Comments Catfish John has made

  • Elevator pitch

    There's this planet called Earth. Have you ever been there?
    Have a closer look, and forget what the critics say. Trust me, your life depends on it.

    Good things, JDT

    On An elevator pitch for environmentalism posted 4 years, 9 months ago 154 Responses

  • Oops

    That comment was for djnoll, by the way. Not that I don't love everyone else...On Four emerging environmental leaders discuss the future of their field posted 4 years, 9 months ago 5 Responses

  • I love you

    I don't know who you are, but you are RIGHT ON THE MONEY! I've been thinking about these things for months, and you took the words right out of my mouth. Bravo, and Amen.

    If anyone wants to take your comments seriously, I'm in.
    I'm SICK of money being wasted on lobbying and letter circulating, signature drives, etc. Those tactics don't work in this climate. Look at how this administration pushes its agenda, knocking on every back door to gain entry, and forcing their way in if refused. And we're still squabbling over minor differences in approach to some of the most confounding issues mankind has ever been up against.

    Let's put our money where our mouths are, damn it! It's the era of mergers, and if our causes can't find a way to come together, then we are fighting a losing battle, here and everafter. I wrote an email to the Grist editor earlier today. I'm going to post it here to prove my affinity. Let's roll!On Four emerging environmental leaders discuss the future of their field posted 4 years, 9 months ago 5 Responses

  • Kyoto and Africa

    The argument seems sound, as you pointed out, in many respects, but I am loath to jump on any "help Africa" lines of speculation, since developed nations have long ignored the needs of Africa unless exploitable resources were up for grabs. The ongoing genocides in Congo and the Sudan, and the hopelessly inadequate assistance to Rwanda in their hours of need reflect just how interested in Africa the west is.

    Kyoto may benefit Africa indirectly, but I can't believe that any western interest wants to take the hard road to developing anything on a continent rife with instability, disease, and hunger, as that road requires expensive investments like education, health care, and other overhead expenses that we can't even adequately address within our own borders.

    There is a website, carbonfinance.org, that uses confounding language to explain all of this carbon-credit, emissions trading business. And it is business, in spite of the not-for-profit designation. I wish I understood it better than I do, and I truly hope we DO help Africa develop cleanly. But, if history is any indication...I'm not holding my breath for positive progress.
     

    Good things, JDT

    On Kyoto and Africa posted 4 years, 9 months ago 2 Responses

  • Groan

    Didn't anyone read Dostoevsky? We are only getting better at defining ourselves, and ever worse at reforming.

    Excrement has always stunk, though we're ever more adept at noticing the strains and variations in it.

    Hope wins, though, and if we all stop squabbling within our own ranks and start working on real solutions, we might just slow the inevitable.  

    Good things, JDT

    On The problem posted 4 years, 9 months ago 3 Responses

  • Oil

    We're beyond the peak and in the valley. This is great for the oil companies who currently control most facets of our lives. The prices will increase exponentially and, without an affordable alternative, what else can we do but pay for it?

    Visit the websites of the major oil companies and read closely about their "programs" related to new technology. It won't take long, as they essentially use wonderful manipulative language to announce that they are doing next to nothing to bring us better technology. Why would they?

    The "latest" technology will likely be patented by the oil companies anyhow, since no one can compete with their resources, and most of the grant money going to development of new technology is likely being intravenously fed to one of the long research arms the big oil companies function with anyhow.

    Go to BP's website and explore their research partners. Some have a dot.org designation, but the message is clear.

    It's out of our hands, folks, and we'll drain every last drop of oil before affordable, more efficient technologies reach the mass-market.

     

    Good things, JDT

    On Black gold, Texas tea posted 4 years, 9 months ago 2 Responses