Author: BrianR

Increase in Enviro Disasters?

Are we just more aware of environmental danger and report on it more or is there a real increase in dangerous environmental events? Maybe both?

Recent examples:
Mysterious dead birds prompt downtown Austin shutdown
Gas-Like Odor Permeates Parts of New York City – News of this odor is updating as I blog this..

Increase in disasters linked to environmental damage
Posted: 24 Apr 2006

Climate change and environmental degradation may lie behind a sharp rise in the number of natural disasters, according to a new World Bank report.

The reported number of major disasters has increased from fewer than 100 in 1975 to more than 400 in 2005, according to Hazards of Nature, Risks to Development, just published by the World Bank. While the number of earthquakes has remained relatively stable, the number of disaster caused by severe weather has risen sharply.

Quoted text via People and Planet.

iPhone predictions

If the Apple iPhone actually comes out next week during Macworld my Treo 650 might be out of a job. Khoi Vinh over at his site Subtraction pretty much describes exactly how I feel. Especially this part:

But then I look at this beat up, clunky, inelegant but still quite serviceable Treo 650, and I look at all the potentially superfluous things I use it for: Web surfing, Google Maps, text messaging, impromptu photography, calendar synchronization, email… That’s a lot of stuff that I use very frequently, much more frequently than I ever anticipated. And that’s a lot of stuff that someone like Steve Jobs might consider non-essential.

Note to Apple: If you provide me with an alternative to the Treo 650 that does ALL it does and better you have a sale and another serious devote.

John Edwards should support gay marriage

Over at Pam’s House Blend Mike in Texas has a GREAT Open Letter to John Edwards. Cross posted on the John Edwards Blog.

Dear John Edwards,

I have read about some comments you made recently in New Hampshire about marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans. The article quoted you as saying:

“Civil unions? Yes. Partnership benefits? Yes,” he said. “But it’s a jump for me to get to gay marriage. I haven’t yet got across that bridge.” … “I wish I knew the right answer,”

I hope that is an accurate quote of your words.

I would like to suggest that perhaps you have not yet considered the right question and that perhaps the right question would help you find the “right answer.”

Please read the whole letter. Its very important that we know where John Edwards stands on all issues. Its EXTREMELY important to all progressives/liberals/Democrats that our candidate for president completely support the GLBT community. I will be thinking about this as I consider who to vote for in 2008. If I may humbly suggest, so should you.

Watch Tom Jensen

Local Sierra Club and campaign organizer Tom Jensen has been named one of Seven who will matter in 2007 by the Raleigh News and Observer. Congratulations Tom!

Tom Jensen has worked on two dozen political campaigns. He writes weekly columns for a local newspaper. He helps edit a local political blog. He’s on Chapel Hill’s planning board.

And he is 23.

I’m a recent fan of Tom’s. I’ve been impressed as hell how he can run a serious campaign, handle a direct personal attack, write a ton, and have GREAT liberal Democrat politics. My sincere hope is that he sticks around Chapel Hill and runs for office. PLEASE TOM! Please run for Chapel Hill Town Council! We need young people with your talents and values. Help usher a new vision into our local political scene.

Fact is Tom is so talented that any local, state, or national Dem campaign would be lucky to hire him. So if he goes off and helps other progressive candidates get elected I won’t be too disappointed. 🙂

[Hat Tip to Sally Greene for blogging this.]