Obama is set to make one of his first offical trips abroad to Canada tomorrow (eh?) to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss climate change and US use of tar sands for oil production.
Canada is actually our largest source of our foreign oil. We import more crude oil and petroleum from Canada than we do from Saudi Arabia. Whoa, really? Really.
I didn't think it could get worse than production of coal (see mountaintop removal). But it turns out that production of oil from the tar sands creates three times the global warming emissions of conventional oil. Obtaining tar sands is one of the most environmentally damaging processes in the world. And a majority of the oil we import from Canada is from tar sands. In fact, the US imports over 60% of Canada's tar sands. Uh-oh. No me gusta!
Obama has not ruled out the production of tar sands in our energy strategy. This makes me a bit nervous, and by nervous I mean that it is time to take action to convince the Obama Administration to exclude the use of tar sands as a source of oil for the US.
Obama believes that the production of oil from tar sands can be an option for the US energy strategy by developing carbon capture and sequestration technology. Hmm. Carbon, capture and sequestration (CCS) is not a great idea (let's stick all the carbon under the ground and hope it doesn't leak!), nor is it exactly feasible (we've already dumped loads of money into R&D for this technology). Don't get me wrong, I think that CCS will become an important aspect of our energy strategy, but more to help capture greenhouse gas emissions from the already existing coal-fired power plants that are in place. We shouldn't rely on CCS to solve all of our problems.
Technology will not save us from climate change unless we change our ways of consuming energy. This means that we must discontinue our use of producing oil from tar sands, and make a commitment to switch to clean energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal and even ocean power.
If Obama is serious about combating climate change, then he must realize that tar sands are not a viable option for the US. Instead of relying on dirty fossil fuels, we can switch to clean energy sources (such as wind, solar & geothermal energy) that are already available to us. The switch to a truly green, clean energy strategy (not one masked under CCS) will create jobs in the US, make us more energy independent, and stimulate the economy.
UPDATE:
President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper didn't talk any specifics about climate change on his visit, they mainly both committed themselves to an "open climate dialog" and delegated the task of sorting through the dirty specifics (literally, since we're dealing with tar sands, oil, and coal here) to their senior officials. Bummer.
Obama and Harper agreed in investing in tech fixes to transform these dirty forms of energy into "clean" energy. Hmm. I'm not very pleased. Read more here on my fav enviro blog, Grist.org's Muckrucker
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Shoe Art
Remember when Bush had a shoe thrown at him while he was in Iraq? Now we will never forget! That great moment has been immortalized and turned into a beautiful piece of artwork.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
President Obama's First Weekly Address
President Obama gave his first weekly address this morning, stressing the need for swift and bold action, or else the "bad [economic] situation could become dramatically worse."
Reminiscent of Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats," President Obama will post a new video on WhiteHouse.gov every Saturday morning. I know my Saturday's just became a little bit better...
Obama pledged to get us on the road to economic recovery by building a "Clean Energy Economy." I love how incorporating environmentalism with economic recovery has now become mainstream. He mentioned utilizing solar, wind and biofuels, and to my pleasure he DID NOT mention using clean coal (oxymoron of the century).
Remember, Obama. 10,000 young people are descending upon Washington, D.C. February 27-March 2 for Power Shift '09 to ensure that you take bold action on climate change. Young people from all over the world are watching to make sure that you act responsibly for our future!
Enjoy the video!
Reminiscent of Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats," President Obama will post a new video on WhiteHouse.gov every Saturday morning. I know my Saturday's just became a little bit better...
Obama pledged to get us on the road to economic recovery by building a "Clean Energy Economy." I love how incorporating environmentalism with economic recovery has now become mainstream. He mentioned utilizing solar, wind and biofuels, and to my pleasure he DID NOT mention using clean coal (oxymoron of the century).
Remember, Obama. 10,000 young people are descending upon Washington, D.C. February 27-March 2 for Power Shift '09 to ensure that you take bold action on climate change. Young people from all over the world are watching to make sure that you act responsibly for our future!
Enjoy the video!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama Action Figure
So this is basically the coolest toy ever. I was sold when I saw Obama holding a lightsaber dueling darth vader. Check it out!
http://gamu-toys.info/sonota/sw/obama/obama.html
http://gamu-toys.info/sonota/sw/obama/obama.html
Monday, January 12, 2009
Be the POWER behind the SHIFT
President-elect Obama is set to take office next Tuesday which means that all the greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere will turn into gold coins and rescue us from the economic recession as soon as he takes the Oath of Office, right? Wrong.
Unless Barack Obama has magical powers that rival Harry Potter, our problems are far from over. Electing Barack Obama as our next President is a step in the right direction to solving the climate crisis, but it only means that we must work even harder and demand bold, comprehensive and immediate federal climate action.
How can you demand bold, comprehensive and immediate federal climate action? Well you could try dancing around in a polar bear suit and see how far that gets you, but I have a much more effective option: PowerShift 2009!
From February 27th to March 2nd, 2009 thousands of young adults will converge on Washington, D.C. for Power Shift 2009, the second national youth summit to solve the climate crisis. At Power Shift 2009, young people from across the country will take a message of bold, comprehensive and immediate federal climate action to Washington, D.C. We will leverage the momentum that has been built through the Campus Climate Challenge, Power Shift 2007 and Power Vote to pressure our politicians to take bold, comprehensive action.
Our window of opportunity is short; the first 100 days of the new administration is critical in achieving real and significant changes immediately. We must use the time we have to redefine what is politically feasible to achieve what is scientifically and economically necessary to safeguard our future. At Power Shift 2009, we will also strengthen the movement for real climate and economic solutions by learning skills and solutions, building bonds, and setting clear plans for action in our communities for 2009 and beyond.
I'm headed to DC February 27 for PowerShift '09 and I can't wait. Maybe I'll dance around in a polar bear suit, maybe not. Either way, this is our chance. Come with me to DC to be a part of the Power Shift!
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
- President-elect Barack Obama
Monday, December 8, 2008
Obama, Gore set to meet tomorrow in Chicago
In the meeting tomorrow, I hope Gore makes it clear to Obama/Biden that clean coal is NOT an option to solve our energy crisis. Even better, I hope he explains to President-elect Obama that "clean coal" is actually an oxymoron. There is no such thing as clean coal. It does not exist. It is not a viable option for our energy strategy. Lay the smackdown, Gore. Go get 'em.
I don't expect Gore to take a position in the Obama administration, he's stated several times that he's a "recovering politician" and that he has no interest in becoming the "Climate Czar" or returning to politics. Nevertheless, I believe it's important for Gore to stay involved in the political debate surrounding global warming and energy policy. I mean, he did win an Oscar. Obviously, the man's a climate genius.
There are still 150 coal fired power plants on the drawing board in the U.S. If just one of those plants are built, it will completely "negate in just eight months, California’s recently passed legislation that would cut GHG emissions in new cars by 25 percent and SUVS by 18 percent starting in 2009."
If you don't believe me already, take a look at the Rainforest Action Network's Global Finance campaign, it has a bunch of details about the truth behind "clean coal."
Oh, and if Obama doesn't listen to Gore tomorrow, come with me to Washington, D.C. Feb 27-March 2 for Power Shift 2009, to help me (and the 10,000 other young people at the climate summit) make it crystal clear to our politicians: NO COAL.
I don't expect Gore to take a position in the Obama administration, he's stated several times that he's a "recovering politician" and that he has no interest in becoming the "Climate Czar" or returning to politics. Nevertheless, I believe it's important for Gore to stay involved in the political debate surrounding global warming and energy policy. I mean, he did win an Oscar. Obviously, the man's a climate genius.
There are still 150 coal fired power plants on the drawing board in the U.S. If just one of those plants are built, it will completely "negate in just eight months, California’s recently passed legislation that would cut GHG emissions in new cars by 25 percent and SUVS by 18 percent starting in 2009."
If you don't believe me already, take a look at the Rainforest Action Network's Global Finance campaign, it has a bunch of details about the truth behind "clean coal."
Oh, and if Obama doesn't listen to Gore tomorrow, come with me to Washington, D.C. Feb 27-March 2 for Power Shift 2009, to help me (and the 10,000 other young people at the climate summit) make it crystal clear to our politicians: NO COAL.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Having Thanksgiving with Republicans? Read this
Some pointers from 236.com for what to do if you're having Thanksgiving dinner with Republicans.
Make sure to point out that young people voted overwhelmingly for change this election!
Have a delicious day, everyone!
Make sure to point out that young people voted overwhelmingly for change this election!
Have a delicious day, everyone!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Candace Gingrich: Time for a Progressive Contract with America
Newt Gingrich, the mastermind (self-proclaimed) behind the Republican takeover of Congress and the Contract with America has an awesome younger sister. Candace Gingrich is the senior youth outreach coordinator for the Human Rights Campaign. She has been an outspoken advocate for the queer community since her memoir "The Accidental Activist" hit bookshelves in 1993.
She was at UCSB for our Equality Rally on October 30 and she spoke about the importance of the youth movement. She told us how important it was to vote down Proposition 8, and also how important it was to get out and educate our peers. I know that the message got through, because in California, young people overwhelmingly rejected Prop 8 and Santa Barbara County (thanks to UCSB) also rejected Prop 8. But as she points out, there is so much more to the progressive movement--we elected Barack Obama, and now we must push the rest of the nation to catch up with what youth already know. When the rest of the nation catches up, we'll be waiting, in our colleges and universities that serve as our own little utopias, complete with equal protections clauses, carbon neutral campuses, and bike paths galore.
If you want to meet Candace, she will be at UCSB again for the Western Regional Conference which will bring together LGBT youth and allies from across the west coast of the United States.
She was at UCSB for our Equality Rally on October 30 and she spoke about the importance of the youth movement. She told us how important it was to vote down Proposition 8, and also how important it was to get out and educate our peers. I know that the message got through, because in California, young people overwhelmingly rejected Prop 8 and Santa Barbara County (thanks to UCSB) also rejected Prop 8. But as she points out, there is so much more to the progressive movement--we elected Barack Obama, and now we must push the rest of the nation to catch up with what youth already know. When the rest of the nation catches up, we'll be waiting, in our colleges and universities that serve as our own little utopias, complete with equal protections clauses, carbon neutral campuses, and bike paths galore.
If you want to meet Candace, she will be at UCSB again for the Western Regional Conference which will bring together LGBT youth and allies from across the west coast of the United States.
Green-Collar Jobs: How to Beat the Recession & Save the Planet
How can we solve the climate crisis, beat the recession, and create 5 million new jobs in the process? By meshing the environmental and economic discussions together to create a clean energy economy!
It's simple: we begin to develop our alternative energy sources (solar energy, wind energy, etc), weatherize and retrofit our buildings and homes to be more energy efficient and the demand for green-collar jobs will skyrocket. Solar panels and wind turbines can, and should be, manufactured in the US. They will need to be installed and maintained. We need more workers who can retrofit our buildings and homes to be as energy efficient as possible.
Really, green collar jobs just make sense. I'd encourage you to do a little research on this issue, as I'm sure (fingers crossed) it's going to play a big role in the climate talks as we move towards finalizing a solution for this country.
Check out this video excerpt from Van Jones speaking about the importance of creating a green job economy at a Center for American Progress event. With President-elect Obama, hopefully we will now be able to move towards solving the climate crisis, and rejuvenating our economy along the way.
I love Van Jones (hence the picture). He just released a new book, "The Green-Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems" that I'm really looking forward to reading over Christmas break. Check it ouuttt.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Campus Dems Voting Guide
Not sure who to vote for? Confused by the props? What the heck is prop 3 all about? Have no fear, the Campus Dems Voting Guide is here!
*Remember polls open at 7:00am. Vote early to avoid lines!
Elected Officials
President/Vice President: Barack Obama & Joe Biden
23rd Congressional District: Lois Capps
19th State Senate District: Hannah-Beth Jackson
35th State Assembly District: Pedro Nava
3rd District Supervisor: Doreen Farr
Goleta Water Board: Bill Rosen & Lauren Hansen
Goleta City Council: Ed Easton & Margaret Connell
Santa Barbara School Board: Annette Cordero & Susan Deacon
CA State Propositions
YES Proposition 1: A bond to build a high-speed train that will run between San Francisco and San Diego.
YES Proposition 2: A statutory change that requires that animals raised for food be kept in enclosures that allow them to move.
YES Proposition 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act. A bond for improvement projects at children's hospitals.
NO Proposition 4: Waiting period and parental notification before termination of minor's pregnancy.
YES Proposition 5: Nonviolent offenders sentencing, parole, and rehabilitation statute.
NO Proposition 6: Criminal penalties and laws, public safety funding statute.
NEUTRAL Proposition 7: Renewable energy statute. Would require all utilities to generate 20% of power from renewable energy by 2010.
NO Proposition 8: Would eliminate right of same sex couples to marry.
NO Proposition 9: Criminal justice system victims rights parole amendment and statute.
YES Proposition 10: Bond for alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy
NO Proposition 11: Redistricting constitutional amendment and statute.
YES Proposition 12: Veterans Bond Act of 2008. Provide loans for California veterans to purchase homes or farms.
Local Measures
YES Measure A: Traffic and Road Relief. Improve transportation and alternative transportation in SB County.
Will continue the already existing half-cent sales tax that provides funding for local transportation without increasing taxes.
YES Measure G: Passage of Measure G will replace the existing ordinance with provisions that are consistent with new federal and state laws which modernize definitions so all telecommunications devices are treated the same for the purposes of the tax.
YES Measure H & I: Santa Barbara schools 4 year parcel tax
*Remember polls open at 7:00am. Vote early to avoid lines!
Elected Officials
President/Vice President: Barack Obama & Joe Biden
23rd Congressional District: Lois Capps
19th State Senate District: Hannah-Beth Jackson
35th State Assembly District: Pedro Nava
3rd District Supervisor: Doreen Farr
Goleta Water Board: Bill Rosen & Lauren Hansen
Goleta City Council: Ed Easton & Margaret Connell
Santa Barbara School Board: Annette Cordero & Susan Deacon
CA State Propositions
YES Proposition 1: A bond to build a high-speed train that will run between San Francisco and San Diego.
YES Proposition 2: A statutory change that requires that animals raised for food be kept in enclosures that allow them to move.
YES Proposition 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act. A bond for improvement projects at children's hospitals.
NO Proposition 4: Waiting period and parental notification before termination of minor's pregnancy.
YES Proposition 5: Nonviolent offenders sentencing, parole, and rehabilitation statute.
NO Proposition 6: Criminal penalties and laws, public safety funding statute.
NEUTRAL Proposition 7: Renewable energy statute. Would require all utilities to generate 20% of power from renewable energy by 2010.
NO Proposition 8: Would eliminate right of same sex couples to marry.
NO Proposition 9: Criminal justice system victims rights parole amendment and statute.
YES Proposition 10: Bond for alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy
NO Proposition 11: Redistricting constitutional amendment and statute.
YES Proposition 12: Veterans Bond Act of 2008. Provide loans for California veterans to purchase homes or farms.
Local Measures
YES Measure A: Traffic and Road Relief. Improve transportation and alternative transportation in SB County.
Will continue the already existing half-cent sales tax that provides funding for local transportation without increasing taxes.
YES Measure G: Passage of Measure G will replace the existing ordinance with provisions that are consistent with new federal and state laws which modernize definitions so all telecommunications devices are treated the same for the purposes of the tax.
YES Measure H & I: Santa Barbara schools 4 year parcel tax
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Use your brain, vote HBJ
Because our planet cannot handle another anti-environmental politician. We need a State Senator who will continue to lead CA in the fight against global warming. Tony Strickland is not that State Senator. Hannah-Beth Jackson is.
Check out this video from the Courage Campaign demonstrating Stricklands attempts to seem like a "green" candidate:
Check out this video from the Courage Campaign demonstrating Stricklands attempts to seem like a "green" candidate:
Friday, October 24, 2008
Apple Donates 100,000 to No on 8!
Apple said the following in its statement:
Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights-- including the right to marry -- should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/10/apple-against-t.html
Hell Yeah!
Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights-- including the right to marry -- should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/10/apple-against-t.html
Hell Yeah!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
NY absentee ballot says Barack Osama
I can't believe that this seriously happened. How could three rounds of proof-reading not stop "Barack Osama" from getting on the ballot? And how could the county not automatically send out a new ballot to everyone?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Case for Intellectualism in Politics
A Case for Intellectualism in Politics:
It is an understandable notion that voters prefer a guy or gal who they could see sitting down and having a beer with. They flock toward affable, middle of the road, average Joe types because they can identify with them on a number of levels. Voters don't want to be patronized or talked down to; they want their leader to be one of them. Having extraordinary charisma has worked for many contemporary presidents like Reagan, G. W. Bush, and Clinton, and dates back far beyond the famous fireside chats of Franklin Roosevelt.
There is nothing inherently problematic about electing a leader with a charming and magnetic personality. Without a doubt, a president of virtuous character and outstanding charisma enjoys many advantages over those without, not in the least their ability to more effectively act as chief diplomat and more easily coerce the cooperation of Congress on key legislation.
The concern is not whether or not a candidate is likable enough to have a beer with or if they are devout enough to promote healthy moral values. Rather, we should ask if they possess the knowledge, wisdom, and work ethic of a truly capable leader. They need not fit the ideal mold of Plato's "Philosopher Kings", who possessed the highest wisdom and intelligence in the land, but they should at least have proven their ability to make rational, sound, and educated judgments. We need leadership that shows respect for the sanctity of facts and honors the truth, instead of distorting and filtering facts to their political advantage.
The leadership I am referring to is not often enough found in the halls of Congress or in the governors' mansions, but teaching in our schools and universities.
This brings us to Woodrow Wilson, the only U.S. president to pursue a career in academia and teach at an institution of higher learning. Wilson taught political economy at Wesleyan and Princeton Universities before being elected president in 1912.
Wilson's record was by no means flawless. He faced challenges both personal and political that would humble a man of any stature. He is well known however, for being a brilliant thinker and philosopher. He was a prolific writer, and a progressive democratic idealist. He preferred diplomacy before military action, but when our nation and allies were attacked, he fought and defeated Germany in WWI. He strongly advocated free trade as a basis for international cooperation, advocated collective international security, and established the League of Nations, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and evolved into the United Nations of today.
His ideas were revolutionary and idealistic, setting the foundation for 20th century international and domestic policy. The minds of professors, academics, and teachers like Wilson exemplify the mental acuity and thirst for empirical knowledge that is so badly needed to solve the most urgent issues of the day in a rational and logical manner. These are the type of thinkers who can be trusted to weigh all important data and possible consequences before making decisions as important as protecting the constitution or sending the country to war.
There is no doubt that John McCain is both a bright man and an admirable public servant. Despite his ranking of 894 of 899 at the Annapolis Naval Academy and concerns of war related psychological trauma and age related dementia, McCain still displays plenty of wit and intelligence. His sense of humor is keen and he is a respected member of the Senate, authoring key legislation like the campaign finance reform McCain-Feingold Act.
Yet McCain has admitted he is technologically "illiterate" and requires help from his wife to use a computer. Sure, he has performed the complex search engine feat that he calls "a Google" before, but at 72 year old, it is doubtful he could learn and understand the challenges and complexities of 21st century technology that runs our country if he cannot independently use a computer.
His Vice-Presidential choice, Sarah Palin, has by far the most anti-progressive and anti-intellectual record of all the candidates. She is a staunch opponent of stem cell research, abortion rights, and same-sex marriage. She believes wrongly that humans are not responsible for global climate change and that creationism, which spurns the scientific method for religious scripture, should be taught alongside evolution in our public schools. Demonstrating her painful ignorance of foreign policy, in a recent interview Palin was unfamiliar with the "Bush Doctrine" of pre-emptive war. Even more disturbingly, TIME magazine recently quoted Palin as saying "she asked the library how she could go about banning books" while she served as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
On the other ticket, Barack Obama has proven his aptitude for academia and critical thinking. He earned his B.A. form Columbia University and later graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. He eventually landed a job at the University of Chicago, according to whose website Obama taught constitutional law for 12 years. He left his job as a senior lecturer when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.
A July 30th New York Times analysis of Obama's teaching career described him as an "evenhanded" and provocative teacher. Students raved that Obama challenged their political instincts and questioned everything, looking at individual issues through a contextual lens. Obama led discussions by "surfacing all the competing points of view…with neutrality and equanimity". It is precisely this objectivity that has been so conspicuously absent from the Bush Administration of the last eight years, and more recently, of McCain campaign rhetoric.
In the era of Rovian politics, pundits and ideologues have made a dangerous gamble. They have increasingly been willing to manipulate language in a Machiavellian "truthiness," knowing that the information they spew is at best questionable and at worst, outright deceitful. They use fear and paranoia to push their agenda, blaming Mexican immigration or Islamic extremism for many of our problems when our governmental policies are often to blame. They manipulate emotions by casting dissenters as unpatriotic and take opponents' statements out of context. It is an obvious lie that Obama seeks to teach sex education to kindergarteners, yet the McCain campaign continues to play on the fears of social conservatives. This behavior is not only a slap in the face to the intelligence of the American voter, but it is an immoral and dishonest way to run both a campaign and a government.
McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis was recently quoted in the Washington Post as saying "this election is not about issues". Certainly, he would prefer if it were not. This cynical remark should be the last straw for voters who must not be distracted from the issues that matter: a stagnant economy, a collapsing housing market, inflated food and gas prices, a five year war, countless civil rights and privacy abuses, an environment in a critical state of disrepair, failing schools, attacks on gay and lesbian rights, widening income inequality, and countless other issues of the utmost importance.
We Americans must demand that our democratically elected leaders be those who can best address the issues honestly and critically with an even hand and wise judgment. If we fail to be vigilant and choose carefully at the polls, we risk more of the catastrophically poor leadership that has plagued us for the past eight years.
Matthew Weisner
It is an understandable notion that voters prefer a guy or gal who they could see sitting down and having a beer with. They flock toward affable, middle of the road, average Joe types because they can identify with them on a number of levels. Voters don't want to be patronized or talked down to; they want their leader to be one of them. Having extraordinary charisma has worked for many contemporary presidents like Reagan, G. W. Bush, and Clinton, and dates back far beyond the famous fireside chats of Franklin Roosevelt.
There is nothing inherently problematic about electing a leader with a charming and magnetic personality. Without a doubt, a president of virtuous character and outstanding charisma enjoys many advantages over those without, not in the least their ability to more effectively act as chief diplomat and more easily coerce the cooperation of Congress on key legislation.
The concern is not whether or not a candidate is likable enough to have a beer with or if they are devout enough to promote healthy moral values. Rather, we should ask if they possess the knowledge, wisdom, and work ethic of a truly capable leader. They need not fit the ideal mold of Plato's "Philosopher Kings", who possessed the highest wisdom and intelligence in the land, but they should at least have proven their ability to make rational, sound, and educated judgments. We need leadership that shows respect for the sanctity of facts and honors the truth, instead of distorting and filtering facts to their political advantage.
The leadership I am referring to is not often enough found in the halls of Congress or in the governors' mansions, but teaching in our schools and universities.
This brings us to Woodrow Wilson, the only U.S. president to pursue a career in academia and teach at an institution of higher learning. Wilson taught political economy at Wesleyan and Princeton Universities before being elected president in 1912.
Wilson's record was by no means flawless. He faced challenges both personal and political that would humble a man of any stature. He is well known however, for being a brilliant thinker and philosopher. He was a prolific writer, and a progressive democratic idealist. He preferred diplomacy before military action, but when our nation and allies were attacked, he fought and defeated Germany in WWI. He strongly advocated free trade as a basis for international cooperation, advocated collective international security, and established the League of Nations, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and evolved into the United Nations of today.
His ideas were revolutionary and idealistic, setting the foundation for 20th century international and domestic policy. The minds of professors, academics, and teachers like Wilson exemplify the mental acuity and thirst for empirical knowledge that is so badly needed to solve the most urgent issues of the day in a rational and logical manner. These are the type of thinkers who can be trusted to weigh all important data and possible consequences before making decisions as important as protecting the constitution or sending the country to war.
There is no doubt that John McCain is both a bright man and an admirable public servant. Despite his ranking of 894 of 899 at the Annapolis Naval Academy and concerns of war related psychological trauma and age related dementia, McCain still displays plenty of wit and intelligence. His sense of humor is keen and he is a respected member of the Senate, authoring key legislation like the campaign finance reform McCain-Feingold Act.
Yet McCain has admitted he is technologically "illiterate" and requires help from his wife to use a computer. Sure, he has performed the complex search engine feat that he calls "a Google" before, but at 72 year old, it is doubtful he could learn and understand the challenges and complexities of 21st century technology that runs our country if he cannot independently use a computer.
His Vice-Presidential choice, Sarah Palin, has by far the most anti-progressive and anti-intellectual record of all the candidates. She is a staunch opponent of stem cell research, abortion rights, and same-sex marriage. She believes wrongly that humans are not responsible for global climate change and that creationism, which spurns the scientific method for religious scripture, should be taught alongside evolution in our public schools. Demonstrating her painful ignorance of foreign policy, in a recent interview Palin was unfamiliar with the "Bush Doctrine" of pre-emptive war. Even more disturbingly, TIME magazine recently quoted Palin as saying "she asked the library how she could go about banning books" while she served as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
On the other ticket, Barack Obama has proven his aptitude for academia and critical thinking. He earned his B.A. form Columbia University and later graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. He eventually landed a job at the University of Chicago, according to whose website Obama taught constitutional law for 12 years. He left his job as a senior lecturer when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.
A July 30th New York Times analysis of Obama's teaching career described him as an "evenhanded" and provocative teacher. Students raved that Obama challenged their political instincts and questioned everything, looking at individual issues through a contextual lens. Obama led discussions by "surfacing all the competing points of view…with neutrality and equanimity". It is precisely this objectivity that has been so conspicuously absent from the Bush Administration of the last eight years, and more recently, of McCain campaign rhetoric.
In the era of Rovian politics, pundits and ideologues have made a dangerous gamble. They have increasingly been willing to manipulate language in a Machiavellian "truthiness," knowing that the information they spew is at best questionable and at worst, outright deceitful. They use fear and paranoia to push their agenda, blaming Mexican immigration or Islamic extremism for many of our problems when our governmental policies are often to blame. They manipulate emotions by casting dissenters as unpatriotic and take opponents' statements out of context. It is an obvious lie that Obama seeks to teach sex education to kindergarteners, yet the McCain campaign continues to play on the fears of social conservatives. This behavior is not only a slap in the face to the intelligence of the American voter, but it is an immoral and dishonest way to run both a campaign and a government.
McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis was recently quoted in the Washington Post as saying "this election is not about issues". Certainly, he would prefer if it were not. This cynical remark should be the last straw for voters who must not be distracted from the issues that matter: a stagnant economy, a collapsing housing market, inflated food and gas prices, a five year war, countless civil rights and privacy abuses, an environment in a critical state of disrepair, failing schools, attacks on gay and lesbian rights, widening income inequality, and countless other issues of the utmost importance.
We Americans must demand that our democratically elected leaders be those who can best address the issues honestly and critically with an even hand and wise judgment. If we fail to be vigilant and choose carefully at the polls, we risk more of the catastrophically poor leadership that has plagued us for the past eight years.
Matthew Weisner
Thursday, September 11, 2008
What you can do to help NOW
The election is now less than 2 months away. The Campus Democrats have tons of events and volunteer opportunities planned for you once school starts, but you can start volunteering now if you're in Santa Barbara! The Doreen Farr for 3rd District Supervisor, Hannah-Beth Jackson for CA State Senate, Capps re-election, and other various local campaigns all need your help. There are plenty of ways to get involved, check it out:
-Goleta Democratic Precinct Walk, this Saturday & Sunday (Sept 13 & 14). Walk to promote the entire SB Democratic ticket, from Obama to local Goleta candidates. Go door to door to talk with voters and distribute materials. Meet at 81 David Love Place at 10am on Saturday and/or Sunday and get out there! More details on the FB event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33974495311
-Volunteer @ "Headquarters for Change", the offical HQ of the Santa Barbara Democratic Party. HQ always needs volunteers, so drop by anytime. 30 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Phone # (805) 965 803. Taking the bus downtown is highly encouraged. Wednesday night Campus Dems get together and phone bank at HQ, if you're interested, email ucsbdemocrats@gmail.com and we'll arrange a car pool with you.
-Santa Barbara for Obama has several volunteer opportunities, from phonebanking at SB Dem HQs, to organizing trips to swing states like Nevada. SBFBO is going to Las Vegas this weekend, it's not too late to go! Stay in the Obama loop at http://sbforobama.com/
-Dorm Storm with UCSB Non-Partisan Voter Registration on Sunday, September 21. Every year, the UCSB Non Partisan Voter Registration Coaltion goes to every single RA meeting in the dorms to register new students to vote. We need as many volunteers as possible to "dorm storm" with us and make sure we get to register students at every single RA meeting. If you're interested in volunteering, email ucsbdemocrats@gmail.com
-Volunteer/Intern for the Doreen Farr campaign. Last spring about 20 students received academic credit and did a fantastic job interning for Doreen Farr. If you're interested, contact Doreen Farr's campaign HQ at: 805-681-710 and ask to speak with Gina Fischer.
-Volunteer/Intern for Hannah-Beth Jackson, call the HBJ campaign at 805-280-2408
Don't forget to have a good time, too. The Doreen Farr and Lois Capps campaigns are having a special "Thank You Volunteers" and Fall Kick Off Pizza Party at Gio's in Isla Vista on Wednesday (Sept 17) at 6pm. RSVP to the FB event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33720723082
And don't forget to join the UCSB Campus Democrats email list (ucsbdemocrats@gmail.com) and join our FB group. We keep you in the loop with the latest political news and events. We've got an incredible Fall planned for you guys. Enjoy the last bit of summer, and get out there!
-Goleta Democratic Precinct Walk, this Saturday & Sunday (Sept 13 & 14). Walk to promote the entire SB Democratic ticket, from Obama to local Goleta candidates. Go door to door to talk with voters and distribute materials. Meet at 81 David Love Place at 10am on Saturday and/or Sunday and get out there! More details on the FB event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33974495311
-Volunteer @ "Headquarters for Change", the offical HQ of the Santa Barbara Democratic Party. HQ always needs volunteers, so drop by anytime. 30 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Phone # (805) 965 803. Taking the bus downtown is highly encouraged. Wednesday night Campus Dems get together and phone bank at HQ, if you're interested, email ucsbdemocrats@gmail.com and we'll arrange a car pool with you.
-Santa Barbara for Obama has several volunteer opportunities, from phonebanking at SB Dem HQs, to organizing trips to swing states like Nevada. SBFBO is going to Las Vegas this weekend, it's not too late to go! Stay in the Obama loop at http://sbforobama.com/
-Dorm Storm with UCSB Non-Partisan Voter Registration on Sunday, September 21. Every year, the UCSB Non Partisan Voter Registration Coaltion goes to every single RA meeting in the dorms to register new students to vote. We need as many volunteers as possible to "dorm storm" with us and make sure we get to register students at every single RA meeting. If you're interested in volunteering, email ucsbdemocrats@gmail.com
-Volunteer/Intern for the Doreen Farr campaign. Last spring about 20 students received academic credit and did a fantastic job interning for Doreen Farr. If you're interested, contact Doreen Farr's campaign HQ at: 805-681-710 and ask to speak with Gina Fischer.
-Volunteer/Intern for Hannah-Beth Jackson, call the HBJ campaign at 805-280-2408
Don't forget to have a good time, too. The Doreen Farr and Lois Capps campaigns are having a special "Thank You Volunteers" and Fall Kick Off Pizza Party at Gio's in Isla Vista on Wednesday (Sept 17) at 6pm. RSVP to the FB event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33720723082
And don't forget to join the UCSB Campus Democrats email list (ucsbdemocrats@gmail.com) and join our FB group. We keep you in the loop with the latest political news and events. We've got an incredible Fall planned for you guys. Enjoy the last bit of summer, and get out there!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Latest on California's Budget Crisis
When it comes to the state budget, CA is always late. The deadline for the state budget was June 15. Today is September 4. We still do not have a budget, and we don't seem very close to a breakthrough. CA is the only state in the country without a budget for the new fiscal year (which began on July 1).
Let's cut to the chase: California has a $15.2 billion deficit. That's huge. I do not envy the legislatures that have to battle out a budget for us in Sacramento. But, we need to make sure that politicians in CA create a budget that will reduce our deficit, but at the same time not hurt the most vulnerable CA citizens by cutting spending for important safety net programs like Medi-Cal, Cal Grants, etc. Shoutout to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, and to our Assemblymember, Pedro Nava, for working their tails off these past couple of months.
So how do we reduce our deficit, and still keep CA rolling? The Governor and Senate Democrats have proposed a small tax increase (1 cent sales tax- temporary). Assembly Democrats want to raise taxes on the rich and corporations, and remove some businness tax breaks.
The GOP want to borrow $2 billion from the future sales of lottery tickets. Really? Really.
This is where it gets ugly: in addition to borrowing dinero from the lottery, in order to avoid raising taxes the GOP has proposed the following cuts:
- $5.5 billion in education
- $1.5 billion in safety net programs (Medi-Cal, in-home care for the elderly, support for children, Cal Grants, student aid)
- Borrow $349 million from a fund that supports low-income housing across the state
On the front page of San Francisco Chronicle this morning is an article, "Needy Students Face Loss of Cal Grant Aid" that is definitely worth reading (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/03/MNCL12NJAD.DTL&tsp=1).
So that's the latest on the CA state budget crisis. Call your Assemblymember today and tell them not to cut Cal Grant Aid for needy students, not to give into GOP demands that would slash funding from our already crumbling school system and safety net programs.
If you live in Santa Barbara, call Assemblymember Pedro Nava's office at (916) 319-2035 and encourage him to fight the proposed GOP cuts.
Let's cut to the chase: California has a $15.2 billion deficit. That's huge. I do not envy the legislatures that have to battle out a budget for us in Sacramento. But, we need to make sure that politicians in CA create a budget that will reduce our deficit, but at the same time not hurt the most vulnerable CA citizens by cutting spending for important safety net programs like Medi-Cal, Cal Grants, etc. Shoutout to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, and to our Assemblymember, Pedro Nava, for working their tails off these past couple of months.
So how do we reduce our deficit, and still keep CA rolling? The Governor and Senate Democrats have proposed a small tax increase (1 cent sales tax- temporary). Assembly Democrats want to raise taxes on the rich and corporations, and remove some businness tax breaks.
The GOP want to borrow $2 billion from the future sales of lottery tickets. Really? Really.
This is where it gets ugly: in addition to borrowing dinero from the lottery, in order to avoid raising taxes the GOP has proposed the following cuts:
- $5.5 billion in education
- $1.5 billion in safety net programs (Medi-Cal, in-home care for the elderly, support for children, Cal Grants, student aid)
- Borrow $349 million from a fund that supports low-income housing across the state
On the front page of San Francisco Chronicle this morning is an article, "Needy Students Face Loss of Cal Grant Aid" that is definitely worth reading (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/03/MNCL12NJAD.DTL&tsp=1).
So that's the latest on the CA state budget crisis. Call your Assemblymember today and tell them not to cut Cal Grant Aid for needy students, not to give into GOP demands that would slash funding from our already crumbling school system and safety net programs.
If you live in Santa Barbara, call Assemblymember Pedro Nava's office at (916) 319-2035 and encourage him to fight the proposed GOP cuts.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
McCain's VP pick
On Friday, John McCain shocked everyone (and by everyone, I mean a some people) by announcing his running-mate, Alaskan governor Sarah Palin. As a virtual unknown on the national scene, many people were left wondering, who is Sarah Palin?
Here's some basic background, courtesy of MoveOn.org:
-She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.
-Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.
-She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.
-Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.
-She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.
-She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.
...I don't know about you, but this doesn't exactly inspire my confidence for a woman who is a heartbeat away from the presidency--the highest office in the United States. She does not have the judgment, the experience, or the record to hold this office, and it is shameful that McCain chose her with (seemingly) the sole intention of attracting disappointed Clinton supporters. Sarah Palin stands on the opposite end of the political spectrum from Senator Clinton; fighting against choice, against responsible sex education, against science-based education, against Clinton's passion for affordable healthcare. Clinton and Palin both represent women who have had great success in the old boys club known as politics--but the similarities end there.
Here are some other interesting links to articles about Sarah Palin.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/the_palin_meltdown_in_slomo.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchell/cindy-mccain-on-abc-today_b_122759.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/2/16501/55338/100/583660
http://www.akip.org/platform.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/2/163845/8978/122/583646
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/2/16501/55338/100/583660
Here's some basic background, courtesy of MoveOn.org:
-She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.
-Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.
-She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.
-Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.
-She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.
-She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.
...I don't know about you, but this doesn't exactly inspire my confidence for a woman who is a heartbeat away from the presidency--the highest office in the United States. She does not have the judgment, the experience, or the record to hold this office, and it is shameful that McCain chose her with (seemingly) the sole intention of attracting disappointed Clinton supporters. Sarah Palin stands on the opposite end of the political spectrum from Senator Clinton; fighting against choice, against responsible sex education, against science-based education, against Clinton's passion for affordable healthcare. Clinton and Palin both represent women who have had great success in the old boys club known as politics--but the similarities end there.
Here are some other interesting links to articles about Sarah Palin.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/the_palin_meltdown_in_slomo.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchell/cindy-mccain-on-abc-today_b_122759.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/2/16501/55338/100/583660
http://www.akip.org/platform.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/2/163845/8978/122/583646
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/2/16501/55338/100/583660
Thursday, August 28, 2008
What about the polar bears?
While the DNC has been putting on an amazing show this week, the jubilation of the DNC is masking many of the important issues that Democrats must resolve once we take back the White House. Let's take a break from all the flag waving and confetti, and have a real conversation about poverty in America, the healthcare crisis, our economy, the war in Iraq...Or how about the most important issue: global warming. New data released today shows that sea ice in the Arctic could hit a record low (again) by September.
A double whammy- as this sea ice melts, it releases methane gas which is 10x more potent as a greenhouse gas (GHG) than carbon dioxide. As if the melting of the arctic ice wasn't punishment enough for the polar bears struggling to make it to the shoreline, now the melting of the ice is intensifying the already catastrophic warming cycle.
IPCC Chairman said that we had "until" 2012 till we passed the tipping point, but could it be happening now??
"Five climate scientists, four of them specialists on the Arctic, told The Associated Press that it was fair to call what was happening in the Arctic a “tipping point.” “We could very well be in that quick slide downward in terms of passing a tipping point,” said Mark Serreze, a senior scientist at the data center, in Boulder, Colo. “It’s tipping now. We’re seeing it happen now.”
Great.
Now you understand why you have to be doing everything you possibly can to live more sustainably. Take those canvas bags to the grocery store, ride your bike, turn off the lights, shut off your laptop, unplug your microwave when not using it, shop at the local farmers market, etc. Every little bit helps.
While Democrats may not be mentioning global warming outright, the Democratic Party went to great lengths to "Green" the DNC as best they could. Check out details here: http://www.demconvention.com/greening-the-2008-democratic-national-convention/
A double whammy- as this sea ice melts, it releases methane gas which is 10x more potent as a greenhouse gas (GHG) than carbon dioxide. As if the melting of the arctic ice wasn't punishment enough for the polar bears struggling to make it to the shoreline, now the melting of the ice is intensifying the already catastrophic warming cycle.
IPCC Chairman said that we had "until" 2012 till we passed the tipping point, but could it be happening now??
"Five climate scientists, four of them specialists on the Arctic, told The Associated Press that it was fair to call what was happening in the Arctic a “tipping point.” “We could very well be in that quick slide downward in terms of passing a tipping point,” said Mark Serreze, a senior scientist at the data center, in Boulder, Colo. “It’s tipping now. We’re seeing it happen now.”
Great.
Now you understand why you have to be doing everything you possibly can to live more sustainably. Take those canvas bags to the grocery store, ride your bike, turn off the lights, shut off your laptop, unplug your microwave when not using it, shop at the local farmers market, etc. Every little bit helps.
While Democrats may not be mentioning global warming outright, the Democratic Party went to great lengths to "Green" the DNC as best they could. Check out details here: http://www.demconvention.com/greening-the-2008-democratic-national-convention/
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Convention has started!!
Well, if you're a political junkie like me who is bummed that they didn't make it to Denver, you've been glued to CNN all afternoon as the Democratic National Convention has begun. Of course, the talking heads are doing an excellent job of over analyzing everything.
Caroline Kennedy gave a great introduction to her "Uncle Teddy" after a stirring video tribute. Defying his doctors orders, Kennedy headed to Denver to address the convention. Good ol' Teddy, such a fighter. He gave such a rousing speech. Maria Shriver was brought to tears in the crowd. Where's her hubby?
Michelle Obama also just gave an excellent speecht. I was moved. And the Obama daughters- how adorable are they?
I am a bit disappointed in the lack of focus on environmental issues and the "impressive" greening efforts by the Democratic party to make this the greenest convention ever. The sustainability coordinator for the DNC is a UCSB Environmental Studies Dept graduate! Go figure.
Not in Denver? Don't have TV? Keep watching CNN for coverage, and check out these online news sources and blogs to stay up to date:
Official DNC website- http://www.demconvention.com/ This choice is kind of obvious. You're not going to get the best details /analytical coverage, but you can watch live coverage of the DNC? That's pretty sweet.
Pushback- http://www.pushback.org/ The blog of Campus Progress has several young journalists at the DNC offering their fresh, progressive updates. Definitely check this website out if you tire of all the talking heads.
The Caucus- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/ NY Times blog offers up to the minute updates on what's happening at the DNC.
Huff Po- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/25/democratic-national-conve_n_121201.html Huffington Post has a great blog/live video coverage going
Campus Dems will be hosting an Obama speech watching party this Thursday when he accepts the nomination. We'll be at Javan's in Isla Vista.
It's only going to get better as the week goes on.... Stay tuned!
Caroline Kennedy gave a great introduction to her "Uncle Teddy" after a stirring video tribute. Defying his doctors orders, Kennedy headed to Denver to address the convention. Good ol' Teddy, such a fighter. He gave such a rousing speech. Maria Shriver was brought to tears in the crowd. Where's her hubby?
Michelle Obama also just gave an excellent speecht. I was moved. And the Obama daughters- how adorable are they?
I am a bit disappointed in the lack of focus on environmental issues and the "impressive" greening efforts by the Democratic party to make this the greenest convention ever. The sustainability coordinator for the DNC is a UCSB Environmental Studies Dept graduate! Go figure.
Not in Denver? Don't have TV? Keep watching CNN for coverage, and check out these online news sources and blogs to stay up to date:
Official DNC website- http://www.demconvention.com/ This choice is kind of obvious. You're not going to get the best details /analytical coverage, but you can watch live coverage of the DNC? That's pretty sweet.
Pushback- http://www.pushback.org/ The blog of Campus Progress has several young journalists at the DNC offering their fresh, progressive updates. Definitely check this website out if you tire of all the talking heads.
The Caucus- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/ NY Times blog offers up to the minute updates on what's happening at the DNC.
Huff Po- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/25/democratic-national-conve_n_121201.html Huffington Post has a great blog/live video coverage going
Campus Dems will be hosting an Obama speech watching party this Thursday when he accepts the nomination. We'll be at Javan's in Isla Vista.
It's only going to get better as the week goes on.... Stay tuned!
Monday, August 4, 2008
If You Like Political Cartoons...
I personally find political cartoons pretty entertaining. If you find really funny ones, definitely post them so that I can laugh.
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