How many times have you been somewhere “nice,” just enjoying the beautiful serenity of nature only to find one of those nasty plastic shopping bags floating by?
If you were lucky it didn’t hold a pile of dog poop or a dirty diaper.
Seattle’s bag fee will be up for vote this August and the people of Seattle are experiencing some outside opposition. Who’s butting their noses into Seattle’s green business?
The American Chemistry Council for one. Those people behind those heart-string pulling commercials extolling the virtues of plastic primarily for the lives it saves when used in medical purposes. I don’t know that a plastic shopping bag has ever saved someone’s life. Though I’m sure a medical professional could MacGyver the crap out of one in a pinch I don’t feel that is a compelling reason to keep the things around. Yet, the American Chemistry Council spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to employ signature gatherers to ensure that the Seattle’s bag fee ordinance (passed last year) is on the 2009 ballot.
The facts:
Seattle’s City Council passed an ordinance in 2008 that placed a 20 cent fee on all disposable shopping bags at grocery, drug and convenience stores.
Funds collected would go to: Seattle Public Utilities for an educational campaign; bag giveaways for people who need assistance (such as low-income families or people who are homeless); and offset the costs of Seattle’s solid waste and recycling programs.
Stores would get to keep 5 cents from each bag to offset administrative costs of the ordinance.
Seattle does not want to ban plastic shopping bags, they want to curb over-consumption of the disposables.
A disposable shopping bag can take up to 1,000 years to degrade.
The annual cost of disposable shopping bags for retailers is estimated at $4 billion.
Petroleum is required to manufacture plastic bags. With skyrocketing fuel prices, who wants to “waste” it on a shopping bag.
The American Chemistry Council is funding the “Coalition to Stop the Bag Tax.” They represent companies like Exxon and Dow. They do not live in Seattle. They need to butt out.
I no longer live in Seattle either but feel that I can lend my support to the people of Seattle as they attempt to govern their own city by getting the word out.
Resources:
American Chemistry Council
MacGyver
Myth Busting: The Truth about 10 Common Bag Fee Myths
Seattle Green Bag Campaign
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday Garden Club
One good thing about going back to work on Monday.
I get to take a break from gardening!
I even got a sunburn, and then a sunburn on top of the first one. That hasn't happened in years. Well, not since I had to start working for a living, hah!
I made the heifers trot off to the other end of the pasture on Friday while we were enlarging the chicken's yard. You can see the hay waiting to be baled on the other side of their fence. That's what we did on Saturday.
Baby was on hand to supervise the enlargement of the chicken yard, naturally!
KB in the garden; peppers to the right; tomatoes to the rear. Oh, and that's grandpa's new barn going up there (nope, we are still not finished with our new barn either).
Strawberries...and re-purposing plastic bags to deter the deer.
We STILL have asparagus. Never thought I'd get tired of it...most of it turns into soup and gets frozen at this point.
Yes, that is my manly spouse prancing in the potatoes. Hmmm, he's been doing that a lot lately!
Still no pics but I did spend an ample amount of time in my front flower bed weeding, transplanting and digging up bulbs to replant this fall.
Go visit Aliceson at Feet off the Table for more Monday Garden Club!
Monday, June 22, 2009
200 Camels
A couple of weeks ago I discovered an article on CNN, that read Poll: Few Americans have good view of Muslim world. I was intrigued that the number of Americans who view the Muslim world unfavorably had increased since 2002. Intrigued but not suprised.
This article forced me to think of an incident that happened to me in 1999 in the Suez Canal passing through with Egypt on both sides. It was a little tense sailing through there even during a recognized time of peace and I was forced to confront my ignorance and fear of the Muslim world directly on that day. A day that I said something extremely vile and hateful to a friend (who is still a friend after pointing out to me that my "hatred" was really fear of the unknown). A day that I recognized something despicable within myself and made a decision to face every future day with an open mind.
Following that day I made an effort to learn about the culture of the people I would spend a lot of time with over the next four months. I went on every guided tour available, I went into Mosques, I spoke to Muslim men and women and also spoke to non-Muslim visitors and residents about their experiences in the Muslim world. I even learned about human trafficking. I smoked a hookah. I rode a camel. I did not eat any hamburgers (I never once saw a cow but there were hamburgers on every menu). I learned that people are people; there are good people and there are bad people. To distrust all Muslims based on the assumption that they are terrorists or do not like Americans is as illogical as saying that all Christians are right-wing extremist domestic terrorists.
It just doesn't make any sense.
Does it?
On a lighter note, I visited Bethlehem later that same year with a group of people that included a much older gentleman. I exited the church to find him discussing something with an Arabian man. I was later told that the man had offered the older gentleman 200 camels in exchange for me. It probably would have been a pretty good deal but there was no place to store 200 camels...
This article forced me to think of an incident that happened to me in 1999 in the Suez Canal passing through with Egypt on both sides. It was a little tense sailing through there even during a recognized time of peace and I was forced to confront my ignorance and fear of the Muslim world directly on that day. A day that I said something extremely vile and hateful to a friend (who is still a friend after pointing out to me that my "hatred" was really fear of the unknown). A day that I recognized something despicable within myself and made a decision to face every future day with an open mind.
Following that day I made an effort to learn about the culture of the people I would spend a lot of time with over the next four months. I went on every guided tour available, I went into Mosques, I spoke to Muslim men and women and also spoke to non-Muslim visitors and residents about their experiences in the Muslim world. I even learned about human trafficking. I smoked a hookah. I rode a camel. I did not eat any hamburgers (I never once saw a cow but there were hamburgers on every menu). I learned that people are people; there are good people and there are bad people. To distrust all Muslims based on the assumption that they are terrorists or do not like Americans is as illogical as saying that all Christians are right-wing extremist domestic terrorists.
It just doesn't make any sense.
Does it?
On a lighter note, I visited Bethlehem later that same year with a group of people that included a much older gentleman. I exited the church to find him discussing something with an Arabian man. I was later told that the man had offered the older gentleman 200 camels in exchange for me. It probably would have been a pretty good deal but there was no place to store 200 camels...
Friday, June 19, 2009
Why Some People Are Gay: Notes (and Clues) from the Animal Kingdom
Why Some People Are Gay: Notes (and Clues) from the Animal Kingdom
I happened upon the above article this evening while cruising CNN. I must admit a strange fascination with gay animals. It all started back in 1989 or 1990 when I took my first Anthropology class. I (obviously) learned a lot in that class. The two most important things being:
1) A child that is not allowed to bond with a mother will suffer great consequences (see Harry Harlow's rhesus monkey experiments-I am still horrified almost 20 years later)
2) Homosexual activity was observed in an overpopulated rat colony (John Calhoun-his work was the inspiration for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH)...along with child-abuse, neglect, rape, cannibalism, bullying.
Being young (and perhaps a little bit naive, I did grow up on an Air Force base), I imagined that perhaps the apparent increase in homosexuality was somehow related to a theory that our world population had reached a saturation point. After completing my undergraduate studies, in history, I now relate my perception of increased homosexuality to bad press resulting from the AIDS epidemic. I have absolutely no idea why I thought that the world was overpopulated; perhaps I thought is was just San Francisco that was overpopulated (again, I blame the press).
My misguided theories aside, I never doubted that two people of the same gender could love each other truly, deeply and forever. I'd like to say that the most recent study (the one cited in the above article) confirms this but it doesn't. It cannot. The animal kingdom, as glorious, fascinating and complex as it's relationships are, cannot equal the complexity of the human experience (at least, not to us). What it does confirm, however, is that a wide variety of "relationships" are indeed natural.
I happened upon the above article this evening while cruising CNN. I must admit a strange fascination with gay animals. It all started back in 1989 or 1990 when I took my first Anthropology class. I (obviously) learned a lot in that class. The two most important things being:
1) A child that is not allowed to bond with a mother will suffer great consequences (see Harry Harlow's rhesus monkey experiments-I am still horrified almost 20 years later)
2) Homosexual activity was observed in an overpopulated rat colony (John Calhoun-his work was the inspiration for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH)...along with child-abuse, neglect, rape, cannibalism, bullying.
Being young (and perhaps a little bit naive, I did grow up on an Air Force base), I imagined that perhaps the apparent increase in homosexuality was somehow related to a theory that our world population had reached a saturation point. After completing my undergraduate studies, in history, I now relate my perception of increased homosexuality to bad press resulting from the AIDS epidemic. I have absolutely no idea why I thought that the world was overpopulated; perhaps I thought is was just San Francisco that was overpopulated (again, I blame the press).
My misguided theories aside, I never doubted that two people of the same gender could love each other truly, deeply and forever. I'd like to say that the most recent study (the one cited in the above article) confirms this but it doesn't. It cannot. The animal kingdom, as glorious, fascinating and complex as it's relationships are, cannot equal the complexity of the human experience (at least, not to us). What it does confirm, however, is that a wide variety of "relationships" are indeed natural.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Star Wars Muppet Health Care Mashup
Seriously, Star Wars can be applied to anything...
Star Wars Muppet Health Care Mashup
Posted using ShareThis
I am actually working on some posts that actually require writing something more than, "Gee, isn't Star Wars great." Seriously!
P.S. I was just reminded about how someone told me that illegal aliens were receiving free medical care. Holy shit! You mean that anyone in our country who is in critical condition can go to an emergency room and not be turned away. It would be much better to let those damn illegals die on the street. Then they'd know better than to come to the United States of America, that fabled land of opportunity. 'Cause you know that most of those alien-people are child-molesting, mass-murderers...no one would come to America to actually try to provide a better life for their family (oh, there I go again, reminiscing about that so-called "land of opportunity.") Yeah, that's right because when they cross the border they are breaking the law, making them illegal...and no one here ever, ever breaks any laws (what's the speed limit, buster?) and we didn't cheer for Denzel Washington as he broke the law in John Q...well, that's alright because any one of us would do just about anything for our kids but those illegal parents obviously don't care about their kids they just want to suck up free medical care!
Star Wars Muppet Health Care Mashup
Posted using ShareThis
I am actually working on some posts that actually require writing something more than, "Gee, isn't Star Wars great." Seriously!
P.S. I was just reminded about how someone told me that illegal aliens were receiving free medical care. Holy shit! You mean that anyone in our country who is in critical condition can go to an emergency room and not be turned away. It would be much better to let those damn illegals die on the street. Then they'd know better than to come to the United States of America, that fabled land of opportunity. 'Cause you know that most of those alien-people are child-molesting, mass-murderers...no one would come to America to actually try to provide a better life for their family (oh, there I go again, reminiscing about that so-called "land of opportunity.") Yeah, that's right because when they cross the border they are breaking the law, making them illegal...and no one here ever, ever breaks any laws (what's the speed limit, buster?) and we didn't cheer for Denzel Washington as he broke the law in John Q...well, that's alright because any one of us would do just about anything for our kids but those illegal parents obviously don't care about their kids they just want to suck up free medical care!
Friday, June 05, 2009
How Will You Finish?
I was forwarded the following clip in an email this morning. I tend to attract this sort of inspiration on a daily basis; perhaps due to my current career status. Many of the "inspirational" stories I receive tend to be on the cheezy side and oftentimes I get the feeling that the message is, "golly jeepers, can you believe what this disabled person did?" rather than the true message which is, "we are all capable of a great many things and the only true barrier in life is the Philosophy of Can't or what is commonly referred to as 'giving up.'"
Nick Vujicic tells it like it is in the following presentation:
I believe that fear is the greatest disability of all.
-Nick Vujicic
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Green Sleeves
I recently found this "Green Sleeve" while shopping for a bag to take our laptop with me when I travel (usually on business). I found many great affordable, clearance options at our local Office Max and had selected one when I happened across a display with these tags that caught my eye. Not only are these bags made from recycled products, they were also less expensive than the "clearance" bag I was carrying around with me intent on buying.
I've checked online but have not been able to locate this product, not even at the Office Max website. So, if you need a sleeve for your laptop take a trip to your local store and check these out. I guess the only drawback is that this product is not made locally.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Philosophy of Can't
Oftentimes I am struck by the attention paid to what cannot be done rather than directed towards that which can be done.
It's a good thing that people like Jim Abbott and Kevin Laue don't subscribe to the Philosophy of Can't. These are men who are truly challenging expectations. So why can't we all challenge our expectations, including how we think about people with disabilities. I see a lot of news stories out there about Kevin Laue's basketball scholarship and they all seem to send the same message, "Isn't it amazing that a boy with one hand can play such good basketball?"
Why is that amazing? Shouldn't Kevin Laue be rewarded for his hard-work and determination by earning a basketball scholarship? Shouldn't we expect that all human beings strive to achieve their best at whatever they choose to do?
Guess what, Telep? Manhattan College is that school that can see the talent through the expectations.
I challenge everyone to give the Philosophy of Can't the big brush off and become a Manhattan College fan!
P.S. Manhattan College is the home of the Seventh Inning Stretch!
It's a good thing that people like Jim Abbott and Kevin Laue don't subscribe to the Philosophy of Can't. These are men who are truly challenging expectations. So why can't we all challenge our expectations, including how we think about people with disabilities. I see a lot of news stories out there about Kevin Laue's basketball scholarship and they all seem to send the same message, "Isn't it amazing that a boy with one hand can play such good basketball?"
Why is that amazing? Shouldn't Kevin Laue be rewarded for his hard-work and determination by earning a basketball scholarship? Shouldn't we expect that all human beings strive to achieve their best at whatever they choose to do?
Dave Telep, a national recruiting analyst, said Laue would be a surefire Division I prospect if he had two hands. But with just one, Telep said, opponents could limit his effectiveness.
“If he does make it, nobody in the country will have earned it more,” Telep said. “It’s going to take a Division I team with some courage to give him the chance to prove himself, but he’s a legitimate talent.”
-NY Times
Guess what, Telep? Manhattan College is that school that can see the talent through the expectations.
I challenge everyone to give the Philosophy of Can't the big brush off and become a Manhattan College fan!
P.S. Manhattan College is the home of the Seventh Inning Stretch!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Am I Really Surprised?
Now, we all know that the media is outrageously biased these days but I just gotta let off a little bit of steam here. Really, when I go to CNN, or MSNBC, or even FOX, I just want the facts, you know, the news. I really do not want someone's biased opinion of the news. For that, I go to my friends' blogs, where I expect to get opinion and where I'm usually rewarded with well thought out and supported opinion which is, by they way, far better than anything I'm seeing from journalists who are paid to give me the freaking news.
Point #1: A doctor was murdered Sunday in church. According to CNN, he was a "doctor who performed abortions." The BBC's headline reads, "US abortion doctor is shot dead." Bet you didn't know that was a specialty offered in med school, okay, neither did I. That's because it is not a "specialty." Dr. Tiller was a board certified in family medicine.
News for the news: Dr. Tiller was a medical doctor who happened to perform abortions as a part of his practice. This particular news bit is related to an issue that cuts very deeply between two groups of people in our country and this method of headlining it just emphasizes how deep that cut goes. Kudos to the anti-abortion groups who have come out to condemn this shooting, but those aren't headliners are they?
Point #2: I was watching Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell the other evening. I was particularly engaged this evening because of a missing child from Michigan. Here's the clip:
Now, here's the rub. I truly want to be on Jane's side because I agree with the issues that she is bringing forward as they pertain to children, women and victims. The problem is, she's sort of got a credibility problem here, because she is obviously guilty of making general assumptions. She spends a lot of time haranguing this mother, who may have paid the ultimate price a mother could possibly pay for losing site of her young child, for letting her have contact with George Kennedy in the presence of other adults. Gee whiz, a layman like me can find, through public records that George Kennedy is a sex offender but not necessarily a child molester. In fact, a review of his parole conditions (again public information, readily available on the Internet) reveals the following condition:
The second suspect identified, Roy Smith, also a sex offender, has no direct restrictions prohibiting him from contact with children. Now, why might this be? Well, probably because both men were convicted of sex offenses but neither was with a child under the age of 13. (I get my information from OTIS [Offender Tracking Information System] and the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, which I'm not going to link to as they are readily available to the public with a simple search). I'm not saying they are not bad guys and should be around any body's child because I don't know that, all I'm saying is, "Get the facts, Jane."
I am inclined to ask this mother why she let her 5-year-old play alone outside without supervision in a city nestled between Detroit and Toledo but I also might ask the Tyson's why their daughter was playing near a treadmill unsupervised. Neither of these questions are going to help, just like Velez-Mitchell's bullying is not going to help find Neviaeh Buchanan.
More stupid, recent headlines:
Billy Bob Thornton's daughter arrested in baby's death-CNN: Isn't that person's name Amanda Brumfield, not Thornton's daughter? This bit about Thornton belongs somewhere near the end of the news article, not in the headline.
Teens with special needs get a very special prom-CNN: Why do they have a "special" prom? Oh, because our special education system that emphasizes inclusion falls way short of that mark. Don't expect the media to promote inclusion any time soon, they are too focused on the special things that make teens with disabilities different instead of all the things that are the same about teenagers...
Feds to protect abortion providers-FOX: Ahhh, sounds like more special treatment...for abortion providers, not for family planning clinics or womens health centers, or any of those other places or doctors that provide a variety of healthful services to women, just to the abortionists.
Army Probes Shower Photos of Female Soldiers-FOX: Seriously. Who writes this crap, I can just imagine the lackey right now playing with his little monkey as he imagines the Army probing anything.
Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit-FOX: Now, that's not really true is it. They were actually told that they cannot have a religious assembly at their residence without a permit. This story actually reminds me of the sex parties held at Jim Trulock's house in Texas. Is the issue the bible study or the sex parties? Or, is the issue a large amount of vehicles parked on the streets of a suburban neighborhood on a regular basis which is a disruption for the neighbors whether the participants are meeting for worship or sex...
*Note: most of the headlines spotted were taken from the main pages of the news source (some of the headlines were different on the article's main page) which I would consider to be the real headline since it is usually the first identification of the news story seen on the Internet.
I'm guessing that it's too much to hope that the media starts acting like a news source but I do sincerely hope and pray that little Neviaeh is one child who gets to come back home.
Point #1: A doctor was murdered Sunday in church. According to CNN, he was a "doctor who performed abortions." The BBC's headline reads, "US abortion doctor is shot dead." Bet you didn't know that was a specialty offered in med school, okay, neither did I. That's because it is not a "specialty." Dr. Tiller was a board certified in family medicine.
News for the news: Dr. Tiller was a medical doctor who happened to perform abortions as a part of his practice. This particular news bit is related to an issue that cuts very deeply between two groups of people in our country and this method of headlining it just emphasizes how deep that cut goes. Kudos to the anti-abortion groups who have come out to condemn this shooting, but those aren't headliners are they?
Point #2: I was watching Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell the other evening. I was particularly engaged this evening because of a missing child from Michigan. Here's the clip:
Now, here's the rub. I truly want to be on Jane's side because I agree with the issues that she is bringing forward as they pertain to children, women and victims. The problem is, she's sort of got a credibility problem here, because she is obviously guilty of making general assumptions. She spends a lot of time haranguing this mother, who may have paid the ultimate price a mother could possibly pay for losing site of her young child, for letting her have contact with George Kennedy in the presence of other adults. Gee whiz, a layman like me can find, through public records that George Kennedy is a sex offender but not necessarily a child molester. In fact, a review of his parole conditions (again public information, readily available on the Internet) reveals the following condition:
1.2 - Responsible adult present if with child 17 or under
The second suspect identified, Roy Smith, also a sex offender, has no direct restrictions prohibiting him from contact with children. Now, why might this be? Well, probably because both men were convicted of sex offenses but neither was with a child under the age of 13. (I get my information from OTIS [Offender Tracking Information System] and the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, which I'm not going to link to as they are readily available to the public with a simple search). I'm not saying they are not bad guys and should be around any body's child because I don't know that, all I'm saying is, "Get the facts, Jane."
I am inclined to ask this mother why she let her 5-year-old play alone outside without supervision in a city nestled between Detroit and Toledo but I also might ask the Tyson's why their daughter was playing near a treadmill unsupervised. Neither of these questions are going to help, just like Velez-Mitchell's bullying is not going to help find Neviaeh Buchanan.
More stupid, recent headlines:
Billy Bob Thornton's daughter arrested in baby's death-CNN: Isn't that person's name Amanda Brumfield, not Thornton's daughter? This bit about Thornton belongs somewhere near the end of the news article, not in the headline.
Teens with special needs get a very special prom-CNN: Why do they have a "special" prom? Oh, because our special education system that emphasizes inclusion falls way short of that mark. Don't expect the media to promote inclusion any time soon, they are too focused on the special things that make teens with disabilities different instead of all the things that are the same about teenagers...
Feds to protect abortion providers-FOX: Ahhh, sounds like more special treatment...for abortion providers, not for family planning clinics or womens health centers, or any of those other places or doctors that provide a variety of healthful services to women, just to the abortionists.
Army Probes Shower Photos of Female Soldiers-FOX: Seriously. Who writes this crap, I can just imagine the lackey right now playing with his little monkey as he imagines the Army probing anything.
Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit-FOX: Now, that's not really true is it. They were actually told that they cannot have a religious assembly at their residence without a permit. This story actually reminds me of the sex parties held at Jim Trulock's house in Texas. Is the issue the bible study or the sex parties? Or, is the issue a large amount of vehicles parked on the streets of a suburban neighborhood on a regular basis which is a disruption for the neighbors whether the participants are meeting for worship or sex...
*Note: most of the headlines spotted were taken from the main pages of the news source (some of the headlines were different on the article's main page) which I would consider to be the real headline since it is usually the first identification of the news story seen on the Internet.
I'm guessing that it's too much to hope that the media starts acting like a news source but I do sincerely hope and pray that little Neviaeh is one child who gets to come back home.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Monday Garden Club
I'm happy to report that I did accomplish something in my garden this week. Remember that front garden bed that had the nasty white rocks in it? Well, I planted a few new plants in there. Some Jacob's Ladder and a couple of Balloon Flowers that I had started from seed. I also separated some of the other plants in the garden and replanted. I'd like to separate and transplant the daffodils and tulips before too much longer (while I can still see the foliage-so it will be easier, I don't want to do the whole dig up, store and replant in the fall drama).
Timmy & I took one last (maybe) trek through the woods looking for morels. We only found a few but some of them were monsters! Wow!
I've been enjoying delectable morel and green onion omelets for the past few weeks.
I'm still picking, cleaning, eating and freezing asparagus.
And rhubarb...I actually made a pie this weekend but here's a pic of the crisp I made a few weeks back using Aliceson's recipe. I heard it was yummy (I actually do not eat much rhubarb).
Finally, I'm celebrating a return to Garden Eating with the harvest of this wonderful lettuce.
We spent most of the weekend working on our "new" barn, it's the barn we've been building since last fall and I've got to figure out a new name for it since it no longer seems really new. I even got to drive the SkyTrak. Cool.
Timmy & I took one last (maybe) trek through the woods looking for morels. We only found a few but some of them were monsters! Wow!
I've been enjoying delectable morel and green onion omelets for the past few weeks.
I'm still picking, cleaning, eating and freezing asparagus.
And rhubarb...I actually made a pie this weekend but here's a pic of the crisp I made a few weeks back using Aliceson's recipe. I heard it was yummy (I actually do not eat much rhubarb).
Finally, I'm celebrating a return to Garden Eating with the harvest of this wonderful lettuce.
We spent most of the weekend working on our "new" barn, it's the barn we've been building since last fall and I've got to figure out a new name for it since it no longer seems really new. I even got to drive the SkyTrak. Cool.
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