Once again, Nebraskan's may have the "opportunity" to pick a qualified, strong and independent candidate for public office--If they can get past their stodgy, Republican only, belief system that is. Thanks in large part to a grass-roots ground swell, Scott Kleeb is being asked to throw his hat into the Nebraska Senate race. There is no better person for the job.
Mike Nellis, a University of Omaha student, has been instrumental in two projects designed to generate interest in Scott's potential candidacy. The first is on a social networking site known as Facebook (www.facebook.com), where Mike has created a group called "Draft Scott Kleeb for Senate." (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5887468340) Second is a more traditional, web based front, that launched today at 10:30 AM, (http://DraftKleeb.com). Mike has tied the two together through postings and links on both sites.
Scott Kleeb and I have carried on a dialog of sorts since his failed congressional run in 2006. He has continued to show his strong grasp of both Nebraska and national issues throughout this dialog. His understanding of things like farm bills far out weighs my own citified knowledge. We also spoke of the balancing act between alternative fuels and water utilization in the state. Whether he is talking to a Democrat or Republican, Scott has always been inclusive. He understands that the politics of polarization does nothing but alienate the electorate. There were hundreds of "Republicans for Kleeb" signs out there in 2006, and he managed an almost unprecedented result, in the strongly Republican 3rd District, of gaining more than 40% of the electorate.
What we don't need in Nebraska is more of Mike Johanns. When he left the Governorship to be Bush's Agricultural Secretary, it was "Don't let the door hit you on the way out." We also don't need more of Jon Bruning. Both of these individuals are nothing more than party figure heads who buy into the polarizing techniques used by Bush and his cronies to alienate, rather than bring together, those with differing views. When Bob Kerrey was governor of the state, he used his strong and independent nature to include differing view points. He left office as one of our most popular governors ever. Scott Kleeb is just that sort of character, centrist, independent and inclusive. Add to this his knowledge of both Nebraska and National issues, and he is a hands down winner over the competition for US Senate.
You can make a difference and bring centrist, independently thinking, Nebraska representation by supporting a Scott Kleeb bid for Senate. For more information visit:
http://draftkleeb.com
or
http://scottkleeb.com
Or simply join the discussions on Facebook.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Independent Climate Change Editorial Ignores Facts
The following post was sent to my local paper, "The Grand Island Daily Independent," In response to a recent editorial that painted Bush's climate change policy in a much too favorable light. While it is a response to that article, I believe that the content and facts stand alone in supporting my argument and therefore, I'm including them here for view.
**************
In its Tuesday, October 2nd, Op-ed column titled “Climate change debate centers on emerging nations,” The Independent paints a rosy picture of President Bush as someone who has had a long standing and consistent view of climate change, has promoted sane policy and engaged in honest discourse. Nothing could be further from the truth.
From the outset of the Bush presidency, he has gone out of his way to ignore, deny, and ridicule, the scientific community’s assessment that climate change has been brought about and accelerated by human activity; most notably carbon emissions from petroleum burning vehicles, and until recently (in other words this year) he has denied that the phenomenon exists at all.
One of the reasons that Bush stated for not authorizing Kyoto was the fact that it would not go far enough to curb green house gas emissions in developing countries. Yet, in July 2001, the Bush administration cut funding to developing countries designed to do just that. In the “Federal Climate Change Expenditures Report to Congress” the administration indicated that it had cut funding for this program by 25%. The report, however, ignores several key programs designed to transfer energy efficiency technology to developing countries that if included, would have brought the total reduction closer to 32%.
If Bush had been serious about trimming greenhouse gasses, he could have used human innovation, such as that used 2 years ago by Japan. Japanese work places were traditionally formal places. Places where suits and ties were not only welcomed but also expected. In 2005, then Japanese environment minister Yuriko Koike, came up with the “Cool Biz Initiative” that discouraged Japanese businessmen from wearing suits and ties, and thus allowed Japanese air conditioning units to be raised a few degrees. This initiative has trimmed two million tons of green house emissions from Japan’s output, a phenomenal number, with a very simple change in attitude. The example was set by the government ministries themselves and then caught fire through other businesses.
Other facts on the Bush administrations failed support of climate change initiatives:
· July 2001, President Bush announced through then EPA director, Christine Todd Whitman, that the US was no longer interested in reopening international discussions on global warming.
· April 2002, the Bush administration moves to boot America’s top climatologists from continuing to serve on an international panel that assesses global warming
· July 2002, despite a report from the EPA stating what most scientists have believed for some time, that human activity is the major cause of global warming; The Bush administration tells congress that it needs more time to develop climate forecasting before addressing the climate change problem
· July 2003, citing the “uncertainty of the science” behind global warming, the Bush administration states that it plans to spend several more years and millions of dollars “studying,” rather than proposing solutions for, man-made climate change.
· September 2003, investigative reporting reveals that the Bush administration conspired with oil company lobbyists to undermine global warming research.
· June 2004, The Bush administration slashes funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, effectively destroying research being done on abrupt climate change
These facts clearly show that the Bush administration, has never, and likely will never, provide any meaningful discourse on global climate change. In the meantime, cataclysmic weather scenarios, rapidly melting glaciers, the release of methane plumes below melting glaciers, etc., will make dealing with global warming more and more difficult. Action, not rhetoric, is required.
**************
In its Tuesday, October 2nd, Op-ed column titled “Climate change debate centers on emerging nations,” The Independent paints a rosy picture of President Bush as someone who has had a long standing and consistent view of climate change, has promoted sane policy and engaged in honest discourse. Nothing could be further from the truth.
From the outset of the Bush presidency, he has gone out of his way to ignore, deny, and ridicule, the scientific community’s assessment that climate change has been brought about and accelerated by human activity; most notably carbon emissions from petroleum burning vehicles, and until recently (in other words this year) he has denied that the phenomenon exists at all.
One of the reasons that Bush stated for not authorizing Kyoto was the fact that it would not go far enough to curb green house gas emissions in developing countries. Yet, in July 2001, the Bush administration cut funding to developing countries designed to do just that. In the “Federal Climate Change Expenditures Report to Congress” the administration indicated that it had cut funding for this program by 25%. The report, however, ignores several key programs designed to transfer energy efficiency technology to developing countries that if included, would have brought the total reduction closer to 32%.
If Bush had been serious about trimming greenhouse gasses, he could have used human innovation, such as that used 2 years ago by Japan. Japanese work places were traditionally formal places. Places where suits and ties were not only welcomed but also expected. In 2005, then Japanese environment minister Yuriko Koike, came up with the “Cool Biz Initiative” that discouraged Japanese businessmen from wearing suits and ties, and thus allowed Japanese air conditioning units to be raised a few degrees. This initiative has trimmed two million tons of green house emissions from Japan’s output, a phenomenal number, with a very simple change in attitude. The example was set by the government ministries themselves and then caught fire through other businesses.
Other facts on the Bush administrations failed support of climate change initiatives:
· July 2001, President Bush announced through then EPA director, Christine Todd Whitman, that the US was no longer interested in reopening international discussions on global warming.
· April 2002, the Bush administration moves to boot America’s top climatologists from continuing to serve on an international panel that assesses global warming
· July 2002, despite a report from the EPA stating what most scientists have believed for some time, that human activity is the major cause of global warming; The Bush administration tells congress that it needs more time to develop climate forecasting before addressing the climate change problem
· July 2003, citing the “uncertainty of the science” behind global warming, the Bush administration states that it plans to spend several more years and millions of dollars “studying,” rather than proposing solutions for, man-made climate change.
· September 2003, investigative reporting reveals that the Bush administration conspired with oil company lobbyists to undermine global warming research.
· June 2004, The Bush administration slashes funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, effectively destroying research being done on abrupt climate change
These facts clearly show that the Bush administration, has never, and likely will never, provide any meaningful discourse on global climate change. In the meantime, cataclysmic weather scenarios, rapidly melting glaciers, the release of methane plumes below melting glaciers, etc., will make dealing with global warming more and more difficult. Action, not rhetoric, is required.
Monday, October 1, 2007
About the Blog Name
So where the hell did "A little more Vodka, A little less Milk" come from? Well, from the infinite depths of my imagination, that's where. What does it mean? Well, it means that what we need is a little more direct discourse and a little less pussy-footing around. It means if subjects are tough, then they should be talked about. It means that those who would silence your thoughts and words, are the enemy, and that we should fight this by thinking and talking more.
This is certainly true where politics and social issues are the subject. We need less of Fox "News" and more real, honest, discourse.
This is certainly true where politics and social issues are the subject. We need less of Fox "News" and more real, honest, discourse.
Death and Loss
When we think of family death, we generally think of a traditional family member; Father, Mother, brother-in-law, etc. Certainly those are gut-wrenching losses. Our family found out today that other non-traditional losses can be just as heart breaking.
A member of our family has been openly gay for many years. Several years ago, he chose a life partner who was loved by all. His warm, caring disposition touched our hearts. His love of children and his way with them, made him a favorite with the many nieces and nephews. While some of the family still wrestle with the idea of homosexuality, there can be no doubt that this life partner will be missed by the entire family. He passed away last night in his sleep of heart failure.
A member of our family has been openly gay for many years. Several years ago, he chose a life partner who was loved by all. His warm, caring disposition touched our hearts. His love of children and his way with them, made him a favorite with the many nieces and nephews. While some of the family still wrestle with the idea of homosexuality, there can be no doubt that this life partner will be missed by the entire family. He passed away last night in his sleep of heart failure.
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