I agree with Moncrief's beliefs on The Present American Scene, stating that our current situation falls under three main causants: an absence of personal moral direction about natural resource treatment, an inablility of social institutions to make adjustments to this stress, and an unwavering trust and faith in technology.

I believe he is right in saying it's not just religious, nor political, technological, or social factors. It's such a complex blend, that to undo and change our societys' mindset may make this a task not soon completed.

He makes a good point about much of our problems stemming from America's "ignorance" as far as environmental resources and inahabitants are concerned. Ignorance is bliss afterall. He makes a point to note that we are not efficient in taking account of actual price of our actions both economically and environmentally. Perhaps though, he could add more support to his argument by going into some detail about our inability to attain an agreed upon way to measure the use and misuse of natural resources. We have such a clouded, grayed idea of the worth and value of the environment. It's not just something occurring in the American Scene either. It's a worldwide happening that affects not only our measuring abilities but other countrys' too. If we all have differing views, then the chance for success for ayone, let alone the US, to actually change the present behaviors and stop turning a blind eye to environmental impacts is very slim. Who decides what is more important as far as an economic hit for a company, or a dangerous threat to the survival of a rare species that hardly any common person has heard of, knows about, or cares about?