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First and foremost, I encourage you to learn about this fellow as your potential future president, and skip my bio if that's what it takes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Anderson
My family and I lived off the grid in an earth-sheltered, solar powered underground house, for 15 years, starting in the early '80s, proving, at least to myself, the feasibility of solar power. Such a feat should be much easier with off-the-shelf materials available now.
I wrote a book on earth-sheltered solar greenhouses that has many good ideas, but should be condensed from 400 down to 50 pages, with new info from living off the grid. It's on my "to do" list.
I am 63 with a 21 year old heart--literally, as it was transplanted in 2005 (a virus, they think). This is why I strongly encourage you and everyone else to be an organ donor.
I may be the only tenured teacher you'll meet who got fired with a perfect teaching record. I spent seven years in court fighting that, only to find out that little guys always lose (http://www.opednews.com/articles/Letter-to-NEA-Leadership--by-Daniel-Geery-101027-833.html; recommended reading if you happen to be a parent, teacher, or concerned citizen).
I managed to get another teaching job, working in a multi-cultural elementary school for ten years (we had well over 20 native tongues when I left, proving to me that we don't need war to get along--no one even got killed there!).
I spent a few thousand hours working on upward-gliding airships, after reading The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed by John McPhee. But I did my modelling in the water, so it took only two years and 5,000 models to get a shape that worked. You can Google "aquaglider" to learn more about these. As far as I know, this invention represents the first alteration of Archimedes'principle, spelled out 2,500 years ago.
"Airside," the water toys evolved into more of a cigar shape, as this was easier to engineer. Also, solar panels now come as thin as half a manila folder, making it possible for airships to be solar powered. You can see one of the four I made in action by Googling "hyperblimp"(along with many related, advanced versions).
Along with others, I was recently honored to receive a Charles Lindbergh Foundation Award, to use these airships to study right whales off Argentina. Now we just have to make it happen!
More on that in a podcast, should you be so inclined:
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/upr/local-upr-936106.mp3 (followed by Rosalie Winard, bird photographer and friend of Terry Tempest Williams, and a bit on why you should be an organ donor).
I recently married a beautiful woman who is an excellent writer and editor, in addition to being a gourmet cook, gardener, kind, gentle, warm, funny, spiritual, and extremely loving. We met via "Plenty-of-Fish" and a number of seemingly cosmic connections.
I get blitzed reading the news damn near every day, and wonder why I do it, especially when it's the same old shit recycled, just more of it. In spite of Barbara Ehrenreich and reality, I'm a sucker for positive thinking; I recently finished reading Positivity, by Barbara Fredrickson, and recommend it, in the interest of your own sanity.
I like OpEd and think Rob Kall has done some wonderful things, but if someone could help out with the graphics and kinks in the system here, I'd really appreciate it.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 The President You May Want: Short Edited Summary from Wiki
Rocky rose to nationwide prominence as a champion of national and international causes, including climate protection, immigration reform, restorative criminal justice, GLBT rights, and an end to the "war on drugs". Anderson was a leading opponent of the invasion and occupation of Iraq and related human rights abuses; he was the only mayor of a major U.S. city who advocated for the impeachment of President George W. Bush.
Saturday, December 3, 2011 Supreme Court: No Nativity Scene in DC!
Dec. 2, 2011: The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in the United States' Capital this Christmas season. But this is not for any religious reason.
Saturday, November 26, 2011 'Tis the Season to Go (more) Insane (than usual) (4 comments)
I believe this really is a wonderful time of the year--to review Annie Leonard's telling video of the crap we buy, where it comes from, how it's made, how it gets to us, and where it goes, among other things.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 OWS and the U.S. Constitution
I have never been able to get overly excited about the U.S. Constitution, for the simple reason that it was ratified 169 years before I was even born, and things change over time, in this case dramatically. I encourage OWS advocates, presumably 99% of the U.S., to consider the driving force behind our Constitution--and accordingly realize that we are carrying the torch for many who are no longer with us.
Saturday, November 19, 2011 OWS: Adults Spank Children! (6 comments)
"The demonstrators were protesting the dismantling of the "Occupy UC Davis" encampment that was set up in the school's quad area. Police came and brutalized them and tore their tents down and all that stuff. It was really scary. It felt like there was anarchy everywhere," said student Hisham Alihbob."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 The Best Self-Defense System Ever Developed! (4 comments)
Many people are obsessed with self-defense, which is commendable in this day and age. But I would argue that confrontation is not the best way to go.
Friday, October 28, 2011 This senator wants to hear from you! (1 comments)
I realize he is asking for input from Utahns, but please feel free to speak your mind as an American. This is the guy who avidly helped to get us into Iraq, and if you check his voting record, you'll see he has done about everything he can to help destroy Planet Earth.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Our Shining Light on the Hill (1 comments)
[[ch]] George Bush killed children in your name, with your taxes. Orrin Hatch and countless other "leaders" you voted for supported this (Orrin claimed he was privy to evidence of Iraq's WMDs, but couldn't reveal the sources--he has yet to do so, and it will be his epitaph that he doesn't).
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 The Highest Honor I Ever Received! (6 comments)
Now I really don't want to boast, but it is true that every now and then a person ought to blow their own horn. At least when they're proud of it, and no else is doing it for them.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 My Unanswered Letter to Osama bin Laden (2 comments)
Osama bin Laden is said to have addressed the American people on several occasions. As far as I know, no one took the time to write him back, besides myself. Given that "Muslim terrorism" was alleged to be an ideological battle, I hoped to challenge our Number One Bogeyman on that level.
Saturday, April 9, 2011 Polite Response to Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming: (1 comments)
"Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming , Co-Chair of Obama's deficit commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation; he compared "Social Security" to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats. August, 2010."
Friday, March 11, 2011 Japan Devastation Summarized (5 comments)
I've watched a dozen or more videos, but this one says it all (imho):
Monday, January 31, 2011 Second Annual Glass Bellybutton Award! (1 comments)
Difficult as always, but we did find a winner! And now we are proud to announce
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 Motivation to Do Better
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The
Thursday, November 11, 2010 Christian viewpoint: Thou shalt not kill (2 comments)
I've made this comment before, but it sounds like it needs saying again: If you join the armed services, what are you if not a murderer for hire? How can there be "good men and women" in the armed forces?
Monday, September 20, 2010 Got a cold?
Ever had one?
Friday, September 3, 2010 Think you have problems?
I'm sure you do, but this blog may help put them in perspective. My business partner's bro was in a mountain bike crash on August 26 and fractured vertebrae C1, 2, and 3.
Monday, August 16, 2010 Nun's Ass is Wild and Free/ humor
The Pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The Pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again and it won again.
Saturday, February 6, 2010 What's Up With OpEd Being Down? (3 comments)
Recently I tried to post a poll asking basically why readers here think OEN get so few comments, compared to other progressive sites like CommonDreams or Alternet? I encouraged explanations.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 Notes to myself, from last night's reading:
[Paragraphs reordered, from The Great Turning] The divine dance of nature is ever conscious at every level, from the tiniest particle to whatever the currently largest configuration or holon is. That is my basic assumption about the living universe, no stranger than any of the assumptions of physics. It is shared by all the indigenous cultures I have come in contact with, as well as all esoteric traditions. (Quoting biologist Elizabet Sahtouris)
Thursday, February 12, 2009 Darwin Must Die (1 comments)
Why is that a good idea? So evolution can live... according to a most credible author.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Capitalism Explained in One Paragraph (5 comments)
What reader with half a brain has not read a dozen or more articles explaining our capitalist system in the past month or so? To save us time, I herewith present its essence (once again), in one paragraph--from page 208, Pleading Guilty, by Scott Turow (a great novel, btw):
Monday, December 29, 2008 Warm House, No Heat (1 comments)
Well, not exactly no heat, but no central heating system. This super-insulated house design uses an air exchanger to recirculate air. Appliance, body heat, and south-facing windows provide warmth in central Germany.
Friday, November 7, 2008 Obama Picks Two Losers
Obama's acceptance speech made me cry. Several times.
Saturday, October 25, 2008 Please forgive me! (2 comments)
I am so embarrassed!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Want to support a winner worthy of winning? Wow, how's that for a change?! (3 comments)
You may recall I did something of this nature for Kucinich, but now that he's gone (and I'm not sure he would be, if he actually listened to some of my ideas), I'm doing this for the only serious Democrat remaining. Read on if you like what the Dems are SUPPOSED to stand for, according to their own rhetoric.
Saturday, February 23, 2008 Out of Iraq? Easy! (2 comments)
Senator Gravel's position on Iraq remains clear and consistent: to commence an immediate and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. troops that will have them home within 120 days. The sooner U.S. troops are withdrawn, the sooner we can pursue aggressive diplomacy to bring an end to the civil war that currently consumes Iraq. Senator Gravel seeks to work with neighboring countries to lead a collective effort to bring peace to Iraq.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 A Voice From the Grave: Guess whose?
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt.
Friday, January 18, 2008 David Michael Green for President (1 comments)
Want a man with of logic, vision and humor for president? One likely to pick Al Gore as a running mate?
Sunday, January 6, 2008 Kucinich Still the Best (6 comments)
Like millions of Americans, I am anxious to see America turn around and bring itself back to sanity. I'd like to see us to solve the problems in our own backyard and set an example for the rest of the world, rather than playing bully to the world. With mind boggling sums now devoted to killing and maiming untold thousands of fellow humans, while needs of our own people go utterly ignored, it's hard to imagine not wanting a president who offers the real prospect of peace and prosperity. Thus I'm pleased to advocate for a person who truly is "the peace candidate," with a track record to prove it. Dennis Kucinich is the one candidate with the courage, integrity, and ability to lead this country in a new direction.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 Mental Bones to Gnaw On (1 comments)
If you want to take a break from the toxic atmosphere of the daily news, I recommend a few minutes randomly perusing either or both of the following links. I'm always amazed at how many people flap their lips about this guy, but haven't once checked out his vision for our shared future.
Thursday, November 15, 2007 Amber Alert (3 comments)
I received the following in an email from a friend; the person sending the original email is:
Friday, November 9, 2007 My 2 Cent Billion Dollar Idea (2 comments)
Actually, it will cost you less than 1 cent; and it fact, it could save industrialized nations billions of dollars--not to mention cut back considerably on global warming.
Friday, November 2, 2007 Kucinich UFO
I almost forgot! I actually made a Kucinich "UFO" during the last presidential primaries.
Friday, November 2, 2007 I Make UFOs (1 comments)
Actually, I've made over 650 of them. In fact, I got back from Brussels about a month ago, where a Belgium tv station spent three nights filming my vehicles to replicate UFO sightings; I'm told that half hour show will be online next week (back to back with a show on crop circles).
Sunday, October 28, 2007 Where We're At
It helps sometimes to pull back from the headlines and get a larger perspective on our species.
Sunday, October 21, 2007 I can't help myself! (1 comments)
In spite of my complaints about how Kucinich runs his campaign, I'm going to have to vote for him in the primaries.
Friday, October 12, 2007 Go play tennis, Dennis. Please! (2 comments)
At the risk of being redundant, I make this entry to spare any progressives from further spinning their wheels in support of Dennis Kucinich. Feel free to disagree with me; I would love nothing more than to be proved wrong!
Saturday, September 29, 2007 Empathy Over Competition? (1 comments)
What might happen if we were guided by empathy rather than competition?
Thursday, September 27, 2007 The Global Warming Myth (1 comments)
Many of you worry warts get unnecessarily fired up about global warming.
Thursday, September 27, 2007 Republicanism and Ron Paulism for Dummies
Novels have become my substitute for Ambien, but I actually do read a fair amount before the sleepers kick in. I came across this recently in Scott Turrow's Pleading Guilty, which cuts to the chase regarding what Republicanism and Ron Paulism are all about (Scott refers to "the altar of the free market," but is that not the mantra of these boys and girls?)"
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Lazy Person's Guide to Changing the World (2 comments)
Parents have asked me, as a teacher, what they can do to help their child's education. Two things leap to mind every time: 1) limit television and supervise what they watch; 2) read to them regularly (I have a Master's in reading, but that has little to do with this common sense conclusion).
Friday, September 14, 2007 Dear Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Reid, Mr. Hoyer, and Mr. Schumer, (3 comments)
The following article appeared recently on opednews.com. I would encourage you to read it, if you haven't already, since it describes quite precisely how I feel. You have vied and fought for power and now you have it. Are you going to use it, or continue abusing it?
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 Win a Prius
I recently posted the following in the University of Utah art department, but figure there's no harm in tossing it out here as well.
Monday, August 6, 2007 Are Taxes Good? (5 comments)
I am talking about in theory, of course. The way they are presently spent is beyond insane, and if I had my way, there are very few "leaders" who would not be put in an insane asylum, at least until they got their brains in order.
Monday, July 2, 2007 There can be no "way to peace"!
For one very simple reason: Peace IS the way! Most likely you've heard this before, but Sarah Hoffman hammered the concept home in a comment to my recent article, "Why Not Assassinate?" I asked Rob to bump the comment to article on its own. Which he did, Why Not Assassinate - II.
Sunday, June 24, 2007 Stop flying rocks... (2 comments)
really! And consider Light As Air flight.
Sunday, April 8, 2007 Oh Happy Daze!
For some reason, the site below would not paste in as an OpEd link, but it seemed my patriotic duty to bring it to your attention.
Saturday, April 7, 2007 I'm a dumb-dumb! (8 comments)
Maybe you are too.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Perfectly put! (2 comments)
Please pardon me for reposting my comment to a comment under Carol Wolman's recent article in this diary column. But the remarks I respond to are so well put and so common that I can't seem to help myself...
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Good news!!! (5 comments)
Being the kind of optimist who can't be happy unless he's a pessimist, I thought this article was EXTREMELY interesting and encouraging.
Monday, February 12, 2007 Let Us Bow our Heads in Prayer... (1 comments)
With Elizabeth Auster and the Cleveland Plains Dealer, who continue to ridicule the most courageous person in Washington D.C., and demean the one man who is more dedicated to bringing light, peace, and reason into the world than any other presidential candidate: Dennis Kucinich.
Friday, February 9, 2007 Thank you David Swanson, (2 comments)
for your clear and trenchant writing, once again. After reading your article, Dems Change Gas..., and following the White House Memo link, I felt the memo was worth posting here. Good God!!!
Thursday, February 8, 2007 There is no way to peace; peace is the way. (2 comments)
In the event you think that makes sense, then it's high time to get behind the one true peace candidate, cut the bullshit with the self-fulfilling doom and gloom prophecy that "he'll never make it."
Friday, February 2, 2007 Your Cosmic Antennae
I woke up this morning realizing that my diary yesterday didn't explain "communicate," in the context I was using it very well. And I left the piece hanging with a sort of New Age Loony Tune sentence: "I think what matters is tuning your own antennae to the right frequency."
Thursday, February 1, 2007 Does the Universe Talk to Us? (1 comments)
No. For some reason it can't really talk directly to us.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007 Open Letter to Howard, Nancy, Harry, Hillary, Obama, and the rest of the Democratic Party: (3 comments)
Your six point plan for America, arriving in my inbox on the eve of the recent elections, sounded very nice. But I would like to remind you of the first two points of those plans; send you a link for examination, study, and discussion; and then ask a simple question, which I'm sure untold millions of Americans, myself included, would like a simple answer to.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Jaw dropper news
Can you imagine Fox News saying anything positive about Dennis Kucinich?
Sunday, January 28, 2007 Calling all Curious Georges (2 comments)
A friend I greatly respect sent me the following link this morning, and it appeared truly amazing:
Sunday, January 28, 2007 Huge Anti-war Demonstration in SLC (1 comments)
Even though our mayor extraordinaire, Rocky Anderson, was speaking in Washington, D.C., the huge auditorium in the ultra-modern Salt Lake Library was packed.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Do I REALLY need to do it? Really truly? Do you?! (5 comments)
Why, why, WHY, does ANYBODY with two firing brain cells even LISTEN to the flaming lunatic named George Bush? Has no one got anything better to do with their time? The guy is a MADMAN and anyone who gives two cents what this imbecile has to say ought to be locked up with him.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 May Peace & Reason Prevail! (3 comments)
I don't drive much, but when I do I often contemplate how many people may be checking out my Kucinich bumper sticker. It's admittedly difficult to guess, but a conservative estimate would be five per mile. Assuming one out of ten actually visits DK's website, as it directs them to, that would be one every two miles.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Oh, bummah! (2 comments)
It's easy to forgive the press for ejaculating over everything about Obama that doesn't matter, for if they didn't there would not be much left for coming to print with.
Monday, January 22, 2007 Dear Hillary, (2 comments)
After driving on the east coast two summers ago and seeing so many "hate-Hillary" bumper stickers, I looked up your voting record to see what the problem might be. In all honesty, I found none, and discovered that I agreed with virtually all your votes. Therefore, I assumed there must have been a large smear campaign that I was unaware of, or else that there were more ignorant Americans than I had realized.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 Adolph Bush (3 comments)
"You [President Paul von Hindenburg] have just handed over our sacred German Fatherland to one of the greatest demagogues of all time. I prophesy to you this evil man will plunge our Reich into the abyss and will inflict immeasurable woe on our nation . . ." --German General Erich Ludendorff, 1933
Friday, January 12, 2007 What next?
Dennis on YouTube explains the New Bush World (aka: a bona fide human vs. spoiled rich dickhead).
Thursday, January 11, 2007 Tiny trap door out of Hell
President Bush appears to be setting the stage for a wider war in the region. He has blamed Iran for attacks on America. The President is vowing to disrupt Iran. He is going to add an aircraft carrier to the shores off the coast of Iran. He has promised to give Patriot missiles to 'our friends and allies.' Isn't one war enough for this President? It is time the media and the Congress began to pay attention to this President when he talks aggressively about Iran and Syria.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2 + 2 = (Hint: not 4!)
"While Mr. Kennedy and a relatively small number of other Democrats were pushing for immediate, concrete steps to challenge Mr. Bush through legislation, Democratic leaders said that for now they favored the less-divisive approach of simply asking senators to cast a vote on a nonbinding resolution for or against the plan." --From some online article.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 Grandma Feeds the Beast
Eisenhower warned about the military-industrial complex taking on a life of its own, and now we get to watch this from a ringside seat. It's something like being in a zoo with a scary and dangerous creature behind the bars-not unlike Alien, really-and we keep throwing in more food, while the beast grows and grows.
Monday, January 8, 2007 Cut 'n Heal (1 comments)
Here's a "cut and heal" deal that sounds like the best one around.
Sunday, January 7, 2007 Let there be light! (1 comments)
Like millions of Americans, I am anxious to see America turn around and bring itself back to sanity. I'd like to see us to solve the problems in our own backyard, then offer a helping hand to the rest of the world, rather than shaking an angry fist at it. With mind boggling sums now devoted to killing and maiming untold thousands of fellow humans, while needs of our own people go utterly ignored, it's hard to imagine not wanting a president who offers the real prospect of peace and prosperity.
Friday, January 5, 2007 Folly From Molly
I had thought my New Year's Wish was a simple one, namely that 2 + 2 = 4. Or put another way, that this world would begin to make a little sense. Alas, my wish has already been dashed in many ways, but here's the latest:
Friday, January 5, 2007 Anatomy of a Conservative Brain
Every now and then, I believe it's healthy to listen closely to what your opponent is trying to say, and to attempt to understand why he or she is saying such things. True, it's an easy way to get a headache, raise your blood pressure, get your bowels in an uproar, and lose what shred of faith you may have been clinging to for the human race. Still, it can be a valuable exercise in self-discipline, and it raises the possibility of understanding what such people must be like, if you probe a centimeter beneath their proclamations and case-hardened skulls and ponder what actually makes them tick.
Friday, October 20, 2006 Multiply Your Vote, Easily and Legally
Not everyone feels comfortable knocking on doors, calling strangers, or writing letters to the editor. If you're one such person, but want to help "get out the vote," I bring some encouraging news, and a simple suggestion (which certainly does not preempt the foregoing).