If anyone is in a position to comment on the strength of the U.S. coal industry, it would be Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America (pictured). That’s what makes the contrast in the following set of comments so stark: (more…)
As shown in the video linked here, advancements in high-efficiency LEDs have made it possible to bring lighting to places with no electrical power grid. The benefits are both clear and numerous, including eliminating the danger of fire, as well as the lung damage from exhaust smoke of kerosene lamps. (more…)
It’s natural to wonder about the effectiveness of social movements like protest marches and boycotts. Do they change anything?
As suggested in the graphic below, the answer appears to be a big fat yes in the case of the stationary bike exercise company SoulCycle, whose liberal user base was supremely cheesed off that one of SoulCycle’s major investors was hosting a reelection fundraiser for President Trump. (more…)
My perception (though I could be wrong, has happened) is that Americans are starting to understand what Carter said here, and they’re not going to let it continue.
Obviously, as long as there is big money in politics, corruption is never going to be eliminated. Having said that, the president of the United States sets the tone. If we can get someone who’s essentially honest, it’s possible that our country can be restored to some sort of decency and again enjoy the world’s respect and admiration.
Yes, we have homeless, starving military veterans, dying by suicide at the rate of 22 per day. But we have engineered a society in which corporations like Amazon, Delta Airlines, GM, IBM, and Deere paid zero taxes last year. That’s good, isn’t it?
If you’re offended by vulgar language, you may want to skip this hilarious but deadly accurate video on the state of the planet vis-a-vis climate change. One thing I like about this is that, in addition to its considerable comedic value, it presents a note of optimism layered on top of its core cynicism. Great stuff.
On my reading list is New Yorker reporter Jane Mayer’s new book, “Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right,” that explores how the Koch brothers and fellow right-wing billionaires have funded a political machine aimed at shaping elections and public policy. (more…)
A reader submits this absolutely stunning piece of artwork and asks, “Are Republican voters finally realizing that they’ve been conned?”
The short answer is no, but that doesn’t apply to everyone. Former Trump supporter and Army veteran, David Weissman, recently expressed his sentiments in an “Open Letter to Moscow Mitch” published by The Times of Israel, that includes the following: (more…)
Question: Since he took office, President Trump has made eliminating federal environmental regulations a top priority. Working in sync with help from Republicans in Congress, Trump has done everything possible to drive the success of the fossil fuel industry, stripping away as much Obama-era legislation as possible. How many major environmental policies has he reversed? (more…)
Apparently, Bernie Sanders wants to move all our IOUs (investor-owned power utilities) into the public sector, though I can’t image why. What’s the problem with making money if you’re doing it in an environment where you’re cleaning up your mess, and not dumping it in the sky for someone else to clean up?
There are probably at least a dozen variations on this theme, but if, for instance, you implement my personal favorite, the carbon fee and dividend plan that we’ve been discussing here, you’ll clean up the energy and transportation sectors so fast you won’t have time to blink.
Everyone involved in business transactions that involve carbon pays a fee according to its amount that is refunded, dollar for dollar, to the general populace. Big carbon sellers/consumers will lose money; low carbon sellers/consumers will make the exact same amount. Incentive to use less carbon will drive down its use and create furious R&D in the low-carbon space.
