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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Revolution Watch----Climate Change

Now and then there are meetings or presentations on the big issues that are affecting us today. Yesterday there was a get-together in Stevens Point reviewing the issue of Global weather change. The presenters were all academics and one local city manager. All great folks and all well informed but reluctant to let fly for one reason or another---understandable.

It was aptly pointed out that global weather change was a fact, as was the issue of it being anthropogenic. It was for real, and it was a big problem. Nothing that hasn't been known for at least 5 years by anyone that has paid attention---which in this country is less than half. I would suppose that is why they reviewed the case, restated it, let's say. I mean, even George Bush said it was for real. The weather is getting warmer---just a set of statistics, math really.

There was a review of the possibilities of what this could cause to our living condition and this too doesn't really need much explanation as all one has to do is look at major weather events around the world to see dead people all over. There was some implication of the idea we have seen nothing just yet, because if this keeps up it will only get worse.

There was no real mention of top NASA climatologist James Hansen and his very dire predictions but still there was a real effort to get the message out.

So then it moved, by way of questions, to what could be done to mitigate the situation. Mostly there was talk of adaptations, of getting ready to deal with it implying the mitigation part was off the table or hopeless. I felt it was rather like, we all know the river is going to rise in the spring so jack your houses on stilts or fill some sand bags. I found myself at a loss for of a number reasons.

While the problem was stated, I don't think anyone really gets the seriousness of the issue. It was if we can just change our light bulbs to LEDs, drive electric cars,  and insulate our homes, slap up some PV panels, and things will work itself out.  Maybe most folks just think, I will do my part as best I can (and most of the folks there were from the choir) and not worry about what is out there---like going on in the entire globe. In the land of the swimmers below, they are bringing on line 1.5-2 new coal fired plants every week. There are 1500 power generating plants (mostly fossil fuels) in the planning stage right now world wide! And we are adding LEDs for mitigation, right!


I didn't feel that people are looking down the road to their kids and grand-kids. It was as if, I will take care of what I can do here and now, and the rest of the world will just have to slug it out. I couldn't detect any real urgency. I didn't sense any attempt to look at the world situation, to analyse this thing beyond our immediate lives. I am puzzled because, in truth, nothing we do makes any difference. All of the real issue are external of our lives here in the upper midwest.

Here is why. All of our problems are due to too many people using too many natural resources. The world population is expanding exponentially at 75 million more humans every fricking year. The GDP growth, or economic growth is also expanding exponentially at rates even greater than the population because everybody wants to be like us. This is a finite world. You can't do that. It would appear it makes no difference what we as individuals do unless growth rates of GDP and population are brought to a standstill. Nothing we do can keep up with exponential growth. I can easily give example after example of efforts being lost in the rush of massive population growth. (Boone Pickens failed 640 unit wind farm good for 1 million homes completed in 5 years---we have close to a million new homes every year for 3 million new US citizens)

Was there one mention of this growth situation at the gathering? Absolutely not. Totally forbidden. The issue disturbing to me is there are things that CAN be done. Remember ZPG? What about stable state economics? Growth Busters? It is out there and there is talk, but more and more, I  am now hearing writers simply saying, "You better dig in, because we will have to let nature sort this one out and she is not going to be nice about it".

If this meeting is any indication where folks heads are at, better learn to live close to the land and know your neighbors real well.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Rail Travel---Reflections



The Railroads of the Past
My Column for The Community Spirit--Update of previous post---sorta

Maybe thirty years ago we visited Amherst and drifted around town taking in the small town flavor which included a couple of old passenger train cars parked just north of the Wilson Street bridge. The cars were tired and clearly the remnants of the previous decades, maybe many decades.  (Painting by Ann Herzog Wright 1983)


We were drawn to them I suppose, because as kids growing up here in Wisconsin, we had used the trains to travel to a few big cities, like Milwaukee and Chicago. It was romantic, in a way, being on a train with a powerful diesel engine, among my young friends on our senior class trip, doing stupid things involving flatulence and profanity. Just memories.

When I was younger still ( and possibly involving those old passenger cars) the black, oily steam engines roared by my grandfather’s place in Illinois, spitting out smoke and steam. Monsters to a kid, all that steel and motion, the engineer who smiled at youngsters, who gave the sign of “I see you kid, and this is America”. My brothers and I waited each day for their timely passing, the chugga-chugga----the fading of the sound as the Doppler affect took over and they were gone. They were gone. The iron horse of history was gone there in ‘ 55 or so.

Seeing the old car here in Amherst in 1982 was a reminder. It is gone now and has been for years, I suspect, but hidden there under the soil on both sides of the road are still the iron rails. They are covered with brush and use, but still there as if waiting, maybe in vain, but waiting as a siding. Each time I walk by I remember. The trains still pass on the upper tracks but it is different, less personal, less a part of the small community, just a noise in the night, almost unseen. Kids don’t pay attention to the trains now.

But memories have a way of lingering because there must have been something good there, some romance, maybe fascination of moving, maybe opportunity, maybe a link with other magical places. Were they dragons of growth and industry?

Last week the local model railroaders of the Waupaca area may have lent some answers to the questioning memories. There it was, the massive layout of our area spread across the gymnasium.  Initially, one would think this would be the interest of the young ones but it was not. It was of my people reveling in the memories of the age of rail, past rail I should say, as modern rail is still here, but this was mostly rail of another time.

Different portions of the setup were made by different individuals and one would assume that each presentation reflected memories or points of interest from some years ago. Interestingly, Amherst was there, in part represented by a simple but aesthetic Amish farm, and there were small communities, all serviced by the trains. Along the way were the sights, elegant mills, even a few bums lounging, bottle in hand, in the hobo jungle somewhere, probably by Stevens Point.

What I assume was the Tomorrow River, wound its way through the country side and I couldn’t help but think of the rail river crossing to the north of Amherst, the one that heads east toward Scandinavia. Keeping it real some modeler included a couple of junked cars half dissembled along a siding.

Personally, I would have included more steam and in doing so would have burned a small piece of coal for ambiance. To add reality someone might add a housewife standing close to the track shaking her fist at the train as the stinking monsters spewed out coal dust over here newly hung wash---maybe that was there. There were many stories in the display, some not entirely of rails making. My favorite turned out to be somewhat hidden behind a cliff of rocks, all expertly crafted. There was a classic 21 window VW deluxe transporter, probably mid 60s, partially hidden by a grand oak. Next to the gorgeous van were 4 hippy chicks all in a state of undress, getting ready to jump in the Tomorrow River.

I knew I was home, and I knew the artist that put this display together had to be of a like mind---and our friend, Conductor Dennis, was found to be the modeler. The day was complete. It was true nostalgia of the grandest sort. I could just see the expression on the engineer’s face as he caught a glimpse of the naked beauties---and maybe the VW.

It was then, but not just then, that it seemed possible that maybe the complete train service may come back, after all it is the cheapest way to move people and material, less fuel per pound moved. The Amherst track still sits half buried there next to the bridge and there just might be new crop of hippies out there. I still have my VW bus.














Friday, June 21, 2013

Missionary's Position GMO Wheat---OOPS



A couple of years ago we visited the Palouse area of Washington where wheat is the call of the day and has been for many decades. I was quite a sight to say the least as the fields stretched in every direction over rolling hills.  Last week articles started appearing noting that not far from this location, but in Oregon, a strain of of Monsanto's GMO wheat had showed up in a farmers fields. ( http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-20/the-search-for-monsantos-rogue-gmo-wheat) (http://www.foodrenegade.com/gmo-wheat-escapes-tainting-crops-oregon/)

Interestingly, this particular crop was not supposed to have been released to the public because the rest of the world is having doubts about the safety of GMO crops. In fact, many countries have banded the stuff as being not fit for human consumption.  The problem comes when farmers try to sell it there is no market over seas where most of the sales take place. We in the US, of course, don't seem to mind as the media here doesn't really cover the issue and the big corporations control the law making and the narrative in the press. Still, the wheat has not been welcomed and was supposed to be a "secret".

There was a bit of a panic to see if the genes were in fact now scattered about the fields of America. So far it has not been found outside the one field---and of course, they are blaming "Eco Terrorist" for putting it there but no one knows how they could actually do that in that Monsanto is the only holders of the seeds.

The item that got my attention in all of this was the mention of other GMO nightmares that are now occurring because it seems every crop has now been genetically modified and many of them are slowly creating other problems. Some GMO plants are producing chemicals designed to inhibit insect attacks but in the process might be killing honey bees. Others are appearing to not be healthy for human consumption. Modified corn genes are finding their way into other varieties of corn thus taking away their natural natures and bio diversities.

Also noted is the fact that other plants are now adapting to to Roundup and becoming resistant to the nasty chemical. They are becoming "Super Weeds" that quickly take over fields and can not be killed by Roundup so more nasty chemicals need to be developed to prevent the loss of acreage to these monster weeds.

What it looks like is we just might have us a "Progress Trap" going on. We think we are doing so well with all of our technological gains only to find out the progress is a trap leading us to a worse condition, one that might become very harmful very fast. But then, we do have to feed 85 million more people every year, year after year. Something here is not making sense. Is there an active dialog going on?


Sunday, June 16, 2013

Revolution Watch----Controlling the Narrative

It is not hard to notice that in the last year there has been an all out effort by the predominate paradigm to control the narrative, that is the tone of all things that pass through the mainstream media (MSM). Some of the efforts are absolutely startling in that by doing what they are doing, our ability to understand the realities of life become very difficult.

In the process of not having some grasp of the world condition, life moves on, moves on to a direction that is very counter-productive to the Sustainable Revolution. This is obviously being done by the Powers to regain the confidence of consumers so they get back to doing the business of capitalism, and that is buying stuff.

We must be made to feel that everything is getting better and and therefore it is time to buy a new car or some more worthless shit and get those GDPs jumping---and sucking up the resources.

So this article comes out in the Economist, a rag that has respect, a rag I like to read to stay in touch with the world, because after all, the world is more than just the USA---at least I think so. So what we have here is a hype of an unimaginable magnitude. (shown below are a number of contrary graphs and sources listed---not from the economist)



First off, it seems everyday now we see articles in alternative press, MSM and official record keepers like the UN, Worldwatch, Pew, CIA fact book, National Geographic, and endless more that are asking the question , How are we going to feed the ever expanding population? The doom and gloomers say we are not, the optimist, techno-triumphalist and cornucopians say we can do it with magic.




So we get this dippy article in the Economist that implies we can do it, but the alarming thing is they never once mention population growth issues, the 80 million new people every year. They never once question our ability to exponential expand GDP and resource development in what is a very finite world.


So I start looking around at some collected graphs I have and what I find is very contrary to this bullshit. What the hell is going on? Well, it is an attempt to grab the narrative and in doing that get back to business as usual. And that is feeding the needs of the big corporations with no regard to the starving of the world. No wonder so many now think it is just a matter of time before the 4 horsemen go for a long ride.
(For another view)

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jun/20/crop-yeilds-world-population

Model Train Show---Lots of Nostalgia

We went to a model train show today and got our first taste of a popular hobby---particularly for older dudes. There were great displays of various settings from around the Midwest. Almost all of them, maybe all, represented a time gone by when trains had more charm.

 One train set did have a long line of coal cars, and I mean long as in it's passing, it seemed to take up the entire half of the side of the display. This set, while not very diverse was probably more typical of today's trains, but more boring. The favorite layout for us was the one from the local Waupaca area club. Unlike at least one other set up, it was at a level where children could see it and the presentation was charming showing our area including right here in Amherst. We used to have a siding here and a station but now we are a pass through, a rapid pass through where the trains don't even sound their arrival..


Nostalgia was the major theme for sure. I suspect that the average age of the participants is well into the 50s if not a bit greater, so there were some memories of the romantic era of rail. Personally, I would have like more steam representation, maybe including a few that spewed out fake smoke polluting the area to give the real feel of the day. Personally, I would have at least burned a small piece of coal to set the tone, may be some diesel as well.

I still remember the steam engines and like every kid who ever saw one, they are impregnated in our minds. Industrial monsters, loved by all---maybe not grandma whose laundry probably got covered with coal dust.

Still they were metal monsters of great intrigue. But my favorite small setting was a almost hidden behind a cliff, maybe out of sight for a reason, but still my favorite. There close to the track, I noticed a split windowed VW bus. Couldn't miss it really. We had a VW bus--and still do. Most interestingly, along with the deluxe bus there were four naked hippy chicks preparing to jump in the river. I do love nostalgia.



Turned out a old hippy friend of ours was the artist who put the scene together. Figures. Three cheers to Dennis.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Revolution Watch-----The Growth of the Nuclear Industry

In a previous post, I made mention of  great rants by all these industrial types of what needs to be done to keep BAU (business as usual) going and at the same time stop global warming. One dude, is it Stuart Rand of the Whole Earth fame, went into great dissertation on the merits of the nuclear industry and how we needed to build hoards of generating facilities to maintain our delightful way of life.

In may ways that diatribe seems to have merit in that none of the other sources of energy will ever scale up and sure as hell, nucs can pump out the power. No doubt about it. Presently 20% of our electricity comes from 100 or so plants driven by various radio active elements.

So it is easy to say, ya, we gotta get those babies going if we want to juice-up in the future.  It is no secret that there have been a few problems with nucs as Fuckashima and Chernobyl have demonstrated but Rand implied that was just a price we had to pay, collateral damage of sort, and that we will get through it by making better atomic plants.

All well in good, a nice idea if BAU is your motivation. So what happens in my daily reading of the news? I get this headline in the local Gannet paper. California plant closing do to being worn out and too hard to repair. Reading down the article a note is made of the fact that right here in Wisconsin two (2) reactors are going to be closed because no one will buy them and keep them running. The reason given is they are too expensive to run and while it is not said, my guess would be no one wants to sit on the liability exposure.


A touch more reading and it is not hard to notice there has not been one of these things built in over 30 years. Golly gee, it seems we have a ways to go on this one. When we are being told by independent oil experts (that does not include the idiots in our mainstream news) that oil will soon go into decline as the fracking plays quickly dissipate, it would seem we have a bit of a pinch. Sadly, the vested interests are blabbing we have so much energy we will be independent of the oil states soon even though we are still importing 9 million barrels a day, NOW.The fracking to date, after thousands of wells, has only increased our over all production by 750K/b/d.

Oh boy. This sustainable revolution is sure having hard time getting going. Nice if we could be told a little truth now and then.


Thursday, June 6, 2013

Revolution Watch--The Power of the Media


Last night Nova presented a program called Power Surge. The title seemed interesting enough and obviously dealt with a topic that got my interest. The focus was on providing enough energy/power to maintain our business as usual (BAU) and at the same time stop global warming. Quit a task I might say.

The first thing that one notices is the incredible concentration on what is called techno-triumphalism, that is the conquering of all things troubling with technology. I was absolutely confounded by the fact that no one in the entire film said one thing about the fact that many of our problems have been CAUSED by technology. Not one mention. Any progress traps out there?

Also not one mention of the fact that the earths population is growing every three years by an amount equal to the population of the USA today. Not one mention. It was as if this was a good and excepted event---GROWTH!

I was befuddled to say the least. In doing my own research it is appearing that most of the gains being made today to offset global warming do not even off set the gains in population much less gain on eliminating CO2. It was just one endless promotion for more technological development including such nonsense as genetically modified plants that will make fuels almost directly. More genetic modification and the fuel is still a fuel that emits CO2. It is a hydro carbon for Christ sake. What is the cost of this nonsense to the environment? Plant the entire place to make fuel for our SUVs. Screw nature.

The also talked about more nukes as it if was a must, which I suppose it is if we expect to continue growing, or maintaining BAU. Just how is the nuclear industry going might I ask--any problems out there. They seemed to think the risk, like a few genetically messed up citizens,  is worth it. What? Who the hell is going to pay for the the nukes? The US has not built one in over 30 years! The one they are trying to build near Atlanta is way the hell over budget and way behind schedule---and the locals who are paying for it are pissed. And, we need hundreds of them. Given me a break.

Then we get the rap on solar power and how China is really building tons of solar panels and isn't that cool. Did they mention that China is bringing on 2 new coal fired electric plants every week, EVERY WEEK---and they ain't clean. Oh, they talked about clean coal too. Just how is that all going? Like, none!

Did they mention anything about dropping our standard of living in order to conserve energy for future generations or to cut emissions---fuck no. It was just develop, develop, develop. I walked away shaking my head. Then I read the major sponsor  DAVID KOCH. Holly shit. No wonder these people are controlling the narrative---this was on the respected Nova on PBS. That guy is out to make money developing all this crap to ruin the world for future generations including his own grand children.

Where does one start? Are we a plague species? Do we have a fatal mutation?

The Home-made Buzz------Brewing

Every now and then I get a burr going for producing my own drinkable beverages, sometimes out of historical interest, other times for sustainable possibilities, and others just to have cheap booze. I've gone at it from a number of directions with what  might be described as marginal success.

Some say the marginal part is because I am basically a slob and I don't clean my equipment well enough, while other simply pass the operation off as being ill-conceived and amateurish. In other words, it is thought I just don't know what the hell I am doing. I will point out that most of the beverages I have produced have been consumed, thus there has been some success even though it might be noted that I also readily devour road kill.


None of this slanderous talk about my performance has ever been taken seriously by me because I just don't care and there has been enough very consumable results to justify my efforts. I write off the critics as losers, self-absorbed buffoons, gaped-toothed mouth breathers unfamiliar with all the great poets and writers who were slobbering drunks. This includes Thomas, Hemingway, Tolstoy, Joyce, Faulkner and Ayn Rand (a cherry horse). I hardly even ( well, not that much) drink which might be a problem with my writing. I am on my way.

I am back at it in any case and have a rather solid, all-encompassing operation going in the kitchen. My first effort was a nice Pinot wine that even Ann has said deserves at least a 7.5 on any scale. It taste like the French snooty blends and only at $2 a bottle. I did purchase the grapes and didn't use the collected stuff in the back yard again.

So following that over-whelming success I set out to do a 10 gallon beer batch using only malted barley and the advice of a close associate who I won't mention due to his affiliation with a rough element---and it is not the KKK again.

The batch is in three carboys and doing nicely even though at yesterday's bottling (and sampling) I found my personal judgement on the product as being "pedestrian". In truth, that is what I wanted. I needed a lighter beer, something for the summer were a couple of very cold brews is in line rather than some heavy, crafty beer that makes me sleep, if not see the Baby Jesus after two. It is in the bottle at this very moment getting fissed up and ready for some tossing back in a couple of weeks.


I'm thinking I might have some real sustainable drinking developing right here in the Midwest, at a very reasonable price. Just right for the revolution.