chuck kottke

Good night Bart, and keep Spain a hopping place!:)

Welcome & how are things down in the Windy City?? How is the Green Roof doing on City Hall??

Hello, Arwen88, from France!! Got a name to go with that cipher??:)

Here's an update on carbon nanotube supercapactor technologies, which are getting closer to replacing batteries: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/nov07/5636 & http://www.treehugger.com/mt/mt-comments-22042008/fcgi

That's interesting!:rolleyes: I've fallen asleep on the couch out on the porch some lazy summer evenings, which is strange when you wake up to a chorus of crickets and frogs, thinking those are odd sounds to hear while in bed!:P

My sources tell me that Putin is no angel - many ordinary Russians are afraid of him and the government there, saying that it's the old power & authority problem, built up by their new flourishing economy. And it seems historically accurate to characterize any powerful nation-state, empire, or city-state as always wanting more - to make the rest of the world think and behave as it does. But the correct way forward is to allow people the choice, not through armed intervention. Plus, I still think that the rulership of Russia has the aim of using force for extortion, and to try and plant favorable governments in and around its center. Hence, a certain leader of the Ukraine turned a shade of green, as I recall, from dealing with Russia.. Once again, it's Boris and Natasha!:pirate::hair2:

Maybe Alexander Kerensky? Seems like there has to be some components in Russian history to use as a better model to learn from..

One positive side effect of Russia's bullying and threats may be a greatly invigorated effort in Europe to create energy independence, and move swiftly towards high efficiency in buildings, manufacturing, transportation, and lighting. This may actually be a good thing in the end after all - what a better way to make people move off the mark, and make the transition towards a high-efficiency economy?? I know what's possible, if only the average citizen would make the changes - and it's really not rocket science, just common sense stuff... But making up with Europe I think will happen, as I put more faith in Barack to be diplomatic with Europe's leaders, unlike the current occupant of the White House..

Yes, that would be necessary - I agree.;) It's an essential right that has been missing from our Bill of Rights that needs addressing - the Right to Fair Elections. Now, with the politico Supreme Court deciding in a 5-4 decision that "money is free speech", it's almost going to require an amendment to the Constitution to change things; and that usually means a mass movement which recognizes the need, and pushes hard for a long time to get it through the various state legislatures. I recall how the ERA amendment failed as it's supporters simply ran out of steam, so it would be an uphill battle, but one that the American public could be ready for...?

Buying eggs from a local farm - delicious organic eggs! & red-ripe tomatoes..

:rolleyes::laugh3: That's bit harsh, but somewhat true - repeat behavior is common, and it seems that Russia has a tendency to behave in a historically predictable fashion (once the mold is set, the cast comes out remarkably the same every time). What models do Russians have for a better way forward - that is the question that comes to my mind. It seems maybe there are some bright spots in their history that they can draw from, such as Catherine the Great.. Any likelihood of that happening?

:laugh3:Sure, and what would Karl Marx have to say about that? Obama's got the right ideas, but the toughness to stave off the interests that keep buying him off, that will be the challenge. I think if we put constant pressure on Obama to do the right things, he will. But the moneyed interests are extremely powerful, and need to be reigned in to really change the process. & That's still a work in progress... After a lengthy discussion today with my neighbors, I think they would have much preferred Palin to McCain for President, owing to her corruption fighting success in Alaska, and McCain's slide into corruption..

I'm thinking that Russia's oligarchs are behaving like a bunch of thugs running an extortion racket - "pay the bribe / allow us to invade small countries, and in exchange we won't cut off your oil and gas?" Is this an accurate assessment? Here at one time, people in big cities had to pay "protection and insurance money" to the mafia to keep their businesses from mysteriously catching on fire.. so, is this any different Bart?? But since this is a European issue, why not just send the Spanish Armada to keep them in line?;)

And what if they show a topless guy in the film, hmm? Why is that any more or less acceptable??:P

U2 - "Where the streets have no name"

Greetings to you Charlie! Now I know I'm not alone with that name!:P

Greetings Aziz! Glad you could join us!!:)

It takes constant pressure from the public to get them to do the right things - so while often the fat cats call the shots, when there's an issue that the public is strongly for or against, and it cannot be ignored or bought away, mounting pressures do win out over corporate cash. But it takes incredible public support and relentless pressure to make that happen; maybe this is the year the public gets the franchise...

Since independent voters will be looking for the candidate that takes a stance on a tough issue and hold firm, I believe Obama will do just that. He did that with the Iraq war vote when the rest of his colleagues were playing it career-safe and towing the line. Joe Biden might be persuasive in Pennsylvania, and having experience in foreign affairs could lend credibility to the campaign, as now they have some experience in that field.

I think it's all a global conspiracy. She's probably Michael Palin's second cousin, and is actually trying to reinstate Roman Rule, much as had been done during the Flying Circus days of yore..:P

:laugh3: Rachel, I was thinking that myself as well! Like VLADIMIR, or VACLAV HAVEL, VYTAUTAS or something.. And ARROBTTH is some anagram for AEROSMITH?:P Living it up la vita ..

All the world is but a spinning ball in space, and we are but mortal creatures roaming it's surface.. And yet with the power and intellect and good works to make many wonderful things possible. which method of making polyethylene embodies the least risk? Where are the risks, and who's most affected? if polyethylene is put down as a membrane beneath the green roof, and it's made right, it could be recycled / incinerated cleanly, and it's large enough - wouldn't wind up in the ocean.. Natural rubber might be the way to go.. is there enough though? made from dandelions as well as rubber tree sap - good for tropical farmers & farmers everywhere.. Hmm.. Durable? ..Should be fine - soil and moss above would save it from UV and ozone/oxygen, and extreme heat/cold...

Barack Obama Had a super night tonight!

See what the power of persuasion can do for you?;) Either way, it's a cool ending to a great song!:):hat::hat: So, make some suggestions!! Hey, that would be a great idea for a new thread!!;);)

What are those "proprietary catalysts" used to convert it to alcohol? Is it a viable option - it just seems so simple; wish it were so! It will work in a "petroleum emergency".. so how many wars..how many terrorists..how many spills count as a "petroleum emergency"? biodiesel is safe, but rare. could the other forms be readily converted to biodiesel? Maybe that is the answer - new methods, greater efficiency, and just convert to biodiesel..