tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297404172024-03-18T20:42:18.650-07:00NoShootFootIndian see white man about to shoot self in foot. Indian say NO...
Common sense - more important than greed._________________________featuring: reality, Faux "News" kryptoniteRick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-66835207978815024192017-11-11T02:45:00.000-08:002018-02-17T20:58:20.573-08:00The Letter to the Editor the Ely Times wouldn't publish<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">!!!UPDATE!!! The Ely Times did eventually publish this LTE. Thank you Ely Times. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">For
thousands of years, pinion trees have provided a sustainable source
of food for our ancestors, the Great Basin Shoshone. In fact, without
pine nuts, our ancestors would not have survived our harsh Winters.
These trees were so important they are considered “sacred.” But
apparently now; they are in the way of unsustainable exploitation in
the name of “development.” But the developers aren't paying for
this. We taxpayers are. Our money is being used to kill naturally
growing forests in the Orwellian name of Pinion/Juniper
“Restoration.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But
“restoration” isn't about saving the sage grouse. Even after all
these years, we have still seen no definitive evidence that sage
grouse populations are helped at all. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And
this isn't about fire suppression. Do the watergrabbers really think
we're stupid enough to think that brush doesn't burn? Actually, the
biggest difference between trees and brush is that trees have deeper
roots. Face it, this is about groundwater. And to prove my point; in
places in the West where there were no trees, they've taken out the
brush. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It's
not like they're “selectively” cutting down every third tree
(which we personally don't have a problem with). This is clear-cut
logging! When they're done, <i><b>every</b></i> tree is gone. They
even come back later to kill baby trees so that no trees will come
back. Essentially, this is a blatant effort to create areas of
localized forest extinction! This has gotten totally out of hand.
Even the heads of the Federal Agencies tasked with protecting this
land are often making backroom deals with the watergrabbers. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Moreover,
this forest ecocide is bad for our local economy – because chopped
down forests are not tourist attractions. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Pinion/Juniper
“restoration” is a lame excuse for a corrupt practice –
deforestation for groundwater. But deforestation is just one facet of
our short-sighted and inevitably self-destructive rule of (corrupt)
water law system – meticulously written by the greedy to enrich
themselves at extraordinary expense to everyone and everything else. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Examples:
It's legal in Nevada to take the groundwater away from everything
natural that relies on it. Twice now, there have been efforts in the
Nevada Legislature to commodify water – leaving it open for
speculation and hyperinflation bubbles. There are already 50 water
basins in Nevada that are over-allocated. And it is literally the
State Water Engineer's job to just keep giving away more and more of
<i><b>our</b></i> water (that is commonly owned)... I didn't vote for
this. In fact, Nevadans have never voted on what Nevada Water Law
should be. And obviously, if the watergrabbers get their way, we
never will. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Rick and Delaine Spilsbury </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-91481696898342769872017-06-18T21:44:00.002-07:002017-06-18T21:44:46.320-07:00Watergrab Tour Spring Valley Forest
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Spring
Valley reminds me of a line from an old Rage Against the Machine song
(No Shelter):</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;">bury
the past, rob us blind …and left nothing behind.”</span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
was once a happy place. My ancestors came here to socialize and
dance. This was a gathering place. My ancestors were hunter/gatherers
who lived in small groups of extended family. But sometimes these
small groups would get together for what we might now call a Fandango
or a Pow Wow. This was where my ancestors hooked up. This was a place
to fall in love. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But
that ended with the massacres. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now
the memories are all painful. We come here now to remember all that
was taken from us – the lives, the land, the game, the water.
Little here is ours now. But, at least we can still come here to
visit. </span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQMPpqySdfMTtkiNpRCkA3PzsknW84cJoMfW_UfNwRZXywIq0D2tnQuxTXyFg9HtL-lijnWBJtMLHJu9V6xVpj9mlpMXPBR7Ts0uxNiXSN3ScKP1ScIoK_QQu__Z0CiEiSlbJ/s1600/Spring+Valley+with+Mt.+Wheeler+in+background.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQMPpqySdfMTtkiNpRCkA3PzsknW84cJoMfW_UfNwRZXywIq0D2tnQuxTXyFg9HtL-lijnWBJtMLHJu9V6xVpj9mlpMXPBR7Ts0uxNiXSN3ScKP1ScIoK_QQu__Z0CiEiSlbJ/s320/Spring+Valley+with+Mt.+Wheeler+in+background.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring Valley with Great Basin National Park in background</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
anyone can see, this “test” well has not been decommissioned. It
sits here, waiting to be used as a Watergrab well. If you look
uphill, you can see the source of water; the Great Basin National
Park. If you look downhill, you can see the swamp cedar forest. This
well was obviously placed here to steal the water for that forest.
And the groundwater table doesn't have to drop very far to kill this
whole forest. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In
a matter of years, not decades, this whole valley forest could die.
And even our memories of this place will die with it. All that will
be left will be some words in some old unread books. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
forest, and the Joshua tree forest in Delamar Valley, are some of the
last of Nevada's valley forests. These places matter. In fact, they
matter far more than a forest of invasive species of palm trees in
Las Vegas that would die in a week without human intervention. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
investors in Las Vegas growth, many of whom don't even live in Las
Vegas, don't care about Rural Nevada. All they care about are the
numbers they have in their banks. But Spring Valley is a bank too. It
is a natural bank of genetic options Life on Earth has to adapt to
changes in the Environment. And the Environment is changing. There
may be something out here that Life on Earth will desperately need to
keep a natural balance – to keep humanity alive. No one knows. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">What
we do know is that killing this rare high desert valley forest with
so much history is wrong. Especially when we know that most of the
water would be used to water decorative shrubbery in Southern Nevada.
What an extravagant waste. In fact, it could be argued that we can't
think of anything stupider to do with this water. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And
speaking of stupid – and needlessly greedy; Southern Nevada has
tried twice to gut the environmental and economic protections of
Nevada Water Law to expedite this Watergrab exportation. We don't
want to change Nevada Water Law to make it easier to exploit. We want
to change Nevada Water Law to make it easier to live sustainably. </span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We
need a rational, reasonable, respectful, long-term alternative to
taking everything and leaving nothing for future generations. This is
why you are here. </span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-89595403582466033742017-06-18T21:24:00.002-07:002017-06-18T21:24:45.926-07:00Watergrab Tour South Spring Valley
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">About
a mile off the highway there is a “test” well that the SNWA paid
to drill – still ready to go – ready to be hooked up to the
Watergrab pipeline. Across the valley is the Great Basin National
Park. More SNWA “test” wells ring both the South and the West
faces of the Park. The brutal efficiency of this expansive scheme of
exploitation is palpable. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Watergrab would start in Delamar Valley, at about the same latitude
as Pahranagat. It goes up through Dry Lake Valley into Cave Valley.
Muleshoe Valley is bound to be effected. And Lake Valley, where
Geyser Ranch is, will be drained. And then, of course, there's Spring
Valley – and a number of other valleys that will be essentially
drained of their own unique life on Earth. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBUfVHnF_zbGI7W-jfaa3iOW7i_CahulZny3EuMa0Uscoq_N2VnLqUdxt3Ehv6fvwjGJfpi_orfoz5p5Bs_sr2XnlmGaXOnR-zdtnkIQYwO3EiqzZ975QGyci5Y5GyOu635co/s1600/North+Schell+w+Wheeler+in+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBUfVHnF_zbGI7W-jfaa3iOW7i_CahulZny3EuMa0Uscoq_N2VnLqUdxt3Ehv6fvwjGJfpi_orfoz5p5Bs_sr2XnlmGaXOnR-zdtnkIQYwO3EiqzZ975QGyci5Y5GyOu635co/s320/North+Schell+w+Wheeler+in+back.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Schell Creek Wilderness with Great Basin National Park in background</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
that's not it. Water flows downhill, even underground. Which means
many wilderness areas, numerous big game supporting forests, and a
National Park are at risk. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
SNWA Groundwater Development Project (the Watergrab) is a huge
project, with huge costs and huge consequences. And maybe most
importantly, nobody really knows how much water is actually here. The
Watergrab could also be a huge disappointment. </span></span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-39804345752293211172017-06-18T21:18:00.000-07:002017-06-18T21:18:06.022-07:00Watergrab Tour Geyser Ranch
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bring
your binoculars! The SNWA's Geyser Ranch has changed! Apparently,
there aren't any cattle in Lake Valley this Summer. Which means, off
in the distance; you might see herds of wild horses, antelope – and
when I was there last (over Memorial Day Weekend) I saw a hundred
head of elk (during the middle of the day). </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently,
the SNWA no longer has to prove up on their water rights at the
Geyser Ranch. That was something good that came out of the 2017 State
Legislature. There should be no incentive to waste water. But the
result has been intriguing. The SNWA has tied up whole valleys of
water for almost thirty years. Some of these valleys still look
natural <i><b>because</b></i> of that. And Geyser Ranch has gone
feral. People are going to come from miles around to see these elk. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
<i><b>has</b></i> been something positive about the Watergrab. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nobody
else has taken the water. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
part of all this wrong feels right.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why
not bank some of Nevada's water? </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why
not save some water for the future? </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nobody's
going thirsty in Las Vegas. But if people actually were going thirsty
in Las Vegas, it sure would be nice not to have wasted this water
watering palm trees. And if we get to keep some truly beautiful
natural places – at least until genuine desperation sets in – why
not? </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-15414742832170442092017-06-18T21:12:00.000-07:002017-06-18T21:12:25.079-07:00Watergrab Tour Pony Springs
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Across
the valley from Pony Springs is a huge pinion/juniper “restoration”
site. It's plain to see that all that water from all that clear-cut
logged forest ended up on that farm downhill.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now,
as a society, we may choose to do these things and accept the
tradeoffs. But I don't remember voting on it. This is happening all
over the West. Millions of trees are being killed. And what's the
perpetrators stated reason? To save the Sage Grouse. But they don't
have much evidence that clear-cut logging actually works. Yes, sage
grouse like to nest in more open areas. But that doesn't prove there
are more sage grouse. The population data is inconclusive. Think
about it; if sage grouse populations increased because of pinion
juniper “restoration,” they would have told us years ago. Which
means the obvious, millions of trees are being killed for some other
reason. And that reason is obviously water. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
the valley to the West, Cave Valley, there are no farms or ranches
downstream of the pinion/juniper clear-cut sites. There is just the
proposed SNWA watergrab pipeline. The SNWA has publicly supported
pinion/juniper “restoration.” So, is pinion/juniper clear-cut
logging just to export more water, or is it to kill off the forests
before the Watergrab – so that there won't be any dried up forests
to take pictures of? </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyke1T3_LzqLT3Yl44yRUKWEbInsM9OvxUoq0t5DQLzTLYxbp29D2dqLDlrH7VGy0i5hkoBYnfMXVphtI0nQyIVW8eymKfrkorsq2KQplG0vOhThrfW8PWeQNNqqLHK0VHaz-m/s1600/Cave+Valley+upper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyke1T3_LzqLT3Yl44yRUKWEbInsM9OvxUoq0t5DQLzTLYxbp29D2dqLDlrH7VGy0i5hkoBYnfMXVphtI0nQyIVW8eymKfrkorsq2KQplG0vOhThrfW8PWeQNNqqLHK0VHaz-m/s320/Cave+Valley+upper.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cave Valley before "restoration"</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-37812610973529631722017-06-18T21:05:00.000-07:002017-06-18T21:06:58.875-07:00Watergrab Tour of Delamar Valley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-2NbHTu2A7Oa7j-cOcCLhrLcipCyxEBtORDWtXNJfZ20yDTJ8BGuke2SGxNcPGbzQBGkyHzDhpN7Bqm-e8nmDt0zw-cpxsKMOG4BTIDjbPHG6fzeZfzD7iEzHS1yy1IhEEx7/s1600/Delamar+Valley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-2NbHTu2A7Oa7j-cOcCLhrLcipCyxEBtORDWtXNJfZ20yDTJ8BGuke2SGxNcPGbzQBGkyHzDhpN7Bqm-e8nmDt0zw-cpxsKMOG4BTIDjbPHG6fzeZfzD7iEzHS1yy1IhEEx7/s320/Delamar+Valley.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
is a vast Joshua tree forest in Delamar Valley – the most spectacular in all of
Nevada. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
this whole desert forest is at risk if the valley's groundwater is
exported South. Joshua trees need groundwater. But because of Nevada
Water Law; Joshua trees are what Nevada Water officials refer as
“phreatophytes.” Which, cynically explained means; they are
worthless and are wasting us humans' water. And Nevada Water Law
essentially allows us to kill them all eventually – legally. Yes,
there are protections in Nevada Water Law for the environment. But
there was an attempt in the Special Session of the Nevada Legislature
in 2015 to eliminate those protections. And why? Obviously; because
somebody <i><b>wants</b></i> to kill this forest. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Someone
already has killed the Joshua tree forest out at Meadview, Arizona.
And Cadiz Inc. wants to drain the water out from under them in
California. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Desert
valley forests are the most threatened forests in the West. And there
weren't many of them in the first place. What we could be witnessing
here is the decline of an ecosystem – like the coral bleaching of
the Great Barrier Reef. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
it doesn't have to be that way. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Southern
Nevada has options. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One
of those options is to improve Nevada Water Law. But that's not going
to happen. Assembly Bill 298, introduced this 2017 Nevada Legislative
session, had numerous changes that expedited taking every drop. They
wanted to <i><b>drastically</b></i> weaken existing water rights and
protections for the Environment. Essentially, they wanted to water
mine. And they even wanted to be exempt from judicial review.
Moreover, AB298 improperly prioritized “mitigation water” so that
even more conflicts would have occurred. Which is compounded by the
exemption from the permitting process to take water from <i><b>some
place else</b></i> to use as mitigation water – which further
propagates the exploitation to even more areas. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Southern
Nevada has options. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another
one of those options is to build PV solar power facilities to trade
solar power for desalinated water. The solar power could be generated
on Lake Mead, to reduce evaporative losses. The solar power could be
sent to California on Hoover Dam power lines. And the solar power
could desalinate water on the Coast. This could provide Californians
with desalinated water, which could be traded for more water for
Southern Nevada from the Colorado River. No pipeline necessary. This
idea even won an MIT award. And maybe most importantly; the authors
claimed the SNWA customers could save eight billion dollars over the
Watergrab. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Southern
Nevada has options. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another
option is not to drive Southern Nevada to crisis by growing too fast.
Which means being truthful to people developers want to move to
Southern Nevada. And the truth is; with exponential growth, it's just
a matter of time until there won't be enough to go around. However,
the predictions of population growth that the SNWA uses show gradual
linear population growth in Southern Nevada until 2055. Now think
about how absurd that is. The rest of the population of the Earth is
growing exponentially – just from people having babies. And on top
of that; Southern Nevada developers want back explosive growth, like
the “good old days” when thousands of people a month moved to
Southern Nevada. But apparently, the only way they can pull that con
off is to tell people there <i><b>won't</b></i> be explosive growth.
That's lying; to sucker people to move to a place without enough
water. Greed is driving Southern Nevada to crisis. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Somebody
wants to “use” this water. Like somehow it isn't being used here.
</span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Southern
Nevada has options. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They
don't have to pay billions to commit ecocide. </span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-53801347305601900962017-02-01T23:09:00.001-08:002017-02-01T23:09:16.854-08:00Water Taker Fail #3There will be an effort to gut Nevada water law in the Nevada Legislature... again.<br />
<br />
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<br />Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-12342051091856472132017-01-24T08:58:00.001-08:002017-01-24T08:58:47.431-08:00Water Taker Fail #2There is a better option.<br />
Here's why:<br />
<br />
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<br />Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-61098114835039468542017-01-16T05:13:00.002-08:002017-01-16T05:13:41.529-08:00Water Taker Fail #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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Expect another attempt in the Nevada Legislature to gut Nevada water law so that speculators and watergrabbers can soak Nevadans. Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-28296077199019214702016-12-13T11:51:00.000-08:002016-12-13T11:51:15.427-08:00Trash to Treasure Fabrication Facility
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
Ely Shoshone Tribe (EST) needs to focus on projects that promote self
reliance, sustainability, adaptive potential, and profit potential. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There
is a world-wide “maker” movement developing a set of fabrication
processes that help on all of these issues. However, most makers are
individuals, without the time to fully realize all of the possible
potential of a small factory. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
recommend that the EST consider helping start a facility utilizing a
number of small, relatively inexpensive tools together to create a
fabrication facility for custom and small factory output. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
parts built could be made of various plastics, aluminum, copper,
brass, silver, gold, and other low melting temperature metals. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Consider
this: </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">80%
of the plastic made today does not get recycled. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Which
means there is a huge potential <i><b>free</b></i> feedstock for
recycled plastic components. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Those
components could be cast, milled, or 3D printed – and castings made
from them can be used to cast metal parts. (Moreover, the aluminum
parts could be made from aluminum scrap.) Home-built tool designs
exist online that inexpensively accomplish these tasks. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
it may sound; this is too big a project for any individual to handle
on their own. It should be done as a cooperative. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
can help. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
am willing to purchase a LulzBot TAZ 6 3D printer (cost $2500) as
part of my buy-in to the cooperative. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But
I need a facility, help collecting recycled plastic, help building
the plastic recycling tools, resources to build those tools, and help
operating the facility. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
should not be a substantial burden on the EST. But I need the help of
Tribal members and/or students to realize this dream. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If
there is an interest, please let me know. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Rick
Spilsbury</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Preliminary Technical Overview</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
would like to see this project function as a cooperative. So, rather
than tell you what to do, I'd prefer to point out the issues and we
can work them out together. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">1.
First things first; a fabrication shop needs needs a location. I
think one of the buildings behind the Charter School would be ideal.
In part, because we could work together with the students.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">2.
A fab shop needs something to fabricate. And used plastic is free.
If we could explain what we were doing to the school, the students
might be willing to bring us their waste plastic for recycling –
and help us sort it by putting each type of plastic in its respective
box.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">3.
The plastic needs to be processed for storage and use – shred.
That means we need a shredder. The website <a href="http://preciousplastic.com/">PreciousPlastic.com</a>
has plans for building a thermoplastic shredder. The design is rather
straightforward, but welding skills and fab shop tools are
temporarily required. I believe someone in town has a plasma cutting
table. So, cutting the components is something that can be
outsourced. I can help by sourcing components and assembling the
shredder assembly. Or, we could buy a shredder at retail price from
<a href="https://www.filabot.com/">Filabot.com</a> for $4200. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">4.
At this point, we pretty much have to figure out what we want to
make first. PreciousPlastic.com also has instructions for building a
compressor oven, an injection molder, and an extruder. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> a.
A compressor oven works best on large and more solid objects.
Additionally, those solid objects could be later carved into
masterpieces in a CNC milling machine. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> b.
Injection molding can create many complex parts quickly, but require
molds. One option is for a CNC milling machine to cut these molds
from aluminum. The other option is to “lost wax” cast the molds
from hand-carved foam, CNC milled wax, or 3D printed PLA plastic.
This gives us an option to save money. We can make complex injection
molds with either a CNC milling machine <i><b>or</b></i> a 3D
printer. Initially, we don't need both.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> c.
An extruder could make filament for 3D printers – which might make
us money the quickest and/or save us a lot of money on our own 3D
prints. But we would have to buy a spooler. A spooler from
Filabot.com costs $1200. And if we don't want to build our own
extruder, its retail cost is $2500. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">5.
Now it's time to brainstorm. What would you like to build?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
would like to build: </span>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">an
aluminum bracket to mount a ski to the front fork of a fat mountain
bike (combined with an electric hub motor, this would be a hybrid
human powered snowmobile). </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">aluminum
bicycle, kickbike, and scooter lugs (that could be glued to any tube
material to make custom fitted rides right in a retailer's store) </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Custom
designed jewelry</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">lego/puzzle
designed plastic components to construct custom recycled plastic
furniture (bookcases, desks, drawers, and cabinets)</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">custom
shoe soles</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">aluminum
components of suspensions attached to frames of a hybrid human
powered ATV</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">brass
and recycled plastic belt buckles</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">hollow
translucent greenhouse bricks</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Your
turn. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Go
ahead and be artsy. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">For
instance; melted aluminum can be poured into the cracks of wood to
make beautiful furniture, picture frames, etc. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Remember:
</span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
people who buy recycled plastics often want to show it off. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Some
plastics can be used in place of wood. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Existing
physical shapes can be 3D scanned. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Anything
designed with CAD software will be easier to modify. </span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">and...</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Some
3D printed designs cannot be replicated in castings. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Anything
3D printed or CNC milled will take significantly longer to produce. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Neither
the recycled plastics nor the recycled aluminum will be as strong as
materials specifically made for the item. (Which means they will
have to be designed slightly heavier.) </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Anything
cast from metal will require a kiln.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">6.
Which brings us to the subject of how to fire the castings and melt
the metals. I think a kiln in the far back end of the parking lot
behind the buildings behind the School is a great location. Far away
enough to not be dangerous, but close enough to conveniently utilize
in school projects. It would be fired by propane. But I have seen
wood fired rocket stoves online. (And maybe someday we could make our
own hydrogen to fire it.) A kiln could also be used to fire pottery.
(If someone local has experience with kilns, that would sure be
nice.) </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">7. Components
can be designed on anyone's computer with free CAD software. Which
means build requests could come in from anywhere. Moreover, many
designs are available for download. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">8. By
having the capacity to construct our own components gives us the
capacity to build our own machines. <a href="http://opensourceecology.org/gvcs/">OpenSourceEcology.org</a>
has collected what they call a “Global Village Construction Set”
- a set of easy fabrication DIY plans for 50 low cost industrial
machines. They are sharing these designs online for free – with the
hopes that we can build small, sustainable civilizations with modern
comforts. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Proposed Business Structure</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
with most businesses, there will be no income initially. Tools will
need to be purchased. Work will need to be done. And on top of that,
we will need to organize into a functional group. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike
most businesses, cooperatives are democratic institutions. Which
means, without someone to order us around, we need to write by-laws
before we can start. But of course, that means there has to be a
“we.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If
EST tribal members are interested in forming a limited liability
corporation manufacturing cooperative, please call me, Rick
Spilsbury, at 775-235-7557. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
hope to run the Fabrication Shop something like a library. Use of the
shop will be shared amongst cooperative members. Non-members can pay
rent to use the Fab Shop. Contracted work will have to be figured out
as needed. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
with most cooperatives, there will be a buy-in fee to provide the
cooperative with start-up funds. And as with most cooperatives, you
don't have to be a member to help out. But if you help out enough,
your labor counts towards your membership fee. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
ultimate pay off for this project should be self-sufficiency and
respectable long-term earnings. But initially, we will need help from
the EST. We have no money for rent. And building the machines to
recycle plastic and cast aluminum will take money – even though we
will be making them from “junkyard” parts. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If
there are talented people in the EST who want to help with the
welding and construction of the machines and kiln, we're set. But if
not, we will have to either find others willing to help, or pay
others willing to help. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
estimate initial costs will run in the low thousands – depending
upon what tools we invest in. To make complex parts, we will need
either a 3D printer or a CNC milling machine. However, initially; we
could carve simple parts out of wax or foam by hand – and then use
lost wax casting techniques to make molds. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Which
means; with a little help and a lot of participation we could be
fabricating parts and arts up to a little bigger than a basketball –
out of plastics and low melting temperature metals. The profits will
be shared fairly. And not only will some EST members be employed, but
they may also receive on the job training. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
project will promote self-reliance by setting up manufacturing on
Tribal land. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
project will promote sustainability by recycling unused plastic and
aluminum waste. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
project will assist our adaptive potential by providing tools to
build most anything solid (within it's size and material limits). </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And
this project will assist profit potential for artists, mechanics,
inventors, and manufacturers. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We
can turn trash into treasure, make money, and maybe even <i><b>export</b></i>
goods from White Pine County. The technology to do this is now
affordable. The skills required to draw a CAD (Computer Aided
Drafting) description of your part are not that hard to learn. And
moreover, we can have fun making things we cannot buy. </span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-10493616602590723912016-11-29T07:48:00.000-08:002016-11-29T09:29:38.769-08:00the oil companies own our asses because we keep giving them money<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWKFJL2CgBGP4I_VyRJwlPauhyphenhyphennyfJM_f6Alw71CXPp1miwIojXo9xuVR0W17xsh7bvPXnedPwRK3hqSwMykDnSgR8G2Pa3LFEtK2l7ReYvhJ2u3yDb8AeWrtdvssnK1jt3Nq/s1600/banana+republic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWKFJL2CgBGP4I_VyRJwlPauhyphenhyphennyfJM_f6Alw71CXPp1miwIojXo9xuVR0W17xsh7bvPXnedPwRK3hqSwMykDnSgR8G2Pa3LFEtK2l7ReYvhJ2u3yDb8AeWrtdvssnK1jt3Nq/s1600/banana+republic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The United States has become a banana republic. The mainstream media won't report it. But there is a pattern to the disintegration of our democracy. This has
happened four times now since the year 2000 – where the frontrunner
Presidential candidate, who had committed to do something about
Climate Change, has lost due to cheating (such as gerrymandering,
poll closures in poor communities, purging of voter rolls, likely
remote control of vote counting, and essentially every other dirty
trick in the book). Those unfortunate candidates were Al Gore, John
Kerry, Bernie Sanders, and now <a href="http://www.gregpalast.com/election-stolen-heres/">Hillary
Clinton</a>. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Allow
me to quote the <a href="http://www.palmerreport.com/opinion/youre-not-just-imagining-it-the-hillary-clinton-vs-donald-trump-vote-totals-do-look-rigged/104/">Palmer
Report</a> about the 2016 election: </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.56in; page-break-before: auto;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;">In order to believe that
the official vote tallies are legitimate, you have to accept that <i>all</i>
of the above legitimately happened: African-Americans in the south
went from turning out in droves for Hillary Clinton in the primary to
not caring if she won the general election. Donald Trump got
sixty-something percent of the same-day voting in Florida. The
polling averages were wrong for the first time in modern history.
Trump beat his poll numbers despite having spent the primary season
tending to fall below them. Clinton fell below her poll numbers
despite having spent the primary season tending to beat them. In
every state where Trump pulled off a shocking upset victory, he just
happened to do it with one percent of the vote. And in an election
that everyone cared particularly deeply about, no one really turned
out to vote at all. I can accept any one of the above things
happening as an isolated fluke. I cannot accept <i>all</i> the above
happening. And so for once in my evidence-driven career, I’m left
to believe that the conspiracy theorists are right: the vote tallies
are rigged.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Want
to know who's behind all of this? Follow the money. What giant
industry has the most to gain by electing Climate Change denying
Republicans? We all know the oil companies have pumped <i><b>huge</b></i>
sums of money into the elections. We all know the oil companies spend
<i><b>huge</b></i> sums of money advertising on mass media (obviously
to manipulate our news). And we all should know that this is <i><b>our</b></i>
money being used against us. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOXgcTPWu6ANiAYH12geZh6p1fVfjbPWKGoSZDPI7XZi-ffZ5RgGkpu80HCrcSSoI4nqIeFWnheR_b6-V2sLAfAsoT7kjSLc3wC5zW7jBa-AoH7RVPeOBxRRBzafptZ0FCQKN/s1600/Koch+money.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOXgcTPWu6ANiAYH12geZh6p1fVfjbPWKGoSZDPI7XZi-ffZ5RgGkpu80HCrcSSoI4nqIeFWnheR_b6-V2sLAfAsoT7kjSLc3wC5zW7jBa-AoH7RVPeOBxRRBzafptZ0FCQKN/s320/Koch+money.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">They
now have the capacity to steal a landslide election. And they may
have had that ability for quite a few years now. Maybe that's why
Obama's energy policy pretty much up until the end of his second term
has been “all of the above.” Maybe that's why pro-renewable
Energy Czar Van Jones stepped down without a fight. Maybe Obama
suspected that there was literally no way he would ever win an
election if he tried to do something about Climate Change – no
matter how many people voted for him. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It's
now blatantly obvious that the oil companies care more about keeping
their multi-billion dollar income streams than the truth, our
democracy, or even the future of life on the planet. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">A
recent study, published in <a href="http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/10/e1600873.full">Science
(Advances)</a> has concluded that if carbon dioxide emissions
continue on their current trajectory, the U.S. West will have a
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/10/megadroughts-arizona-new-mexico/503531/">greater
than 90% probability of a megadrought</a>. This is <i><b>very</b></i>
serious. A megadrought decimated the Anasazi civilization – and
there are millions more people now living in the Western States. Need
I remind you that the most recent drought death toll for trees in
California now is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/18/dead-trees-california-drought-wildfires-forest-services">over
100 million</a> trees. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5NQFvoMSeXeJ-CD-ApgX_CqReLSD1zo4t_D8c5S2Y90NY-2xDgveBJVekZCsONnNRRTCkZwXUJPWzwBV3ETMmpmCeWnjx0L6WKC9VzEoO4USmzxGp7cVHYorhmOBjSKhuZTg/s1600/pie-chart-climate.png.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5NQFvoMSeXeJ-CD-ApgX_CqReLSD1zo4t_D8c5S2Y90NY-2xDgveBJVekZCsONnNRRTCkZwXUJPWzwBV3ETMmpmCeWnjx0L6WKC9VzEoO4USmzxGp7cVHYorhmOBjSKhuZTg/s320/pie-chart-climate.png.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Twenty
years ago, everyone (Republican and Democrat) agreed that we <i><b>had</b></i>
to do something about Global warming. Yet today, with the scientists'
most dire climate predictions literally <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/11/28/coral-was-cooked-2016-deadliest-year-record-great-barrier-reef">coming
true</a> (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/25/arctic-ice-melt-trigger-uncontrollable-climate-change-global-level">or
worse</a>); there is controversy. It's so blatantly obvious that
money, not common sense, has changed the politicians minds. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
former President Jimmy Carter recently said; America has become an
“oligarchy with unlimited political bribery.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTH0i6iDCsf_YB3f_twkgxV1ijuO-gX7ZPvlYibuocUPvic-1N2N6VaeMVcDRby2m8e0pFs-PRGgcsnC8qXcJcCnwzzRSFkgKchO6mZXbJzH7hJ_eLGrJFDsQjZ3uoinC3Oia/s1600/Energy_Subsidies_Black_Not_Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTH0i6iDCsf_YB3f_twkgxV1ijuO-gX7ZPvlYibuocUPvic-1N2N6VaeMVcDRby2m8e0pFs-PRGgcsnC8qXcJcCnwzzRSFkgKchO6mZXbJzH7hJ_eLGrJFDsQjZ3uoinC3Oia/s320/Energy_Subsidies_Black_Not_Green.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Subsidies
and tax breaks are the only reason fossil fuels are still
competitive with renewable energy – and there is no end in sight
for these subsidies – no matter how many billions the oil
companies make.</span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Fracking
is essentially trading fresh water for oil and gas. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Deep
water oil drilling is so risky we're practically guaranteed more big
spills. </span> </div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And
going to war over oil hasn't made us safer. It has only driven us
further into debt. </span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless,
for another four years, we can expect a repeat of Bush/Cheney oil
politics. Which means there will likely be even more war. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.56in; page-break-before: auto;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">(There has recently been a
revolution in biology, and for the first time in history there may
soon be biblically effective biological weapons. Which means that the
election cheaters have likely given an obvious racist access to
weapons that might be able to kill off whole races of people. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.56in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.56in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But do the oil companies care?
The First World burns most of the gas. So, if the poor of the world
were to die off, that would just mean the First World could burn more
gas. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.56in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.56in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm not saying that a biowar
is inevitable. But the destruction of our democracy is well under
way. And the consequences of that could be far worse than we ever
imagined.) </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We
now know that government <i><b>really </b></i><i><b>is</b></i> the
problem – so long as it is a puppet of the fossil fuel industries. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Fortunately,
we <i><b>can</b></i> do something about the destruction of our
democracy, the addictive dependence of our economy on oil, and the
mass extinctions already happening in our Environment. This too, is
obvious. We can stop buying oil products. That's it. Without as much
money, they won't be nearly as powerful. Stop <i><b>feeding</b></i>
the beasts! </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This
won't be easy. But the alternative appears to be living in a fascist
state with a failing economy due to a collapsing Environment – or
worse. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I
already drive as little as possible, keep my earth-bermed house below
60 degrees in the Winter, installed solar panels, and grow a garden
so I won't have to import <i><b>all</b></i> my vegetables from the
other side of the planet… But that just isn't enough. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">So
I've decided to do this: </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">(Will
it be enough? Of course not, but I've got to do <i><b>something</b></i>.)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm
designing an electric scooter – that will hopefully replace some
(maybe even many) cars soon. It will be different from all the
scooters now available – especially how it will be marketed. I hope
to start a local cooperative to help in making components for it from
recycled materials. And then I plan to provide custom frame kits that
can be assembled right in the local bike shop. I'm convinced that
this fair marketing concept could provide promotable value to local
manufacturers and independent bicycle retailers. We might even change
Capitalism a little...</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">More
on this later. </span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-51667547093640773032016-08-11T18:01:00.000-07:002016-08-11T18:01:31.498-07:00How I found my “happy place” - and cured my allergies
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I'll warn you now that I
will be writing about death. But my intent is to write about life.
Actually, I intend to write about maximizing my experience of life.
And the best way to maximize our experiences is to live them healthy.
And the healthiest way to live is with humility. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I have learned at least
twice now in my life how vitally important humility actually is. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">When I was young, I had
bad sinus allergies. During allergy season, my sinuses were running
all the time. There was constant sneezing. One sinus or the other was
plugged up most of the time. And of course, I was miserable. This
lasted for a few weeks out of the year, every year, since about the
time my brother died. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I hadn't really thought
about this until I just wrote that…</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
…</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">My bother's death was a
tragedy. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Tragedy results in fear.
Fear leads to overreaction.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The classic coyote story
conundrum... I wanted to control the uncontrollable. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I wasn't religious. So, I
couldn't just pray and wait. I had to do something. And that
something was to be prepared for any circumstance. I wasn't a gun nut
or anything. But I was always on alert. Always trying to be aware.
Always a little afraid. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I wasn't paranoid.
Actually, I thought I was doing just fine. In the eyes of society;
was. Good at school. Never got into trouble. I was afraid to even
hang out with the bad kids. (Of course, that might have turned out to
have been a good decision.) </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">My point is that I wanted
to control the uncontrollable – my life. And I was smart enough to
think that maybe I could. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But it would take a lot of
effort. Emotionally, I never rested. I was over-stressed (quite a
common condition, I hear.) And, of course, I had sinus allergies,
which added to my stress. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But one day, when I was
about 14 years old, the stress and the illness were just too much for
me. I wasn't about to put up with the sinus problems any more. I had
to mow the lawn that day. I was expecting a sinus event and I was not
looking forward to it. So, I was desperate enough to try something
different. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I accepted my
vulnerability, summoned my inner peace, and confronted my issues
without fear… and instantly I no longer had allergies any more. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It was amazing. It was as
if I had just decided not to have allergies – and it worked. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But I never documented
what I did. And since there wasn't a problem any more, I ceased to
think about it. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">At least, I ceased to
think about it until my late 40's – when my sinus allergies came
back… and I couldn't repeat what I achieved back when I was 14. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I guess watching my
parents getting old was freaking me out. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I dread the anguish of
them passing. I dread the loneliness. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There it was again –
that urge to control the uncontrollable. There I was again –
wishing I could do something to prevent death and dying – rather
than accepting death as a part of life. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As I look back at it –
it seems silly. We might be able to extend our lives – but we all
will eventually die. Nonetheless, somewhere deep down inside of me; I
did not want to accept that. I wanted to believe I could avoid the
pain. So, I constantly worried about it. And I suspect that because
of that; my stress levels rose. And because that, I wasn't living at
optimum level. And I suspect because of that; my sinus allergies came
back. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I tried for years, every
Fall; to repeat what I had achieved back when I was young. It helped.
But I couldn't quite go back to that mental state I had had for
decades. It was so frustrating – which, of course, made it worse. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Last Fall, my allergies
got bad enough that I ended up with an ear infection. Fortunately,
antibiotics took care of it – but there's something very scary
about having an infection so close to my brain. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As I write this, it is
mid-July – just about the time my allergies come back. I wasn't
looking forward to it. But I thought at least I could go outside for
a while before things got bad again. So, I decided to go backpacking.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I love the mountains. I
love to spend time in them. I love the feeling of being away from it
all – while at the same time being right in the middle of what
really matters. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">My plan was simple –
four days, out and back, alone. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This would be the first
time I'd ever been backpacking alone. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I'd camped alone, and it
felt a little lonely. So, I haven't really gone out often alone. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">(Good news: I never felt
lonely. But more on that later…)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As I said earlier; I
healed myself when I was young simply with an epiphany. I don't
believe it's necessary to go out on some kind of walkabout alone in
the wilderness to rid yourself of an allergy – but it worked for
me. I needed time away from the distractions. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I now know why I wanted to
be away for a while – alone. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I was holding onto
irrational fear. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I needed to let it go. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I needed time to myself to
learn about me. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As I look back; I've
always been a little edgy outdoors – almost to the point of being
jumpy. I've always tried to be alert – maybe a little too alert. If
a bug touched my skin, I'd immediately jump. If a leaf touched my
skin, I'd immediately jump. If I saw flowers, I'd be worried that
maybe they would stir up my allergies. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, none of this
kept me indoors. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But I could have had a
better time outdoors. I could have been happier. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">On the first two days of
my hike, my nose ran and ran. I was too late. It was allergy season
already. I did what it seemed like I always did, I put up with it –
hoping it would go away. Which, of course, it didn't. (Probiotics
have helped. My favorites are Natures Plus ear, nose, & throat
lozenges and kimchi. Of course, I didn't have any kimchi with me.) </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">By the morning of the
third day; I was beginning to feel good with sleeping on the ground,
exposed and vulnerable. It was then that I noticed that my sinuses
weren't quite as bad as they had been. I had slept in a meadow... and
I wasn't a wreck. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This inspired me to take
the next step: </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I was siting on the branch
of a fallen tree under the shade of another tree at the edge of a
meadow. I didn't have my shirt on and the tall grass was rubbing
lightly up against my bare back. I could see there was no risk, but
up until then being touched by these grasses made me feel
uncomfortable. But it was my choice to sit there. And for the past
two days I had been reminding myself that these plants were my
friends (and that I just didn't know it yet). So, I decided to treat
them like friends. I let them rub lightly against my back until I
felt truly comfortable with it. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And almost instantly I was
healed. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9mys7kq66mubDR9ZJpB4AynhgvyqBAOyhoGqDXM8hFu2Ag-EwaYv2AbhThMyhGEYdKGna1sLWEisRH8I8FAApDLo-IpF875j9cy-y5-_Bqfp5Q4Q0LVD-BPppZ0oeD8YagRh/s1600/P1010624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9mys7kq66mubDR9ZJpB4AynhgvyqBAOyhoGqDXM8hFu2Ag-EwaYv2AbhThMyhGEYdKGna1sLWEisRH8I8FAApDLo-IpF875j9cy-y5-_Bqfp5Q4Q0LVD-BPppZ0oeD8YagRh/s320/P1010624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This experience reminds me
of the Christian “Serenity” prayer. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Actually, this prayer is
not from the Bible. It was written in the 1930's by an American
theologian. Which means these common sense words were not written in
stone. So I created my own version:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I grant
myself the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">the courage
to change the things I can,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">and the
wisdom to know the difference. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...Because, for the most
part; I'm the one who decides whether to be serene, courageous, or
wise. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And now I know: I've tried
being too courageous, and it's cost me serenity. That's wisdom
learned the hard way. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I had found my “happy
place” and I had been right there all along. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">When I learned to feel at
peace with the world, I suddenly learned how to stop fighting it
unnecessarily. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It felt like I was home
out in the wilderness. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And now; the flowers are
more beautiful to me than they ever have been before. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
…</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">At my campsite on the
fourth morning, I heard a cry out from behind the brush and trees
above me less than 100 meters away. It sounded like a fawn. And it
sounded like mountain lion was trying to kill it. Then it cried out
again. And again and again. It was a terrible sound I won't soon
forget. And it reminded me of something. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I am going to die. I am
going to die someday. No matter what I do. My death will happen. It
will probably be painful. It will likely involve a lot of anguish and
grief. I might even be screaming in pain like that poor fawn I could
hear – calling out, over and over again for a rescue that was never
coming – for an option it didn't have – for a chance to change
the past. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I imagined it was me. I
imagined myself screaming in anguish. I imagined this as an allegory
for my future – and that it was inevitable. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In some ways, my life is
no more under my control than the ants I had carelessly stepped on
while I was hiking. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The thoughts were awful,
but liberating. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In a way, I had been lying
to myself. Somewhere, deep down in my almost subconscious thoughts; I
believed that I could defend myself from the inevitable. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">While I've been preparing
for the worst, looking everywhere for ghosts, and fighting windmills;
I've been missing out on life. I could rest now. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Later on, I also realized
that everyone I care about is destined to die. It is likely I am
destined to hear some of them screaming in anguish too. That is my
fate. And though I could probably change things for the worse, I
won't be able to change things for the better. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
…</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Since my epiphany; I
noticed (while on a somewhat frustrating mountain bike ride) that
when I started feeling overly vulnerable, I started to sneeze again.
Stress from the fear of crashing my mountain bike and the pounding of
my body against the rocks appears to trigger a mild allergic reaction
in me. Apparently; I'm allergic to crashing. Actually I'm allergic to
the thought that I cannot control my actions on a mountain bike –
and that I cannot avoid trauma. I occasionally spaz. Even though I've
been riding for 30 years now, I still seem to forget <i><b>everything</b></i>
once in a while. That leads to an almost mild panic attack. I can
still ride, I just don't ride as well – or enjoy it as much...
Stress does that. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Humility is now my best
defense from stress. I have to admit to myself that I cannot keep
myself perfectly safe. It isn't possible. It isn't even worth the
effort to try. I'm not a perfect rider, and therefore I will make
mistakes. If there wasn't a risk, it wouldn't be as exciting. And if
I'm not willing to get scuffed up once in a while, go find another
sport... I'm not willing to quit. So, I have to accept that someday I
will likely fall... and it's not worth worrying about. I have to
accept my vulnerability – and own it. And when I relax, I ride so
much better. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
…</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">About a couple of weeks
after my epiphany, I woke up one morning with my sinuses all stuffed
up again. It took me the rest of the day practicing what I had
learned to get back to a well state. Apparently, I had somehow
dreamed about something that brought back my allergies. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And oddly, when I first
got my allergies back as an adult, it started when I witnessed
someone else with allergy problems. It was as if I caught her
allergies. But I think for me it was more like I caught a yawn that
wouldn't go away. I guess, in a way, empathy can spread disease. By
empathetically feeling her pain, I must have somehow copied her
painful process. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The word psychosomatic
comes to mind – but only for me. I make no assessment of anyone
else's allergies. I also am not bothered to be labeled as once having
a psychosomatic illness. I did nothing wrong – except to
unknowingly overreact to a perceived health threat. I learned from
the experience. And now I feel healthier in multiple ways. We all
have health issues throughout our lives. What's important is that we
heal. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now, when my sinuses act
up – which they sometimes still do a little; I repeatedly remind
myself not to fight it… and I don't – and neither does my body.
That's not only peaceful, it's empowering. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
…</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Though I made it sound
like I accomplished all of this by myself, I had a lot of help: </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I want to thank
chiropractor Joseph D. Kepo'o for the balloon treatment he performed
that opened up my sinus cavities. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I want to thank Chinese
medicine doctor Robert Cozzie for helping me understand how to turn
what Western doctors condescendingly call the “placebo effect”
into my primary health strategy. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I want to thank life coach
Carol Reynolds for giving me permission to be this honest with
myself. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And I want to thank my
Native ancestors for living a healthy sustainable life in this
beautiful place so that I too could enjoy it now – more like they
did than I ever have before. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-76082842414611562232016-04-29T21:08:00.002-07:002016-04-29T21:08:39.135-07:00Speakin' Out IIThis was my second "public comment" at the Legislative Commission's Subcommittee to Study Water on April 22, 2016:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of the biggest
faults of Nevada Water Law has been with us since it was originally
written. And looking back, the reason is obvious. Back when the
miners, ranchers and farmers got together to divy up Nevada's water;
they obviously didn't want to share any with the Indians. So they
defined water “use” as <i><b>not</b></i> what Indians did with
water. In other words, Nevada Water Law essentially does <i><b>not</b></i>
define truly <i><b>sustainable</b></i> water use as “use.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is a crucial
flaw that has ultimately led us in the misguided direction and
over-appropriated condition we now find ourselves.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In my opinion;
Nevada water law, at it's very core, promotes waste.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because Nevada water
law considers truly sustainable use as waste.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The irony is
terrifying.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Essentially, here in
the desert; the only legal use of water is to expend it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My ancestors have
lived sustainably here for over 10,000 years. But with
over-appropriated water use, many parts of Nevada could be
uninhabitable in less than 200 years.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nevada water law
needs to more rationally consider sustainable use, the environment
that supports sustainable use, and future generations that will
depend on us sustainably using what water there is.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We critically need
to start thinking long-term while that option is still available to
us.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-66793305774560263932016-04-29T21:03:00.001-07:002016-04-29T21:03:59.409-07:00Speakin' Out
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This was my first "public comment" at the Legislative Commission's Subcommittee to Study Water on April 22, 2016: </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Please don't
commodify Nevada's water.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I warn you now; we
will <i><b>not</b></i> want to pay speculator driven “market”
prices for our water.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We already have
hedge funds investing in Nevada's water. Obviously, they're hoping
that the “market price” will go through the roof. In Australia,
where the commodification of water has been called “unbundling,”
speculators have drastically driven up the price of water for water
users. Consequently a huge number of farms have been driven out of
business, urban users have faced severe restrictions, and Australia's
environment has suffered dire consequences.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Israel, where
there is no legal doctrine of prior appropriation rights; some
Israelis have claimed that they have solved their water problems with
a free-market solution. Of course; most Americans have now realized
that the term free-market actually means; the freedom for the
powerful to <i><b>take</b></i> from the rest of us. Part of Israel's
“solution” is to take water from the Palestinians. There are
places in Palestine where the Palestinians and their crops go thirsty
because the water under their feet is being exported to Israel. As a
Rural Nevadan of Native American heritage, I don't want to be treated
like Israel treats Palestinians.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I can see where the
SNWA would want to change Nevada's water laws so that the water from
the ranches they bought can be exported. But commodification is <i><b>not</b></i>
the way to do it. The cost to <i><b>everyone</b></i> in the State is
not worth it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the end; if all
that matters about water is the price, only those with money to pay
the over-inflated prices will have water.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-30972159016062451532015-10-12T22:19:00.003-07:002015-10-12T22:19:50.719-07:00Unbundling Water Rights = Unrestrained Exploitation
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the
appointments to the Nevada Drought Forum did <i><b>not</b></i>
include <i><b>anyone</b></i> from Rural Nevada areas at risk of
having our water taken, we in Rural Nevada were suspicious. Now we
know why. The Nevada Drought Forum has recommended that we cast aside
Nevada water law (that has served us for over a century) and start
over with a new set of rules – which they call the “unbundling of
water rights.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again and again we
have seen in America that when the law doesn't allow the greedy to
take what they want, the greedy try to change the law. They usually
try to do this behind the scenes – with the least amount of
democratic process. And they try to convince us this is all for our
own good – by wrapping themselves in the “freedom” flag of
“free” trade. But for decades now, we have seen that “free”
trade has nothing to do with “fair” trade. Follow the money. The
filthy rich are getting richer, and the rest of us are not.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span id="goog_639934937"></span><span id="goog_639934938"></span><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over a decade ago,
we saw the world reject water privatization as an instrument for
price gouging, anti-competitive behavior, corrupt practice, and
fraud. But being discredited doesn't stop the greedy. They just
repackage the scam, come up with new terms, and try to change the
laws again.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqnSkpBXSH8hGZPrkK2L6DW3hW8sA0iS2sh_k2Ouf5mhRMURJYX_v8vbafPpQo72rFPWE9tFENAfJmeX6p6PXPLJciHaK9XWpH4J7KkjUeCOF_PxHtmuCoHHlD0eS6AJNVPGP/s1600/Naturebarcode.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqnSkpBXSH8hGZPrkK2L6DW3hW8sA0iS2sh_k2Ouf5mhRMURJYX_v8vbafPpQo72rFPWE9tFENAfJmeX6p6PXPLJciHaK9XWpH4J7KkjUeCOF_PxHtmuCoHHlD0eS6AJNVPGP/s320/Naturebarcode.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's blatantly
obvious that “unbundling” of water rights is an intentionally
obscure term for the commodification of water. And commodification is
the key to unrestrained exploitation. With commodification there can
be speculation. With speculation, expect high prices. But that's just
the tip of the exploitation tsunami.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Michael Young –
Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions/Duke University
report <a href="https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/water/publications/unbundling-water-rights-blueprint-development-robust-water-allocation-systems-western#.VhNsbpdaa8A"><b>Unbundling
Water Rights: </b></a><a href="https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/water/publications/unbundling-water-rights-blueprint-development-robust-water-allocation-systems-western#.VhNsbpdaa8A"><b>A
Blueprint for Development of Robust Water Allocation Systems in the
Western United States</b></a> proclaims that “the key difference
between the current and proposed governance systems is the
appointment of boards that take over many of the responsibilities
currently undertaken by the courts.” Now think about that… an
appointed board (The Nevada Drought Forum) recommends that appointed
boards take over the duties of the courts. This “take over”
implies that the greedy have been losing in the courts.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Repeatedly, the
Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has been losing in the courts
in their attempts to take water from Rural Nevada with their
Groundwater Development Project (<a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/">The
</a><a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/">SNWA </a><a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/">Watergrab</a>).
One of the primary reasons Nevada Courts have ruled against SNWA has
been the potential detrimental effects on senior water rights
holders. So; now we have an appointed board (The Nevada Drought
Forum), essentially headed by SNWA General Manager John Entsminger,
recommending that we effectively get rid of senior water rights and
the courts. The implications are obvious.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But we don't have to
speculate. Unbundling has been practiced elsewhere. There are
examples worldwide. The Michael Young/Nicholas Institute/Duke
University <b>Unbundling Water Rights </b>report cites Australia as a
successful example. But not everyone considers the “unbundling”
of water in Australia to be such a success. In fact, <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-26/douglaswater/2731364"><b>ABC
Australia</b></a><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-26/douglaswater/2731364">
reported</a> that “The water market conspicuously failed to live up
to the expectations of the National Water Initiative, driving down
water storages in the Murray-Darling Basin to critically low levels
at a time when conservation should have been paramount. The dire
consequences for the environment, communities and economy of the
Basin were clear for all to see… For eight long years the nation's
most vital river was not allowed to flow into the sea.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now wait a minute.
The Michael Young report repeatedly uses the word “robust” to
define unbundling. They even define “robust” to mean; “that the
resultant water rights, allocation, and governance systems are
designed to work well during times of extreme stress.” Of course,
they didn't define what “work well” means. Allow me to help. It
appears “work well” in Australia's case means outside investors
made lots of money.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A large number of
offshore players have been quite active in Australia's water market.
But the greedy have been keen on covering their tracks. Australian
water law prohibits public access to details on water rights holders.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Back in the days of
water privatization; foreign companies came in and bought up water
companies and did a poor job of delivering water to consumers at
hyper-inflated prices. Now, with unbundled water rights, foreign
companies can simply buy up water rights and sell them back to
consumers at hyper-inflated prices. The big difference is that now
those companies don't have to deliver any water. All they have to do
is speculate. In other words, unbundling is actually easier to
exploit than privatization.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And what about the
Michael Young/Nicholas Institute/Duke University <b>Unbundling Water
Rights </b>report that claims that unbundling will “improve
environmental outcomes”? The claim sounds impressive, but there
wasn't any explanation of how this would inevitably happen because of
unbundling. Moreover, Adrian Walsh of the University of New England,
in <a href="http://publicreason.ro/articol/56"><b>The Commodification
of the Public Service of Water: A Normative Perspective</b></a>,
states: “Commodification will, in most cases, be at odds with
commonly endorsed environmental values and will limit any
government's ability to act in an environmentally sensitive and
sustainable manner.” Admittedly, the <b>Unbundling Water Rights</b>
report did mention that the environment could be protected if Nevada
writes separate “plans” (laws) to protect the environment. But
don't expect any significant environmental protections in a State
with a Republican Governor, Senate, and House. (Of course, we didn't
expect the Democrats to protect us either. The last Democratic
candidate for Governor was a former head of SNWA.)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, after
Australia's environmental misery with unbundling, commodification's
bad reputation, and no foreseeable responsible environmental
legislation in Nevada; could Michael Young be <i><b>whitewashing</b></i>
the potential environmental risks? It certainly looks like it. And if
so, this casts doubt on the whole <b>Unbundling Water Rights</b>
report to Nevada.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialOxlPEV7WrXb6DarAKuYsQvTzI0hhjCiC0T3BKnjqjRLT4RQVRNm_ONL5vOdq2DAXVe9RK5RPhNJ5OySmzLFlihyO9yXW4xB-Xn4byqryGgIN4F6Ah9OLW6V4nzu7Y0qX0Xo/s1600/309419_449900171710101_848380505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialOxlPEV7WrXb6DarAKuYsQvTzI0hhjCiC0T3BKnjqjRLT4RQVRNm_ONL5vOdq2DAXVe9RK5RPhNJ5OySmzLFlihyO9yXW4xB-Xn4byqryGgIN4F6Ah9OLW6V4nzu7Y0qX0Xo/s320/309419_449900171710101_848380505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Michael Young
recommends in the <b>Unbundling Water Rights</b> report that these
new policies be “rolled out quickly” in Nevada. And why? So that
we can be “leaders”. He also recommends that; “Rather than
preparing a single integrated water resource bill for consideration
by the Nevada's Legislature, it may be more appropriate to prepare
separate bills”. And why? No reason given. These look like “Shock
Doctrine” tactics – which are to wait for a crisis to ram through
exploitative laws that benefit only the greedy. And if they separate
these bills, it will be even more difficult for Nevadans to fight
them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Astonishingly,
Nevada's State Engineers haven't simply <span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">waited</span></span>
for this “Shock Doctrine” water crisis. Actually, they have
historically <i><b>enabled</b></i> it by over-allocating water rights
in Nevada. In defense on the Nevada State Engineers, they haven't
really had the political power to say no. But in places like Diamond
Valley, where the USGS claims that sustainable use is about 35,000
acre feet per year, State Engineers have allocated 70,000 acre feet
per year, and actual use may be as high as 100,000 acre feet per
year! Disastrously, this water crisis was enabled by those who were
supposed to protect us from this very thing.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It appears that
Nevada bureaucrats have created a water crisis which our politicians
are now being enticed to make worse by passing bills to further
enable unrestrained exploitation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
...But it's even
less democratic than that. The Michael Young <b>Unbundling Water
Rights</b> report states: “Under existing legislation… the state
engineer could declare a groundwater resource to be a critical
management area and could require preparation of and implement a
water resource sharing plan… the state engineer would appear to
have sufficient authority to pilot test the proposed right system in
the Diamond Valley and the Humboldt Basin.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In other words,
initially, we the people don't have any say in this <i><b>comprehensive</b></i>
change in Nevada water law. Of course, the Michael Young/Nicholas
Institute/Duke University <b>Unbundling Water Rights </b>report
explains that an election could be held after five years – where a
majority of water rights holders could change things back to
senior/junior water rights. But there isn't even a mention of any
options for those with minority opinion. It's like the lamb and the
pack of wolves voting on what to have for dinner. If senior water
rights holders realize they've been taken advantage of; they likely
won't be able to go to court, they will likely be in the minority in
the valley, and if foreign speculators buy up junior water rights in
their basin, senior water rights holders could eventually be in the
minority to foreign water investors, hedge funds, or even big cities.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But the water users
most likely to suffer from unbundling are the small family farms.
Anthony S. Kiem's article <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378013001581"><b>Drought
and Water Policy in Australia</b></a> concludes; “there are also
some significant limitations and the people and industries that are
negatively impacted by water trading are hit hard.” And; “However,
these benefits are limited to the larger, well-informed irrigators at
the expense of the smaller “family farm” organizations”... I
wouldn't vote for that. But nobody gets to.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the Humboldt
Basin, the Michael Young <b>Unbundling Water Rights</b> report
recommends; “the existing authority (the 15-person Humboldt River
Basin Water Authority) be disbanded and replaced.” Now I'm pretty
sure no one on that existing authority voted to be reduced to an
advisory position on a “community reference panel.” This takeover
is unnecessary. It is effectively a coup d'<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;">é</span>tat
that seizes power away from local control and puts it in the hands of
the State politicians and bureaucrats that got us into this crisis!
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
...But at least the
former board of the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority will still
have <i><b>some</b></i> input – unlike environmentalists and Native
Americans – that didn't even get mentioned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, the
Michael Young/Nicholas Institute/Duke University <b>Unbundling Water
Rights</b> report did include some good ideas. Nevada's water
resource plan should:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Allow
water account holders to carry forward as many unused water
allocations as desired from one season to the next.”
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Require
all significant water use to be metered and recorded in a robust
accounting system.”</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Discourage
intentional overuse by setting the penalty for a water account
deficit of more than 21 continuous days at three times the cost of
restoring the account to a zero balance.”
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
These are good
ideas. But we don't have to unbundle water rights to accomplish them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nevada has been
offered three spoons of sugar to go with our tainted Kool Aid.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We need to realize
the obvious: The long-term answers to our water issues do not include
selling it off to anyone who wants to buy it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Allow me to
speculate for a moment:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What if this
“unbundling” process is really a surreptitious effort by the big
cities to buy up Rural water rights for cheap? What if the big cities
and the speculators have devised a way to copy the Los Angeles buy up
of Owens Valley water by purchasing those water rights on the open
market? What if this whole unbundling scheme is all a scam to force
the hyper-exploitation of Rural Nevada?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For some unexplained
reason, the Michael Young/Nicholas Institute/Duke University
<b>Unbundling Water Rights</b> report states; “Well written plans
give priority to the water needed for conveyance.” And they define
conveyance as; “water delivered to other systems or states”. This
one statement reveals the blatant bias of this report. They want us
to accept that water to be shipped out of a basin should have
priority over water that stays in the basin. A basic understanding of
sustainability dictates that exported water should have the lowest
priority. One can't sustain an environment, or an economy, when the
highest priority is shipping out the deserts' most valuable resource
– water. So, why would Michael Young want to give priority to the
water “needed” for conveyance? He didn't say. But maybe it has
something to do with the financial support he received.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Michael
Young/Nicholas Institute/Duke University <b>Unbundling Water Rights</b>
report was funded by:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bechtel
Foundation – founded and funded by Stephen D. Bechtel Jr.,
co-owner of Bechtel Corporation. That's right, the company known for
big engineering projects, including <a href="http://www.bechtel.com/expertise/water/large-scale-conveyance-tunneling/">water
pipelines</a>. And most telling; the same Bechtel that was <a href="http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2006/bechtel-surrenders-in-bolivia-water-revolt-case">thrown
out of Bolivia by rioting citizens</a> for their privatized water
company that was accused of price gouging and deficient water
deliveries. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat6FcUBhSVCJXkKchyf_U3psSVaDHX7m2jprVp43MvrUdtQFwBp7laq__BecoqioQJuC7LQciPLlyAEtB-GFW60mgBNQpqNVF4PkniGsxqZNdvgUwqNoKzlq-ra7FNifgfDMu/s1600/bolivia-water-privatization-protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat6FcUBhSVCJXkKchyf_U3psSVaDHX7m2jprVp43MvrUdtQFwBp7laq__BecoqioQJuC7LQciPLlyAEtB-GFW60mgBNQpqNVF4PkniGsxqZNdvgUwqNoKzlq-ra7FNifgfDMu/s320/bolivia-water-privatization-protest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pisces
Foundation – works closely with Bechtel Foundation
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Walton
Foundation – known to <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Walton_Family_Foundation">support
ALEC (a corporate bill mill)</a>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rockefeller
Foundation – known for <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Rockefeller_Foundation">supporting
big agricultu</a><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Rockefeller_Foundation">ral
interests</a>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span id="goog_639934943"></span><span id="goog_639934944"></span><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
These foundations
have done many good deeds. Their general intentions are good. But
there is no guarantee that these foundations are above reproach on
every issue. These are <i><b>not</b></i> grass roots organizations.
And it only makes sense that the best place to hide bad intentions is
in an organization delivering on good intentions. Considered
separately, these financial supporters (excluding the Bechtel
Foundation) don't arouse many suspicions. However, when considered
together (along with the unrestrained exploitation recommendations of
the report), one might feel compelled to question the integrity of
those who donated money to support this report – and of course, the
integrity of those who wrote this report.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is potentially
big money in water – the 21<sup>st</sup> century's oil.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yet water is life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had better be
<i><b>very</b></i> careful who's advice we take.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-9572777567453427502015-08-27T14:06:00.002-07:002015-08-27T14:06:55.726-07:00MIT Awards Desalination Concept Alternative to Watergrab
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Congratulations to
Tom Manaugh and Said Majdi for their MIT award for a <a href="http://climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1300208/phaseId/1300636/planId/1309211">desalination
alternative</a> to the SNWA Watergrab. It's good to see that their
concept is very similar to one <a href="http://noshootfoot.blogspot.com/2011/09/top-10-reasons-why-desalination-is.html">I
have been proposing</a> for years now. Maybe somebody will pay
attention now.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In their <a href="http://climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1300208/phaseId/1300636/planId/1309211/tab/COMMENTS">comments
section</a> (on one of the last posts), they suggested that the solar
power facility to run the desalination plant be located near Hoover
Dam to utilize the Dam's underutilized power lines.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
May I suggest a PV
solar power facility <i><b>on</b></i> Lake Mead. There are two good
reasons for doing this: One, the solar facility would shade a part of
Lake Mead, thus reducing evaporation losses. And two, no pristine
desert valley would have to be bulldozed to accommodate the facility.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The extra costs for
building a floating solar facility could be covered by the monies
collected from delivering the conserved water.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And some of the
power generated could be traded for water from desalination
facilities on (or off) the Coast.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
SNWA could enter
into agreements with Coastal communities whereas; the coastal
community would pay for the desalination facility, and SNWA would
provide the electrical power to desalinate the ocean water.
Consequently; those Coastal communities could deliver water to their
customers for far less, and SNWA could trade for more water from the
Colorado River for the cost of generating the power to desalinate
Coastal water.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, there is
one hurdle to cover. The SNWA and the Coastal community would have to
pitch in to help <a href="http://waterfx.co/central-valley/solar-desalination/">desalinate
farm runoff</a> waste water for reuse on California farms (who might
otherwise lose out in this Colorado River water trade).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
...And since the PV
solar power facility doesn't have to be solely owned by SNWA, other
interested communities (such as Phoenix or Tuscon) could join in to
pay for it – and receive a proportional amount of water from the
Colorado River.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-66150378613087923692015-08-14T22:05:00.000-07:002015-08-14T22:06:43.577-07:00A Profitable Proto Arcology<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Sustainable
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>P</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>hotovoltaic
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>S</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>olar
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>A</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>rray
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Operations
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>on
Lake Mead </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b>Concept:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Instead
of spending </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">billions</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
to get more water, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">the
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">SNWA should be </span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>earning</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
money to get more water. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">And
instead of being the Watergrab super-villain, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">the
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">SNWA could be the water
conservation super-hero. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Here</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">i</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">s</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">an opportunity to absorb
the energy that would have gone into </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">evaporating
water off of</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> Lake Mead –</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">and </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">instead
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">converting it into
electricity. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Here's an
idea that's way better than California's shade balls. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Presently,
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Southern Nevada gets
300,000 acre feet per year from the Colorado River. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">nd
an</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> estimated </span><a href="http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/news/what-you-should-know-about-lake-mead/"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>900,000
acre feet</b></span></i></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">a
year </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">of water </span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>evaporate</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
off of Lake Mead! </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Yes,
that's three times what Southern Nevada uses that just drifts away on
the winds. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">If </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">the
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">SNWA could prevent just </span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>1
percent</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;"> of that
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">evaporation</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">,
Southern Nevada could get </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">an
extra </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">9,000 acre feet more
per year </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">from the Colorado
River</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> – and with </span><u><a href="http://www.h2ouniversity.org/assets/pdf/source_hs2_science_lvwater.pdf">return
flow credits</a></u><span style="text-decoration: none;">, that would
amount to </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">about </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">14,</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">0</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">00
acre feet per year more. That's about 3 percent more water </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">for
Southern Nevada</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">. Not a
huge amount of water, but definitely significant. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">...What
</span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>would be huge</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">however;</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
is </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">that</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">the </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">SNWA</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
could do it at no cost (in the long term) to ratepayers. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">In
fact, w</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ith solar power
arrays, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">the</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">re
is money to be earned. Imagine that; </span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">more</span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
water </span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and</span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>lower</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
water bills</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Moreover,
s</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">olar power generation on
Lake Mead means </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">that
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">pristine </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">desert
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">valleys</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
don't have to be bulldozed </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">to
install</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> solar power</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
Win – win –</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> win</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Lake
Mead covers an area of about 250 square miles. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A
solar array big enough to cover 1 percent of Lake Mead would be about
2.5 square miles. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">That's
b</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ig enough to generate </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">up
to</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> 700 MW. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2.5 <strike>square miles</strike> X
2.788 x 10<sup>7</sup> <strike>square feet</strike>/<strike>square
mile</strike> X 10 watts/<strike>square foot</strike> = 697 MW</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">And
it wouldn't be </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">much</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">more </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">expensive
to do. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">The floating
platforms </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">to mount the
solar arrays to </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">can be
cheaply </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">and </span><u><a href="http://www.floatingislandinternational.com/products/other-products/">sustainably
made</a></u><span style="text-decoration: none;">, with a foam </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">bottom
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">and a solid top for the
floor of the platform. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Each
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">modular </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">platform
array can be tied to its neighbor platform to form a</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">scalable </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">reconfigurable
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">platform network. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuucFyZ-kGSVenQkSeuMqMw2ViMrOpqLxtTlhKDp7ucAA7MOCYfShfxVQWVFIIn5QWxURn_W7eUMNVChax7YgHNodZk6eU40c2Di0hgd0Dk7GCFz8n4ud5qkTG0CLBvsaqMkV/s1600/SolarPlatform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuucFyZ-kGSVenQkSeuMqMw2ViMrOpqLxtTlhKDp7ucAA7MOCYfShfxVQWVFIIn5QWxURn_W7eUMNVChax7YgHNodZk6eU40c2Di0hgd0Dk7GCFz8n4ud5qkTG0CLBvsaqMkV/s320/SolarPlatform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">And
s</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ince </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lake</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
water will be directly in contact with the platform bottom surface</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">s</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">,
there will be no water/air interface, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">which
means</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> essentially </span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>no</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
evaporation </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">under the
platform</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">s</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">For
protection from storms</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">it
would be wise to build </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">wave
break </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">platforms
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">surrounding the solar
power network. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">These wave
breaks</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">should</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
be </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">cap</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">able
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">of eventually</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
generat</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ing</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
<a href="http://www.ecowavepower.com/products/the-power-wing/">wave
power</a></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> to help pay for
themselves</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Moreover</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">,
the wave break facilities would shade </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">some
more</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> of Lake Mead, thus
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">further </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">reducing
evaporative losses. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
The wave break platforms could also be made inexpensive, portable,
and modular – about the size of a semi trailer. Which means the
overall shape and size of the wave brake facility would be determined
by spacers between the wave break platforms. Again, scalable and
reconfigurable.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwo2ANjVbRs0gCNPMmtq0PKzymUEvYnIImFbIhBhsNnkk0LsN-W7MDTKFdwVSupUPW2-5E22IczI3FS8DbclpoSuPz3cuskMXf8r71cbYq9SrCK5anP5xJphHurdlOiLl1co6/s1600/WaveBreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwo2ANjVbRs0gCNPMmtq0PKzymUEvYnIImFbIhBhsNnkk0LsN-W7MDTKFdwVSupUPW2-5E22IczI3FS8DbclpoSuPz3cuskMXf8r71cbYq9SrCK5anP5xJphHurdlOiLl1co6/s320/WaveBreak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Of
course; Lake Mead is a National Recreation Area, and the Federal
Government might initially be hesitant to build solar facilities on
the water. But since every acre of water with solar arrays on it
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">would mean</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
an acre of (usually) <a href="http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/solar_energy.html">Federal
land</a> that won't have to be bulldozed </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">for
solar arrays</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">, it seems
very likely they will come around. Lake Mead is a man-made reservoir.
So, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">floating platforms do</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
not </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">have</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
the environmental impact of </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">land-based
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">solar arrays on natural
desert </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ecosystems</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
And since </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">this</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">facilit</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">y's
water conservation</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">could
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">result in</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
reduced water transfers from Federal lands (such as the <a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/faq.htm">SNWA
Watergrab</a> of Central Nevada), </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">solar
arrays on lakes</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> could lead
to much better environmental </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">results</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">overall</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Phase
1: </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>P</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>hotovoltaic
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>S</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>olar
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>A</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>rrays
on Lake Mead –</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Technical
Information</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">The
facility would consist of </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">modular
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">platform </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">units
that could form a</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> scalable
and configurable network of </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Photovoltaic
(</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">PV</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">)</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
solar array platforms, surrounded by </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">modular
units of </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">a scalable wave
break / wave power generation network. From the air it would look
like a </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">distorted
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">checkerboard </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">of
platforms and water, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">inside
a circular</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> wall</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
(with an </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">entrance that
consists of an opening with an </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">offset
wall</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">)</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U7wAhosDuyCuGv6m1EvtWeToVqVKPgk2rsTehAXOzUZBKUgMau-iMDRWbjJnZrrVKXSYrLD0kxcbDIaLPruP9GNhz2rez1PLhEdbyDrrAil2m_ABgKG7MeFgAhauYJ4DpHJu/s1600/SolarIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U7wAhosDuyCuGv6m1EvtWeToVqVKPgk2rsTehAXOzUZBKUgMau-iMDRWbjJnZrrVKXSYrLD0kxcbDIaLPruP9GNhz2rez1PLhEdbyDrrAil2m_ABgKG7MeFgAhauYJ4DpHJu/s320/SolarIsland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">The
bottoms of the platforms should be </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">just</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
slightly convex </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">to
completely sink into the water at the interface. Since the water will
be directly in contact with the platform bottom surface, there will
be no water/air interface, and therefore essentially </span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>no</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
evaporation </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">under the
platform</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Consequently,</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
there </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">is</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
a multi-use incentive </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">to</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
mak</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">e</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
the bottom of the platform</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">s</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
wider than the area where the solar panels are mounted; to reduce
evaporation </span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>and</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">make the platform more
stable. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Moreover, since
the solar arrays </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">would</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
be installed at an angle near 36 degrees </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">(latitude)</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">,
some shade from the panels will shade an area larger than the </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">solar
array</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">footprint
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">– further reducing
evaporative losses. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">The
platforms would be tied both to the floor of the lake bed and to each
other. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">And b</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ecause
of the encircling wave break, the solar platform network won't have
to be as robust. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
The wave break
barrier could be made modular also. From the top, the wave break
modules would appear rectangular. The overall shape of the wave brake
facility would be determined by spacers between the wave break
platforms. The wave break facility could be perfectly circular, or
meander about – like a coastline.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Of
course, the wave break </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">barriers
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">would have to be strong
enough to absorb the energy of the waves hitting it. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Which
means the wave break platforms would be more massive than the solar
platforms. At water level from the outside, this </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">wave
break barrier </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">wall might
look imposing</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> (at about 10
feet high)</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> – but it
could also serve as a barrier to vandals (and </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">zombie
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">terrorists). To reduce the
imposing feel, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">the wave
break facility could be painted white to look more like </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lake
Mead </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">shoreline </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">from
a distance</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">. To give the
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">wave break </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">a
recreational function; it </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">could
also function as a bicycle, foot, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">and
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">skate path around the
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">solar</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
facility. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">t
the </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">facility </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">entry,
the path could lead radially </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">inward
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">around the opening in the
wave break. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Inside the
wave break, the path could be used as a marina </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">walkway</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
– with slips for boats along the water inside of the path. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">The
path wouldn't drop that 10 feet however. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Which
means</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> the path would
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">double as</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
a shade for pedestrians on the walkway </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">beneath</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">T</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">o
further the wave break's friendly impression, water slides and dive
boards could be installed around the outside edge. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Also,
c</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">harging stations could be
located around the perimeter </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">of
the wave break facility</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> –
available to charge all electric boats with power generated </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">at
the facility</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> –</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
for free</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Wave
power generation could be achieved </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">at
the wave breaks </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">either </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">by
having floats that move up and down </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">on
guide rods</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> like a bead on
a string</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">(or
floats on arms) right at the break</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
When the water hits the break, it would slam the floats much farther
up the </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">wall of the</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
break than the height of the wave. And the trough of the wave would
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">drop</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
the float even lower too. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
The wave power
generation equipment doesn't necessarily have to be installed
immediately. But the wave break barriers should be designed so that
they can be easily installed later.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">And
as far as the solar power is concerned; </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Micro
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Inverters </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">that
function independently for each solar panel </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">would
be </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">ideal</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
for the PV solar</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> network</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Modularity within
modularity means everything is scalable. And bonus;</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">most of </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">this
should be off the shelf hardware. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b>Phase 2:
The Next Step - an Island</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Once the
platform network reaches a certain size, a small crew of people would
be needed to stay at the facility to construct, monitor, and maintain
things. The crew will need water treatment for both their drinking
water and sewage. Drinking water shouldn't be too much of an issue.
But sewage treatment on the lake might be. Especially if the goal is
to get the sewage to the point that it could be used as fish food.
Multiple steps would be necessary. But it shouldn't be impossible,
because all we're really trying to do is speed up nature's recycling
process. (By the way; it's my opinion that speeding up nature's
recycling process is the key to feeding our growing population.)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
A conventional
sewage treatment facility surrounded by concentric rings of man-made
wetlands ought to do most of the work.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
A company called
Floating Island International has developed what they call <a href="http://www.floatingislandinternational.com/products/biohaven-technology/">BioHaven
Floating Islands</a> – which “biomimic natural floating islands
to create a “concentrated” wetlands effect.” In other words,
they've figured out how to further clean sewage treatment effluent to
the point it might end up cleaner than the water in Lake Mead. Think
about that; in lined ponds, treated sewage could be turned into
microscopic life that could be eaten by larger forms of life, that
could eventually feed bait fish, that could be set free near the
Island to feed game fish. And the byproduct is Lake Mead water gets
cleaned. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09tyflwxmRfkHwz3J9Dulld568aWauoevLs8YnaJMs_gFEycNiL3LqL_fOltHWEmaydSfPNWGrxAOz64aeZN2XbbTelWM3v73GRJ08yjgvoOBIRW5hIPqeLv1B2jCbI2Mnsfc/s1600/81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09tyflwxmRfkHwz3J9Dulld568aWauoevLs8YnaJMs_gFEycNiL3LqL_fOltHWEmaydSfPNWGrxAOz64aeZN2XbbTelWM3v73GRJ08yjgvoOBIRW5hIPqeLv1B2jCbI2Mnsfc/s320/81.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
The Island's
sewage treatment plant could be located towards the center of the
solar platform network – away from sensitive noses. Of course, it
would be enclosed. But out there, people wouldn't even see it. They
would just appreciate it – in their clean water, productive soil,
and fish food.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
That “fish
food” could be used to entice game fish to hang around the platform
network. The edges of the platforms could even be designed to provide
fish habitat. Which means the crew could supplement their diets with
protein from their own poo-fed fish. This may sound disgusting. But
done right; it would be superbly efficient. Eventually, the
inhabitants might even want to install a net below the wave break
facility with a weave large enough to let small fish in but small
enough to hold in fish large enough to catch.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
...And that
productive soil would be great for greenhouse garden platforms (which
would also be useful for shading the Lake). Yes, some of that
recycled poo could be used as fertilizer for a garden. Again, this
may sound filthy, but it is pretty much identical to what happens in
the Environment now – only with a minimized number of steps.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
On Lake Mead;
one could grow food all year in a greenhouse. It doesn't get that
cold in the Winter. Greenhouses could <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/24/tech/innovation/machine-makes-drinking-water-from-air/">radically
limit</a> evaporative losses. And high temperatures in the Summer
could be dealt with by pumping cool water from the deep into heat
exchangers below the greenhouses.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Water could be
pumped up from the deep to cool the floors and air of the floating
platforms. This water would pass though heat exchangers – and never
come in contact with air, so there would be no evaporation losses.
Unless of course, the Islanders choose to release that deep water
near the surface to cool the surface water near the Island – thus
further reducing evaporation losses on the surface of the lake.
(Plus, by being able to regulate the water surface temperatures near
the Island, there are more options for controlling algae blooms.)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
With a little
intelligent valving control, water could be used to both heat and
cool living areas. Water could be pumped into the floors, roofs, and
walls of the buildings. In the Winter, the water in the roof would be
heated by the day sun, and circulated to water storage areas in the
walls and floors. And in the Summer, cool water from the deep can be
circulated in the floors, walls, and the roofs. This, combined with
passive solar heating, would leave little need for heaters or air
conditioners – with no evaporation.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
In addition,
thermal mass aquariums could provide multiple assets. Water could be
pumped into aquariums to provide fresh water for bait fish
hatcheries. The aquariums could be placed near the passive solar
windows to provide <a href="http://earthship.wikia.com/wiki/Thermal_mass">thermal
mass</a> for living spaces. In the Summer, the aquariums would be in
the shade. But as temperatures drop, so does the angle of the sun. In
the Winter, the low angle sun would shine directly on the aquariums.
Since water has the highest heat capacity of all common solids and
liquids, it can take the place of thick earthen walls seen in
sustainable earthbound buildings (such as Earthships). And if the
water gets too hot for the bait fish, their water can be pumped away
to heat the rest of the building – and cool lake water pumped in.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b>Phase 3:
Transformation to a Resort</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Once the
infrastructure of power, water, sewage, and food production is in
place; the Island can be made to feel like an Island Resort.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
It is important
to consider aesthetics. Many people might see the Solar Island as an
eyesore on a National Recreation Area. These people have to be
convinced that there is something in it for them. How about an
on-water emergency response post? How about a Solar Powered Island
Marina? How about techno-fantasy island resort?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
People tend to
favor places they can go. And with the right image, this Island could
become a tourist attraction – kind of like the SNWA's Springs
Preserve – only cool.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
While it is true
that most people would be willing to put up with a huge solar array
on Lake Mead – if it meant more water. Why just put up with it? Why
not make the place desirable? Why not make it look at little like an
actual island? In fact, why not make it a destination – a resort
even? But not just any resort. This resort would be for people
willing to enjoy what low-impact, sustainable, post-modern livability
looks like. Or then again, maybe they'll just want to play volley
ball on the beach at the Water Park.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
I envision a
hidden resort, like some secret island in a James Bond movie. Once
you enter through the passage, there is a marina with a boardwalk
that leads to a row of buildings that appear to be a combination of
Santorini Greece and a fish tank. White! But with lots of passive
solar windows – facing South, towards the Marina – which would be
on the South side of the Island for that very reason. Businesses
located here would be plainly visible to people just coming “ashore.”
Through the windows; one could see a restaurant though one window, a
convenience store in another, an on-water Ranger Station in another,
and a seminar being held in yet another. There may be two or three
floors, but each floor is set back, so that every floor can have a
patio. And the top roofs are all patios with shades above them (that
roll up in the Winter).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
A company called
<a href="http://www.dutchdocklands.com/">Dutch Docklands</a> has
already been working on this. They already build homes on the water,
and are poised to build islands – complete with sandy beaches and
golf courses. Obviously, the golf course in this project would be
using artificial turf, but the course would also be covering a
section of the Lake to minimize evaporation. So imagine that; a golf
course that not only doesn't use water, but actually saves water. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIsSrxd-PPg1bY_RXVaud7DucUbtaAFDvJQRiV1vON_7MWrticnkP3o1h39ehbKxfxLGi1rVq9xNcDsB_L2-rXFokpPHVKIssBQi4jixLtPDXyta2viUNhSB81HZ_LnRnnLkV/s1600/112_Floating-Beach-image-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIsSrxd-PPg1bY_RXVaud7DucUbtaAFDvJQRiV1vON_7MWrticnkP3o1h39ehbKxfxLGi1rVq9xNcDsB_L2-rXFokpPHVKIssBQi4jixLtPDXyta2viUNhSB81HZ_LnRnnLkV/s320/112_Floating-Beach-image-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Fishing could be
promoted. And, of course, visitors sewage could be collected for
recycling into fish food. But rather than hiding this information, it
could be promoted as something to be experienced to inspire hope for
the future.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Moreover, the
charging stations placed around the perimeter of the Island would
remove some of the perceived impediments to electric boats on Lake
Mead – thus further cleaning up Lake Mead water.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
If the Island
population grows, staff facilities (homes) and guest facilities
(rooms) could also be installed on the North end of the Island.
Another opening in the wave break could be added to accommodate
another Marina on the Northwest end of the Island. The passive solar
windows facing South on this side of the Island would face a golf
course, tennis courts, or other forms of recreational mini-islands –
such as a skate park, soccer field, basketball courts, or even
another beach. And to the North side of the homes could be another
set of greenhouses.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
I don't envision
this Island to house more than a few dozen residents and guests. Too
many people and the sewage treatment facilities would be overwhelmed.
But a community the size of small village ought to be able to live
somewhat self-sufficiently here – and provide power even if Lake
Mead goes dead pool.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b>From Power
Plant to Proto-Arcology</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
An arcology is
<a href="http://inhabitat.com/arcology-paolo-soleri-at-the-boston-architectural-center/">Paolo
Soleri's</a> concept of cities which embody the fusion of
architecture with ecology. As previously mentioned, this Island would
not be a city. And this “arcology” concept is not like the closed
arcologies mentioned in Paolo Bacigalupi's novel “<a href="https://www.hcn.org/articles/scarcity-and-survival-reign-in-the-water-knife">The
Water Knife</a>.” This system is not designed so that its
inhabitants can hide away from the rest of the world – like some
kind of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QILNSgou5BY">Elysium</a>.
This arcology concept exists help all people, to not harm the
environment, to help the local ecosystem, and to sustainably support
its inhabitants. Ideally, this could become a good neighbor arcology.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
But why?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
We've only got
one planet, and it's in serious trouble. We are beginning to face the
shock and awe of the overwhelming consequences to our Environment
from humanity's collective careless actions. We are beginning to
realize that we are overdue for the biggest attitude adjustment in
human history. We <i><b>have</b></i> to learn how to live
differently. Many of us have foreseen it. We all need to prepare.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
It's time to
stop ignoring the externalities. Everything we do needs to be
considerate of the fact that we need to be better prepared at being
sustainable – so that we can be more sustainable planet-wide –
and keep life on Earth healthy. Everything we design needs to be more
thoroughly thought out. Every building needs to be a kind of
<a href="http://earthship.com/">Earthship</a>. Every structure needs
to contribute to Life on Earth in as many ways as possible. That
means power plants too.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Of course, only
<i><b>one</b></i> Solar Island means only 9,000 acre feet of water
per year gets conserved. It would take as many as 15 Solar Islands to
conserve as much water as SNWA <a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/faq.htm">pipe
dreams</a> of getting from Central Nevada's deserts (during a
drought). This Solar Island concept could end up becoming many big
projects. But so what! If these Islands are earning money and are a
decent place to visit, somebody will want to build more.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
I would think
that <a href="http://www.dri.edu/maki-endowment/maki-research-projects/4707-pahrump-valley-water-resources-an-integrated-modeling-assessment">Pahrump</a>
(or even <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/navajo-generating-station-powers-and-paralyzes-the-western-u-s/">Phoenix</a>)
would be very interested in a project like this. And if not, there
are likely other States – or even private companies who would
willingly invest in <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/trangho/2015/04/04/irresistible-investment-opportunities-gushing-from-californias-epic-water-crisis/">water</a>
<i><b>and</b></i> <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/09/3609869/renewable-energy-investment-surges/">solar
power</a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
And the reason I
don't see much resistance is because everyone can benefit. Done
right, this could be a way to keep lake elevations up. If
participants banked some of the conserved water in the Lake to
prepare for droughts, that would mean more water for the Lake. And if
there's more water in the lake, there's more shoreline. Everyone
wants that. Solar Islands could even be installed to keep Lake Mead
levels up high enough for water to run the electric turbines in
Hoover Dam.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
This development
could all happen very fast – much sooner than the expected growth
of solar power generation – because the value of the water
conserved can be factored into the cost/benefit equation.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
I predict a
solar-powered arcology rush on lakes on the Colorado River.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
The ideas I have
published here are all <b>open source</b>. But they're not all my
ideas. Check out <a href="http://www.greenbiz.com/article/seasteading-may-be-answer-sustainably-feeding-9-billion-people">Seasteading</a>.
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-30449812195478594972015-07-02T16:27:00.000-07:002015-07-02T16:30:58.878-07:00The Ely Times Wouldn't Even Post My CommentI live near a small town out in the middle of Rural Nevada. Our local newspaper was purchased by a company called Battle Born Media, which also owns four other <a href="http://battlebornmedia.com/" target="_blank">small newspapers in Rural Nevada</a>. I often disagree with a regular Ely Times Opinion writer (and possibly the owner), Thomas Mitchell. But I haven't said anything in public - until now. I recently made a comment on his most recent Opinion "<a href="http://www.elynews.com/2015/06/26/be-careful-what-you-so-ask-for-you-just-might-get-it-good-and-hard/" target="_blank">Be Careful What You Ask For - You Just Might Get It - Good And Hard</a>." I feel I was respectful. I made salient points. And my comment was NOT posted. This was my comment:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In case you hadn't
noticed, Mr. Mitchell has presented a very <a href="http://www.elynews.com/2015/06/26/be-careful-what-you-so-ask-for-you-just-might-get-it-good-and-hard/#comment-126341">one</a><a href="http://www.elynews.com/2015/06/26/be-careful-what-you-so-ask-for-you-just-might-get-it-good-and-hard/#comment-126341">-</a><a href="http://www.elynews.com/2015/06/26/be-careful-what-you-so-ask-for-you-just-might-get-it-good-and-hard/#comment-126341">sided
argument</a>. His Editorial really could have used a counterpoint
from a different perspective. And actually, I think they had one –
that I sent as a Letter to the Editor – that didn't get published –
not even online. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">You can find my
unpublished (by the Ely Times) LTE at <a href="http://noshootfoot.blogspot.com/2015/06/how-our-rural-power-co-op-could-be.html" target="_blank">NoShootFoot.blogspot.com</a> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">My LTE presented our
energy issues looking forward to what we can do – unlike Mr.
Mitchell's Editorial, which looks backwards at what we should have
done. And by the way; renewables haven't cost three to four times as
much as gas or coal-fired power in 30 years! I'm reading that
renewables are on par or even cheaper in some places. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-14/fossil-fuels-just-lost-the-race-against-renewables">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-14/fossil-fuels-just-lost-the-race-against-renewables</a>
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And I was reading in
Motley Fool that the real reason Las Vegas casinos are leaving
NVEnergy is; “that Nevada has plenty of sunshine and lots of land
to build solar fields to provide energy that is cheaper than buying
power from the utility.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/05/31/las-vegas-casinos-challenging-warren-buffetts-ener.aspx">http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/05/31/las-vegas-casinos-challenging-warren-buffetts-ener.aspx</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But what the naysayers to
renewable energy so often leave out is that eventually the private
owner of say, solar panels, will eventually generate the equivalent
power to pay for their system – and from then on their power is
effectively free. And solar panels last a long time. There are solar
cells built in the 1950's still working. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Ely Times has been
very accommodating to me in the past, and has published every LTE I
have sent them in the past 10 years. I thank them for that, and hope
that readers' opinions continue to be important to the newspaper. </span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-73557587214556835882015-06-16T12:38:00.001-07:002015-06-16T12:41:25.961-07:00How Our Rural Power Co-op Could Be Improved<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I recently sent this letter to the Editor of the Ely Times: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The General Manager of Mt.
Wheeler Power (MWP), Randy Ewell, recently wrote an article titled
“Co-op Advocates for Members” in the Ruralite. In my opinion, Mr.
Ewell could do a much better job of advocating for MWP members by
focusing less on minimizing rates and more on maximizing value. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In his article, Mr. Ewell
noted that “utilities have proposed the Ratepayer Protection Act”
as a counter to living by standards of the Clean Air Act. Moreover,
he wants politicians to legislate coal ash as “nonhazardous.” Now
wait a minute. Shouldn't scientists be deciding whether coal ash is
hazardous or not (it is). And the highly respected journal SCIENCE
has just published a prediction that “<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2015/04/1-6-species-could-be-killed-climate-change" target="_blank">one out of every six species could face extinction if global warming continues on its current path</a>.” Let's face it, you shouldn't feel protected by this Act...
And to advocate the extinction of the Sage Grouse by denying its
classification as “endangered” is much worse than irresponsible. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yes, the EPA seeks to
“fundamentally change how electricity is generated, distributed,
and consumed.” That's a good thing. Besides, the coal-fired power
plant we rely on is reaching the end of its projected service life –
which means rates are bound to go up do to increased maintenance
costs. Consequently, MWP co-op now has an extraordinary opportunity
to focus more on what this community really needs. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">MWP has already become a
power broker for distributed renewable energy by paying low rates for
net-metered power. When my solar panels generate more power than I
use, MWP can sell that power to others, with a higher mark-up than
coal-fired power. Energy storage is becoming a reality for utilities.
MWP can store excess renewable power for use during peak hours (when
costs for fossil fuel generated power is the highest). And also, MWP
can finance the installation of solar panels and windmills. Don't
panic Mr. Ewell. MWP will still be making money. Besides, our need is
growing. Many of us will be buying electric cars, and will want even
more electricity. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Someday, MWP might want to
purchase a small fleet of electric cars to taxi people around town
(or ride share). MWP will have access to the cheapest electricity,
which will keep costs down. Not as many people will need cars,
keeping money in the community. And MWP's need for an electric car
mechanic will result in a shop to fix electric cars locally –
meaning more people will be willing to buy electric cars here. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">MWP might even be
interested in leasing use of electrically powered manufacturing
equipment (3D printers, CNC milling machines, etc.) The community
will benefit by manufacturing things here – and MWP will sell more
electricity. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">MWP's future looks bright.
We just have to be willing to consider multiple income streams and
the changing economic paradigm that can make this community more
self-reliant. </span>
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-72661591997949562242014-10-19T16:29:00.002-07:002014-10-19T16:29:47.756-07:00GOP - Greedy Old Plutocrats <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyI4oYyrliOsIlb3ULN0qxtCRqm_NbxNAaYVWGa0muYoYiAvAiVsHBlsVScfcRdlmxaojGpp1SHpKo9LL3su7fscK3GQlHbMfBX6-NZzNTM7YJN0JVJa6E5-I8l-5Ig4sTyOA/s1600/GOP+Greedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyI4oYyrliOsIlb3ULN0qxtCRqm_NbxNAaYVWGa0muYoYiAvAiVsHBlsVScfcRdlmxaojGpp1SHpKo9LL3su7fscK3GQlHbMfBX6-NZzNTM7YJN0JVJa6E5-I8l-5Ig4sTyOA/s1600/GOP+Greedy.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-13546744026172639732014-07-15T21:38:00.000-07:002014-07-15T21:39:06.198-07:00The Offender Feels Offended<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMy0PS3gspGeladNXXkOw07l7DCEamqMlKtbg2GI0lpwy94xrrhyphenhyphenK2F22D_W0BxUAiJ9ArB5LLAb9sHnDdAtFTP1wA4lQWSuDqEu0u5QvGD9BI2Ug9U7-cmwkCorCuZHPXr0uR/s1600/o-AARON-WILLIAM-PASTAFARIAN-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMy0PS3gspGeladNXXkOw07l7DCEamqMlKtbg2GI0lpwy94xrrhyphenhyphenK2F22D_W0BxUAiJ9ArB5LLAb9sHnDdAtFTP1wA4lQWSuDqEu0u5QvGD9BI2Ug9U7-cmwkCorCuZHPXr0uR/s1600/o-AARON-WILLIAM-PASTAFARIAN-facebook.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.thomhartmann.com/" target="_blank">Thom Hartmann</a> recently
quoted some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster" target="_blank">Pastafarian</a> (those who believe in the Flying Spaghetti
Monster) beliefs on XM radio. His point was obvious; to show that the
recent absurd “Supreme” Court decision on <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/07/hobby-lobby-anti-gay-discrimination" target="_blank">Hobby Lobby</a> has
potentially serious consequences... But the very first comment call
he got was somebody trying to shut him up – not about the “Supreme”
Court decision – but about even mentioning the Flying Spaghetti
Monster. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All I can say about this
offended caller is that he really needs to study history and current
events about what supposedly good Christians have done – and are
still supporting – before he goes off about playful criticism. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I get Thom's point. If
Hobby Lobby doesn't have to pay for womens' health care because it's
against their religious viewpoint, that opens a huge can of worms on
other religious viewpoints. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But that was of no concern
to this caller. Though it was obvious that Thom picked Pastafarian
beliefs as an absurd example of how far this could go, all the caller
cared about was that Thom Hartmann dared to talk about the Flying
Spaghetti Monster in the same paragraph as Christianity. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The caller was incensed
that Thom would even mention what is blatantly a made up religion
along side his <i><b>authentic</b></i> religion. This caller tried to
convince us that somehow, Thom Hartmann said something horribly
insensitive and politically incorrect. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now wait a minute...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>First</b>; if somebody
out there wants to start a religion just to point out how silly it is
to believe in something without any proof, maybe they have a point.
And if they do have a relevant point, it is repression to keep the
Pastafarians from making it – not the other way around. I'm sick
and tired of hearing religious zealots claiming they are being
oppressed by being prevented from essentially oppressing others. And
that's exactly what this guy was trying to do. He didn't want anybody
to even know there might be alternative viewpoints to his. And I bet
I know where he learned his tactic. The Christians learned it from
the Jews. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">For decades now, anybody who
says anything negative about Israel is immediately branded an
anti-Semite – thus inferring they are a Nazi. The tactic has worked
time and time again – no matter what Israel has done. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now; before you brand me
an anti-Semite, allow me to say this. There are good and evil people
who are Jewish, just like everybody else. Some Jews have a heart of
gold. Some Jews have a heart of stone. And the Jews who misuse the
anti-Semite accusation just to shut people up are evil. And borrowing
this tactic to shut up free thinkers is just as evil. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Second</b>; this
“offended” Christian has no sense of history. My ancestry is
Native American. Christians crushed my Native culture. My
grandparents were both (legally) kidnapped and forced to attend
Indian Schools – run by “good” Christians. My grandmother once
told me that if they spoke their Native language, they would be
<i><b>beaten</b></i>. In fact, if they were caught holding onto any
of their Native culture, they would be beaten. By any reasonable
standards, if this were to happen to adults; this kind of treatment
would be considered systematic <i><b>torture </b></i><i><b>and
brainwashing</b></i>. But they were heathen children, so it was OK –
even commendable. My culture was stolen from us by Christians – who
used ridicule and abuse (not humor) to force my people to assimilate
to their way of thinking. And moreover, no Christian church has ever
spoke out against this kind of hideous behavior while it was
happening. The silly acts of Pastafarians are in no way even close to
injustices Christians have committed. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Third</b>; what does
this type of offended behavior actually represent? Was it an
attempted act of repression? I would surmise what this caller was
trying to tell us is: “Don't even think about questioning my
perception of reality.” I guess I can see that point. Everyone has
the same vantage point – through our own eyes. We're all only
human. Maybe we don't have a right to question each others'
perception of reality. But what if one of us were wrong, and the
other saw that? Don't we have a duty to help each other? Don't we
have a duty to help each other find the truth. If I worded this
comment as a strategy for spreading his religion, the offended
Christian would likely agree with me fully. But if I worded this as a
strategy for changing his religion, the offended Christian might
literally be willing to go to <i><b>war</b></i> with me. What does
that tell us? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It sounds like this
offended Christian has been brainwashed to me. (Let's face it,
Christians use a milder form of the same manipulative techniques that
they used in Indian Schools – on their own children.) And what
shows me that he might be brainwashed? His anger at those who would
question his perception of reality – which almost blatantly
obviously is a psychological defense mechanism to keep him from even
considering any alternative world view. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If someone made a point
that challenged <i><b>my</b></i> personal beliefs, I would consider
the point's merits and adjust my beliefs if necessary.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, if someone were
brainwashed; one would expect them to be programed to resist all
efforts at reason. In that way, the brainwashing will hold. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But it isn't the churches
I'm afraid of. For the most part, they really do <a href="http://disinfo.com/2014/07/world-council-churches-divest-worlds-dirty-fuels/" target="_blank">want you to do good</a>.
But what if someone saw the power of the churches and decided to use fundamentalist religious <a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/07/01/noam_chomsky_americas_corporate_doctrine_of_power_a_grave_threat_to_humanity/" target="_blank">manipulative techniques for political aims</a>? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm suspicious that the
powers that be (the oligarchy) saw that the religious fundamentalists
were easy to manipulate, so they decided to create a political party
based upon fundamentalist religion manipulation techniques. It
wouldn't be necessary to start a political party from scratch (the
oligarchy is inherently lazy and corrupt). So, they just took over a
party. You know, like <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/13/the-tea-party-isn-t-a-political-movement-it-s-a-religious-one.html" target="_blank">the Tea Party</a>. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm suspicious that this
offended Christian is a product of political manipulations that have
driven him to outrage over anything that doesn't fit into his
handlers' (the oligarchy's) <a href="http://billmoyers.com/2014/05/15/i-attended-an-alec-conference-and-found-an-alternative-universe/" target="_blank">political agenda</a> (getting even richer –
at the expense of everyone and everything else). This offended caller
sounded so committed to his beliefs that it would be easy to consider
the possibility that rather than question his own faith, he might
kill anyone who did. I'm not exaggerating. There are plenty of
examples of violent behavior at the hands of Christians. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">My ex-wife once told me of
her grandfather, who was an outspoken atheist. They found his dead
body hanging upside down with a cross carved in his back. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Religion does not always
manifest itself as sanity. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...Or as Hunter S.
Thompson used to say; “When the going gets weird, the weird turn
pro.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Was this offended caller
sane? We don't know. All we know is that he was willing to go on a
nationally syndicated radio talk show and claim that an injustice was
made by the reading of an article about a silly religion (not his
own). Just the implied comparison to his own religion was enough to
send him on a rant. Could he be a homicidal maniac? Thom Hartmann
sure backed off quick. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now before you go and call
me a communist (the Christian propaganda equivalent to anti-Semite),
remember; what we should be after is the truth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I don't care what religion
you are.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As long as your religious
acts don't detrimentally effect me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Be Pastafarian. Be
Christian. Be Jewish. Be Muslim. I don't care. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Just don't mess up <i><b>my</b></i>
life. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But the fanatics are never
satisfied with that. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">For the fanatics, like
those in the <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/13/the-tea-party-isn-t-a-political-movement-it-s-a-religious-one.html" target="_blank">Tea Party</a>; it's either they rule or they tear down the
walls. It's either they rule, or they shut down the country. It's
either they rule, or those who do run things are the Antichrist –
even if they're Christian too. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, getting back to
Thom Hartmann's point; a number of religions have religious beliefs
that don't coincide with America's policies. No religions believe in
unjust wars. Some religions don't believe in war at all. But let's
just talk about one war for now. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There is a “war” going
on in Palestine and Israel now. A very one-sided war. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">America, for decades, has
been giving Israel billions of dollars in military aid. And the
Palestinians are no match for the military might of Israel. As a
Native American, I see this occupation of lands in Palestine as a
similar situation to what America did to Native Americans in the
1800s. The Palestinians were living in Palestine, bothering no one.
Suddenly, some foreign country claimed that their land was now the
property of Jewish settlers. The Palestinians didn't like it. So they
were forced onto what looks a lot like Indian Reservations or even
Nazi Concentration Camps. They didn't like it. So now they're being
forced into the sea. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As a Native American, it
is a fundamental conviction (call it religious if you want) that I
not support the military invasion of an indigenous people by an
aggressive culture. As the Jews once said; “NEVER AGAIN!” The
repetition of the pain of what happened to my ancestors goes deeply
against my personal beliefs. I can't think of any American foreign
policy that would offend me more. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I suspect that many Native
Americans find it repugnant that their tax dollars are going to
support the violent oppression of a Native people in the Middle East.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Native Americans should
not have to pay taxes to support the oppression of the Palestinian
people. In a way, it is a further oppression of us – by forcing us
to <i><b>pay</b></i> for the oppression of others. In time, I hope
that some Native American religious organization will challenge this
outrage, this oppression, this sacrilege; by utilizing the Hobby
Lobby decision. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...And I bet this “war”
would end in a heartbeat if America threatened to cut off our
military “aid” to Israel. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-48275540104893529022014-06-28T09:20:00.001-07:002014-06-28T11:58:43.401-07:00Understanding Our Fate – To Overcome It<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTB0N1biHOSNpzqg97Jr7563rXqaC9I4PTYPKCUpd_mpvZ731xmXP-2XAMBsGrtp6tiUex1rJuJCWtlpKWcxyraCa2Nq7A36j5uZ4zxnh18tvXpKKQ4ZedF4LIJwF8xtX7IVZ/s1600/Profit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTB0N1biHOSNpzqg97Jr7563rXqaC9I4PTYPKCUpd_mpvZ731xmXP-2XAMBsGrtp6tiUex1rJuJCWtlpKWcxyraCa2Nq7A36j5uZ4zxnh18tvXpKKQ4ZedF4LIJwF8xtX7IVZ/s1600/Profit.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;">Facts do not cease to
exist because they are ignored.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Aldous Huxley</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;">That men do not learn
much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the
lessons of history.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Alduos Huxley</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There are those who
believe that humanity is the epitome of all life. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In fact; there are those
who believe that humans were made in the image of God.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">However; there are also
those of us who have come to the conclusion that humanity is more
like an adaptation to a system of adaptation. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">These points of view can
lead to quite different attitudes about change. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The “image of God”
folks are obviously inclined to believe that change carries with it
the risk of a fall from grace. While the adapters (like myself) tend
to view traditions as only going so far – and evolution as
necessary – even desirable. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Theory of (Genetic)
Evolution has often been a point of contention between those who
believe in God and those who believe in freedom of thought. However,
nowhere in the Theory of Evolution is God even <i><b>mentioned</b></i>.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Theory of Evolution
defines a <i><b>process</b></i>... that's it. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">That's it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If one has a preconceived
notion of how we came to be or what our place is in the universe, the
Theory of Evolution may feel like blasphemy. But it isn't. Whether or
not God exists, the Theory of Evolution is simply the next step in
our education of who we are. With that education, we just might be
able to better figure out who we want to become. Humans have evolved
to the point where we can actually plan our society's evolution. And
obviously, we critically <i><b>need</b></i> to do that. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Humanity has prospered
because we not only have been able to adapt to the challenges our
Environment has presented us, but because we also have been able to
adapt <i><b>our</b></i> <i><b>Environment</b></i> to our desires...
And it turns out humanity is pretty good at changing things. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Which leads to our
dilemma. We have changed our world so much (both purposefully and
inadvertently) that we have brought on the Sixth Great Extinction.
Our evolutionary advantage has turned on us. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I am convinced that this
has been our destiny. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But it doesn't have to be
– if we evolve. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">To change our situation,
we have to understand it. And to do that, we have to think like
Darwin. We have to ask ourselves some difficult questions. And we
have to understand our limitations. That's right; even if we were
made in the image of God – we are far from gods. So let's stop
pretending we already have all the answers. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">What we do know is that
humanity has a history of civilizations rising and collapsing. Our
ancestors have created amazing civilizations that eventually could no
longer stand on their own <i><b>because</b></i> of the consequences
of the actions of those civilizations. This process is key to understanding the human condition. (And some civilizations in history did figure it out.) </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The seeds of humanity's
failures lie in the consequences of our success. We have evolved to
adapt our environment to our needs so well that we now can destroy
the Environment we so dearly need to survive. </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">There is a cycle of human civilizations where we alter our natural environment to our benefit, resulting in a population growth that ultimately leads to the destruction of our life-supporting environment</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> – </span>and the collapse of our civilization. Lots of people die, which gives the environment time to recover</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> – </span>and then the cycle starts again. </b> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We all sense this. And yet, we are still
animals. Even with this understanding, we haven't been able to stop it (yet). </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If our civilization does
eventually collapse, there will be pundits who will proclaim the
“failure” of science. They will be ignorant fools. Our problems
don't stem from our understanding of science. Our problems stem from
our <i><b>application</b></i> of our knowledge of science. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone believes in cars
and computers and smart phones and satellites, but close to half of
Americans don't “believe” in Global Warming. As a culture; we
believe in tools that give us a temporary advantage, but we don't
want to believe that there are long-term consequences to having and
using those tools.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But this isn't about what
we “believe.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The facts are there. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It's just that too many of
us are too busy chasing a position of status, a dream of infinite
wealth, or the next piece of tail to bother to look. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This reminds me of the
line to a song:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;">I'm just a squirrel,
trying to get a nut.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...And some of us have
done an amazing job of collecting nuts. However, if we collect too
many nuts; there won't be any more nut trees because we collected all
the nuts!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">My point is simple. <b>We
need to adapt.</b> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Evolution is a system of
adaptation to an environment. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Humanity has adapted to
adapt our Environment.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We now need to learn to
adapt our system of adapting our world.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Again; the facts are
there. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Scientists have for
decades been warning us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Scientists have for
decades been advising us on better alternatives. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But we've been ignoring
them for decades and focusing on the mass media advertised next new
thing – because they've been promising us the new tools, toys, and
treats. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Bark, beg, drool...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If there is a God, it has
shown us how to create systems that work. Just look at Nature. (You
know; God's creation.) These systems have been around for billions of
years. There is no waste. And the ultimate “goal” is apparently a
state of adaptive balance. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We are the beings changing
the Earth – which is forcing us to change. If we hesitate – if we
continue to rely on failing systems – if we wait until our system
collapses, far too many of us could be forced to step back to simpler
systems we can longer know live in. That would result in a desperate,
starving humanity treating life on Earth like “bush meat.” We
can't go back. Humanity must adapt or die – NOW! </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Evolution has almost
provided us with the capacity to foresee and act upon our dilemma. We
must continue to evolve. But we have more options than the other
animals. We have the option to evolve our society. We have the option
to evolve our culture. And with the advance of science, we might even
be able to genetically “evolve” without having to suffer the pain
of death every generation. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Evolution is evolving. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And hopefully, we have
evolved to the point where we can plan it. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If we don't, change will
just go to the highest bidder – until our systems collapse under
the weight of corruption and resource depletion</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> – </span>again. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-70920977177312176252014-06-16T12:34:00.001-07:002014-06-16T12:34:40.492-07:00Snake Valley Festival
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Press
Release</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">For
Immediate Release</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Snake
Valley celebrates Sixth Annual Water Festival June 20-22 in Baker,
Nevada.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Friends
and supporters of Snake Valley will gather in Baker, Nevada during
the weekend of June 20-22 for the sixth annual Snake Valley Festival
to celebrate and raise funds in support of community preservation.
All are invited to join in. All proceeds from the festival events
will benefit the Great Basin Water Network (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">www.greatbasinwater.net</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">)
to help protect the water and environment in eastern Nevada and the
west desert of Utah.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJvMFwSsKuVsG6PbSjJNwQHq4wP8q5C6YdXkp_2_bMYwY94t7PMN3ZtwvblpCDDHscD35MZ73UARglzmM-0TTvy0lC4pjviEZ1rHAI1D4wUna97l8Z0alL-pT7bRfsysBmrMh/s1600/float+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJvMFwSsKuVsG6PbSjJNwQHq4wP8q5C6YdXkp_2_bMYwY94t7PMN3ZtwvblpCDDHscD35MZ73UARglzmM-0TTvy0lC4pjviEZ1rHAI1D4wUna97l8Z0alL-pT7bRfsysBmrMh/s1600/float+2012.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">An
</span><span style="color: black;"><b>ice cream social</b></span><span style="color: black;">
in front of Baker Hall and a Great Basin </span><span style="color: black;"><b>beer
tasting</b></span><span style="color: black;"> at the Border Inn will kick
off events Friday night. All of the brews featured at the beer
tasting are brewed with water from the Great Basin. </span><span style="color: black;">"The
Festival helps Great Basin Water Network to keep water in Snake
Valley," said Abby Johnson of the Great Basin Water Network.
"It's a fun way to raise awareness and money at the same time."</span><span style="color: black;">
Stick around after the beer tasting for the Pageant and Talent Show
to help crown Mr. and Ms. Snake Valley and </span><span style="color: black;"><b>dance</b></span><span style="color: black;">
until midnight with Pistol Rock.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">With
their unique blend of rock, blues, and folk music, Trotta and
Ronstadt with James Dalton are headlining the Festival with </span><span style="color: black;"><b>concerts</b></span><span style="color: black;">
at Centennial Arts Center in Ely, Nevada Friday evening beginning at
7:30 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon at the Border Inn in Baker at 2 pm.
Michael Ronstadt, cellist, and David Trotta, an accomplished solo
artist and multi-faceted instrumentalist, incorporate a
multi-cultural blend of music and storytelling. In addition, James
Dalton, also a storyteller and multi-talented musician, brings the
trio full circle. These talented musicians will also lead </span><span style="color: black;"><b>music
and</b></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><b>storytelling
workshops</b></span><span style="color: black;"> for all ages throughout
the weekend. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Saturday
includes of a host of activities promising something for everyone.
The day will begin with a </span><span style="color: black;"><b>community
breakfast</b></span><span style="color: black;"> to help everyone fuel up
for the </span><span style="color: black;"><b>small town parade</b></span><span style="color: black;">
which will complete its circuit twice, lest any spectators blink and
miss it. The day will continue with </span><span style="color: black;"><b>food
and craft booths, a yard and book sale, a silent auction, a homemade
pie sale, cowboy poetry and music, kids’ games, and a massive water
fight</b></span><span style="color: black;">. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">The
day will culminate with a </span><span style="color: black;"><b>BBQ</b></span><span style="color: black;">
and </span><span style="color: black;"><b>live auction</b></span><span style="color: black;">
at the Border Inn featuring local art, unique jewelry, vintage cast
iron cookware and heritage jams, jellies and preserves made with
fruits and vegetables grown in Snake Valley. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">The
fun continues Sunday morning with the Snake Valley Slither a 5 or 10K
</span><span style="color: black;"><b>run/walk</b></span><span style="color: black;">.
Participants are encouraged to don their best costumes to slither
through the course.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-96vwRPF0MA8u8x6KP2hpgGxYnRQDS1tl8dE0Q-CcGXPUFbBZnnNHPfwbeZqgqKW-DkuX8YohfSCjKSb5TYLWghJsMWMucxGtf8PVW1nV3Sxp-5cp1-s_AQudaj-r-ezo0hW/s1600/Slither+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-96vwRPF0MA8u8x6KP2hpgGxYnRQDS1tl8dE0Q-CcGXPUFbBZnnNHPfwbeZqgqKW-DkuX8YohfSCjKSb5TYLWghJsMWMucxGtf8PVW1nV3Sxp-5cp1-s_AQudaj-r-ezo0hW/s1600/Slither+2012.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Snake Valley Festival has something for everyone. Come out and
experience a parade that welcomes anyone to become part of it, join
the water fight at the playground, browse the silent auction, and
enjoy some of the great food. Peer through the solar telescope to
observe the sun or join the evening </span><span style="color: black;"><b>astronomy
program</b></span><span style="color: black;"> at Great Basin National
Park. Join the fun!” </span><span style="color: black;">urged </span><span style="color: black;">Gretchen
Baker, Festival Organizer.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
more information and a list of events, go to
</span></span></span><a href="http://www.protectsnakevalley.org/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">www.protectsnakevalley.org</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
or call 775/234-7357.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
more information on the Southern Nevada Water Authority pipeline
project, please visit </span></span></span><a href="http://www.greatbasinwater.net/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">www.greatbasinwater.net</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-88801902743050596722014-05-12T13:22:00.001-07:002014-05-12T20:26:13.451-07:00Our Post-Modern Parallel Universe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzWw3Zse0qtNaRHhyLStSmQs0jj47oXx5nHJ_oJ9oSfxWg_eTbUxag9jXJgAbWY7XXjYkVJdreReL3qNBSRIJguNcMU4_ze9QX195esRajZ1HozbzZSpCmDPQSgONcnBS5li_/s1600/heads+in+the+sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzWw3Zse0qtNaRHhyLStSmQs0jj47oXx5nHJ_oJ9oSfxWg_eTbUxag9jXJgAbWY7XXjYkVJdreReL3qNBSRIJguNcMU4_ze9QX195esRajZ1HozbzZSpCmDPQSgONcnBS5li_/s1600/heads+in+the+sand.jpg" height="148" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Those who do not
remember the past are condemned to repeat it.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Almost every
civilization that has ever existed has collapsed.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Some civilizations
did not collapse because they adapted.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Internet is a
tool capable of stimulating massive, rapid adaptation. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If monopolies control
the Internet, our civilization will be less capable of adapting –
which could be disastrous on a scale we have yet to imagine. </span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Have you ever noticed how
economists never seem to talk about science? Sure, economists have
all kinds of technical looking charts and graphs. And they have a
whole language of scientific sounding terms. But rarely do you hear
them mention the pure sciences. It's as if economics is a separate
study unaffected by the rest of the world. It's as if economics is a
parallel universe – where only money matters. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And politicians aren't
much better. They pretty much defer to the economists. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">On the other hand; <i><b>real</b></i>
scientists (such as conservation biologist and Professor Emeritus of
University of Arizona, Guy R. McPherson) have published books that
warn of dire consequences of continuing on our path of environmental
exploitation. Guy R. McPherson's book, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18675123-going-dark"><b>Going
Dark</b></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">,</span> even warns of
a possibility of <i><b>humanity's</b></i> <i><b>extinction</b></i> <i><b>by</b></i>
<i><b>2040!</b></i> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There are conspicuous
signs we are already straining the Earth's capacity to support us. We have
already witnessed recent mass unrest worldwide due, at least in part,
to <a href="http://www.alternet.org/food/when-hunger-strikes">lack of
food</a> – due, at least in part, to Global warming </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">– </span>due, at least in part, to human activities. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...And recently on <b>The
Cobert Report</b>, Edward O. Wilson (one of the smartest scientists I
know of) reminded us that humanity isn't just experiencing <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/05/one-of-the-6-biggest-ecological-disasters-in-the-last-4-5-billion-years-is-happening-right-now/">the
Earth's sixth extinction event</a> on Earth – we <i><b>are</b></i> the
extinction event. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">When legitimate scientists
warn us that we could drive ourselves to extinction in the near term,
we need to pay attention. But even though scientists have been
warning us since the 1960's, humanity has not acted with real
commitment. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Evidently, our money
obsessed culture has tried to create a “parallel universe”
society that doesn't reflect the actual world we live in – so that
we won't have to face our planet's limitations. However, of course;
pretending there is no precipice does not take it away. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In our dysfunctional society; it's not about the balance of life on the
planet, it's about the balance sheets that tell us our profits and
losses. We have become disconnected with our world, and yet we've
somehow convinced ourselves we see a clearer view (on television, of
course). </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Far too many people have
been convinced that our fossil fuel dependent economy matters more
than our environment. But it is so blatantly obvious that every
economy on Earth combined are <i><b>just </b></i><i><b>a </b></i><i><b>subset</b></i>
of our planet's Environment. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Example: Our present
economy relies heavily on fossil fuels. Through the main stream
media, those who sell and use fossil fuels have conned us into believing our
economy would collapse without them. So, we continue to burn fossil
fuels. Now, scientists have found that we have consequently pushed
the West Antarctica ice sheet past its tipping point – which
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/science/earth/collapse-of-parts-of-west-antarctica-ice-sheet-has-begun-scientists-say.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0">guarantees
a 10 foot sea level rise</a>... NASA scientist Thomas P. Wagner has
said; “This is really happening.”... “There's nothing to stop
it now.” And NASA glaciologist Eric Rignot has said; “The system
is in sort of a chain reaction that is <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/12/west-antarctic-ice-sheet-melting_n_5310679.html">unstoppable</a>.”
… And a 10 foot sea level rise pretty much guarantees a collapse of everyone's economies. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless; <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/168620/one-four-solidly-skeptical-global-warming.aspx">one
in four Americans</a> take no stock in Global Warming. That's right,
one in four Americans get their science education from advertiser
supported main stream media “news.” What's astounding about this
is that they have to wait for that “education” while watching
countless advertisements from fossil fuel companies. Haven't they
ever heard the term; “follow the money”? Though this is the
epitome of gullibility, one in four Americans would rather believe
that Global Warming is some sort of scientists' conspiracy than
seriously concern themselves with cutting back on fossil fuel
consumption. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Obviously, far too many of
us simply <i><b>don't want</b></i> to know the truth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The truth is just too
depressing... and horrifically scary. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; every
technological innovation humanity has ever invented has had
(sometimes far reaching) <a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/storm-surge-could-flood-nyc-1-in-every-4-years-17344?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular">consequences</a>.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the parallel universe;
it's OK to build nuclear power plants, because somebody will soon
invent a way to deal with all the nuclear waste. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; our
planet has only a limited number of resources. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the parallel universe;
we can make out like bandits selling scarce resources. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; climate
change is beginning to <a href="http://mashable.com/2014/05/05/oklahoma-kansas-burning-record-heat-wave/">disastrously
effect</a> every place on the planet. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the parallel universe;
we won't have to wear jackets in the Winter. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; almost
every civilization that has existed has collapsed.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the parallel universe;
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/06/central-african-republic_n_5248198.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular">our
super-superior civilization</a> cannot fail – no matter how hard we push
it to the brink. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; the
Earth is now in it's sixth great extinction event – and most of
this extinction is human caused.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the parallel universe;
we can't know this – or we don't care to remember it. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; when
you die, you rot. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the parallel universe;
if you pray to the right God, he will rescue you from the predicament
<i><b>humanity</b></i> has created. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">(Now wait a minute... God
is going to save us from killing off all of his creations? If you
believe that after destroying life on Earth – all of God's
creations, we will be welcome in Heaven; then you really <i><b>are</b></i>
thinking in a parallel universe.) </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">So...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">What if the “sky is
falling” scientists are right? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">What if we are on the
short road to extinction by going the direction we are headed? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Then we obviously need to
change that direction. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We need to start thinking
in the real world. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It has basically come down
to; adapt or die. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">(I'm reminded of the scene
in the movie <b>Blade Runner</b>, where Eldon Tyrell, the
insanely-rich oligarch, says to the engineered human; “The light
that burns twice as bright burns half as long. And you have burned so
very, very brightly....”)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7ezVMbU1aSU0uTpRQJVkqcEEVnkRtiAHtOtqYYU-3FPTihgjWT_9KRF6GFLgCC1ajfJ0Sr7p3htPjzwbInPKgohqqqlRo_sgzxe2Wkoh13JyyEuu5wkowHHJa0G5tx1x8WGq/s1600/bladerunner-LA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7ezVMbU1aSU0uTpRQJVkqcEEVnkRtiAHtOtqYYU-3FPTihgjWT_9KRF6GFLgCC1ajfJ0Sr7p3htPjzwbInPKgohqqqlRo_sgzxe2Wkoh13JyyEuu5wkowHHJa0G5tx1x8WGq/s1600/bladerunner-LA.jpeg" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Blade
Runner</b> depiction of Los Angeles in the future</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It may be that, in order
to get where we are today, our civilization had to “break some
eggs”. (In case you're not familiar with the
quote; “If you want an omelet, you have to break some eggs.”) </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe we <i><b>had</b></i>
to create an unstable society to nurture the innovations we have
seen. Maybe our fatal weaknesses are unavoidable hidden consequences
of our greatest strengths. Maybe intelligent life is its own greatest
enemy. But then again maybe, if we accepted our predicament; we might change our
behavior – and fix our problems. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Money is just a tool. All
tools can be misused. But we have the capacity to learn how not to
misuse our tools. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Humanity's extinction by
2040? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...We can do better than
that. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But how? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...Not by thinking in an
<i><b>imaginary</b></i> parallel universe – by honestly assessing
our <i><b>real</b></i> <i><b>world</b></i> situation and creatively
devising better ways to deal with it. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We need to work together.
We need to notice everyone's ideas. We need to fix our systems and to
develop new ones that work even better. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">That's why the Internet is
so important. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">That's why the
monopolization of the Internet might just be the hindrance that
blocks us from fixing critical things – which could lead to
humanity's extinction. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">So, why wouldn't everyone want net neutrality? Because if they can control the flow of information, they can make money for doing nothing. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the real world; life is
full of predators, parasites, and swindlers. There are people who
<i><b>want</b></i> us to think in their parallel universe. That's how
they control us. That's how they enslave us. That's how they keep up
their outdated multi-billion dollar income streams. That's how they
crush better ideas. That's how they ruin our future. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout history, there
have always been scheming demons who have wanted to control others,
to manipulate them, and to dominate their minds. These lying thieves want
your wealth. They want you to be their part-time slave. They want you
to fight and die for their exploits of greed. And they want you to
think that they are your “friend.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...But first of all, they
want to control what you know. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">They have controlled mass
media ever since they monopolized print media over a century ago. But
they don't have control over the Internet – yet. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/e1aa-3HFUMc" width="560"></iframe>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Net Neutrality assures
that the scheming demons can't buy their way into your mind. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Which is why the ISPs want
to get rid of net neutrality – there's <i><b>really</b></i> big
money in accessing your mind. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">They tried to buy off
Congress. But killing net neutrality was far too unpopular. So they
tried taking their corrupt case to the corrupt Supreme Court. They
won. But only if the FCC allowed them to sell access. They had
that covered too. They had convinced President Obama to appoint an
industry mole, <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/former-comcast-and-verizon-attorneys-now-manage-the-fcc-and-are-about-to-kill-the-internet">Tom
Wheeler</a>, to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">President Obama's FCC
chief is <a href="http://bgr.com/2014/05/12/fcc-net-neutality-controversy-wheeler/">lying
to us</a> about his position on net neutrality. He is on the <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/technology/205632-wheeler-pushes-ahead-with-internet-fast-lanes-vote">fast
track to ignore the people</a>, enrich the Internet Service
Providers (ISPs), and destroy the free flow of information humanity
so desperately needs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now would be a good time to urge President Obama to <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/webform/seeking-your-input-open-government-self-assessment-report" target="_blank">fire Tom Wheeler from the FCC</a>. But we can only assume Obama, the first President elected by the Internet, wants this. He hired him. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The good news is that
individuals are not the only ones fighting this. <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/7/5692578/tech-coalition-challenges-fcc">Amazon,
eBay, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, and Yahoo</a>
are on our side. We can win this... again. (And of course, they will try
again... eternal vigilance...) </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">You only have a few more
days to make a comment to the FCC. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">To make a comment to the
FCC: <a href="http://www.fcc.gov/comments">click here</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">...And if the FCC fails to
act in the best interests of America and the world?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Then we need to build our
own Internet. This isn't as hard as it sounds. We could connect in an
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/08/mesh-internet-privacy-nsa-isp">open
mesh network</a>. Essentially, we could eliminate the need for ISPs.
This is already being done in other parts of the world – for far
less money, much better connection speeds, and better privacy from
the NSA. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The ISPs have been
overcharging us for connection to the Internet for too damn long. And
now they're using our money to steal control over the Internet to
ultimately charge us even more. What's worse, they may make it very
difficult for small websites to be accessed. Essentially, the ISPs
want to make the Internet like cable TV – devoid of fresh ideas. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We don't need the ISPs.
They charge far too much. And we certainly don't want them to control
what we know. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The information we share
on the “neutral” Internet may include the tools to save our
civilization – maybe even our species. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It's that important. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29740417.post-20069304890991928622014-04-19T20:56:00.000-07:002014-04-20T12:03:54.851-07:00The Astroturf Sagebrush Rebellion<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This “standoff” wasn't
about cattle. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It's about fracking wells. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">It's about neutering the BLM. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS97nhHNh6TOjz3Ww61VCenZGHdezCrP7HPZdl5u2m3N17rA8SB8Im_6RsLyUEp8OfEWDaFcp61rxSQ1xLDBrnpi36CJWgB3BPhHEkFHtEhwjSfwnbBXvj9jb_AhV-HrhBM-z/s1600/nevada-484181309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS97nhHNh6TOjz3Ww61VCenZGHdezCrP7HPZdl5u2m3N17rA8SB8Im_6RsLyUEp8OfEWDaFcp61rxSQ1xLDBrnpi36CJWgB3BPhHEkFHtEhwjSfwnbBXvj9jb_AhV-HrhBM-z/s1600/nevada-484181309.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Deadbeat rancher Cliven
Bundy wasn't some kind of hero.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He was a tool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He was a propaganda tool. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">How do you think some guy
who doesn't pay his fees to the people of America (it's our land),
can recruit hordes of armed militants to chide BLM officers to commit
some violent act? </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">In contrast, think about
all those people who lost their homes, sometimes illegally, during
the financial crisis – who never got militia protection. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">What is this? If you don't
pay the banksters; you're a bum. But if you don't pay the government,
you're a hero? This doesn't add up. It's as if the militia showed up
to protect a tax evader. This “confrontation” screams <b>astroturf
theater.</b> </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">No... There's a bigger
story here. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And it appears that ALEC
is behind it. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">ALEC (American Legislative
Exchange Council) is not just your typical lobbying organization.
ALEC is also a <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/American_Legislative_Exchange_Council">corporate
bill mill</a>. This is where the dirty work gets done. This is where
the laws that were written to protect Americans get watered down.
This is the primary organization behind corporate anarchy in America.
And ALEC has a long record of pushing legislation for States to seize
control of Federal Lands. The reason why is simple; because it's
easier to push around State legislatures. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">As far back as 1978,
members of ALEC were bragging that they helped spur the initial
“Sagebrush Rebellion” in Northern Nevada. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And why? </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">ALEC doesn't care about
ranchers who don't pay their grazing fees. They care about how
powerful the BLM is. They want to push around, or in this case;
eliminate the BLM. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the money. The Koch
brothers, Peabody Energy, Duke Energy, and American Electric Power
are examples of big contributors to ALEC. And they want to mine any
where they please: </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">BLM
lands – drill baby drill! </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Forest
Service lands – dig'em up! </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Wilderness
Areas – frack till the water turns black!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">National
Parks – you can have 'em back when we're through...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Arizona Representative
Raul M. Grijalva (D) has asked the Department of Interior to
investigate ALEC's “aggressive effort” to change State laws
relating to land use. He claims this amounts to <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2014/04/12451/congressman-grijalva-requests-investigation-alecs-role-nv-range-fight">unregistered
lobbying</a>. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Imagine that; militias
doing unregistered lobbying. It sounds crazy. But think about it.
They, and the mainstream media get the public all riled up about how
oppressive the “government” is. ALEC steps in with a corporate
written bill at the Nevada legislature. And the next thing you know,
the public gets played – and most likely; they will never know what
happened – until the frackers show up in their back yard. </span>
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<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Contrast this
Astroturf Rebellion with real, grass-roots organizations; like
“Occupy.” The FBI, Homeland Security, and numerous local police
organizations coordinated a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/29/fbi-coordinated-crackdown-occupy">sophisticated
violent crackdown</a> that crushed the Occupy movement. </span>
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<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Contrast this gun
toting standoff (in which the government backed down to avoid
violence) with the treatment of environmentalists – of which <a href="http://inhabitat.com/killing-the-lorax-900-environmental-activists-slain-in-the-past-10-years/">900
have been killed in the past ten years</a>. </span>
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<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, and remember; in
the past 100 years, American taxpayers have had to pick up the bill
for <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/04/oil-subsidies-renewable-energy-tax-breaks">470
billion dollars in tax subsidies</a> to the oil and gas industries.
Moreover, the mining industry is still paying taxes designed to
subsidize miners with picks and shovels. </span>
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</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">You think they don't have
the power to play us in the mainstream media? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">That's how they get
away with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">...And the additional goal;
to make Senator Harry Reid look like the face of tyranny. (While in reality, Senator Reid has been one of the few members of Congress to stand up to big oil, coal, and the military/industrial complex.) Gee, could
the Koch brothers could have had something to do with that? After he
legitimately called the Koch brothers “unAmerican,” wouldn't we
expect something. </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIF0w6VV7BnyZJzhbaVJ4dcDx0zGBFghWzt8zZAF3y5oJHRMMyRclnVq5QD6f7-z22wB_CUVIJ1B7eVZu4hH2ZPyVkjaaR5OTpXb86tHrDg76_JhS5ibQ2_d3YfZWfreF9fcM/s1600/BW5OFC3CcAANB1O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIF0w6VV7BnyZJzhbaVJ4dcDx0zGBFghWzt8zZAF3y5oJHRMMyRclnVq5QD6f7-z22wB_CUVIJ1B7eVZu4hH2ZPyVkjaaR5OTpXb86tHrDg76_JhS5ibQ2_d3YfZWfreF9fcM/s1600/BW5OFC3CcAANB1O.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
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(This is what they want you to believe.)</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I don't agree with Senator
Harry Reid's claim that these armed protestors are “terrorists.”
They're more like “operatives.” You know, like the CIA operatives
who overthrew <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Mosaddegh">President
Mosaddegh in Iran</a> (likely for the oil companies). Most of these
militia members didn't know that. I'm sure they believe the hype. But I wouldn't be surprised
if some of their (secret, private intelligence) handlers knew exactly what they were up to: conning gullible Americans into fighting for their own oppression. </span>
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Rick Spilsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926067329387610681noreply@blogger.com0