An Apology

Last week, Congressman Joe Barton (R)Texas apologized during a Congressional hearing to British Petroleum for the way the Obama Administration subjected them to what he calls "a shakedown":

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Ultimately, after being pulled into a meeting with the GOP leadership, Congressman Barton released a statement rescinding his apology.

However, you can never un-ring the bell. Mr. Barton shows his blatant hypocrisy and lack of compassion to the people of the gulf coast. He is one of (if not the largest) supporters of the oil industry. He receives more in contributions from the oil industry than anyone else in the House of Representative.

You can bet that if the oil was coming onto the shores of Texas, his attitude would be completely different. He would be demanding money (from the government or BP) to get the mess cleaned up.

So, I apologize to everyone; especially the people along the gulf coast whose lives have been turned upside down and have lost their livelihoods. I apologize for the type of politicians we elect and send to represent us in the Congress. As a life-long Texan, I am so horrified and ashamed that we as citizens could send a moron like this to Washington.

Book Review - Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania and Other States That Never Made It

Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania and Other States That Never Made It by Michael J. Trinklein

This is another book that I won in a contest from GoodReads First Reads.  It’s actually one I might have picked up at the bookstore anyway because I’m always interested in offbeat historical information.

First off, the book was extremely entertaining.  If I hadn’t had so many interruptions, I probably would have read it in one sitting.  It’s really a fast read.  The stories are concise (1 page in length) and the maps give added context.  Add to that, the author throws in some humor to make it even more enjoyable.

Another neat thing about the book is that the cover unfolds into a map of the Lost States.  Great idea!

While reading it, I realized I had learned a few things about my own state that were never taught in Texas history class.  I knew Texas could slice itself up into four or five states if it wanted (that was a provision in the treaty with the U.S. when Texas joined), but I had never heard about any instances where it had been tried.  Although, knowing the knuckleheads in the Texas legislature, I’m surprised they haven’t tried doing it recently.

As with any book, there are some errors.  One was listing President Buchanan when it should have been President Polk (page 68) and there were a few typos.  All in all, it wasn’t any worse than some novels I’ve read lately.  Doesn’t anyone proofread anymore?

If you’re a historical trivia buff like I am, this is a book on the same par as Weird History 101.  It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I would recommend it to all my friends.

Easter Greetings

                              Keep it hopping,

                                                        Keep it handy.

                                                        Grab and eat

                                                        Tons of candy.       

                                                                                                         

Book Review - Diet for a Hot Planet

This book will be available on March 30th.

I recently received Diet for a Hot Planet as a contest prize from Good Reads First Reads. I’ve always been concerned with the issue of climate change. However, I wasn’t aware that food production contributed as much to it as it does. It’s common sense, actually, but most of us don’t think about it.

The author brings into focus the fact that industrialized food production makes a significant contribution to the greenhouse gases currently causing the problem of climate change; from the actual growth of genetically modified feed, to the production of chemical fertilizers and pesticides through the raising of crops and livestock all the way to the store and eventually to your table.

Until I read this book, I did not know that only growing one crop in a field over and over using chemical fertilizers and pesticides caused the soil to erode and release carbon into the atmosphere. Ms. Lappe points out that by using sustainable farming methods (natural fertilizers as well as planting a variety of crops) would reduce carbon emissions and help to restore the topsoil.

I was also unaware that a huge amount of methane was being produced by livestock and their waste. Most of this is caused by feeding them food other than grass. Their waste is drained into “cesspits” that do not allow it to break down properly, so more methane is released. By allowing them to feed naturally and by recycling their waste as fertilizer, methane and carbon emissions could be reduced. Also, reducing the number of livestock being raised could reduce it further.

One of the things discussed is to “buy local”. I’ve always been a proponent of that. When you buy locally, you help to reduce emissions from transport vehicles. Why buy fruits and vegetables raised across the country when you can buy the same thing raised nearer your community?

Speaking to a number of experts and travelling to various places around the world, Ms. Lappe discovered that more people are returning to the time-tested methods of farming. They are thumbing their noses at the big agribusiness companies like Monsanto and Archer Daniels Midland. Using sustainable methods, these people have brought land back to life and are producing more than enough food for their communities.

I have to say that this book was an eye-opener for me. I learned that industrialized food production is energy intensive (from creation of the fertilizers to the lighting of the barns to the creation of packaging) and is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. I also learned that there are ways to slow down and reduce the greenhouse gases from food production.

And, now, after reading this book, I may never look at (or eat) a Pop Tart the same way again.

Health Care Reform

I spent most of my day watching the House of Representatives on C-Span. Yes, I know, I'm a glutton for punishment.

For each resolution or bill brought up for discussion, the House Republicans automatically turned the subject to Health Care Reform (known as Government Take Over of Health Care by the Republicans).

For example, a resolution was brought before the house to honor an author whose name I can't remember because I only heard it mentioned once. The Democratic speaker would begin to speak of the matter at issue, and then the Republican would immediately change the subject to health care.

It was the same old talking points: "it will bankrupt the government", "it will cause a loss of jobs", "we should start over from scratch", "it's the biggest government take over of any part of the economy", "the sky is falling!" (OK...I added that last one in myself), yadda, yadda, yadda.

A few of them even complained about having to be there for a vote on Sunday (they want to hold the vote on Thursday of next week). My advice to them is, if you don't plan to vote for it anyway then don't be there on Sunday. See, problem solved. You can have your weekend and the rest of us can have decent healthcare.

It's been said by the Republicans that if the Democrats pass this legislation, it will come back to bite them in November during the mid-term elections. Many feel that if they don't pass it, it will come back to bite them in November.

The Democrats already know they are going to lose some seats in the mid-terms. Historically, the party in majority loses some seats in the mid-terms after a president of the same party is elected. They are expecting it.

I heard Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) once again say that he hasn't heard from a single American saying they want this legislation to pass. Who is he talking to?? It certainly isn't me! I think all who want reform should send him an email and let him know (I did).

Another thing, I heard today was about the 11 year old whose mother died after she lost her job and health care. He was invited to testify on capitol hill. Of course, the Republican talking-heads jumped right on this. Michelle Malkin wrote about it in a column and Glenn Beck made his usual out-of-this-world comments, but the most insensitive had to be from Rush Limbaugh.

On his radio show, he made the comment that she would have died anyway even under the new health care rules. Why is this buffoon still on the air?

And speaking of Glenn Beck, he went off on his radio show about how the vote for reform being taken on Sunday is an affront to God. Please! Glenn Beck is an affront to intelligence.

This may not be the best reform to our health care system (personally I think we should have gone to Medicare for all), but at least get the ball rolling. Fixes can be made after the main reform is passed. The Republicans had years to do something (but the wouldn't mess with their donors) and their proposals now are lame.

Like Larry the Cable Guy would say, "Let's git 'er done!"

Top O' the Mornin'

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Public Service Announcement

Many of you may have already received the 2010 Census Questionnaire in the mail today. If not, you will likely get it some time this week.

The census helps to determine the number of representatives each state has in the U.S. Congress as well as the congressional districts themselves. The amount of money from the federal government to your local area also depends on the answers given. The money is used for many local services such as roads and services for children.

Many people disregard the census. They think "it doesn't help me" or "it's not important". Well, it is for a number of reasons as mentioned above.

When you receive your questionnaire, please take a few minutes to fill it out and mail it back.

Thanks!