Imagine If We Had A President Who Not Only Read Books But Could Actually Write One?

[Mass]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x675679

James Boyce

Imagine If We Had A President Who Not Only Read Books But Could Actually Write One?

John and Teresa Kerry have written a book on the environment with words and everything. And it's a really good book called "This Moment On Earth" and showcases their passion for the environment and also includes stories from people across the country who are helping save our planet.

It got me thinking.

Do you think George Bush has read any books lately? Do you think he has perhaps started reading newspapers?
...

[beachmom]

1. Great piece. What I also like about TMOE is the Kerrys actually

wrote it without a ghost writer. Call me crazy or snooty, but I really get annoyed when you think, say, Colin Powell, wrote a book, only to find, when you get closer that somebody wrote it "with" him. To me, then, it's not an autobiography, but a biography.

The only way to get to know someone truly, is to become intimate with their OWN writing. And, I feel like I am getting to know the Kerrys a little bit better because I am reading words that they put together.

I can't overemphasize enough how much I am enjoying TMOE, by the way.

[TayTay]

2. Change is coming. The Kerrys are right, everyone can do something

Get the story about the Greening of Home Depot products that ran in today's Boston Globe:

Home Depot launching line of green products
By Michael Barbaro, New York Times News Service | April 17, 2007

After squabbling over prices for decades, the nation's big-box retail chains are ready to battle in a new arena: the environment.

Home Depot Inc. today will introduce a label for nearly 3,000 products, like fluorescent light bulbs that conserve electricity and natural insect killers, that promote energy conservation, sustainable forestry, and clean water.

The initiative -- which is expected to represent 12 percent of the chain's sales by 2009 -- would be the largest green labeling program in US retailing and could persuade competitors to speed up their own plans.

And it signals that the country's second-largest retailer, is joining the largest, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in pursuing issues of public concern like climate change that stores have left to governments and environmental groups.

More at: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/04/17/home_depot_launching_line_of_green_products/?p1=MEWell_Pos4

[wisteria]

3. Thats great, I buy green products to clean with now.

My only complaint is that they cost more to use. It does seem that everything that is better for us from organic foods and the green cleaning products cost more to use. I purchase them anyway, but many other people don't have the money to spend on these type of products. What a crazy world,it costs more not to put chemicals on foods and in cleaning products than it does to use them in both.

[TayTay]

5. That;'s true and very sad

But, it is hoped that if more people buy and use them then the price will go down. I hope so.

[Democrafty]

6. I am going to start working on compiling all the recipes I've seen

for homemade green cleaning products - they're mostly stuff like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Really cheap and easy to find.

[k j]

9. I swear, my mom

used baking soda and vinegar for everything, from making a paste for bee stings to washing windows, teeth, hair, sinks, etc. Absolutely everything. I use them too, not so much because they're natural and oh-so-cheap, but because that's what she taught me to use. Go, Mom! :smoke:

[ginnyinWI]

12. what proportions?

do you just add a handful of baking soda to the vinegar, or what? I'd like to try it. Do you dilute it with water?

[ginnyinWI]

4. on a related theme:

How good it would be to have a president who could actually comfort a nation which has endured the kind of tragedy as happened in VA yesterday. I was imagining JK speaking to the nation as president. I would have believed he meant every word from the heart--as opposed to the monkeyman, who I'm sure just read what someone else wrote for him.

[Democrafty]

7. Actually, this is a great point.

I used to live and go to school near Blacksburg, and am having trouble even processing the events. Reading the news, I'm just so shocked by the tinny statements from * that are at the top of every story, and it really does make it worse, somehow.

[karynnj]

8. especially when he adds in a rejection of calls for gun control

I would not expect him to speak for gun control - but I'm shocked he felt a need to add a comment in defense of guns in his FIRST statement.

I can't imagine how frightening this is to all students - hearing this - then going to similar class rooms. I was at a large midwestern college when Kent state happened. The University had to a candle light vigil a few days afterwards - partially because some kids were afraid to leave their dorms. It wasn't logical, but the idea of walking across a field to classes was scary to some- and that was easier to argue against. the National Guard was NOT there.

[k j]

10. Missed most of yesterday's news

but have already overheard comments today on how "Oh no, now there will be calls for gun control."
Swear to god, being ignorant of daily news is bliss, if only because it keeps my blood pressure under control. :-(

karynnj, we might be around the same age. You also mentioned Indiana in one of your previous posts, I spent my first 18 years there.

[Democrafty]

11. Right, it just sucks.

I'm not even really anti-gun, but I loved going to school in the rural south where nobody locked their doors, where there were no metal detectors, where you could go out at night and nobody would bother you. I really hate the idea of a couple of crazy guys with guns ruining that feeling of safety for a lot of young people.