Comments Baby Boomer has made

Thank you for all your work and activism, and thank you for courage and strength.  We should all support our President or the future looks bleak.

Where was he trained and by who?  Was his textbook written on the 3rd grade level?

I'm with you David.  No President is magic.  There's 3 branches of government, and there is an entrenched power structure in Washington that has brainwashed lots of citizens.  Marginalized people use to vote for Democrats because the Democratic Party was the party of the people.  Now the Republicans and radio hosts energize this group by appealing to their victimology.  I know people on Food Stamps and Medicaid who rail against the government and paying taxes when they get Earned Income Credit back from the government.  It seems insane to vote against your own interest, but people have developed an irrational hatred of any government  and any taxes whether it means good transportation, fire protection, etc.  I don't really get hatred, and the violent language abroad is scary to me.  There may be reaping what you sow, but I'd rather us learn to all get along.  But, that's fairy dust.

Both groups keep asking their simple questions that have been answered repeatedly.  Troubling facts keep getting in the way.

Discussing climate change in a logical way is good for our minds.  Discussing whether or not an American President was born in this country is counter productive.  It has been proven that President Obama ws born in Hawaii.  I myself gave birth to a son 35 years ago in a foriegn country.  I had to have a passport for him to enter this country, and he is a citizen.  Personally I wouldn't have traveled to Kenya to have a baby in the 60's, but I like comfort. 

So I can discuss climate change with people, but the whole birther thing looks crazy or racist or both.  It doesn't help reasoned discussion when that subject is treated seriously, and it dimnishes conservative discussion when prominent politicians and media types actually treat our president's American citizenship as something to be doubted.

That video and song made me shudder. Give me back the cone bra.

Flowcharts and powerpoints make everything seem so correct.

Dave always comes through.  Welcome back.

West Virginians deserve better and so do Pennsylvanians.  Maybe our President will wake up and quit siding with the money guys.

I spent 15 years in New Jersey so I'll think of creative ways to express my disdain.  On the other hand, I might shock a family member at Grist so I'll be careful.

I do believe this article captured the Gristian spirit exactly.

Belief

This idea of "Believing" in scientific theories has been bothering me too.  You do not believe in science, you study the evidence and are convinced step-by-step.  I was actually verbally attacked at work because the person said if I believe in evoluation, I couldn't be a Christian.  (I do live in Georgia).  But as I've said before, Christ came to open our hearts and not to close our minds.  On On the prospects for broad public understanding of climate science posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago 10 Responses

Mary Margaret Oliver is my favorite

She has been such a good legislator for decades, fighting the good fight for children and the environment.  The only reason this might succees is that Georgia Power wants to build another nuclear reactor and charge the consumer upfront before building begins.  Politicians might turn against coal if Georgia Power wants them to.On Georgia legislator introduces bill that would restrict coal-fired power plants posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago 3 Responses

cat videos

Now you made me watch cat videoes at work.On Kudos and fingers as IM dialogue posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago 2 Responses

And now

And now the factory in Blakely Georgia is pushing stories of the poor workers and how the town depends on the peanut for their livlihood.  It's OK to poison our industrialized food as long as poor people have jobs in unsanitary conditions.  Haven't heard anything about the managers or executives for the company.On Salmonella-linked Ga. peanut-butter plant had dismal sanitary record posted 10 months, 1 week ago 4 Responses

Dave

That guy trying to pump gas was so cute!  I think I've seen him before, but he was letting his wife pump the gas.On In video series, Grist tries to stump the candidates with tough climate questions posted 1 year, 1 month ago 2 Responses

Jim Martin

I live in Georgia as Dave knows.  He personally helps me through many political/family crises.  Anyway, an independent poll has put Martin even with Chambliss.  This is a miracle.  I really don't hope for a victory, but who knows?  Chambliss' commercials are all about drilling for oil and those left-wing democrats in congress that don't understand.  Martin's first commercial was a getting to know you commercial going back to his service in Vietnam and his great service as a public servant in Georgia.  Now his commercials feature Chambliss getting an A+ in Bush Economics.  

On a personal note, whether Saxby Chambliss has been an effective senator for Georgia or not, he deserves a special place in hell for his slimy commercials directed at his predecessor, Max Cleland, a triple-amputee Vietnam veteran, who had served his country and Georgia well.  If we as Americans can't reject that kind of politics, we deserve what we get. On Republican congresscritters are in serious trouble posted 1 year, 1 month ago 5 Responses

just so you know

First of all, I really rooted for McCain in 2000 when he was smeared by the same people he supports in 2008.  Because of the delicate and perilous times, I really wanted him to pick a VP nominee that would show careful thought and responsibility.  Tom Ridge would have been excellent and so reassuring.  McCain picked a woman with more "executive experience" than he has if we're comparing experience in the senate.  I wouldn't mind her being in a supper group or car pool with me and my family.  She's fesity and probably would be fun.  But just like I would pick an experienced and reputable cardiac surgeon for a loved one, I would like to know that if McCain wins, we won't have an average person 2nd in line to the presidency.  An average person who has no knowledge of foreign affairs, domestic affairs, the workings of the federal government or the meaning of the constitution.  

The McCain I supported in 2000 has turned into total ambition.  His VP pick, while juicing up the election trail into a reality show, is incredibly irresponsible.

And as a side note, I lived in France for one year and two years in Canada so I lived under socialized medicine and universal healthcare.  There is a difference.  Under both systems I received excellent and timely and CARING medical care.  Maybe neither would work in the US, but both should be discussed in a reasonable manner and not demonized.

Competition might work in some non-essential healthcare like lasik surgery, but some healthcare has to cover needs like prevention, childhood wellness and vaccines, emergency care and medical care for indigents and their children.  Competition leads to every hospital putting their money in the latest "machines" and touting their cutting edge technology.  Meanwhile there's no money to cover prevention or simple procedures for children or the poor.  

I worked at a hospital foundation for a while, and the CEO of the hospital (not a bleeding heart liberal), stated to business leaders that healthcare can't be competitive because it involves life and death at times.  Lasik surgery is not life or death.  Emergency open-heart surgery can be and do we deny that to an infant born of an irresponsible, unwed teenager?

We need to address every question indepth, with calmness and an ear tuned to strategy and the future.  Please, no more decisions from the "gut."On Resentment in partisan politics posted 1 year, 2 months ago 28 Responses

Oh! Cananda

I lived in London, Ontario 3 decades ago. (How time flies) - anyway, it thrills me to know it's still a progressive university town.  Nine years ago I was in marketing at Coca-Cola when the boondoggle of Dasani was born & it was sad to see how easily the American public accepted the "message."  Maybe the tide will turn, common sense will prevail, and monkeys will fly out my....

The best thing about Canada was the Universal Health Care, but that's a whole different story that really irritates some people.On Just the third R, thanks posted 1 year, 2 months ago 2 Responses

DNC

I usually boycott stuff on the TV like the Olympics and the conventions.  But I wanted to see Hillary speak, and now I'm watching the convention full time because it's great to see the gloves off.  Kerry should have been like this in 2004, but the past is past and I hope all the Big Dawgs are unleashed: Kerry, the Clintons and my favorite Joe Biden.  On DNC: When Kerry attacks posted 1 year, 3 months ago 4 Responses

And this is why

I totally love DR.  Right to the heart of what's wrong with criticizing every powerful, agressive and intelligent woman.On Hillary Clinton posted 1 year, 5 months ago 21 Responses

Manufactured food

Ever since I was a hippie chick with three young boys, I've boycotted processed food.  That's about 40 years of focusing on "real" food.  Unfortunately it gets harder as the years go by, and being in Georgia, I'm treated as though I have a third eye when I look at ingredients or (gasp)use reusable grocery bags!  

So Dave, on Monday I'm dining with two of your 2nd cousins, once removed, who are 4 and 5.  Up until 4 months ago, they had only eaten foods like chicken nuggets and hot dogs so the older one was bragging how he was eating healthy now.  Then we got into a conversation about where the food in the grocery store comes from.  This kid is really horrified to know that animals make up his favorite foods.  

I don't think he'll become a vegetarian, but at least he thought about the hot dog he was eating.On When will the American public get snobby already? posted 1 year, 6 months ago 17 Responses

Environmental Concerns

OK, I'm from the SE and I've never heard of Hanford.  We have a few sites in this region that need cleaning up so I would rather have someone say they don't know and promise to find out about it, than to pander and promise.  

As for substance, Obama has as much substance as any politician working to be elected - and that's quite a low bar to set.  

And just to add, I lived in two countries with universal healthcare: France and Canada.  My experiences were for the most part positive.  My experience lately with the U.S. system of bottomline insurance companies and for-profit health centers - not so good.  As a nation we need to be open to all solutions and to discussions of pros and cons.  Now we're just a nation of name callers and labelers - nothing seems to be discussed without denigrating the other person instead of addressing arguments.On In Oregon, Dem candidate admits ignorance on biggest environmental story in PNW posted 1 year, 6 months ago 16 Responses

I'm too old-fashioned for this

OK, I looked at the Newsweek column, found the guy a little smug and presumptious and then read the comments.  Holy cow! I should stick with Grist!  I like reading the comments over here because there is discussion and different points of view and now I realize, I like the fact there's not a lot of name calling.

I wanted to post and say Global Climate Change is a scary fact we must face, but I might have been called an elitist or Stalinist who wanted the government to force us into slave labor camps and make us give up our cars.  

Hey, I'm an older, very middle class American with simple Christian viewpoints who happens to like to read and be up-to-date on issues.  I'm not in charge of anything, but I'm concerned about the condition of the earth and what my grandchildren will inherit.  I graduated from a state university in Georgia, worked my whole life, and sue me, I think a higher being wants us to take care of His/Her creation.  

I don't feel elite or commie-pinko.  Why is there so much hating and labeling on blogs in general????

Go Grist!On The thing you really never hear posted 1 year, 7 months ago 10 Responses

bicycling to work

The cutest guys at my work bicycle to work.  Oh yeah!On 'State Farm can get you back behind the wheel' posted 1 year, 8 months ago 10 Responses

Looking good

The picture of Dave is really good; and as a regular reader of the Davester, it was really interesting to read other comments.  There are a lot of people out there with a lot of time on their hands.On Me in The Nation posted 1 year, 10 months ago 2 Responses

'stache?

I need a picture.On Aw shucks posted 1 year, 10 months ago 4 Responses

Kids' Movies

If you think about Ratatouille, how gross is a rat in the kitchen!  I've seen lots of kid movies lately including Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Singing, dancing chipmunks invade a house and have all these songs and routines ready to perform for this incredulous dude.  Maybe he was smoking.

Anyway, kids love them, but since I've never experienced any alternative "hits",  I think I understand the sensation since watching Happy Feet, Surf's Up, etc.On Bongy feet posted 1 year, 10 months ago 9 Responses

Happiness is...

It's great that one food product I buy at the grocery store has some environmental street cred.On Yogurt CEO blazes green path posted 1 year, 10 months ago 1 Response

Ageism

So Dave, do your aunt a favor and quit feeling old.  I actually have read the names of 3 of the artists, but I only listen to NPR and really know nothing about music if it isn't classical.  I confess to being a total geek and nerd, but I'm of the age that I really love being totally me.

That's the secret of birthdays in general.  Be glad you're still here and getting to enjoy yourself, your kids, and crazy politicians, and being more and more yourself.

I intend to be a feisty old lady who drives my sons crazy.  They say I've already achieved that, but they ain't seen nothing yet.On The definitive list, if you're me posted 1 year, 11 months ago 7 Responses

Another problem in Georgia

Because of our drought and our rising temperatures, what water we have in our lakes and rivers has become warmer.  Some smart dudes commenting above explained this, but evidently it is a consideration that is being examined in regard to nuclear plants and the efficiency of operating them in Georgia.

We do have a nuclear power plant on the Savannah River near the coast.  I don't think they're desalinizing water there, and the neighbors aren't so happy about the water being returned to the river. Plus, there's a small problem with trucking the nuclear waste across Georgia to some other state.

I lived in New Jersey when 3-Mile Island occurred, and I had 3 small children.  I am not a big fan of using nuclear power to address our needs.  And is there a problem with "peak uranium" - just asking?

By the way, poor Senator Johnny isn't as bad as Senator Saxby Chambliss, who is the guy that ran an ad sliming a triple amputee Vietnam War veteran.  He linked Senator Max Cleland in an add with Osama Bin Ladin.  That has to be as low as humans go, right?  On Why can't legislators connect nuclear power and water shortages? posted 2 years, 1 month ago 11 Responses

Not a TV watcher

This will probably be interesting, but that picture of the Anderson dude looks so pensive and moody and bottom line phony.On A two-part CNN documentary begins tonight posted 2 years, 1 month ago 1 Response

Thank you for this link

The Atlanta Journal Constitution printed Lomborg's opinion piece, and I had no idea how to rebut the misstatements.  I've sent this link to the Constitution suggesting they print this rebuttal since they printed the original Post piece.On Top climate scientist debunks Lomborg in the Washington Post posted 2 years, 1 month ago 4 Responses

Maybe answer with a question

Like: "Who would you listen to?  I've got some nice, non-threatening middle class people who can talk to you about Global Warming and the enironment.  Are you interested?"On Videos for your viewing pleasure, if that's the word for it posted 2 years, 4 months ago 19 Responses

Maybe a healthy lifestyle

Lots of veggies and fruits, lots of exercise and an oblivious attitude?

I feel your pain though, and I will come visit you.On A few random observations before getting back to work posted 2 years, 4 months ago 25 Responses

Come visit Atlanta

Don't you think you should spread the good word in Atlanta?  The opposite corner of the country might be worth the effort.  Then again, maybe I'm just lonely here.

I only found one picture of Dave, and it's a little bizarre looking - which might be normal.On A good time was had by all posted 2 years, 5 months ago 2 Responses

Nuts

Well, somewhere you'll find nuts with the brand name of Loony Larry's Cracked Nuts.On Taken by my parents at a Toronto Blue Jays game posted 2 years, 6 months ago 3 Responses

Motherhood

Dave, when my oldest son was born,his father was in Vietnam.  I vowed then that no son of mine would serve in a senseless war.  That son served 5 months in Iraq as part of an Air National Guard unit.  

Instead of peace taking hold after the mistakes of Vietnam, we just keep repeating the same mistakes and sacrificing our young.  It's discouraging to see a society that has evolved to be more and more warlike.

The poem was awesome, and your mom raised a great son.On A proclamation posted 2 years, 6 months ago 7 Responses

Vegan couple

I live in Atlanta where this incident happened, and the couple themselves look rather starved.  The news stories made it plain that this couple are "not quite right."  The woman gave birth at home prematurely, never saw a doctor and never had the child seen by other humans until the poor thing died.  

It wasn't the vegans, it was the disturbia.On Educate yourself before going vegan posted 2 years, 6 months ago 39 Responses

Dave hasn't changed his look

I knew him when he was knee high to a grasshopper, and he had that look then.  It made him look like a wise, thoughtful baby, and I think the look still works for him.

I'm loving the recognition Grist is getting.  You've made being environmentally aware just much more fun than it has been in 20 years or so.On Get your copy today! posted 2 years, 8 months ago 24 Responses

My problem

My problem with this made-up story on Gore is that now it's spread everywhere like it's true.  When I do research, I find that most of the myths made up about Gore are just that, myths, not facts; but no one in the media can talk about Gore without bringing up one of the stories.  It's the only way our limited media can function.  Everyone has to have the "story" attached to them.  

Our mission as citizens is to quit accepting everything that is spread on the internet and throughout the mainstream media.  None of our politicians are perfect, but we don't investigate their ideas or values.  We listen for the story & decide based on slanders thrown at random to see what will stick.  Gore is "wooden", McCain is a "maverick", Edwards is a "Breck Girl", and Hillary - oh boy what they say about her.  We need leaders, not a shallow marketing tool to lead our country.

I'm proud to say I voted for Al Gore in 2000, and I'm glad he got the most votes.  He seems to be a man who has found his passion in life, and he pursues it with character.  He may have me fooled, but right now, I like his stand on issues and his values.On An opportunity for reflection posted 2 years, 8 months ago 35 Responses

Good idea

When Gore & Leo discussed the "Green" Oscars, I wondered what they meant.  This is an awesome idea to replace the gift bags with something meaningful that might make an impression on the unknowing public.  

Support anything that helps.On Things are getting strange up in Hollywood posted 2 years, 9 months ago 6 Responses

This will really reach people - not

I just want to slap the kid.  Does that make me not environmentally sound?On What do you think? posted 2 years, 9 months ago 10 Responses