CALIFORNIA MOVES ON FOSSIL FUELS WASTAGE CURBING + WATER URGENCY MEASURES
Gov. Jerry Brown says California has averted fiscal collapse. He calls for investing in water and rail programs, but warns: ‘Fiscal discipline is not the enemy of our good intentions but the basis for realizing them.
Brown outlined a vision for the state Thursday in remarks that were equal parts history lesson, lecture and rhetorical flourish. It includes major investment in water and rail systems, more robust trade and an education structure free of regulations that crush creativity. 
(more…)
SLAVERY TODAY
Fossil fuels dependency… what slavery is today.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 14.1.13~
CURBING FOSSIL FUELS ADDICTION – THE U.S BECOMES MORE CONSCIOUS OF CLIMATE CHANGE & HEAT RISING
As Corvette turns 60 The USA has climate change on its mind. Finally, we are in this century. Good to see.
The copious burning of fossil fuels is set to hit the American consciousness hard. Observed weather extremes are on the rise, and the possible connection between at least some of these events and human-induced climate change is also more strongly supported by the science.
USA shoul expect increased impacts on everything from crops to fresh water supplies, and better and broader national plans for adaptation are needed, a new assessment has noted. The report was whizzed up by 240 geeks in the field.
THINK SOUP – REDUCING FOOD WASTAGE & WATER INSECURITY ISSUES HEADING TOWARDS 2050
As a collection of nations? Is the UK sustainable to grow all of its own food needs of its people? Energy needs too?
Food is of prime importance in the world’s future planning, especially when it comes to the concept of “food security.” Food security is a lot different to the concept of acquiring another nation’s future food supply capability by force or deceptively by greedy means (these include: land grabs, unwise distribution sell offs, or unjust acquisition via foreign policy stealth or via stock market mechanisms of trade too, or economic bullying). That is partly, why I like the topic of reducing wastage in the way food supplies are created. Most of all in the way food is distributed.
Distribution is a key area for growers and suppliers to be more involved in. Scientists (or any one for that matter) who are looking at ways to reduce food wastage are quite wise. A tomato saved is better than a tomato wasted right? Is the theory.
SBS runs with a story that looks at the correlation between water useage in growing food supplies from raw and natural state to delivery… or, the amount of wasteful practice that happens when the food supplies don’t nourish anyone. Instead they are grown and wasted. It’s a beaut story appearing in a few publications today. (more…)
OPTOGENETICS WATCH
In the 1990′s science was bored. So, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was a field that science dabbled in. In 2013, fMRI’s favorite buzz word is “optogenetics.”
The story goes Francis Crick and DNA discovers James Watson and Rosalind Franklin liked the idea of neurology being able to trigger switches in the brain. Light and a scientifically manipulated protein are believed to activate or freeze neurons. The science shows a need to want to manipulate brains to extremes. The science is said to be able to realter rewards and pleasure systems in the brain. (more…)
HERE WE GO… SNOW & FOSSIL FUELS THIS WINTER 2012
America is doused in snow. All that fuel to keep warm. Phewsh.
Just as well it’s considered fun… as this photo depicts.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 26.12.12~
LIFTING MORALE AT YEAR’S END 2012 – ENGLAND’S PUBLICITY MACHINE IS IN OVERDRIVE – TAKE A READ…
Getting its “chipper on,” England is in overdrive trying to lift morale at year’s end 2012. The Spectator is doing it the best – in an article upplaying the good things of the world. It was the year where media billionaires and the UK government colluded to spy on whoever they wanted to and british bankers turned out to be some of the biggest pirates of the world. So, why is spin so important two weeks from years end? It lift’s morale. A concept that adds to safety, when most have a right to recognize their anger. That usually happens when people take holidays. They have time to work it out, what really went on all year. This year… that’s going to be really challenging for a lot of governments to try and manage. So… let’s take a look at how England (masters of spin) are doing it.
The purpose of the article is: England may be midway through a lost decade economically, but our cultural and social capital has seldom been higher.
Highlights of the article follow: It may not feel like it, but 2012 has been the greatest year in the history of the world… Never has there been less hunger, less disease or more prosperity… [Outside of The West, people are being] lifted out of poverty at the fastest rate ever recorded… We are living in a golden age.
In a way, [it] is the politicians’ job: to highlight problems [in the world] and to try their best to offer solutions… But the great advances of mankind come about not from statesmen, but from ordinary people.
Governments across the world appear stuck in what Michael Lind, on page 30, of his report, describes as an era of ‘freeze’ — all motion, no progress. But outside government, progress is easier. (more…)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS CHARACTER IMMERSION – THE DEFINITIVE LINCOLN INTERVIEW
Two of the world’s greatest artists, Daniel Day Lewis and Steven Spielberg have brought to life, Abraham Lincoln‘s presence for Oscar’s silver screen. David Wright has an interview at the link.
On Esquire Magazine‘s website Frank Armstrong via Facebook notes:
“That this nation exists at all is because a very human, very amazing man looked into the dim and blooding tide and found a way ashore, a way home for a country that had lost hope of ever finding its way back.
“We have a hero in Lincoln, a genuine, flesh and blood and bone hero; a sadly haunted, droll and magnificent man if ever there was one.
“I look forward to seeing the film, not because I expect a perfect work of art or a love letter to an often anguished and imperfect leader, but because it is the least I can do for myself, to see and hear a story about my country and our late, great President Lincoln. (more…)
OUT WEST OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SHUTS DOWN OIL DRILLING PLANS
Oil News USA: Obama Administration Shuts Down Oil Drilling Out West in Colorado, Wyoming Utah…
More thought needs to be given to that. (more…)
NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN POLICY – US FOREIGN POLICTY OBSERVES – ELECTION 2012 USA
New Zealand’s relationship with the United States would be “far more problematic” should Mitt Romney win today’s presidential election, Victoria University political scientist Jon Johansson says.
Dr Johansson said the implications for New Zealand could be huge should Romney beat incumbent Barack Obama.
“Part of what underpins that is in the US they’ve had President Obama who, in my view, the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders embrace, especially in contrast to his predecessor the unfortunate George W Bush, and we’ve had a government in New Zealand which has … absolutely bent over backwards for the American administration,” he told Radio New Zealand.
“… an issue like Iran, if Romney’s team ultimately gets dominated by the neo-conservatives and they want to jump back on the horse of pre-emption and strike against Iran, what does New Zealand do in those circumstances?
“If they get far more bullish and militaristic in their rhetoric, that means that from New Zealand’s point of view, from the Key Government’s point of view, managing that relationship …
Dr Johansson said little was known about Romney’s foreign policy stance. [It] becomes far more problematic than it has been under President Obama.”
“There are not enough clues from the candidate himself as to what his foreign policy stance is going to be. (more…)
PAUL TOOHEY NOTES HOW ELECTION USA IS ABOUT “A GAS TANK ON WHEELS” – & USA-MADE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
Paul Toohey is writing from the USA on how it’s going on the US election campaign trail. Apparently it’s all about gas and the type of tank on wheels you put it in and if it is an American-made tank for gas or not.
Or the American economy is a gas tank on wheels basically.
Here’s his words:
Mitt Romney is finding out that you should never stand between an American and his American-made car.
As President Barack Obama closes out his re-election campaign in the car towns of the US, his Republican rival is under sustained attack from the media and autoworkers for falsely claiming US car jobs are headed for China.
It’s now too late for Mr Romney to untangle himself from his comments on the car industry, which he followed with a damaging new campaign ad.
Both have cost him savage media coverage across Ohio, the swing state he most needs to win when America heads to the polls tomorrow. (more…)
OIL ADDICTION (AND U.S) – PETER HUCK LOOKS AT RISING OIL USE IN THE WORLD
We’ve heard a lot of good chitter chatter from both Obama and Romney about green energy strategies. We’ve also heard of the USA’s plans to drill more in the US and be less foreign dependant.
The New Zealand newspaper takes a different view: The re-oiling of America – Obama and Romney are making bold claims about their energy credibility, but Big Oil is on a roll. Peter Huck writes:
“Energy is the bedrock for much US policy, from building the economy to projecting military power. Yet neither candidate stresses conservation, even as consumption rises exponentially. According to the International Energy Agency, worldwide demand for electricity will double by 2030.
A WORD TO JEANNIE LEAVITT, AN AMERICAN PILOT ON MILITARY RECRUITING USA SERVANTHOOD OF THE SKIES
Today I watched a news clip of one American pilot Jeanie Leavitt who made the comment when on military recruiting duties (and thus jets and weapons of warfare manufacturing sales for billionaires of the world):
Leavitt said: “It doesn’t matter what gender or religion you are, your success [as a military pilot] is based on performance. How many targets you hit.”
As the clip was promo-ed by NZ’s Pippa Wetzell working on the NZ tax payer’s dime, I am going to have a word about that.
Here’s what I think as a New Zealand citizen with Treaty Rights on top, to boot:
1. When America’s position in this world, is a currency over-printing syndrome to even get by, Jeannie’s tone didn’t fit with me well. A realization of more humility from Jeannie’s military trainers is needed. At the moment that is seriously lacking in Jeannie’s tone when Leavitt does press. It didn’t fit in the real world with me.
2. When over-printing currency to acquire what you need as a nation (such as fossil fuels acquistion) in a climate where the greatest American export industry thus far is offering debt bonds for other nations (China, Japan, Germany for example – buying up almost $1 trillion a piece) to buy foreign debt, run up on purpose, by the USA – Jeannie’s tone is also out-of-line with reality of people who are more conscious of preserving the planet for future generations.
Her trainers need to have a word to all male pilots first to tune that attitude and tone. Then Jeannie second.
[Photo - Col. Jeannie Leavitt - Fox News] (more…)
AVATAR SOLAR ARRAY FILM STUDIO – JAMES CAMERON ART & THE SUN
Avatar Solar Array – James Cameron’s latest project:
MNN.Com reports: Back in May 2011, after relocating his production company to the MBS Media Campus, director James Cameron constructed a massive solar array to power the next to Avatar sequels.
“These are things the studios need to be thinking about,” Cameron told the Washington Post. “When I do my next film, we’re going to go much farther than we did in terms of running a green set.
(more…)PAUL RYAN WOULD LIKE TO SEE U.S FOREIGN POLICY IMPROVE
Paul Davis Ryan would like to see US foreign policy improve. I think what Paul alludes to is this definition.
I think USA’s internal policies could be improved on too as the wealthy are prepared to create more jobs and do more for average Americans. Foreign policies are often brokered around resources acquistion planning. Whereas to share resource more is America’s challenge regarding Paul’s sponsors and backers, perhaps being the main culprits at refusing to share more.
The Hill notes: Romney is set to deliver a speech to “restore USA’s international credibility” on foreign policy. Ryan says the new plan will lay out a “very different vision.” He would like to uplay “American strength” to rectify “ugly fruits” of current policy evident in the world. Ryan sees Iran as a “threat.” He also also finds Russia’s effects “thwarting” to the US. Although the US and several other nations all have nuclear capability well developed, Ryan says we must stop Iran’s “nuclear weapons capability.” (more…)
USA & NEW ZEALAND SIDE-BY-SIDE – LEON PANETTA’S TRIP SEEKING TO DEEPEN TIES WITH NZ
New Zealand navy ships will now be allowed entry into military ports in the United States.
US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and his New Zealand counterpart Jonathan Coleman met in New Zealand for a beginning of chats.
Panetta sees the new relationship as a way to ”allow the US Secretary of Defense to authorise individual visits to Department of Defense or Coast Guard facilities in the United States and around the world.”
Coleman called the visit “very significant” and that it “underscores the very warm relationship between our two countries.” He said the future ahead for co-operation between the United States and New Zealand was “very very good.” A meeting of minds on “common challenges” is what the US seeks with NZ.
“The purpose of this trip, is really to mark a new era of deepening defence co-operation between our two countries,” said Leon. “Nobody attacks our forces and gets away with it,” Leon also added.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones said he was proud of the contribution NZ’s personnel have made towards New Zealand’s mission in Afghanistan.
Panetta is the first Pentagon chief to visit in 30 years since Wellington closed New Zealand ports to nuclear warships. (more…)
PROVOCATEUR FRANCE – CIVIL VIOLENCE FASHION THEMES & PRIVACY LAW SUITS ON THE JUGGLE
French Provocateurs:
It’s a very French trait to be provocateurs. Living in Los Angeles I worked for French. Upper management only spoke French, fiercely so in the office. It was kinda like working on Jupiter. Yet I got used to it, carrying the English workload of The Office.
Revisiting France’s big headlines in the past few years: Who can forget Nicolas Sarkozy marrying Italia’s supermodel Carla Bruni. The new couples endless photo shoots with the Obamas of the USA. Carla’s folk music transition. The couple starting a family in the spotlight. Then France, the UK, USA all going to war in Libya. The world lost a billionaire worth (apparently) US$30b in the sting. Gold, oil was “redistributed?” from Libya after the Libyan rebel uprisings, that were fuelled by Egypt and Facebook’s introduction (apparently) into the Arab World. We witnessed a revolution of sorts. (more…)
BARACK OBAMA’S DNC SPEECH SEPTEMBER 7th 2012
He surfed the wave of renewed, brills momentum. Barack Obama‘s DNC speech 2012. View it right here.
What he said:
“Michelle, I love you. The other night, I think the entire country saw just how lucky I am. Malia and Sasha, you make me so proud but don’t get any ideas, you’re still going to class tomorrow. And Joe Biden, thank you for being the best Vice President I could ever hope for.
Madam Chairwoman, delegates, I accept your nomination for President of the United States.
The first time I addressed this convention in 2004, I was a younger man; a Senate candidate from Illinois who spoke about hope – not blind optimism or wishful thinking, but hope in the face of difficulty; hope in the face of uncertainty; that dogged faith in the future which has pushed this nation forward, even when the odds are great; even when the road is long.
Eight years later, that hope has been tested – by the cost of war; by one of the worst economic crises in history; and by political gridlock that’s left us wondering whether it’s still possible to tackle the challenges of our time.
I know that campaigns can seem small, and even silly. Trivial things become big distractions. Serious issues become sound bites. And the truth gets buried under an avalanche of money and advertising. If you’re sick of hearing me approve this message, believe me – so am I.
But when all is said and done – when you pick up that ballot to vote – you will face the clearest choice of any time in a generation. Over the next few years, big decisions will be made in Washington, on jobs and the economy; taxes and deficits; energy and education; war and peace – decisions that will have a huge impact on our lives and our children’s lives for decades to come. (more…)
SYRIA, CHINA, USA, UK, SOUTH AFRICA, CHINA NEWS BITES – 3.9.12
In Syria, China, South Africa, USA news bites:
The Syrian atrocity: Activists: 5000 people killed in Syria in August.
South Africa on USA, UK’s past: Tutu: Bush, Blair should face trial at the Hague.
Curbing the justification of USA’s war-thirst culture, while renewing purpose in culture: US waves goodbye to the gas-guzzlers.
China Watch: NZ dollar falls on China data.
South Africa: South Africa to withdraw miner murder charges
Insider Trading & Privacy Breach-Zone IT Alerts NZ: Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff wary of Govt data in ‘cloud’
All News Links: NZH. Our thoughts are with Syria’s people today.
Key words via the Red Crescent website for Syria’s people are: health, migration, risk reduction, capacity building, promoting principles and values, humanitarian diplomacy, humanitarian logistics, disaster law, disaster management, youth.
If those words interest you click on top pic to find out more how you may be able to help and get involved.
Peace!
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 3.9.12~
USA NEWS – JODI FOSTER, PAUL RYAN & SOCIAL MEDIA DRIVERS AS CELEBRITY TOPIC DISTRACTIONS FROM DROUGHT
Politics is heating up in the USA.
Already, GOP VP, Paul Ryan‘s revitalizing efforts in popularizing Mitt Romney/ Obama‘s Presidential campaign bid, have swung the way of social media profits – over political substance regarding policy concerns that matter and more robust job creation efforts, the USA needs with, the right new spurt of Presidential thinking.
It didn’t help that Ryan’s campaign media minders announced he was fit to run as Mitt’s VP because the devout Catholic ”hunted in the woods, fished, climbed mountains lots and had only 6-8% body fat.” The move was trying to muscle in on FLOTUS (Michelle Obama‘s) action Jackson Let’s Move health, fitness and anti-obesity branding in the Obama Camp.
Well, America loves beefing up all campaigns concerning America. So here’s how the latest Paul Ryan headlines are looking:
Mitt Romney insisted Sunday night on “60 Minutes” that his new running mate, Paul Ryan, is qualified to serve as president if the need arose. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll favored Joe Biden over Ryan in preferred VP of the US. (more…)
USA’S OIL ADDICTION, A NEED FOR SMART CARS & RENEWABLES QUICKER & HOTTER HEAT AHEAD FOR WORLD
Which of the following statements is true? The United States now has a 100-year supply of natural gas, thanks to the miracle of “McShale” gas. By 2017 it will once again be the world’s biggest oil producer. By 2035 it will be entirely “energy-independent”, and free in particular from its reliance on Middle Eastern oil.
For example, we are assured that the United States, no longer dependent on Arab oil, will break its habit of intervening militarily in the Middle East… [the expected result though will be] runaway global warming. (more…)
January 7, 2013 | Categories: A Different View, China, Fossil Fuels, global warming, Guest Commentary, oil, Sustainable Prosperity, USA | Leave A Comment »