Environmental Efforts

Times Herald-Record

June 26, 2008

NEW PALTZ — Village parks and green spaces are going organic in hopes that residents will follow suit and stop treating their lawns with inorganic chemicals.

Approval of new legislation that would stop the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides on village property is just a lawyerly tweak away from becoming law, according to Alice Andrews, a member of the village environmental commission and organizer of an organics task force.

Andrews was aghast when she learned about the potential harm that non-agricultural pesticides and herbicides can do to not only plant life but to pets and children as well.

Children spend more time cavorting on lawns and can absorb more pesticides relative to their body weight than adults. They're particularly vulnerable to such risks as cancer and neurological impairment because their organ systems are still developing.

Andrews had hoped to be able to propose legislation that would have banned or limited pesticide use for all village properties, but that plan appears to be dead in the water. Not only would it have been a hard sell for residents, but corporate interests could have taken legal action against the village.

"What we've decided is to try every other angle, especially education," she said.

To that end, the task force has created posters that urge residents to sign a myspace.com petition urging Ulster County to ban pesticides.

Andrews said she hopes the village's Web site will soon have a page devoted to pesticides. With the passage of time, she hopes "social pressure" will do what formal legislation can't.

jhorrigan@th-record.com

If you would like to sign our petition to ban pesticides, visit the site: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pesticide-freeNP/

If you would like information on how to start a similar organic initiative in your own town, send me a message.

A fallen comrade

Unfortunately, George Carlin passed on Sunday afternoon, June 22nd 2008 of heart failure at the age of 71. He was a very telling and truthful person, using the art of comedy to bring a little bit of reality to our lives:

"I became a sun-worshipper. Several reasons. First of all, I can see the sun, okay? Unlike some other gods I could mention, I can actually see the sun. I'm big on that. If I can see something, I don't know, it kind of helps the credibility along, you know? So everyday I can see the sun, as it gives me everything I need; heat, light, food, flowers in the park, reflections on the lake, an occasional skin cancer, but hey. At least there are no crucifixions, and we're not setting people on fire simply because they don't agree with us. . .

Sun worship is fairly simple. There's no mystery, no miracles, no pageantry, no one asks for money, there are no songs to learn, and we don't have a special building where we all gather once a week to compare clothing. And the best thing about the sun, it never tells me I'm unworthy. Doesn't tell me I'm a bad person who needs to be saved. Hasn't said an unkind word. Treats me fine. So, I worship the sun. But, I don't pray to the sun. Know why? I wouldn't presume on our friendship. It's not polite."


"For centuries now, man has done everything he can to destroy, defile, and interfere with nature: clear-cutting forests, strip-mining mountains, poisoning the atmosphere, over-fishing the oceans, polluting the rivers and lakes, destroying wetlands and aquifers... so when nature strikes back, and smacks him on the head and kicks him in the nuts, I enjoy that. I have absolutely no sympathy for human beings whatsoever. None. And no matter what kind of problem humans are facing, whether it's natural or man-made, I always hope it gets worse."


"I sort of gave up on this whole human adventure a long time ago, divorced myself from it emotionally. I think the human race has squandered its gift, and I think this country has squandered its promise. I think people in America sold out very cheaply, for sneakers and cheeseburgers. And I don't think it's fixable."



We must remember and apply his words to collectively mend our ways and create the world that he never thought possible.

Pretty much that or we perish like he so confidently predicted...




George Carlin, you will be missed.

Impeachment IV

The resolution to impeach Bush was shot down tonight.
world socialist web published the first article on this account.

Why is the legislative branch of government not holding this man responsible for all of the crimes and wrong doings he has committed over the past 8 years? Probably because they are all tied into it and guilty on their own levels. So much for justice. So much our representatives REPRESENTING our desires... Does anyone else see why a democratic republic does not work?

Seeing Sounds

“Seeing Sounds” by N.E.R.D. is another excellent album to add to your collection. Lyrics range from the personal to the political, the music is almost indescribable – unclassifiable, a mish-mash of genres. On one song alone I hear influences from The Clash, the Who, and Michael Jackson. The next, completely different, heavy static beat/bass which doubles up a few measure in to produce an amazing groove.

"What is a N.E.R.D? N.E.R.D stands for No One Ever Really Dies. The Neptunes are who we are and N.E.R.D is what we do. It's our life. N.E.R.D is just a basic belief, man. People's energies are made of their souls. When you die, that energy may disperse but it isn't destroyed. Energy cannot be destroyed. It can manifest in a different way but even then it's like their souls are going somewhere. If it's going to heaven or hell or even if it's going into a fog or somewhere in the atmosphere to lurk unbeknownst to itself, it's going somewhere." - Pharrell Williams

“I'm trying to imply the few,
by removing propaganda but,
They must of fused a dove with superglue,
I’m tryin to take a machine apart,
What I'm simply trying to do
Is have the business take a pause,
I've been down every avenue,
But everybody's good as gone.”*

Very fitting considering all that has gone down this week. I respect every musician who uses their broadcasting power to emit truth, knowledge and inspiration while inciting their audience to question the world around them. At the same time, I also admire music which is purely aesthetic, for the love of the beat and the experience of its creation. Luckily, this album has both. I highly recommend you pick it up.

http://www.myspace.com/nerdofficial

http://nerdofficial.blogspot.com/

*lyrics by ear, may not be 100%

Impeachment part III

No further news on Kucinich's impeachment articles against Bush. Hopefully there will be some progress by the end of the day.

IMPEACHMENT part II

89% of 590,533 Americans believe that Bush's actions justify impeachment.

Keep the numbers rolling...

IMPEACHMENT 08

Kucinich Presents Bush Impeachment Articles (35 to be exact, with supporting evidence)

In particular, on the use of propaganda to manufacture a reason to start the war with Iraq.

Now, this is not being broadcast on the major news sites yet. And here is an opportunity to report some REAL, IMPORTANT, TRUTHFUL and EXCELLENT information. At least someone is finally stepping up to the plate. There is no turning back now. Spread the word! It is time for some justice!

media takeover

(love this image, will use it again and again)

After observing how the media has painted Hillary, Obama and McCain throughout the different phases of this campaign, witnessing how a story on the potential for higher gases prices on 4th of July actually caused gas prices to raise TODAY, and that whole thing about the Pentagon admitting to the use of propaganda to fuel an unjust war, I decided to write a poem (because any other action would land me in jail).

"Time for a revival
Truth revealed as whole
Rather than bits and pieces
of Information
Bias and controlled.

The media should be
A Conduit
Not a filter
Or an assembly machine.

Our data should not be
Contracted
Or warped to fit someone else's dream.

We must push the pundits
To unveil their vial smoke screens,

While persuading the Pentagon
To disassemble their propaganda team,

And then propose our plan
For fair and balanced reports

Straight from the source
free from Corporate force

Information the viewer can trust
Objectively dispensed
By people who are real and just.

Maybe we can sleep at night again..."