Wednesday, August 15, 2018
..the most important decade in the world..
..in this article, there is one thought to agree with completely .
..IMHO in the long run, given where we are now..
.. they'd only be miracles & 'carbon-capture' might save us..
..miracles of course can happen at any time..
..carbon-capture we'd need invent technology.. immediately..
..it is completely illogical to believe in the span of just one decade..
.. we will be able to stop the rise of CO2 & methane in the atmosphere..
..that's just not possible.. (especially after this last election)
..but begin taking some of it back out of the atmosphere.. that's plausible..
..but where does the money come from to make this happen..
..technology we would need to invent, to get this done on a MASSIVE scale...
..we need look at where we are now ploughing the big-money..
...the M-I-C and the super rich...
..these two alone would give us a couple TRILLION plus to work with..
..do we have the understanding & will to make all this happen..
..it's not going to be taking near ten years to find out..
..."..it will be existentially difficult to adapt to a world with runaway permafrost melt, global forest die-offs, rapid sea level rise, and supercharged extreme weather... these aren’t just tipping points...[these are] tipping cascades... that kind of world will make the current version of Earth look like paradise."
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
... I don't like the term 'socialism'... or.. What a Progresive America should look like..
Anti-progressives always want to use the term 'socialism' when describing all of the social contract programs they completely disdain:
Medicare For All.... Social Security.. Creating Decent Jobs & A Living Wage.. Free College Education.. Income & Wealth Equality... Getting Big-Money Out of Politics... Combating Climate Change... Fair & Humane Immigration Policies.. Racial Justice.. Reforming Wall Street... et al.
When anti-progressives hear the terms: socialist, liberal, and progressive, they equate them equally to the ideology of that of Lenin, Marx, and Mao... but they are NOT similar.
Definition of Socialism (Merriam-Webster):
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.
Definition of Liberalism
1 : the quality or state of being liberal
2 a : a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity
b : a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard.
c : a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (such as those involving race, gender, or class)
d : the principles and policies of a Liberal
Progressive Approach is very simple to summarize..
..and is built upon the ideas of generations of progressives from Theodore Roosevelt & Franklin Roosevelt to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Barack Obama:
"Everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does his or her fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules."
1. Everyone deserves a fair shot at a decent, fulfilling, and economically secure life.
2. Everyone should do his or her fair share to build this life through education and hard work and through active participation in public life.
3. Everyone should play by the same set of rules with no special-privileges for the well-connected or wealthy.
4. Successful families & communities cannot exist without cooperation.
5. Progressives value human interdependence on a larger scale, and accept the importance of looking beyond their own needs to help others and find global solutions to global problems.
6. Purpose of government is to advance the common good, to secure and protect the rights of its citizens, and to help to create a high quality of life and community well-being.
7. An economy that works for everyone, not just the few.
8. And belief that all nations should uphold universal human rights, and to work together to solve common challenges.
... This is what a progressive America looks like.
.
Medicare For All.... Social Security.. Creating Decent Jobs & A Living Wage.. Free College Education.. Income & Wealth Equality... Getting Big-Money Out of Politics... Combating Climate Change... Fair & Humane Immigration Policies.. Racial Justice.. Reforming Wall Street... et al.
When anti-progressives hear the terms: socialist, liberal, and progressive, they equate them equally to the ideology of that of Lenin, Marx, and Mao... but they are NOT similar.
Definition of Socialism (Merriam-Webster):
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.
Definition of Liberalism
1 : the quality or state of being liberal
2 a : a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity
b : a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard.
c : a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (such as those involving race, gender, or class)
d : the principles and policies of a Liberal
Progressive Approach is very simple to summarize..
..and is built upon the ideas of generations of progressives from Theodore Roosevelt & Franklin Roosevelt to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Barack Obama:
"Everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does his or her fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules."
1. Everyone deserves a fair shot at a decent, fulfilling, and economically secure life.
2. Everyone should do his or her fair share to build this life through education and hard work and through active participation in public life.
3. Everyone should play by the same set of rules with no special-privileges for the well-connected or wealthy.
4. Successful families & communities cannot exist without cooperation.
5. Progressives value human interdependence on a larger scale, and accept the importance of looking beyond their own needs to help others and find global solutions to global problems.
6. Purpose of government is to advance the common good, to secure and protect the rights of its citizens, and to help to create a high quality of life and community well-being.
7. An economy that works for everyone, not just the few.
8. And belief that all nations should uphold universal human rights, and to work together to solve common challenges.
... This is what a progressive America looks like.
.
..in defense of social-media
..having an opinion and a voice.. it should be expressed on social media..
..I will not always believe in all being said, but everyone has a right and should lay out and defend their positions..
..telling another friend the same thing.. he would refer to me as a 'hater'..
..I will not always believe in all being said, but everyone has a right and should lay out and defend their positions..
..telling another friend the same thing.. he would refer to me as a 'hater'..
...and un-friended me on fb, so as not to see-hear any more of what I was posting..
..extreme unyielding zealotry is an exceptionally dangerous belief-system..
..extreme unyielding zealotry is an exceptionally dangerous belief-system..
..I'd suggest anyone becoming part of social-media.. facebook.. twitter.. blogging..
..defending ideals and principles out in an open forum makes one step back to examine their validity, and it gives others a free opportunity to respond..
..having what may be questionable beliefs is one thing..
...making an open defense of them is another entirely....defending ideals and principles out in an open forum makes one step back to examine their validity, and it gives others a free opportunity to respond..
..having what may be questionable beliefs is one thing..
facebook.com/bj.arias.usa
twitter.com/bjarias
bjarias.blogspot.com
.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Comments on a recent trip to Scandavia..
Each of the eight countries visited this past three weeks (Norway Denmark, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden) are having similar issues, and the people in all these countries are making similar comments.
Climate:
By far the most pressing issue on their minds ,as for the past three months all this region has been undergoing extreme heat and drought. Century old records are being, not just broken, they are being shattered, by double digit temperature increases. What were regularly beautiful summers are now hot and humid to everyone's dismay. Most all th population has no air conditioning.. they have never needed it.. no longer.
Forest fires are now occurring in areas where they never did before..and they are ill equipped to handle the growing crisis.
Evacuations ordered in Sweden as fires rage as far north as Arctic Circle.
There's growing concern across the region that 'Climate-Disruption' has brought us to a new era that we are ill prepared to enter.. and it is going to be getting much, much worse as temperatures steadily keep rising year after year.
The Growing Challenge of Living and Working on a Sweltering Planet
Tourism:
Since the last time we traveled to Europe a decade ago, the surge in tourism has been remarkable!! The numbers of people swarming over towns and cities is staggering. The major tourist draws are packed, to the point of being 'unfriendly.'
An unfair paradox: summer is when most people take vacations, but summer is also pretty much the worst time of year to visit a lot of places. Now visiting Europe in the summer is a lot like visiting Disney World in summer: unbearably hot, you have to wait in line for everything, and it's crowded shoulder to shoulder with other miserable people who just wish they could go somewhere with a/c.
Easiest way around this is to travel during the shoulder season in spring and fall, when the weather is still good but the hordes haven’t yet arrived, or have gone.
We.decided that should we return to this part of the world once again, it would not be during the very crowded summer months.. climate and swelling tourism are just becoming too much to handle, and definitely negatively impact the overall travel experience.
Over-tourism: a growing global problem.
Immigration:
For the most part these are progressing thinking societies that care for their populations and the people of other countries. And they have an inner desire to help and lend assistance whenever they can. But these beliefs are now being challenged, as the needs of so many are pushing the boundaries of fiscally being able to afford the growing need.
Overwhelmed by Refugee Flows, Scandinavia Tempers its Warm Welcome
Inequality:
Likely to seriously surprise some people. Scandinavian inequality seriously stands out. The top 10% of wealth holders in three Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) hold between 65 and 69 per cent of those nations' wealth. In a major economic downturn, with governments necessary belt-tightening, this could spell real trouble for the general populations within these countries.
Why Socialist Scandinavia Has Some Of The Highest Inequality In Europe
'Trumpocracy':
Most all the people with whom we spoke very much like Americans, but have a general disrespect and fear of the current administration, unlike the previous Obama administration.
Lengthy anti-Trump hysteria has struck home with Scandinavia's traditionally left-leaning population. Opinion polls indicate increased fears among the Nordics. Forty percent of Norwegians believe the risk of WWIII has increased with Trump as POTUS, and his increasing ties with the Russia-Putin dictatorship significantly worry them.
Trump is feared to make a new dynasty take root in the US. His overwhelming power in office, which no US president has enjoyed since the 1930s is greatly feared. At present, the Republicans enjoy a majority in all instances, and their dominance may be further enhanced as Trump is poised to nominate a new judge to the Supreme Court.
In Norway's neighbor Sweden, the percentage of panic-mongers appears to be even higher. A total majority of 83% of respondents voiced concern about the implications of the Trump presidency.
Fears of 'Trumpocracy' Sweep Scandinavia
What makes sense for the common good.. the general population... NOT one small, rich & powerful segment of society. Call it liberal.. progressive.. socialistic.. call it whatever you like.. all I know is that when there are 40+ MILLION Americans living in
poverty, in what is supposed to be the richest country on the planet...
while spending two-thirds of our annual budget on war and the
military... there's something SERIOUSLY wrong with our politics and government.
Having just returned from visiting these eight European countries over the span of our three week trip, they all are in shocked disbelief what is happening to us.. and they are VERY concerned about the world's future.
Russia & China are now licking their chops, reaping huge benefits from our sheer arrogance & stupidity... and unless we send this cabal of 'leaders' to the trash heap... the grim future they see for us just might be our continuing reality.
Climate:
By far the most pressing issue on their minds ,as for the past three months all this region has been undergoing extreme heat and drought. Century old records are being, not just broken, they are being shattered, by double digit temperature increases. What were regularly beautiful summers are now hot and humid to everyone's dismay. Most all th population has no air conditioning.. they have never needed it.. no longer.
Forest fires are now occurring in areas where they never did before..and they are ill equipped to handle the growing crisis.
Evacuations ordered in Sweden as fires rage as far north as Arctic Circle.
There's growing concern across the region that 'Climate-Disruption' has brought us to a new era that we are ill prepared to enter.. and it is going to be getting much, much worse as temperatures steadily keep rising year after year.
The Growing Challenge of Living and Working on a Sweltering Planet
Tourism:
Since the last time we traveled to Europe a decade ago, the surge in tourism has been remarkable!! The numbers of people swarming over towns and cities is staggering. The major tourist draws are packed, to the point of being 'unfriendly.'
An unfair paradox: summer is when most people take vacations, but summer is also pretty much the worst time of year to visit a lot of places. Now visiting Europe in the summer is a lot like visiting Disney World in summer: unbearably hot, you have to wait in line for everything, and it's crowded shoulder to shoulder with other miserable people who just wish they could go somewhere with a/c.
Easiest way around this is to travel during the shoulder season in spring and fall, when the weather is still good but the hordes haven’t yet arrived, or have gone.
We.decided that should we return to this part of the world once again, it would not be during the very crowded summer months.. climate and swelling tourism are just becoming too much to handle, and definitely negatively impact the overall travel experience.
Over-tourism: a growing global problem.
Immigration:
For the most part these are progressing thinking societies that care for their populations and the people of other countries. And they have an inner desire to help and lend assistance whenever they can. But these beliefs are now being challenged, as the needs of so many are pushing the boundaries of fiscally being able to afford the growing need.
Overwhelmed by Refugee Flows, Scandinavia Tempers its Warm Welcome
Inequality:
Likely to seriously surprise some people. Scandinavian inequality seriously stands out. The top 10% of wealth holders in three Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) hold between 65 and 69 per cent of those nations' wealth. In a major economic downturn, with governments necessary belt-tightening, this could spell real trouble for the general populations within these countries.
Why Socialist Scandinavia Has Some Of The Highest Inequality In Europe
'Trumpocracy':
Most all the people with whom we spoke very much like Americans, but have a general disrespect and fear of the current administration, unlike the previous Obama administration.
Lengthy anti-Trump hysteria has struck home with Scandinavia's traditionally left-leaning population. Opinion polls indicate increased fears among the Nordics. Forty percent of Norwegians believe the risk of WWIII has increased with Trump as POTUS, and his increasing ties with the Russia-Putin dictatorship significantly worry them.
Trump is feared to make a new dynasty take root in the US. His overwhelming power in office, which no US president has enjoyed since the 1930s is greatly feared. At present, the Republicans enjoy a majority in all instances, and their dominance may be further enhanced as Trump is poised to nominate a new judge to the Supreme Court.
In Norway's neighbor Sweden, the percentage of panic-mongers appears to be even higher. A total majority of 83% of respondents voiced concern about the implications of the Trump presidency.
Fears of 'Trumpocracy' Sweep Scandinavia
************************
Having just returned from visiting these eight European countries over the span of our three week trip, they all are in shocked disbelief what is happening to us.. and they are VERY concerned about the world's future.
Russia & China are now licking their chops, reaping huge benefits from our sheer arrogance & stupidity... and unless we send this cabal of 'leaders' to the trash heap... the grim future they see for us just might be our continuing reality.
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