When I was a child growing up near the Hudson River in upstate New York, Pete Seeger and the crew of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organized our entire region to clean up the Hudson. Thousands of classes of elementary school students sailed on the Clearwater and helped. By the time I was in high school you could swim in it. Pete Seeger was one of the great human beings, one of the great generous world citizens. To my knowledge, he answered all his mail, including letters from teenagers like myself. He listened to every cassette tape of music submitted to him, on his walkman while he ice-skated in winter. Pete Seeger changed the world. And he also changed me. Thanks Pete.

I just watched a remarkable interview with three of our most important leaders: Amy Goodman interviews Vandana Shiva and Jane Goodall. Most hopeful discussion I’ve seen in a long time.

http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2013/12/4/video_extended_interview_with_vandana_shiva