Jones’s Recent Comments

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  picking nits...

  While I strongly agree that Chu seems to be a "green progressive environmentalist", I think the commenter's point still stands, at least in spirit. Lest we forget, there is probably as much dogmatism, groupthink and closemindedness within the environmental and progressive "communities" as there is in any movement. Some people just have the good fortune of being on the right side, through no merit of their own.

  I think objectivity is a better word for the type of pragmatism we're discussing here--the freedom from idealogical frameworks which, often in insidious ways, limit the information we allow ourselves to consider. Obama seems impeccably objective, and is making choices for what I think will be an excellent administration.On Steven Chu is a progressive environmentalist because he's a good scientist posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago 6 Responses

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  the right amount of the right stuff = good eatin'

  I heartily agree with Howard's sentiment here:

  "Mother Earth never attempts to farm without livestock; she always raises mixed crops..."

  I would point out that Mother Nature raises a lot of vegetables for every animal. I figure our own diet ought to reflect that ratio. Less meat, better raised, seems like it's definitely the way to go.

  In the past two years I've significantly cut down the amount of meat in my diet. Once I'd tackled the quantity, I then focussed on improving the quality of the meat--organic, outdoor-reared, etc. I pay more per pound, but it's worth it on the taste alone. Not to mention the health benefits of eating less meat. Or the warm, fuzzy feeling of moral superiority. And because it's a 50% increase in price, but a 67% decrease in quantity, I'm still saving money. It's a real tri- or quadri-fecta.

  The takeaway from this is twofold. First, that paying higher prices for better meat can benefit, rather than punish, the individual. Second, that sustainably meaty eating is thus a viable option for most people, right now. No need to badger the govt--create your own demand. On Hog farms can benefit rural agriculture and community posted 1 year ago 6 Responses

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  Wait a second...

  Most of those measures seem good, but there's one glaring overgloss: how does

  "support for a tidal-energy project in the San Francisco Bay, despite a recent study's conclusions that the project would be more expensive than it's worth"

  equate with

  "even greener"?

  Last I checked, "Green" doesn't mean "blind pursuit of purportedly environmental technologies, regardless of effect". The word for that is "greenwash".
  On San Francisco gets even greener posted 1 year, 8 months ago 15 Responses

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  He seems to take it seriously

  I guess you didn't get this over in America, but a few days ago a BBC reporter asked McCain how his "foreign policy" would differ from Bush's. He quickly and very emphatically said that we'd see some action on climate change. Of course, he was trying to signal a new multilateralism, and perhaps gloss over his stance on Iraq; but it also seems a pretty telling example, and he really did seem sincere in his conviction.

  Now, I know that the "straight talk express" has gone a bit wobbly at times, and I definitely have misgivings about McCain on several points. But something about the way he said it seemed really genuine and non-politicianesque. In the end, I might not like the specific way he addresses the issue, and we don't know how he'll handle his party/"stakeholders"; but I'm pretty surehe won't pull a Bush. On Will the media give McCain a free ride on climate? posted 1 year, 9 months ago 7 Responses

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  trucks?

  Let me get this straight: SUVs are still being let off the hook?On A possible compromise in energy legislation negotiations posted 1 year, 11 months ago 8 Responses