Posts with the tag Environment

COP 15 – Copenhagen 2009 Tentative Accord

"Voice for Humanity" — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:01:55 EST

By Padmini Arhant

The two-week long climate summit evidently dissatisfied the scientific and the international community despite the arrival of the world leaders from around two hundred countries to discuss the climate change confronting humanity at the present time. Although, the international forum provided the platform to share the concerns among the delegates representing many nations, the entry prohibition to the civil society and other legitimate voices is undemocratic aside from being discriminatory towards the nexus organizations.

It appears the contentious issues demanding focus include the following:

Please refer to http://www.padminiarhant.com for the remaining article.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Paradise Lost

Richard Thomas Gerber — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:15:18 EST

Mankind was born into a paradise that provided all sustenance needed for life, one of perfect design, maintenance free naturally correcting imbalance. This Paradise was stolen by the creation of an unnatural man made system, not based on any science just the whim and desire of the creators. It was then required that one must participate in the man made system to obtain that which was once naturally freely and abundantly available to sustain life. This gave the controllers of the system an unnatural power and dominion over their fellow men; this was the beginning of the Ego Empire and the indentured servitude and usury putting a price on participation in this thing called life, which was originally free for all.

All the free resources were locked down and ownership granted to a small number of men and the rest put into a public trust making what they could not manage unavailable to the individual citizen creating an artificial scarcity of land and therefore increasing the value of the land privately possessed. The system was not adopted freely by the economic constituency it was forced upon them backed by brute force and threat of imprisonment.

It created a beast that thrives on ignorance, gave rise to a massive gambling casino with fixed tables (Wall Street), permitted the creation of artificial value and needs, corrupted science, resulted in the creation of an institution called government that doesn’t fully represent the people in reality but creates only the illusion of doing so, and forces patronage of select vendors at inflated prices. Furthermore over time the natural resources were polluted and contaminated resulting in the most abundant natural resource, water, having to be purchased at a price from a supplier that cleaned and filtered it, the system became so distorted that at one point a bottle of water cost more then a gallon of gasoline and the copper in a penny was worth more than the value of the coin in the artificial financial system not based on natural systems science but rather greed and the love of power and dominion over others. It is time to restore paradise and eliminate the concentration of power distributing it amongst all men and women equally.

No longer shall science be perverted by profit; no longer shall there be profit from disease, fear and conflict. No longer shall the sustainment of essential economy be threatened by the artificial economy, no longer shall a few benefit to the detriment of the many. ~Richard Thomas Gerber

Climate Change Initiatives

Russell Wyllie — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:01:06 EDT

More money needs to be allocated by Governments toward PROMOTION of climate change evidence. Plenty of television programmes have been produced to underline the impact on the planet of global warming, the melting of sea ice, rising sea levels, the knock-on effect of weather patterns from melting ice, destruction of habitat and wildlife such as in the Amazon rainforest and the impact on human life etc.

With more funding various top networks could be utilized to broadcast these programmes on a dedicated climate change television and internet channel. Many networks only show programmes which get high ratings, so the creation of climate/environmental television and internet channel must be created to get more support, to generate more investment in alternative energy industry, and to broadcast energy saving initiatives to the public.

Government could easily find more money for a climate-only television channel. For example, the amount of money spent on defense spending could be reduced by a mere 1 or 2 percent to make funds available to get a climate channel going. The World Bank could be used for the creation of a dedicated climate channel in many countries, and to have it broadcasted via the web. A proportion of alcohol and cigarette tax could be allocated for a climate fund, to assist in the initial stage of the creation of a climate change channel.

The public needs to be educated more on these issues, and investors will follow the trend of alternative energy creation very quickly if the climate issue is promoted more and more.

Russell S.Wyllie of http://www.Youtube.com/RealClimateNews

State Rep. in PA calls OpFREE veterans "traitors"

Lorin Walker — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:17:25 EDT

Team--Seems a state representative in Pennsylvania thinks Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans working for energy security are "traitors" and "Benedict Arnolds" Let's get the word out and push back hard against smears like this.

Twitter friendly post:
Why is a Republican State Rep. calling Iraq and Afghan vets "traitors"? http://tinyurl.com/ylspwev #secureamerica #vetsbus

Direct link to the story:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-powers/why-is-a-republican-pa-st_b_326155.html

Thanks,

Lorin Walker

Weather Modification Awareness 2- cloud seeding

Heather R — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:12:17 EDT

another paper i wrote on weather mod. this semester.

11 September 2009

Weather Modification

In Jeff Hull’s article “The Modern Rain Dance” in The New York Times, he writes about “cloud seeding” which has been taking place in the United States since around the 1940’s. The idea of weather modification has been around since the late 1800’s. It's a process in which man manipulates the weather. Whether they halt rain, make rain, or make man-made clouds that reflect sun-light back into space, they are changing our weather on purpose. Hull, though, specifically writes about “cloud seeding” which is dropping silver iodide into clouds, creating ice crystals, and making precipitation. This process is currently being used in major drought areas such as California and Wyoming. Hull tells us that in 2003 the National Research Council stated that there is no scientific proof that weather modification is helping us. Hull starts questioning whether this could be harmful at all to us. No questions about the process have been addressed by our legal system. Hull concludes by stating that we should be careful with what we can do.

I am a strong believer in putting a stop to weather modification. I believe it’s not only harmful to the environment, but it could be harmful to the people here on Earth. “Cloud seeding” is only the beginning. “Many communities have experimented with “Cloud Seeding”, the introduction of artificial nuclei into clouds to spur precipitation.”(Hull, page 1) There are much worse experiments and manipulation going on, but the government will not confirm it.

First of all, I believe it’s wrong for the government to keep information from current experiments from its citizens especially if these experiments could potentially be harmful. I would think that there would be some form of harm on us or the environment, and maybe that is the reason the government is not giving us information. Do the particles being sprayed in the atmosphere disintegrate somehow? Could these particles be affecting our water supply? Many Americans don’t even have a clue that these actions are being performed right above them.

Another big concern with weather modification is the environment. Could this be harming plants and animals? Could this be ruining our atmosphere? The only way we will know is when it happens and everything begins to unfold. For now, though, many are not paying much attention because they don’t know! How can the EPA, NASA, and NOAA overlook this issue? Do they not realize how harmful this could be? I ask so many questions because our government does not address this experimentation, nor do they answer questions regarding the issue.

When I earn my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science I hope to put a stop to weather modification. I understand drought areas need water, but putting particles in the air is not the way to fix the problem. What if the rain water they receive is contaminated? I believe this is an eye-opening issue that more of us need to look into. Some reporters and columnists, such as Hull, have already taken a look at the issue, but it hasn’t blown up the media because the government wouldn’t allow it. Many other countries are doing the same experimentation, but our country needs to take a look at what is happening above them before it is too late.

Weather Modification Awareness- chemtrail conspiracy

Heather R — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:33:18 EDT

Please Mr, President. Help us out with this issue.

A five page research paper I wrote for English class last semester at CalU addresses the chemtrail conspiracy

Heather Ray Ray 1

Research Paper

17 April 2009

Chemtrail Conspiracy-Something IS going on

Conspiracy theories, such as the 9-11 theory, are usually thought of to be bogus, but there are small groups who strongly believe in them. Most believe conspiracy theories are not true mainly because they believe the government is protecting us and the theory usually has no affect on them. There is one theory, though, that affects all of us. The chemtrail conspiracy has been going on since the late 90’s. No one is sure if the purpose is for modifying the weather, population control, or even to fight the West Nile Virus. Although the government does not confirm the chemtrail activity, Americans need to be aware and prepared for its affects.

First of all, chemtrails are streaks of chemicals created in the air by spray systems on airplanes at any altitude. Unlike regular contrails, which last in the sky for 10-20 seconds due to condensation, chemtrails last for hours and eventually ‘haze-out’ and create a canopy of man-made clouds.”According to the U.S. Airforce, contrails are condensation trails and happen when hot engine exaust momentarily condenses ice crystals into pencil-thin vapor trails that quickly vanish like the wave behind a boat, very much like your breath when talking outside on a cold, winter day. Chemtrails, on the other hand, linger for hours and will spread out to form large areas of “cloud” cover.” (Chemtrails 911) After chemtrails are made by unmarked planes, they look like thick, rope-like, contrails. When there are multiple chemtrails in the sky they will usually criss-cross or appear in parallel lines.

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One man in Abilene, Texas, strongly believes in this theory. Darrin McBreen, a is the creator of a popular You Tube video “Danger in The Sky—The Chemtrail Phenomenon”(Bethel) McBreen believes chemtrail sightings can be linked to weather experimentation

with side effects such as an increase of elements such as aluminum and barium in drinking water supplies and in the air. He finds it pretty extreme to believe chemtrails are some type of population control, “But the United States has a long history of chemical and biological testing on its own personnel,” he said to Abilene’s reporter-news. (McBreen qtd. in Bethel) When asked about where this mistrust comes from, he responded; “I’m here to tell you that the mistrust comes from our government’s proven track of lying to its own people” (McBreen qtd. in Bethel)

There is a bill that allows experimental weather modification that was quickly passed in 2006, the U.S. Senate Bill 517 and U.S. House Bill 2995. “This bill is designed to implement experimental weather modification. The appointed Board of Directors established by this bill does not include any agricultural, water, EPA, or public representatives, and has no provisions for Congressional, State, County, or public oversight of their actions or expenditures.” (Peterson, 16) People need to know how this could impact agricultural crops and water supplies and who it will benefit. “If weather is changed in one state, region, or county it may have severe consequences in another state, region, or county.” (Peterson, 16) Does this sound like it can benefit any of us? “And, who will be responsible to determine the synergistic effects of these programs or pay for unintended disasters created by this experimentation. If these programs change growing seasons and interrupt the pollination process, crop losses could be substantial exacerbating economic losses.” (Peterson,16) Isn’t our economy already bad enough?

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Many people seem to believe that there is even a disease that is linked to chemtrails. This disease is called Morgellons. There is no evidence to support it, and nobody really knows how it forms or what it really is even. Doctors say that people who have self-diagnosed themselves with Morgellons has a psychological problem. People who claimed to have it had fibers emerging from under their skin, lesions, and itchiness. When people saw chemtrails in the sky persisting for hours, they felt unwell and figured that it linked to the cause of Morgellons disease. “Both ideas grew on the internet. With a hundred million people on the internet, if only one in a million people agree with you, that’s a hundred people. Like-minded people group together, and discuss their experiences and theories.” (Michael) So, while the Morgellons idea persists, it is not clear that it is from chemtrails or that it actually exists until it is researched further.

Chemtrails is not mentioned by the government, and there is really no way to find information unless you go on the internet. A lot of the chemtrail websites are made by believers, some with truthful information, and some seem to be bogus. “Particulate matter in the sky is called aerosol. If you search the scientific media for information on aerosols you will discover that there are literally sources of organizations (military, academic, commercial, environmental, and governmental) involved in studying, monitoring, tracking, and placing aerosols in the atmosphere.” (Smith, 8) Still, nobody is quite sure of the purpose of this spraying. “There is not just one program running or one purpose to this alleged spraying. I have found that there are many players, many technologies for many purposes, injecting an amazing variety of aerosols into our environment.” (Smith, 8) Many more individuals need to look up and see the clear, morning sky develop into a milky, white opalescence sky in the late afternoon due to these chemtrails. Jerry E. Smith, author of Weather Warfare, makes a good point in the introduction to

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his book. He says, “After a week of no commercial fights over the United States in the wake of the horrific events of 11 September 2001, atmospheric scientist were able to take new measurements of an unmodified sky. They found that these “clouds” produces by contrails – chemtrails if you will – did in fact reflect back into space solar energy during daylight hours and trap in heat at night, adding about .5 degrees Fahrenheit to the average temperature of North America.” (Smith, 9)

One man, named Kevin D. Martin, says that chemtrails are not real. “They are not spraying us through Southwest, American, or United Airlines, from which I’ve taken from my telescope to and seen with my own eyes, there trails come from the known airliners.” (Martin) Although he does not believe in the chemtrail theory, he does believe that people could still be getting sick from the trails in the sky. “Precipitation is the leading cause of cleaning our air out. What if the toxins inside plane exhausts precipitates? Rain and snow can absorb these chemicals and bring them to the surface over a large area. What if our very own transportation service in the sky is poisoning the surface as an acid rain effect? “(Martin) While the chemtrail theory could be true, so could the fact that regular commercial flight exhausts are polluting the atmosphere and coming down to the surface with precipitation.
The only government information open that has been seen by the public is the plans for the Tropospheric Aerosol Program (TAP). The government confirms, “Much of the science that had been planned for the Tropospheric Aerosol Program will in the future be conducted under the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Science Program, which, beginning in Fiscal Year 2005, will focus on radiative forcing of climate change by atmospheric aerosols.” (ARM-ASP-Aerosol[…] qtd. by “Chemtrails: Fact of Fiction?) Although it does not exactly state anything

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about chemtrails, they are still spraying aerosols into our atmosphere which could affect us all in the long run. The government posted this statement in 2003, but most theorists believe aerosol spraying has been going on since the late 1990’s. “Since approximately 1998, thousands of people started noticing airplanes spraying X’s, parallel lines, and grid patterns across our skies.” (Chemtrails 911) An aircraft mechanic’s story has also been released when he found strange equipment on an aircraft he was working on. When he had asked his general manager about it, he was suspended for a week. He then realized what it could be when he looked on the internet. It all came together. Afterwards, he went to work and found a note in his locker that said, “Curiosity killed the cat. Don’t be looking at Internet sites that are no concern to you.” He was being watched. (Chemtrails: Fact or Fiction?)

If chemtrails have been around so long, why do people still not realize what is going on? When asked about the abnormal sky, most people would respond that they do not see anything different about the sky. Hopefully, one day, the chemtrail theory will be exposed. Whether the conspiracy is true, or not, of the country should know about it.

Works Cited

2006. Santa Cruz, California. Web. 5 April 2009.

Bethel, Brian. “Abilene Man Wants to Warn You About the Dangers of ‘Chemtrails’.”

1 July 2008. Web. 5 April 2009.

“Chemtrails-Fact or Fiction?” 25 September 2005. Web. 5 April 2009.

Martin, Kevin D. “Chemtrail Theory Proven False.” 4 December 2008. Web. 5 April 2009.

Michael. “Morgellons and chemtrails.” 26 May 2007. Web. 16 April 2009.

Peterson, Rosalind. “Weather or Not: 2006 Experimental Weather Modification Bill Fast

Tracking for Passage in Congress.” The Connection Magazine. April 2006. 16-17. Web.

5 April 2009.

Smith, Jerry E. Weather Warfare: The Military’s Plan To Draft Mother Nature. Introduction.

30 December 2006. 7-9. 5 April 2009.

To stop the commerce of the carbon credits through the States

the idem albanian — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:06:18 EDT

in the "Save the Planet" issue I would like to focus on the market of the carbon credits internationally.

in most of the cases, taking present the actual financial crisis, the companies willing to invest in energy feel safer in investing in their country. this is because of several reasons:
political support, less costs, known territory, no administrative barriers with the banks, etc

All these happen in the companies that have a certain amount of liquidities that can use them in enlarging their business.

In the less developed countries, the great companies are equal to the medium or small companies in the industrialized countries.

this means that even the banks are not so developed, in some cases the banks are only a local business that operates and earnes money usually taking advantage from the lack of the competition through the different products that the banks offer.

imaging that in this country we have the possibility of producing renewable energy from the natural resources that the country offers.

the practice shows that the local companies collect documentation even from overseas companies in order to fulfill the requirements of law. if these companies take the contract of the concession from the state, they are in front of the fact that they cannot afford this business plan of investment. this because even from the banks.

the foreign banks do not enter in the market directly but through the local banks.

keeping present that the local banks finance an amount of 0.7 million for example if the company fixes a collateral of 1million, and even this in the best cases.

so, having the contract of the credit carbon in the hands, they are obbliged to sell it, as a licence, to the credit carbon market operators.

maybe they report that the energy plant from renewable resources is in operation so the carbon credits are used from an heavy energy in an industrialized country that burns carbon and destroyes the enviroment.

I think that market, that ultimatelly has reached the amount of 20billion of USD last year, is stopping the World economy and is trying to create a greater gap through the different places.

what if the poor countries begin to develop?

after 20 years we will have developed countries with heavy industry that cannot be stopped in the environmet reason and developed countries that will begin the road of the industrialized states polluting the environment.

The Noise Pollution

"Voice for Humanity" — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:38:20 EDT

By Padmini Arhant

The blogpost on the “Aftermath of 9/11 including the global economy and international security’ rescheduled for publication. Meanwhile, the news media and press coverage with incendiary remarks and vitriolic comments by certain entities against the specific target as the ‘truthers’ and the ‘blogger in anonymity’ urgently required to be placed in true perspective.

It’s obvious from the news articles that the preachers do not necessarily practice their doctrine on morality, equality, civility and decency to say the least. While demanding decorum from the victim of gender, race, religion and ethnicity biased attacks, these oligarchs brandishing the swords not to slain the truth tellers but indeed the truth itself.

The remaining content @http://www.padminiarhant.com

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Energy From Trash

Ecoinventions — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:24:45 EDT

There are now several environmentally friendly ways to deal with trash. Stock pilling garbage is a very costly project and it's not safe for the environment. Garbage dumps leak toxic chemicals into ground water's and give off gasses Methane for one and there are more. With todays technology there is no need to stock pile garbage. 92 % of all garbage can be converted to electricity, leaving only reuseable and recycable products. Short video's of different types of trash to energy plants can be viewed at http://www.greeninventions.info/Free-Energy-From-Trash.html

I serious protest to the environment of political in current China

Dong Bing — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:04:51 EDT

Racism issues and the unjust gap between rich and poor divide the china. Most of the disadvantaged class and other disadvantaged groups have been internally displaced and barely survive. many without running clean water or the stability of of electricity, Most farmers have access only to contaminated water from a nearby groundwater for cooking, cleaning and drinking, and for dumping their own waste. I serious protest to the environment of political in current China. All the Right Reasons is that we have a corrupt government and the armed forces! And when I delivered this speech I have not feel fear to any person, any government and political parties! I was a soldier in 12 years ago, this situation is I witnessed in that time, So if have that one day, when I go to prison for serving, please impartial judge summoned all kind-hearted people to give evidence.

Nuclear Power leads to Nuclear weapons

Sheldon from Doylestown — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:59:40 EDT

The weapon design and arms control communities agree that it is not the capability to design a nuclear device that determines the pace of a country’s acquisition of a first weapon, but, rather, the availability of nuclear weapons materials that can be turned to weapons purposes. For a nation-state, the material for weapons can come from uranium enrichment plants (highly enriched uranium), or reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (plutonium), or both.

Regardless of its isotopic composition, the minimum amount of plutonium required to make a pure fission nuclear explosive, with a yield equivalent to one to 25 kilotons of chemical high explosives, is quite small, on the order of 1 to 3 kilograms (kg), with the exact amount depending on the level of design expertise and the desired nuclear explosive yield. The minimum amount of highly enriched uranium required is a few times larger—5 to 10kg.

While far from ideal for military applications, the isotopic composition of the plutonium typically produced in civil power reactors does not pose a serious obstacle to fabricating efficient and powerful weapons, as well as crude terrorist devices.

http://www.nrdc.org/nuclear/power/power.pdf

The proliferation of nuclear weapons is inextricably linked to nuclear power by a shared need for enriched uranium, and through the generation of plutonium as a by-product of spent nuclear fuel. The two industries have been linked since the very beginning and a nuclear weapons free world requires a non-nuclear energy policy. http://www.cnduk.org/index.php/information/info-sheets/briefings.html#nuclearpower

The Economics of Nuclear Reactors

Sheldon from Doylestown — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:42:34 EDT

HOPE AND HYPE VS. REALITY IN NUCLEAR REACTOR COST

THE ECONOMICS OF NUCLEAR REACTORS:
http://www.vermontlaw.edu/Documents/Cooper%20Report%20on%20Nuclear%20Economics%20FINAL%5B1%5D.pdf

I supported Obama. When does he support me?

Sara aka Nuts4Ag — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:47:04 EDT

Damage totals mount from lack of farm water!! "Preliminary figures on damage and losses from drought and water shortages run as high as $1.4 billion, in just five San Joaquin Valley counties.

Agricultural commissioners in the five counties report that most of the losses relate to acres not planted or to anticipated yield reductions because of water shortages. About $12 million in losses relate to drought damage to rangeland. The agricultural commissioners agree these loss totals could increase as farmers report final production figures. "

Why the big money bale out to the financial and auto industries and ignoring the pight of the farmers, workers and commuites in California's central valley? We don't need money, just water? And the Presient has to power to give it to use. I really do not understand this. Even those affected who have supported the President are wondering why they have be left high and dry. I realize that the environmental issue are a concern but at what point do you set aside the Endangered Species Act in cases of such an emergancy? He hasn't even spoken about the issue and the Secretary of the Inerior's visit did not provide any relief.

When will the supporters of the President who live in the affected counties start to demand some answers? Do we just support and not ask why we are being ignored? Are we just to afraid to lose political capital? Do we just play along while our neighbors lose everying?

WHAT WILL IT TAKE!

Thornton Creek

Michael Leonard — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:35:02 EDT

Today Seattle uncovered Thornton Creek which was long buried in a tunnel under concrete. It's now part of a community garden and watershed in the bustling Northgate area. How wonderful that this fish filled water is exposed to the air again! Other things have been exposed to the air recently like the internal workings of Iran. I was struck by the power structure of Iran. There are a lot of checks and balances like we have in the United States, but they are rarely exposed to public view. Go Twitter! The health care debate has so many twists and turns. I read that the chambers of commerce are "fighting back". I guess that business has recovered its confidence! I also read that the gays and lesbians are justifiably upset that they don't get federal health care benefits for same sex partners, and don't ask don't tell has not been repealed yet. These things will come to pass. Bring all the streams to the surface!

The Anchorage Declaration- Indigenous People's Global Summit, 2009

Maria — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:33:57 EDT

Here is a page showing the Anchorage Declaration from when the Indigenous Global Summit met in Anchorage, Alaska. It may not seem like much but it is a good start. I am printing the opening and it can be read in full at:

http://www.indigenoussummit.com/servlet/content/declaration.html

The Anchorage Declaration
24 April 2009

From 20-24 April, 2009, Indigenous representatives from the Arctic, North America, Asia, Pacific, Latin America, Africa, Caribbean and Russia met in Anchorage, Alaska for the Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change. We thank the Ahtna and the Dena’ina Athabascan Peoples in whose lands we gathered.

We express our solidarity as Indigenous Peoples living in areas that are the most vulnerable to the impacts and root causes of climate change. We reaffirm the unbreakable and sacred connection between land, air, water, oceans, forests, sea ice, plants, animals and our human communities as the material and spiritual basis for our existence.

Sign up for Highlights from the Sustainable Brands '09 Conference

Willow — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:14:06 EDT

Al-Qaeda is planning attack the US

Unknown user — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:01:26 EDT

Jon Stewart spoofs and doctors warn: avoid GMOs

Nj from Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:00:22 EDT

Last night on Comedy Central, Jon Stewart's brilliant mockery of genetically engineered wheat puts the only humorous twist on an otherwise serious health risk that now concerns the American Academy of Environmental Medicine: genetically modified foods.

On May 8th, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) called on “Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks.” Their position paper stated, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. AAEM states, “GM foods have not been properly tested” and “pose a serious health risk.” They conclude, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation,” as defined by recognized scientific criteria. “The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies.” AAEM called for a moratorium, long-term independent studies, and labeling.

A second US medical association is currently drafting a similar resolution, and more and more doctors are already prescribing GM-free diets. “I strongly recommend patients eat strictly non-genetically modified foods,” says Dr. Amy Dean, a Michigan internal medicine specialist. Ohio allergist John Boyles says “I used to test for soy allergies all the time, but now that soy is genetically engineered, it is so dangerous that I tell people never to eat it.”

According to AAEM, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation” as defined by recognized scientific criteria. “The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies.” Some experts go a step further. After reviewing more than 600 scientific journals, world renowned biologist Pushpa. M. Bhargava concluded that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans.

Pregnant women and babies at great risk

Among the population, biologist David Schubert of the Salk Institute warns that “children are the most likely to be adversely effected by toxins and other dietary problems” related to GM foods. Similarly, the UK Royal Society recommends that GM foods be rigorously researched before being fed to pregnant or breast-feeding women and babies. Tragically, not a single human clinical trial has been published. Dr. Schubert says without adequate studies, the children become “the experimental animals.”

The experience of actual GM-fed experimental animals is scary. When GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks—compared to a 10% death rate among the control group fed natural soy. The GM-fed babies were also smaller, and later had problems getting pregnant.

When male rats were fed GM soy, their testicles actually changed color—from the normal pink to dark blue. Mice fed GM soy altered young sperm. Even the embryos of GM fed parent mice had significant changes in their DNA. Mice fed GM corn in an Austrian government study had fewer babies, which were also smaller normal.

Reproductive problems also plague livestock. Most of the Indian buffalos that ate GM cottonseed had complications such as premature deliveries, abortions, infertility, and prolapsed uteruses. Many calves died. In the US, about two dozen farmers reported thousands of pigs became sterile after consuming certain GM corn varieties. Some had false pregnancies; others gave birth to bags of water. Cows and bulls also became infertile when fed the same corn.

In the US population, the incidence of low birth weight babies, infertility, and infant mortality are all escalating.

Food designed to produce poison

GM corn and cotton are engineered to produce their own built-in pesticide in every cell. When bugs bite the plant, the poison splits open their stomach and kills them. Biotech companies claim that the pesticide, called Bt—produced from soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis—has a history of safe use, since organic farmers and others use Bt bacteria spray for natural insect control. Genetic engineers insert Bt genes into corn and cotton, so the plants do the killing.

The Bt-toxin produced in GM plants, however, is thousands of times more concentrated than natural Bt spray, is designed to be more toxic, has properties of an allergen, and unlike the spray, cannot be washed off the plant.

Moreover, studies confirm that even the less toxic natural bacterial spray is harmful. When dispersed by plane to kill gypsy moths in the Pacific Northwest, about 500 people reported allergy or flu-like symptoms. Some had to go to the emergency room.

The exact same symptoms are now being reported by farm workers throughout India, from handling Bt cotton. In 2008, based on medical records, the Sunday India reported, “Victims of itching have increased massively this year . . . related to BT cotton farming.”

GMOs provoke immune reactions

AAEM states, “Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation,” including increase in cytokines, which are “associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation”—all on the rise in the US.

According to GM food safety expert Dr. Arpad Pusztai, changes in the immune status of GM animals are “a consistent feature of all the studies.” Even Monsanto’s own research showed significant immune system changes in rats fed Bt corn. A November 2008 by the Italian government also found that mice have an immune reaction to Bt corn.
GM soy and corn each contain two new proteins with allergenic properties, GM soy has up to seven times more trypsin inhibitor—a known soy allergen, and skin prick tests show some people react to GM, but not to non-GM soy. Soon after GM soy was introduced to the UK, soy allergies skyrocketed by 50%. Perhaps the US epidemic of food allergies and asthma is a casualty of genetic manipulation.

Animals dying in large numbers

In India, animals graze on cotton plants after harvest. But when shepherds let sheep graze on Bt cotton plants, thousands died. Post mortems showed severe irritation and black patches in both intestines and liver (as well as enlarged bile ducts). Investigators said preliminary evidence “strongly suggests that the sheep mortality was due to a toxin. . . . most probably Bt-toxin.” In a small follow-up feeding study, all sheep fed Bt cotton plants died within 30 days; those that grazed on natural cotton plants remained healthy.

In a small village in Andhra Pradesh, buffalo grazed on cotton plants for eight years without incident. On January 3rd, 2008, the buffalo grazed on Bt cotton plants for the first time. All 13 were sick the next day; all died within 3 days.

Bt corn was also implicated in the deaths of cows in Germany, and horses, water buffaloes, and chickens in The Philippines.

In lab studies, twice the number of chickens fed Liberty Link corn died; 7 of 20 rats fed a GM tomato developed bleeding stomachs; another 7 of 40 died within two weeks. Monsanto’s own study showed evidence of poisoning in major organs of rats fed Bt corn, according to top French toxicologist, G. E. Seralini.

Worst finding of all—GMOs remain inside of us

The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem from GM foods. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. This means that long after we stop eating GMOs, we may still have potentially harmful GM proteins produced continuously inside of us. Put more plainly, eating a corn chip produced from Bt corn might transform our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, possibly for the rest of our lives.

When evidence of gene transfer is reported at medical conferences around the US, doctors often respond by citing the huge increase of gastrointestinal problems among their patients over the last decade. GM foods might be colonizing the gut flora of North Americans.

Denials, attacks, and hijacked regulators

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned about all these problems even in the early 1990s. According to documents released from a lawsuit, the scientific consensus at the agency was that GM foods were inherently dangerous, and might create hard-to-detect allergies, poisons, gene transfer to gut bacteria, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged their superiors to require rigorous long-term tests. But the White House had ordered the agency to promote biotechnology and the FDA responded by recruiting Michael Taylor, Monsanto’s former attorney, to head up the formation of GMO policy. That policy, which is in effect today, denies knowledge of scientists’ concerns and declares that no safety studies on GMOs are required. It is up to Monsanto and the other biotech companies to determine if their foods are safe. Mr. Taylor later became Monsanto’s vice president.

Dangerously few studies, untraceable diseases

A 2007 review of published scientific literature on the “potential toxic effects/health risks of GM plants” revealed “that experimental data are very scarce.” The author concludes his review by asking, “Where is the scientific evidence showing that GM plants/food are toxicologically safe, as assumed by the biotechnology companies?”

Famed Canadian geneticist David Suzuki answers, “The experiments simply haven’t been done and we now have become the guinea pigs.” He adds, “Anyone that says, ‘Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,’ I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying.”

Dr. Schubert points out, “If there are problems, we will probably never know because the cause will not be traceable and many diseases take a very long time to develop.” If GMOs happen to cause immediate and acute symptoms with a unique signature, perhaps then we might have a chance to trace the cause.

This is precisely what happened during an epidemic in the US in the late 1980s. The disease was fast acting, deadly, and caused a unique measurable change in the blood—but it still took more than four years to identify that an epidemic was even occurring. By then it had killed about 100 Americans and caused 5,000-10,000 people to fall sick or become permanently disabled. It was caused by a genetically engineered brand of a food supplement called L-tryptophan.

If other GM foods are contributing to the rise of autism, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease, allergies, reproductive problems, or any other common health problem now plaguing Americans, we may never know. In fact, since animals fed GMOs had such a wide variety of problems, susceptible people may react to GM food with multiple symptoms. It is therefore telling that in the first nine years after the largescale introduction of GM crops, the incidence of people with three or more chronic diseases nearly doubled, from 7% to 13%.

To help identify if GMOs are causing harm, the AAEM asks their “members, the medical community, and the independent scientific community to gather case studies potentially related to GM food consumption and health effects, begin epidemiological research to investigate the role of GM foods on human health, and conduct safe methods of determining the effect of GM foods on human health.”

Citizens shouldn’t wait for the results before acting responsibly. It’s time to take the doctors advice: Avoid GM foods. That principally means staying away from anything with soy or corn derivatives, cottonseed and canola oil, and sugar from GM sugar beets—unless it says organic or “non-GMO.” There is a pocket Non-GMO Shopping Guide, co-produced by the Institute for Responsible Technology and the Center for Food Safety, which is available as a download, in natural food stores, and in many doctors’ offices.

When even a small percentage of people conscientiously choose healthier non-GMO brands, the food industry will respond as they did in Europe—by removing all GM ingredients. Consumers are at the top of the food chain, and we can join the doctors by writing a prescription for change.

International bestselling author and independent filmmaker Jeffrey M. Smith is the Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology and the leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs. His first book, Seeds of Deception is the world’s bestselling book on the subject. His second, Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods, identifies 65 risks of GMOs and demonstrates how superficial government approvals are not competent to find most of them. He invited the biotech industry to respond in writing with evidence to counter each risk, but correctly predicted that they would refuse, since they don’t have the data to show their products are safe.

Earth Day and Green Energy

Tim Schram — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:23:52 EDT

All the proposals and policies I have seen have the same flaw. They rely on major corporations and electric companies to produse the power and ignore the potential of individuals and commercial buildings entirely. Sorry, we can conserve. THAT is not good enough!!!!!! Did you know that there is over three times the surface area available today on residential buildings alone than the 100 mile by 100 mile mega facitility proposed for Nevada? That sight is said to be capable of meeting all our electrical needs. One of the big problems is transmission to areas of demand. That is the same problem with mega wind farms in the Dakotas. The other problem with both is that we are still at the mercy of companies with the ethical track record of Exxon, Enron, and electric utilities like National "Greed" in NY.

Installation of solar and wind technology on any residential and commercial building that wants it could more than meet our electrical requirements. AND it is generated where it is USED. There is no need for the vast majority of our electricity to be transmitted hundreds or thousands of miles. Throw in a smart grid that can bring in electricity to calm and overcast areas from all surrounding areas in ever increasing circumference and even localized shortages can be met with minimal net transmission distances.

Require the grid to by excess generation at wholesale prices and allow them to sell it to electricity intensive facilities at retail prices. This keeps the utilities profitable in the transmission business. If needed they can operate a drastically reduced number of power plants to meet rare power shortages.

Another area that gets a lot of hype, but is short sighted is plug in electric cars. This may be a short term necessity, but should not be looked at as a long term solution. Why should we be limited to the range of a batteries charge? Imagine trying to go cross country on battery power. There is an alternative. Wireless resonant induction is a technology that could be adapted to wirelessly powering vehicles on a continuous basis. This technology may be a decade or so off yet. The idea is that the transmitter coils be incorporated into the pavement at a depth of 3 to 5 cm. The power for these coils is supplied by local wind and photovoltaic generators along the roadside with back up from the smart grid. Photovoltaic in urban areas could be produced by CIGSS technology on the sound barriers with no noticeable change in aesthetics. The receiver/s should be mounted on wheeled, to prevent contact of receiver to pavement, extension arms at 1 to 5 cm above the pavement surface. The receivers and transmitters are sealed in waterproof casings similar to the technology used in modern electric toothbrushes. Currently efficiencies are on the order of 90% within 10 cm. The electricity needed to operate the vehicle is transmitted from the road coils to the receiver coils only when they are in resonance, like 2 bells of the same pitch. For heavier vehicles and loads, like tractor trailers, more receivers can be used to increase the power. Small battery systems can be used for brief interruptions to the wireless system or brief excursions out of the wireless network. The electrical energy is not transmitted unless the receiver is at the correct frequency so danger of electrocution or other negative effects is minimal.

MIT is working on this technology to power the appliances in your livingroom today. That requires transmission overdistances of upto 15 feet. This is done in rooms in which you are living and moving about. All without your sensing the electrical transmission. Another exampeare the wireless charging plates for cell phones and ipods, etc.

I just want to stress in closing the urgency of expanding our discussion of alternative energy to include decentralized generation. It is imperative in my opinion to develop this technology to most effectively meet future needs and as the most exportable technology to the developing world.

President Obama's EARTH DAY PROCLAMATION

N. Julio Barthson - E-Campaign Leader — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:07:11 EDT

Let's support the President in his struggle to save our planet.

Deforestation

Southern Cross — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:42:16 EDT

Between May 2000 and August 2006, Brazil lost nearly 150,000 square kilometres of forest?an area larger than Greece?and since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometres (232,000 square miles) of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed.

Deforestation practices around the world are NOT going to stop no matter how bad the figures look. The truth is we need the timber for houses, furniture paper etc. The only thing that's going to slow the deforestation of the Amazon forest is the Y3000 Plan.

Continue reading Deforestation

My blog is at http://mark.baland.net/blog .

markbaland — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:51:31 EDT

My blog is at http://mark.baland.net/blog .

Change This! Gramma Willi's Wish List for Making Change

Gramma Willi — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:08:53 EDT

Original Title: Change This! My Wish List for Accomplishing the Changes We Need By Gramma Willi

Note: I am re-posting this because someone deleted the old one.

It is wonderful to have a chance to reach you. I am known in some circles as a legendary activist. This means that many of you will not have heard of me; to those who have, I pray that you find good ways to share truths, good analysis and facts with the next generation of legendary activists.

Here's my wish list for accomplishing the changes we need:

1. Find a way to value the contributions of legendary activists. It is not enough to solicit our ideas and opinions and simply run away with them, to apply without the benefit of proper context and analysis. Activists are not enemies - they tend to be wise, giving and in need of a thank you every so often... a nice contract now and again would be even better.

2. Place the long term health of the people and the natural environment that we depend on at the top of all priority lists. Long term means the next 7 generations.

3. Always plan for peace - including economic plans. We have to get away from war economies.

4. Move away from reliance on fulltime staff as decision makers for social institutions. They poison social programs because their main priority becomes their personal financial health and not the success of the programs. The best staff will include putting themselves out of a job as their main priority, because this will mean that the goals have been accomplished. The best staff will never undermine volunteer Boards of Directors or Citizen Task Forces.

5. Fire the architects of the failed economic system and their cronies. Replace them with the people who have been predicting the collapse and offer well-thought out constructs for designing our emerging social economy.

6. Find ways to value legendary activists - you will find the best friends of humanity among their number.

All My Relations, Gramma Willi

President Obama's Green Team - CWT Turn Trash Into Energy!

The Idea Girl — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:16:24 EDT

http://www.changingworldtech.com/

CWT - Changing World Technologies is all about renewable energy. Brian Appels company can turn a cities TRASH into RENEWABLE ENERGY. It can also turn AGRICULTURAL WASTE into RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Watch the video and see how Organic Material (anything with Carbon) is converted to oil, gas or a solid.

http://www.greeninventions.info/Free-Energy-From-Trash.html

The United States has 12 Billion Tons of Solid Waste each year.

Garbage trucks take 323 million trips to carry the trash to the dump each year.

CWT has a pilot plant in Philedelphia that uses TDP- Thermal Depolymerization technology (Thermal Conversion Process) to convert your garbage to reuseable oil, gas, and coal

This company had to file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in March of 2009. Idea Girl Consulting would like to highly recommend that President Obama's Green Team speak with Brian Appel and look at his innovative plans for the future and how it could revolutionize the renewable energy technologies of the world.

Next week you are planning to pass a bill about renewable energy concerning hydro usage and automobiles. You need ideas from people who have taken a "renewable energy" concept and made it work.

I would like to extend this invitation to Mr Steven Chu, The Environmental Protection Agency - Lisa Jackson, The White House Council on Environamental Policy - Nancy Sutley, The Director of Energy and Climate Change - Carol Browner, The Chairman of the select commitee on Energy Independence- Edward Markey, To the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology - John Holdren, The President of the United States Barack Obama , The President's Green Team and to Brian Appel- The Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of CWT (Changing World Technologies). I believe that all of you would benefit from listening to ideas from Brian Appel and consider a plan to stimulate jobs and create new technologies together.

You can twitter "The Idea Girl" if you have more ideas to add to this article and I would be happy to post them on my OB site.

The Newest and largest man made structure in the world

Southern Cross — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:59:42 EDT

The prospectus of the Y3000 forest boasts multiple positive scientifically proven side effects not just for its immediate region but for thousands of kilometres outside of the region. The best part is The Y3000 Desert can be duplicated anywhere in the world.

Global warming solutions and accurate research is being outdated just as rapidly as house hold computers were in the 90?s. Research up until now can show the statistics of the current Amazonian forest climate yet information directly related to what the world would be like without the Amazon is scarce.

Continue Reading FULL article

Save The Environment

Southern Cross — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:47:38 EDT

Saving the environment against global warming needs action now and it involves you more then you think. You don't need to spend thousands of hours creating something new. We have done all the work for you. All you need to do is support us and the Y3000 Plan we have designed. Our philosophy is "if we get enough people to join our site or leave a comment, Governments will have to listen ".

In the Y3000 Plan we have already established:

What a trillion dollar stimulus package buys.
How Waste Water treatment plant can be energy self-sufficient.
How much you are costing the environment.
How clean energy can make more money.
How many types of taxes your paying and what you get for your dollars.

Continue Reading Part 3B Save the environment

We Need Natural Food! Genetically Modified is not Proven Safe

Gramma Willi — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:49:54 EDT

The Obama-Biden administration has the power to make sure that everyone has good, clean food. Change This stewardship agreement!

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648084de39

"Technology/stewardship agreements required for the purchase of genetically modified seed explicitly prohibit research. These agreements inhibit public scientists from pursuing their mandated role on behalf of the public good unless the research is approved by industry. As a result of restricted access, no truly independent research can be legally conducted on many critical questions regarding the technology, its performance, its management implications, IRM, and its interactions with insect biology. Consequently, data flowing to an EPA
Scientific Advisory Panel from the public sector is unduly limited."

also see

"Rising Rhetoric on Genetically Modified Crops"in PR Watch, Volume 10, No. 1, 1st Quarter 2003.

"Their level of desperation appears to be increasing," says Michael Hansen, a scientist with Consumers Union in the US, who monitors the activities of the biotech industry as it lobbies for acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods. Hansen has watched with increasing alarm as the pro-GM lobby escalates its vitriolic attacks on critics.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rising_Rhetoric_on_Genetically_Modified_Crops

From Dust to Gold

Southern Cross — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:57:17 EDT

Suggestions to saving the planet and creating millions of jobs are everywhere. But if you think it doesn't involve you think again. There's has never been a better time in history to have your thoughts heard. If its positive action your looking for then you must read this free info article.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist or invent anything, simply adding your name can be enough to bring around change. It's called the Y3000 Plan. The Y3000 plan is designed to burn human waste (methane gas, for energy) in sewage plants, sending the left over waste into deserts and reducing Green House emissions by 20,000 tons a year. Why would we move it to the desert?

Continue Reading Part 3A

Building Another Amazon Forest - Y3000 Plan Part 3

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:35:42 EDT

Building a new man made Amazon forest may not be as far fetched or difficult as some would have us believe. With global warming and co2 emissions on the rise the world is screaming for ACTION and Australia has the answer.

In a land bound by sea Australia boasts desert lands of 1,317,000 sq kilometres which occupy 18% of the continent which are comprised of ten separate deserts sharing median rain falls of 150mm per year.

Continue Reading Complete Article

Making Treatment Plants Energy Self Sufficient - Y3000 Plan Part 2C

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:32:40 EDT

The high proportion of methane dissolved in the effluent represents a substantial loss of biogas for energy production, as well as representing a serious greenhouse risk should the methane subsequently escape to the atmosphere (since methane has twenty one times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide).

One possible avenue to reduce methane loss suggested by the pilot plant results is to add a controlled amount of air to the biogas used for mixing the reactor. The experimental results also showed that air in the biogas suppresses the formation of hydrogen sulfide, possibly avoiding the need to scrub this corrosive compound before using the biogas as a fuel. However, too much air would be toxic to anaerobic bacteria and would reduce biogas production. Further research is needed to determine the optimal amount of air to be used in mixing the reactor.

Some methane remaining in the effluent could prove beneficial in enhancing nitrogen removal by "denitrification" in the downstream process, and research is currently being conducted at the University of Queensland to study denitrification using methane.

Continue Reading Complete Article

Making Treatment Plants Energy Self Sufficient - Y3000 Plan Part 2B

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:30:22 EDT

The plant utilised an "anaerobic migrating bed reactor" which was subdivided into four reaction cells in a series. The contents of the first three cells were mixed intermittently by injecting bubbles of recirculated biogas, and the sludge was allowed to settle in the unmixed last cell.

To maintain a uniform distribution of sludge through the four cells, the flow direction was reversed automatically over a 24-hour cycle. The sludge settling characteristics are therefore critical in governing the sludge concentration and reactor volume required. (See figure 2).

Continue Reading Complete Article

Making Treatment Plants Energy Self Sufficient - Y3000 Plan Part 2A

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:26:45 EDT

Aquatec-Maxcon drew upon the technical expertise of an experienced wastewater treatment consultant, Ken Hartley, and the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre at The University of Queensland. Funding support was provided through the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund.

Continue Reading Complete Article

Making Treatment Plants Energy Self Sufficient - Y3000 Plan Part 2

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:23:04 EDT

Sewage treatment is a significant user of energy. Operation of pumps, blowers and other equipment at a typical sewage treatment plant requires an annual electrical energy consumption of about 50 kWh per person. Thus,substantial amounts of energy are required to treat sewage from major population areas, and sewage treatment often comprises the largest use of electricity by local governments.

Continue Reading Complete Article

The Price of You - Y3000 Part 1C

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:16:06 EDT

At the present time around the world, your waste is costing a fortune and costing the environment even more. The Y3000 Plan can be implemented around the world.
However the Y3000 Plan has been designed with Australia in mind because I'm more familiar with the Australian Landscape.

Australia Has invested approx 48 billion dollars to service around 21 million residents. Using the same figures America has invested $694,456,320,000 into servicing 300 million people. Waste Water Management systems around the world are the greatest waste of tax payers money ever.

The estimated combined annual profit estimated for the United States of America and Australia in 2009 is $0.00 until now Waste Water management has been the only resource owned by the government that doesn't make a profit.

Continue Reading Complete Article

Waste Water Big Profits Y3000 Part 1B

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:13:12 EDT

By now you should be starting to get a bigger picture of how your tax money is spent and how much of your tax dollars are actually working for you and your country. It's the sole principle of the Y3000 Plan to encourage governments to start using our money properly

Your money should be used to partly self-sustain a countries economics. To continue to use tax dollars as the main form of raising money MUST end. When a company only has one, two or three forms of income that customers can't afford the company WILL GO BROKE. The same applies to governments.

History has shown us proof of rich countries fall to a mere rubble and dust in comparison of today's standards. Ethiopia is a prime example. If we wish to keep our great Countries at the top of the food chain, change is inevitable.

Continue Reading Complete Article

Your Tax Dollars Y3000 Plan Part 1A

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:08:54 EDT

In the midst of one of the worlds worst ever global economic crisis's our hard earned tax dollars are being thrown around like it's a game of monopoly. Words like hundred million, billion and even trillions of dollars seem to be the only words our trusted politicians know in these times

It's estimated the United States of America Australian governments will inject 3.3 trillion dollars into our economies over the next 10years by the guise of stimulus packages. But where does that money come from? And why do we need so much money injected in our economy?

Continue Reading Complete Article

The Y3000 Plan Introduction

Southern Cross — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:02:21 EDT

The Y3000 is a perspective for future development, combining technology, man power and better land use management. The eventual outcome of the Y3000 plan is to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of approx 7,617,930 sq kilometres, the size of Australia.

It''s predicted that the Y3000 plan will have a multiple effect ranging from reduced unemployment rates, lower social welfare drains on our economy, reduction of the hole in the ozone layer, 60% reduction in the burning of fossil fuels for the purpose of electricity, reversal of Antarctic glaciers melting and a cleaner greener planet.

Continue Reading Complete Article

RENEWABLE WIND ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:50:40 EDT

Renewable Wind Energy Notes -

If you would like to promote renewable wind energy please refer to list for wind related terms -

Clean Energy
Energy Council
Energy Program
Green Energy
Hydropower
Renewable Energy
Wave Energy
Wind Energy
Wind Power
Wind Turbines

Also see Green Energy Terms [ http://www.gweconline.com ]

Renewable Wind Energy
source: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5tr

LOW COST GREEN ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:37:30 EDT

With the continuous expansion of the Pickens Plan, I would also like to mention something that I believe will interest everyone.

I have just confirmed through the grapevine that Green Wave Evergy Corp intends to launch a competition among small towns and cities across America.

The purpose of the competition? To give-away a 350kw-rated Wave Generating Power Plant (valued at over $350,000).

At this time in our nations history we need more doctors and nurses, and educators and geeks, as well as fire fighters and police officers. You could be the reason for saving a life, extinguishing a fire or catching a criminal.

Imagine if you could be the person who helped your town save hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual energy cost. They might even name the power plant after you.

The Green Wave Power Plant is expected to generate $5 million over a 20 year lifetime expectancy of the system. Money is generated to local communities through energy savings and/or through energy sold back to utility companies.

Contact Green Wave and please share this message with your friends and family.

Pickens Plan: http://push.pickensplan.com/profile/webmaster
Green Wave Energy: http://www.gweconline.com

source: http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM

posted by David Apperson from http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=57071869141

Let's Go To Work: Local Plan of Action for Stimulus Package

Seminarians for Change — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:49:48 EDT

It's time for us to go to work!

Your leadership team has worked hard to think through the concerns of those who attended our first gathering in November. The majority said they want action and not just another town hall meeting. We heard you and we invite you to join us at two upcoming plan of action forums.

Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, April 25.

March 28: Local Plan of Action for Stimulus Package, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

April 25: Local Plan of Action on Health Care, Time TBA. Updates on this event forthcoming.

We have invited expert panelists who will inform us on these issues and how we are impacted on a local level. The panelists will invite questions from the group and we will go into break out sessions to develop a plan of action on the topics of health care, energy, environment, and employment.

The action plans developed will be implemented with the support of the group. We need your passion, creativity, wisdom, and your experience to carry out the work at hand.

Seminarians for Change will also be actively involved with Organizing for America, inviting other organizations around Chicago and Illinois to help us, partner with us as we do the same for them.

The bottom line is, this is your organization and your community.

We're ready to go to work and we need you!

Plowshares, Shmowshares

signsSansSignifieds — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:26:30 EDT

My brother sent me this neat compendium of specific steps that led to the current economic catastrophe:

While I have criticisms of Barack Obama's approach to certain aspects of this multidimensional train wreck (i.e., I think the government should take over, clean up & sell off the zombie banks ASAP; I also think he asked for too small a stimulus package at the outset), I think he's trying, in general, to do the right things in the right ways. (Contrast his approach to that of the GOP, which is continually pressuring Obama to cut taxes & spending--a guaranteed recipe for total economic collapse.)

Speaking of the GOP, Representative Patrick McHenry, their head of messaging, declared today that the GOP doesn't care whether their criticisms of Obama are accurate or not--their aim is to continually bombard Obama with charges from now until the 2010 elections, based on the idea that sheer repetition will make those criticisms sink in. Sort of like Joseph Goebbels, actually.

With all the above in mind, I'm forwarding to you yet another in a series of thrilling links--this one from Obama's own Organizing for America.

How to push through an initiative

Backyarder1 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:21:24 EST

For several years, I have been trying to build up momentum for a program that would educate and encourage people to Take Care of Their Share of the environment.

The central focus for this initiative would be a central (federal) website that provides information for any citizen that wants to learn how to Take Care of Their Share of the environment. This federal site would contain links to federal organizations that provide this information, such as the DEP and NRDC. This site would also have links to similar pages for every state government, that would list resources within that state that teach citizens how to Take Care of Their Share of the environment.

I think this is of critical importance for several reasons. First, there is just too much information out there and it is spread so thin that it is virtually impossible to locate. And when you do locate it, you have no way of knowing how accurate or verifiable the information is.

The federal and state governments have access to scientists and other experts in the fields of environmental health.

Second, President Obama is the perfect president to implement this. He is all about rallying the people to do their part, and his inspirational messages have the power to encourage them.

Third, President Obama wants to help support green collar jobs and I feel that it is important to recognize that green writers and green web designers need to be included in this initiative.

Now the question is, how does one going about trying to push through something like this?

I started contacting state governments back in 2007 about this idea and I have gotten very little support. I think it needs to come from the top but how does someone get the ball rolling on something like this?

***Now, before anyone visits the website and gets turned off by the advertisements, keep in mind that I have been working on this project for over 5 years (started locally and moved nationally) and have received no pay other than minimal MINIMAL donations from my friends. The ads were recently added to try to support the costs of the website.

Change This! My Wish List for Accomplishing the Changes We Need

Gramma Willi — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:56:49 EST

It is wonderful to have a chance to reach you. I am known in some circles as a legendary activist. This means that many of you will not have heard of me; to those who have, I pray that you find good ways to share truths, good analysis and facts with the next generation of legendary activists.

Here's my wish list for accomplishing the changes we need:

1. Find a way to value the contributions of legendary activists. It is not enough to solicit our ideas and opinions and simply run away with them, to apply without the benefit of proper context and analysis.
Activists are not enemies - they tend to be wise, giving and in need of a thank you every so often... a nice contract now and again would be even better.

2. Place the long term health of the people and the natural environment that we depend on at the top of all priority lists. Long term means the next 7 generations.

3. Always plan for peace - including economic plans. We have to get away from war economies.

4. Move away from reliance on fulltime staff as decision makers for social institutions. They poison social programs because their main priority becomes their personal financial health and not the success of the programs. The best staff will include putting themselves out of a job as their main priority, because this will mean that the goals have been accomplished. The best staff will never undermine volunteer Boards of Directors or Citizen Task Forces.

5. Fire the architects of the failed economic system and their cronies. Replace them with the people who have been predicting the collapse and offer well-thought out constructs for designing our emerging social economy.

1. Find ways to value legendary activists - you will find the best friends of humanity among their number.

All My Relations, Gramma Willi

New Energy!

Lauren — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:51:00 EST

Is everyone excited, yet? I have been absolutely buzzing about the New Energy for American plan. I found it right here at MyBarackObama. I think it's amazing that a president is finally taking the intiative to communicate to the people in a way that is culturally relevant. Just making information about policies, plans and the rest available for anyone to access is a great stride. It's similar to the Fireside Chats of Roosevelt. It connects the leader to the masses in a very critical way.

To get to the point now: the New Energy Plan. He proposed to put 1 milloin plug-in hybrid cars on the road, reduce dependency on oil by 10%, and to save more oil than we currently use. Brazil has been running on ethanol since the eighties now, so why is it so hard? Biofuels will be a big part of reducing dependency on oil. It will create green-collar jobs into research and development and will be a big confidence boost for us, the American People.

In the future, the grass will be greener on the other side. We are finally starting to take care of our dear planet who has nurtured us from our infantile protozoac forms into human beings. I'm not a tree hugger I just believe we have been very careless with a delicate thing.

Looking for Input from Your State

Backyarder1 — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:23:52 EST

In 2007 I created a central website with the goal of providing links to various government and non-profit sites that provide information for citizens that want to Take Care of Their Share of the environment. http://www.takecareofyourshare.com

As the recent trend towards environmental stewardship has begun to bring more visitors to the site, I have revamped my efforts to update the pages, listing groups within each state that provide environmental information to their citizens.

On Tuesday, February 3rd, I sent email messages to contacts from every state government asking them for assistance in gathering information for their state.

Only three states have responded so far. Delaware was the most diligent. A representative from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources sent a very long list of organizations within the state that provide environmental information.

http://www.takecareofyourshare.com/states/delaware.shtml

If you can think of any other organizations within your state that help to "educate and encourage" residents to Take Care of Their Share of the environment, could you please forward them to me?I have been sending news releases and posting stories about the site on many environmental websites so it is starting to get a lot of interest. And of course, President Obama's encouragement for each citizen of the country to pitch in and make a difference has really started to take root.
If you would like any further information about how you can help with this mission, please send me an email.

Kind regards,
Betsy S. Franz
www.naturesdetails.net

Check out out our Hyde Park Blog

Maryanne Colter — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:19:24 EST

One of my Groups also has a blog - check out what we are doing:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/HydePark53rdSt60615

Save the planet!

Alexander from Miami, FL — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:23:48 EST

President Obama, I ask that you continue to vote in favor of pro-hemp legislation as you did in the Iliinois state legislature (twice!). Please support and push for a new bill or an amendment to an exisiting bill similar to H.R. 1009.(Industrial Hemp Farming act of 2007)

The main force behind making Hemp illegal way back when was the oil company lobbyist who didn't want any competition for their environment-ruining, ozone-depleting fossil fuels. Save the planet, write your congressperson asking them to please introduce, support, or make an ammendment to an exisiting bill introducing new legislation similar to H.R. 1009, and end our dependence on foreign oil once and for all.

I think Ralph Nader sums it up best....

"I'm basically promoting a massive conversion from a hydrocarbon-based economy to a carbohydrate-based economy ... I'm talking about industrial hemp." -Ralph Nader

Hemp, Hemp, Hooray! Food, Fuel, Fiber, Freedom!

SAVE THE PLANET!

survive and thrive with climate change; water is the new oil

Sheila from Hebron, NH — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:33:12 EST

We humans may not be able to stop or significantly slow global warming. It behooves us to leverage the green industries to also improve our ability to survive and thrive in times of climate chaos. When building out the energy and information infrastructures, be sure to make them modular. Even if one part goes down, the flow can be re-routed so that overall function continues. Use the old DEC models of distributed/clustered computing and ruggedized systems. The technologies may be different, but the principles remain valid. I have not heard any speeches that include distribution of water. Water is the new oil, according to futurists in the Middle East. They are draining down the aquifers at a tremendous rate. Economically they may be able to convert to tourism or other industries besides oil. But if they don’t have fresh water for their people and agriculture, they will become increasingly desperate and violent. Part of Israel’s war with Jordan was because of damming and diverting the Jordan river. Looking at recent events in the US also, it is clear that being able to distribute fresh water is as important as jobs and energy. Desalinating sea water to create inland reservoirs would have the added benefit of offsetting some of the dilution caused by ice caps melting. I doubt we could ramp up sufficient volume for that to be a significant factor in slowing global warming, but it wouldn’t hurt. All this stuff has been predicted, written about and studied since I was a teen in the sixties. Don’t ignore resources that have lain fallow for decades. Call on Mother Earth News and the boomer generation to reinvigorate the ideals and passion that changed the world to apply to the issues of the day. Remind our generation that we’re not done yet. Some of us never stopped caring or daring or trying to make things better. Sheila (age 61 and going strong)

We are what we eat

Heather A. — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:01:41 EST

"Food banks don't have enough to meet the demand." -Obama, 2/9/09

Healthcare, education, energy, and infrastructure need to be addressed; it's true. My hope is that as this administration moves forward that it takes steps to improve our agricultural system in this country. When we address how we grow and access food, we also address our health and environmental issues. Industrialized agriculture is guilty of polluting our air, watersheds, and soil, and ultimately our food. Polluted and depleted soil creates polluted and depleted soil, which in turn creates polluted and depleted people, who make numerous trips to the doctor to address chronic illnesses and become dependent on medications that don't actually address the cause of the dis-ease.

I'd like to this this administration and Congress stand up to "agri-chemical" corporations and say, "We're not going to let you slowly poison this country." The FDA is broken and in the pockets of multi-national "agri-pharmacuetical" companies. The USDA is broken and in the pockets of "genetically engineered bio-chemical" agribusinesses.

Want to know more: watch The Future of Food or King Corn. www.thefutureoffood.com

Want to find real hope and change: check out www.pathtofreedom.com

You too can make a change by planting a seed.

Population Policy

government should fear the people — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:25:34 EST

This new government, being one of sound deliberation needs to place world population growth at the top of policy objectives. This planet needs the human population to come together and develop a plan which will help reduce and stabilize the human population if we want this planet to remain livable. Until we deal with this problem all our other concerns will continue to increase in severity.

Let's make this an issue of open discussion. Let us consider the future we are creating with the growth rates we have for the human population. Let us consider what having more and more people brings with it. Examples of problems include but are in no way limited to: increased pollution, increased wildlife habitat destruction and fragmentation, increased flooding and sporadic weather, inability to educate, increasing crime levels, further separation in wealth structures, increasing dependence of the people on corporations focused on profits rather than human and ecological welfare, increasing traffic and congestion, increasing mortality do to food and water shortages, increasing sea levels, decreasing glacial mass, among other problems. Basically as population increases every other problem we face also increases.

We can make this a priority for open discussion. Let us join together and make it part of what the world is talking about and making plans to fix for the hope of all of the life that lives on this planet and makes this planet livable.

Idea Focusing on Energy Efficiency for Stimulus

Andrew Bairnsfather — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:00:50 EST

Dear Barack Obama and Others,

Since y'all are considering spending a bunch of money, want to see it come back to you, want to help society and promote green energy and green jobs, then this idea is for you!

US Govt. pays to install Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) on people's houses. I'm not an expert but ask these guys.

The household gets to use whatever energy the windmill generates, but all extra energy is sold back to the grid.

The payment back to the government takes the form of energy being sold back to the grid!

Once the participating house/building has paid back 200% the installation costs, the homeowner is the new payee for energy being sold back to the grid.

Benefits

Immediate jobs.

Immediate use for the increasing stockpiles of recycled metal (which are not being bought like they used to).

Immediate benefit to homeowners through reduced energy costs.

Reduction in green house gasses.

Participating houses sell green-energy back to grid.

Training and educating more people in important matters like electricity and energy.

Potential Problems
Strong resistance from energy companies who see ONLY themselves as the source of energy, and bristle at the thought of "lowly homeowners" becoming a force, selling power back to the grid.

Here are some links to videos that demonstrate these windmills.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRXRUFrxKAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rQUdRMTnyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkB2RlclrL0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGr2EFcBlts

Here is another wind turbine that supposedly uses magnetic levitation to eliminate friction for longer durability.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/01/06/jay-lenos-wind-turbi.html

Human Energy

Craiger — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:14:56 EST

Harness human energy into electricity. All 24 hour nautilus fitness centers should be hooked up to the energy grid. Members should get credit for the energy they create, and receive a discount on their membership. What if a person could ride an energy bike for an hour in a day, and get a credit or amount on an energy card for their efforts. Why not hook up those big bouncy enclosed air mattresses for kids, to the energy grid. What if a homeless and/or jobless person could get some money for generating electricity through an effort process. What if a jobless teenager could earn money by getting some exercise. What would that do for their health? Have stations that are hooked up to the energy grid, in which this can be done, in communities. I have a wind up LED flashlight, in which effort is required for light to come out. We can store this kind of energy in smaller compartments now. Certainly, we can have one in a home. Co-op apartments for discounted electrical bills.

REMEMBER, ENERGY CANNOT BE CREATED OR DESTROYED, BUT SIMPLY TRANSFERRED FROM ONE MEDIUM TO ANOTHER.

P.S. Some of these big talkers on the television can have electrodes hooked up to their jaws, and most cetainly, generate enough electricity, to run the United States for some time. Especially some of the shows that have 3 or 4 people all talking simultaneously.

The State of the U.S.

David from Gainesville, FL — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:49:12 EST

Dear Mr. Obama,

I am relieved and filled with hope now that you are our president with the backing of a Democratic Congress.

For several years I have believed that the United States has been losing ground as a leading nation and that our leadership and political policies have guided our country into a lifestyle and way of conducting business that is not sustainable or ethical in the areas of economic and labor policies, environmental management and resource use, medical care, care for the homeless and financially deprived, education, civil rights, penal philosophy and practice. and international relations and policies, and defense. In general, our people and government have addressed the symptoms rather than core causes of problems in each of these areas. To a great extent policies have been driven by personal and vested interests and not by science and the welfare of the people. Below I have introduced my views on each of these areas. In future communications, I intend to elaborate on and clarify these views.

Our economy should aim for steady state and stable conditions instead of continued expansion. We should localize our economy by minimizing imports and keeping services and production of goods within our country. All workers should make a living wage and should be registered U.S. residents with some provision for authorized temporary residents from other countries. Transfer of funds should be primarily related to goods or services received. Loans and activities related to speculation of the future should be heavily regulated and significantly taxed.

Sustainable environmental practices must be strived for by maximizing recycle, minimizing disposal of wastes into the environment, prevention of resource depletion, and minimizing destruction of natural environments. We must evaluate and regulate major polluting industries such as land filling, agricultural, fossil fuel extraction and use, mining, water use, and forestry (especially lumber and paper industries).

Basic affordable medical care and drugs should be available to all legal residents and visitors. Layered medical care practices should range from simple nursing care to special medical services provided by doctors and medical specialists. Incentives should be provided to encourage U.S. residents to improve their health, e.g. healthy diets and exercise. Unhealthy products such as alcohol, foods with added sugar, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages should be heavily taxed.

Every resident should be entitled to have their basic needs met, i.e. food, shelter, and medical care. Group homes should be established to help those with mental, physical, and addiction health problems and released prisoners. Prisons should be viewed as rehabilitation institutions which strive to be self sufficient and provide counseling and training. Half-way houses and jobs opportunities should be provided for released prisoners. Capital punishment should be abolished.

Education through undergraduate college level should be free for all residents. Students should be grouped based on demonstrated aptitude so education can be focused. Education at all levels should include basic knowledge, creativity, and life management skills.

Laws should be instituted to minimize discrimination of individuals based on age, gender, sexual preference, or religion. Legislation of morality should be minimized. Issues should be clarified by open dialog regarding controversial issues such as abortion, stem cell research, capital punishment, euthanasia, and gay rights.
Strong policies should be instituted to address and improve international relations. The U.S. should encourage formation of an international governmental agency (IGA) with funds and personnel provided from all participating nations. The IGA should play a governing role in international defense, security, disaster, economic, and environmental issues. Member nations should collectively decide and act on matters related to terrorism, internal oppression, response to natural disasters, and regulation of global environmental issues such as greenhouse gases, fishing practices, and water use. Movement should be toward diplomacy and away from war and use of weapons of mass destruction. All able bodied men and women should be required to provide civil service and be trained as reservists on call for civil and other defense issues.

Sincerely,
David P. Chynoweth, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida

Change is coming to Houston

Tina Marie from Houston, TX — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:46:13 EST

In cities all over America, citizens are coming together to form collectives focused on implementing the changes that we have wanted for so long. We are coming together to experience a partnering with our government in unprecidented numbers and the grass-roots growth of hope that stems from the human spirit.

Here in Houston, we have launched a group that is dedicated to the hopes, dreams and wants of our community. With increasing cooperation with community, city, county and state governemnt officials and with local community organizations, businesses and schools we are making the very changes that we set our hopes for in 2008.

Join us here in Houston to create a role-model group that leaves its impression on America now and into the future.

Notice: The Organizing for America Houston Chapter is a non-partisan group with members from all backgrounds. We welcome all participants who wish to organize and help volunteer on projects for the betterment of our country and our world.

Organizing for America -
Houston Chapter
http://my.barackobama.com
Director: Tina Marie Jones
Contact: 832-452-7242
Email: info@tinamarie.com

Website under construction: www.ofahouston.org

Current projects include:

1. A community recycling program to implement recycling in our public parks in coordination with the City of Houston, Harris County, the Mayor's Office, schools and local businesses.
Chairperson: Tina Marie Jones

Many expressed their interest to assist in this project.
Next steps include coordinating with the government offices, contacting local businesses for financial support ad sponsorship of the recycling bins, bags
Contacting NEXXUS, Waste Management, BFI and like corporations for information on recycling containers
Contacting local non-for-profit groups for adoption programs of parks

2. A research project to identify and report about socialized medical programs in foreign countries in comparison to the Obama direction for America. The intention of this research is to disseminate truth about the medical plans proposed by the Obama administration and educate the American public.
ChairPerson: Marilyn Keys

Next steps include members of the group sending information to Marilyn of people who live in the countries of interest (those with Socialized Medicine Programs)

3. Community sidewalk project to increase the amount and availability of sidewalks in our urban/suburban areas in the Houston Metroplex to increase foot traffic, increase exercise and minimize gas usage, crime and increase a sense of community.
ChairPerson: Lana Kato

Next steps include contacting the Mayor’s office and Harris County Offices that manage requests and maintenance of sidewalks

4. Organic Gardens across the City - Intention is to educate people on how to grow and maintain local gardens. The first directive is to have community service organizations host the gardens for use by food pantries to provide fresh produce to homeless and low income families. Sponsored in part by TM3 Energy.
ChairPerson: Cynthia O’Neal

Next Steps include the sharing of information, contacts of people/organizations that can help in the project.
Contacting the organizations that can sponsor the project pilot

5. Interest in alternative windmill construction and design to be more energy efficient and self perpetuating
ChairPerson: Johnathan O’Neal

Next steps include continuing research into current technology

6. Additional Discussions included:
Interest in reducing the costs of health care policies on small businesses
Increasing wellness care and the affordability of such for all Americans
Increasing education accountability at the State and School levels to allow our children to compete with at the national/ global level
Use of online technologies to increase group participation and attendance
The communication of our intentions and direction to the City. State and Federal government contacts

Last Meeting date: January 30th, 2009
Participants: Ron Jackson, Lana Kato, Cynthia O’Neal, Johnathan O’Neal, Abu Kanu, Alyssa Jones, Rick Jones, Tina Jones, Jamin Stocker, Marilyn Keys

Next Meeting Date:
Host:       Tina Marie Jones <t@tinamarie.com>
Time(s):
           Friday, February 13 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:   ONLINE MEETING ROOM
           http://ronjacksonstudios.na3.acrobat.com/ofa/
           See Link Above or Call in to Conference Bridge
           Houston, TX 77041
Directions:
   Our next meeting is schedule as follows: Date: Friday,
   February 13th Time: 7 pm - 9 pm Location: ONLINE in Meeting
   Room designed and engineered by Ron Jackson Studios Link:
   http://ronjacksonstudios.na3.acrobat.com/ofa/ Conference
   number and pin: Dial-In Number: 712-429-0690 Participant PIN:
   289829 The group meets every other Friday evening alternating
   between an in-house meeting in West Houston and an online
   meeting room as noted above.

We are running out of time! Let's work together!

Shadowrider — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:29:13 EST

The old saying, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem!" is so appropriate now. I was HOPEFUL the conservative Republicans would recognize that our country and our planet is in PERIL and Quit bickering and nitpicking. Let's identify the items we can agree on and DO something positive! Sure the economy is getting all the attention right now ... but that won't help us if we have polluted our environment so that it will no longer sustain life as we know it. Money can't buy us a new planet! WE have to save this one.

I am reminded of Easter Island, which at one time was densely forested. But the inhabitants cut all the trees and finally destroyed their civilization. Did they recognize they were doomed if they didn't change? Are we going to share their fate? What thoughts went through the mind of the person who cut down the last tree?

We may actually be past the "tipping point" on global warming now ... but we HAVE to TRY to save the planet so it is habitable for our children. Earth will eventually recover and survive but mankind may be extinct because of their own stubborn stupidity.

Obama is doing everything he can to save us. But he can't do it alone.

100 Years From Now

Unknown user — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:11:20 EST

One hundred years from now
It will not matter
What kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank
Nor what my clothes looked like.
One hundred years from now
It will not matter
What kind of school I attended,
What kind of typewriter I used,
How large or small my church,
But the world may be ...
a little better because...
I was important in the life of a child.
Source: Forest Witcraft, "Within My Power", Scouting, October 1950, p. 2

Cantareira State Park   by Brazil Eco Adventure Tours
View from my backyard, the largest urban forest of the world,
Serra da Cantareira / Mairiporã / São Paulo / Brasil (Brazil) South America

Don't forget about the Environment:
"Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy Efficiency"
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy

Mr.Obama: May Good bless you and your family always
Good Luck, Mr. Obama! Sincerely

(and pardon my English...)

WE NEED EACH OTHER

enigma — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:27:41 EST

This post comes from and Indian.

Enough of this attitude of wanting to lead. We need you and you need us. We all have common issues at hand - environment, child labour, child trafficking, unemployment, money crunch, the list is endless but all of this can be retrieved if INDIVIDUALS decide to contribute. None of the committees, clubs, associations or institutions can do much if individuals stay away. In this first message of mine my appeal to all do your bit - drops make an ocean. Homes are miniature societies when put together become the world. It is here in our homes improvement can be brought about - not a big deal surely. One does not have to travel miles to attain what one needs in their respective homes. So let us begin. I have already:

1. I put on the lights only when I need them

2. My TV is on only when I need it

3. My kitchen waste is converted into compost

4. My sold waste is used as filler material to construct foundations that I require around the house

e.g. garden benches, foundation for walls, etc

5. I have adopted a stray pup

6. I grow my own vegetables.

7. My Trust takes care of those in need.

8. I do not waste food

9. Every drop of water in my house is put to use - the waste water is routed to trees/garden.

10.Solar heater takes care of hot water.

And much more.

This individual effort will overnight provide us with an environment that we are all longing to have,.

Do get back and tell me if you were encouraged to imbibe some of these ideas in your life. Do let me kinow what is your role as an individual to make an impact in this world so that I too can imbibe them in my lifestyle.

An idea i've been wanting to share

ffreeman — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:41:45 EST

Education, the environment, health care, and the economy all need fixing . I belive that there is a clear way to fix all of these problems at the same time. Give large amounts of money to higher ed. in each state to build/and or develop new/and or improved "green" technologies and medical advances(stem cell, dna, herbs). Create jobs in the begining by building new campuses, and in the future in these feilds of study. The goverment can keep/ and or sell the new patents.

It's The Economy, Friend!

Janice C. from Chicago, IL — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:04:24 EST

The Committee For Economic Development, Obama for America, Chicago-Hyde Park endorses the “I House at a Time Project” (see below) as a national green community service model for reducing carbon footprint, saving energy, rebuilding low-income communities, helping families save money, and creating green jobs. Our committee also endorses piloting this model in Hyde Park, Chicago and surrounding communities.

If You're Pro-Life...

Bill Ines, Barack Obama Fellow for Florida — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:26:07 EST

IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE…

If You‘re “Pro Life”…

Feed a starving child.

Ban guns.

Fund all Stem Cell research.

Repeal the Death Penalty.

Clean-up the environment.

Stop genocide in Africa.

Don’t drink-and-drive.

Adopt a homeless child.

Demand Universal Healthcare.

Bring our troops home from Iraq.

But most importantly… if you’re “Pro-Life”…

VOTE DEMOCRAT.

The Democratic Party... For Life
Copyright 2008/2009 Bill Ines

where is the evidence that wind can make a meaningful contribution?

Gary A. Abraham, Esq. — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:18:54 EST

In Europe a movement is growing for a continent-wide moratorium on further siting of industrial wind turbines until their performance and impacts can be properly assessed. See http://www.epaw.org/ In New York State the Attorney General is investigating predatory practices of wind developers who pay local officials land rent prior to applying for permits from the same officials. See http://windpowerlaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/ny-attorney-general-investigates-wind-companies/ No wind farm in the northeast has ever achieved 30% of its stated generation rate and one turbine manufacturer, GE Energy, reports that for land-based turbines in NY, an effective capacity of 10% is the best that should be expected. See http://www.nyserda.org/publications/wind_integration_report.pdf (p. 7.16). In Germany, the country with the most wind power in the world, grid operator E.ON Netz predicts by the year 2020, 48,000MW of wind power will be able to replace only 2,000MW of traditional power production, most of which runs on fossil fuel. See Wind Report 2005 at http://www.countryguardian.net/eonwindreport2005.pdf (p. 9). And except for sparsely populated regions of the midwest, everywhere wind farms are sited they are controversial, dividing communities and dominating the environment of substantial portions of rural towns. See http://concernedcitizens.homestead.com/windfarms.html Although actual electricity generation rates for many industrial wind plants are reported to FERC, and state grid operators oversee all power plants in their jurisdictions, no one has provided evidence that CO2 emissions have declined as a result of industrial wind. Finally, the U.S. has never been dependent on foreign sources for electricity because oil makes a miniscule contribution to fuel for power plants. See http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epa_sum.html (Fig. ES1). Why, then, does the U.S. government (aided by many states) provide billions in tax credits and subsidies to industrial wind, most being transferred to corporate siblings and partners unconnected to renewable energy, many offshore--indeed, some involved in oil and coal development?

A film shot in the poorest place in the world (Payatas mountains of trash) seeks your ideas.

Gerry — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:07:00 EST

Hi! My name is Gerry a New York filmmaker. I recently shot a narrative film called THE MOUNTAIN THIEF in Payatas, a dumpsite community and possibly the poorest place in the world.

Please take 2 minutes of your time to view the trailer, this will give you an idea:

http://www.mountainthief.com/Site_/Trailer.html

A place where people live on top of mountains of trash. I held an acting workshop in the town for the scavenger residents and the graduates acted out the parts in the film. I hope to get a discussion on how to build an audience for the film, inspire change and touch the lives of the scavengers who acted in the film.

Our website above gives more info about the film and please add our page to your facebook account:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mountain-Thief/25443474407

Earthtrust

James — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:42:45 EST

The environment is on just about everyone's New Year's resolution list this year, in some form or other. In this culture, I mean. Out there in the rest of the world, not so much, I think. Once, many years ago, i went to work for an environmentally aware company out in Hawaii. It was on Oahu, and I volunteered to work in their office for awhile. In fact, I am lying. The Agency wanted to know whether the outfit was involved with some known international espionage agents around the world. So I was a spy. I learned a lot about 'Dolphin-safe' tags that are attached to most all tuna cans sold in the United States. It seems that several environmentally green outfits, back then, had waylaid most of the tuna fishers about the planet. The fishermen (actually, big companies mostly based in Asia) could not sell their tuna in the U.S. (the world's biggest fish market) without getting one of those organizations to certify that the tuna had been caught without killing or harming dolphins in any way. Hence the 'Dolphin-safe' moniker on the cans. Those labels are still on all the cans. I have learned, since those years, that the whole thing has become a bit of a scam. The environmental companies extort money out of the fishing companies so the fishing companies can put the label on their cans. The fishing companies merely lie about their fishing practices. Gil netting, drift netting and all the rest of it. the environmental companies, by and large, don't care. Who is to know?

But the outfit I went to work for was not like that. They really did care. To prove it, they sent out one of their erstwhile cub reporters and a lovely photographer to Indonesia to investigate and take photos of a huge fishing concern in Jakarta. They had heard the the fishing company was not only doing all the bad stuff to get their fish, but were actually cutting up and putting the dead dolphins right into the cans along with the tuna. I figured out, after working there a few weekends, that this operation had absolutely nothing to do with espionage of any kind. Other than the environmental kind. Just before I filed my report to the Agency, the call came in that the two kids were being held by the authorities in Jakarta. It seemed that they had been accused of being terrorists and spies. I liked the reporter and the photographer, and I liked the outfit, so I looked into the situation, using Agency assets and intelligence. And I knew immediately that the kids were in deep trouble. A man named Soeharto (aka; The Haj) ran the country at the time. He was a brutal dictator who had replaced another brute, years earlier, named Sukarno. The Haj, as it turned out from my sources, owned the fishing company that my outfit was investigating. And he was not taking the results very well at all. People had a tendency to die under his care, and painfully.

So I went into action. I falsified my report to Langley, in which I made up a story about the fact that the reporter and the photographer were actually working as assets of mine, investigating to see if there was any espionage going on in that region, connected to the fishing industry. I knew that Soeharto and his family were allies of our's. One of those dictatorships wherein we did not care what he did to his own people as long as he stayed clear of the communists and did our bidding. We had given him advanced weapons. We gave him our intelligence so he would have a leg up on his neighbors. He owed us.

After only a few weeks I had earned the trust of the two people who ran our small office on Oahu, so I was allowed to lock up. Late one night, well into the ordeal for our people imprisoned in Indonesia, I made the required calls to the right people at the Embassy in Jakarta. Agency people. There was a good bit of Marine Corps type language and good cheer in our conversation. And orders to get those kids out of Soeharto's hands.

The kids were released the next day, and left the country under escort (well, they didn't know that they were escorted, but back then we took care of our own in the Agency). I was supposed to work the following Saturday. I filed my report to the Agency on Friday, exonerating the outfit. I hoped to actually meet the reporter and photographer when they arrived back at the offices over the weekend. They would not know that I had saved them, but I would. I just liked the idea of being there for the triumphant return. But it was not to be. I showed up on Saturday morning early. The woman who ran the place was already there when I got there. That was uncommon. I walked through the door with a frown. She met me inside without a greeting or smile, only pointing toward her office. I went.

She sat down behind her desk and I took a chair in front of her. She didn't speak, instead pushed the button down on a tape recorder sitting in the center of her desk. My phone conversation with the Embassy in Jakarta started to play back. I stood up and pushed the off button down. "You record our conversations here" I asked, in shocked surprise. She nodded. "We have to know that our people are doing the right thing," was her verbal reply, after a moment of silence. I waited. She looked away. "You have to leave," she said, finally. "For getting those kids out of trouble?" I asked, with a bitter smile. She shook her head, then looked into my eyes. "No, you have to go because we don't allow foul language like you used. It represents us poorly, especially to overseas employees of the state department." Then she looked away.

There was nothing to be done, of course. i was a volunteer. I could not even be fired. I did not need to be fired. I was just shown the door. I left and never returned. As the years passed I thought about what had happened. I had been unable to tell anyone else about the incident. Hell, I had falsified a report to headquarters, illegally and unethically used Agency intelligence and assets to effect my own personal agenda. All chargeable offenses. Now I smile. Foul language my butt. She had figured it all out. The tape was definitive. She wanted nothing to do with the intelligence community, whatsoever. And she was right. She did not want to throw me out for being an agent. Why risk any attribution? That woman would have made a good agent herself. But she could have said thank you.

GObamaUSA Change is Coming Update

Rob Martin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:50:11 EST

The GObamaUSA Change is Coming group was founded by Obama volunteers, Rob Martin and Evette Wilson, who were directed to do so while attending a national Obama for America Legacy Conference on December 6th and 7th in Chicago. The purpose of the conference, which was attended by approximately 250 staff and 100 volunteers from around the U.S., was to plan and implement the "2.0" issue-organizing version of the Obama for America party organization. To date, four meetings of the Richmond, Va.-based GObamaUSA Change is Coming group have been held and are summarized in this posting as is other organizational information.

Rob Martin (rmartin@brandsync.com) and Lisa Quigley (mjquigley@comcast.net) are day-to-day contacts for the GObamaUSA Change is Coming group that is based at 6243 River Road, Suite 6, Richmond, Va. 23229.

GOBAMA!

Eureka Springs Change Is Coming House Meeting

Gary — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:53:56 EST

Nine local residents met December 13 to plan how we can connect local change efforts with those at regional and national levels and the Obama administration.

We introduced ourselves and expressed our priorities for change:

Sustainable economy
Green jobs
Clean energy
Protecting the enfironment

We discussed efforts already taking place and possible projects we could do before Inauguration day:

Planet Home - working to fight global warming
Eureka Springs Outdoor Alliance - trail building
Green jobs
Time bank
Local school service project as a venue for education
Food security, community garden, canning center
Support public policy for solar energy for historic buildings

We decided to sponsor a public forum on Community Sustainability. The idea is to help educate, organize and coordinate local efforts to protect the economy and environment. A speaker will present on green jobs followed by open time where visitors can visit with representatives of local groups. Arrange a meeting with the mayor to:

tell her what we are doing
ask about other people and projects relevant to community sustainability
what else is needed
introduce the speaker

To-Do:

Invite speaker: Becky
Reserve space: Becky
Press release: Becky
Appointment to meet with Mayor: Becky
Prepare flyer: Marty
Organize food and drink: Oak
Newspaper article: Sandra
Email dissemination: Gary
Group website on Obama website: Gary

Near Zero Carbon Transportation at 10 cents/8 miles

Stephanie Sulger RN, MS — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:27:42 EST

One Colorado Commuter's Experience

Most people have never heard of an electric motorcycle, but you’ll find one in the parking lot of the Gaiam Real Goods offices in Broomfield, Colorado. Following a dream, Real Goods Renewable Energy Technician Jeff Blamey joined Gaiam in December 2006 and began to convert a gasoline-powered motorcycle to run on electric wall current for his commute to work.

He found the perfect motorcycle on eBay (a 1984 Honda VF 500), devoured a book on electric motorcycles, and spent four months designing the conversion on his computer.

Once the parts were assembled, it took Blamey a month to convert the bike. He removed the engine, transmission, radiator and fan; cut and welded metal trays for the first, second and third batteries; made saddlebag mounts for the fourth and fifth batteries; and mounted the PMG 132 motor and Alltrax controller he bought from Electric Motor Sports in Oakland, California.

According to Blamey’s calculations, his motorcycle commute costs him less than $.10 per day for eight miles, as opposed to $.75 by car or $.53 by gas-powered motorcycle. He estimates the cost of conversion, including the motorcycle, at around $3,000 and figures the batteries could last as long as five years, with replacement packs of six batteries costing around $450.

California's Inland Empire as the Center for Green Innovation

Jonathan Abraham — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:19:55 EST

A letter I wrote to the Obama transition team, advocating the idea of
the inland empire as a center for green innovation to power our
economic recovery.

Dear transition team member,

I live in Redlands, California. We in Redlands are part of the
metropolitan statistical area known as the Inland Empire. This region
as a whole, including the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside have
been severely impacted by the housing crisis, and have unemployment
figures much higher than the national average. The core of the local
economy used to be a Kaiser steel mill, and air force bases, Norton AFB
and March AFB. Unemployment today in the area is 10 percent, and 1 in
8 homes is in foreclosure. These numbers are even higher in city
centers in San Bernardino and Riverside. The numbers are based on a
study released this week by the office of Senator Barbara Boxer.

Our region (the inland empire) is a dusty, smoggy part of the state
which has until now drawn in sprawling residential developments and
corporate goods distribution hubs. We consequently have few industries
that create jobs, and a disproportionate health impact from
containerized traffic flowing on our roadways and railways.

GMO's

Domann — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:01:58 EST

Vilsac? Please don't support GMO's. Think about it.

Energy & the Environment

TxNerd — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:05:42 EST

I definitely support the Pickens Plan for the development of alternative energy sources but I think we can do more immediately. The Pickens Plan is great but will take 10 years to have any real impact and we need change right now. What’s funny is that we have the technology and the resources to make changes today. Some examples are home officing of administrative workers, 4 day work weeks and limiting retail sales to 6 day per week and a whole range of other ideas that could begin to begin to reduce our dependence on petroleum based products and heal our environment immediately. We need to encourage builders to produce new structures that maximize the use of available sunlight, are better insulated to reduce heating and cooling cost and incorporate new technologies that will reduce the use of electricity. I live the Dallas/Fort Worth area which ranks in the top 5 cities in America for auto related air pollution. Right now the population of the DFW area is between 6 and 7 million people and is growing by 400 people per day. In 10 years the population will be well over 10 million and will face gridlock on the freeways and public transportation systems. Add to that another 40 percent to the already excessive air pollution and we have bigger problems than even the Pickens Plan would resolve. We need to start thinking now of innovative ideas to not only produce new fuel sources but to reduce our fuel usage, reduce the number of cars on the road, and produce more efficient buildings and products. Along with this we can create new jobs converting available buildings in our home communities to be used as co-located office spaces, renovating existing homes to be more efficient and expanding our public transportation systems. I would be the last to suggest that I have all of the answers but I will be the first to ask everyone to think of ways that we can help tackle this urgent issue.

Push to Clean It ALL, Obama Style

"Obama Doug" Evans Betanco — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:57:37 EST

This is a post from Gaia, a Boulder blog that's Earth-centered. It's certainly appropriate for a Western Hemisphere Blog like ours, since much of our land and resources have been mercilously plundered.

are these your goals, too? Gaia!

We live in amazing times.

Don't you feel it? The global economy is trembling. The news about the environment pours in. And yet, we're on the cusp of amazing shift. Something is waiting to burst through—a new and gentler way of relating to the world.

Much of this emerging change involves holding love in our hearts and living with compassion and kindness, but there's also a critical, broader aspect. This new way of being depends on what we DO today--just as clicking here could change the world.

Because this month, Gaia is working in partnership with the League of Conservation Voters to send a message to our newly elected president, urging him to take action to support this shift.

It's an opportunity we can't miss! After eight years of Big Oil's energy policies, we've got the chance to create a new, sustainable energy economy. But we must act now. President-elect Obama has only a narrow window to take the lead with a clean-energy agenda in his first 100 days.

So come join us to ask the new president to support four goals as soon as he takes office:

º Move America to 100% clean electricity;
º Cut our dependence on oil in half;
º Create 5 million new clean energy jobs; and
º Cut global warming pollution by at least 80%.

Just click here to add your own incredible energy to the cause.
(and do hurry... we don't have much time.)

By signing the petition to Repower, Refuel, and Rebuild America, you won't just be witnessing this shift—you'll be (along with the rest of us) an essential part of it. Again: we live in amazing times.

And please help spread the word. Our brighter future depends on it. :) Gracias, ObamaDoug

Partnering with The World Flag Project:

John — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:53:55 EST

-Understanding Our World- www.theworldflag.org While The World Flag aims to inspire unity in matters of global concern, The Flag and related products make excellent tools for basic lessons in geography, world history, and international studies. Flashcards, apparel, flags and the web site make teaching and learning about each other interactive and fun. The World Flag works with organizations focused on global education efforts and outreach. Let us know if your organization needs assistance.

-Events / Fundraising- Flying The World Flag at events exposes your local population to your groups message alongside the message of world unity. The Flags celebration of all cultures makes it a natural flag to fly for global warming, the environment, world healthcare, and other universal interests. Raise The World Flag at your event and spread the word!

-Fundraise for Global Causes-The World Flag provides a great way to engage a wide array of people. As a vehicle in fundraising it complements a myriad of causes while teaching cooperation and cultural diversity. Whether you are raising funds for medical groups or saving for a relief trip, The World Flag’s message applies. The World Flag Project will work with you on a fundraising kit for the non– profit cause of your choice.

-Carry The Flag with You- The world Flag is an amazing conversation piece and makes a great gift for your favorite classroom, world traveler, international group, student, venue, or business. The Project can customize packages for your event, organization, cause or company upon request. Bring the World Flag into your community!

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:26:14 EST

The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.

Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.

Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when

individuals and organizations understand that alternative energy technology exists and
when people see the economic benefits of using alternative energy technologies

Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

policy synergies

Nancy from Reston, VA — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:38:53 EST

I like it that there are synergies that Barack sees among his policies, such as

more basic science research will foster more solutions for longer
more application of technology in a smart way will lead to more quality time with people
greener industries cut pollution and health care costs
more social science research will lead to better organizations
more jobs at home will make people less alienated
more community cuts mental health care and law enforcement costs
more diplomacy will lead to more collaboration and creativity
more sharing makes diplomacy easier

We know how powerful the downward spiral is -- lets turn it into an upward spiral.

Please Stop Mountain Top Removal

ILoveMountains — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:19:41 EST

Mountain top removal coal mining has destroyed 500,000 acres of West Virginia mountains. That is equal to a swath one-aquarter mile wide from New York to California!!! The mine waste is dumped into the valleys and has covered 1000 miles of streams--that is a little longer than the Ohio River!!! Please ask Mr. Obama to put an end to this. Ask him to reverse the Bush decision to change the buffer zone rule and ask him to support the passage of the Clean Water Protection Act.

Julian Martin, Vice President, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy www.wvhighlands.org

Back to the Garden

The Garden Earth Project — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:45:43 EST

What if food was free, and easily obtainable within walking distance of your home? How would your life be different?

The Garden Earth ReGardening Demonstration Project was founded for the purpose of demonstrating how this seemingly far fetched idea is, in fact, not only completely attainable, but essential to the long range survival of humanity and the endangered species of our planet.

Learn more at GardenEarth.Be.

SAVE MAYPORT FISHING VILLAGE -NO CRUISE SHIPS

Becky Hussein Obama — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:11:35 EST

Dec. 3, 2008, WednesdayThe City Council will be voting next week on whether to okay plans to put a cruise ship terminal at Mayport Village. If any of you have ever spent any time there, you can imagine how this would destroy the place. The residents have been ignored. I don't know how else to help them, so I'm asking that you join me in urging the council to spare this little spot of old Florida. The locals have a website here:
SAVE MAYPORT FISHING VILLAGE A Dec. 3, 2008 article from Jacksonville.com: Mayport cruise terminal plans gain ground | Jacksonville.com I wrote to the council, and Mayor Peyton, stating that the impact of a cruise ship terminal would pose too great a threat on the environment, and that it would be detrimental to the shrimpers, and all that is quaint and lovely about this historic little village. Here are their email addresses:jpeyton@coj.netCC:clay@coj.net, wbishop@coj.net, rclark@coj.net, redman@coj.net, ashad@coj.net, webb@coj.net, gaffney@coj.net, edlee@coj.net, wajones@coj.net, RBrown@coj.net, mjones@coj.net, JRC@coj.net, holt@coj.net, ddavis@coj.net, artg@coj.net, corrigan@coj.net, ronnief@coj.net, joost@coj.net, khyde@coj.net, gloriousj@coj.netPlease help.

Water conservation a national necessity

Tim Brick — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:26:21 EST

Here's an article I penned in August with climatologist William Patzert of JPL. It appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on August 19.

The article makes the case that water conservatin is a California necessity, but of course it is also a national and international necessity.

O Mama, O Mama, O Bama Bama!

Abe — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:37:31 EST

We know that the earth grows smaller and smaller each day. We can no longer exist as separate nations. We look for a sense of renewed deep belief that is necessary for human beings. And the answer is: the earth, itself--in the feeling of oneness and unity that it gives to us. We are all members of the same bio-world. Wherever, however, we live, we all have the same needs for air and water. We all have the same needs for nutrition. We all see the same sky, touch the trees and plants, have communions with the other animals around us. These are factors which bind us together into one, a unified whole celebrating Our Mother Earth's spirit. www.circleoftheearth.org

Elegant nature: Why election bliss went global

Angel Garet — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:37:20 EST

No matter for whom or if you voted, a new rung in the ladder of human evolution is beneath your feet. For Americans who have lived long enough, election night 2008 may have produced the first palpable change felt in forty years. The monumental sense of loss that seemed to last forever after the passing of Dr. Martin Luther King has suddenly waned, allowing us to reflect on how we changed during a time when changes were too insignificant to feel or we were too numb to feel them.

In the interim, and not by coincidence, science has observed in nature a self-correcting mechanism responsible for the evolution of all that we know. Breakthroughs in cell biology and fractal geometry and mathematics have revealed a universal pattern of branching toward balance and perfection in a nonlinear yet persistent manner. It is present in galaxies as well as the systems of every living thing, and it tells us we are born stewards of the planet, wired to be receptors and processors of nature’s input.

STUDY: Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops

NonGMOTalk — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:01:25 EST

Austrian Government Study Confirms Genetically Modified Crops Threaten Human Fertility and Health Safety A long-term feeding study commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth, and carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms genetically modified (GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice. Non-GMO advocates, who have warned about this infertility link along with other health risks, now seek an immediate ban of all GM foods and GM crops to protect the health of humankind and the fertility of women around the world. Feeding mice with GM corn developed by the US-based Monsanto Corporation led to lower fertility and body weight, according to the study conducted by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Lead author of the study Professor Zentek said, there was a direct link between the decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice fed with non-GM corn reproduced more efficiently. In the study, Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials over 20 weeks with laboratory mice fed a diet containing 33% of a GM variety (NK 603 x MON 810), or a closely related non-GM variety used in many countries. Statistically significant litter size and pup weight decreases were found in the third and fourth litters in the GM-fed mice, compared to the control group. The corn is genetically engineered with genes that produce a pesticidal toxin, as well as genes that allow it to survive applications of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup. A book by author Jeffrey M. Smith, Genetic Roulette, distributed to members of congress last year, documents 65 serious health risks of GM products, including similar fertility problems with GM soy and GM corn: Offspring of rats fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in mortality, lower birth weights, and the inability to reproduce. Male mice fed GM soy had damaged young sperm cells. The embryo offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA functioning. Several US farmers reported sterility or fertility problems among pigs and cows fed on GM corn varieties. Additionally, over the last two months, investigators in India have documented fertility problems, abortions, premature births, and other serious health issues, including deaths, among buffaloes fed GM cottonseed products. The principle GM crops are soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. GM sugar from sugar beets will also be introduced before year’s end. Mr. Smith, who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology says, “GM foods are likely responsible for several negative health trends in the US. The government must impose an immediate ban on these dangerous crops.” He says, “Consumers don’t need to wait for governmental action. They can download a free Non-GMO Shopping Guide at www.HealthierEating.org.”Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a comment on the findings for journalists yesterday. The Institute for Responsible Technology’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified foods. The Institute educates people about the documented health risks of GMOs and provides them with healthier non-GMO product choices. The Institute also informs policy makers and the public around the world about the impacts of GMOs on health, environment, the economy, and agriculture, and the problems associated with current research, regulation, corporate practices, and reporting. ### Institute For Responsible TechnologyMedia Contact: NJ Jaeger Expert Contact: Jeffrey M. SmithEmail: njmail@cox.net Phone: +1-310-377-0915 Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Corporate Communication: Univ.-Doz. Ingrid KieferTel: +43 50 555-25000; Email: ingrid.kiefer@ages.at LinksAustrian Study: http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-erInstitute for Responsible Technology: http://responsibletechnology.orgNon-GMO Shopping Guide: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/DocumentFiles/144.pdf Genetic Roulette: http://www.geneticroulette.com

America Bankrupt in Reducing CO2 Emissions

FinnRod — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:45:52 EST

Something sobering to my fellow Americans. To quote an article I read on CNN’s website, “A new book, The Atlas of the Real World, has redrawn the map giving vivid new insights and bringing economic, social and environmental data to life.” Anything from HIV infections reported to wealth at 1 A.D. has been graphically represented in world map form. But what I found most interesting was the representation of countries that have reduced their CO2 emission between the years 1980 – 2004. Follow this link to see it:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/3109042/The-Atlas-of-the-Real-World.html?image=17. I was proud to see that Europe is the world leader in this area but dismayed to see that the U.S. was shrunk to near non-existence. But that would have had to be expected given the political agenda concerning environment of the last 25 years and the sense that America has been living in denial of the grave environmental problems facing the world.

President Obama can encourage creative counter-recession policies and behaviors that are pro-community and environmentally healing

Ron Poole-Dayan — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:47:04 EST

Yes, we know change will not happen overnight, and the economic recession is barely starting. President Obama will inevitably make mistakes - but that is not the point. Much will depend on the ability to move beyond the zero-sum choices (e.g. job creation versus environmental responsibility) by changing widespread behaviors. With some guidance and inspiration, we can turn the imminent recession into a much less painful and even somewhat corrective process. For instance, instead of blindly injecting money into the economy to stimulate spending, we need leadership to advocate how this spending should be done to get more stimulation mileage for local economies, and avoid consumption of energy-heavy goods that travel thousands of miles to get here and will soon end up in dumps anyhow. I can envision a 21st century version of FDR’s fireside chats encouraging us to prefer spending on local services, give each other gifts like theater tickets, vouchers for a massage, piano lessons, or even home-repair services. A recession is a tragedy for many families, but can also be a wake-up call about waste, and opportunity to re-examine how we live. Look around your houses - do you really need all this junk? However, money spent on local services is multiplied endlessly in the economy to provide support and jobs to more and more people.

Please Help Stop the Reactor Expansion at Plant Vogtle,et al

Dianne — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:33:35 EST

Greetings Everyone,

Because the agencies whose missions have been to protect us and our interests as citizens of this country have allowed themselves to be dictated to by political interests rather than there assigned duties as directed by their mission statements, we find our health & well-being, our environment, and our federal and local budgets are in jeopardy.

I am not just referring to the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but I am also talking about agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission.

The nuclear power industry has been allowed to tell the American public that it provides safe and clean energy to our country. Though nuclear power is neither safe nor clean, it has been allowed to do this by the FCC and the FTC and SEC when it engages in its advertising and when it engages in its business activities. The nuclear power/energy industry has been allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, the Department Of Energy, and state public service commissions to be heavily involved in setting the standards and regulations that govern it. Those standards and regulations, for the most part, do not protect human health or the environment.

The current as well as previous administrations have allowed these regulatory agencies to be run by, and in most cases rendered impotent by having them run with, political appointments and agendas. This has been unfortunate, because now we have an American public who is working from a well ingrained position of ignorance when it has been led to believe that nuclear power is clean, safe, less expensive, and needs to remain 'on the table' as part of our energy solution.

These agencies that were designed to protect us have allowed the nuclear power/energy industry to get away with false advertising in its commercials and publications, they have been allowed to misinform investors with this same false and incomplete information.

Always keep in mind the massive subsidies given to this mature industry by our government using our tax dollars, most of which are freely given to foreign owned companies in the nuclear power industry. France, Japan, England, and Germany.They are the primary benefactors of our tax dollars assigned to Research & Development in the nuclear industry. These foreign companies are responsible for our safety and our nuclear energy production. In addtion, the heavy manfacturing jobs that our tax dollars subsidize don't take place in this country so those jobs are also off shore (over seas).

A nuclear power reactor/plant is not a stand-alone entity that acts as the sole source provider of nuclear power. It is only one segment of the process of getting nuclear power generated electricity to the public. It is only one link in the fuel chain.

We have to face that we are being led down a path that is false from it beginning. Nuclear energy is one of the most egregious emitters of CO2, toxic heavy metals, and other poisonous emissions and we have to stop being led by the nuclear industry to believe that nuclear power is clean, safe energy.

The electricity produced by nuclear power in and of itself is relatively benign, however the waste, including high levels of CO2, which has been created to get us to the production of that electricity will harm you, your children, your grandchildren, and generations after them.

You should also always keep in mind that CO2 is not the only toxin that we have to deal with or be worried about.

The nuclear industry itself uses enormous amounts of electricity in their gaseous diffusion plants, (created by coal-fired power plants). Enormous amounts of cooling water are needed and used, and the highly corrosive and radioactive uranium hexafluoride gas is produced. All have adverse human health and environmental impacts.

The waste is pervasive in its movements through our earth, air, and water. It has proven itself to be more than difficult to contain. It has proven itself deadly. Sometimes it will kill you slowly; sometimes it will kill you quickly. The nuclear power/energy industry has of course chosen to do its damage primarily on Native American lands as well as in poor and minority communities. The people who until now had no voice, no say.

But don't be fooled. Nuclear waste is not just a byproduct created at the end of the nuclear weapons, nuclear fuel, or nuclear energy production cycle. The ugliness begins at the beginning and it's not all radioactive.

The Uranium ore needed to produce nuclear power or nuclear energy has to be mined. Uranium is both radioactive and a chemical toxin. Part of the uranium mining process is milling which consists of chemically separating uranium from other ore.

The waste produced is known as milling tailings. In some cases these highly radioactive tailings are left on and near the land surrounding the mines creating another legacy of dangerous waste.

For typical uranium concentrations, the tailings contain an extremely high percentage of the radioactivity in the original ore, along with toxic chemicals and heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic which adversely affect the environment and human health.

After being converted to uranium hexafluoride it is further enriched through the process of gaseous diffusion. Enrichment is required to increase the percentage of Uranium-235 (half-life of 700 million years). Considered to be the "product", it's the isotope needed for nuclear power and weapons.

Uranium-238, aka depleted uranium, another byproduct of gaseous diffusion, is a heavy metal and radioactive. Uranium-238 can be used to breed plutonium-239.

These radioactive and toxic wastes are process and production outcomes. Remember, all of this and we haven't even gotten to the nuclear reactor for the production of the first nuclear energy generated kilowatt.

We really have to let our representatives know that we are not going to continue to allow this industry to control our conversation on our energy needs and our national security. We can look forward to being carbon free and nuclear free if we make that commitment to ourselves, our families, and our environment.

We have to start now to look toward a new type of future, a future that considers all of us, not just one group of people. We have to stop this unsafe practice of giving quick money more importance than sound judgment and survival.

It is time to change how we live in this world, we have to start somewhere, at some point in time. Now is that time.

Peace,

Dianne

America - Together (post election)

Alex Karoub — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:44:40 EST

..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com

WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.

We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.

Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts.

I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.

Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.

I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.

I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.

Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.

However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.

Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.

In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.

I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!

We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.

Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com

Science to the Rescue!

Larry J — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:44:26 EST

Friends, I know that science and engineering have taken much of the blame for much of our world's environmental woes. Much of this blame is rightfully placed. The sad result of many decades of blaming scientists and engineers (and their employers) for these environmental disasters (global warming, ozone depletion, water and air pollution to name only a few) has resulted in a whole generation of youth who abhor the sciences.

As a teacher of Chemistry and Physics, I see the tragic results of this process every day: students who only take science courses because they are required to; who have absolutely no plans to major in science or engineering in university.

As a former chemical engineer, I have been on a personal mission these past eight years to show students that their blame of scientists and engineers in misplaced... that whatever the past has given us, we will only be saved by informed, inspired and dedicated scientists and engineers who will do what it takes to solve the environmental and energy problems that plague our world.

I have been able to have a small success in my own little part of the world here in Madera: as both a teacher and the head of the science department of my school, we have in a few short years become a school of science-impaired youths, to one of the highest-performing schools in the state in science.

We have done this in three ways: First, we make science fun; second, we make sure that the knowledge gained by the students is relevant to their lives; and third, we take the mystery out of science to make the learning of science easy.

In the near future, I will expand on how we have accomplished these three. Thank you for reading; let me know what your ideas are.

Larry

Join the Initiative

Zach from Madison, WI — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:41:12 EST

I can't express how enthused I am about Barack's getting elected. This is the best I've felt about America in a long time. Our country is suffering in so many ways. The one that I think carries the greatest burden is the state of our environment. Our economy is a major issue, but once we get that resolved, we may be wondering if we'll have a stable enough of a planet to live on for much longer. Thankfully, President-Elect Barack Obama has a long term plan to help make us less dependant on foreign oil and more reliant on cleaner varieties of fuel.

Unfortunately, government is often unable to enact changes fast enough!

There is, however, something that we can all do to take immediate action and spread the word in an efficient manner. Please visit the site below for more information. We can all contribute to make a change, one person at a time!

www.poweredgreen.com

CHANGE WE NEED TOO!

Francesco Errante — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:31:55 EST

Heart felt congratulations to Mr. Barack Hussain Obama the 44th President of the United States of America.

In the hope that his presidency will help making this planet a better place!

Francesco Errante

www.Radiondistics.com

Barack is the Greener Candidate with the Cleaner Campaign

LauraT — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:26:10 EST

While blogging about the League of Conservation Voter's endorsement of Democratic Senate candidate Jim Martin in Georgia, I took a closer look at the environmental group's analysis of Obama's environmental positions. The LCV published a comparison chart (in PDF format) outlining the environmental policies of Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. Obama has a lifetime enviornmentally-friendly score 86 percent vs. 24 percent for McCain. And for 2007, the most recent year scored, McCain was given a 0 (yes, that’s zero) vs. 67 for Obama.

Here in Georgia, Republican encumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss is rated at only 5 percent in LCV’s 110th Congress 2008 National Environmental Scorecard. According to the LCV, Senator Chambliss has accepted $107,500 in contributions from oil and gas interests for his 2008 re-election campaign. His signature negative advertising is therefore funded, in part, by oil companies. Considering the recent gas shortages and high prices we've suffered here, along with all Chambliss' negative TV ads we've had to endure, it's clear that Jim Martin is the cleaner candidate-in more ways that one. You can check out my full blog post on the environmental issue at lifeonq.com.

Vote Obama for a better world

Ellen — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:46:36 EDT

I am new to blogging but certainly not new to thinking, analyzing and worrying. The following are things that I have thought about a great deal as an Obama supporter, a Democrat, a Catholic, a Mom, an environmentalist, and a human being. I hope it will help to persuade some undecided folks to see the light and vote for Barack Obama for a better world.

Obama is the smartest, most thoughtful candidate for the job. With all of the challenges facing our country, we need someone who will thoughtfully review all the options and make the best decisions for our country. As a mother of young kids, who worries so much about the world they are inheriting, I take comfort knowing that Barack Obama has young children as well. I know that he will make decisions that keep the safety and well being or our children in the forefront.

When I hear Barack Obama speak, I feel hopeful. I feel inspired. In this day and age, with what I have experienced or worried about or empathized, I don’t think I can ask for much more. Those are the things we all need to feel in order for us to pull together and tackle the immense issues we face as a country and a world.

Harvesting a New Hope - Please!

hamesfarmer — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:46:40 EDT

Listening to all the negativity in the news these days, I look forward to hearing a voice that builds on a unified future. I am so pleased to hear Sen. Obama speak about working together, and helping each other. But I share a concern with a lot of others who live in rural America, or farm in suburbia, or even in the big cities - that we will not be included in that plan.

Why I'm for Obama/Biden

Brian — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:37:47 EDT

I beleive a blogger of politics has to have the muckraker in them do it expose great lies, get the story etc, they need to have the fire in the belly in a certain belly, and I don't have that. And I also don't like to gossp about my life, so those are two silver bullets in me. But this blog is why I'm for Obama/Biden. I'm for Obama/Biden because they have the vision to lead this country but also because John McCain doesn't know how many homes he has. Whle I don't know about getting as much legislation output, the fact is, we have not had a president or vice-presidential team attuned to poverty, and the hardship of struggle that Obama-Biden together, on their own seperate paths have faced, since the administration of Johnson-Humphrey, and that in these trying times accounts for something. I beleive Palin is using her special needs child as a prop and I don't think at that age, a down syndrome kid, or any special needs kid should be exposed to the Washington DC spotlight, because we literally eat politicians for breakfast. Newt Gingrich,Gary Hart,John Edwards,Bob Livingston, Ted Stevens, have all faced the wrath of Meet the Press,Face the Nation and George Stephnoplis's show of This Week, and as this campaign has seen, Sarah Palin has been picked apart like Stephen Fossett's body. And a down syndrome kid is fragile, and while I'm glad there's been stories on down syndrome because oh Palin being on the ticket, I think if Obama/Biden win, it would really be in the child's best interest, both in the short term and the long term.

AMERICA IN THE YEAR 2016

Peter from Portland, OR — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:02:06 EDT

I had a dream: We are writing the year 2016, America has left behind the economy crisis of 2008 and developed to a green, social and prosperous society. The unemployment rate is down at 2.3 %, the number of poor people dropped from 37 to 9 million, the national deficit is only a fourth of that in 2008. Every American has affordable health care now, and Obama`s tax cuts have put more money into the pockets of the middle-class American, which led to higher consumption, re-fueled the economy, and created millions of new jobs. Above all 5 million new created green collar jobs and a better, more effective environmental policy with solar, wind and other renewable energies dropped America`s energy bill, air pollution and CO 2 balance by 25%, making the country cleaner and almost independent of foreign oil. America´s is about to become the world leader in green technology, especially due to the broad-scale introduction of US built hybrid cars. In foreign politics America has restored faith and regained respect in the world community of nations as a wise and peaceful mediator in all conflicts. This and other measures also led to an improvement of the national security. The dark Bush years are history and America has made the real CHANGE to a better future - YES WE COULD - And due to the great achievements of Barack Obama`s successful 8 years in national and international politics a committee was founded, proposing the extension of his presidency for 4 more years, as applied during the Roosevelt administration.

Was all of this just a dream ? - No, you can make it happen by voting for OBAMA next Tuesday - It is now up to you, America !

SHOP AMERICA SUPPORTS OBAMA

Palin sports Polar Bear Pin while Voting Against their Protection

Ms Lovelee — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:53:06 EDT

As I listened to Sarah Palin's Energy Policy proposal this morning I noticed a few things. First, I was sickened to see her wearing this polar bear broach as if she cares about these endangered animals.

Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, sued the Bush Administration in federal court recently, charging it was too accepting of climate change studies which overstated the phenomenon's impact on polar bears. The result, she argued, would be a negative impact on her state's businesses, including oil and gas extraction. Palin backed her argument by hiring scientists who were negative towards global warming while the scientists were receiving funding for their studies from the oil and gas companies including Exxon-Mobil.

As a person who donates monthly to Polar Bear Protection, I am nauseated seeing this woman Palin parading herself on a stage with this pin as if she cares about polar bears at all. Palin cares about Polar Bears about as much as she cares about the Aerial killing of Wolves which she gives $150.00 bounty for a paw. Palin would rather protect Caribou and Moose which are over populating areas of the North than allow the wolves to regulate their population as natural predators thereby interfering in the natural ecosystem and pecking order of nature. Hunting is one thing, extinction of an entire species is another.

Sources:
ABC News - http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5689165
CNN Live Video
San Francisco Chronicle - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/31/BARB12KSHM.DTL

Science Debate 2008 Water Answers Deciphered

Tim Brick — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:50:42 EDT

Wet and Not So Wild: Obama and McCain's Water Resource Policy How do the candidates' records stack up against their water use policy answers?

By Stuart Fox Posted on Popsci.com

After a year of winnowing down questions from 38,000 scientists and citizens, Science Debate 2008 sent 14 covering health, research, the environment and science to the presidential candidates. Both Senator McCain and Senator Obama answered the questions, and their answers can be read here. However, it’s easy for a politician to make promises, so PopSci investigated both senator’s voting records to see if their history matched up with their promises for the future. Each day for the next two weeks we'll present an analysis of the candidate’s voting records as compared with their answers to the ScienceDebate2008 questions. You can follow the entire series at popsci.com/election, where you can also sign up for an RSS feed.

McCain's lies about offshore drilling in the US

Dan Lovingood — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:56:39 EDT

I am trying to help correct the lies about "drilling offshore". I am sick and tired of McCain and Palin telling massive lies to the people that we have no offshore drilling and falsely claiming that a moratorium exists for all offshore drilling. He fails to recognize the vigorous exploration in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico (as well as North Slope of Alaska and offshore, and production drilling in California). I see on the MMS' website that one of my prospects I promoted when I worked for Texaco is a major 280 million barrel discovery in ultra-deep water (Atwater Valley Block 65)... and more is on the way in those regions. Please try to correct McCain's and Palin's lies. They have taken hold to the extent that even highly educated engineers with whom I work believe that we have no offshore drilling in the US. But continuing our reliance on oil reserves to feed our continued deadly addiction to oil will bring about our certain collapse. That collapse will bring the rest of the world down with us.On this day (10/225/2008) we are on the verge of a deep global economic recession. We can drill safely offshore, but this will not save us from our energy problem. The USGS says it, the non-governmental scientists say it and the oil industry even says it. We MUST transition to a new energy economy.

Dan Lovingood

A heartfelt plea for a sensible water policy

Tim Brick — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:40:28 EDT

Premiere California water activist Dorothy Green's plea for a reformed water policy appeared in the Los Angeles Times on October 8th, a week before her death.

A heartfelt plea for a sensible water policy

Heal the Bay's founder lays out her vision for a clean and sustainable state supply.

by Dorothy Green
October 8, 2008

To everything there is a season; but water is eternal. Or it was, until we started disturbing its natural rhythms. We penned it behind dams and diverted it to aqueducts, starving the life out of rivers and creating an unsupportable addiction to using more water than we need to live.

Despite the looming crisis in water, we have enough to live on, but not enough to waste. And waste it we have, with great enthusiasm for lush green lawns in a desert and a penchant for backroom deals with agribusiness. These deals end up as sweetheart ones for the moneyed corporate farmers, providing them with essentially a bountiful private water supply, which they sell off at a profit, while the rest of us are carefully metered and potentially rationed.

Barack Obama and The Environment

Rsg0569 — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:55:02 EDT

My name is Ruthie. I am a middle schooler and the founder of an organization called Carbon-Free Kids. Carbon-Free Kids is a group of kids, like me, trying to make a difference. We are trying to educate people and raise money for the environment. I am also a strong supporter of Barack Obama. Obama brings hope to my generation, hope that we can fix these problems, hope that we won’t be left with huge mess on our hands! Obama has the answers to the biggest problems of this nation, in particular, the environment which is one of the worst global problems ever. Obama will create jobs by investing in renewable energy such as wind solar and geothermal. Obama will put Hybrid cars, cars that can get up to 150 miles per hour thus saving you money, on the roads everywhere. Right now, we can increase our fuel efficiency to 43 miles per gallon and it would mean that we would have to import no oil from the Middle East. This would take the equivalent of 15 billion cars worth of pollution off the roads, right now. Change can be scary but this change is necessary. We have to save our country and our planet, so I encourage you to learn the facts and make a smart decision this November.

-Ruthie

Founder of Carbon-Free Kids

http://carbonfreekids.net

Who are we?

Ron from Walnut Creek, CA — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:24:51 EDT

Hello my friends (Hmmm, that has a familiar and eerie ring, eh?) and fellow Earthairians. I am a mature (well, adult) person from the West Coast of the New America. My interest, at the moment, is to elect Barack Obama as President of these not so United States. I am of the 60's generation, and I am ecstatic about this which appears more and more like reality every day. I never imagined that we would live to see another 'Kennedy' in the White House.

Not to say that Barack is not his own man person, because that is largely his appeal, and what makes him electable. Bill Clinton made it clear that only a centrist Democrat could be elected in this country at this time. The Millenium generation will in time change that, but for now......

So today I have a question, and an idea. The question is this: Why in heavens (This is a family blog afterall) name is it that we have to focus on this ridiculous nonsense about Bill Ayers, when it is the Republican Vice President who has ties, fresh ties, to a virulent anti American organization. No, we don't want to base a campaign on such an issue, but certainly the American people deserve to have the record set straight, and put in perspective. I don't think Sarah Palin is a 'terrorist', so why doesn't she just shut up about this? I really hate this kind of hysterical baiting. It is not only unfair and untrue; it is dangerous. Here we have a candidate who is touting himself as bipartisan; claiming that Barack is not bipartisan, when exactly the opposite is the truth. The character of this (Republican) campaign has created a very poisonous environment which will be hard to govern. Whoever wins, there will be a lot of healing needed. Barack, I think you are up to it. Wisdom prevails.

The idea is this. If we are going to Federalize the banking institution in this country, why not create an investment bank which lends directly to Small Business at very reasonable rates? Why do we need to rescue the scoundrels just so they can (supposedly) turn around and lend money to the rest of us? Why do we need them? They are one middle class we can do without. Point is that such a huge amount of money would be a tremendous investment in the future; the future not only of America, but the healing of the whole planet, with the creation of new technologies and jobs marketable and transportable to the rest of the world.

Specifically, I am thinking of new environmental energy and manufacturing technology infrastructure ventures which are particularly saleable to China. We know that we as a people have the history and creativity and drive to make this happen. Take the constraints off, take the middle (man/bank) out of the way, and make this fluid capital directly available. Standard diligence, such as provided by the new Venture firms of the post dot com community, would apply. Rather than fret about global warming, here is significant positive action we can take. We ARE up to it!

Just a thought. So think!

.....Ron

Who are we?

Ron from Walnut Creek, CA — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:24:51 EDT

Just a thought. So think!

.....Ron

Some of the McCain-Palin responses that You need to see, understand, and effectively Counter in your talks with people to encourage them to vote for Obama-Biden

Martin Dudziak — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:11:26 EDT

I am going to simply add material here in this blog and in the Resource Website that I created, http://forteplan.com/obama so that people on the Campaign (including David Plouffe and Pete Rouse and several others) can make use of this.

Now what's so special about some of this stuff coming my way from various McCain-Palin supporters?

First of all, there is a lot of raw anger and hate in some, and I am sparing you those. All the same, I have been surprised by some, like the very nasty and vulgar, low-class response from someone not only working inside Dept. of Homeland Security but using his @dhs.gov email to broadcast negativity and partisan politics to others (in response to my polite essay).

Second, there are a lot of persons who are: professionals, educated, not the type that M-P and especially Sarah Palin try to pretend (convey, mislead, convince) are the main part of America, the main segment of the voting population. And they are saying very much the same thing, these people that have responded to my essays and letters on behalf of Obama+Biden And CHANGE. It is something you ought to know more about, in their actual words, in order that You can counter those arguments and hopefully convince some of the people who have allowed themselves to be fooled and deceived.

This constant type of response can be summed up as: We don't believe that Obama will be a good President, and we wil not believe, because we are Afraid, Afraid of someone and something that will do things that we don't understand, and maybe the right-wingers are right, and he will (create a socialist-communist, give all the power to black people, let in millions of illegal immigrants, etc., etc., etc.). Their Main Motivation to being Against Obama is Fear of the Unknown.

And you know what? That is at the root of the racism, the ethnocentricity, the xenophobia, the religious fundamentalism, the extreme-nationalism all of that which drives people to love to give up their power and rights to despots and totalitarian authority figures and regimes.

Read through parts of the book, "The Authoritarians" which is online and in http://forteplan.com/obama/documents. It is by Robert Altemeyer, a professor of psychology at the University of Manitoba in Canada. You will understand the McCain-Palin supporter much better.