What's wrong with Civilization?

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Santas_warned_ho_ho_ho_offensive_to_11142007_af.html

America the Beautiful

What can be said about America that speaks to the truth of this land more than this - America The Beautiful.  This country reaches across a great curve of our earth, it is merely a piece of an incredible globe and it is indeed beautiful.  And I ask you now dear reader, have we made it more or less beautiful? 

 

I know it is possible for humans to make the earth more beautiful, to work with her natural wonders.  Have you ever been to a small hillside town, or an ancient village in a magical agricultural land.  A city built with care and human conditions considered in every street?  Have you ever wandered in a wild area and seen the vastness of nature spread out beyond your horizons?  This is what I see for America.  Something better than what we have now.  Something cleaner, and richer, something greener and more robust.  A happy place where people love each other and shake each other's hands. 

 

I love America, and I want her to be better.

Green Living 01

Green Living tip of the day:  Garbage Resistance Front

 

Instead of paying to have your garbage picked up weekly, which requires generating huge amounts of garbage (garbage = waste) try not having a garbage pickup at all.  Institute a carry in carry out garbage policy for all your guests to drive home the waste impact they (and you) have!  Unfortunately recycling is generally grouped with garbage removal services so you have to do your recycling yourself.  I go to Far West Fibers about once a month with a whole bunch of recycling which is really fun and great because ...  drum roll please...  they accept a myriad of things that curbside recyclers do not!  From plastic clamshells (the remnants of most street cart vendor meals) to Styrofoam.  So I can recycle much more than I would ordinarily be able to.

 

On the flip side the garbage my household does generate amounts to about a plastic shopping bag's worth per month, which gets hand delivered to a can with some room to spare.  I mix it up around the neighborhood so as to spread out my impact.  No one suffers, and I pay less, and guess what?  I recycle more and more every time. 

 

NOTE:  To reduce your garbage this much you must also compost.  For a good resource on composting in Portland check this site.

Nothing is sacred in the Police State

Freedom.  It is my mantra and my guiding light.  Liberal is a word to describe someone who loves liberty and therefore freedom.  The cycle of a police state always begins in freedom.  The freedom allowed becomes a corrupting force for some, and a guiding light for others.  Corruption is a virulent psychosis of the human species and always leads to suffering.  And when the balance of power shifts to those corrupted by the desire for power the police state forms.  First to protect us all, second to protect our valued interests, and third to perpetrate a permanent grip on that power, thereby removing the original reason and mode that the power was available in the first place.  Yet the struggle for freedom will always remain, and I believe always prevail.  It is an endless pendulum of balance, and the ignorance and stupidity that blinds the greedy seems to always keep the pendulum swinging wildly, never settling for long in a peaceful balanced state.

 

So I submit to you this article about High School students in Chicago that performed a completely non-violent sit in for peace.  An act of blessing directly descended from the very idol of the Christian faith which is purported to be the dominant religion in this country.  Has our nation's faith flown so far from it's teachings that we can no longer recognize peace for what it is? 

 

In so defending liberty we destroy it!!!!

 

Acts against the constitution, acts against free speech.  McCarthy has returned as Homeland Security who's mission is noble but who's authority has corrupted even it's simple charge: defend us all from threat.  Our leaders have failed us in the glint of opportunity to power.  It is up to us, as citizens, as free people to remind the government of this.  I call for more non-violent protest, I call upon every citizen to take charge in this.  Police, Army, Navy, Government officers, you are citizens who have sworn your life's work to protect this nation and guide her, what does your heart tell you?  Is sacrifice of freedom any way to protect it?  Is freedom more safe if it is LOCKED UP in a cage?

 

We have come very close to the edge.  If we can turn back will we ever be able to recover what we have lost?  If we must, we shall plummet over the edge into a void of renewal and chaos.  Of course this is what the founding father's intended to a degree, that the tree of liberty be renewed with the blood of patriots.  That blood has already begun spilling;  our brave soldiers overseas, the victims of terror at home and abroad, the futures of the students in the article above, and the fear in the hearts of every red blooded American who knows what freedom should be.

 

Eli Green, LEED AP

 

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The beginning...

I am a serial optimist.  It is my mode of thought, and a way of life.  I will always be so, and I will always fight to thrive.  It is the nature of people to fight for survival, and this is what brings me to my point.  A town in Tennessee has run out of water.  They are making do, but the sheriff makes a great point at the end of the article: what happens when a town of 145 people runs of water is very different than when a city of 4.5 million people runs out of water.  It will be a riot, a fight for survival, a glimpse of what can happen if we find ourselves on a world out of balance.  We cannot rely on the good will of people to do make the transition smoothly, we must avoid that transition.  Incremental change is our only option.  Change now, from a centralized source, for the good of the people.  Because people have shown over and over that we cannot do it on our own.  That is not how survival works.  It is an every person for themselves mentality.  This is not the best way to survive!  We know that!  Yet fight or flight is not about knowing, it is about doing.  And what we do when the oceans rise, and the fresh water disappears will mark this era in human evolution more than anything we have ever done in the past.

 

Get ready.  The change is coming.

Blogger Buzz: Environmental Blog Roundup

Blogger Buzz: Environmental Blog Roundup
A very cool blog that links some environmental blogs that Trav.is sent me. ThanSave as Draftks Trav!

The world as we know it is over

Apocalypse is upon is.  No.  just kidding.  It's close though, especially when you understand that word to mean the end of the world as we know it.  Which it is.  People's lives are valued over the survival of the ecosystem, speciation, and a healthy globe.  And with that almighty constant reigning supreme in the equation we are unable to reach a balance.  Actually the word equation denotes equality, as both sides of the equals sign must be equal (that's why it's called an equals sign).  So when news like this reaches my brain I know that our growth means conflict and death for all other species.  Including our own.  We will evolve, we will struggle, and we might make it.  I give us 1/20 odds.  Not good.  But not altogether bad.  Problem is, we don't know how much we need every other species out there, or if there is a threshold where we have killed too many off.  Only one way to find out, right?  Cross the threshold, then we'll know.  And WE WILL ALL BE DEAD.  That is why we must be progressive, why we cannot wait!  Why we must start doing something NOW!  It's called being progressive and I know that scares the crap out of Republicans and Conservatives (and many Democrats and Liberals as well) but it's our only choice.... or Goodbye. 

 

So, knowing the track record of humanity.  This is an early goodbye.  I've loved you world, and I won't give up, but it's not going to last forever at this rate.  You don't give up either ok?  We can solve this.  Just don't hold your breath.

On old idea taking flight

Automated pods whizzing between destinations are an idea that has been around for a long time.  Imagined as a safer alternative to humans operating vehicles (an idea I heartily endorse) they have been attempted for decades and are rarely successful.  Well, this article from the guardian describes a new system going in at Heathrow Airport in London, England.  That's very shagadellic isn't it?  The article mentions a fee for the service, but it is unclear whether that is for the airport project or the proposed systems going into other cities.  Either way, the future is here, and robot pilots are awesome.  Give it a try next time you fly!

Uh Oh

Well, according to this article germs get way more potent in zero g.  Maybe we'll figure out how to get to the moon without bringing any of these nasty buggers with us, but it could be a big problem.   Just another chance for a cool solution I guess!

I love you rawstory for having this, and I love you Family Guy for drawing this, and I also think this is hilariously awesomely funny and hilarious. Thank god there are people out there with the skills to get paid to make this kind of stuff. Because I have to go draw a building.

Amazing, and equally as powerful as the original. Oden, we all support you and hope you get well soon. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you get to know Portland better. From a long time Blazer fan to our new hope.

Election Reform: the single most important issue of the moment

http://www.getitstraightby2008.org

Our Fascist State

If you doubt in the slightest that we have not crossed the border between democracy and Fascism read this article and watch all three videos, each is short, and all are equally revolting, and all three are of the same thing.  This is not a joke, or a farce, this is recent news; an event that is a sad sad commentary on the state of our rights as Americans.  I hope this event turns into a lawsuit that goes on to affect the rights of police in action, severely limiting their protection in cases of civil rights violations.  That is what this is about.  Race, gender, orientation, religion - are not factors in civil rights violations.  These police offices need to be dismissed and prosecuted for brutally attacking an unarmed civilian acting within their rights.

 

But beyond this event, and the irreparable damage done to this individual, our nation, and the international view of this country what does this mean to you?  How will you feel next time you want to speak up to express your rights?  Or ask a question?  Or disagree with an authority figure?  Aren't these our rights?  Isn't that the FOUNDATION of this democracy?  I say it is too late already.  And we hover in the no man's land between capitulation and revolution.  Bloody and violent.  Sad and worse - a clear sign that this great experiment has failed, and despite the best efforts of millions we have been unable to create a safe, just, and reasonable society that can peacefully defend individual rights, and national values.

 

I know where I stand, and I can be but one thing; the change I desire.

Right up my alley

Thank you Google

A new fuel: Saltwater (but is burning things necessary?)

Just check out this web page about a man's new invention of a technique to use radio waves to break down the salt in salt-water which releases hydrogen that is then ignited. Wow. His last line about being willing to sell his invention is a truly sad cap to this story. But it does make for an interesting new way we might be able to drive industry. Shoot, if I could get this for my home, I'd be stoked!

Actually, just check out the video here:

My kind of architecture

Man I wish I could have been the one to get this commission, but the timing is off... give me about 30 more years I guess. Check out the article and enjoy the photo... we live in a very interesting world and at a very interesting time. The first commercial space port, soon to follow, the first commercial space structure, and then, as it were, the first commercial moon base, and you had better believe I'll be there with a hammer and a low G grin.

Wow, now this is how I'd like to get around.

Please, check out this article about a Mini that's been turned into an amaizng hybrid, far beyond the capacities of current available hybrids.  The trick is an old idea wherein each wheel has a motor inside, eliminating the need for drive train, engine, brakes, etc.

 

Truly the wave of the future.

A good use of the web

Just a simple kudos to the Seattle Examiner for including map content in their news article.  Now maybe American's will be able to find our own country on a map, and not react like this poor girl (who just plain got nervous, but clearly could use a little work on her public speaking and maybe a little less on her image.

Greenwashing the world brown

Inescapable: the fate of man to thwart ourselves and lead the world to ruin, with a bright eye, and torch held high, we face the future without contempt. Buy woa will be upon our brow when the future's falling failing furrow heeds no life from ground. Profit turns our daily clocks, wound with gears and springs clamoring for more resources, industry, blood, sweat, and tears.

In years far from now, people will not wonder why we went so wrong, it will be visible in the records, the recipts and tax histories. Written plainly for all to see: GREED. I do not ask for forgiveness, because we do not deserve it.

Greed in the Amazon

don't worry, the list will continue...

Moving in: Critical Paths

Prepare to be updated:  I have now moved in.  With the unprecedented help of 6 awesome friends I was able to move in to my house in one day, leaving only a few remaining trips of odds and ends.  This is how the critical path to moving in went;

 

Get keys on July 20th.  got them at around 11 am in front of my office from my awesome realtor Jesse Knight.  I was so ecstatic, I had to wander around for a few moments before going back to work to smile at everyone.  That night was also the release of Harry Potter 7, which is awesome so I didn't even go to my house to try out the new keys, I went to happy hour first with a bunch of buddies, then to Powell's till I had the book.  I decided to go to my parent's house afterwards because I had forgotten to bring my sleeping gear in the car that day.

 

Saturday morning arrived and I read HP in bed till about noon.  It is amazing.  Had some breakfast with my mom, packed my camping gear and headed over to my house.  My home.  All I brought was my pack and a laundry basket with my favorite Persian rug.  My buddy Adam Friedman (of Ovenlight) and his beautiful wife met me at my house and helped me make a grand entrance.  It was a great occasion.  Oh!  I forgot to mention the other thing I brought over - beer.  We drank some.  Shannon left to run an errand and Adam and I chilled out and checked the place out.  Turning all the knobs, opening all the drawers, checking all the nooks and crannies.  It was great fun, and when Shannon returned, she brought a wonderful gift of my first new house plant.  Thank you Shannon!  The left soon after (Shannon is pregnant, and couldn't stay longer as I had NO furniture in my house upon which to rest) and I was left to reading.  I rolled out my rug, inflated my camp mattress and unfurled my sleeping bag and read in the middle of the living room floor to my heart's content.  Jamie and Senna came by later and we had a similar time, rooting through all the mysteries a new house presents. 

 

Once left to my foibles again, I read and read all through the night, with a quick stop at my friend Lloyd's house for a little backyard party.  It was awesome.  Thank you Lloyd!  Back home I read some more.  That was it, the first night in my new house, sleeping on the living room floor on my rug, reading Harry Potter 7.  A suitable transition I believe.  I then began the process of making my house mine, and ready for me to move in. 

 

Monday, July 30th Nhance Flooring came by to refinish my original 1926 top-nailed hardwoods.  This was an absolutely generous gift from my father, to whom I am extraordinarily grateful.  Thank you Dad!!!  It takes a day for the floors to dry so you can walk on them, but a week before you can move furniture onto them.  Not to worry, I was headed to Florida for a long weekend on Thursday, and the days passed quickly.  Before I knew it I was back on August 7th and ready to move in.

 

Saturday the 11th was moving day, and like I said above, it was easy and fun with the help of these awesome people:  Jamie Pinney, you rock buddy, thanks for showing up early, helping, motivating and coming back later to end the night with me.  Alex Huang, an amazing man, manager and father.  You rock too, and I am thankful to have known both Jamie and Alex for over half my life now.  Curtis Johnson and Adam Friedman showed up and showed some serious muscle and with their help we got the couch, dresser, boxes and more all moved into Attila and the other cars and were off moving before I knew it.  Thank you both my friends, you rock three.  Kelln and Lindsay showed up later at my house and kicked ass by helping me go get two huge book cases from my office (thanks to Cujo too!) and cooking the first meal in my house which was amazing, and so suitable as it was a communal meal, shared by all, and enjoyed especially by myself.  YOU ALL ROCK!

Thank you all!

 

Yesterday, the 15th of August, Jamie Minkus met me at Ikea and we consumed their brand of delightfully quirky European design like voracious beasts and I now have a bed, a table, another table, some chairs and all the kitchen good I will need.  Thank you Jamie!

 

Now the fun really begins.  All the rest of the modifications, alterations, preservations, conservations, and discoverations are ready to go.  See you all soon, back here with more updates and soon to follow PICTURES!