Comments jmcstras has made

Kelley Stoltz album

I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but I really liked the one song I did hear. After reading the review you posted, I'll definitely pick up a copy...

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

Saw That Coming...

Can these folks get any more predictable? Now, they just need to figure out how to use Katrina to promote another tax cut and Social Security reform...On Katrina prompts new energy proposals -- some green, most not posted 4 years, 2 months ago 1 Response

Godless heathen

And paganism... Don't forget paganism...

http://www.wendymae.com/voodoo/marie_laveau.html

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

Snobbery of the organic movement

First, ditto what Mike said...

But, the element of branding you mention is also very important.  Whole Foods does cater to the suburban class.  I only go there on occasion because of its suburban location, and can find better deals on organic and locally-grown produce at the farmer's market downtown.  I think it's important to distinguish the typical Whole Foods shopper from the "organic movement" -- the former generally are associating with WF's elitest branding, and drive their SUVs from their McMansions to shop there. The organic movement is more concerned about social, economic and cultural impacts of chemically-based megafarming, and likely views it as an element of larger sustainable development strategies.  The organic movement is looking at agriculture through a large lens; the typical Whole Foods shopper is generally just looking to make a statement about his/her own sophistication without considering broader questions of sustainability.

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

Re: Sustainablogging...

Thanks for helping to get the word out, Dave!  I'm really looking forward to the event (which, honestly, will be the first time I haven't had a night's sleep in ages...), and am glad you're participating.

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

The intravenous connection

Sigh... my wife says the same thing... I should probably be writing something stuffy and academic, but blogging's just a whole lot more fun.

I'd certainly love to have Gristmill readers join the debate I've got going on at sustainablog.  Eric McErlain, the Nuclear Energy Institute's chief blogger, drops by frequently to try to put the smackdown on me (check this post).  In all fairness, Eric's a very decent guy and the debate's been civil.  Still, I'd love to have other voices chiming in... The nuclear industry has played their hand pretty well on the whole "nuclear power doesn't produce CO2" message, but, as is so often the case, that's only a fraction of the story.

OK, enough shameless self promotion. Thanks for the nod, Dave...

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

My deep, dark secret...

I don't recycle aluminum or plastic... there, I said it. I feel better already...

Jeff

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

re:Markets, etc.

Great post, Dave -- you've spelled out my reservations with this piece much better than I did...  I find it interesting that the "libertarians" at Commons make no distinction between the individual and this twisted concept of corporate personhood.  One need only look at family farms via corporate farms (and I'm oversimplifying here) to see the distinction.  I also find it telling that the Commons folks are much more concerned with "free markets" (in the contemporary corporate sense) than with "environmentalism."

Jeff

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com

Hmmmm...

Well, I'll admit that my response came from not reading as closely as I should have -- I believe by the time I got towards the end, I read the first line of the point on population control and assumed I knew where it was going... I didn't see "involuntary sterilization" coming... My mistake.

As far as earlier statements on destruction, I read these metaphorically originally (though now that I read it again, and especially after I take note of the "I'm sure the government is watching me" bit, I'm willing to back away from that...).  I suppose I was thinking more in consumer protest/boycott terms rather than, you know, actual destruction (which does seem to be his argument).

Ultimately, I suppose I read this piece in the context of Pollard's other writings on his blog, which seem pretty moderate (i.e., his Natural Enterprise project).  And, I focused more on the initial list (which seems perfectly reasonable).  Finally, I think the biggest mistake I made was equating Pollard's "Plan B" with the program/book of Lester Brown's that shares that title -- clearly, they're on different wavelengths.

So, while I was prepared for a debate, I suppose I should thank you, Dave.  An English professor should be a much better close reader -- I plead the fatigue of a long semester and too many student essays ;-)

Best,

Jeff

Sustainablog: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com