Thanks to Ron Mattmer for bringing this to my attention.
For all of you who spoke up to demand a "full panel review" of the proposed nuke waste dump, it seems you've gotten your Christmas wish. See the story here.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Freecycle
A friend sent me a link to this initiative promoting the free exchange of goods no longer needed, a good way to reduce our landfill, and to help out our fellow citizens. I have not (yet) used it but it seems like a really good idea, check it out.
Freecycle
The Grey/Bruce Area Network is open to all who want to "recycle" that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too!
One constraint: everything posted must be free. This network is brought to you by The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Check out freecycle.org for other cities and info on the movement!
E-mail greybrucefreecycle-owner@yahoogroups.com for questions or improvement ideas!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/greybrucefreecycle/
Freecycle
The Grey/Bruce Area Network is open to all who want to "recycle" that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too!
One constraint: everything posted must be free. This network is brought to you by The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Check out freecycle.org for other cities and info on the movement!
E-mail greybrucefreecycle-owner@yahoogroups.com for questions or improvement ideas!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/greybrucefreecycle/
Sunday, December 17, 2006
A New SUV or Change the World...Hmm.
Still stuck on what to give a loved one this Christmas? Here’s the top 10 Christmas gifts this season.
While the above is presented somewhat “tongue in cheek”, such things can leave one feeling a little disheartened about the future. But hey, look at the bright side. We are better off than 90% of the world’s population and we live in a democratic country where we get to vote! That’s the whole point of democracy isn’t it…to vote?
Why then, is it that even though half of us continue to vote, it still seems so much is out of our control? Could it be that democracy is much more?
In October I wrote about “hands-off” democracy; the kind where we elect representatives at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels every few years and then take our “hands off the wheel” and let them run the show. Most of us don’t get too involved, and we generally don’t pay too much attention to what is going on until there is a scandal or a crisis.
Why is this? Is it perhaps because we don’t feel we can have much impact on the way things are? Or, maybe we’re too busy trying to make ends meet and raise families to be able to take the time. Perhaps, some of us are satisfied with the status quo. If you’re getting the good end of the stick, why bother trying to change things for the benefit of others? But isn’t that the meaning of community?
This Christmas in Grey & Bruce I hope the most popular gift, or, possibly New Year’s resolution, is the decision to get your hands dirty in improving this region we call home. Whether for yourself or for someone else, get involved and make a difference. Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed, thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Early in the new year I will be writing an article about the top 10 things you can do to improve the world around you. Join with me and many others in the great satisfaction of building a more just and sustainable society. Possibly even greater satisfaction than a new SUV or a $22,000 raise.
10. $3 million. Of course you may have to be the CEO of a crown corporation such as Hydro One and do something unethical to pull that one off.
9. A new SUV. Land a job with the Children’s Aid Society and a taxpayer funded credit card and bingo, you’ll likely be able to snag the Caribbean vacation to go with it.
8. Milking equipment. I hear the MNR has some to sell cheap. You could even save yourself the money by convincing a powerful lobby group to disseminate some shaky science, get the local heath authorities to back you up, and find twenty armed men paid by taxpayers with apparently nothing better to do but go on a raid. Imagine the possibilities! Sounds like a lot of effort but, hey, it worked once.
7. A $22,000 raise. Of course you’ll have to get elected as an MPP first but it sounds like it’s worth the effort. Bognor’s the place to be this Christmas… no black flies.
6. A $6.5 million surprise pack. Apparently that’s what Ontario Power Generation staff got, although no one seems to know what was in it. No worries though, I’m sure their recommended $40 billion nuclear expansion will be money well spent. Conservation…what’s that?
5. A warmer planet, sponsored by foot dragging governments and the fossil fuel lobby. I must say I am enjoying this winter weather, but I pity the poor sucker who’s getting the other end of the stick. Hey, as a bonus you might get your kids back from Whistler BC this Christmas, the way things have been going.
4. Some new pants. I hear that’s what Counselor Tom Pink will be opening Christmas morning. They might be from Mayor Ruth Lovell.
3. A farm aid cheque. With the way agricultural markets are going and a government unwilling to do any thing significant about it, that’s about all farmers will be getting this year.
2. 70 cottages. Try fitting that under the tree. I’m not sure what the Chipewas of Nawash have in mind here but I’ll let you know if I figure it out.
…And if you’re still stuck, no worries because now there’s…
1. 24 hour shopping at Wal-Mart. Yes, that’s right, now if you’re having a sleepless night you can go and get that that perfect disposable gift at 3am. I’ll bet the minimum wage employees are happy about this one.
While the above is presented somewhat “tongue in cheek”, such things can leave one feeling a little disheartened about the future. But hey, look at the bright side. We are better off than 90% of the world’s population and we live in a democratic country where we get to vote! That’s the whole point of democracy isn’t it…to vote?
Why then, is it that even though half of us continue to vote, it still seems so much is out of our control? Could it be that democracy is much more?
In October I wrote about “hands-off” democracy; the kind where we elect representatives at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels every few years and then take our “hands off the wheel” and let them run the show. Most of us don’t get too involved, and we generally don’t pay too much attention to what is going on until there is a scandal or a crisis.
Why is this? Is it perhaps because we don’t feel we can have much impact on the way things are? Or, maybe we’re too busy trying to make ends meet and raise families to be able to take the time. Perhaps, some of us are satisfied with the status quo. If you’re getting the good end of the stick, why bother trying to change things for the benefit of others? But isn’t that the meaning of community?
This Christmas in Grey & Bruce I hope the most popular gift, or, possibly New Year’s resolution, is the decision to get your hands dirty in improving this region we call home. Whether for yourself or for someone else, get involved and make a difference. Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed, thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Early in the new year I will be writing an article about the top 10 things you can do to improve the world around you. Join with me and many others in the great satisfaction of building a more just and sustainable society. Possibly even greater satisfaction than a new SUV or a $22,000 raise.
Monday, December 11, 2006
A Glass of Politics, Anyone?
I think I missed the memo from the health authorities telling us not to eat any more spinach… what, there was no memo? How can this be, as there was recently an outbreak of E.coli poisoning from contaminated spinach! Surely we must all stop consuming that dangerous plant, spinach, or at the very least, we must nuke, boil, pulverize, and process the stuff into oblivion to make sure such an outbereak never happens again!
Or, of course, we could simply take care in making sure spinach is properly handled and transported.
Apparently such a practical solution is not sufficient when it comes to milk. In fact, it seems that milk which has not been “frankensteined” (pasteurized) is so dangerous as to be compared with jumping off of a cliff, according to Premier Dalton McGuinty. Heaven (or the government) forbid that we should be able to make our own health choices in matters of nutrition and food purchasing. Maybe that’s just too decentralized for our Ontario government to stomach. Maybe some raw milk would help them digest it.
While Premier McGuinty heeds his mother’s advice not to jump off any cliffs, I too like to heed my mother’s advice on slightly more relevant matters. My mother is Joanne Jolley, a certified Natural Heath Consultant through the Edison Institute of Nutrition, one of the world’s most respected nutritional schools. In a recent conversation with her regarding the current milk debate she confirmed the many benefits of raw milk, as well as the many risks of pasteurized milk. A quick summary will suffice.
The average citizen can be forgiven for being confused about the facts surrounding the milk debate. After all, should we not trust recommendation of the health “authorities” in such matters?
Unfortunately, there are sometimes motives guiding public health policy other than the community’s best interest. Also, in many cases a dogmatic approach is taken to public policy issues rather than a pragmatic one. In such cases, a rift is created in the community between citizens and local officials, as they take their cues from higher up the chain of command.
In recent years we have seen the traditional medical and nutritional fields being outpaced by the “holistic” disciplines of health promotion. It is certainly not the public health agencies who have led the campaigns against trans fats, or the promotion of unprocessed whole grains, for example. It is the “Michael Schmidts” of the world who have led these and many other drives that lead to better understanding and better health. The “authorities” eventually catch on after a period of resistance and then lead the drive for change. To the credit of the health authorities, once an issue is on their promotional radar they are generally quite effective at creating change and disseminating new information. They are also serve a very valuable purpose in protecting society from genuine harms. How much more effective might they be if they could respond more quickly and constructively to new and well documented information about health and nutrition?
The time lag in information and practice of the mainstream institutions is not as much due to any grand conspiracy as to an unresponsive and lethargic bureaucracy. For example we have been learning about the unhealthy cumulative effects of antibiotics and hormones in pasteurized milk for years now, but it is still approved by the health authorities because the levels of these drugs are apparently “acceptable”. Many nutrition experts and health practitioners would beg to differ, but instead of taking the time to examine these very apparent problems, the authorities send armed officers to raid a farmer with no record of any health issues. It makes one want to follow the money.
When people like Michael Schmidt genuinely believe that the public is being done a grave disservice it is no wonder they begin to get proactively creative in marketing their products. Those who would claim that Michael Schmidt is in it only for himself doesn’t know him or his contemporaries. To disagree with his actions is one thing, but to paint him as careless and selfish, or worse to call him a killer – Murray McQuigge, I’m looking at you (letters, OS Sun Times, Dec. 4) - is crossing the line.
As with most cases such as this, when the dust settles we will likely have a new regulatory framework for the production and distribution of raw milk, and I see this as a very good thing. But will we remember the sacrifice of Michael Schmidt, or will the “authorities” be applauded for their “progressive” move? At any rate, Mr. Schmidt or one of his contemporaries will have a new customer for raw milk products.
Or, of course, we could simply take care in making sure spinach is properly handled and transported.
Apparently such a practical solution is not sufficient when it comes to milk. In fact, it seems that milk which has not been “frankensteined” (pasteurized) is so dangerous as to be compared with jumping off of a cliff, according to Premier Dalton McGuinty. Heaven (or the government) forbid that we should be able to make our own health choices in matters of nutrition and food purchasing. Maybe that’s just too decentralized for our Ontario government to stomach. Maybe some raw milk would help them digest it.
While Premier McGuinty heeds his mother’s advice not to jump off any cliffs, I too like to heed my mother’s advice on slightly more relevant matters. My mother is Joanne Jolley, a certified Natural Heath Consultant through the Edison Institute of Nutrition, one of the world’s most respected nutritional schools. In a recent conversation with her regarding the current milk debate she confirmed the many benefits of raw milk, as well as the many risks of pasteurized milk. A quick summary will suffice.
- Pasteurization significantly reduces nutrient content, which is then supplemented by synthetic nutrients that are much less beneficial to health.
- Pasteurization kills the enzymes that are essential to proper milk digestion, and absorption of calcium and other nutrients.
- Pasteurization kills beneficial bacteria that protect the milk from developing harmful pathogens during transport.
The average citizen can be forgiven for being confused about the facts surrounding the milk debate. After all, should we not trust recommendation of the health “authorities” in such matters?
Unfortunately, there are sometimes motives guiding public health policy other than the community’s best interest. Also, in many cases a dogmatic approach is taken to public policy issues rather than a pragmatic one. In such cases, a rift is created in the community between citizens and local officials, as they take their cues from higher up the chain of command.
In recent years we have seen the traditional medical and nutritional fields being outpaced by the “holistic” disciplines of health promotion. It is certainly not the public health agencies who have led the campaigns against trans fats, or the promotion of unprocessed whole grains, for example. It is the “Michael Schmidts” of the world who have led these and many other drives that lead to better understanding and better health. The “authorities” eventually catch on after a period of resistance and then lead the drive for change. To the credit of the health authorities, once an issue is on their promotional radar they are generally quite effective at creating change and disseminating new information. They are also serve a very valuable purpose in protecting society from genuine harms. How much more effective might they be if they could respond more quickly and constructively to new and well documented information about health and nutrition?
The time lag in information and practice of the mainstream institutions is not as much due to any grand conspiracy as to an unresponsive and lethargic bureaucracy. For example we have been learning about the unhealthy cumulative effects of antibiotics and hormones in pasteurized milk for years now, but it is still approved by the health authorities because the levels of these drugs are apparently “acceptable”. Many nutrition experts and health practitioners would beg to differ, but instead of taking the time to examine these very apparent problems, the authorities send armed officers to raid a farmer with no record of any health issues. It makes one want to follow the money.
When people like Michael Schmidt genuinely believe that the public is being done a grave disservice it is no wonder they begin to get proactively creative in marketing their products. Those who would claim that Michael Schmidt is in it only for himself doesn’t know him or his contemporaries. To disagree with his actions is one thing, but to paint him as careless and selfish, or worse to call him a killer – Murray McQuigge, I’m looking at you (letters, OS Sun Times, Dec. 4) - is crossing the line.
As with most cases such as this, when the dust settles we will likely have a new regulatory framework for the production and distribution of raw milk, and I see this as a very good thing. But will we remember the sacrifice of Michael Schmidt, or will the “authorities” be applauded for their “progressive” move? At any rate, Mr. Schmidt or one of his contemporaries will have a new customer for raw milk products.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Calling out the lurkers
A quick introduction, I'm Ryan and Shane invited me to take part here a long... time ago. I am a web/sustainability/new media ....geek, both personally and professionally. I though it was about time that I got around to contributing something here at Saugblog so in light of my increased attempt at participation here, I would like to see the same from others, so I'm calling out the lurkers.
Let me explain. I spend a lot of time reading, writing and generally thinking about blogs and social media. "Calling out the lurkers" is a common tactic aimed at increasing participation in an online discussion forum such as this.
Who is a lurker? I will be up until the completion of this post, and you might be too If, like me, you have been reading saugblog for some time and never added your own two cents as a comment to a post then you are a lurker. So I'm calling you out. Contribute 5 minutes to the discussion by adding a comment to the site (warning: potential side effects of this kind of participation may result in feelings of accomplishment, community involvement, activism... and may result in repetitive posting and increased participation by others).
Not sure where to start, I'll toss out an idea. Part of the reason that I haven't gotten around to posting here yet is because of the time I spend on one of my own sites, BeSustainable.com. I recently posted an interview with Alex Steffan, the editor of worldchanging.com. One of the things we talked about was the idea of picking the one thing you do well that can contribute to a better future and do it, and improve on it and .... you get the idea.
So the assignment I will give to you, the lurker, is to give the show a listen (you can find it here*) and then add a comment to this post which tells us a little bit about you, why you read (and soon contribute to !) Saugblog and a little something about "that thing you do" that can contribute to the future that we the Saugblogians collectively envision. I would personally find it useful to know that ____________ is the go to person if I am looking to understand ___________.
So there's your call to action if you have been thinking about increasing you participation around here. I look forward to learning a little more about you and that thing you do, not to mention learning a little bit from you at the same time. I'll kick things of by posting the first comment, then pass the torch off to you.
*if there is anyone here with dialup that cannot access the audio posted at besustainable that would like to, drop me note via the contact form and I can see about getting you a cd, tape or 8 track of the shows.
Let me explain. I spend a lot of time reading, writing and generally thinking about blogs and social media. "Calling out the lurkers" is a common tactic aimed at increasing participation in an online discussion forum such as this.
Who is a lurker? I will be up until the completion of this post, and you might be too If, like me, you have been reading saugblog for some time and never added your own two cents as a comment to a post then you are a lurker. So I'm calling you out. Contribute 5 minutes to the discussion by adding a comment to the site (warning: potential side effects of this kind of participation may result in feelings of accomplishment, community involvement, activism... and may result in repetitive posting and increased participation by others).
Not sure where to start, I'll toss out an idea. Part of the reason that I haven't gotten around to posting here yet is because of the time I spend on one of my own sites, BeSustainable.com. I recently posted an interview with Alex Steffan, the editor of worldchanging.com. One of the things we talked about was the idea of picking the one thing you do well that can contribute to a better future and do it, and improve on it and .... you get the idea.
So the assignment I will give to you, the lurker, is to give the show a listen (you can find it here*) and then add a comment to this post which tells us a little bit about you, why you read (and soon contribute to !) Saugblog and a little something about "that thing you do" that can contribute to the future that we the Saugblogians collectively envision. I would personally find it useful to know that ____________ is the go to person if I am looking to understand ___________.
So there's your call to action if you have been thinking about increasing you participation around here. I look forward to learning a little more about you and that thing you do, not to mention learning a little bit from you at the same time. I'll kick things of by posting the first comment, then pass the torch off to you.
*if there is anyone here with dialup that cannot access the audio posted at besustainable that would like to, drop me note via the contact form and I can see about getting you a cd, tape or 8 track of the shows.
Citizens’ Assembly
Just a reminder, the Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform meeting for Owen Sound is scheduled for Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, 824 First Ave. West on Monday Dec 4th from 7pm to 10pm.
See
http://saugblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/electoral-reform.html
See
http://saugblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/electoral-reform.html
Friday, December 01, 2006
Is "The Solar Revolution" too sunny?
I came across an intersting interview with Travis Bradford, author of Solar Revolution at http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/11/30/roberts/ . I'm looking for some feedback from any of our energy experts out there in blogland. It sounds like an interesting read.
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