Why the song, “A Sacrificial Zone”?

I first encountered the phrase, “a sacrificial zone,” in the writing of Scott Russell Sanders. He describes the loss of forest and river bottom land where he grew up in rural Ohio, due to the building of a dam to create a reservoir that provided no useful purpose for the public good.  He also uses the phrase to describe a military arsenal, “…a paradise of bombs,” which had claimed another large portion of that landscape.

My song, “A Sacrificial Zone,” was inspired by experiencing the transformation of my home, Lopez Island, from a place of peace, spiritual nourishment, and source of well- being, into one filled with anxiety, and physical and emotional trauma.  Our lives have been invaded by extreme noise from the practices of EA-18G Growler aircraft based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Lopez Island’s quality of life is now being degraded because of the frequency and duration of these practices.  The Navy’s mission is to protect our country from enemies who threaten our national security.  However, in this case, the price our community is paying is too high.

This song, though imperfect, only begins to address this issue.  Other voices and perspectives are needed to raise awareness and propose solutions.  The song expresses my strong commitment to oppose a policy that has been inflicting harm upon our local economy and the health of citizens, who now live in a sacrificial zone.

Stanley Greenthal, Lopez Island, Washington

Summer, 2015

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"A Sacrificial Zone" music and lyrics by Stanley Greenthal ℗ & © 2015

All Rights Reserved.

Stanley Greenthal- acoustic and electric guitars, vocals
Johnny Sangster- bass, drums
Kim Goldov- electric violin, "growler" effects

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Evan Schiller at zulusound studio, Seattle, WA