the two! I'm going to go with a Red Sumac Hybrid as my answer...
Happy Halloween!
Bridget Fabi
Posted by: Bridget | 30 October 2007 at 22:00
It amazes me every day that Bush gets away with so much. We went through the Appalachian trail years ago so I find it disgusting that it can be destroyed in such a way.
Anyway - save me one of those biscuits (cookies).
Posted by: Di Overton | 30 October 2007 at 21:05
The tree is beautiful almost poetic as if it's trying to tell us something. The cookies look soooooooooo good, three wouldn't be enough for me :) i'm such a gourmand
Posted by: cathy | 30 October 2007 at 13:45
ps.
Unfortunately I agree with Stephanie!
Posted by: rochambeau | 30 October 2007 at 13:41
Makes my heart heavy,
Pass the cookies pleaase.
On a lighter note,
Could it be a Japanese Maple?
xox
hugs to you Tara.
You're the best!
How the belly dancing coming along?
Posted by: rochambeau | 30 October 2007 at 13:40
Yes, it is sumac. Not all of these shrubs are "poisonous", but they are beautiful in the fall when they change color. I've been reading about the Appalachian disaster Bush is precipitating. It's mind-numbing how much damage and terror this one administration can cause in a few short years. I'm still reeling from the realization that "WE" put him back in office a second time.
Posted by: RD | 30 October 2007 at 12:51
Ok I'll take one of your cookies for comfort...reading your post is upsetting..very upsetting! not smiling after reading this.. Anna
Posted by: naturegirl | 30 October 2007 at 06:23
Those cookies look fabulous! We just had a funny quote about what to do with those extra cookies!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Posted by: kariandkijsa | 30 October 2007 at 05:04
Tara,
It looks like poison sumac to me. That is a shame about the Bush administration. Matter of fact Cheney was in our area today...hunting. Too bad there wasn't another hunting accident....I was hoping he would shoot himself!
Posted by: My Melange | 30 October 2007 at 04:02
I thought it might have been a Mountain Ash also but I don't think so after looking more closely. It is beautiful, like a Japanese bonsai.
I also didn't know about the mountains and the trees of North America, particularly in the US. What a shame!
I too would like to have a cookie. Thanks!
Posted by: Gimme A Dream | 30 October 2007 at 02:28
I can't even speak of it.
But those blue sprinkled cookies look Delicious!
And once again, Thanks for the adventure!
Sandra Evertson
Posted by: Sandra Evertson | 30 October 2007 at 02:26
I think your tree is a Rhus and if it is - be careful not to touch it for many people are very allergic to it. I had one in my garden and pulled it out. It has beautiful autumn colour but if you have the allergy (usually skin) can be very painful.
Posted by: melinda | 30 October 2007 at 01:57
my guess on the tree is a sugar maple - if it looked deep purple staying beneath and looking up with no green showing... but then I guess not as this one has a much different trunk on it.
my opinion he thinks the nearer to rapture he is the happier he is... and I wonder if he did the damage from the mountain inside out; rather then outside in; with the circular pattern it makes me wonder if it wasn't testing not done here?
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 30 October 2007 at 01:38
oh my goodness...i don't do news...what on earth is happening to my beautiful birth state...west virginia...it does not need anything else to destroy...it has such amazing natural beauty and resources...the people are good and warm and hard working...please pray for them...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 30 October 2007 at 01:22
I'm not good with trees, but it is a beauty...and looks like some century plants next to it...we have those here in Colorado.
Yes, appalling about WV. Appalling. It makes me sick...his entire attitude toward the environment. This regime can't end fast enough...I shudder to think of the damage that is already done, and what the next regime will have to do to correct two terms worth of damage on so many fronts. Appalling. I can't say it enough.
Posted by: maia | 30 October 2007 at 01:12
I hadn't read of any of this before, and I am just appalled - that's roughly the same number of square miles as the firestorm areas that he just toured out here...
Words are just failing me, right now. I'd eat that whole plate of cookies if I could right now, not that it would make it all any better, but thank you for offering them.~xOxOx
Posted by: tinker | 29 October 2007 at 22:41
love to sit down with you, having some cookies with expresso. yet your post is not meant to be sweet and i'm worried as well about your country and the golbal influence of the local administration. read an article of seymour hersh about the actual bush-danger... truly scary!!
my question; why does the american press (f.e. new yirk times) tolerates this?
Posted by: marita | 29 October 2007 at 21:29
I had not seen these pictures or read this story of the mountains. I am ILL.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 29 October 2007 at 20:29
I don't know the name of the tree but it's beautiful...love the title of the post and how well it fits to the conversation about West Virginia...especially if it is called "un vinaigrier" as Marie-Noelle suggested.
The cookies look delicious!!!
Posted by: Cherie | 29 October 2007 at 20:05
The man can do so much more damage before November, 2008. It's extremely frightening.
Posted by: jzr | 29 October 2007 at 18:18
Cookies when you are upset? My goodness that is productive! Pass em over here! Yum!
xo
gillian
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 29 October 2007 at 18:09
I just hope we can recover from the Bush legacy and that whomever is in the White House can help turn us around. I fear Bush has dug us into such a hole it will take many years to get back onto a humane track.
Sumac was my guess by looking at the leaves on your crimson tree....
Posted by: stephanie | 29 October 2007 at 17:10
Well -- you KNOW how I feel about the Bush administration. It's just one appalling thing after another. They are vipers... the country is being run by fools.
In the end I have to ask why so many people voted for him in the first place.
But on another note. I don't know what you thought of the Sarkozy interview with Leslie Stahl but oh I laughed so hard when I read about it. Also, I briefly read about some human rights groups in France filing a complaint against Rumsfeld for human rights violations.
Oh I just love the French. I ran straight to your blog to share.
Posted by: kim | 29 October 2007 at 16:41
Oh, Nancy beat me to it - but yes, I too think it looks like a Sumac ( common name of Mountain Ash ). Sometimes in the winter they get beautiful ' stag horns ' on the twisted branches.
Melissa
Posted by: melissa | 29 October 2007 at 16:41
This tree looks like "un vinaigrier". This is a common name. There are other names for it but I like this one including the idea of the bitterness of vinegar... suiting your post...
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 29 October 2007 at 15:59
Hi Tara!
By looking at the leaves and trunk of the tree in your photo, I think it is some kind of sumac.
I love autumn for this very reason. Although here on the 'wet' coast of Canada we are currently getting bombarded with lots of rain...so the leaves on our trees are turning brown and soggy. Very few pretty leaves at all.
N.
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 29 October 2007 at 15:15
All I can say is I am counting the days until November 2008.
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: kristen robinson | 29 October 2007 at 15:08