Joe the Journalist?

It seems we may NEVER get rid of our friend Joe.  He now has a new job for which he is unqualified and at which he is inept:  Journalism.  That's right.  You read correctly.  Journalism.  pjtv.com has decided to send Joe over to Gaza to cover the recent events between Israel and the Palestinians.  Apparently the Republicans have completely gone off the deep end.  This Joe "the plumber Wurzelbacher is one of the most ignorant individuals that have been in the spotlight in quite some time.  What insight can he possibly have into the conflict in Gaza?  I would have to say this is a new low.  I then heard on Anderson Cooper's program that he was quoted as saying that he did not believe the media should be covering the conflict.  Seems like a contradiction to me.  I think what he really meant was that everyone should support what Israel is doing without any question just because certain people think we should.  But then, Joe obviously isn't the kind to think for himself....

Borneo: Can't See the Forest for the Trees

After reading an article in National Geographic called "Borneo's Moment of Truth" by Mel White, I was so moved that I wrote the below commentary.

I recently read an article in National Geographic concerning the rainforests of Borneo and the drastic deforestation that is going on there. I think that this issue is one of those issues that almost no one in the general population has heard of and when they do hear it, they think to themselves “how does the rainforest in Borneo affect me?” The answer is it affects us all, a lot, in ways which we cannot imagine, or possibly do not want to imagine.

The island of Borneo is split into sections governed by different countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Unfortunately two of the three countries have experienced years of corrupt government who have allowed illegal logging to take place. Not only that, but these governments have used these forests as their own personal playgrounds in order to make themselves and their friends and family wealthy from proceeds of logging, mining (gold and coal), and palm oil production. The small area which Brunei governs is the exception, as the government of Brunei has largely left the forests alone as a result of revenues they receive from the production of petroleum products. The governments of Malaysia and Indonesia have squandered these forests, which, like all rainforests, release high levels of oxygen into our atmosphere. In addition to the production of oxygen, rainforests are a gold mine of animals, plants, birds, insects, and reptiles who have untold value, in ways yet undiscovered, which may never be discovered, as they are made endangered by this deforestation.

Ironically, as these forests are being taken from us, plantations of oil palms are planted in order to harvest palm oil. Palm oil is used in many different industries, but one major industry that uses palm oil is the biodiesel industry. The growing of these palms for this purpose not only encourages the deforestation of these rainforests, but also the process of making the land ready for planting of the palms releases large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to the very climate change problem for which biodiesel is being produced as a solution. Borneo’s soil contains large amounts of peat moss which, when burned, releases large amounts of carbon, contributing to the problem of carbon levels in the atmosphere, thus making it seem that the production of biodiesel using this palm oil is counterproductive to its intent. The problem is palm oil is big money, and money is something the people of Borneo need. While the palm oil fields, strip mines, and burning forests cause humanitarian problems and environmental problems, it brings in some of the only revenue Borneo sees, making it hard for its residents to see the bigger picture or even care about the bigger picture.

It is hard for the US to preach to Borneo about saving its lands and forests when government officials are pushing for us to drill in our own national parks and our preserve land. Also, the US is a nation who has depleted large amounts of its own natural resources, torn down its trees, and polluted its water. We can hope that because of our own realizations of what depletion and destruction of resources can mean to the bigger picture that we may be able to help Borneo to learn from our mistakes. We can also hope that our upcoming administration will not only be an advocate for places like Borneo, but for our own remaining parks and preserve land as well. It is my hope that we, as a country, will all become educated on this situation and others like it so that we may all contribute to the solution rather than continue being part of the problem. It would also be a very big step towards the solution if President Obama, and other world leaders, will support REDD and help the world find a way to balance the needs of the people of Borneo with the world’s need of their forests.

*photos from: Destination 360 ; Mongabay.com ; and Rainforests @ Mongabay.com

Hope Personified

posted on all progressives
Tuesday night Barack Obama was elected as the next President of the United States. I could and still can hardly believe it. It was a surreal moment that I will never forget. I had just walked through the door after having been at school when he was projected as the winner on the major networks. At that moment, as I sat, tears rolling down my face, I felt pride, and then something else I haven't felt in some time: Hope. Real, honest to goodness hope. As I watched him speak, the emotion on his face and written all over the crowd, I wept some more. It was an unforgettable speech, for an unforgettable night.

The thing about President-Elect Obama is that he makes us all feel as though we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and for once, I truly believe we are. We are a part of history. We are a part of a movement of change that has the potential to not only change our country, but the world: a world that now shares our hope and our celebration. A man will be in the White House who knows pain and suffering, yet knows that it can be overcome. He is a man who by the very nature of his character has risen above adversity that has gone on longer than the United States of America has existed as a country. Barack Obama is an extraordinary man with a vision of hope and change that Americans have been hungry for. He is a man who I believe can make that vision come to life. I have never believed so strongly in any politician as I do in Barack Obama. He is the personification of Hope. Hope that will live in the White House and will prove to all that this generation is finished with politics as usual. We are finished with the idea that only some deserve greatness. And now as Barack goes on to face the challenges and the adversity facing our country now, we know that there is no easy fix. Yet, I do not doubt Barack Obama and his ability to inspire change and make it happen. After all, look at what he has already done. Here's to you President Obama and to Hope.

Kindness Does Still Exist

In a world where often times the only stories we here involve heartbreak, despair, and death, it makes a person feel extreme satisfaction to see reporting on the other side of life. We hear how people are rushing to buy foreclosed homes to get a good deal for investment or for their own. We see how the loss of a person's home devastates their life. They find themselves homeless after struggling to pay the bills. I think that often people like to think that these individuals are simply lazy, or that they purchased more home than they could afford, but the reality is that the majority of the individuals losing their homes have come upon hard times of rising prices or loss of jobs, or they simply were given a mortgage that they did not understand.

Yet, today I see that there is still someone out there who believes in kindness. A woman, out of the kindness of her heart, bought another woman's home at a foreclosure auction and gave it back to her. The woman did not ask questions about why she lost the home, or judge her for having lost it. Rather she bid until she won to give this woman back her home. If only those people who have money who choose to sit back and do nothing but judge those who are less fortunate during this time will take an example from this woman's act of kindness.

The video clip can be seen by clicking this link.

The Sound of One Campaign Crashing

Yes, folks, THIS is the sound of one campaign crashing.  The McCain campaign is now fighting within itself.  They are pointing the finger and placing blame.  Interestingly, most of it seems to revolve around Palin.  It is interesting now that aides to the McCain campaign are willing to admit Palin was not prepared for the role she agreed to take and that she was guarded and kept from speaking for that reason.  Even after all the preparation they did with her, she still managed to botch the only interviews she gave.  She continues making statements that the above article determines to be statements to preserve her own future should she wish to run in 2012, but if that's so it doesn't seem a smart choice seeing as how there's still a whole lot of stupid coming out of her mouth on a regular basis.  The race is not yet won, but this is a clear sign of the end for McCain's campaign. 

As a side note, I voted today!!

You Don't Know Joe And Other Tales From John's Crypt

So last night was the third and final Presidential debate of this election. We all heard plenty about the so-called "Joe Plumber" and we will probably continue to do so for the next 500 years thanks to the media and their need to sensationalize everything. I did come across an interesting article today in my browsing that gave a little more insight into the Obama tax plan and whether or not the so-called Joe the Plumber will really have anything to worry about from Obama's tax plan. The article goes on to say that it will not and confirms that in fact only 2% of small business would actually see any increased taxes and furthermore, because of the way the tax plan works, those who are affected would only see a small increase, as the tax would only apply to a portion of earnings. The bottom line is that they would help more people who need a break than anything McCain has come up with. It is unrealistic to think that no tax increases will be needed.

Another scary story is McCain and his obsession with the hatchet. I feel like we are all stuck in a bad Friday the 13th movie watching some axe-wielding maniac stalk his prey. The problem is that it is real and the prey is all of us. His need to cut anything that might be beneficial to anyone but the military is astounding. It obviously makes more sense to look at everything closely and make it run smarter rather than just making blanket cuts with no real aim. But we should not be surprised that this sort of talk comes from a man who would cut the Departments of Energy and Education if he had his way. Two agencies we need now more than ever to solve two of our biggest problems.

McCain managed yet again to look like a grumpy old man. Ranting and raving about how no one should say anything bad about his supporters at his rallies (yes, the same people who called to Palin to "kill him" in reference to Obama). Then McCain's "I'm not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush you should've ran 4 years ago," the line that some are calling the best line McCain had (which in itself is sad) which failed to address any real issue or to distance himself from the policies of Bush.

So "my friends" could McCain possibly have blinked any more often? I thought I was going to get motion sickenss. :)

Senator Pee Pants & the Attack of the Wandering McCain

Yes, my friends (he he), I'm referring to the recent Presidential debate and the ensuing SNL skit.  The parallels between the debate and the mock debate are hilarious.  Tom Brockaw really was quite the time nazi and it was just very bizzare how McCain did wander around the stage aimlessly often in front of camera and teleprompter no matter who was speaking or if anyone was speaking.  Okay, so I know no one actually called anyone "pee pants" in the actual debate, but that was a priceless joke on SNL.  I laughed so hard I almost became Jennifer Pee Pants. 

Unfortunately it appears that McCain's supporters are doing what they do best, turning to anger rather than reason, much like McCain himself.  They are down in the polls, so his rallies, whether he or Palin are at the helm, have become increasingly angry in tone.  There have been several articles printed about it.  It seems that Palin and McCain have been mostly silent, almost encouraging, to that sort of behavior, which include comments such as "kill him," whoever "he" may be.  I did read where McCain finally made a statement at one rally about being respectful (yeah, like "that one" was respectful, nice leading by example), but I have yet to hear anything from Palin other than her own ridiculous rhetoric.  Of course Governor Abuse of Power believes in going above and beyond ethics when it suits her own purpose as evidenced by her actions including the recent scandal, her religious fundamentalism, and her involvement in the Alaskan Independence Party which promotes the succession of Alaska from the US.  I find it ironic that she is now accusing Obama of putting his ambition above the country when in actuality it is John McCain who has done that his entire life.   

All the real mavericks in this country with a spirit for true change and reform will vote for Senator Pee Pants aka That One aka Barack Obama and stop the insanity that has taken over our government and destroyed our economy and security for the past 8 years.