Another Green Tuesday
"Don't GO: BP Amoco. Don't GO: BP Amoco" (warning: a few cuss words from the crowd." That was the theme of our weekend on the road and why shouldn't it be. We grew up learning not to support Exxon for their culpability and lackluster response during the Valdez oil spill (and it still works to this day as we cruise past any Exxon when on the petro hunt) and we all ought to get used to doing the same for BP and all of its affiliated stations including Castrol, Arco, Aral, am/pm, Amoco, and Safeway gas. Does one small act of consumer revolt make a difference, no, not really. And once this disaster starts eating into the bottom line of BP they'll pass the pain on to the consumer anyways so what do they care. But it's good practice nonetheless and in this market-driven democracy we live in it's really the only action we can take.
If you want to hear more of our thoughts on the mess down south, have a listen to our most recent radio show (originally aired 5/31). Every Monday morning from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. you can hear us expound upon issues we touch on this blog on our weekly radio show called, none other than Down to Earth. If you've been tuning in each week, thank you for your support. If you haven't checked it out yet, now's the time. We try to fill each show with a guest so we can bring you diverse thoughts and perspectives, but from time to time we hold down the studio ourselves and let it all out on a range of topics. This week we spoke specifically about the oil spill in the Gulf and we feel that it was our best show yet. You can check it out via podcast or streaming audio HERE.
And finally, as blogging can sometimes be a race, we have to give it up to the wonderful Spokanarama for posting about a brilliantly written editorial from Leonard Pitts titled, Singing new tune in oil spill's wake. Aside from the passing of the legendary Dennis Hopper, Pitts' piece was the most emailed story to hit the DTE inbox this weekend. In it Pitts' talks about the seemingly obvious way some Republican politicians chastise the government for being too big and handing out money to carelessly yet stand there at the begging line with palms wide open - hypocrisy at it's finest.
Often times we'll carry on with our post ambitions in situations like this, but when we finally got around to catching up from the weekend to start blogging we came across the Spokanarama's thoughts on Pitts' editorial and all bets were off. "I wouldn't be surprised that after the federal government bails out Louisiana, the same folks who voted Republican will continue to do so. It would be interesting to let them live by their philosophy and not spend a dime there. I think you would have people singing a different tune if they had to live with what they profess. But we are too responsible to let that happen. And in the lingo, we are "enablers" of those who continue to vote for this failed philosophy."
After the jump are some stories you might have missed last week.
Two universities making green headlines. First up, congrats to Seattle University for being honored "Recycler of the Year by the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) - the only university to win an award amongst the 11 recipients. WSRA honored the university on May 25 for its compost collection in food-service areas as well as in office kitchenettes and residence halls. That work involves a recognized partnership with WFF Campus Custodial, the university’s contract custodial cleaning service, and Bon Appétit Management Co., which takes pride in offering sustainable food services on SU’s campus. Read more HERE.
The University of Idaho recently announced the appointment of a new dean of the College of Natural Resources. "Kurt Pregitzer impressed not only the University of Idaho community, but the stakeholder community of our state, with his forward thinking and expertise," said Doug Baker, provost and executive vice president. "He articulated a vision that supports the college within the vibrant university renaissance and has demonstrated his ability to engage its many publics. His enthusiasm for natural resources brings a great energy to our statewide, regional and global efforts." Read more HERE.
Damn you global warming for trying to interfere with someone's dream. According to the HuffPo, "a Nepalese Sherpa who climbed Mount Everest for a record 20th time said Tuesday that the melting of glacier ice along its slopes due to global warming is making it increasingly difficult to climb the peak." And if he's having a hard time climbing it, how in the hell is the next rich "explorer" going to get up it? Read more HERE.
We're ashamed for even posting on this, but news is news. Last week former President George W. Bush demonstrated that he is WAY greener now that he's not president... oh screw it, we have nothing to say on this. Read more HERE.
10 Ways to kick the offshore-oil habit. We all know addicts have to come to terms with themselves; to reach that moment of clarity before moving on. Is the U.S. capable of such self-realization after the spill? Grist has an awesome list of ten important steps ranging from smarter freight movement to land use. We like this one: "Emergency funding for endangered mass transit. A chilling 59 percent of public transit networks have cut service or raised fares (or both) since January 2009, pushing more commuters into cars. Congress could save both oil and jobs by preserving existing bus and rail lines with emergency funding." Read more HERE.
