chuck kottke

See the Rooftop Gardens! Greenroofs.com Projects - Chicago City Hall & Urban Farm Sites! http://www.growingpower.org/chicago_projects.htm

> Jay, the gist of the article makes good general points, I tend to agree with much of what is said - it's not so difficult to make sense of it from the perspective of broad generalities, as it is intended. > But if one thing's clear, we can't get policies that make for fair, ethical, and rational economic improvements if a powerful few can buy off the government through campaign donations, lobbying jobs, and other quid pro quos. No rational economic policy can be applied if the governing bodies of the world are not beholden to the majority of their citizens and the best interests of all. (and no surprises Wall Street's "banks" will load up with cash any and every candidate they can buy)

Congress holds the key here, and I believe the only way to get Congress to propose and ratify such an amendment is to create enough grass roots support so that anyone in Congress either has to back the amendment or face the consequences come voting time. Since states cannot easily enact such a amendment owing to the majority conservative justices court's striking down as unconstitutional any state laws or amendments that try to limit the undue influence of interests on elections, it may have to begin as non-binding resolutions at the local and then state levels, and I would think there is ample support among the citizens for such measures. As issues become more in the forefront, given the problems we currently face, I think there would be ample public support for such measures, then with clearly favored legislation and very powerful support by a broad majority, the issue cannot be ignored by members of congress, even if some of them are tempted by whatever campaign donations, quid pro quos, or lobbying jobs are offered them by major campaign donors. Either they pass it, or loose the election - and for many of them, it may take that kind of pressure. Conversely, if it becomes a powerful enough issue, those candidates who support this amendment will find favor with the voters. Article Five of the United States Constitution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An excerpt from : Is capitalism doomed? - Opinion - Al Jazeera English To enable market-oriented economies to operate as they should and can, we need to return to the right balance between markets and provision of public goods. That means moving away from both the Anglo-Saxon model of laissez-faire and voodoo economics and the continental European model of deficit-driven welfare states. Both are broken. The right balance today requires creating jobs partly through additional fiscal stimulus aimed at productive infrastructure investment. It also requires more progressive taxation; more short-term fiscal stimulus with medium- and long-term fiscal discipline; lender-of-last-resort support by monetary authorities to prevent ruinous runs on banks; reduction of the debt burden for insolvent households and other distressed economic agents; and stricter supervision and regulation of a financial system run amok; breaking up too-big-to-fail banks and oligopolistic trusts. Over time, advanced economies will need to invest in human capital, skills and social safety nets to increase productivity and enable workers to compete, be flexible and thrive in a globalised economy. The alternative is - like in the 1930s - unending stagnation, depression, currency and trade wars, capital controls, financial crisis, sovereign insolvencies, and massive social and political instability. ^And that's good, but to enable the above to happen, campaign finance reform is essential so government can begin to represent the common interests of the citizens, not the special interests blocking reform.

What does random really mean though? Is there really any such thing, or is it part of some ever increasing level of interacting equations? Can it be tied to fractals? If the big bang was so neat, why is the universe so messy? Who carved the Fjords of Norway, and how big was their workshop?

Al Jazeera tonight, with the newscaster comparing his Apple ipad to Google's Galaxy, logging on to YouTube and then playing Coldplay's ETIAW video! :) All over the world Coldplay goes!

Well, as long as the beef is within safe limits, and those limits are carefully set according to sound scientific studies and cumulative exposure levels taken into account.. hm.. And the ice that' broken off the ice shelf in Antarctica, they should tow that to Somalia!:) Hey, it's been done before - why not?

:laugh3: U of Mich, U of Minn, U of Mass, U of Maine, U of Missouri, U of Montana... I had the same problem communicating with my cousins out in Washington state. I kept saying UW, which here is U of Wisc, there it's U of Wash, no biggie. But Minnesota has some great schools too - I've visited the U of M Saint Paul campus, pretty nice, saw a great lecture on microbiology there. Have fun picking a U!! :laugh3:

:laugh3: What was I thinking now?? Oh yea, something about permaculture and then I wanted to know more about the conditions where olive trees grow, and if they would grow in sub-Saharan Africa or not, if irrigation were available.

Definitely, study study study for the ACT and SAT. Not all schools required the SAT, but some do, especially the more prestigious ones, and if you do really really well, there could be scholarships to pay for a lot of the tuition costs. Well, you know all this, but basically that's the most important thing as Grace says, then the options will be more open. Just try and improve, do your personal best at the tests, try and improve your own average (after taking the sample tests). Get lots of rest the night before and feel good when you're taking the tests, like a tiger on the prowl. :hat: One thing though, if you look for undergrad schools, worry less about how high the average academic achievements are for your fellow students, more about the level of personal attention you can get; student to teacher ratios make a big difference, time the profs have to spend with you vs. research or other things pulling them away, etc. I would recommend to start out somewhere that has a comfortable setting too, a good mix of things to balance your student life (exercise facilities accessible, descent food, recreational opportunities, maybe some interests outside of the U, etc.). The field you choose too, look ahead at what job opportunities or research opportunities exist, often counselors aren't good predictors of these things, or are too busy elsewhere. Or, if you're really passionate about something and willing to devote all your time and energy into it, you will always find some place that wants those talented individuals. Sometimes following your bliss is the best choice - musicians, artists, animators, computer programmers and software experts, web designers, nutritionists, biologists, epidemiologists etc. Always teaching opportunities if you enjoy sharing your knowledge and are good at teaching others. In general though, the fields of the future that are growing will grow further - and basic research cannot be neglected, though funding problems do exist. There's no guarantees, just better odds if you're prepared, and always something - and something to fit your personality type as well - you might enjoy sales more than research, or teaching over both of those, or combine teaching and art, any number of things are possible. Becoming part of a team is often most in demand, so being a good team person often has the greatest usefulness and provides the best rewards. Incorporating disparate fields can be enjoyable too - often those are the missing links we need to build for a sustainable future.

> Well, that's not so bad for winter; when you notice that -40C is -40F on the thermometer, then you know what cold really is!! :laugh3: But here, hey, it's nice 30C, a few fluffy clouds, a light breeze blowing, pretty sweet weather but we need more rain! Whatever the weather, enjoy what you can, or enjoy the great indoors!;)

Greeting Robin! :sunny: Yes, it really is a fascinating board, glad you could join in! I hope your dream comes true, and they return to Germany. ;)

:rolleyes:You're so lucky to have had snow!!! Here, we've never had snow in August.

:laugh3: That's poifect Lore, but what are those long thingies for? And Winnipeg winters are worse, because they don't end until mid-June!:P (it snowed there in June when I went there, bbbbrrrrr!!) But basically he's going to freeze like a pop-sickle in January, yes. :laugh3: But not really - most people adapt. Even the Costa Ricans.

Even better, learn a foreign language in one of the many fine schools in the U.P. of Michigan. Yooper dialect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia :laugh3: Ya hey! An official dialect of English, OMG. :stunned:

Didn't they do a mariachi version?:rolleyes:

Thanks Nancy! Hm, thinking about other wordings... How about this: " The right of the citizens to fair elections, the right through which all other rights are preserved, shall be protected and enhanced, and equal access to and equal time on common broadcast mediums guaranteed for all qualifying candidates. Congress shall determine allowable funding levels and limits for campaigns, and shall have the power to enforce this amendment through appropriate legislation." Perhaps this wording is better? Basically the right of fair elections inherently requires that all candidates to be heard equally well in the public square of the day.

and check out some Seoul food! :) It's grrooovy! :cool:

For countries to develop they need to be able to survive climate change, and the softer a landing we provide for them in terms of lessening weather related disasters such as prolonged droughts, the better a place our home planet will be for all its inhabitants. Lowering greenhouse gas emissions is part of that hope for a better world.

Yay!! Try some Kimchi and head East!! ;)

I hear the sound of the ticking of clocks...

Putting this into a brief and clearly expressed form: "The right to fair elections, the right through which all other rights are protected, shall be guaranteed, including equal access to, equal funding for, and equal time on the broadcast commons for all qualifying candidates running for a particular public office. Congress shall determine funding amounts allowed, and shall have the power to regulate campaigns and enforce this amendment through appropriate legislation." That's the best I can come up with at present, and please offer suggestions for improvement on the wording of this amendment.

Yea, that is great - they really know how to pique everyone's interest!!:bulb2: Wonder what it all sounds like?:ears::)

Grace Berryman, you were at Alpine Strawberry Valley?:rolleyes: And then at Lollipop Lollapalooza Chicago? Front Row - now that's getting up close! What was it like, in your humble opinion?

Music that lifts the spirit