Not only do I agree with what Diane has to say, but I believe it to be one of the most essential statements made on the Watchdog.

There is another aspect of the human condition that informs humans' greed, however, and that is ignorance. It is easier to ignore than it is to follow a situation to its logical conclusion. Francis of Assisi, six centuries ago. indicated his belief that anything a human would do to a fellow-being other than human, he or she would do to a fellow human. Interdependence is a fundamental fact of existence on this planet itself. At this point in history it is observable and provable and must become a basal motivation for every action that occurs here (here being the earth and all its inhabitants). Greed and ignorance must be eradicated and interdependence practised or the earth itself will die.

So, riding on the back of a horse has logical implications that go from that horse and rider to the furthermost extremities of the earth. If you will use a horse for your own amusement, you will use the entirety of Gaia for your own amusement.

Somehow, that does not seem amusing.