If the citizens hate the law against front yard gardens (yardens?) so much they should change it. Until then, if the law is proven to define no front yardens, then that's the law.

It's all a matter of degree, isn't it liberals? You're upset about THIS when your eco-fascism is now fully one-third of fedguv's laws...LOOK at the arbitrary power you've given your masters!

All of a sudden you're FOR private property rights? Out-RAGEOUS!



Here's some of the voices of reason of your heroes:

"We already have too much economic growth in the United States. Economic growth in rich countries like ours is the disease, not the cure."

--Paul Elrich, Stanford University biologist and Advisor to Albert Gore

"I think if we don't overthrow capitalism, we don't have a chance of saving the world ecologically. I think it is possible to have an ecological society under socialism. I don't think it's possible under capitalism."

--Judi Barri of Earth First!

"Capitalism is a cancer in the biosphere."

--Dave Foreman, Founder, Earth First!

"The northern spotted owl is the wildlife species of choice to act as a surrogate for old-growth forest protection," explained Andy Stahl, staff forester for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, at a 1988 law clinic for other environmentalists. "Thank goodness the spotted owl evolved in the Pacific Northwest," he joked, "for if it hadn't, we'd have to genetically engineer it."

--Andy Stahl at a 1988 law clinic for environmentalists, staff forester, Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund

"Now, in a widening sphere of decisions, the costs of error are so exorbitant that we need to act on theory alone, which is to say on prediction alone. It follows that the reputation of scientific prediction needs to be enhanced. But that can happen, paradoxically, only if scientists disavow the certainty and precision that they normally insist on. Above all, we need to learn to act decisively to forestall predicted perils, even while knowing that they may never materialize. We must take action, in a manner of speaking, to preserve our ignorance. There are perils that we can be certain of avoiding only at the cost of never knowing with certainty that they were real."

--Jonathan Shell, author of Our Fragile Earth

"A global climate treaty must be implemented even if there is no scientific evidence to back the greenhouse effect."

--Richard Benedict, an employee for the State Department working on assignment for the Conservation Foundation

"[W]e have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we may have. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest."

--Stephen Schneider, Stanford University Professor and author Quoted by Dixey Lee Ray in Trashing the Planet (1990)


"More science and more technology are not going to get us out of the present ecological crises until we find a new religion, or rethink our old one."

--Lynn White, Jr. "The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis," Science, (Mar. 10 1967), p 1206

"Childbearing [should be] a punishable crime against society, unless the parents hold a government license.... All potential parents [should be] required to use contraceptive chemicals, the government issuing antidotes to citizens chosen for childbearing."

--David Brower, Friends of the Earth

"The right to have children should be a marketable commodity, bought and traded by individuals but absolutely limited by the state."

--Keith Boulding, originator of the "Spaceship Earth" concept

"If radical environmentalists were to invent a disease to bring human populations back to sanity, it would probably be something like AIDS. It [AIDS] has the potential to end industrialism, which is the main force behind the environmental crises."

--Earth First! newsletter

I usually expect well reasoned arguments from Penn. The comments above are right on.

The Pagan comment is historically accurate. Let Penn embrace the Coming of the Light. The pagans did and Christmas was invented to compete with that ancient celebration. Had to give something to the masses if you were going to deny them their seasonal celebrations.

Move to the Pacific Northwest if you want to really understand how important and joyous the first day of winter is.... THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER!

He can use that as a basis for joy in the season.

Also... is anyone else annoyed by his changing cameras? I wanted him to knock it off after 45 seconds.

Please, if you like this video: these are mostly shots of China. Do not move to the Pacific Northwest. It does not look like that here. It's mostly just endless tundra covered in ice and snow. Please do not consider moving or even vacationing to this absolute hell-hole.

Dag -

Solar power has and will come a long way since it's conception. Remember this is an industry just coming out of its infancy.

The issue about batteries deals with the storage of the energy produced, not the actual production of energy. The currently most popular energy storage device is the battery (which the technology seems to be advancing every year), but there are alternatives to that including: hydrogen gas (a converter splits water and stores the hydrogen gas for later use - either heat or electricity production), compressed air (some energy production facilities use underground caverns pumped full of compressed air and then covert that into energy when needed), or simply a lack of storage by people that tie to an existing electrical grid.

Dannym is quite correct on the new production techniques have advanced. Currently there is a company that has been able to produce solar powered sheets of plastic. They have taken the advances of nanotechnology and applied them to this field. The conversion rate isn't great, but the cost of production are much less than traditional methods. The idea is that it can be made into siding for houses, roof tiling, etc.

I haven't read about the Thorium reactors. I can safely assume that there have been advances in that field in the last 30 years as well. I will look into that. Thanks for the link. I used to work in reactor plants, but had no desire to continue that work in the civilian world. All the nuclear plants in the US are east coast, california, or stuck in the midwest (and a small one in colorado.) I love the pacific northwest and had no desire to be anywhere else. It just something about the mountains and water... and looking across the water to see more mountains. Part of my soul is here and I'd rather not leave that. Oh yeah, a point - I haven't looked into newer designs. And I will look at that information and try to withhold my predisposition towards doubt as I personally think that solar is a much better way to go until we crack the fusion problem. I think that solar should always play a part, even if it is as simple as facing your house to true south with windows and building a trombe wall, eutectic salt chambers, etc. So much less energy would be spent if we focused on a little bit of good engineering in the housing market and conservation.

Isn't tying a burning road flare to a helium balloon then launching it over a FOREST a touch dangerous? I mean, the Japanese sorta did this in World War 2 for the express purpose of burning down the entire pacific northwest.

it's definitely nice to see real song-writing hitting the late night. I'm not much a fan of Beirut, I still prefer almost any old lo-fi Elephant 6, pacific northwest, Nebraskan solo tape act or whatever but yeah. Still nice.

>> ^dag:
I agree with Warren Buffet that in investing you should stick to what you know - the same goes for a side job.
Beyond sticking to what you know, it's good if it's something you're really passionate about.


The problem with sticking with what I know is that I worked in an industry that doesn't exist in the Pacific Northwest and one that I have no desire to work in. I completely fell into the IT world by accident and really enjoy it. No matter what side businesses I start, IT will always be in the picture.

Passion is definitely needed if the knowledge isn't there. That is what will keep a person motivated, learning more, having fun, and maintaining a positive attitude.

blankfist -> I agree. Thanks for the link. What are the main programming languages you use, if I might ask?

Krupo -> It is wise to be cautious when starting something that you don't know much about. Luckily for me, most of the side-business I want to pursue will be mostly intellectual and physical effort with minimal cash invested.

roughy -> Working for yourself does give you the freedom from the corporate world. Responsibility too, but I think the freedom is easily worth it. Sorry to hear about how your job ended. My friend just got fired from work because one of the supervisors didn't like him and made every effort to always put him in the worst light. It was clear what was going on, but everyone else with any authority just ignored it following the strong corporate tradition of "cover your own ass."

Farhad2000 -> I feel your pain. I remember several years ago when I was working at this job that I slowly drifted towards hating. When it was time to leave for work, I could feel the emotional heaviness actually dragging my body down. lol... I guess that wasn't very encouraging, was it? Well, lesson learned right? Get it done and remember the experience so that, hopefully, you don't get caught in a similar situation again.

God the Pacific Northwest is beautiful. I need to move back there someday.

Boys and girls, this is what happens to someone who has never had a blowjob....
Jesus, no wonder....just noticed the url....pdx.edu Portland State.....poor cracker is sun-deprived as well....
Oregon has their fair share-Kids, stay far away from the Pacific-Northwest-

Wow, talk about diversity on the sift. What a strange video. As a guy who got dragged to every one of his sister's gym meets throughout the Pacific Northwest, I might have appreciated something like this. Still, I could swear, I hate gymnastics, don't I?

snoozedoctor:
2 scenarios, (1) a world with no Bill Gates- uncertain, can't say how it would have turned out (2) a world with Bill Gates - personal computers and billions in charity. I'll take option 2.

you actually think bill gates invented the personal computer and nobody else was trying or able? omfg.

anyway here's some more explanation of exactly what "giving to charity" means in this context:

... he admits, Microsoft's image has benefited, "and maybe a few more users come along. There's nothing wrong with that at all." That the foundation shuns quiet altruism in favour of maximum publicity proves the point. It has flown journalists and photographers around the world to spread the word that Microsoft's chairman cares. "It's very important to us that we're not just seen for our great financial results," he says.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2004/feb/04/voluntarysector.guardiansocietysupplement


The Gates Foundation has poured $218 million into polio and measles immunization and research worldwide, including in the Niger Delta. At the same time that the foundation is funding inoculations to protect health, The Times found, it has invested $423 million in Eni, Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and Total of France — the companies responsible for most of the flares blanketing the delta with pollution, beyond anything permitted in the United States or Europe.

...

Like most philanthropies, the Gates Foundation gives away at least 5% of its worth every year, to avoid paying most taxes. In 2005, it granted nearly $1.4 billion. It awards grants mainly in support of global health initiatives, for efforts to improve public education in the United States, and for social welfare programs in the Pacific Northwest.

It invests the other 95% of its worth. This endowment is managed by Bill Gates Investments, which handles Gates' personal fortune.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gatesx07jan07,0,6827615.story

hey rotty.....yer righteous enough regarding that comment from kingsblood......would have no problem m'self experimenting with this drum....
The hippy factor does, however, belittle the expose' for some.....as a stand alone instrument, it may be perfect for the ears for some, a great meditation tool for others....for me, to hear it with the Jew's harp, or a goddamn digeridoo, like so many wannabe nature-boys love to adopt, to call themselves musicians, or enthusiasts, or experts on aboriginal culture, or as a pretentious affectation to accompany their little idyllic lifestyles in the land of misery, near the valley of suffering (pacific northwest).....IS retarded. Have known so many folks, so many "musicians"....this guy reminds me of the deadest of the dead-heads.....this viddy, "Morning of parihaka Peace festival. Early morning jam sesion"(hippies can't spell)......The Parihikan attendees??? Such good intentions....http://www.parihaka.com/Festival/2007/Festival.aspx

All I can see is a buncha anti-depressants, peace-at-all-costs, symbol addicts, getting together to share in a few days of B-O and wheat-grass trots.......


BAAHAHHAHHAHHAA!!!!

Notice at T-3:40 - saying "thank you" to the driver when disembarking. That's *so* Pacific Northwest!

This is just a sampling of the white water you can get in the Pacific Northwest, here's a community site with some other videos and scary stories http://www.oregonkayaking.net/