Greetings from
The Publisher . . .
Popcorn News & Time for AlternativesBefore anything else, please go to www.avaaz.org or www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/ and sign a petition. It's to Chinese President Hu Jintao and calls for a dialogue with the Dalai Lama; and asks that China show restraint and a respect for human rights in Tibet.
China's main (government) newspaper has written that their government should “resolutely crush” the Tibetan demonstrators. The Dalai Lama said that independence is not his goal; it is to end the violence.
The European Union stated that from their perspective this could effect their participation in the coming Olympic games, which are being held in China. Given that these games are a showcase for China, the Chinese want them to highlight the best of China, not their abuse of human rights.
Representing us/US, President Bush has basically said Let the Good Times Roll, we're winning, or something like that. He sees no reason for current events to alter US participation in the games, nor seemingly, has he yet to see an abuse or torture he doesn't condone. He recently vetoed Congress attempt to limit some forms of torture.
Being a fast learner sometimes, I think it must ultimately come down to this: the Chinese hate the Tibetans for their freedom.
I mean seriously, what's scarier than people without fear? The Chinese control Tibet. They have the guns. Yet some Tibetans seem to act like they are free. What some of them do have is an inner strength and freedom. Add in strong convictions and you have a combination that can be pretty scary to authorities, especially ones that think that guns and controlling people actually solve problems.
Looking at world and national events, the election, the economy, etc., things really seem to be happening quickly these days don't they? Look at some recent events.
Economic reports are what amaze me. I read one report that said January's US economy was better than the previous month, December 2007. It explained that the reason retail sales were up in January and the economy was better off was mainly due to rising energy prices. What?
The measurement of how well we—the US economy—are doing, we're told, is based on how well the sales of multi-national corporations are going. The fact that increasing energy costs are cutting into our personal budgets, as well as the budgets of local governments, schools, etc., is not part of the calculation. That it makes it harder for the rest of us and affecting almost all other retail business doesn't seem to count. Where is the ‘us' in the US economic equation? The question, was it good for you too, never gets asked.
Richard Martin writes a view of the economy on page 29 that is not the conventional wisdom we hear every day.
The media doesn't pay attention, and worse than that they distract us with what they do talk about. They're the popcorn press. They spread out popcorn and then scramble like pigeons for it, forgetting, it seems that they are usually the ones spreading it. (popcorn.)
I mean is race or gender really an issue in this Presidential race? Only if you think blacks or women are inferior or incapable. Why else would it be a topic?
Then there was the water news and the revelation that when we drink tap water we get free meds. Maybe Congress likes us on meds. Maybe it's a move to reduce healthcare costs by having us take the same meds over and over. Instead it's made into another big scare—without too much backing it up, so far. I would, however, beware of any plans that require us to drink the tap water. Does anyone do that in California?
After the recent sick-meat recall it should be clear that the government is not paying attention. I wonder if we wouldn't we be better off with citizen watchdogs. Ask the family members of those who have suffered to be on the committee. Ask those who lost pets to help watch pet food being made. I think you'd get some volunteers. In other words, ask people who are passionate about it, instead of people just doing—or not doing—their job.
If you are concerned or wonder about multi-corporations at all, make sure you read the story of Katie Redford and Ka Hsaw Wa on page 16. I purposely left out some of their descriptions of the cruelty of the Burmese military. They are not images I wanted to leave people with. What's incredible and valuable about their story is how they have managed to change the landscape of how American businesses—the multi-national corporations—operate and can begin to be held accountable for their actions. If corporations want to be afforded the rights that people have, shouldn't they also be accountable for their actions they way people are?
It's amazing how little the media talks about the real world. It reminds me of the war in Iraq. Haven't we simply changed the definition of winning to mean we bought off the insurgents for another six months? Our money's still good somewhere may be the best news.
Some interesting electric vehicle (EV) news is that the CA Air Resources Board (CARB) plans to cut back on its commitment to put EVs on the road. Actually, for those of us watching that happened long ago. They recited cite the willingness of consumers to “pay premium sticker prices for hybrid vehicles” as the reason they should cut the numbers of EVs they have previously required. Really? Or was it the unwillingness to buy as much gas? Or support the system that has us inching towards $4 a gallon for gasoline. Using diesel I hit $4.13 early last month. The soybean oil I was using went over $4.50 a gallon several months ago.
A willingness? What are the options?
One just became a reality in North County. Congratulations to the new Sprinter transit line. Ridership to and from Palomar College has already gone over 800 trips a day and overall ridership is approaching 8,000 daily. They hope to reach 11,600 riders a day by the end of the year. It's estimated that will cut traffic by 17%. That's a lot less air pollution and toxins in the air, and few cars on the road.
Hybrids are definitely a better choice than regular automobiles, but I have to admit I'm not a big fan. They are the ideal solution for car manufacturers because they keep in place a major source of income that all-electric vehicles virtually eliminate—the repair shop. A major source of income for auto dealers is the service department.
For hybrids, repair costs are much worse. These cars are new, require special training and being two systems in one are more complicated to repair than other cars. They're great for business, but not the best for consumers. The idea being promoted is that they are a step towards more efficient EVs or hydrogen powered cars. But what is the incentive for auto manufacturers to go in that direction, if agencies such as CARB don't stay the course and push them towards it?
Just by chance (?) Ed Begley, Jr., in his interview on page 44, got into how great his all-electric Toyota RV4 is and how it simply goes and goes and goes without problems. I want one of those! Auto manufactures are afraid of them, and CARB is going along for the ride.
The distraction we keep hearing is that EVs have a limited range, but it was also calculated that 80% of us drive fewer than 50 miles a day. EVs can do that, but they don't need to.
When I was in high school in Alaska and it was 30 below, or more, we never went to a movie without plugging in the car. Every where we drove and stopped for any period of time we'd plug in the car to make sure it would start when we were ready to drive again. It's not the problem it's made out to be.
Did you hear that the American Lung Association of California estimates that moving to zero-emission cars would save more than $2 billion in health care costs and prevent 300 premature deaths every year? Every year, it costs that much. The conventional wisdom ignores this and tells us going solar is not cost effective. Then again, even leaving out the medical costs, that may be true. Read Frank Russo's article on page 24.
Just in time, this is the month we can find options that offer us hope and the opportunity to see what's ahead for us. And I mean on this plane/planet, not the end times hope of our President. What's coming is one of the country's largest Earth Day gatherings and it's in San Diego's Balboa Park on April 21. There we can find people making progress towards a viable and sustainable future right now. I go to discover the practical steps we can all take to move towards a healthy, environmentally friendly life now. We'll be there. Come by our booth and say hello.
Congratulations and thanks to all the people bringing us these events and the tools that empower us to make a difference.
Have a great month,
Steve
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