Sins??: Masturbation, Birth Control; Weapon Loving, “Torture”, Capital Punishment, War; Environmental Destruction, Species Extinction

Destruction of life in (preemptive/any) war,

capital punishment,

clearing biodiverse Natural communities and replacing them with our deserts of artificial “development”,

eroding away topsoil (full of life … and life giving) and letting it--and industrial agricultural pesticide and artificial fertilizer run-off--create dead zones in the ecosphere’s estuaries,

robbing and polluting the earth’s waters to the point that we reduce aquatic, marine, terrestrial life,

living a life with a $100,000+ annual salary/200,000+ kilocaloric consumption per day/automobiles/conventional air conditioning … in a world where almost half the human population lives on < $2.50 per day www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats


have to be (mortal and venial*) sins!


“My” Catholic Church has perhaps begun to really take these very difficult problems of humanity seriously. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080418-pope-environmentalism.html

Nevertheless it does have a long way to go in what needs to be a complete revamping of this sin thing.

………………………..
*Or continued “original sinning” by humanity. [Read Brody’s The Other Side of Eden www.curledup.com/eden.htm and Quinn’s Ishmael http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmael_(novel) ]

What Happened to the Liberal Media?

Could someone please explain why doing away with the Equal Time Doctrine was a good idea?

Some Thoughts about the Election, Etc.

Obama/Biden and the Democratic Party are clearly the best choices in this November election!

[However, I wish they'd be even more progressive and energetic in efforts to develop policy and action that will move us toward: really dealing with global climate change (recognized as the major local and global concern by scientists specializing in this area, and as a major concern by most leaders and a majority of people of the world), local and global conservation of energy and the natural resource base, targeting the truly poor in the world with education and empowerment, health care, and power over resources, and changing our pro-war mindset and severely reducing this "military-industrial" complex of ours.].

Nevertheless, the misinformation, disinformation and lies spewed and fomented by Republicans and (psuedo)conservatives*/right-wingers, including the attractive (to many???) Sarah Palin with her entrenched (but very destructive) simplistic and "Fundamentalist" beliefs, are obviously compelling to many!!??!! (I do recognize that this is a political campaign--and there is misinformation/propaganda/plenty of spin on both sides. Nevertheless, McCain** has really sold his soul in hopes of winning the Presidency--and his campaign has truly been unethical in this area of lies and deceit.)

A wonderful friend, Alicia Helton, up the street had a good letter in the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise this week (see below***). And then this morning on C-Span I heard author John K. Wilson interviewed extensively about his book, Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest www.ontheissues.org/Improbable_Quest.htm.

I think Alicia's letter and Wilson's book are worth reading.

..................................................................
* Don't ever call yourself a true conservative unless you're truly for: short and long term conservation of the Land & Natural resource base, ethical use of energy, and ecological literacy.

** I used to point out in a lecture on energy and energetics, that re. ethanol, McCain was the only one of the candidates (including Gore and Bradley, and of course Bush) in the 2000 campaign who was principled in not supporting ethanol subsidization--because the science showed it didn't make sense. (Gore was wishy-washy, Bradley flip-flopped from his position as a Senator because he wanted the Iowa/Farm vote, and of course Bush "didn't have a clue."

***"First I got an email stating that Barack Obama is not really a citizen of the US and not eligible to be President – probably based on the fact that nobody can ever remember exactly when Hawaii became a state. (It was 1959, and Obama was born in 1961.)

Next somebody left a printed copy of an anonymous email clipped to my garbage can. (I’ve had an Obama sign in my yard since February.) The message accused Obama of replacing the American flag on the tail of his airplane with the Obama symbol.

Last week a man saw my Obama button and asked, “Are you going to vote for a Muslim for President?” I wish I had said, “Yes, why not? This is America where we don’t discriminate based on religion.” Instead I fell back on facts: “Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ,” and “He went to elementary school in Jakarta with Muslim kids, but it was not a Muslim school.” The man was polite but did not believe me.

Yesterday an email from the “Swiftboat” website contained a video that uses partial quotes to try to show Obama disrespecting the Bible and Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Only the fine print identifies the video’s producers as the same people who torpedoed John Kerry with lies and innuendo in 2004. They are open about using any means necessary to keep Obama from being elected.

Then last night we heard the Republican Vice Presidential candidate repeat what public records show to be outright lies about her own record and about Obama’s. Once again Republicans are campaigning with manipulation rather than persuasion and lies rather than actual differences on the issues of governing.

At www.barackobama.com/fightthesmears you can see photos of the campaign jet with both the Obama symbol and the American flag prominently displayed. You can hear and read about Obama’s positions on the issues, his faith, family, white grandparents, African cousins, and find explanations and refutations for all the ugly, personal, by-and-large bigoted stuff people are saying behind their hands.

Good people see and hear these awful rumors. So much has gone so wrong so quickly for so many that it’s hard to know what to believe. Let’s get the fear and the racist nonsense off our chests so we can turn to honest debate about how to save the planet, the country, and each other."
Sincerely,
A. R. Helton

Next Stop Armageddon

Hurricane: Next Exit
Originally uploaded by postmail

An Art League's PURPOSE

What is the purpose of an Art League? Most of them are non-profits- and are not really there to get rich. So what is an Art League created for? According to the Seguin Oakwood Art League's by-laws, it's "To create a public interest in art, to sponsor public displays and workshops, and to help artists work together for mutual advancement". Right now, this Art League's members are not together on the definition of what "mutual advancement" means. We all agree that it's for the camaraderie of people who have an interest in the same things that we do. We also agree that it's to help each other learn new and better techniques to improve our work and grow with. Some feel that if we sell our art, then that's nice and we're lucky, but that selling our work is not really the purpose of a non-profit art organization. Others, myself included, want to seriously promote the Art League to create a larger public interest in the group, increase it's membership substantially, giving us better opportunities to learn and grow from, and generate more sales for all. I don't think that the act of selling your art work is cheapening your creative vision, unless you're slapping out work that you're calling art just for something to sell. If you're creating your best with each piece you produce, then, you're staying true to your heart and you alone must always judge your own intentions. So, how can our Art League fulfill it's purpose in Seguin?
We need to:
1. get a building to use as a gallery and to have our meetings, demonstrations, and receptions, etc, where we have control over the hours that it's open making it more accessible to the public.
2. an active group where all work together. Not a few consistently doing the work for the many.
2. to promote our workshops more with the community - children's and adult art classes, etc, to bring others into the group.
3. to sponsor city wide events for the public to bring the group to the attention of all.
4. a president who will actively generate and listen to ideas for growth and then act on them with the consent and support of the group.

An Art League is suppose to inspire and enthuse people. You should be able to walk into it and FEEL the energy and excitement and let it carry you away - if only for a little while. And when you pass out of it's doors, you should feel refreshed and renewed. Let's get together and make Seguin's Art League shine! We can do this!!

Today's Quote
What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. -Yiddish proverb

In This “Apathetical, Disenfranchised, Ignorant, Busy, Chaotic, Warring” World: WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT! (We Should Accept/Take This Responsibility)

[The government (which could involve structured living systems progressing toward quality life for all life
for a long period of time) is a messy imperfect work in progress!]
........................................................
I don’t think Reagan was the worst president there ever was. (George W. Bush is, however, a major candidate for this position.)

Nevertheless, as Tom Friedman pointed out on Charlie Rose last night in the promotion of his latest book, Hot, Flat and Crowded, … President Ronald Reagan did do some long-lasting harm to the U.S. and the world community:

• 
  Reagan and his followers encouraged a lack of confidence in government.
• 
  Ronald Reagan was “anti-tax”, and he promoted the false hopes of “the invisible hand,” and voodoo and trickle-down economics, for taking care of living individuals and the biosphere.
• 
  Ronnie lacked the ethic of conservation of the Natural world.
• 
  Reagan tore down Carter’s White House solar panels, and--through the Reagan administration’s lack of leadership in the area of ecological literacy and movement toward a conserving, Green economy—Ronnie Reagan set us back many years in our quest for quality life, sustainable livelihoods, and sustainable community for all for a long duration.
• 
  Reagan and his “revolution” are responsible for serious environmental destruction, degradation and pollution

……………………………
I get aggravated at my lack of progress in convincing my local community that we should be educating toward and realizing: the reduction of, reuse of and recycling of “waste”. [We need to critically think, and realize that the haves and the powerful in this community make it difficult for the have-nots and less-powerful to do this reducing, reusing, and recycling. The workings of our current waste management system in my local community is just another example of non-recognition of, discrimination of and prejudice toward (and perhaps exploitation of) … the poor and de facto disenfranchised who live here. … But I personally truly have not been very effective in realizing significant socio-political/economic (ecological) change in my own community.]

…………………………….
As I just stated, I really haven’t been very successful in moving the local community we inhabit toward sustainable policies, practices and livelihoods. And I must know that I'm just not devoting the quality time and energy needed into this effort in order to be successful?

And now I’ve agreed to travel to Guatemala next month to discuss integrated pest management practices, and sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, and community with campesinos in the region around the Lago de Atitlán!??!

¡La vida buena! ¡Una vida tan loca! Some of us gringos really have it made!

“Bless me Father for I have sinned. It’s been many years since my last confession. … .”

Save Our Springs Finally Gets a Break

Big news in the Central Texas water wars. In December 2004 Barton Springs watchdog group Save Our Springs was slapped with a $300,000 judgment against it signed by "Judge" Bill Bender of Seguin, eventually forcing SOS to seek bankruptcy protection. But this week another Judge threw out Bender's decision finding that he was disqualified from hearing the case. Read more about it here.

Dr. William Davis' Sustainability Message This Monday Eve, Siempre Sustainable Network Meeting

Dr. William C. Davis—Director of the Renewable Energy Program, St. Philip’s College, San Antonio, TX, and brother of actor Ossie Davis--bought out folk in the community this week which our Siempre Sustainable Network might not have otherwise reached. And as long-time (English) teacher, Jolly Ellis, emphasized following the presentation--Dr. Davis reached out in a "compassionate, intelligent, and charming" manner.

I think the main messages from our interactions with the audience, and from Dr. Davis' knowledge and wisdom, ... and stories of an African-American family from the Okefenokee area--with significant indigenous blood and influences, and a diversity of religious, cultural, and scientific impacts on their lives, as well as direct impacts of wars on their well-being--were:

· we need to be persistent in our quest for knowledge (how to conserve; seeking appropriate technological systems/energy sources and use; how to make significantly positive socio-economic/political change; ...), but humble (in our actions/development of Nature)--with the recognition that we will never significantly penetrate true knowledge of Nature and the Cosmos/Universe;

· positive change toward more sustainable communities is very complex and messy to accomplish, with socio-economic/political (ecological) implications and nuances;

· conservation should be of top priority, but we must also rapidly make the transition to various renewable energy sources and storage/transformation systems (eg. hydrogen/fuel cells);

· if we want to really realize sustainable communities, we need to target women in the developing nations of the world with education and "ownership" of resources (from the audience);

· for high input systems--nuclear (fission) energy must be considered;

· we've got to wean ourselves from our high input, large ecological footprint lifestyles and quit dirtying our nest with long-lasting radioisotopes/low and high level nuclear waste, and pollution/environmental degradation from dirty/"clean" coal, etc. (from the audience);

· human population management to sustainable levels (1 to 2 billion???) is necessary for a sustainable world;

· war leaves lasting psychological and sociological wounds that sometimes never completely heal, particularly for soldiers involved in combat.

[Dr. Davis did have some wonderfully wise and profound one-liners that I wish I would have captured in writing and remembered, but didn't. ... Sorry.]

DRILL BABY! DRILL! ... USA! USA!

My wonderful friend Marvel Maddox of Seguin, Texas sent this to the San Antonio Express-News yesterday:

“Drill Baby, Drill ... the mantra coming out of the Republican Convention is short sighted, gluttonous, selfish, and counterproductive.
Short sighted: it will only speed up the day we will reach Peak Oil and then there will never be a decrease in a barrel of crude ever.
Gluttonous: as President Bush proclaimed: we are addicted to oil.
Selfish: billions more barrels for us today equals zero barrels for our great, great grandchildren in sixty/eighty years.
Counterproductive: due to continuing global climate change and the trillions of dollars we will be spending dealing with those consequences.
Conserve Patriot, Conserve ... would have been a far superior (and accurate) rally cry by the straight talk express spokesperson Senator John McCain at the Republican Convention. Drilling now will not reduce the price of gasoline this month, this year, or next year; nor will it reduce our dependence on countries that hate us.
However, having a concerted national movement to conserve could reduce our level of dependency and the price of gasoline by this Christmas. Too bad we don’t have national leadership calling for this true act of patriotism out of the Republican Convention.
0% Conservation--100% Drill Baby Drill: Is this what we really need in the fevered world today?”
..................................................................
I think many of us in the U.S. in various parties are short-sighted, gluttonous, selfish and counterproductive. And I do think the Green Party has by far the best platform and plans for policies and actions for the short and long term—for moving toward sustainable livelihoods and community.

Nevertheless, it is also quite clear that the Democratic Party and Obama-Biden is a far better choice than the party of “drill baby, drill” and “U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! … "

Book banning alive and well in United States

This press release tells it all ... I wasn't surprised that Miss Congeniality (aka Sarah Palin) is a book burner ... er ... banner.

CHICAGO – Are books like "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," or the Harry

Potter series available at your public or school library? According to the

American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF),

due to book challenges, more than a book a day faces removal from public

access in school and public libraries. Challenges are defined as formal, written

complaints filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed

because of content or appropriateness.

In many cases, it is only through public intervention that books are saved

from confiscation or from being kept under lock and key. This Sept. 27 – Oct.

4, 2008, Americans will celebrate their freedom to read by reading a banned

book during Banned Books Week. This year will mark the 27th annual

celebration of the freedom to read, as thousands of libraries and bookstores

nationwide host exhibits, readings and special events.

For example in Chicago, on September 27, several best-selling authors will

perform readings from banned or challenged books. Participating authors

include Judy Blume, "Forever"; Stephen Chbosky, "The Perks of being a

Wallflower"; Ron Koertge, "The Brimstone Journals"; Newbery Medal winner

and author of "The Giver," Lois Lowry; Lauren Myracle, "TTYL"; Phyllis

Reynolds Naylor, Alice series; and Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, authors

of "And Tango Makes Three," the most challenged book of 2007.

Each year, the OIF receives hundreds of reports on books and other materials

that were "challenged" by people who asked that they be removed from

school or library shelves. There were 420 known attempts to remove books in

2007, and more than 9, 600 attempts since the ALA's OIF began to

electronically compile and publish information on book challenges in 1990.

Unfortunately, it is believed that for every challenge or banning reported to

OIF, there are four to five incidents not reported.

"Banned Books Week is an opportunity for the ALA to educate librarians and

the general public about the importance of intellectual freedom," said (ALA)

President Jim Rettig. "Individuals must have the freedom to choose what

materials are suitable for themselves and their families."

Most book challenges reported to OIF have been reported from schools (71

percent) and public libraries (24 percent). Parents lodged sixty-one percent

of the book challenges, followed by library patrons at 15 percent and

administrators at 9 percent.

"We must remain vigilant to assure that would-be censors do not threaten

the very basis of our democracy – the freedom to choose," said Judith F.

Krug, director, OIF. "Since our society is so diverse, libraries and bookstores

have a responsibility to provide materials that reflect the interests of all of

their patrons."

The "10 Most Challenged Books of 2007" reflect a range of themes, and

consist of the following titles:

·"And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell

Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious

Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

·"The Chocolate War," by Robert Cormier

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

·"Olive's Ocean," by Kevin Henkes

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language

·"The Golden Compass," by Philip Pullman

Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

·"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain

Reasons: Racism

·"The Color Purple," by Alice Walker

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

·"TTYL," by Lauren Myracle

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

·"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," by Maya Angelou

Reasons: Sexually Explicit

·"It's Perfectly Normal," by Robie Harris

Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

·"The Perks of Being A Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to

Age Group

Off the list this year are two books by author Toni Morrison "The Bluest Eye"

and "Beloved," both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association,

the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the ALA, the

Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and

Authors, and the National Association of College Stores, and is endorsed by

the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

Oink!

What Drought Looks Like

This is the Sabinal River this past July. Last year I swam near this same spot and the water was over my head. The river reached both banks you see here on your right and left. This year the river is gone.

I walked about a mile along the dry bed looking for the Sabinal. All that was left were a few shallow pools here and there with some sad fish trying to eke out survival. I wonder if they made it.

Banned books, it's what's for dinner

From Time:

"She [Sarah Palin] asked the library how she could go about banning books," he [former Wasilla, Alaska Mayor John Stein] says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. "The librarian was aghast." That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn't be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor.

What Goes Around Comes Around...

"Our concern is that Hollis French turns into Ken Starr and uses public money to pursue a political vendetta rather than truly pursue an honest inquiry into an alleged ethics issue..."

Who exactly is Hollis French and why does he hate America?

Seguin Oakwood Art League's "Fantasy Feather" show

There's still a little time left to check out the Seguin Oakwood Art League's "Fantasy Feather" show going on now until Sept 26th at the Silver Center at 510 E. Court St., Seguin. It's open Monday through Friday from 10:am to 3:pm.

This photo is of one of the 40 or so paintings entered in this year's theme show titled "Feather". This painting (mine) is the Best of Show winner for this year's competition. Come check out our local art show before it's gone!

The Seguin Oakwood Art League is currently looking for a permanete home, but in the meantime, they meet the 3rd Saturday of each month at the Silver Center, in the Ezel room. Business meetings start at 10:am and the demonstrations begin around 11:am. The meetings and demonstrations are free to the public. If you're interested in joining this wonderful group, it's only $17. for the year, for an individual. Support your local arts! Swing by and delight your eyes!!!

Pie Bald fawn

You know, I've seen lots of Pie Balds before, but didn't know that they had a special name for them and I've never seen a Pie Bald fawn like this one before. Isn't it beautiful? His name is Pie Baby and he belongs to my vet - who let me take this picture.

I'm going to do a painting of him after I finish up the 4 paintings that I have in progress right now. This little guy came right up to my son and I and stuck his nose in our faces to "sniff us out", then he let us pet him while he tried to eat my shirt. Isn't he cute?

Conversation with Dr. William Davis, Director of the Renewal Energy Program, St.Philip's College (9/8/08, 607 Jefferson Ave., Seguin)

Below are some questions I plan to use in my conversation with Dr. William Davis on Monday eve, September 8th at the Sample Society Building, 607 Jefferson Avenue, Seguin:

1. Dr. Davis, you’re Director of Renewable Energy at St. Philip’s College. What is “renewable” energy? I thought that the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics indicate that energy cannot be created or destroyed—and that it can’t be truly recycled/”renewed”?

2. Since the advent of agriculture, and certainly after the industrial revolution--and especially during this chemical/electrical/information/biotechnological age--we’ve been using renewable energy in non-renewable ways, and/or using lots of stored non-renewable energy. How do we begin to truly employ renewable energy, in a renewable fashion, at St. Philip’s College?

3. How do we transform communities in Texas, addicted to non-renewable coal and oil and natural gas, to being run on renewable energy? … And doesn’t it take lots of non-renewable energy to build photovoltaic systems and wind turbines, and produce significant amounts of biofuels, including from algae, etc., etc.? Can we really get enough net energy out of renewable energy sources to run our high-input systems?

4. Let’s talk some about how you got into science, and chemistry, and working with sources of energy. What were some of the major events and people that influenced you in your formative years in south Georgia and in your interactions with the Tuskegee Institute?

5. Your father was a friend of George Washington Carver. Please tell us a bit about Carver. What did he develop that could be considered appropriate for use in sustainable communities of the near and far future—across the globe?

6. Doc Davis, you’ve told me some interesting stories about two other giants of scientists/technologists, Thomas Edison & Nikola Tesla, who had a lot to do with the transformed energy—electricity--that we use so much of today. Inform us through some stories about these two folk.

7. Now, … at the University of Idaho in Moscow, you got to know Garrett Hardin. Tell us about this man and his classic paper, The Tragedy of the Commons.

8. I know Paul Newman is your friend. Can you tell some background about how he got involved in “Natural” and “Organics”—and developed a “sustainability mindset”?

9. Talk to us a bit about fuel cells, and why you think hydrogen has a significant role in a sustainable economy. … From where will we get significant and sustainable amounts of hydrogen?

10. Three more questions, if I may, Dr.Davis? … I’ve heard you say we’re going to have to depend more and more on nuclear-fission energy in the future. Could you talk to us about that for a couple of minutes? (And of course you are well aware that my position is that we must reduce our ecological footprint--which would necitate less energy release and transformations by humans, would it not?)

11. Doc, you served in Korea during the Korean War. Would you mind saying a few words about “War and Peace”?

12. Finally, could you say a few words about the wonderful book you’re working on that your brother Ossie had been developing? How might it contribute to “conservation and the development of sustainable community”?

Zero Waste? Reducing!!! Reusing!! Recycling!

This evening I started thinking about tomorrow's list of things to do--and it involved leaves and lawn clippings, dead tomato plants, kitchen scraps, recyclable plastics, paper and glass. (Exciting, huh??) I began dreaming and wishing we had curbside recycling in this community and that more folk in Seguin composted rather than bagged leaves and lawn clippings, etc.

[Of course "dreaming and wishing" doesn't get it done. I recently heard Dede Armentrout's axiom quoted by Susan Hughes: "If you want to make decisions and have good things happen, become a decision-maker!" (paraphrased I'm sure)]

Anyway, I started "googling around" for Boulder County, Colorado's "Zero Waste" by 2017 program ( www.getboulder.com/visitors/articles-f06/zerowaste.html ) and found this web site, www.ecocycle.org/ , proposing that "zero waste is the fastest and most effective first step toward reducing climate change." ... About a year ago, I gave a presentation out at TLU titled Toward Reducing and Abolishing Spoiled Habitat: "Zero Trash" and a Clean Sustainable Seguin in which I wished for a Zero Waste program in the locale, and proposed strategies and tactics to make it happen.

Roland James et al. have been doing more than wishing and proposing! They've been beginning to meet with city officials and plea for a rigorous effort (they've proposed plans for education through a multitude of avenues, and with "carrots and sticks") in Seguin toward "Reducing, Reusing, & Recycling." If we'd get off our butts and really get serious about such a campaign, we could also positively effect climate change!??!

And the Living is Easy

I will never dive into Jacob's Well like this fellow did no matter how many times I see others do it without killing themselves. The water is so clear it never looks deep enough. And the blue hole at the center seems to leave little margin for error.

Jacob's Well is the entrance to a long watery cave. Some people actually scuba dive into it. Not me of course. That's clearly crazy dangerous. But folks dive it anyway. And some don't make it back.

Input for Workshop on the Future of Seguin, ... or Any Community

"Our 'community'" is having a workshop this week to provide input into the development of a Master Plan for the future. I hope we begin to truly consider the following:

1. We need to more thoroughly know what we were and what we are in terms of biocapacity* and sustainability.

Therefore, we need succinct, but meaty/quality reports on past and current state of Seguin and environs (Ecological economic analysis re. sustainability indicators; material flow/energy flux--input/throughput/output; ecological/carbon footprint; ...).

*Biocapacity refers to the capacity of a given biologically productive area to generate an on-going supply of renewable resources and to absorb its spillover wastes. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-AU-06-001/EN/KS-AU-06-001-EN.PDF

2. We should develop good visions of projected landscape, quality life**/sustainable livelihoods***, ecological/carbon footprint under various steady state/development scenarios.

**www.gdrc.org/uem/qol-define.html
***www.ifad.org/sla/

3. We need plans to reduce total & per capita: ecological and carbon footprints, water useage, and waste/trash and pollution.

4. Proposed efforts in the Master Plan should increase: quantity and quality of Natural Green space, community gardens & sustainable agriculture, Green & LEED certified built structures, and bike/walking pathways, "Yellow" bike projects****, and support for intra & inter-city mass transport systems.

****http://c2.com/ybp/story.html

5. We need short and long-term concerted efforts toward small, neighborhood schools which facilitate holistic health and ecological literacy (for young and old, i.e. including participatory, hands-on continuing education).