That is what I want to see after reading this. So, feel guilty about taking that vacation to Hawaii, or grilling that steak over charcoal, or just feel guilty about your carbon footprint because you are alive? Then the City of San Francisco has a deal for you- it will sell to you carbon offsets for your guilt. That's right, you don't actually have to reduce anything you currently do, but to soothe your conscience, you can give money to the government which will funnel the money to a few very worthy companies that will plant a tree or dump iron particles into the ocean.
I may have this wrong, but let me see if I understand this. The City will fund carbon offset companies to do whatever it is they will do to offset official travel for the first year, then begin selling offsets to people in Ess Eff who feel guilty about living. So, the City is just setting up a new spending program to ease peoples' minds? Yet they have to float a $185 million bond to pay for upgrading and maintaining playgrounds. I hope they've figured out how much they will have to pay to offset that.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Various rants
So, was in Alabama over the past weekend for my niece's first birthday. Regardless of party affiliation, recycling is a tough sell- don't even ask about CFLs. Even though the cities that my relatives live in don't have recycling programs (apparently), they still would not make the effort to recycle even though they would then reap the benefits of getting paid to recycle. Growing up, I would separate plastic bottles, glass and aluminium from the regular trash and after a month or so, would have my parents drive me (or drive myself when I got old enough) to a recycling center and come home with like $80 for everything. CFLs would reduce the electricity bill, but that didn't seem to get through either. Oh well, when you get your electricity from coal and nuclear sources, electricity doesn't cost very much anyway.
California state assembly passed a $14.4 billion universal health care bill, even though the state is in a $14 billion deficit. The state senate, of all things, has no plans of voting on the bill, thankfully. How does doing this make any sense in a deficit? Instead of finding ways to balance the budget, the Gov. and state assembly has decided to pass a program that increases government spending even more- even with all the gimmicks that the proponents say will pay for the program, such as increasing the tax on cigarettes. Of course, I have issues with the piling on of cigarette taxes (we tax things that people do to raise money, said thing raises alot of money, state begins to rely on money raised from taxes, policy changes to raise taxes on item to get people to stop consuming item, people stop consuming item, revenue from taxes on item falls, budget not meet, government raises taxes on some other item, rinse and repeat). Which leads me to. . .
S.F. Mayor Newsom wants to add a "fee" onto soda to encourage stores to stop selling them and/or encourage people from consuming them. Once again, Ess Eff looks to control the way people live their life, but only on some activities. So, I'm calling this "Pick and Choose" government. As an example- there is no city law requiring bicycle riders to wear a helmet, despite all the studies showing the safety of wearing a helmet. Instead, it's up to the rider to decide whether or not to wear a helmet. Ok, fair enough. On the other hand, a bar can't decide that it wants to allow smoking. So, the government has decided that some issues are ok for people to have their own choice, and on some issues people are "making the wrong choices" so government should do something to correct them. In other words, it has picked the issues it wants to deal with and choosed (sp on purpose) the result it wants.
Needless to say, I've been keeping these frustrations to myself as they aren't necessarily the most welcome viewpoints in the City by the Bay. The last two elections, both statewide and citywide, have been quite an awakening for me. So, I hope to be more vocal moving into the February primary election and citywide election.
At the risk of bringing attention to myself, I am quite lucky that I have not been contacted by anyone from any Republican candidate due to the congressional district where I live. Thanks to the change in the way delegates are distributed, now on a district-by-district basis instead of statewide, I live in quite an interesting district being so heavily Democratic. I think I will wait until closer to the election to reveal my endorsements (which will cover statewide issues and citywide issues). Maybe I'll even bring in an opposing view.
California state assembly passed a $14.4 billion universal health care bill, even though the state is in a $14 billion deficit. The state senate, of all things, has no plans of voting on the bill, thankfully. How does doing this make any sense in a deficit? Instead of finding ways to balance the budget, the Gov. and state assembly has decided to pass a program that increases government spending even more- even with all the gimmicks that the proponents say will pay for the program, such as increasing the tax on cigarettes. Of course, I have issues with the piling on of cigarette taxes (we tax things that people do to raise money, said thing raises alot of money, state begins to rely on money raised from taxes, policy changes to raise taxes on item to get people to stop consuming item, people stop consuming item, revenue from taxes on item falls, budget not meet, government raises taxes on some other item, rinse and repeat). Which leads me to. . .
S.F. Mayor Newsom wants to add a "fee" onto soda to encourage stores to stop selling them and/or encourage people from consuming them. Once again, Ess Eff looks to control the way people live their life, but only on some activities. So, I'm calling this "Pick and Choose" government. As an example- there is no city law requiring bicycle riders to wear a helmet, despite all the studies showing the safety of wearing a helmet. Instead, it's up to the rider to decide whether or not to wear a helmet. Ok, fair enough. On the other hand, a bar can't decide that it wants to allow smoking. So, the government has decided that some issues are ok for people to have their own choice, and on some issues people are "making the wrong choices" so government should do something to correct them. In other words, it has picked the issues it wants to deal with and choosed (sp on purpose) the result it wants.
Needless to say, I've been keeping these frustrations to myself as they aren't necessarily the most welcome viewpoints in the City by the Bay. The last two elections, both statewide and citywide, have been quite an awakening for me. So, I hope to be more vocal moving into the February primary election and citywide election.
At the risk of bringing attention to myself, I am quite lucky that I have not been contacted by anyone from any Republican candidate due to the congressional district where I live. Thanks to the change in the way delegates are distributed, now on a district-by-district basis instead of statewide, I live in quite an interesting district being so heavily Democratic. I think I will wait until closer to the election to reveal my endorsements (which will cover statewide issues and citywide issues). Maybe I'll even bring in an opposing view.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
So, one drunk scientist says to the other. . .
hey, why don't pregnant woman fall over? Thankfully, we have our answer. That has to be the way this project was first dreamed up.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Oh Food Netwok, how fall you've fallen
First Molto Mario, now
this. Frankly, I always found Emeril Live to be hokey, but understood that Emeril was trying to make it entertaining and informative to people who might not ordinarily cook. It is also another sign that the Food Network is abandoning any and all programming where people can actually learn valuable kitchen skills. I will enjoy my Good Eats while I can.
this. Frankly, I always found Emeril Live to be hokey, but understood that Emeril was trying to make it entertaining and informative to people who might not ordinarily cook. It is also another sign that the Food Network is abandoning any and all programming where people can actually learn valuable kitchen skills. I will enjoy my Good Eats while I can.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Priest
I would be re-miss in my fanhood if I did not mention the retirement of Priest Holmes. As a Chiefs fan, he was the key piece of the Vermeil-era offenses, taking pressure off of Tony Gonzalez as the sole offensive weapon on that team. I thank you Priest for your years in Kansas City and hope that you can now fully recover from your injuries.
Day before Thanksgiving
In honor of Thanksgiving, I'd like to provide two important Thanksgiving Proclamations, the first from George Washington and the second from Abraham Lincoln.
Proclamation of National Thanksgiving
George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
After a long drought of not having Thanksgiving Proclamations, in 1863 Abraham Lincoln decided that it was time to re-new the tradition.
THANKSGIVING DAY 1863 by ABRAHAM LINCOLN
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore if, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Proclamation of National Thanksgiving
George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
After a long drought of not having Thanksgiving Proclamations, in 1863 Abraham Lincoln decided that it was time to re-new the tradition.
THANKSGIVING DAY 1863 by ABRAHAM LINCOLN
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore if, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
As promised
So, sitting here at work, almost time for lunch, and I overhear a conversation where people are making plans for lunch. They make their plans, and one person says, ok, I'll meet you there after I run to the versateller.
Now, I gather that alot of people don't know what a "versateller" is, but I can say that I know what it is, even though I have not heard someone use that phrase in quite a long time. Mind you, I lived in D.C. for 8 1/2 years before moving back to the Bay Area, so that helps. Anyway, a versateller is what Bank of America first called their ATM before everyone just started calling it an ATM; it was also before Bank of America decided to take over the banking world and changed their colors. Digression: I remember when Bank of America was only in 5 states, and I couldn't make a deposit in my Texas-based account at a Bank of America in Arizona. My how things have changed.
I'm always intrigued by local vernacular or turns of phrases like that. For example, I call it a "Coke" even if I'm not specifically referring to a Coke, much the same way that everything is "Pop" in other parts of the country. By the way, I hate the term "Pop".
Now, I gather that alot of people don't know what a "versateller" is, but I can say that I know what it is, even though I have not heard someone use that phrase in quite a long time. Mind you, I lived in D.C. for 8 1/2 years before moving back to the Bay Area, so that helps. Anyway, a versateller is what Bank of America first called their ATM before everyone just started calling it an ATM; it was also before Bank of America decided to take over the banking world and changed their colors. Digression: I remember when Bank of America was only in 5 states, and I couldn't make a deposit in my Texas-based account at a Bank of America in Arizona. My how things have changed.
I'm always intrigued by local vernacular or turns of phrases like that. For example, I call it a "Coke" even if I'm not specifically referring to a Coke, much the same way that everything is "Pop" in other parts of the country. By the way, I hate the term "Pop".
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