Outspoken Environmentalist Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

Some people around Portland know Alfred “Fred” Padula for the pointed e-mails he fires at them from a computer in his energy- efficient home near Back Cove.

Padula is a prolific critic, a nag even, of local institutions and bureaucracies that he believes are not doing enough to fight global warming. And not many escape that list.

But other people know a different, more private, man. That’s the Padula who volunteers to help people make their homes more energy-efficient and donates untold thousands of dollars for things like solar panels on school buildings, climate education programs, and library collections on global warming and energy conservation.

Padula, a retired history professor, is not a politician or a celebrity. You’ve probably never heard of him.

But when it comes to believing that the world is hurling itself toward a climate catastrophe, and that one man can make a difference, Al Gore has nothing on Fred Padula. And Padula’s passion is quietly making a mark in his small corner of the world, whether it’s because of his griping or his generosity.

He’s called a catalyst, a change agent and an unsung hero. He gives a more humble assessment.

“I’m an environmental gadfly,” Padula says with a grin.

POST-RETIREMENT ACTIVIST

Although Padula’s passion for the environment has been developing for a long time, his battle against global warming is the latest in a series of careers.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to ‘61. And he was the U.S. State Department’s Cuba analyst in the mid-1960s, after Castro’s revolution and the missile crisis had thrust Cuba to the center of the foreign policy stage.

“Occasionally, you catch the wave in life,” he says.

In 1972, he came to Portland and got a job teaching history at the University of Southern Maine, where he continued to focus on Latin America. He wrote articles and co-wrote a book about women in socialist Cuba.

His career as a history professor there lasted 27 years, until he retired eight years ago.

Padula reinvented himself after his retirement. He canceled his subscription to a Cuban newspaper, gave away his library on Latin America and began his new career as an environmental activist and benefactor.

“He had some time to reflect on what was really important,” said Sandra Wachholz, a criminology professor at USM and a friend of Padula. “Fred is convinced that we really have this fairly narrow window to make change around the climate. There are people who are approaching this through the lens of diplomacy, and there are others who feel they just have to stand in the face of all these challenges and be as strong and vocal as they can be. And Fred is one of them.”

Padula has been a driving force behind Maine’s Green Campus Consortium, an organization that helps the state’s colleges and universities promote energy efficiency and fight global warming. That role hasn’t kept him from criticizing those schools � especially Bowdoin College, the state’s wealthiest.

“They don’t have a single solar panel at Bowdoin,” he said. “If you look at all the institutions in the state of Maine, who has the money to really change? The (one that) could really change the paradigm is Bowdoin.”

A Bowdoin administrator who is on the receiving end of many of Padula’s e-mails did not return a telephone call for this story. But a spokesman for the school said the criticism is misplaced.

“We’ve been recognized as a leader in sustainability,” said Scott Hood. “We are doing a lot and will continue to do more.”

The school’s efforts include programs that promote recycling, energy efficiency, alternative transportation and earth-friendly purchasing. “I don’t think there’s anybody who knows what we’re doing who would say we’re not taking things seriously,” Hood said.

Bowdoin is in good company when it comes to facing Padula’s ire. Most of Portland’s large private and public institutions are not taking the problem seriously enough, in his view.

Portland city officials are frequent targets of his e-mails because Padula believes that his hometown, like much of the state, is still in denial about the problem.

“Thirty-six towns and cities in Massachusetts have energy plans. Not a single city or town in Maine has one,” Padula says.

The city’s hospitals, bus service, airport and water district also are resisting changes that would reduce wasted energy, he says. Padula sees the need for change almost everywhere he goes.

A visit to the Portland International Jetport, for example, led to a series of e-mails to the airport manager about excessive lighting and wasted energy. The airport has reduced energy use, although the manager doesn’t credit Padula with the idea. It flat- out rejected Padula’s suggestion to install solar panels.

A stroll through his Portland neighborhood led to an e-mail to Portland’s public works director complaining that a sidewalk widening project was eliminating the potential to plant trees. The subject line read “Asphalt frenzy.”

“These are the kinds of small things where you multiply them by thousands of habits, and they add up to significant costs,” Padula said.

“Everybody has their arguments about why they shouldn’t change,” he said. “If we keep doing this, there’s going to be a price to be paid.”

‘CEASELESSLY GENEROUS’

Padula’s persistence and sense of urgency aren’t always appreciated.

“Change agents are annoying. That kind of goes with the territory,” said Dudley Greeley, the sustainability director at the University of Southern Maine and a friend of Padula. “It’s a difficult role to play in a society where all the checks and balances are to maintain the status quo.”

Padula’s frustration is carefully aimed at those with wealth and power, Greeley said.

“The other side is, he has been unflaggingly, ceaselessly generous at the other side of the spectrum, with people who have no power and few resources.”

He has volunteered to make the homes of low-income families more energy-efficient. Last year, he helped arrange for college students around the state to pitch in to that effort. And he gives away a lot of money.

That’s the Padula Cyndy Martin knows.

“He is an amazing man. He’s probably one of the most gentle souls I know. He’s so giving,” said Martin, a science teacher at Portland High School and the adviser of the school’s Environment Club. After the club’s members identified ways to reduce energy use at the school, Padula called and offered $25,000 to make it happen.

“I thought an angel just fell out of the sky,” Martin said.

The school is slowly making the changes, including more efficient lighting and new interior doors that will keep heat from escaping through the front entrance.

Along with giving money, Padula helped the high school’s students push for information from the school department about energy use in its buildings. The department recently posted the data on its Web site.

Padula usually remains anonymous when he donates money, but he agreed to talk about a sample of his gifts for this story.

He paid for solar panels on the roof of the East End Elementary School and Lincoln Middle School.

He also helped pay for a solar-powered geodesic dome outside Lincoln Middle School, where students learn about climate science and sustainability.

He donated $50,000 for solar panels on the roof of the USM Community Education Center, one of numerous energy-related gifts at the college’s Portland and Gorham campuses.

He also has paid for a program at USM that is training professors in various disciplines to incorporate climate science into their curriculums.

Padula, who is single, said the fact that he has no children allows him to be generous with money that he inherited.

Padula has shied away from the spotlight but agreed to talk about his efforts for this story, saying somebody has to speak up. But he repeatedly cautioned against exaggerating his impact.

“I’d be very loath to say we’re saving the planet from 69 Clifton St. We ain’t,” he said. “We’re just sort of getting started in this, and there’s so much to be done.”

Staff Writer John Richardson can be contacted at jrichardson@pressherald.com

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21 Comments so far

jungleboy December 27th, 2007 1:27 pm

He would make a good president, no?

Ramsay Mameesh December 27th, 2007 2:30 pm

Thanks Common Dreams. The politics, and catastrophes, can be overwhelming at times. This is a great uplifting article. Bring us more!

Thanks,
Ramsay

ezeflyer December 27th, 2007 3:19 pm

And what is the plutocracy doing with their billions?

moonraven December 27th, 2007 3:38 pm

eze:

I know that was a rhetorical question, but I will answer it anyway:

Making war on the planet and its flora and fauna.

Nasty job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Apparently.

bbr-001 December 27th, 2007 5:05 pm

Makes me feel guilty. He’s more than a wannabe environmentalist. He’s an extraordinary citizen.

Best wishes Mr. Padula.

seraphicmom December 27th, 2007 5:37 pm

long-live, john richardson !!

ike kay December 27th, 2007 6:06 pm

In the this story that I am writing and speaking about it becomes clear that the lag time of science to accurately report its findings is part of the problem. But even if they had had this data before the special interests in Washington the corporate world would have scoffed at the science and continued to put future generations at risk. This science is only acceptable because the world has accepted the findings of global warming. That is the other 170 nations not the USA

The time lag of a thousands years makes science affecting the oceans completely unimportant when a lag of only ten years to reduce emissions by 80% seems to me more difficult to achieve because of the economic issues. if we are to avoid the tipping point the positive backs loops must be avoided if possible but the American Enterprise Institute, scoffs at this because of economic reasons. An entire change in the global economic patterns will have to change and not one of the candidates of the guts to come out with it and not Edwards either.

From the issues of Energy, getting at least 80MPG and changing CAFÉ standards is just the beginning of the changes necessary and we need a person with courage and the ability to stand up and show America that he has the courage to fight all big business , who does not pay taxes, and exports all jobs wherever the profit margin is best. Iowa heard Edwards when he said he would fight special interests. Almost every problem we can look at has its roots in the values of the corporate world and how they have distorted all values towards their own ends of making profit. For example, the acidity in the oceans is bad news not only for the life within the ocean but for the fact that it makes the ocean less able to absorb the excess carbon dioxide and therefore exacerbates global warming and climate change.

The UN, like most organizations built around the G8 nations and economics which is the number one issue not only to fight global poverty. The UN Goals are designed to do two things try the save humanity and try to save the world economy at the same time. The Kyoto treaty is problematic in that its policies promote continued pollution aimed at keeping the world economy afloat. It is economics that keeps the USA from joining. If the UN were really interested at saving this planet the UN would do away with pollution trading altogether and institute a crash rapid change to alternative energy and an end to global toxicity. But that is the truth and diplomacy is the method of compromise and lies. Politicians really just let you think they care, they want you to think, as all diplomats do. that they are really interested in change.

I have talked with delegates from the UN member nations and many of them have said to me if they really said what some of us NGO’s are saying that would be recalled and never have a job again. Most comments are very nice to hear but like the Congress they also come down beside the point as most politicians do. Like most comments from the present Congress and in the blogs or wherever they avoid reality and don’t deal with the issue head on. Most are still looking for the magic technological bullet or some disingenuous politician that will save all and we can continue on the way we are going with ever more growth and ever more and greater GDP as the bankers advise. Any candidate that does not talk about environmental issues first on the agenda, including Kucinich, betrays America and the world. BUT IF ANYONE THINKS THAT BIG BUSINESS WILL CHANGE FORGET IT! MONEY AND PROFIT AND POWER. . .THAT ALL!

But there really there isn’t any quick fix. I am a filmmaker and have worked on the environmental change issues since 1978 so I have a fair amount of experience to speak. While LED light-bulbs is good and 40 MPG for cars is better it is not the at least the 80MPG that is necessary and refits for all existing cars rather than exporting them to the developing world which is presently being done and will pick up speed as restrictions rise in the western world. We continue to export the problem from the USA to other countries as if we don’t share this world with other people. And while Jesse Jackson talks of the black people of the world, his particular crusade its the people of the entire world at issue.

It was GE that killed the electric car not long ago who in Congress who complained about that? INSTEAD THE BIG 3 IN DETROIT INTRODUCED THE HUMMMER. Whether health care, environment, energy alternatives, toxicity in the environment or any and all of these it comes down to who has the courage to talk about all of them rather than focusing on the head of a pin the one important issue to avoid dealing with the others. Like health Care for example but lets talk about health care? The advance of environmentally based health problems by a toxic environment and air related pandemics is what we are looking at in the next few years with rising temperatures. The candidates are discussing universal health care? Try that on for the global health care because what’s there will very soon be here because all the sicknesses have been on the rise because of the policies of the USA. Here try this fact on, three percent of the world’s population the USA, produces seventy three percent of global toxicity. You wonder where cancer comes from?

The people of the USA have been so ill informed as to what true change would really do and mean to this country and the change in leadership. Mr. Present bad president has taken your mind away from the really important problems by creating a false war and rejecting all the great innovation and industry. America could have been in the forefront by building innovation with manufacturing aimed at environmental invention to reduce global warming. New jobs and technology for America by saving the environment rather than making it worse. No one could be worse than George Bush. . . No one not even the dog catcher, at least the dog catcher has compassion for animals!

The real problem is not Kucinich as president, the problem is that he puts his emphasis on the wrong problem at the wrong time. The problem is getting him to address a credible platform of ideas. I say to him while impeachment is necessary, it is unlikely. There is not enough time and the issues most pressing are again avoided, like the environment and those really important issues before the congress now like kids health care! The issue of this election will affect the environment, economy and the future of the USA as no others. Yet if more than 50% of eligible voters cast their votes it will be a miracle because of regressive US election laws. It is compulsory for every one to vote in Australia. None of the candidates are really talking on the major points of the environment in association with the economy or health care and reform laws for elections.

The environmental news coming out is not new but it is very grave and keeps being pushed to more urgency as new research comes to light. If any one reading this comment cares to look at the website of NASA, the research papers of James Hansen in particular that were published long before Gore was on the scene and many since, they would understand that we really can not deal with much more than one degree to two and half degrees Fahrenheit of warming at its maximum to ward off the most serious effects of industrial societies pollution and to offset this growing catastrophe.

At about two and half degrees warming which is presently in the pipeline we will be dealing with about 550 ppm of carbon in the atmosphere, at the turn of the century perhaps more. Since industry will not cut back without governments legislating it. We will actually go above the tipping point of one and half degrees warming. The courage to slow the economy and turn its direction is what is necessary. To keep the global temperature at no more than 430 ppm , the absolute figure to avoid the major positive feedback loops, it will require economic changes most nations, including CHINA will not make! Therefore the start of the catastrophe is scheduled to kick in by 2020 or earlier if nothing is done quickly. Positive feedback are starting now with Methane now being released on the tundra at four times the addition to greenhouse gasses and causing the poles and glaciers to melt more rapidly, or has no one noticed?

The below scenario excerpted from the climate articles here on Common Dreams tell us clearly without rapid change runaway climate change and their feedback loops are in reach within 10 to 30 years if nothing is done rapidly. The positive feedback loops will melt the remainder of the glaciers and perhaps dump Greenland into the sea as well. Also, the melting of additional ice-shelf’s at the poles. That means perhaps a 3 to 30 foot ocean rise by the end of this century, but the process is beginning now and in 20 years or less without rapid change in economic direction the human race will reach a point of no return. The so called news and other media continue to bend the information toward the global economic agenda thus minimizing its importance. India for example is less concerned about climate change than they are about economic production thanks to the G8, although their neighbor Bangladesh is slipping into the sea . Still in India, there are several moves in the direction of smaller is better concepts of reality. GOOD BUT POSSIBLY TOO LATE!

There will be sufficient human displacement of people on this planet to bring American citizens into a nightmare scenario that makes the present Mexican border problem a walk in the park. What about the transfer of health risks as a result of this problem? Not to mention water and food related issues and the economy, always the economy.

Yet is seems the political discussion rests on the complete list of talking points in isolation, such as Clinton’s health package and its cost, rather than what is really at stake which is human survival. These folks on the stage wanting to be president rarely talk to the complete interrelated package of all these issues and more. The media reduces the public debate to its most simplistic level and all here are arguing about one issue or another rather than the entire package which a true leader must address. The media keeps the public dumbed down for obvious reasons they represent the money people. As a result we become unable to talk about moving radically to deal with climate change the first and major issue which affects all other issues and is completely related to economic change.

The world does not have (much later) before a more aggressive approach to all the issues beginning with climate change! Remember New Orleans many more of those and nothing is being done there, the USA is trying to make Pakistan a democracy instead. Within next 10 to 20 years is where it all hangs. If nothing is done very soon it will mark the beginning of the end for the human race. Those appear to be the facts and no technology will stop runaway climate change once it begins, indeed if we look at the melting poles the worst case is much more apparent than formerly believed . . .it has already begun!!

Perhaps it might be too late now, according to James Lovelock, in his view the feedback loops have begun. James Hansen at NASA makes a very compelling case for the time frame for action, 8 to 10 years, the term of the next president of the USA and that is why who it is so important! I think anyone who really wishes to be informed should go to the websites of these people mentioned, the IPCC of James Hansen, NASA. It is technical information but worth taking the time to inform yourself. The answer is to start working quickly for change and vote for those candidates who speak of change and another direction and who represent ideas rather than special interests.

For example the best work would be to defeat the pro-business Clintons and elect Kucinich or Obama or possibly a joint ticket while we know they have an outside chance they are the best possibility for change. But we all know business interests will prevail with Clinton capturing the vote and a pro-business vote is a vote against the environment. No one running on the democratic side could be worse than Bush.

But anyone who can think understands that the business interests control the environmental agenda and most candidates. The republicans will continue the work of burying the planet as will pro-business democratic candidates most of whom have been bought, whether by health interests or anything else concerning big money.

The facts concerning climate science is what is important. What the environmental facts really suggest is economic depression in the West in the near term if we want to save the world. There really is no quick fix do you think Wall Street or all of you out there with your 401ks will take a chance? But if we are really serious about saving the planet (no one wants to hear that if they are connected to big money) it means voting for economic and environmental legislation limiting pollution and green house gasses and taking another direction in terms of the economic picture. . .in any event that is change!

But the environment, water, energy production these are the real issues of this election campaign but no one would dare mention them in association with change in economic direction for fear of defeat. A redirection and a retooling of the global economy and of America is in order and that is not a popular issue on Wall street or people invested in Wall street. . .most everyone in one way or another.

We have to change rapidly and move to a none-stop production of environmental invention and energy alternatives for the western world and developing nations rapidly. It also means rapid technology transfer for the developing world without delay, this may save us some time. A cut of 80% of the carbon emissions within the next 10 years is in order and it must be done beginning now and well on the way before 2012 the next date for Kyoto. Kyoto is a western world fabrication to tell us we can keep polluting while where figuring a way to deal with this crisis economically.

A change of the present direction of economic production and fast move in a different direction economically is required by anyone that can think and put simple figures in context of this crisis. The world is waiting for this move by the Americans and watch the dollar rise rapidly against other currencies once this plan would be announced if ever. This is why this upcoming election is so critical and the results of it will determine whether the human race survives. . . . It is that critical!

The economic change in direction could possibly reemploy a lot of people who have lost their work in the polluting industries. This is the challenge to America to remake itself after eight years of the Bush/Cheney regime. It is equivalent to a fight for survival that required the retooling of America at the outbreak of WW 2. It requires change in the so-called war on terror, a Bush fabrication advanced by the media which is a money centered mind conditioning creation and finally, it means leaving Iraq, and using those resources to fight the real enemy to survival, the western consumer, hydro carbon based, societies of the western world.

Who knows that might mean less of an investment in China and more of an investment the western world for a healthier environment? And the Chinese might follow that example as well.

Which candidate will say this to America? Which candidate will really tell the truth? If they did they wouldn’t have a chance in this election because Americans don’t want to hear that! Any one having the courage to really tell the truth would find themselves on the next train to Siberia; they would be shouted down by the crowds of people on the stump and many on this blog. saying what the hell do you know anyway? “This is too scary for me!”

But the economy is the issues and that is determined by the war in Iraq. The illegal Bush-war that Kucinich wants to impeach Bush/Cheney for creating but takes us into another direction and one not well thought out. He is focused on the lies of Bush rather than the future of the world.

The production of alternative energy will soak up the idle job market, indeed it is doing so now! With a shift to the priority of economic production and development directed at saving this world and its equilibrium, means in simple terms a crash economic change which is vitally necessary, without that we are done. If any one thinks that we can continue with an oil economy and business as usual with a consumer based society, they are living in the world of denial which so much of the western world occupies. The below is a light message compared with what the truth really is: from UN sources of information!

“The world needs to spend 1.6 percent of global economic output annually through 2030 to stabilize the carbon stock and meet the 3.6-degree Fahrenheit temperature target. Rich countries, the biggest carbon emitters, should lead the way and cut emissions at least 30 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Developing nations should cut emissions 20 percent by 2050, the UNDP says.”

The above is letting you down lightly is really not what the actual projections are. The world crisis will crash in on its regional global populations is what the information below is saying. There really is no place in this discussion for a 5.4 to 7.2 Fahrenheit degree rise in temperature. . . .this scenario painted with the these numbers below is a different planet closer to Mars not Earth. The news media play with numbers like the lottery. We can tolerate one degree and perhaps two and half degrees warming at the outside, . . .in the next 50 to 90 years. . .that’s it!!!!! An additional 3 degrees to four degrees Fahrenheit is three more degrees greater than this climate and its creatures can sustain or endure without collapse!! This quoted from the recent UN assertions here in Common Dreams and from the real information by scientists not political organization:

“a temperature rise of between 5.4 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3 and 4 degrees Celsius) would displace 340 million people through flooding, droughts would diminish farm output, and retreating glaciers would cut off drinking water from as many as 1.8 billion people, the report says.” this is an understatement and conservative.

The above report is economically associated and conservative as well as misleading!!! Forget this idea of 5.4 to 7.2 Fahrenheit of warming that is the Martian landscape because it allows for the runaway positive feedbacks to take hold. Whomever believes this world can sustain this degree of warming is either working for the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank or is gathering this information from the laboratory at XXON/Mobile or its publicists!!??????

Meanwhile the group here is discussing who will give us better health care on a dying planet and impeachment of Bush a good way to avoid dealing with the truth. We can be suspect of anyone who says they have the truth. The need for understanding this current cast of characters wanting to be president is important. None of this group has the faintest idea of what we are really dealing with in terms of global warming numbers concerning the environment, and if they did they would not tell the public. They know it’s bad and their advisers are telling them they can’t deal with this issue to get elected by the masses.

The masses? Unless you have not heard, these are the people above who are worrying where their next bag of groceries comes from and the money to pay the rent! They really don’t give a damn about the environmental issues. . And have no time for thinking about 10 to 20 years from today that has no realty attached to it for most Americans or the rest of the four and half billion people on this Earth in the same situation. . . .

Or, for the rest of the population working for and controlled by big business and big money. . .that is what this election is really about and if one thinks about the complexity of all these interrelated issues we know that we can not beat the odds business will win. That means the future for humanity is limited even for the one percent that has everything. Sure elect Edwards, Obama, or Kucinich or any combination of most of the Democrats that are not funded by big business for this election. This is the reality of this time we still live, on this, still beautiful planet.

As always, it is the Bush nightmare that suspends and forestalls human action forward. if there was a single problem for this world in the past eight years it has been this throwback from the Jurassic period that occupies the Black House steeped in the blood of untold millions in this world both present and future. How much I like the call to optimism, to human adventure and responsible action. I rings like the bell of the angels and like so many who write her I am happy for those who are secure in their optimism, more people at Bali should get your vibes and act responsibly. Having said that I have written here on the problem and tried often to get the powers to be accept we have a really serious problem. I work at the UN and UNESCO in Europe, I know that politics keeps action from happening.

I must say, I loathe the establishment because my concerned friends, it comes down to vested interests, greed and the economy as so many here writing understand. I am afraid that we have lost this little game of truth or consequences. But if the truth really be known, the power elite and the one percent who have everything and own everyone really don’t care if some three billion people on this globe perish.

This is the reality of the circumstances of this situation of climate change and its results. The carbon producing industry want to burn every resulting carbon atom they can release, the atomic energy plants will continue mining uranium and its horrendous amounts a carbon produced to provide the fuel and the last tree in the Amazon will be cut as well as every other rain forest.

macduffy December 27th, 2007 6:51 pm

OMG, what a tour de force!
I’m stunned that someone has finally put it all down in one place for the rest of us to contemplate and then hopefully act upon. I’ve been waking up in the early hours with many of these scenarios on my mind.
Dennis Kucinich is the one that will stand up to the business as usual crowd, he has proven this time and time again. I fear, truly, that all is lost if HilObaEdws get elected.

p.s. Read ‘The World Without Us’ and believe it or not ‘The Ravaging Tide’ wherein the author describes that mankind is programmed to act to immediate danger and that we are not unlike frogs being slowly simmered until we no longer have the wherewithall or will to act.

macduffy December 27th, 2007 7:00 pm

iammyself December 27th, 2007 7:47 pm

‘“Thirty-six towns and cities in Massachusetts have energy plans. Not a single city or town in Maine has one,” Padula says.

The city’s hospitals, bus service, airport and water district also are resisting changes that would reduce wasted energy, he says. Padula sees the need for change almost everywhere he goes.’

This is accurate. After 26 years in Maine, I’ve come to realize just how provincial it is here.

There are a lot of good enviros here. Unfortunately, they face a huge wall of resistance from the powers that be, on both sides of the aisle. The Dems here are a bunch of go-alongs!

“As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” Hah!
“Dirigo.” Double hah!!

ezeflyer December 27th, 2007 8:39 pm

Whew! Ike, I think you are absolutely correct.

rebl December 27th, 2007 10:19 pm

What a way to lead by example. Sort of brings a new perspective to the phrase, “Just Do It,” doesn’t it?

rtdrury December 28th, 2007 5:46 am

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” - Chinese proverb

“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” - Thomas Jefferson

“We need an energy bill that encourages consumption.” - President Chimp, Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002

twoblueday December 28th, 2007 8:16 am

I’m glad to read about this fellow.

Tell me if I’m typical, or atypical in the following: of the people I know well personally, family friends and acquaintances, not one of them: 1) drives a fuel-efficient vehicle (or considers them when getting a new car); 2) cares about recycling; 3) replaces incandescent bulbs; 4) considers spending a little extra for energy-efficient appliances; 5) contributes to environmental causes; 6) considers candidates’ environmental positions; 7) thinks of Al Gore as anything but a nut; has ever raised the notion of global warming in a conversation with me; and 9) has ever mentioned the environment in my presence. The person nearest and dearest to me complains about the lighting when I change out the heat lamps (oh, I mean incandescent bulbs) for more energy-saving ones.

Am I supposed to stop loving them? Nag them? What?

So, I drive my little hybrid, carry my cloth bags to the grocery, sneak around changing bulbs (and turning them off!).

verdantman December 28th, 2007 8:45 am

Good work Padula. An inspiration!

Ike, you said so much truth, thank you!
I feel rage towards the genocidal maniacs that run the White House, and other military-industrial-congressional complexes. They are poisoning our climate, with uncertain consequences for our species (and many others).
Keep telling the truth Ike. Maybe humanity can get it’s collective ass into gear in time.
I reckon we will only avoid the 2 degrees tipping point if we ration CO2 emissions. I see delaying and denying current solutions to anthropogenic Climate Change. Teaching people this feels like i’m a sharp sighted iceberg spotter on the Titanic who’s being ignored! But try we must, and try i will.

Commentarian December 28th, 2007 3:23 pm

Ike, you might consider condensing that post (which you post repeatedly) into something a little more succinct, though it has good points. HOWEVER, No, I think Kucinich is 100% correct to push for impeachment NOW, because if we don’t, the powers of the Executive Branch/President will potentially continue to expand far beyond the Constitutional constraints, ever more than it has now (which already has made a significant move to a fascist regime). This is about the 3-branch balance in our country, not just BushCo’s abuses of power. The balance can only be righted with immediate impeachment proceedings before we get into worse conflict with Iran, ASIDE FROM all the other God-knows-what crap going on that needs more oversight (and we know we’re all being wiretapped and internet spied on already!). There are so many initiated investigations going on that we’ll be some time before much of it begins to get processed properly to a reasonable degree. BUT THIS MUST BE DONE. Its the disease of our country that has to be treated before the patient can recover. When one has toxins, you feel worse before you can get better. It is necessary if America is to ‘live.’ I see no other way. The longer we wait the more crap goes on that damages America more.

Tomover December 28th, 2007 3:35 pm

Hey twoblueday,

in response to your question about what to do about the people around you. If you want my opinion, it is this: get involved with like-minded people in and effort to make a positive difference. I’m not saying isolate yourself from those who don’t share your values, but you can only get so far in trying to ‘convert’ the people around you.

—Tom Over

Vera Gottlieb December 28th, 2007 4:02 pm

No! Not President or any other political position. He is much more effective remaining free to express his opinion and follow his conscience than being on a ‘leash’.

gabrielle December 28th, 2007 7:57 pm

The personal is political. The political is personal. This man personifies this. May we all live our lives in this way, and inch by inch the world shall turn.

ThadStone December 29th, 2007 12:54 am

twoblueday:

1) sometimes I announce to friends/relatives my MPG on a recent trip: “I just got 49 mpg driving cross country :-)” or “I just drove NYC to DC, and averaged 50 mpg”.
If they are totally uninterested, I let it pass, and move on. If they express interest, I might explain my Prius a little more. Some people still think you have to plug it in… People are usually more interested as the cost of gasoline goes up.

{{The person nearest and dearest to me complains about the lighting when I change out the heat lamps (oh, I mean incandescent bulbs) for more energy-saving ones.}}

They make Compact Flourescent Lights that are more sun-like, a different lighting spectrum. Maybe that is what bothers them, they are used to the color of an incandescent. Or maybe, you are not using enough Lumens, try a 23 watt CFL rather than 15 watt, something like that. If they are just giving you a hard time, smack ‘em.

Nobody likes to be lectured, but some people will be a little interested, if approached correctly.

Where do you live, Texas ?
Even if no one that you know follows your ‘example’, you are voting with your dollars. For example, enough people bought hybrid cars in the last 10 years to make it worthwhile for many companies to do Research and Development on lithium-ion batteries for autos. In 3 years, the new hybrids will be so clearly superior, even the most cluelessly selfish consumer will want one.

snydly December 29th, 2007 2:16 am

Here are a couple nice surprises—

“Blessed Unrest” by Paul Hawken, and

www.lakotafreedom.com

enjoy

jungleboy December 27th, 2007 1:27 pm

He would make a good president, no?
Ramsay Mameesh December 27th, 2007 2:30 pm

Thanks Common Dreams. The politics, and catastrophes, can be overwhelming at times. This is a great uplifting article. Bring us more!

Thanks,
Ramsay
ezeflyer December 27th, 2007 3:19 pm

And what is the plutocracy doing with their billions?
moonraven December 27th, 2007 3:38 pm

eze:

I know that was a rhetorical question, but I will answer it anyway:

Making war on the planet and its flora and fauna.

Nasty job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Apparently.
bbr-001 December 27th, 2007 5:05 pm

Makes me feel guilty. He’s more than a wannabe environmentalist. He’s an extraordinary citizen.

Best wishes Mr. Padula.
seraphicmom December 27th, 2007 5:37 pm

long-live, john richardson !!
ike kay December 27th, 2007 6:06 pm

In the this story that I am writing and speaking about it becomes clear that the lag time of science to accurately report its findings is part of the problem. But even if they had had this data before the special interests in Washington the corporate world would have scoffed at the science and continued to put future generations at risk. This science is only acceptable because the world has accepted the findings of global warming. That is the other 170 nations not the USA

The time lag of a thousands years makes science affecting the oceans completely unimportant when a lag of only ten years to reduce emissions by 80% seems to me more difficult to achieve because of the economic issues. if we are to avoid the tipping point the positive backs loops must be avoided if possible but the American Enterprise Institute, scoffs at this because of economic reasons. An entire change in the global economic patterns will have to change and not one of the candidates of the guts to come out with it and not Edwards either.

From the issues of Energy, getting at least 80MPG and changing CAFÉ standards is just the beginning of the changes necessary and we need a person with courage and the ability to stand up and show America that he has the courage to fight all big business , who does not pay taxes, and exports all jobs wherever the profit margin is best. Iowa heard Edwards when he said he would fight special interests. Almost every problem we can look at has its roots in the values of the corporate world and how they have distorted all values towards their own ends of making profit. For example, the acidity in the oceans is bad news not only for the life within the ocean but for the fact that it makes the ocean less able to absorb the excess carbon dioxide and therefore exacerbates global warming and climate change.

The UN, like most organizations built around the G8 nations and economics which is the number one issue not only to fight global poverty. The UN Goals are designed to do two things try the save humanity and try to save the world economy at the same time. The Kyoto treaty is problematic in that its policies promote continued pollution aimed at keeping the world economy afloat. It is economics that keeps the USA from joining. If the UN were really interested at saving this planet the UN would do away with pollution trading altogether and institute a crash rapid change to alternative energy and an end to global toxicity. But that is the truth and diplomacy is the method of compromise and lies. Politicians really just let you think they care, they want you to think, as all diplomats do. that they are really interested in change.

I have talked with delegates from the UN member nations and many of them have said to me if they really said what some of us NGO’s are saying that would be recalled and never have a job again. Most comments are very nice to hear but like the Congress they also come down beside the point as most politicians do. Like most comments from the present Congress and in the blogs or wherever they avoid reality and don’t deal with the issue head on. Most are still looking for the magic technological bullet or some disingenuous politician that will save all and we can continue on the way we are going with ever more growth and ever more and greater GDP as the bankers advise. Any candidate that does not talk about environmental issues first on the agenda, including Kucinich, betrays America and the world. BUT IF ANYONE THINKS THAT BIG BUSINESS WILL CHANGE FORGET IT! MONEY AND PROFIT AND POWER. . .THAT ALL!

But there really there isn’t any quick fix. I am a filmmaker and have worked on the environmental change issues since 1978 so I have a fair amount of experience to speak. While LED light-bulbs is good and 40 MPG for cars is better it is not the at least the 80MPG that is necessary and refits for all existing cars rather than exporting them to the developing world which is presently being done and will pick up speed as restrictions rise in the western world. We continue to export the problem from the USA to other countries as if we don’t share this world with other people. And while Jesse Jackson talks of the black people of the world, his particular crusade its the people of the entire world at issue.

It was GE that killed the electric car not long ago who in Congress who complained about that? INSTEAD THE BIG 3 IN DETROIT INTRODUCED THE HUMMMER. Whether health care, environment, energy alternatives, toxicity in the environment or any and all of these it comes down to who has the courage to talk about all of them rather than focusing on the head of a pin the one important issue to avoid dealing with the others. Like health Care for example but lets talk about health care? The advance of environmentally based health problems by a toxic environment and air related pandemics is what we are looking at in the next few years with rising temperatures. The candidates are discussing universal health care? Try that on for the global health care because what’s there will very soon be here because all the sicknesses have been on the rise because of the policies of the USA. Here try this fact on, three percent of the world’s population the USA, produces seventy three percent of global toxicity. You wonder where cancer comes from?

The people of the USA have been so ill informed as to what true change would really do and mean to this country and the change in leadership. Mr. Present bad president has taken your mind away from the really important problems by creating a false war and rejecting all the great innovation and industry. America could have been in the forefront by building innovation with manufacturing aimed at environmental invention to reduce global warming. New jobs and technology for America by saving the environment rather than making it worse. No one could be worse than George Bush. . . No one not even the dog catcher, at least the dog catcher has compassion for animals!

The real problem is not Kucinich as president, the problem is that he puts his emphasis on the wrong problem at the wrong time. The problem is getting him to address a credible platform of ideas. I say to him while impeachment is necessary, it is unlikely. There is not enough time and the issues most pressing are again avoided, like the environment and those really important issues before the congress now like kids health care! The issue of this election will affect the environment, economy and the future of the USA as no others. Yet if more than 50% of eligible voters cast their votes it will be a miracle because of regressive US election laws. It is compulsory for every one to vote in Australia. None of the candidates are really talking on the major points of the environment in association with the economy or health care and reform laws for elections.

The environmental news coming out is not new but it is very grave and keeps being pushed to more urgency as new research comes to light. If any one reading this comment cares to look at the website of NASA, the research papers of James Hansen in particular that were published long before Gore was on the scene and many since, they would understand that we really can not deal with much more than one degree to two and half degrees Fahrenheit of warming at its maximum to ward off the most serious effects of industrial societies pollution and to offset this growing catastrophe.

At about two and half degrees warming which is presently in the pipeline we will be dealing with about 550 ppm of carbon in the atmosphere, at the turn of the century perhaps more. Since industry will not cut back without governments legislating it. We will actually go above the tipping point of one and half degrees warming. The courage to slow the economy and turn its direction is what is necessary. To keep the global temperature at no more than 430 ppm , the absolute figure to avoid the major positive feedback loops, it will require economic changes most nations, including CHINA will not make! Therefore the start of the catastrophe is scheduled to kick in by 2020 or earlier if nothing is done quickly. Positive feedback are starting now with Methane now being released on the tundra at four times the addition to greenhouse gasses and causing the poles and glaciers to melt more rapidly, or has no one noticed?

The below scenario excerpted from the climate articles here on Common Dreams tell us clearly without rapid change runaway climate change and their feedback loops are in reach within 10 to 30 years if nothing is done rapidly. The positive feedback loops will melt the remainder of the glaciers and perhaps dump Greenland into the sea as well. Also, the melting of additional ice-shelf’s at the poles. That means perhaps a 3 to 30 foot ocean rise by the end of this century, but the process is beginning now and in 20 years or less without rapid change in economic direction the human race will reach a point of no return. The so called news and other media continue to bend the information toward the global economic agenda thus minimizing its importance. India for example is less concerned about climate change than they are about economic production thanks to the G8, although their neighbor Bangladesh is slipping into the sea . Still in India, there are several moves in the direction of smaller is better concepts of reality. GOOD BUT POSSIBLY TOO LATE!

There will be sufficient human displacement of people on this planet to bring American citizens into a nightmare scenario that makes the present Mexican border problem a walk in the park. What about the transfer of health risks as a result of this problem? Not to mention water and food related issues and the economy, always the economy.

Yet is seems the political discussion rests on the complete list of talking points in isolation, such as Clinton’s health package and its cost, rather than what is really at stake which is human survival. These folks on the stage wanting to be president rarely talk to the complete interrelated package of all these issues and more. The media reduces the public debate to its most simplistic level and all here are arguing about one issue or another rather than the entire package which a true leader must address. The media keeps the public dumbed down for obvious reasons they represent the money people. As a result we become unable to talk about moving radically to deal with climate change the first and major issue which affects all other issues and is completely related to economic change.

The world does not have (much later) before a more aggressive approach to all the issues beginning with climate change! Remember New Orleans many more of those and nothing is being done there, the USA is trying to make Pakistan a democracy instead. Within next 10 to 20 years is where it all hangs. If nothing is done very soon it will mark the beginning of the end for the human race. Those appear to be the facts and no technology will stop runaway climate change once it begins, indeed if we look at the melting poles the worst case is much more apparent than formerly believed . . .it has already begun!!

Perhaps it might be too late now, according to James Lovelock, in his view the feedback loops have begun. James Hansen at NASA makes a very compelling case for the time frame for action, 8 to 10 years, the term of the next president of the USA and that is why who it is so important! I think anyone who really wishes to be informed should go to the websites of these people mentioned, the IPCC of James Hansen, NASA. It is technical information but worth taking the time to inform yourself. The answer is to start working quickly for change and vote for those candidates who speak of change and another direction and who represent ideas rather than special interests.

For example the best work would be to defeat the pro-business Clintons and elect Kucinich or Obama or possibly a joint ticket while we know they have an outside chance they are the best possibility for change. But we all know business interests will prevail with Clinton capturing the vote and a pro-business vote is a vote against the environment. No one running on the democratic side could be worse than Bush.

But anyone who can think understands that the business interests control the environmental agenda and most candidates. The republicans will continue the work of burying the planet as will pro-business democratic candidates most of whom have been bought, whether by health interests or anything else concerning big money.

The facts concerning climate science is what is important. What the environmental facts really suggest is economic depression in the West in the near term if we want to save the world. There really is no quick fix do you think Wall Street or all of you out there with your 401ks will take a chance? But if we are really serious about saving the planet (no one wants to hear that if they are connected to big money) it means voting for economic and environmental legislation limiting pollution and green house gasses and taking another direction in terms of the economic picture. . .in any event that is change!

But the environment, water, energy production these are the real issues of this election campaign but no one would dare mention them in association with change in economic direction for fear of defeat. A redirection and a retooling of the global economy and of America is in order and that is not a popular issue on Wall street or people invested in Wall street. . .most everyone in one way or another.

We have to change rapidly and move to a none-stop production of environmental invention and energy alternatives for the western world and developing nations rapidly. It also means rapid technology transfer for the developing world without delay, this may save us some time. A cut of 80% of the carbon emissions within the next 10 years is in order and it must be done beginning now and well on the way before 2012 the next date for Kyoto. Kyoto is a western world fabrication to tell us we can keep polluting while where figuring a way to deal with this crisis economically.

A change of the present direction of economic production and fast move in a different direction economically is required by anyone that can think and put simple figures in context of this crisis. The world is waiting for this move by the Americans and watch the dollar rise rapidly against other currencies once this plan would be announced if ever. This is why this upcoming election is so critical and the results of it will determine whether the human race survives. . . . It is that critical!

The economic change in direction could possibly reemploy a lot of people who have lost their work in the polluting industries. This is the challenge to America to remake itself after eight years of the Bush/Cheney regime. It is equivalent to a fight for survival that required the retooling of America at the outbreak of WW 2. It requires change in the so-called war on terror, a Bush fabrication advanced by the media which is a money centered mind conditioning creation and finally, it means leaving Iraq, and using those resources to fight the real enemy to survival, the western consumer, hydro carbon based, societies of the western world.

Who knows that might mean less of an investment in China and more of an investment the western world for a healthier environment? And the Chinese might follow that example as well.

Which candidate will say this to America? Which candidate will really tell the truth? If they did they wouldn’t have a chance in this election because Americans don’t want to hear that! Any one having the courage to really tell the truth would find themselves on the next train to Siberia; they would be shouted down by the crowds of people on the stump and many on this blog. saying what the hell do you know anyway? “This is too scary for me!”

But the economy is the issues and that is determined by the war in Iraq. The illegal Bush-war that Kucinich wants to impeach Bush/Cheney for creating but takes us into another direction and one not well thought out. He is focused on the lies of Bush rather than the future of the world.

The production of alternative energy will soak up the idle job market, indeed it is doing so now! With a shift to the priority of economic production and development directed at saving this world and its equilibrium, means in simple terms a crash economic change which is vitally necessary, without that we are done. If any one thinks that we can continue with an oil economy and business as usual with a consumer based society, they are living in the world of denial which so much of the western world occupies. The below is a light message compared with what the truth really is: from UN sources of information!

“The world needs to spend 1.6 percent of global economic output annually through 2030 to stabilize the carbon stock and meet the 3.6-degree Fahrenheit temperature target. Rich countries, the biggest carbon emitters, should lead the way and cut emissions at least 30 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Developing nations should cut emissions 20 percent by 2050, the UNDP says.”

The above is letting you down lightly is really not what the actual projections are. The world crisis will crash in on its regional global populations is what the information below is saying. There really is no place in this discussion for a 5.4 to 7.2 Fahrenheit degree rise in temperature. . . .this scenario painted with the these numbers below is a different planet closer to Mars not Earth. The news media play with numbers like the lottery. We can tolerate one degree and perhaps two and half degrees warming at the outside, . . .in the next 50 to 90 years. . .that’s it!!!!! An additional 3 degrees to four degrees Fahrenheit is three more degrees greater than this climate and its creatures can sustain or endure without collapse!! This quoted from the recent UN assertions here in Common Dreams and from the real information by scientists not political organization:

“a temperature rise of between 5.4 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3 and 4 degrees Celsius) would displace 340 million people through flooding, droughts would diminish farm output, and retreating glaciers would cut off drinking water from as many as 1.8 billion people, the report says.” this is an understatement and conservative.

The above report is economically associated and conservative as well as misleading!!! Forget this idea of 5.4 to 7.2 Fahrenheit of warming that is the Martian landscape because it allows for the runaway positive feedbacks to take hold. Whomever believes this world can sustain this degree of warming is either working for the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank or is gathering this information from the laboratory at XXON/Mobile or its publicists!!??????

Meanwhile the group here is discussing who will give us better health care on a dying planet and impeachment of Bush a good way to avoid dealing with the truth. We can be suspect of anyone who says they have the truth. The need for understanding this current cast of characters wanting to be president is important. None of this group has the faintest idea of what we are really dealing with in terms of global warming numbers concerning the environment, and if they did they would not tell the public. They know it’s bad and their advisers are telling them they can’t deal with this issue to get elected by the masses.

The masses? Unless you have not heard, these are the people above who are worrying where their next bag of groceries comes from and the money to pay the rent! They really don’t give a damn about the environmental issues. . And have no time for thinking about 10 to 20 years from today that has no realty attached to it for most Americans or the rest of the four and half billion people on this Earth in the same situation. . . .

Or, for the rest of the population working for and controlled by big business and big money. . .that is what this election is really about and if one thinks about the complexity of all these interrelated issues we know that we can not beat the odds business will win. That means the future for humanity is limited even for the one percent that has everything. Sure elect Edwards, Obama, or Kucinich or any combination of most of the Democrats that are not funded by big business for this election. This is the reality of this time we still live, on this, still beautiful planet.

As always, it is the Bush nightmare that suspends and forestalls human action forward. if there was a single problem for this world in the past eight years it has been this throwback from the Jurassic period that occupies the Black House steeped in the blood of untold millions in this world both present and future. How much I like the call to optimism, to human adventure and responsible action. I rings like the bell of the angels and like so many who write her I am happy for those who are secure in their optimism, more people at Bali should get your vibes and act responsibly. Having said that I have written here on the problem and tried often to get the powers to be accept we have a really serious problem. I work at the UN and UNESCO in Europe, I know that politics keeps action from happening.

I must say, I loathe the establishment because my concerned friends, it comes down to vested interests, greed and the economy as so many here writing understand. I am afraid that we have lost this little game of truth or consequences. But if the truth really be known, the power elite and the one percent who have everything and own everyone really don’t care if some three billion people on this globe perish.

This is the reality of the circumstances of this situation of climate change and its results. The carbon producing industry want to burn every resulting carbon atom they can release, the atomic energy plants will continue mining uranium and its horrendous amounts a carbon produced to provide the fuel and the last tree in the Amazon will be cut as well as every other rain forest.
macduffy December 27th, 2007 6:51 pm

OMG, what a tour de force!
I’m stunned that someone has finally put it all down in one place for the rest of us to contemplate and then hopefully act upon. I’ve been waking up in the early hours with many of these scenarios on my mind.
Dennis Kucinich is the one that will stand up to the business as usual crowd, he has proven this time and time again. I fear, truly, that all is lost if HilObaEdws get elected.

p.s. Read ‘The World Without Us’ and believe it or not ‘The Ravaging Tide’ wherein the author describes that mankind is programmed to act to immediate danger and that we are not unlike frogs being slowly simmered until we no longer have the wherewithall or will to act.

e
macduffy December 27th, 2007 7:00 pm
iammyself December 27th, 2007 7:47 pm

‘“Thirty-six towns and cities in Massachusetts have energy plans. Not a single city or town in Maine has one,” Padula says.

The city’s hospitals, bus service, airport and water district also are resisting changes that would reduce wasted energy, he says. Padula sees the need for change almost everywhere he goes.’

This is accurate. After 26 years in Maine, I’ve come to realize just how provincial it is here.

There are a lot of good enviros here. Unfortunately, they face a huge wall of resistance from the powers that be, on both sides of the aisle. The Dems here are a bunch of go-alongs!

“As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” Hah!
“Dirigo.” Double hah!!
ezeflyer December 27th, 2007 8:39 pm

Whew! Ike, I think you are absolutely correct.
rebl December 27th, 2007 10:19 pm

What a way to lead by example. Sort of brings a new perspective to the phrase, “Just Do It,” doesn’t it?
rtdrury December 28th, 2007 5:46 am

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” - Chinese proverb

“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” - Thomas Jefferson

“We need an energy bill that encourages consumption.” - President Chimp, Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002
twoblueday December 28th, 2007 8:16 am

I’m glad to read about this fellow.

Tell me if I’m typical, or atypical in the following: of the people I know well personally, family friends and acquaintances, not one of them: 1) drives a fuel-efficient vehicle (or considers them when getting a new car); 2) cares about recycling; 3) replaces incandescent bulbs; 4) considers spending a little extra for energy-efficient appliances; 5) contributes to environmental causes; 6) considers candidates’ environmental positions; 7) thinks of Al Gore as anything but a nut; has ever raised the notion of global warming in a conversation with me; and 9) has ever mentioned the environment in my presence. The person nearest and dearest to me complains about the lighting when I change out the heat lamps (oh, I mean incandescent bulbs) for more energy-saving ones.

Am I supposed to stop loving them? Nag them? What?

So, I drive my little hybrid, carry my cloth bags to the grocery, sneak around changing bulbs (and turning them off!).
verdantman December 28th, 2007 8:45 am

Good work Padula. An inspiration!

Ike, you said so much truth, thank you!
I feel rage towards the genocidal maniacs that run the White House, and other military-industrial-congressional complexes. They are poisoning our climate, with uncertain consequences for our species (and many others).
Keep telling the truth Ike. Maybe humanity can get it’s collective ass into gear in time.
I reckon we will only avoid the 2 degrees tipping point if we ration CO2 emissions. I see delaying and denying current solutions to anthropogenic Climate Change. Teaching people this feels like i’m a sharp sighted iceberg spotter on the Titanic who’s being ignored! But try we must, and try i will.
Commentarian December 28th, 2007 3:23 pm

Ike, you might consider condensing that post (which you post repeatedly) into something a little more succinct, though it has good points. HOWEVER, No, I think Kucinich is 100% correct to push for impeachment NOW, because if we don’t, the powers of the Executive Branch/President will potentially continue to expand far beyond the Constitutional constraints, ever more than it has now (which already has made a significant move to a fascist regime). This is about the 3-branch balance in our country, not just BushCo’s abuses of power. The balance can only be righted with immediate impeachment proceedings before we get into worse conflict with Iran, ASIDE FROM all the other God-knows-what crap going on that needs more oversight (and we know we’re all being wiretapped and internet spied on already!). There are so many initiated investigations going on that we’ll be some time before much of it begins to get processed properly to a reasonable degree. BUT THIS MUST BE DONE. Its the disease of our country that has to be treated before the patient can recover. When one has toxins, you feel worse before you can get better. It is necessary if America is to ‘live.’ I see no other way. The longer we wait the more crap goes on that damages America more.
Tomover December 28th, 2007 3:35 pm

Hey twoblueday,

in response to your question about what to do about the people around you. If you want my opinion, it is this: get involved with like-minded people in and effort to make a positive difference. I’m not saying isolate yourself from those who don’t share your values, but you can only get so far in trying to ‘convert’ the people around you.

—Tom Over
Vera Gottlieb December 28th, 2007 4:02 pm

No! Not President or any other political position. He is much more effective remaining free to express his opinion and follow his conscience than being on a ‘leash’.
gabrielle December 28th, 2007 7:57 pm

The personal is political. The political is personal. This man personifies this. May we all live our lives in this way, and inch by inch the world shall turn.
ThadStone December 29th, 2007 12:54 am

twoblueday:

1) sometimes I announce to friends/relatives my MPG on a recent trip: “I just got 49 mpg driving cross country :-)” or “I just drove NYC to DC, and averaged 50 mpg”.
If they are totally uninterested, I let it pass, and move on. If they express interest, I might explain my Prius a little more. Some people still think you have to plug it in… People are usually more interested as the cost of gasoline goes up.

{{The person nearest and dearest to me complains about the lighting when I change out the heat lamps (oh, I mean incandescent bulbs) for more energy-saving ones.}}

They make Compact Flourescent Lights that are more sun-like, a different lighting spectrum. Maybe that is what bothers them, they are used to the color of an incandescent. Or maybe, you are not using enough Lumens, try a 23 watt CFL rather than 15 watt, something like that. If they are just giving you a hard time, smack ‘em.

Nobody likes to be lectured, but some people will be a little interested, if approached correctly.

Where do you live, Texas ?
Even if no one that you know follows your ‘example’, you are voting with your dollars. For example, enough people bought hybrid cars in the last 10 years to make it worthwhile for many companies to do Research and Development on lithium-ion batteries for autos. In 3 years, the new hybrids will be so clearly superior, even the most cluelessly selfish consumer will want one.
snydly December 29th, 2007 2:16 am

Here are a couple nice surprises—

“Blessed Unrest” by Paul Hawken, and

www.lakotafreedom.com

enjoy

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