Green Options

Why did George Bush classify the spy satellite images of Barrow Alaska? What is making the ice up there melt? Why did Obama declassify these images? ENN (Earth Nightly News) has the story…

Today as I was cleaning out my closet I was especially struck by the second Kwanzaa principle of Kujichagulia, or self-determination. It encourages us to determine our own path, to define, name and speak for ourselves through creativity. I thought of Muntadhar al-Zaidi, whose passionate shoe throwing spoke such volumes. I looked at my sad worn out shoes and was immediately inspired to create a personal Kwanzaa gift for him; and I will send them both to him, if he [...]

It was a glorious summer for the giant of oil giants. Record prices for petroleum and so record prices at the pump unsurprisingly have retained ExxonMobil’s righteous crown as the most profitable company in the world: $14.8 billion in profit this past quarter.

According to the New York Times, Exxon has exceeded $10 billion in profit in nine of the last 12 quarters. Earlier this year, in the second quarter, the company posted a then-record profit. In the third quarter, Exxon reaped an increase of nearly 60 percent beyond that, setting yet another record while dropping its production by 8 percent for the quarter.

As retail sales decline, manufacturing slows and unemployment benefit claims rise, the economic situation looks more and more grim by the day. Rises in the stock market that show a glimmer of hope are invariably followed by dips. The housing markets declines steadily and the recession promises to linger well into next year. George Bush has called for a mid November summit to discuss the international economic situation.

Ironically, the rain that is soaking President Bush is much more toxic than it otherwise might have been had our dubious leader not dirtied up the skies with his Clear Skies Initiative!

President Bush is concentrating more on conservation issues in his last days of office. A few weeks ago he urged for the creation of more protected areas in our oceans. Now he wants to help mountain bikers gain access to national parks.

Perhaps smarting over a judge’s recent decision to scratch the Bush administration’s plan to allow snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park, now Bush has said, “Damn it! If I can’t snowmobile in Yellowstone, at least I want to go mountain biking!”

The efforts of Bush to protect oceans would likewise be welcome, especially given his administration’s lack of regard and disdain for other environmental issues.

Thank you getthebigpicture.net. Video source: MBelinkie on YouTube

While Bush noted that consideration would be provided for energy development, mining, and fishing, the EDF hopes that the areas will receive full protection. Without it, such activities “…could harm the seabirds, turtles, and other wildlife that lives in these areas.”

When you spend two terms refuting facts from the world’s top scientists and environmentalists and allow the oil industry to call all the shots in regards to the nation’s energy plan you end up with horrible solutions to huge problems…

US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama made it clear again this week that he would not have attended the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing because of concern over China’s policies in Tibet and Sudan. His statements came in response to President Bush’s contrasting decision to attend the opening ceremonies.

However, in recent months, Senator Obama has also expressed some mixed feelings about boycotting the Olympics.