September 5, 2012

Can you spot global climate change close to your home?

I have relocated to the awesome Ozarks in Northwest Arkansas. Ever since the remnants of Isaac blew through last week, I have noted that the grasses and wildings along our roadways are finally lush, tall, and waving in unison as cars hurtle by. This put me in mind of recording evidence of global climate change that I have personally witnessed here in these beautiful mountains:

~ This spring, I saw forsythia, daffodils, grape hyacinth and other early flowers in full bloom at least a month earlier than normal. Queen Anne's Lace, wisteria, and countless other flowers made their appearance a month or more earlier this year.

~ Throughout the first half of this year, I've seen most flowers and species of wild roadside weeds come to maturity far earlier than is the norm. Because of the extreme to exceptional drought conditions, most of the roadside flowers and weeds have been stunted and sparse.

~ The drought has killed so many trees, particularly hardwoods, that the hills look like they have freckles--or a bad case of measles.

~ Crops are dry and appear to have very little 'produce' available that's fit for human consumption.

~ Animals are having a difficult time foraging for food. A black bear has raided the pear tree in my roommate's yard, not 200 feet from her back door. He seems unaffected by the humans who furtively took pictures of him with a half-eaten pear in his mouth.

~ Waterways are almost bone dry. Our public water supply is so low, we've been on 'extreme conservation measures' for most of the summer.

I could go on, but I am too sleepy. Instead, I implore you: record herein below your personal observances of global climate change. Please be sure to note your approximate location (general area in your state). I look forward to hearing from you all.

August 9, 2012

Sexists thrive on DU

(Before we get started, go here and also here to see examples of the sexism in question.)

More than likely, we've all seen it, the unflattering picture of Ann Coulter beside an equally unflattering picture of an Afghan Hound, running full tilt toward the photographer, mouth gaping, teeth showing, tongue lolling...

Well, this last time, I took action, as we can here on DU:

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

YOUR COMMENTS:

Must we repeatedly view this sexist post about Ann Coulter's looks? Is this germane? Or, does this fit in the 'boys will be boys' category of "can't you take a joke"? Sexism is bigoted hate speech and should be unacceptable in DU.

Here are the results:

JURY RESULTS

A randomly-selected Jury of DU members completed their review of this alert at Thu Aug 9, 2012, 10:27 AM, and voted 1-5 to LEAVE IT ALONE.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: I don't know what the alerter is thinking, but THIS IS NOT SEXIST!
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT and said: over the top.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Can't stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: alerter should find a better hobby
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given

Thank you.

I wonder if this warrants a new acronym: "SIOKIYAD" (Sexism Is OK If You're A Democrat)?

May 29, 2012

The Kevorkian Option

Well, I have this huge thread started about Noam Chomsky's latest decimation of the Corporate Megalomaniacs, but this topic has superseded...

How many people do YOU know who are in such dire straits that they have mentioned suicide, or 'the Kevorkian Option'?

How likely do YOU think is the concept of the uber wealthy thinning the ranks of the Hoi Polloi by sustaining this global economic distress?

How likely are YOU to explore a Kevorkian Option, and what are your specific reasons for so choosing?

Please respond honestly to these questions. I am one of a growing number of unemployed elderly people who cannot see any other alternative, and I STILL will not go quietly into my coming night.

May 4, 2012

Thoughts on the Evolution of Our Species.

Following is my response to GliderGuider's "What If A Collapse Happened And Nobody Noticed?" (http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002639524); posted herewith per requests:

I am 56 years old. I read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring when I was 12 years old. When I finished her iconic treatise, I made two fundamental decisions: 1) I would not bear children, and 2) I would be an activist for the rest of my life. I am so glad that I achieved both those goals, especially considering where humanity finds itself at present...

During my brief tenure on this planet, I've witnessed:

--the heavy metal pollution of this planet's groundwater

--the nationwide existence of 'Superfund Sites' that are so toxic, massive amounts of our tax dollars have been allocated to 'clean up' these abandoned, hazardous areas (visit Superfund websites and you'll find "Superfund for Kids!&quot

--an exponential increase in diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases directly linked to the consumption of refined sugars and animal products (let's not even BEGIN to discuss hydrogenated oils...)

--the 'War on Drugs' (an ironic ploy that benefits the uber wealthy in two primary ways: more money, more money, more money; and keeping the hoi polloi distracted and addicted)

--a pile of floating garbage--in surface area, the size of the state of Texas--in the doldrums of the Pacific Ocean AND in the Atlantic

--a measurable decline in the amount of food fish we pull out of our oceans and lakes

--the steady decline of the honeybee population worldwide (called "Colony Collapse Disorder" by the scientists who are 'struggling' to identify the causes)

--nutritional deficiencies in almost every fruit or vegetable harvested since the 70s

--vast swaths of soil erosion and silt runoff

--measurable declines in the quality and flavor of most produce

--GLOBAL monopolies on seed stocks

--Genetically modified foods (should I mention Pink Slime?)

--cross contamination of vegetable foodstuffs from cattle and dairy operations

--inhumane treatment of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, calves, chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks

--Bhopal

--Three Mile Island

--the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico

--Chernobyl

--Fukushima

--Monsanto (need I say more?)

--Global Climate Change

--a growing percentage of adults (as of the 90s, this figure was forty percent) who are functionally illiterate (thus, easily manipulated)

--a now ubiquitous 'message delivery system' (television) that has turned a significant number of humans into distracted, misinformed zombies

--a toxic, dangerous economic system that has concentrated the wealth of this planet into the hands of a minuscule fraction of our planet's global population (writing the representative percentage requires scientific notation with a large negative exponent).

--destructive, endless 'wars' based on lies and profitability (and, don't even get me started about Depleted Uranium)

--a radical shift to exponential growth (read 'change') that few recognize and even fewer discuss.

Sigh...

I don't have time to list all of the other issues I've been witnessing. This would take weeks, if not months.

I'm watching as more and more of us resort to 'react' mode, letting our inchoate fears and frustrations manifest as road rage, name-calling, sarcasm, and other forms of mental, emotional and physical violence. Do I think we humans are experiencing a critical tipping point in our evolution as a species? You bet. Do I think we can do anything about it? I'm skeptical, although #Occupy gives me a modest measure of hope.

We’ve reached a stage in our evolution where the tiniest stressors create the most enormous fissures. I find it disheartening that some among us dismiss concerns about these events as “end time fear.” The grim fact remains: we have no frame of reference for what IS happening.

(BTW, I don’t think we’re witnessing ‘end times,’ because this incredible planet WILL survive our species’ vile, narcissistic hedonism.)

February 7, 2012

You, too?!?!

Wow! Voice one teensy concern about the policies of our POTUS, or any other politician du jour, and all-of-a-sudden...

PURIST!!!

(I deign not to use the snark emoticon, since the vast majority of my peers are erudite enough to recognize sarcasm when they see it...)

January 8, 2012

Oh, noes...

Poor wee mannie, your posts are far too insipid to warrant ignore.