Last summer, I traveled with my son Tevan to Interlochen, Michigan, where he attended the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, an amazing conglomeration of over 2000 kids from all over the world, studying music, theater, dance, creative writing, film and visual arts. [Read More]
Three Steps to an Infoactive Democracy in the U.S.
While voting for our leaders and representatives is a step forward from a monarchy or dictatorship, it really is a costly, wasteful, inefficient and not terribly effective means of running our society. The recent decision by the Supreme Court to allow unlimited funding of campaigns hasn’t made it any cheaper (or better). Or more fair. Let’s face it – the system that we employ to run our country doesn’t really work.
Get your letters in to stall Walmart!
“We don’t hear much these days about Walmart or another big box store coming to the coast, but the permitting process is moving forward,” says community activist Laurie Caplan. “If you are concerned about the uglification of Hwy 101, the existing abundance of empty storefronts along the coast, the existing damage to our local wetlands, the inability of local businesses to fairly compete with Walmart and others like it, and more, then please write your three letters” [Read More]
Coming to a neighborhood near you…
The good people of CRAW [Clatsop Residents Against Walmart] are asking that as many people as possible voice their opposition to the permit application to fill the wetlands on the North Coast Business Park property that would pave the way for a Walmart in our area. That application is currently up for public comment until 5 PM today, Sunday – Mother’s Day, May 13. The application and comment form are available on DSL’s website (http://www.statelandsonline.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Comments.AppDetailLF&id=48466).
“She built an empire on artificial ground…”
Should Howe be thrown in a cell for her role in the local bus system’s near demise? Do the elected board members over the years bear any responsibility? Do you use the bus to get around Clatsop County? Don’t be shy, on this issue or any other that you feel is important. If something in the Daily A, or HIPFiSH, or any other news source you have access to, gets your goose, let the Upper Left Edge be one way that you express your opinion and weigh in on the matter.
What I Want For Christmas/Chanukah
So, it’s Ash Wednesday 2012, and I’m finally getting around to letting you know my wish list for the 2011 holidays. I guess I’ll just ask for early presents for the 2012 season (or considering my previous post, maybe I’ll just keep thinking about it).
The Virtues of Austerity
Greece just got bailed out again, in exchange for further austerity measures. Closer to home, I just read tonight that the City of Astoria is considering eliminating some street lighting to save money. Of course Clatsop Community College recently announced the elimination of 15 full-time positions, which have been whittled down to 5 by various means.
Taxation Without Representation
For the last 6 months or so, we’ve had no representative in the House of Representatives from the Upper Left Edge. That seems a bit weird. You’d think that someone would be appointed to step in when there’s a vacancy – in this case because of the resignation of our former representative, David Wu.
Wave Energy for the Oregon Coast?
Wave energy companies are lining up to get in on the action off the Oregon Coast, which supposedly has the best wave energy resources in the West. Up to 500 MW may be available to help power the grid. The state is delineating where the wave energy devices could be located, in order not to displace current uses, like fishing, or disturb the habitat of marine organisms. In light of the recent battles over wind turbines on the north coast, battles over wind turbines off of Cape Cod, and the local LNG battles, I’d like to know whether people think that there might be similar problems with wave energy. So, are you for or against wave energy and why, and how much do you already know about it?
Increase Taxes, I Say
This past week Congress passed a bill linking continued tax cuts to a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring minimally processed Canadian oil sands to the Gulf region to be refined and distributed. Well, if I were president, I would veto this bill. And not only because I think that the Keystone XL pipeline is ridiculous (for many reasons, which I’ll detail in a later post). For I also am against continuing the Bush-era tax cuts, and I’ll tell you why.