Thursday, September 18, 2008
But the elected officials say they work right
"El Paso County is on the Watch List due to many recent indictments of El Paso public officials on corruption charges and for obstruction of Black Box Voting freedom of information requests. El Paso County uses the GEMS system, which also puts counties on the Watch List. Waller County was added to the Watch List on Aug. 31 for vote suppression attempts. Collin, Guadalupe, Jackson, Lee, Sherman and Wilson counties are on the Watch List because they will be using the Diebold/Premier GEMS system in November. This central tabulation system is the subject of a product advisory. It has been discovered dropping votes, a defect which will not be fixed by the 2008 general election. The remaining 49 counties are on the Watch List because they have been coerced into dependence on a private vendor for all phases of their election administration -- undermining the entire structure of the county election system. Several of these counties have experienced miscounted elections due to unqualified technicians provided by the vendor. Several counties show symptoms of tampering -- such as mismatched results inside the machine; failure to produce "zero" reports (symptom of vote-stuffing); and vote-flipping (votes marked for one candidate migrate to another candidate)."
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
“Zeroing” Trash … and Connections to Injustice, Discrimination, Disfranchisement, … ?
Through a collaborative city government-business effort, a few recycling containers have been placed at Wal-Mart* (one day a week from 8-noon), and near the rodeo grounds (6 days a week from 8-5, or noon) in our community of Seguin. And as a result of this limited initiative--triggered by public pressure from students and other citizens of Seguin--there may be reduced trash, more reusing of discarded material, and an increase in recycling??
However, I’m not so sure! I’m not certain because there’s been no comprehensive/intensive baseline study of trash flow prior to our limited community effort, and of what the flow is now.
In my own case, a “recyclable-trash to a recycling-conduit” has not changed, i.e., recyclables from our household and farm, etc. continue to head to a recycling system, as it did before our small public effort here in Seguin. However, I am probably expending more fossil energy now than I did before our current options.
Before the Wal-Mart*/Rodeo Grounds options, I loaded up our paper other than newspaper (We do have numerous bins in Seguin for recycling newspaper--and of course various sites which purchase aluminum.), plastics and metal containers, etc. in my pickup prior to scheduled/weekly trips to Medina County or Hays County to assist my daughter, mother or mother-in-law with various weekly projects. I would then place our recyclables in my mother’s or daughter’s recycling-containers and -sites … since Devine and San Marcos have recycling efforts and educational campaigns which are truly functioning, dynamic, and developing.
…………………….
With just a bit of creative and progressive socio-political/economic thinking, we in Seguin could have a robust, low-cost educational and “Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle”-system that would rival Devine, San Marcos, San Antonio, Austin or even Boulder County, Colorado www.govpro.com/News/Article/75549/ www.gazette.net/stories/061208/frednew175811_32364.shtml www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/other_waste_orgs.php .
(My friend Roland James has suggested several creative and innovative low-cost approaches to reducing, reusing and recycling waste in Seguin in emails and letters to public officials and news media, etc..)
Moreover, with some critical and creative community-thinking, those who are less fortunate than I**—who really have to struggle to make ends meet and have no real time to recycle under the current system, or even vehicles to carry recyclables to the “center” and east side of our city —could be afforded a curbside recycling service at no additional cost (or even a reduced rate) relative to what they are now paying! (Chew on this a bit—and see if you think this might relate to my title of this piece??)
In addition, we could build on a relatively conventional curbside recycling program and take it to another level which could help to remove the socio-economic burden off of the really poor in Seguin—and other parts of the world (We must help some of the truly poor out of forced existence in a squalor of trash, which includes toxic computer/information technology-age parts!) —and provide them with: increased quality educational opportunities (including about reducing trash flow, protection of the natural resource base, and ethical use of energy, and connections of these areas with preventative/comprehensive health care), empowerment , and needed resources.
Every community needs to do critical and creative collective-thinking and work hard toward zero waste/trash!
Our Seguin community particularly needs this!!***
It would carry us a long way toward reducing consumption of the precious natural resource base and reducing our ecological footprint!
And even more important is the fact that--if the socio-political/economic system dealing with trash flow were approached in sustainably**** holistic, ecologically-sound way--it could reduce exploitation of the poor, and disenfranchised and relatively powerless, and help us get on a stable route away from injustice, discrimination, prejudice, and intolerance!!
____________________________
*Wal-Mart supports the “Bush Doctrine” of preemptive consumption (and supports Bush's Republican Party www.brandcurve.com/wal-mart-encourages-employees-to-vote-republican/ www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_584448.html ), and is not de facto a real promoter of “Reduce/Reuse/Recycle”.
**And not as “blessed” with reliable transport/resources/time/power as others who recycle under the current system in Seguin.
***In a Power-Point presentation at TLU in 2007, I suggested this effort might be termed Toward Reducing and Abolishing a Spoiled Habitat (Zero Trash-- and a Clean Sustainable Seguin).
****Sustainable communities are “ecologically sound, socially just and humane”! Terry Gips, 1986 www.pdap.net/files/Proposed%20Philippine%20Organic%20Aagriculture%20Roadmap.pdf
However, I’m not so sure! I’m not certain because there’s been no comprehensive/intensive baseline study of trash flow prior to our limited community effort, and of what the flow is now.
In my own case, a “recyclable-trash to a recycling-conduit” has not changed, i.e., recyclables from our household and farm, etc. continue to head to a recycling system, as it did before our small public effort here in Seguin. However, I am probably expending more fossil energy now than I did before our current options.
Before the Wal-Mart*/Rodeo Grounds options, I loaded up our paper other than newspaper (We do have numerous bins in Seguin for recycling newspaper--and of course various sites which purchase aluminum.), plastics and metal containers, etc. in my pickup prior to scheduled/weekly trips to Medina County or Hays County to assist my daughter, mother or mother-in-law with various weekly projects. I would then place our recyclables in my mother’s or daughter’s recycling-containers and -sites … since Devine and San Marcos have recycling efforts and educational campaigns which are truly functioning, dynamic, and developing.
…………………….
With just a bit of creative and progressive socio-political/economic thinking, we in Seguin could have a robust, low-cost educational and “Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle”-system that would rival Devine, San Marcos, San Antonio, Austin or even Boulder County, Colorado www.govpro.com/News/Article/75549/ www.gazette.net/stories/061208/frednew175811_32364.shtml www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/other_waste_orgs.php .
(My friend Roland James has suggested several creative and innovative low-cost approaches to reducing, reusing and recycling waste in Seguin in emails and letters to public officials and news media, etc..)
Moreover, with some critical and creative community-thinking, those who are less fortunate than I**—who really have to struggle to make ends meet and have no real time to recycle under the current system, or even vehicles to carry recyclables to the “center” and east side of our city —could be afforded a curbside recycling service at no additional cost (or even a reduced rate) relative to what they are now paying! (Chew on this a bit—and see if you think this might relate to my title of this piece??)
In addition, we could build on a relatively conventional curbside recycling program and take it to another level which could help to remove the socio-economic burden off of the really poor in Seguin—and other parts of the world (We must help some of the truly poor out of forced existence in a squalor of trash, which includes toxic computer/information technology-age parts!) —and provide them with: increased quality educational opportunities (including about reducing trash flow, protection of the natural resource base, and ethical use of energy, and connections of these areas with preventative/comprehensive health care), empowerment , and needed resources.
Every community needs to do critical and creative collective-thinking and work hard toward zero waste/trash!
Our Seguin community particularly needs this!!***
It would carry us a long way toward reducing consumption of the precious natural resource base and reducing our ecological footprint!
And even more important is the fact that--if the socio-political/economic system dealing with trash flow were approached in sustainably**** holistic, ecologically-sound way--it could reduce exploitation of the poor, and disenfranchised and relatively powerless, and help us get on a stable route away from injustice, discrimination, prejudice, and intolerance!!
____________________________
*Wal-Mart supports the “Bush Doctrine” of preemptive consumption (and supports Bush's Republican Party www.brandcurve.com/wal-mart-encourages-employees-to-vote-republican/ www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_584448.html ), and is not de facto a real promoter of “Reduce/Reuse/Recycle”.
**And not as “blessed” with reliable transport/resources/time/power as others who recycle under the current system in Seguin.
***In a Power-Point presentation at TLU in 2007, I suggested this effort might be termed Toward Reducing and Abolishing a Spoiled Habitat (Zero Trash-- and a Clean Sustainable Seguin).
****Sustainable communities are “ecologically sound, socially just and humane”! Terry Gips, 1986 www.pdap.net/files/Proposed%20Philippine%20Organic%20Aagriculture%20Roadmap.pdf
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
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
[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
Friday, September 12, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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.]
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.! … "
“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.! … "
Sunday, September 07, 2008
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.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
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.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
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?
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?
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
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”?
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)]
[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!??!
Monday, September 01, 2008
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).
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).
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Texas Central Oil Patch Museum
Hey there, all you art lovers, collectors, and people looking for something to do! The Central Texas Oil Patch Museum's 5th annual Art show is almost here! This year's theme, "Reflections of Texas", will be on exhibit from September 7th through the 16th and is supposed to be pretty good. I heard they had over 300 people attending the reception and they expect to have an even bigger crowd this year. The reception will be on Sunday the 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Two local businesses are donating delicious foods and drinks and their entertainment will be a pianist. The deadline for entering this show was long past when I first heard of this competition, but, they had an entrant back out this week and I was able to take her place. This will be my first time out there. Come on out and join in the fun! See you there!!
BBC Quixote and I disembarking Walnut Branch
The fishermen who came here at the turn of the 20th Century called this locale Sand Point. Its previous inhabitants, I've been told were members of the fierce and reportedly cannibalistic Karankawa tribe.
The area later was known as Star, The Pass, Mustang Island, and Tarpon. According to the Port A South Jetty newspaper, it was finally named Port Aransas by the U.S. Postal Service.
I've been coming down here for years, with my grandparents, later with friends, and more lately with my family. I hitchhiked down here and slept in a tent on the beach for about a week in the early 1970s while I looked for a job on a shrimp boat in a nearby harbor.
I lied about having shrimping experience, and the Norwegian boat captain - Bronko Viducik - threatened to throw me overboard when he found out I had never popped a head off a shrimp to feel its heartbeat.
No matter, I was seasick for three days on that wooden hull boat. It bobbed around in rough seas like a cork.
So I limped back home, and two weeks later, the friend who had convinced me to go down there showed up with a pocket full of cash.
"Get on a steel hull, they don't rock as much," he explained.
So down there I went again, and landed a job as a shrimp header on a 70-ft steel hull shrimp boat, the "Nancy."
The boat was still there last time I checked on it, 30-odd years later.
And now, it looks like I will be "still there" the last time you checked - futuristically speaking.
Come down to Port Aransas, New Philippines (you know where), and you'll find me in my own office just off the ferry, at the Port A South Jetty newspaper, where the dress code is casual Friday every day, and I'll be learning the concepts and consequences of "island time."
Surf's up and the fish are biting. Have a nice day.
The area later was known as Star, The Pass, Mustang Island, and Tarpon. According to the Port A South Jetty newspaper, it was finally named Port Aransas by the U.S. Postal Service.
I've been coming down here for years, with my grandparents, later with friends, and more lately with my family. I hitchhiked down here and slept in a tent on the beach for about a week in the early 1970s while I looked for a job on a shrimp boat in a nearby harbor.
I lied about having shrimping experience, and the Norwegian boat captain - Bronko Viducik - threatened to throw me overboard when he found out I had never popped a head off a shrimp to feel its heartbeat.
No matter, I was seasick for three days on that wooden hull boat. It bobbed around in rough seas like a cork.
So I limped back home, and two weeks later, the friend who had convinced me to go down there showed up with a pocket full of cash.
"Get on a steel hull, they don't rock as much," he explained.
So down there I went again, and landed a job as a shrimp header on a 70-ft steel hull shrimp boat, the "Nancy."
The boat was still there last time I checked on it, 30-odd years later.
And now, it looks like I will be "still there" the last time you checked - futuristically speaking.
Come down to Port Aransas, New Philippines (you know where), and you'll find me in my own office just off the ferry, at the Port A South Jetty newspaper, where the dress code is casual Friday every day, and I'll be learning the concepts and consequences of "island time."
Surf's up and the fish are biting. Have a nice day.
Feral Hog Roast, everyone invited to pig out
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance cordially invites you to our 3rd Annual Feral Hog Roast featuring San Antonio's finest celebrity chefs competing to serve up the tastiest free-range pork dishes along with swimming, shopping, drinking, dining and dancing!
For your dining pleasure – free range pork dishes from:
Ácenar, by Chef James Sanchez
Azúca, by Chef Rene Fernandez
The Barn Door, by Chef Steve Straus
Biga on the Banks, by Chef Bruce Auden
Las Canarias, by Chef John Brand
The Lodge, by Chef Jason Dady
Bin 555, by Chef Jason Dady
Tre Trattoria, by Chef Jason Dady
Rio Cibolo Ranch, by Craig Christopher
Sho Nakpodia cooking African style
vegetarian dishes, scrumptious deserts, and all the trimmings by Page Barteau Catering and Chef David Treviño
Fabulous selection of reds and whites /Alamo Golden Ale provided Alamo Beer / keg beer provided by La Tuna
Silent Auction offering a fantastic array of goods and services from GEAA's friends and supporters throughout the Hill Country!
Preview at www.aquiferalliance.org
Live music provided by:
Award-Winning Jazz Singer/Songwriter Bett Butler, Victoria's own Jerry James, and Caravan featuring Sharon Garcia
When: Saturday, September 20th from 5-11 p.m.
Where: Red Berry Mansion, 856 Gembler Road, San Antonio, Texas
Dress: Casual – bring your bathing suits
Tickets are $100/adult, $80/GEAA members, $30/children
All proceeds benefit the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and our 43 member organizations – allied to protect the Edwards Aquifer, its streams & rivers, wildlife, and the Texas Hill Country. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information and to purchase tickets,
visit us at www.aquiferalliance.org, or contact Rachel Dealy at rachel@aquiferalliance.org/ (210) 320-1457/(210) 835-7309
Host Committee: Anne Alexander, Appraiser; Tommy Calvert, Jr.; Ed Conroy; Bebe Fenstermaker; Mary Fenstermaker; Steve and Marty Hixon; State Representative David McQuade Leibowitz; Jo Long; Myfe Moore, Sho Nakpodia; Carl Ponebshek; Thom Robey; San Antonio Conservation Society; Senator Carlos Uresti; Senator Leticia Van de Putte; State Representative Mike Villareal;
Liz Ward and Rob Ziebell
Thanks to our sponsors S/M Hixon Foundation, Thom Robey Architects, Fugro Consultants, The Mighty Group, and Southwest Airlines
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Does Woodlandpixie live in woods? Yes!
This image is the one described in Woodlandpixie's first blog entry.
Since this blog has been parked for about a year, I have had to go over the procedures for posting photos and adding links.
Since I couldn't sleep last night I figured out how to get my logo, BBC Quixote, into the header of this blog, and now it is there for all the world to see.
Some people who are blogging here have put their photos up for scrutiny, others have just begun writing.
If bloggers here want to reveal the real whereabouts (Winston, yours truly, lives in the New Philippines) of their domicile, ie their home town, they're welcome.
Others choose to remain more of a mystery.
I like the fact that Woodlandpixie wrote about her family, and her life in the woods, without revealing where she is ... it lends an air of mystery.
Of course, if you want to find out who she is, just click on the headline above.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Renewable Energy? Hydrogen and Fuel Cells?? Nuclear Energy????
My former department chair, friend, and mentor, Dr. William C. Davis, and I do not agree on various aspects of "sustainability". Nevertheless, for some time he and I have agreed on the limitations of biofuels--and on the severe detrimental impact (on humans and Natural ecosystems) widespread use of these fuels (for other than in Natural trophic webs) would have. (My position is based on the research of David Pimentel of Cornell and H.T. Odum of the University of Florida--beginning back in the 1970s.)
...........................................
Dr. William Davis, Director of Renewable Energy, St. Philip's College, has agreed to speak (a conversation with me, ... and the audience) at our next Siempre Sustainable Network meeting (607 Jefferson-Seguin) the evening (6 pm) of September 8th. (Siempre hopes to help people in this region of south central Texas reduce their individual and collective ecological footprints--in the near and more distant future, ... and in a way that is socially just, ecologically sound and humane!)
Dr. Davis has taught chemistry, and was Natural Sciences Department Chair for many years at St. Philip's College, served and was severely wounded in the Korean War, and has received many awards for accomplishments in teaching, research, and community activism.
Because of his Georgia roots, connections with Tuskegee University, his work in the Northwest, and his brother Ossie--Dr. Davis has met, worked with and/or befriended the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr., Garrett Hardin (Tragedy of the Commons), Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Ernest Hemingway, and Paul Newman. Dr. Davis has a rich and very interesting history with south Georgian African-American/ Cherokee/ ... roots, and with Baptist and Lutheran religious influences.
Moreover, he may bring along his colleague, Placido Isaac, who was one of Sam Flores' students at Harlandale High School and was active in the Brown Berets.
There are few who have a better appreciation of the tenets of sustainability than Dr. Davis.
...........................................
Dr. William Davis, Director of Renewable Energy, St. Philip's College, has agreed to speak (a conversation with me, ... and the audience) at our next Siempre Sustainable Network meeting (607 Jefferson-Seguin) the evening (6 pm) of September 8th. (Siempre hopes to help people in this region of south central Texas reduce their individual and collective ecological footprints--in the near and more distant future, ... and in a way that is socially just, ecologically sound and humane!)
Dr. Davis has taught chemistry, and was Natural Sciences Department Chair for many years at St. Philip's College, served and was severely wounded in the Korean War, and has received many awards for accomplishments in teaching, research, and community activism.
Because of his Georgia roots, connections with Tuskegee University, his work in the Northwest, and his brother Ossie--Dr. Davis has met, worked with and/or befriended the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr., Garrett Hardin (Tragedy of the Commons), Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Ernest Hemingway, and Paul Newman. Dr. Davis has a rich and very interesting history with south Georgian African-American/ Cherokee/ ... roots, and with Baptist and Lutheran religious influences.
Moreover, he may bring along his colleague, Placido Isaac, who was one of Sam Flores' students at Harlandale High School and was active in the Brown Berets.
There are few who have a better appreciation of the tenets of sustainability than Dr. Davis.
Summer's end
Hello! Thanks for inviting me to join this blog. I've been enjoying reading what's been posted here and getting an idea on what each one is about and hope this will be fun for all of us.
Well, here we are at the end of Summer already! Officially we still have a little time left, but as far as I'm concerned, when school starts Summer is over.
My son and grandkids have consistently desecrated my sacred work space these past 3 months by running through it, interrupting my work with shrieks of laughter, arguments over who has who's stuff, who won't give someone else their stuff, noises from the video games in the next room or complaints because the game time was over with, and declarations of hunger, thirst, or boredom, etc. Then there were the continuous questions - "is it time for the swim lessons yet?", "can we just go swimming?"," biking, or walking with the dog?", and, "will you play with us"? Five days a week, all Summer long, I had them write in their journals, practice on the guitar or piano, and read a book and we all have a bunch of great shared memories to look back on now. But, all that came to a screeching halt by Monday morning. The grandkids are back with their parents and all the kids are back in school. My sacred work space is mine once again and the peaceful quietness has been deafening all week long. Yes! I miss the kids and everything that goes with them! Thank God for my second shadow - my dog- and the radio!
On the up side, I can totally focus on my work again. I'm an artist. I paint paintings and love it! In this world of political chaos and ecological destruction I feel the need to paint things that will stir positive emotions in people. I'm a strong believer in karma as well and feel that the way we treat others and the things we do will all come back to us sooner or later. In other words, think kind thoughts of your brother, even if he is an extreme rightist and positive energy will be what returns to you. I enjoy painting scenes of the West, although some of my works are just slices of life to enjoy "as is". I'd like to think that they also bring some kind of joy to the heavy heart, a bit of peace to the world weary, and a little hope to those who have lost their reason for being. Yeah. Sounds really sappy, but, that's me. Right now, the painting that's bringing joy to my heart is one that was inspired by my son and one of our dogs called, "Roping Practice". Sorry, can't get the picture to post yet. I'm new to blogging.
We moved to Texas about 14 years ago and were introduced to the world of snakes here - which is a little phobia of mine. I went right out and bought cowboy boots for the entire family and insisted that the kids wear them every time they went outside. Before long, my (then very young) son was wearing his shorts with his little cowboy boots and hat. My husband teased him about it, but I thought he was the cutest little cowboy I'd ever seen! I did have a bit of a hang up about him going out in public in shorts and boots but that ended after people started coming up to me telling me stories of how their kids used to do the same thing and then they'd walk away with sweet, nostalgic smiles on their faces. Is that a Texas thing- the boots and shorts? I think it's adorable when kids do it.
Shortly after we moved to Texas came the addition of dogs to our family. Someone dumped them off near our place in the country - obviously intended as a gift to us- which we gratefully accepted. Both of the dogs were really terrific. One completely attached himself to our son (and later our grandson) and they were best of buddies. Several years rolled by and one day I glanced out the back window to check up on things, I saw our son standing on top of the dog house, wearing his shorts, cowboy boots, and hat, trying to rope the dog and, both my son AND our normally brilliant dog, looked like they were having the best of times. I was afraid for our dog's life and confiscated the rope, but, my son proved to be some kind of master magician pulling all kinds of rope out of thin air too many times to count, so I sat down and showed him how to tie the rope so the dog wouldn't be strangled and let him do it only when he asked me first. Who was I to try and thwart the next Lone Ranger? I stood at that window many hours watching him and our dogs playing together. One day long after that phase had passed, I came across the favorite rope that our son had used and all those memories flooded back - so I painted it. The boy in the painting is not my son, although they have the same sandy colored hair, and the landscape I made up, but that awesome dog was ours. That dog also inspired the painting, "Man's best Friend". If you'd like to see some of my work feel free to check it out at: http://www.TerrieLeytonGallery.com.
I grew up watching and helping my artist Mom and loved the creative process. At age 18 I left home and didn't paint again until ... well, 10 years ago when I came across a television show one Saturday morning with Jerry Yarnell doing an entire painting in 1 or 2 shows. I bought some paints and brushes and started painting along with him to see if I could do it and the rest is history. One thing led to another and here I am- joining all of you on this blog - in my childless work space, with my ever faithful 2nd shadow beside me (the son of the dog in the paintings). Maybe we'll pay a visit to the grandkids this weekend! Here's to blogging with you!
Well, here we are at the end of Summer already! Officially we still have a little time left, but as far as I'm concerned, when school starts Summer is over.
My son and grandkids have consistently desecrated my sacred work space these past 3 months by running through it, interrupting my work with shrieks of laughter, arguments over who has who's stuff, who won't give someone else their stuff, noises from the video games in the next room or complaints because the game time was over with, and declarations of hunger, thirst, or boredom, etc. Then there were the continuous questions - "is it time for the swim lessons yet?", "can we just go swimming?"," biking, or walking with the dog?", and, "will you play with us"? Five days a week, all Summer long, I had them write in their journals, practice on the guitar or piano, and read a book and we all have a bunch of great shared memories to look back on now. But, all that came to a screeching halt by Monday morning. The grandkids are back with their parents and all the kids are back in school. My sacred work space is mine once again and the peaceful quietness has been deafening all week long. Yes! I miss the kids and everything that goes with them! Thank God for my second shadow - my dog- and the radio!
On the up side, I can totally focus on my work again. I'm an artist. I paint paintings and love it! In this world of political chaos and ecological destruction I feel the need to paint things that will stir positive emotions in people. I'm a strong believer in karma as well and feel that the way we treat others and the things we do will all come back to us sooner or later. In other words, think kind thoughts of your brother, even if he is an extreme rightist and positive energy will be what returns to you. I enjoy painting scenes of the West, although some of my works are just slices of life to enjoy "as is". I'd like to think that they also bring some kind of joy to the heavy heart, a bit of peace to the world weary, and a little hope to those who have lost their reason for being. Yeah. Sounds really sappy, but, that's me. Right now, the painting that's bringing joy to my heart is one that was inspired by my son and one of our dogs called, "Roping Practice". Sorry, can't get the picture to post yet. I'm new to blogging.
We moved to Texas about 14 years ago and were introduced to the world of snakes here - which is a little phobia of mine. I went right out and bought cowboy boots for the entire family and insisted that the kids wear them every time they went outside. Before long, my (then very young) son was wearing his shorts with his little cowboy boots and hat. My husband teased him about it, but I thought he was the cutest little cowboy I'd ever seen! I did have a bit of a hang up about him going out in public in shorts and boots but that ended after people started coming up to me telling me stories of how their kids used to do the same thing and then they'd walk away with sweet, nostalgic smiles on their faces. Is that a Texas thing- the boots and shorts? I think it's adorable when kids do it.
Shortly after we moved to Texas came the addition of dogs to our family. Someone dumped them off near our place in the country - obviously intended as a gift to us- which we gratefully accepted. Both of the dogs were really terrific. One completely attached himself to our son (and later our grandson) and they were best of buddies. Several years rolled by and one day I glanced out the back window to check up on things, I saw our son standing on top of the dog house, wearing his shorts, cowboy boots, and hat, trying to rope the dog and, both my son AND our normally brilliant dog, looked like they were having the best of times. I was afraid for our dog's life and confiscated the rope, but, my son proved to be some kind of master magician pulling all kinds of rope out of thin air too many times to count, so I sat down and showed him how to tie the rope so the dog wouldn't be strangled and let him do it only when he asked me first. Who was I to try and thwart the next Lone Ranger? I stood at that window many hours watching him and our dogs playing together. One day long after that phase had passed, I came across the favorite rope that our son had used and all those memories flooded back - so I painted it. The boy in the painting is not my son, although they have the same sandy colored hair, and the landscape I made up, but that awesome dog was ours. That dog also inspired the painting, "Man's best Friend". If you'd like to see some of my work feel free to check it out at: http://www.TerrieLeytonGallery.com.
I grew up watching and helping my artist Mom and loved the creative process. At age 18 I left home and didn't paint again until ... well, 10 years ago when I came across a television show one Saturday morning with Jerry Yarnell doing an entire painting in 1 or 2 shows. I bought some paints and brushes and started painting along with him to see if I could do it and the rest is history. One thing led to another and here I am- joining all of you on this blog - in my childless work space, with my ever faithful 2nd shadow beside me (the son of the dog in the paintings). Maybe we'll pay a visit to the grandkids this weekend! Here's to blogging with you!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
DO WE LOVE OUR KIDS & OUR WORLD? LET’S SHOW IT WITH SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS THAT FACILITATE ECOLOGICAL LITERACY AND TRULY GOING GREEN!
We really do need to work more intelligently and prudently in our long-term efforts toward spiritual and holistic ecological peace for generations to come (including for other species).
I feel strongly that one focal point should be major reform, toward Natural, in our public school systems. We must have a major systemic change toward small neighborhood schools which focus on student and community needs for the long-term (and short-term), and do hands on teaching of ecological literacy and facilitate development of sustainable livelihoods. This should replace our “perpetual” tweaking of a highly artificial, broken system that mostly relies on “big”--& unsustainable growth, technology and industry, and non-participatory centralization.
In taking the opportunity to opportunistically speak out against status quo propping-up of a broken school system, I recently submitted to our local Seguin newspapers the following letter (paraphrased & edited a bit):
“In his wonderfully progressive 1991 essay, What Is Education For, David Orr of Oberlin College makes the case for ecological literacy, caution and humility. In it he emphasizes that ‘no student should graduate from … any … educational institution without a basic comprehension of:’ ecological principles, processes and ethics, carrying capacity, least-cost/end-use analysis, appropriate scale and limits of technology, and how to live well in a place.
With this in mind, our lifestyles are indicative of the fact that we haven’t done very well at educating toward ecological literacy in the U.S., nor in my local community of Seguin. Our biocapacity in this country is about 11.6 acres per capita, yet our ecological footprint is 23.7 ( http://assets.panda.org/downloads/living_planet_report.pdf ). (And this precarious difference is worse for south central Texas.) (Numerous other indicators of sustainability also point to the fact that we are not realizing ecological literacy.)
Moreover, we consume per capita considerably more than 200,000 kilocalories per day, yet over one billion powerless folk consume less than 5,000 per day
( www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/220original.html & others.). Our consumption pattern here in Seguin cannot yield quality life for most of the billions of folk in the world—for now and certainly not for future generations.
School planners, educators and school systems are obvious pools to tap for leadership that will move us toward a mindset and toward a Natural and agricultural green space which will facilitate and enable livelihoods of conservation and sustainability. In order to foment these pools of conservation and sustainability, we need more neighborhood and rural schools (including high schools) built in concert with Nature and the Land which have no more than 500 students
( www.wested.org/online_pubs/po-01-03.pdf www.greendot.org/ ). The landscapes of our schools should be of mostly native plant communities (possessing placards with species identification/information), some agricultural production, living and rainfall-catchment roofs, and limited parking space (encouraging walking, bicycling, bus transport and car-pooling). Buildings should be sustainably built of as much local material as possible and should be designed and strategically placed for passive cooling and heating, and for comprehensive, holistic education that is lived and breathed on the campus. Food and drink—and fibers and other materials used on campuses-- should be primarily locally produced, processed, and prepared for consumption.
All folk involved the school system—students, staff, faculty, administrators, school board members, the larger community—should be knowledgeable about the energy and material inputs/throughputs and outputs, and ecological footprints of the school and school system, and involved in changing them for the better (effective communication, participatory/hands-on, decentralized/site-based management, lifelong learning/critical thinking). Various “renewable” energy sources, holistic and preventative systems of student health care, composting toilets and simulated-wetlands sewage-treatment systems and LEED certification at the highest level also need to be considered. (And of course we should have additional systemic and holistic “greening of the curriculum.” http://livegreenlivesmart.org/library/articles/campus_greening_movement.aspx )
The picture I’ve painted in these previous two paragraphs is part of a dream, … a vision for moving toward a conserving and sustainable Seguin. It most certainly won’t happen over night! … But it will never happen in an effective and efficient manner if we don’t start now!!
No one likes to hear that the schools and other components of our built environment--on which we’ve worked so hard, and sacrificed and struggled to build in an ethical fashion--should have been smaller and developed in concert with Nature and the Land. Established people in a local region don’t want to hear a relative newcomer (our arrival here was 1985) spout off that the high tech, high-energy and -resource input ways of doing things—that we were particularly manipulated toward, taught and lived after WW II--were way off base. And we don’t want to hear and know that we can’t just tear down what we’ve built, and cannot just throw energy and resources and the “American”/can-do attitude at it, … and then magically fix it.
We Texans and Seguinites are a proud people, set in our ways. And all of us, young and old, in the US, Western Europe, Japan and other “developed” nations, and among the elite in the less-developed nations, have really become addicted to ‘big’ and ‘consumption’ and ‘wasteful lifestyles’--conventional air-conditioning and water heating, cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, eating exotic product from all over the world which costs much in energy-units, etc., etc..
Nevertheless, we need to reach down deep and get some humility, all of us—the ‘wet behind the ears’ and the ‘wise and experienced’—and begin to critically think about how to begin to lead our community into conservation and sustainability. We’ve got to learn to live lightly on the Land and compassionately attempt to provide quality life for all--everywhere and forever.
Therefore, let’s be brave, ethical and critically-thinking as community, and cautiously begin to accept the monumental challenge to develop a long term plan that involves a revamping of the local Seguin school district toward holistic ecological literacy.
Let’s begin to work hard to build small neighborhood schools in concert with Nature and the Land, that teach and promote ecological literacy and that give us hope for providing quality life for all for years to come.”
I feel strongly that one focal point should be major reform, toward Natural, in our public school systems. We must have a major systemic change toward small neighborhood schools which focus on student and community needs for the long-term (and short-term), and do hands on teaching of ecological literacy and facilitate development of sustainable livelihoods. This should replace our “perpetual” tweaking of a highly artificial, broken system that mostly relies on “big”--& unsustainable growth, technology and industry, and non-participatory centralization.
In taking the opportunity to opportunistically speak out against status quo propping-up of a broken school system, I recently submitted to our local Seguin newspapers the following letter (paraphrased & edited a bit):
“In his wonderfully progressive 1991 essay, What Is Education For, David Orr of Oberlin College makes the case for ecological literacy, caution and humility. In it he emphasizes that ‘no student should graduate from … any … educational institution without a basic comprehension of:’ ecological principles, processes and ethics, carrying capacity, least-cost/end-use analysis, appropriate scale and limits of technology, and how to live well in a place.
With this in mind, our lifestyles are indicative of the fact that we haven’t done very well at educating toward ecological literacy in the U.S., nor in my local community of Seguin. Our biocapacity in this country is about 11.6 acres per capita, yet our ecological footprint is 23.7 ( http://assets.panda.org/downloads/living_planet_report.pdf ). (And this precarious difference is worse for south central Texas.) (Numerous other indicators of sustainability also point to the fact that we are not realizing ecological literacy.)
Moreover, we consume per capita considerably more than 200,000 kilocalories per day, yet over one billion powerless folk consume less than 5,000 per day
( www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/220original.html & others.). Our consumption pattern here in Seguin cannot yield quality life for most of the billions of folk in the world—for now and certainly not for future generations.
School planners, educators and school systems are obvious pools to tap for leadership that will move us toward a mindset and toward a Natural and agricultural green space which will facilitate and enable livelihoods of conservation and sustainability. In order to foment these pools of conservation and sustainability, we need more neighborhood and rural schools (including high schools) built in concert with Nature and the Land which have no more than 500 students
( www.wested.org/online_pubs/po-01-03.pdf www.greendot.org/ ). The landscapes of our schools should be of mostly native plant communities (possessing placards with species identification/information), some agricultural production, living and rainfall-catchment roofs, and limited parking space (encouraging walking, bicycling, bus transport and car-pooling). Buildings should be sustainably built of as much local material as possible and should be designed and strategically placed for passive cooling and heating, and for comprehensive, holistic education that is lived and breathed on the campus. Food and drink—and fibers and other materials used on campuses-- should be primarily locally produced, processed, and prepared for consumption.
All folk involved the school system—students, staff, faculty, administrators, school board members, the larger community—should be knowledgeable about the energy and material inputs/throughputs and outputs, and ecological footprints of the school and school system, and involved in changing them for the better (effective communication, participatory/hands-on, decentralized/site-based management, lifelong learning/critical thinking). Various “renewable” energy sources, holistic and preventative systems of student health care, composting toilets and simulated-wetlands sewage-treatment systems and LEED certification at the highest level also need to be considered. (And of course we should have additional systemic and holistic “greening of the curriculum.” http://livegreenlivesmart.org/library/articles/campus_greening_movement.aspx )
The picture I’ve painted in these previous two paragraphs is part of a dream, … a vision for moving toward a conserving and sustainable Seguin. It most certainly won’t happen over night! … But it will never happen in an effective and efficient manner if we don’t start now!!
No one likes to hear that the schools and other components of our built environment--on which we’ve worked so hard, and sacrificed and struggled to build in an ethical fashion--should have been smaller and developed in concert with Nature and the Land. Established people in a local region don’t want to hear a relative newcomer (our arrival here was 1985) spout off that the high tech, high-energy and -resource input ways of doing things—that we were particularly manipulated toward, taught and lived after WW II--were way off base. And we don’t want to hear and know that we can’t just tear down what we’ve built, and cannot just throw energy and resources and the “American”/can-do attitude at it, … and then magically fix it.
We Texans and Seguinites are a proud people, set in our ways. And all of us, young and old, in the US, Western Europe, Japan and other “developed” nations, and among the elite in the less-developed nations, have really become addicted to ‘big’ and ‘consumption’ and ‘wasteful lifestyles’--conventional air-conditioning and water heating, cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, eating exotic product from all over the world which costs much in energy-units, etc., etc..
Nevertheless, we need to reach down deep and get some humility, all of us—the ‘wet behind the ears’ and the ‘wise and experienced’—and begin to critically think about how to begin to lead our community into conservation and sustainability. We’ve got to learn to live lightly on the Land and compassionately attempt to provide quality life for all--everywhere and forever.
Therefore, let’s be brave, ethical and critically-thinking as community, and cautiously begin to accept the monumental challenge to develop a long term plan that involves a revamping of the local Seguin school district toward holistic ecological literacy.
Let’s begin to work hard to build small neighborhood schools in concert with Nature and the Land, that teach and promote ecological literacy and that give us hope for providing quality life for all for years to come.”
MOLDED BY NATURAL SELECTION/EVOLUTION/NATURE VS. CHOSEN BY GOD
I am one of five brothers and one sister born in a period from 1946-1957. In considering what science knows about genetic, epigenetic … and environmental influences on our psyche, I’m the oldest and have been influenced by my genes, birth order, my “village”, etc., etc.--and have always been quite liberal politically, and quite left of center in the local and global policies and actions I support.
My youngest brother on the other hand is one of the Chosen People. And this brother is conservative, “Fundamental”, and far right of center.
I truly don’t understand my little brother and most McCain supporters. I do have trouble communicating with those folk who worship the policies promoted by Hoover, Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Newt Gingrich, Phil Gramm, Tom DeLay , or George W. Bush, … or wantabes like Rick Perry.
On the other hand, “conservatives” don’t understand how I could’ve believed in and supported many of the wonderful policies promoted by John Fitzgerald Kennedy, LBJ, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Jimmy Carter, Paul Wellstone, and Nelson Mandela. … They can't understand how I could believe in those progressive policies toward "sustainable livelihoods and communities" currently being developed by Barack Obama.
…………………………
Given my background--and life and work in the pre-Farmworker-Right-to-Know fields and in a pre-OSHA feed mill, with poor browns and blacks*--I couldn’t be anything other than a left of center Democrat—or Green party member. And I can not help but be terribly confused by folk who preach family and constitutional values and doing what’s right, but yet support a political party that de facto develops policy which violates ethics and basic moral values taught us in our families, “villages”, churches and schools during our very early formative years.
*[And my years in a small rural south Texas town during the active period of the African-American Civil Rights Movement which helped give rise to La Raza Unida.]
My youngest brother on the other hand is one of the Chosen People. And this brother is conservative, “Fundamental”, and far right of center.
I truly don’t understand my little brother and most McCain supporters. I do have trouble communicating with those folk who worship the policies promoted by Hoover, Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Newt Gingrich, Phil Gramm, Tom DeLay , or George W. Bush, … or wantabes like Rick Perry.
On the other hand, “conservatives” don’t understand how I could’ve believed in and supported many of the wonderful policies promoted by John Fitzgerald Kennedy, LBJ, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Jimmy Carter, Paul Wellstone, and Nelson Mandela. … They can't understand how I could believe in those progressive policies toward "sustainable livelihoods and communities" currently being developed by Barack Obama.
…………………………
Given my background--and life and work in the pre-Farmworker-Right-to-Know fields and in a pre-OSHA feed mill, with poor browns and blacks*--I couldn’t be anything other than a left of center Democrat—or Green party member. And I can not help but be terribly confused by folk who preach family and constitutional values and doing what’s right, but yet support a political party that de facto develops policy which violates ethics and basic moral values taught us in our families, “villages”, churches and schools during our very early formative years.
*[And my years in a small rural south Texas town during the active period of the African-American Civil Rights Movement which helped give rise to La Raza Unida.]
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sea change on the horizon
This blog had quite a few visitors when we first launched it. I'm afraid the traffic has dropped off because of a lack of regular posts. I'm working to change that. So if you like what you see here, please come back often, and tell your friends about it.
And now, introducing, another blogger. Welcome aboard ... you know who you are.
And now, introducing, another blogger. Welcome aboard ... you know who you are.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Os Pensamentos no Domingo
The community in which my wife and I have chosen to live and die is continuing to work with consultants with Mesa Design Group-Dallas in “preparing a Comprehensive Plan for future DEVELOPMENT in the city and its ETJ.” … This process shouldn’t be anything like “rocket science” … but should involve ecological science, with real concern for immediacy in moving toward working locally and globally to conserve the natural resource base, and ethically use energy. Someday soon we really do need to get concerned and serious about rampant artificialization of what’s left of Nature in this ecosphere:
[Enrolada (Jan 2007)
Depression and Pinchot-wired parents taught us to conserve.
2007 Chosen People-fundamentalist preachers impel us to grab and rule the all that WE MOST CERTAINLY deserve.
Humility, frugality used to be preached in the churches.
America First!!! War!! Estados Unidos sempre precisa ganhar! … And the ship of state lurches.
Donald Trump, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates. The power reigns.
Others squalid in big city/rural remains.
So green! So green! A new gas-electric hybrid auto and a muito verde LEED home built for only 200, 000 times what half the individuals in the world make in a year.
“Organicissimo!! Organicissimo!!” With this certified pesticide-free apple sent from New Zealand for our fresh fruit Texas party of Christmas cheer.
“Environmentists” answer is “Renewable”. Used only a half million BTUs per capita last year of ethanol and fuel cell energy.
… Did I mention it cost about a million British Thermal Units of oil, gas and coal. Don’t you love the synergy?!?!
Cars cause super-problems; we rush for more.
9-11! W said rush for the store.
Indoor pools, treadmill exercise machines..
Could we become Mexican Raramuri or Kenyan Kalenjins and make the whole earth Nature’s park, and run it in our jeans … and get it back into concert with our genes?
Hot outside? Turn on the arcondicionados! Keep eating more gas, oil, coal fueled potatoes.
Global warming (Climate change)? Highly recommend moving from Barbados.
The Chosen few of the world possess Capital and are Landed,
While the Third World is kwashiorkor- stranded.
7 billion Homo sapiens—Number ONE!!!
Other top trophic species? You’re certainly done!
Top soil? Watersheds? Diverse biotic communities? Passive solar energy? Who the hell has heard of “it”??
Big screens, NFL, NBA, empty calories—chips and beer. All of this is what keeps the U.S. lit.
Farm subsidies, conservation easements, cheap energy and basic resources from abroad. For the Lorded Landed this spells more cash!
Certainly can’t cap excessive income and capital gains, strive for real equity and equality and produce less trash!
Trans Texas Corridors! Loops around Interstate jams. Muckity, muckity, muck, muck, muck.
I’ll solve it by traversing overLand with my on-steroids Hummer, ATV, SUV, Suburban, and Big diesel truck.
Frequent flyer miles, ecotourism, luxury ‘beachcombing”, Carnival Cruise.
Explain for me again now those South American favela blues!?!
Come to our High Schools and Universities and learn to change the world faster.
No matter this “serves” to make the Natural ecosphere much less of a laster.
Mold those young uns into businessmen, corporate lawyers, sports physicians, oil field geologists.
But “Heaven forbid” an environmentalist or world renowned ecologist!
It’s the parents’ fault, the teacher’s culpa, the administrators get in the way; a federal problem, a local one. The village! The family! The individual student! … Let’s get more realistic!!!
It’s all of these. Just start somewhere and stay focused on it with lots of will and energy. Get off your butt and think holistic!
Radios, TVs, cell phones, iPods, video games, plastics, petroleum perfumes,Taco bell food, this dam computer screen. Peggy Lee cries out, “Is That All There Is?” … VIRTUAL reality?
Think this is really messing with my Natural innate personality!
Go out into the country, inner city or even suburban streets.
In this wealthiest of nations you’ll find unattended-to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cancer, malnutrition-- it's because of bad (or lack of) local doctors, politics and economics, chambers of commerce, ecological ignorance and apathy, and high fructose corn-based sweets.
Arteriosclerosis, arthrosclerosis, hypertension, embolism, angina, arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke. Could it be our way of life??
Perhaps we could just slow down and do it the natural way and give (human) Nature less strife??
Small is beautiful! Don’t let them tease you!!
Big is passé … pasado. Communidades que pensa grandao are screwed.
War. Basic/Airborne Ranger/Green Beret Special Forces training--into fit muscled/artificial “Army of One”- MEN (and woMEN). Uniforms, weapons, order, brass gives us meaning.
Could we all do a chaotic Peace Corps thing --and rather than destroy do just cleaning?
Haifa, Chechnya, Darfur, Cuba, South Ossetia, the deep dark Congo.
Their notoriety? “ Isn’t one of those where they invented the bongo?”
……………………
I’m confused!!!!
Or too much BS infused?
Got to act local.
I’m not just a Seguin yokel.]
[Enrolada (Jan 2007)
Depression and Pinchot-wired parents taught us to conserve.
2007 Chosen People-fundamentalist preachers impel us to grab and rule the all that WE MOST CERTAINLY deserve.
Humility, frugality used to be preached in the churches.
America First!!! War!! Estados Unidos sempre precisa ganhar! … And the ship of state lurches.
Donald Trump, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates. The power reigns.
Others squalid in big city/rural remains.
So green! So green! A new gas-electric hybrid auto and a muito verde LEED home built for only 200, 000 times what half the individuals in the world make in a year.
“Organicissimo!! Organicissimo!!” With this certified pesticide-free apple sent from New Zealand for our fresh fruit Texas party of Christmas cheer.
“Environmentists” answer is “Renewable”. Used only a half million BTUs per capita last year of ethanol and fuel cell energy.
… Did I mention it cost about a million British Thermal Units of oil, gas and coal. Don’t you love the synergy?!?!
Cars cause super-problems; we rush for more.
9-11! W said rush for the store.
Indoor pools, treadmill exercise machines..
Could we become Mexican Raramuri or Kenyan Kalenjins and make the whole earth Nature’s park, and run it in our jeans … and get it back into concert with our genes?
Hot outside? Turn on the arcondicionados! Keep eating more gas, oil, coal fueled potatoes.
Global warming (Climate change)? Highly recommend moving from Barbados.
The Chosen few of the world possess Capital and are Landed,
While the Third World is kwashiorkor- stranded.
7 billion Homo sapiens—Number ONE!!!
Other top trophic species? You’re certainly done!
Top soil? Watersheds? Diverse biotic communities? Passive solar energy? Who the hell has heard of “it”??
Big screens, NFL, NBA, empty calories—chips and beer. All of this is what keeps the U.S. lit.
Farm subsidies, conservation easements, cheap energy and basic resources from abroad. For the Lorded Landed this spells more cash!
Certainly can’t cap excessive income and capital gains, strive for real equity and equality and produce less trash!
Trans Texas Corridors! Loops around Interstate jams. Muckity, muckity, muck, muck, muck.
I’ll solve it by traversing overLand with my on-steroids Hummer, ATV, SUV, Suburban, and Big diesel truck.
Frequent flyer miles, ecotourism, luxury ‘beachcombing”, Carnival Cruise.
Explain for me again now those South American favela blues!?!
Come to our High Schools and Universities and learn to change the world faster.
No matter this “serves” to make the Natural ecosphere much less of a laster.
Mold those young uns into businessmen, corporate lawyers, sports physicians, oil field geologists.
But “Heaven forbid” an environmentalist or world renowned ecologist!
It’s the parents’ fault, the teacher’s culpa, the administrators get in the way; a federal problem, a local one. The village! The family! The individual student! … Let’s get more realistic!!!
It’s all of these. Just start somewhere and stay focused on it with lots of will and energy. Get off your butt and think holistic!
Radios, TVs, cell phones, iPods, video games, plastics, petroleum perfumes,Taco bell food, this dam computer screen. Peggy Lee cries out, “Is That All There Is?” … VIRTUAL reality?
Think this is really messing with my Natural innate personality!
Go out into the country, inner city or even suburban streets.
In this wealthiest of nations you’ll find unattended-to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cancer, malnutrition-- it's because of bad (or lack of) local doctors, politics and economics, chambers of commerce, ecological ignorance and apathy, and high fructose corn-based sweets.
Arteriosclerosis, arthrosclerosis, hypertension, embolism, angina, arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke. Could it be our way of life??
Perhaps we could just slow down and do it the natural way and give (human) Nature less strife??
Small is beautiful! Don’t let them tease you!!
Big is passé … pasado. Communidades que pensa grandao are screwed.
War. Basic/Airborne Ranger/Green Beret Special Forces training--into fit muscled/artificial “Army of One”- MEN (and woMEN). Uniforms, weapons, order, brass gives us meaning.
Could we all do a chaotic Peace Corps thing --and rather than destroy do just cleaning?
Haifa, Chechnya, Darfur, Cuba, South Ossetia, the deep dark Congo.
Their notoriety? “ Isn’t one of those where they invented the bongo?”
……………………
I’m confused!!!!
Or too much BS infused?
Got to act local.
I’m not just a Seguin yokel.]
Blog reactivation alert
Possibilities.
This blog was created to keep a hand in producing prose.
The limited access to a computer was an issue for the past year.
Also, a new job was all too time consuming.
It still is.
But things change, and with recent developments, this blog could have some new input.
It doesn't mean I'm standing in the unemployment line.
Just that more time for blogging is a possibility.
Thanks for your patience.
This blog was created to keep a hand in producing prose.
The limited access to a computer was an issue for the past year.
Also, a new job was all too time consuming.
It still is.
But things change, and with recent developments, this blog could have some new input.
It doesn't mean I'm standing in the unemployment line.
Just that more time for blogging is a possibility.
Thanks for your patience.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Four Haiku for the Aquifer
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Dog Days in Walnut Branch
Been a long hot summer. Yes, admitting to being too lazy to post on this blog. Just too much going on in small town of Walnut Branch. Limited access to computer also hinders. Truthfully, if I had a two-wheeler I would be even more scarce.
At least we're on high ground when lots of folks getting flood waters in their homes, FEMA coming to town to assess compensation for the deserving few.
Don't build it in a flood plain, but if you do, don't expect my tax money to bail you out.
It's the Dog Days of Summer here in the New Philippines, except that our dog won't go outside, it's too hot.
Alas, my favorite show gets canceled, I guess I'll have to go outside sooner or later.
Really, I don't mind the heat.
Ozone overload days.
Can't carpool where I'm going.
My neighbors wait till high noon to start their lawnmowers.
Their sprinklers work in mid-afternoon, watering lawns not suited to this clime.
A herd of goats await their master in their overgrazed pasture.
Cows got into the power company's high voltage complex, but no electrocutions yet.
A man sits on the side of the highway selling fruit and vegetables.
How does he grow them in swampy fields?
Or would they be hydroponic.
By the time I decided to stop to ask him, he was gone.
Waiting for school to start, but I'm not going to school.
Bridges deemed obsolete, but heavy trucks still crossing, on their way to meet the captains of industry.
There's a war on, but I would rather watch a war movie.
Election coming, but I'm getting tired of voting for losers.
I'll watch it anyway, curious to see who will steal it this time.
Gotta go now, the cat wants out, and the dog is scratching at the bedroom door.
This stream of consciousness has dried up.
Ciao.
At least we're on high ground when lots of folks getting flood waters in their homes, FEMA coming to town to assess compensation for the deserving few.
Don't build it in a flood plain, but if you do, don't expect my tax money to bail you out.
It's the Dog Days of Summer here in the New Philippines, except that our dog won't go outside, it's too hot.
Alas, my favorite show gets canceled, I guess I'll have to go outside sooner or later.
Really, I don't mind the heat.
Ozone overload days.
Can't carpool where I'm going.
My neighbors wait till high noon to start their lawnmowers.
Their sprinklers work in mid-afternoon, watering lawns not suited to this clime.
A herd of goats await their master in their overgrazed pasture.
Cows got into the power company's high voltage complex, but no electrocutions yet.
A man sits on the side of the highway selling fruit and vegetables.
How does he grow them in swampy fields?
Or would they be hydroponic.
By the time I decided to stop to ask him, he was gone.
Waiting for school to start, but I'm not going to school.
Bridges deemed obsolete, but heavy trucks still crossing, on their way to meet the captains of industry.
There's a war on, but I would rather watch a war movie.
Election coming, but I'm getting tired of voting for losers.
I'll watch it anyway, curious to see who will steal it this time.
Gotta go now, the cat wants out, and the dog is scratching at the bedroom door.
This stream of consciousness has dried up.
Ciao.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Anything More You Need On Anna Nicole?
Anna Nicole Smith. Texas girl made good, and the press hounded her into the grave.Once again, I hadn't seen her on the cover of any Hollyweird news magazines, therefore didn't know she was still in mourning, involved in a paternity battle, didn't know she was in Florida.
But what do I know?
I heard she was Playmate of the Year, but I haven't subscribed to Playboy in years - actually I don't think I ever did.
I always preferred Penthouse Magazine, for the articles of course, but I also haven't picked up a copy in years.
Once again, I prefer news stories about two headed chickens from outer space that lay eggs shaped like pyramids.
Oh, yeah, did you hear that George and Laura Bush were doing a trial separation, according to one tabloid?
Amazing.
Why wasn't CNN all over that story?
Come on, Larry King, Anderson Cooper and fellow muckrakers at Certainly Not News, do some homework.
You did more vigilance on Anna Nicole than you did for Gerald Ford.
I'm afraid to turn you on, I might have to see the Anna Nicole covered up and rolling into a building on a gurney shot?
How many times did you air that one, Anderson?
Go back to New Orleans.
I want more Katrina news.
Sorry about that rant, Anna Nicole. I'm sure you were a very nice person.
And I thoroughly enjoyed that HBO special about your East Texas cousins who came a visitin' a couple of years ago.
I hope they didn't hit you up for money.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Why obssessed with Jessica Simpson
I'm having lots of trouble understanding why people in this country are so obsessed with people like Jessica Simpson and other Hollywood celebrities. We follow Eva Longoria and that Spurs player's every romantic move, and the local paper joyously announced they're getting hitched. Simpson is cute, but so are puppies.What's the big deal about following movie stars around like they're gods and goddesses.
Are our own lives so dull and boring that we've got to grasp at any piece of a famous person we see?
Personally, I have few cares whether Brad Pitt is boinking Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie, or whose baby they've adopted this week.
It just don't matter in the grand scheme of things.
And I prefer those stories about Alien kidnappers resurrecting Elvis, or the birth of a three-headed, cloven-hoofed zombie baby.
I want to see more of those stories.
Who Jessica Simpson is dating - or not - this week is not interesting.
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