We live on this planet too Eating trail-mix and writing things down ... By Dan Frazier - Editor

Flagstaff Tea Party was created in part to increase support for locally owned businesses - the home-grown, one-of-a-kind businesses that help to distinguish Flagstaff from every other city in America. Consequently, stories in this newspaper often touch on the importance of shopping at locally owned businesses, while other stories may deal with the problems associated with Big Box stores.

Meanwhile, as a newspaper that is also dedicated to protecting the environment, you will routinely find us promoting the use of bicycles, and occasionally, criticizing SUVs and similar gas-guzzling vehicles.

Some readers may be surprised by the stand we have taken on these and other issues. To some, the ideals expressed in Flagstaff Tea Party must seem naive, far-fetched and unrealistic. Our critics must wonder if we really think that we can change deeply entrenched patterns - like where people shop. Do we really think we can get anyone to give up their automobile ways - even for a day? Meanwhile, other critics may wonder if we really practice what we preach. Do we shop exclusively at locally owned businesses? Do we ride bikes everywhere we go? ?

Before I answer such questions, I think it is important to understand that the answer depends on who you ask.  If you ask me or my wife, Lisa, you will get one type of answer. But if you ask Dan McMillan, our advertising representative, he may give you a somewhat different answer. And our board members each will have different views on such questions. If you want to know what "we" think about such questions, you will have to remember that we are a diverse group, and each one of us has our own beliefs, habits and behaviors.

So speaking for myself, let me attempt to answer the first question, about changing entrenched patterns. Yes, in some small way, we hope to be a part of a society-wide transformation. Our goal is to change the way society is structured, one person and one community at a time. We don't expect to end the most destructive practices of Big Box stores overnight. Nor do we expect to end the American love affair with the automobile any time soon. But slowly, over time, we hope to change enough hearts and minds to begin to make a difference in these areas, as well as others.

As for the second question, about practicing what we preach, I think the answer is yes. Do we shop exclusively at locally owned businesses? At my house, the answer is no. But as my wife and I have learned more and more about the importance of supporting locally owned businesses, we have tried harder and harder to do so. More and more, we have found ourselves choosing to shop at places like Canyon Office Products, Mountain Harvest, and Davis True-Value, rather than at the big chain stores. We want to see the dollars we spend stay in our community. We also want to support our neighbors who are the underdogs in a historic economic struggle. Of course, in an age of corporate domination, it is not always possible to get everything you need from locally owned businesses. But if you make supporting locally owned businesses a priority, you may find that there are more locally owned businesses deserving of your support than you realized. And as more people begin to make shopping locally a priority, more locally owned businesses will be able to gain a foothold in the community. Eventually, the tide may turn, and small locally owned businesses may once again come to dominate community life.

Do we ride our bikes everywhere we go? Not everywhere. But almost everywhere. Typically, our truck leaves our garage only two or three times a month. We feel fortunate to live near enough to the center of town to be able to ride our bikes almost everywhere we need to go.

We realize that not everyone can ride a bike everywhere - just as not everyone can always shop exclusively at locally owned businesses. No one is perfect. Each of us must decide for ourselves how we are going to live our lives. Flagstaff Tea Party is not about condemning those who do not measure up to our ideals. Nobody measures up to our ideals - not even us. It's OK. The point is not to be perfect. The point is to become aware of the impacts our actions have on the world around us. The point is to do our best to bring our lives into harmony with our level of awareness. If we can do this, we will have a better life, a better community, and a better world. If we can do this, we will have a chance.