Here we have coal industry executives wetting their pants over potential profits, and who knows how many Senators and Representatives bowing and prostrating at their feet over a pipe-dream they call clean coal. You betcha folks. Why this stuff's gonna be the salvation of us all. Hell -- you'd think it was the second coming.
You know what? Coal is coal. It doesn't matter much what form it's in, liquid or solid, it's still coal. You can dress it up, clean up it's image, make it look as clear as water, but it's still the dirtiest known fossil fuel on the face of the earth. Yet the spin masters, PR charlatans, and others who stand to profit mightily from selling the idea to the gullible masses continue to trumpet it's virtues. Did I say gullible? Yeah, but we're not really that gullible. But we want to believe. We desperately want to believe. Right now we're facing a serious dearth of alternatives, and we're willing to believe in magic. We're hoping and praying that somebody, soon, can reach in and pull a rabbit from the hat. We want it so badly that we're willing to gamble with the future in the hope of seeing that rabbit.
Seriously now, can we really expect to take a dirty form of carbon, wave a few magic wands, pray to the gods of technology, and hope a clean burning, plentiful form of fuel emerges that will power us cleanly and painlessly into the foreseeable future?
These magicians call to mind those of countless centuries ago, we call them alchemists, who pissed away lifetimes in their dingy laboratories trying to convert lead into gold. Turns out they didn't have much luck either.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Will We Ever Get It?
Is this what we have to look forward to here in Montana? Old King Coal is pushing hard and lobbying relentlessly to get top billing in our coming energy future, and it appears that many in Congress are fully prepared to grovel at his feet. All in the name of energy independence of course.
Billions in loan guarantees are on the table. Price guarantees are being thrown about. The idea of the federal government as a guaranteed customer is being waved around under the noses of King Coal and his lackeys in Congress. Ah yes, nothing like the smell of money to get this beast into a feeding frenzy. All for the sake of the dirtiest fuel source on the face of the earth. Or probably to be more accurate, for the sake of those who control it and write the fat contribution checks.
Some industry shithead said something to the effect that it's more American to burn CTL than to burn gasoline. What the hell is that supposed to mean for christ's sake? I guess it means that if this comes to pass we can kiss the chances for any real alternatives good-bye. I guess it means that the land rapers and the river killers and the foulers of our air and climate prevail yet again. I guess it means business as usual regardless of the consequences. I guess it goes to show that nothing can be allowed to stand in the way of monstrous profits. Nothing. Jesus Christ...
Billions in loan guarantees are on the table. Price guarantees are being thrown about. The idea of the federal government as a guaranteed customer is being waved around under the noses of King Coal and his lackeys in Congress. Ah yes, nothing like the smell of money to get this beast into a feeding frenzy. All for the sake of the dirtiest fuel source on the face of the earth. Or probably to be more accurate, for the sake of those who control it and write the fat contribution checks.
Some industry shithead said something to the effect that it's more American to burn CTL than to burn gasoline. What the hell is that supposed to mean for christ's sake? I guess it means that if this comes to pass we can kiss the chances for any real alternatives good-bye. I guess it means that the land rapers and the river killers and the foulers of our air and climate prevail yet again. I guess it means business as usual regardless of the consequences. I guess it goes to show that nothing can be allowed to stand in the way of monstrous profits. Nothing. Jesus Christ...
Sunday, May 27, 2007
And Now For Some Good News
I know, I know. It's usually a lot more fun to sit here and pick on people, but once in a while you hear about people working to get something good done, and you need to give them a thumbs up. Even those in Congress.
As we all know, we have a lot of roadless National Forest land here in Montana, and a lot of us put in a lot of hours gathering support to get Bill Clinton to sign the roadless rule shortly before he left office in 2001. He did, protecting 58.5 million acres.
Bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate by Jay Inslee and Maria Cantwell, both Democrats from Washington, to give these 58.5 million acres permanent roadless status. Both bills have strong bi-partisan support.
We also know that Georgie Bush repealed the roadless rule back in 2005, and that a federal judge reversed that last fall. Bush remains unfazed, and along with the timber industry has filed an appeal to challenge that decision. Not only are they appealing it, they are opening areas included in the original roadless rule to timber harvesting in spite of the ongoing court battle. Here's from an ENS story on the pending bills:
A big thank you is due those who are behind these bills and are working to get them passed. Let's urge Max and Jon and Denny to get on board and do the right thing.
As we all know, we have a lot of roadless National Forest land here in Montana, and a lot of us put in a lot of hours gathering support to get Bill Clinton to sign the roadless rule shortly before he left office in 2001. He did, protecting 58.5 million acres.
Bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate by Jay Inslee and Maria Cantwell, both Democrats from Washington, to give these 58.5 million acres permanent roadless status. Both bills have strong bi-partisan support.
We also know that Georgie Bush repealed the roadless rule back in 2005, and that a federal judge reversed that last fall. Bush remains unfazed, and along with the timber industry has filed an appeal to challenge that decision. Not only are they appealing it, they are opening areas included in the original roadless rule to timber harvesting in spite of the ongoing court battle. Here's from an ENS story on the pending bills:
Despite the ongoing court battle, the Bush administration is authorizing logging of roadless national forests that were included in the 2001 inventory of lands to be protected.
On August 7, 2006, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon started logging in a roadless area that was protected under the 2001 roadless rule.
Over 90% of the public comments, and this ruling garnered more public input in 2000 than any previous ruling ever had, were in support of roadless protection. The antics of the timber industry and their puppet-in-chief in the White House aren't what we had in mind.
A big thank you is due those who are behind these bills and are working to get them passed. Let's urge Max and Jon and Denny to get on board and do the right thing.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
What's Up With This?
I've received a couple of emails from the Montana Green Party on this over the last couple of days, and I saw a bit on it on Huffington, but so far it's been flying under the radar.
George Bush signed a directive on May 9 giving the President control over all three branches of government in the case of national emergency. What would constitute an emergency? It's pretty vague, but it could range from terrorist attacks to major hurricanes, or any natural disaster for that matter.
I honestly don't know what to make of this. Some see it as an attempt to assume dictatorial power. Given the track record of this administration, I wouldn't put it past them. I don't know that they could actually pull it off, but I wouldn't put it past them.
Is it a blatant power grab? Yes? No? If anybody is up to speed on this let me know your take.
George Bush signed a directive on May 9 giving the President control over all three branches of government in the case of national emergency. What would constitute an emergency? It's pretty vague, but it could range from terrorist attacks to major hurricanes, or any natural disaster for that matter.
I honestly don't know what to make of this. Some see it as an attempt to assume dictatorial power. Given the track record of this administration, I wouldn't put it past them. I don't know that they could actually pull it off, but I wouldn't put it past them.
Is it a blatant power grab? Yes? No? If anybody is up to speed on this let me know your take.
Friday, May 25, 2007
And The Bullshit Begins
It sure didn't take long. Listening to these clowns you'd think that Hillary and Obama had actually stepped up to the plate and done something.
Pathetic
What is there really to say anymore? Once again the Democrats took the low road and caved in to GWBush&Co. It's pathetic. So here's a short post from a thoroughly disgruntled totally pissed green leaning ex-Democrat directed straight to those lemmings who still call themselves Democrats.
If, in 2008, you should find yourselves facing a challenge from a third party made up of your populist progressive angry outraged former base, and if you should lose a few seats, don't go into your usual bitching and whining routine about spoilers and stolen votes. We don't want to hear it anymore. Instead, look into the mirror and face up to the fact that it was your own doing.
Have a fine holiday break Congress-folks, and think about those that this holiday is meant to honor. And don't forget about those yet to be sacrificed.
If, in 2008, you should find yourselves facing a challenge from a third party made up of your populist progressive angry outraged former base, and if you should lose a few seats, don't go into your usual bitching and whining routine about spoilers and stolen votes. We don't want to hear it anymore. Instead, look into the mirror and face up to the fact that it was your own doing.
Have a fine holiday break Congress-folks, and think about those that this holiday is meant to honor. And don't forget about those yet to be sacrificed.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Some Photography Blogs
There are a lot of fine blogs here in Montana, and not all of them have to do with politics. I especially enjoy coming across those that deal with art and photography. Photography is a passion of mine and I have occasionally included some of it and written a bit about it here on buzztail, but decided for the most part to keep it separate on it's own blog. I do want to pass on a couple of sites here though that deserve some recognition.
Many of you are already familiar with two of them, Peace Of My Mind and Bitterroot and Bergamot. If you aren't, take a moment to check them out. It's well worth the visit. Good stuff.
Another one I recently discovered is called Heartland, and comes to us from Lewistown. I'm not here to review or critique the man's work except to say that it grabs my attention -- I like the way that he arranges his photos, and I think they work beautifully. Again, check it out and see for yourself.
I know there are more than a few that I haven't mentioned, either due to memory lapse, or because I'm not familiar with them. So shoot me. Better yet, if you have a blog featuring your photography, not necessarily from Montana, or know of some good ones send me a link. I'll put them up on a links list on my other blog. Photographers put a lot of themselves into what they do and deserve some recognition, and other folks deserve to see it. I'd love to be able to help build an audience for their work. Any thoughts and ideas?
Many of you are already familiar with two of them, Peace Of My Mind and Bitterroot and Bergamot. If you aren't, take a moment to check them out. It's well worth the visit. Good stuff.
Another one I recently discovered is called Heartland, and comes to us from Lewistown. I'm not here to review or critique the man's work except to say that it grabs my attention -- I like the way that he arranges his photos, and I think they work beautifully. Again, check it out and see for yourself.
I know there are more than a few that I haven't mentioned, either due to memory lapse, or because I'm not familiar with them. So shoot me. Better yet, if you have a blog featuring your photography, not necessarily from Montana, or know of some good ones send me a link. I'll put them up on a links list on my other blog. Photographers put a lot of themselves into what they do and deserve some recognition, and other folks deserve to see it. I'd love to be able to help build an audience for their work. Any thoughts and ideas?
Saturday, May 19, 2007
I Hope It's Not Too Late For The Grayling
Intent to file a lawsuit challenging the April decision by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to no longer grant endangered species status to Montana's few remaining grayling was announced last week. The last remnant population of grayling in the lower 48 states is hanging on to survival in the Big Hole River, but without endangered species protection it is doubtful that they will survive for long. It's good news -- I'm glad that there are those who will stand up to the dismal record of the Bush administration in regards to protecting endangered species. I just hope it isn't too late for the grayling.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
What's Going On With Grizzly Delisting?
I'm looking for some information maybe somebody out there can help out with. Perhaps someone, maybe in the Bozeman area, is up to date on a lawsuit to stop the endangered species delisting of the grizzly bear in the greater Yellowstone area.
As you know, the grizzly was to be delisted at the end of April, and the last I heard eight environmental groups were going to file a suit through Earthjustice in federal court in Bozeman. Either nothing is happening yet, or I'm not looking in the right places, but I'm finding no information on it. If anybody knows about the suit, please -- feel free to pass it along here.
The Bush administration has ignored the ESA, and has in fact done more to undermine it than any administration in the 35 years or so of the act's existence. No species have been listed in over a year, and only 57 have been listed since 2001 when Bush took office, far less than any other administration including that of his father. They are rewriting the act to selectively delist certain species in parts of their historical range to make it easier to get critical habitat into the hands of industry and private developers. Grizzly habitat around Yellowstone is threatened by this, as is critical manatee habitat in south Florida, among others. Julie MacDonald, formerly of the FWS recently had to step down due to her manipulation of biological data and other questionable practices. Investigations continue about goings on at Interior, and more heads may roll, including that of Lynn Scarlett, deputy secretary of the department.
To allow selective delisting of certain species in certain parts of their range sets a dangerous precedent. To allow the White House to decide these things basically at their whim for the benefit of their buddies in industry is unthinkable. It would undermine the ESA to the point where it would for all practical purposes be toothless.
Again, if you are following the Earthjustice lawsuit, or are involved with it, and have anything you are able to or want to pass along, please do so.
As you know, the grizzly was to be delisted at the end of April, and the last I heard eight environmental groups were going to file a suit through Earthjustice in federal court in Bozeman. Either nothing is happening yet, or I'm not looking in the right places, but I'm finding no information on it. If anybody knows about the suit, please -- feel free to pass it along here.
The Bush administration has ignored the ESA, and has in fact done more to undermine it than any administration in the 35 years or so of the act's existence. No species have been listed in over a year, and only 57 have been listed since 2001 when Bush took office, far less than any other administration including that of his father. They are rewriting the act to selectively delist certain species in parts of their historical range to make it easier to get critical habitat into the hands of industry and private developers. Grizzly habitat around Yellowstone is threatened by this, as is critical manatee habitat in south Florida, among others. Julie MacDonald, formerly of the FWS recently had to step down due to her manipulation of biological data and other questionable practices. Investigations continue about goings on at Interior, and more heads may roll, including that of Lynn Scarlett, deputy secretary of the department.
To allow selective delisting of certain species in certain parts of their range sets a dangerous precedent. To allow the White House to decide these things basically at their whim for the benefit of their buddies in industry is unthinkable. It would undermine the ESA to the point where it would for all practical purposes be toothless.
Again, if you are following the Earthjustice lawsuit, or are involved with it, and have anything you are able to or want to pass along, please do so.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Time To Pull Out The Old Fly Rod
Not only do we have some of the world's finest wilderness here in Montana, but we're also blessed with some world-class fishing waters. People come from all over the world to fish places like the Madison and the Big Hole and the Bitterroot, to name just a few. That's another thing to put on my to-do list for this summer -- pull the old fly rod out of the closet and get out there and go fishing.
Some years back I lived up the East Fork of the Bitterroot and spent most days wandering the Anaconda-Pintler wilderness taking photos. Quite often I'd stop by one of my favorite fishing holes on my way home and try to catch a couple of trout for dinner. I spent many enjoyable hours with my fly rod, hooking all kinds of interesting objects. Willows and lodgepoles. The occasional stump. The curled up bumper on my old truck. Whatever happened to be within my casting range. I never did snag my own ear, but I did manage to get a couple of other people. The howls of pain and outrage still ring in my ears. I did pluck the cap off of my head a couple of times, and once almost picked the wallet out of my own pocket with one particularly mighty cast. I almost became the first guy to ever catch a moose on a Yellow Humpy. Great times. Now and then I'd even hook a fish, but more often than not I ended up eating something else for dinner.
My daughter has discovered the joys of fishing in the last couple of years. I got her an inexpensive spin-cast outfit a couple of years ago so she could try it out and see how she liked it. She had a ball. We go to a place a few miles west of Missoula, Frenchtown Pond State Park, where she can catch bass and panfish. I tie on a lure for her, she hauls off with a heroic cast, and after a suitable period of time it plops down in the water somewhere out in front of her and she reels it in to try again. She's caught a few nice bass this way and has been absolutely thrilled. There's always something special about the look on a kids face when they catch a fish. Something that goes beyond words. I'd better get her out there again soon. Which reminds me, I'd better dig out the gear and make sure it's good to go.
On that note, if you happen to be driving by Frenchtown Pond this summer and spot a young girl hauling in fish, and a gray-haired old fart untangling a fly line from the nearest bush, be sure to give a honk and a wave. That'll be us.
Some years back I lived up the East Fork of the Bitterroot and spent most days wandering the Anaconda-Pintler wilderness taking photos. Quite often I'd stop by one of my favorite fishing holes on my way home and try to catch a couple of trout for dinner. I spent many enjoyable hours with my fly rod, hooking all kinds of interesting objects. Willows and lodgepoles. The occasional stump. The curled up bumper on my old truck. Whatever happened to be within my casting range. I never did snag my own ear, but I did manage to get a couple of other people. The howls of pain and outrage still ring in my ears. I did pluck the cap off of my head a couple of times, and once almost picked the wallet out of my own pocket with one particularly mighty cast. I almost became the first guy to ever catch a moose on a Yellow Humpy. Great times. Now and then I'd even hook a fish, but more often than not I ended up eating something else for dinner.
My daughter has discovered the joys of fishing in the last couple of years. I got her an inexpensive spin-cast outfit a couple of years ago so she could try it out and see how she liked it. She had a ball. We go to a place a few miles west of Missoula, Frenchtown Pond State Park, where she can catch bass and panfish. I tie on a lure for her, she hauls off with a heroic cast, and after a suitable period of time it plops down in the water somewhere out in front of her and she reels it in to try again. She's caught a few nice bass this way and has been absolutely thrilled. There's always something special about the look on a kids face when they catch a fish. Something that goes beyond words. I'd better get her out there again soon. Which reminds me, I'd better dig out the gear and make sure it's good to go.
On that note, if you happen to be driving by Frenchtown Pond this summer and spot a young girl hauling in fish, and a gray-haired old fart untangling a fly line from the nearest bush, be sure to give a honk and a wave. That'll be us.
* * *
Friday, May 4, 2007
Long Live The Wilderness
It's getting on to that time of year here in Montana. Days are getting longer, things are greening up, the mountains are calling. This year, by God, this year I'm going to get out into that blessed wilderness as much as I possibly can. And then some. For various reasons, none of which I need to go into here, I haven't been able to get out much for the past few years. But no more of that. Not this year. I've got some catching up to do.
But why? What for? What good is wilderness? What do we need it for? Well, I can't speak for anybody else. Wouldn't even try if I could. I can only speak for myself, as irrational and illogical and fanatical as I may sound. I trust others, at least a few others, know exactly what I'm trying to say.
I need wilderness because dammit I'm a living breathing human type wild animal who thrives on clean air and cold water and open space and mountains and sky and trees and silence and solitude and the realization that I don't own and control this world anymore than the grizzly does or the moose does or the mountain goat does. It's theirs too, and I welcome their company. I give them their space and they give me mine and we all get along just fine. It's the doings of my own kind that tend to cause me grief. Doug Peacock I think it was once said something to the effect that we all need wilderness because we all need places to go where there is the possibility of being eaten by something bigger and stronger than we are. Well said. Well said indeed. That possibility does tend to keep us on our toes.
I need wilderness because I'm not a computerized robotized homogenized pasteurized socialized creature. I'm not domesticated. I haven't been lobotomized by television. I'm immune to advertising. I don't buy stuff. I don't want stuff. I don't do well on clock time. The only purpose a clock serves as far as I'm concerned is to remind me of some place I should have been an hour ago. I don't do well with the same routine day after day after day. Working in an office would kill me. Besides, I look like an idiot in a suit. My mom tried to make me wear one once when I was a kid. One look in the mirror and I ripped it of my body and I've never worn one since. I've never owned a suit, and I'll be 56 years old in about a week and a half. If anybody tries to put me in a suit when I'm dead and gone and they have to dispose of my carcass, I'll come back one more time and make them wish they had chosen more appropriate clothes.
I don't run on silicon chips. I don't have a microprocessor for a soul. I'm not equipped with a hard drive. I don't hum along to the tune of an electronic technological world. I may not be much -- flesh and blood and about 150 pounds of gristle and gray hair, but I do know this. It's the wilderness that feeds me. Mountains and rivers and lakes and rocks and trees and ice and snow and the raw, sometimes brutal forces of nature. Long live the wilderness. Long live the grizzly bear. Long live those who will fight to protect both. And may those short-sighted ones, those with limited vision and shrunken shriveled souls who would rape and plunder and pillage and destroy either for their own gain, well, may they suffocate in their own greed.
But why? What for? What good is wilderness? What do we need it for? Well, I can't speak for anybody else. Wouldn't even try if I could. I can only speak for myself, as irrational and illogical and fanatical as I may sound. I trust others, at least a few others, know exactly what I'm trying to say.
I need wilderness because dammit I'm a living breathing human type wild animal who thrives on clean air and cold water and open space and mountains and sky and trees and silence and solitude and the realization that I don't own and control this world anymore than the grizzly does or the moose does or the mountain goat does. It's theirs too, and I welcome their company. I give them their space and they give me mine and we all get along just fine. It's the doings of my own kind that tend to cause me grief. Doug Peacock I think it was once said something to the effect that we all need wilderness because we all need places to go where there is the possibility of being eaten by something bigger and stronger than we are. Well said. Well said indeed. That possibility does tend to keep us on our toes.
I need wilderness because I'm not a computerized robotized homogenized pasteurized socialized creature. I'm not domesticated. I haven't been lobotomized by television. I'm immune to advertising. I don't buy stuff. I don't want stuff. I don't do well on clock time. The only purpose a clock serves as far as I'm concerned is to remind me of some place I should have been an hour ago. I don't do well with the same routine day after day after day. Working in an office would kill me. Besides, I look like an idiot in a suit. My mom tried to make me wear one once when I was a kid. One look in the mirror and I ripped it of my body and I've never worn one since. I've never owned a suit, and I'll be 56 years old in about a week and a half. If anybody tries to put me in a suit when I'm dead and gone and they have to dispose of my carcass, I'll come back one more time and make them wish they had chosen more appropriate clothes.
I don't run on silicon chips. I don't have a microprocessor for a soul. I'm not equipped with a hard drive. I don't hum along to the tune of an electronic technological world. I may not be much -- flesh and blood and about 150 pounds of gristle and gray hair, but I do know this. It's the wilderness that feeds me. Mountains and rivers and lakes and rocks and trees and ice and snow and the raw, sometimes brutal forces of nature. Long live the wilderness. Long live the grizzly bear. Long live those who will fight to protect both. And may those short-sighted ones, those with limited vision and shrunken shriveled souls who would rape and plunder and pillage and destroy either for their own gain, well, may they suffocate in their own greed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
