Here’s a powerful reminder of an important fact: the road to the civilization we’d all like to see isn’t rooted in hate and violence, but in love, and respect for people who may not look or think like you.

It’s hard not to be moved by this one.

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So Roger Stone, Donald Trump’s long-time friend and political advisor, found guilty of all seven counts in the indictment against him, is going off for a long stretch in prison.

There are people close to Trump who say he’s innocent of all the allegations against him, but did you know that precisely zero of them are willing to say that under oath?

Isn’t that remarkable?

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In response to my post Infinite Growth Impossible of a Planet of Finite Size, frequent commenter Glenn Doty provides this cautionary remark:

Greta Thunberg’s criticism (of the path our civilization is on) cannot be resolved by simply choosing a hybrid instead of a hummer. It’s a start… but that path still leads to devastation. (more…)

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None of us knows what happens to us post mortem. Personally, I wouldn’t conflate the first law of thermodynamics with the afterlife, but I leave it to readers to come to their own peace regarding this matter.

For anyone wishing to take a musical adventure in to this subject, I offer this. (more…)

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U.S. Senator Chris Murphy is probably best known for his efforts to enact common-sense gun legislation.  As shown here, he (like 91% of Americans) is a proponent of universal background checks for prospective gun owners.

He’s equally progressive on a number of a wide range of other fronts as well.

Good guy.

And yes, this is devastating.

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From BYD (Build Your Dreams): The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has ordered 130 of its battery-electric K7M buses, the largest single order of battery-electric buses to date in the United States. The order is a major milestone for BYD as it continues its green dream to bring innovation and cutting-edge zero-emission technologies to forward-thinking communities and private enterprises. (more…)

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As a gregarious person, I tend to engage strangers in conversation, and I’ve noticed that, before they even open their mouths, some people give up clues as to some of their innermost thoughts.

Often these discussions wind up covering our planet’s health and what the future may hold in store.  FWIW, most people are optimistic for one or more reasons.

I’d like to speak with the woman photographed here on a subway car, though I expect she may have a dark view of this matter.

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From The Writer’s Almanac:

It was on this day in 1832 that the world’s first streetcar began operation in New York City, running between Prince and 14th Streets in Lower Manhattan. (more…)

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For a small but growing number of people, less is becoming more; small is becoming big.  Does that mean some people won’t always want their lives surrounded by stuff, pursuing the erroneous notion that things bring happiness?  Of course not.

But eventually, “living small” will become cool.  Things like SUVs will go out of fashion. (more…)

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Wine is a huge deal in Santa Barbara County in Central California.  People come from all over the state to taste our Syrahs, Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and it is predicted that, by virtue of our unique terroir/micro-climates, that we’ll eventually supersede Napa and Sonoma as the Mecca of wine in the United States. (more…)

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