Genetically modified (GM) foods aren’t produced in isolation. Pollen from GM plants finds its way to conventional plants, and there are serious consequences for traditional farmers and for wild plants. GM is done for many reasons other than directly “improving” the food. (more…)
May 2, 2011
April 26, 2011
MONEY MATTERS for dating, etc. etc.
What happens when the financial resources and financial expectations differ significantly for those dating? Who pays for what? Can it really work, (more…)
April 22, 2011
Good Friday Peace Demonstration at Lockheed Martin
I am a regular attender at the Brandywine-sponsored Good Friday demonstration at Lockheed-Martin (and was arrested there on Good Friday a few years ago). Something unusual happened this year, as explained in the following letter that I wrote to the leaders of the Brandywine Peace Community. (more…)
April 18, 2011
Tax Day at the Post Office, 2011
I was at the Bryn Mawr Post Office this afternoon, distributing literature that explained how nearly half of the federal budget relates to military expenditures. I was suggesting that this is the place for cuts to be made, not in essential services. (more…)
April 16, 2011
My Comment on NYTimes column entitled “About My Support for Natural Gas.”
Article states “The truth is, every problem associated with drilling for natural gas is solvable.” Ah, and isn’t that the American Way. Let’s see – there’s the Gulf Oil Spill for oil, and Three Mile Island for atomic energy, but where there’s a will, there is a way. NOT in this country – there is no effective “will” because it will significantly cost the wealthy that control the decisions (and country) some of their profits. (more…)
April 6, 2011
“sometimes I think this is not america.”
I received this email today concerning a young Nepalese boy at South Philadelphia High School, as follows: (more…)
April 5, 2011
Cigarettes, 2 for $1: The Brisk, Shady Sale of ‘Loosies’
The title above is from a recent NYTimes article about the illegal sale of single cigarettes, and it poses many questions about the society we live in. Here are some things to consider:
Does this encourage people to break the law? Does it even become “hip” or “smart” to be a little bit illegal? What about all the folks who cross state lines to avoid paying their sales tax on liquor or other items?
Is this American entrepreneurship? The central character is working regularly, when no other more appropriate jobs are available for him.
Is this how we get healthcare – doing your time in prison? (more…)
March 18, 2011
Japan, the United States, and a radioactive nightmare waiting to happen.
Safety and environmentalism can cost consumers a lot of money, without immediate benefit. Government can force this on the consumers, as with cars and building codes, while industry and government profit from it. But there’s no profit for industry and government in protecting the public, and so, in a capitalist dominated society…failure and disaster (earthquakes ARE a predictable event in Japan, unfortunately).
March 1, 2011
My First Fundamentalist
I remember being surprised when, as a teenager, I met my first fundamentalist. I was from a household that was educated in religious matters, attended a religious-based school, and I found religion courses interesting. But I never understood Biblical material in a strictly literal way. That was not expected in my family, and I never gave that approach any particular thought (not being aware that it even was an “approach”). (more…)
February 8, 2011
INTJ Myers-Briggs personality. Who, me? Does this make any sense?
I hesitated to post my Myers-Briggs personality measure, thinking it might be egocentric (there are enough of those blogs around) and because I don’t put much weight on personality testing. But if Myers-Briggs measures can lead us to consider (or reconsider) some aspects of ourselves, they can be of value. And recently I had reason to consider that perhaps I really am INTJ and not always the sweet, agreeable guy that I tend to think I am. (more…)