Tar Sands Pipelines are Even Worse than You Think | NationofChange

Tar Sands Pipelines are Even Worse than You Think | NationofChange
Drill, Baby, Drill! It amazes me that the LameStreamMedia (tm) never follows up on the reporting of real impact of these horrific accidents. If corporate media did their job, perhaps an informed public could do its job: Re-Elect No One!

The Rag Blog: BOOKS / Ron Jacobs : Rules are Rules: 'The Passion of Bradley Manning'

The Rag Blog: BOOKS / Ron Jacobs : Rules are Rules: 'The Passion of Bradley Manning'
The more I learn about Bradley Manning, the more respect I have for him and the less respect I have for his captors.

A Glorious Day for a Hike!

It was a glorious day for a hike! The spring-like weather, more than a month in advance of the calendar, presaged a great hike, decreed by Jackrabbit Slim as Mt. Sanitas, for the elevation gain! So we presented ourselves to the staff at North Boulder Cafe and were well served gastronomically and nutritionally for glorious day ahead.

We, Jackrabbit Slim, Ranger Glenn & I, reconvened on the County Courthouse lawn and wandered through alleys and backroads to the trailhead, a mere mile west of the courthouse, whereupon gazing on the beauty of the red rocks at the south end of Mt. Sanitas, I remembered that I had forgotten my recently procured hiking staff back at the car. As we began the ascent, 1500' in a little more than a mile, I recalled my profound respect and awe for this mount. It is a challenging stroll for almost everyone, save for those ultra-runners who will pass you three or four times on your ascent, but especially so for chronologically enhanced gentlemen who have neglected an at least annual visit hereto.

I had remembered my new heart rate monitor and iPhone antenna, so I was able to keep track of my exertion. Although I politely stepped aside for everyone I encountered on my way up to allow them to pass, my heart rate monitor accurately reflected how out of breath I was! But no matter surely! It was a glorious day! The sun was already shining on the west trail. It was warm with a cool-to-cold breeze wafting through occasionally. Everyone was "Hail fellow, well met!" Doggies were abundant on the trail, their tails creating small breezes on their own.

Some of the inspiring sights were 4 & 5 year olds, trudging their way up the mount, a father with 2 pre-six year old kids, a one year old in a baby backpack, and him with a prosthetic leg. We saw old friends finding each other for the first time this year, or in a year. We heard many accents.

The walk up was long, maybe almost 2 hours, but stopping afforded beautiful views! Near the top Jackrabbit Slim spied a large raptor in a tree. He peered down motionlessly, looking for plump morsels, as from time to time, we all do. The grade is relentless and for every 20'-30' stretch of low grade, is a slightly longer stretch of staircases of high steps or even worse, striated sedimentary rock thrust out of the ground 75-85 degrees off their original orientation, but canted like a funhouse floor, so that walking up is nearly an optical illusion and almost requires a third leg, like that hiking staff I left in the car. I mentioned this to Jackrabbit Slim, who immediately and graciously offered me his staff. I said, "No, if I suffer a little this time, I'll be more likely to remember it next time."

A gentleman with a German accent laughed and asked "Punishing yourself so you'll remember better?"

"Yep", I replied

"I do that all the time!", he continued laughing. I pondered the German nature of mi madre's parents surnames and rued the obvious connection: I came by this behavior honestly.

In spite of the beauty, my pace, my sometimes graceless ascent, I finally made it to the top! The cheery little souls who congratulated me with "You made it!" were slightly more irritating than their youth could excuse. I had just taken a picture of myself (Oh, Sacred iPhone, is there nothing you can't do?). I knew I didn't look that bad! At the top it was time to recharge batteries. I plugged in my new spare charger for my iPhone and watched it slowly regain its strength. I did the same by soaking in some incredible views. I was about 1500' above the Boulder Valley. I could see windmills standing still on the far southern plain, miles below Boulder. Working east, I saw the major egress points from Boulder, including the 40th parallel, aka Baseline. To the north, I saw Longmont and beyond. On a really clear day, I could have seen DIA with the naked eye, or as nekkid as mine ever get.

After 10 minutes near the top, I realized that the breeze had turned to a wind, the sun had been obscured by clouds and I was freezing in my t-shirt & long sleeve denim shirt. Being prepared with a jacket in my backpack, I quickly moved into the sun and eschewed further raiment. The sun recharged me as the battery juiced my iPhone. All too soon, it was time to descend. Although we had mostly trekked up in a solo manner, we three met at the summit and intended to head down together. We had gathered stories from those who had risen via the east trail and knew our (also recently acquired) ice cleats would be required later down the path. Ranger Glenn, prudent soul that he is, donned his snow-bound foot gear accessories at the start of the descent. We hiked a few hundred yards, with a reasonable loss of elevation when we encountered the ice covered trail. Mind you many had successfully traversed this 50 yard ice patch in sneakers or running shoes, there was nevertheless, a fairly precipitous decline just past the rocks along the edge of the trail. I watched a couple of ladies choose discretion over valor and slide down the steeper part of the trail on their bums. I watched a young man, probably a college kid scamper up the rocks on the side of the trail in his sneakers. Only after realizing he was missing a golden opportunity if not a critical moment in their potential relationship, did he retreat back down the rocks part way to extend his hand in support of his young lady friend who was not as quite as lithe and confident as he was upon the rocks at the edge of the cliff (well it seemed like a cliff to she & me!).

Knowing that a low center of gravity is not an inherent part of my physique and the inherent safety thereof, I crouched down and dug my new ice cleats into the ice and immediately ended up on my arse, sliding down the trail towards the rocks. Speed was not an issue, and my backpack helped to slow as well as guide me. With the help of not entirely unwanted verbal assistance from Ranger Glenn & Jackrabbit Slim, I was able to regain my footing, stature and composure and walk the last 20 yards of ice to safety.

Shortly thereafter, having relieved my boots of the no longer virginal ice cleats, calamity struck! Attempting to gain purchase with my boot sole on a very steep rock, my balance went behind me, driving my heels towards my butt at alarming speed. My massive thighs and finely-tuned calves sprang into action, quickly contracting, placing the entire burden of this 200 pound sack of sh-tuff on my knees. They, in turn, quickly responded with loud popping noises and a sharp stab of pain, likewise prompting my own response of "FTH" although actually taking the time to let folks around me know That Hurt!

I took more than a few minutes to regain my breath, lower my heart rate and assess what damage, if any had been done to my knees. Fortunately, both knees were weakened on both sides, so as long as I kept my weight centered on my knees, I was able to continue my descent.

Again with the funhouse rock staircases, again with the unending staircases of 12" diameter logs. But I carefully picked my way down, keeping a hand on nearby rocks for stability. Ranger Glenn offered to gather materials to construct a travois to help me down, but I quickly disabused him of the necessity of that offer. We caught up with Jackrabbit Slim, who of course called to see where we were just as I began crossing the last ice covered trail. When he learned of my misfortune, he insisted I use his hiking staff just before I did. He also provided a couple of Vitamin I pills to fight the inflammation. Gently chastising me all the while for not having a fully stocked first aid kit of my own. (The casual reader will take assurance knowing I have procured a suitable kit for $2!) The rest of the way was slow, uneventful and glorious. The sun struggled to shine through the clouds and keep the eastern side of the trail warm, and the temperature was perfect! Upon reaching the trailhead, we walked the final mile to our just rewards, a couple of pints, a plate of nachos at the Walnut Brewery in Boulder. My knees were sore, but they were not screaming at me as I walked the last few hundred yards to my vehicle. I was glad to arrive home, safe and mostly sound.

It had been a truly glorious day for a hike!

Institute for Policy Studies: Executive Excess 2010: CEO Pay and the Great Recession

Institute for Policy Studies: Executive Excess 2010: CEO Pay and the Great Recession

An appropriate thought for labor day. As we labor & toil, we work more and more for the plutocrats and less and less for our families and communities.

The important thing is that the people Mark Twain affectionately referred to as idiots are seriously considering giving our corporate overlords an extension on their tax breaks.

Gosh, I love workin' so hard to make the rich even richer!

Joseph LeDoux: Why the "Right Brain" Idea is Wrong-Headed

Joseph LeDoux: Why the "Right Brain" Idea is Wrong-Headed: "Joseph LeDoux"

This guy is an incredible science writer. I loved reading his book The Synaptic Self!

He writes clearly and succinctly, yet with enough detail to give one a decent, science-based, working knowledge of not only Woody's, but all our 2nd favorite organ (I thought it was the largest erotic organ, but anyways).

This article highlights the danger of the media and the half-assed job, no let's be honest here, the intentionally misleading job, they do regarding communicating scientific findings.

It also highlights a more appropriate view of thinking about how the brain works. It's not the simplistic, dualistic view reported by Pink, Opie & others from back in the last century, rather a lots more complicated, yet holistic view of the brain as a system of systems.

His discussion of fear is interesting not only from a perspective of the emotion, but also calling out GoreBore for accurately referring to scientific research in his work.

If you haven't yet read anything by Joseph LeDoux, then please accept my humble recommendations to do so, ASAP!

Signs: The most useful thing you pay no attention to. - By Julia Turner - Slate Magazine

Signs: The most useful thing you pay no attention to. - By Julia Turner - Slate Magazine

When my Libertarian & Republican friends complain about big government, I wonder if this is one of the government departments they would like to cut. Surely we can rely on state governments to come to consensus on sign standards and common regulations? Of course, the state governments will spend the monies to erect sufficient signage. Think of all the other 'big government' departments we could cut: USDA, FDA, EPA, NASA.

It's like they forgot the preamble to the constitution founds the purpose thereof to the general welfare of the population. Every tax cut, every budget cut is antithetical to the intent of the constitution.

I'm tired of the desperate need to follow the letter of the law while trampling on its spirit.

Lessons of a $618,616 Death - BusinessWeek

Lessons of a $618,616 Death - BusinessWeek

This article just begins to scratch the surface of what's happening with our healthcare system in America today. It highlights the best and the worst in the same article with the same story. On one hand, a man's life is extended enabling him to see his son graduate high school, on the other hand, millions of dollars were spent developing the technology (pharmaceuticals) which (questionably) aids a very small number of people when the same money could have been used to vaccinate hundreds if not thousands of children. In between lie the health care professionals, tied up in red tape, fighting a losing battle against end stage diseases, but doing their best for their patients, day in & day out.

Certainly, there are not easy answers for all of the issues the health care discussion raises, nevertheless, we know that collapsing the profit out of the administration of health care is a quick and easy way to increase the available funds for health care services. We already have a plan that works, if you don't believe me, ask your mother (if you're old enough) or your grandmother what they think about Medicare. They love it! The only problem with Medicare is the idiots keep reducing the funding for it!

I'm discouraged by the number of people, and their vehemence, opposed to public funding of health care for everyone in the United States of America! To my way of thinking, opposition to public funding of health care, like unto Medicare, is merely thinly disguised racism and the age old class struggle that has been ingrained in American thinking since the beginning.

Maybe that's where my idea for a bumper sticker came from: America Deserves Sarah Palin!

Kind of a sad commentary, so I can't close with that.

We can effect change with our voting practice. If you don't vote, it's a vote for the status quo. If you do vote, vote change, real change, vote the bastards out! :-)