I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. No more from me on that subject.

Still very sad about Apple.

It's chicken caesar salad for dinner - no cooking for me today 

I would have to go with the 98 % as well as pip  and I have heard it called both the warming or climate change.  We are very destructive to our Earth....miss-using it, destroying wet-lands, striping forests, and polluting with not only emissions of different kinds but the land-fills.....all the worry about what our children might have to pay for...this too belongs on the list.  I don't do enough and know it, but once a month a trip is made to our local green and green center where paper, boxes and cartons broken down, cans and bottles, and lg. and small plastic containers  --- often the back of our truck is full.  Sometimes, it is tiresome and I gripe abit, but there is no way I'd not do this.  I feel we still end up sending to much to the land-fill.  And the fact is, our trash pick-up through the city is one of our cheapest bills to pay at $5.50 per month. 

Raining ( probably will go all night ) pretty consistently outside.  It will usher in much cooler weather.  Here we are at a time when we would expect snow having a huge rain-storm......and it was just this summer ( first time on record if memory serves ) that we started the month of June with triple digit temps that didn't let up for two and a half months.  Yr's before the a/c unit didn't go on until at least mid-August.  Weather changes in my part of the world have been drastic and very un-expected. 

I did not know Apple, but I am very sorry for the loss.  I feel for those who felt her spirit so strongly because I know what that loss is like.  Peace to her soul and to all her loved ones. 

Jackie

ok, here's my 2 cents on whether we should do something about carbon emissions in order to stop global climate change. A lot of times in making decisions, i weigh what are the downsides and upsides what would be of any particular action given difference factual scenarios, and whatever has the worst possible downside, would be the path to avoid.  Even if you question whether the scientists are right, look at the downside of doing nothing if they're right versus the downside of investing in green energy, if the scientists are wrong.Here's my evaluation of the consequences of action or inaction.

 If fossil fuel emissions from humans are contributing to global climate change and we do nothing, we will continue to see worsening of extreme weather from droughts to floods to tornadoes that could affect food supplies, cost billions, and continue to cost lives, directly from storms or starvation.

if fossil fuel emissions from humans are contributing, and we make changes in energy, including green energy, we may prevent things from continuing to get worse and we spark a new industry with more jobs.

However, if fossil fuel emissions are not contributing to global climate change and we change to greener energy, we still have created a new industry, and lessened our dependence on mideast oil, created cleaner air that will have positive health benefits.  We may lessen the importance and the profits of the oil industry and the coal industry, but maybe we come out about the same, given the fact that we are creating new jobs in green industry.

So quite apart from the fact that I tend to believe the scientists, inaction on climate change has the much greater downside.

Blue - just watched a documentary on The Doors - it was called Mr Mojo Risin - WOW - it was so cool to see the other band members reminiscing about their time together. I was crying by the end - what a loss. Must say I preferred Jim without the beard

Alexandria, yes and no. I have a couple of cousins who do "biznez." They were raring to go to the climate summit in Copenhagen a few years ago. Because they are all "green"? noooo. It was because they were trying to get on huge scams running out of places like Indonesia to sell fake "green credits." The summit failed and therefore so did the anticipated "green credit" bonanza.

Climate change is real. The causes are not clear. What to do about it is not clear either.

I am very much in favor of cleaner and more sustainable energy, public transportation, more sidewalks and all the rest. I am a Dane after all, and we make gazillions selling wind mills But I also see, in addition to the green credit thing above, all kinds of business people suddenly super-eager to enter the alternative energy field. It has very much become the sector of the moment. Now I know that business people are not doing business for the good of the planet, so obviously there is more to all this than pure science.

Business people want to make money.  Con artists will do cons.  I don't see trading credits as real action.  My argument is for acting to create more green energy, and the fact that some people will act unscrupulously to take advantage of others doesn't change the basic argument.  I don't care if business people make money as long as they're actually creating the green energy that will reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

M - absolutely have to act to counter for the effects of climate change on coastlines with crops etc.

Fascinating perspective:

"School Shootings: My Son Was at the Virginia Tech Massacre"

"....As we so cavalierly cut funding for music, literature and art from our classes, closing more and more spaces where our children will, in an atmosphere free from fear or suspicion, learn about curiosity, empathy, beauty and tenderness, some recommend we protect schools with armed guards. What democratic country arms its teachers and has armed guards in its schools? And after we arm the schools, what will we do about our churches, movie houses, theaters, transit stations, restaurants, malls—in fact, our streets?......"

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/13/school-shootings-my-son-was-at-the-virginia-tech-massacre.html

Going back to the gun issue - here is a movie that was on CBC tv last night that is well worth your time. It stars Paul Gross, who previously starred in the Due South series as a Mountie and makes merry of the difference in gun cultures between the western US and a small Canadian town set whenever the wild west days took place. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1376195/  I laughed out loud a few times as it has some very funny moments and cleverly shows significant differences in attitudes toward guns.

And dear Apple. I will miss her presence. I ache for her beautiful young family.

Belinda, I was so glad to read both of your entries and the link in the first one.  This eloquently spoke to what in my opinion so many of us think but what is sometimes hard to articulate.  So much more so when you have the extreme right and the LaPierres's.  We need to address many of the issues that connect to these murders, of mental health, registration processes etc. because it is all important.  I still see the bottom line as everyday, ordinary citizens do not have any need for assualt weapons.

I also watched MTP with Colin Powell on this a.m. and am struck again by what a reasonable man he is and how well he comes across on many of the current day issues.  He too, in a very nice way, feels the far right has done major damages to the Republican party while stating no matter how much he can agree with Democrats he is still very much a registered Republican and will be staying as such.  He, as well, sees no reason for ordinary citizens to own assault weaponry though could have access at a shooting range that is well regulated. 

There is always this issue of it is the criminal......good argument any time you want to move the focus.  The mother of the person who got the assault gun, was not a criminal and possibly never would have been. I'm really tired of the extremists who didn't lose their precious family members and their me-ism about this.  Their guns and their rights....sigh !!!!!!

If we can't respect everyone's rights, especially as times change, then I think a bit of the savage is in us somewhere.  That ought to be causing deep concern.

Jackie

hmmm -- spell checker decided to work just now when it has been messing up all morning.

RR - thanks for the link to Apple playing - hard to watch, listen, but so, so GOOD at the same time.  Thank you.

Belinda - love the story. 

Babysat my two younger grands all day. Oldest, 13 y/o, boy was away at a sleepover. He let himself into his house after being dropped off by his friend's mom and gave me a call. He was making sure his two younger brothers were with me, safe and sound! I just love that child!

Still have my cold but it is getting better. Slept 10 hours last night. Think I will do that again tonight.

Blue - I looked at my CD's and I have The Best of the Doors - will have to play it again now - been singing 'Love Her Madly' all day.

Weather -- we had rain, turning to sleet yesterday and now today....just nice and cold and staying in the low 30's for the next couple of days.  Three days ago..almost 70.  SIGH !!!!!At least we do know it is going to pretty cool again for while.  I am happy there is sun.  When there is fairly bright sunshine out I can manage. 

Here's to Monday...where would we be without it??

Jackie