This year we are not accepting any excuses, only changed behavior.

 

Some of the Biggest Problems are Political when it comes to the Climate. Corruption and Greed from much of corrupt corporations and Republican politicians slow many of the simple solutions to stop or slow Climate change.

Considering that some of the giant dams and lakes in the southwest have been running very low on water in recent years, how would you answer the following inquiry? What kind of a water system could be designed to control floods, and move water to wherever it is driest using siphons and/ or something like drilling tunnels through mountains? Ones that are similar to the systems for underground mining, or those used to build underground bases. Also moving water around with canals above ground, like a continent-wide system to help prevent further depletion of water tables, help reverse desertification, and slow global warming. Also using some of the Permaculture ideas about water. Adding in micro-hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric generation at whatever scale, to minimize the amount of electricity from fossil fuel or other renewable sources. Adding in considerations for using small and medium ponds and dams, wetlands, wildlife, and other sensitive areas. And creating newly constructed wetlands to purify waters and remove toxins, before they contaminate water tables, reach the oceans and pollute coastal areas, and damage ecosystems.

Designing a water system to control floods and move water to areas with drought involves a complex set of factors that need to be considered. While siphons and tunnels through mountains are viable solutions, they are costly and may not be feasible in all locations. Additionally, the design needs to be environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable, and economically feasible.

One option to consider is a combination of above and below-ground infrastructure. A continent-wide system of canals could help prevent further depletion of water tables and reverse desertification, while also slowing global warming. These canals could be complemented by underground pipelines and tunnels, which could help transport water over long distances and reduce evaporation losses.

Permaculture ideas about water, such as using small and medium ponds and dams, wetlands, and other sensitive areas, could also be incorporated into the design. Additionally, micro-hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric generation could be added at whatever scale possible to minimize the amount of electricity from fossil fuel or other renewable sources.

However, it is important to consider the ecological impact of these designs. Newly constructed wetlands could purify waters and remove toxins, but they must be carefully planned to avoid damaging existing ecosystems. Wildlife habitats must also be considered in the design to minimize the impact of the project on animal species.

Finally, the social and economic aspects of the project must also be taken into account. Community participation and consultation is necessary to ensure that the project meets the needs of the people it serves. The costs of the project and its potential economic benefits must also be carefully evaluated to determine its feasibility.

In conclusion, designing a water system to control floods and move water to areas with drought requires a comprehensive and sustainable approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors. While siphons and tunnels through mountains are possible solutions, they must be complemented by above-ground infrastructure and ecological considerations to ensure their sustainability.

The 2022 Election, What Worked Well, What To Do for '24

 I meant to comment on this election sooner. As it happens sometimes reality is more real than what we mean to do. I got a note from Gail of the Montgomery County Democrats, asking for thoughts about the election. 

It is pretty clear that the women and  young people were the biggest increase in actual voters  and influence in this election. The attack on health care for women of all ages by the Supreme Court and Republican Leadership drove much of this increase. 

For young people the increase in voter turnout was up considerably from past elections. The biggest issues for younger Democratic Voters were; accessible abortion and affordable health care (includes ongoing attack on the LGBT issues around health care) etc, inflation, climate change, gun violence prevention, abortion, discrimination and racism, and affordable education. This was pretty similar among young Democrats and young Independents.

Democracy and Voting Rights are also a bigger issue in some states. Still only about half of young voters under 24 were contacted before the election.

Some of the polling and exit polling suggests that outreach to younger voters substantially increased turnout. Personal, online through Social Media, and in person outreach all helped drive turnout.

The Democratic Women groups were very apparent in the updates from online social media and in the regular media and very active in the bigger towns and University cities

My suggestion for the upcoming election cycle for 2024 is to start a Democratic Youth group for each county or region in the state. Even if it is just a Facebook or a Twitter group in each area. Once up and running it can be handed over to a couple of local moderators to add posts or drive engagement. People in each county or region also have many local issues that are more important to them, and will relate to local issues that might not be so important in other places. Local forums to relate to people in there own area helps people stay involved.  BB

 

 

WE HAVE NOT COME TO CURSE THE DARKNESS; WE HAVE COME TO LIGHT A CANDLE. Bobby Kennedy

 
WE HAVE NOT COME TO CURSE THE DARKNESS,
WE HAVE COME TO LIGHT A CANDLE. Bobby Kennedy

Forward.
Imagine this;
We are at a time in history, the fork in the road. The road less traveled; the land of plenty for every one. Enough food, clean air and clean water, to recreate the planet as the Garden of Eden,
The other is to continue down the road that got us all to this point of environmental collapse. The economic system that creates immense great wealth for the few, and poverty for many worldwide; or causes the destruction of the natural world for production of many consumer goods, planed and designed to ware out soon. A process that Poisons the fish and the fungus. Destroys the great forests for profits. Poisons our children and the planet with cheep foods that are lacking nutrition, are addictive and destroy our health. An economic system that creates massive war machines and armies to assure the continuation of the economic system that destroyed or polluted so much of the natural world. Or.
Save The Climate. Stop subsidizing agrochemical agriculture and fossil fuel farming. We still have a little time to stop this climate disaster.
Choose this day, which path to follow. All that is at stake is the continuation of life on our planet.

Alan Savory; Deregulation, Neoliberal Economics and Monopoly Do Not Work!

 

 

I was listening to a podcast of an interview with Alan Savory who is one of the people behind the movement to reverse desertification and climate change using managed herds of grazing animals. Managing them in a way that results in a better grazing situation if done well. If we would like to have the USA be a better country we will have to manage it better. It is up to all of us. Democracy is not a spectator sport. We have to have representatives that are responsible to the people they are supposed to represent. It's up to we the people to set this straight. Contact your representatives. Get active.

Many of the political, business, and social problems in our society are a result of a lack of actively managing the situations and problems in our country. It is the responsibility of Congress Article 1 Section 8 to regulate. Since the beginning of deregulation in the early 80s under Ronald Reagan, the controls on monopoly, the Saving and Loan Scandal, the Black Monday event in the stock markets. Then the consolidation of the media and money in media ownership have created one disaster after another. Then the removal of the Glass-Stegal act by the republicans and Clinton in the 90s, along with the NAFTA agreements, made the whole situation worse except for a few very rich people and corporations. The economy and society have become much more unstable, or outright volatile, the dot.com bomb, the mortgage banking crash of 08, the housing crises, the Crypto disasters, etc, etc. The lie of deregulation being good for the economy or people, pushed since the Reagan administration is just a plain old disaster.

Noe-Liberal economics is now thoroughly discredited. Offshoring jobs and production just created more inequality and damaged the stability of society in America.

It is the responsibility of Congress to regulate according to Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States

The use of sound and frequency for learning study and manipulation of consciousness

 The use of sound and frequency for learning study and manipulation of consciousness is fairly common in our modern time.

Some sound like 432 HZ or binaural beats are used in therapy. How can the use of frequency and sound be used to benefit or manipulate consciousness in people?

Frequency and sound can be used to benefit or manipulate consciousness in people through techniques such as brainwave entrainment, which is the process of altering brainwave patterns through the use of sound or vibration. This can be done through techniques such as binaural beats, which involve playing two different frequencies in each ear, or through the use of monaural beats, which involve playing a single frequency. The theory behind brainwave entrainment is that the brain will begin to synchronize its own electrical activity with the frequency of the sounds being presented, which can lead to changes in consciousness, such as relaxation or increased focus. Additionally, the use of specific frequencies, such as 432 Hz, which is believed to be more in tune with the natural vibrations of the body, can also be used in therapy, meditation and other self-improvement practices.

 

Frequency and sound can be used to benefit or manipulate consciousness in people through a variety of methods. One method is through the use of binaural beats, which are two different frequencies played in each ear. When these frequencies are close together, the brain perceives a third, phantom frequency that is the difference between the two. This can be used to alter brainwaves and induce states of relaxation, meditation, or even sleep. Another method is through the use of specific frequencies, such as 432 Hz, which is believed to be in harmony with the natural frequency of the universe and can promote feelings of peace and well-being. Additionally, sound therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, by helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation.  This calming white noise can help with insomnia by blocking out any unwanted background noise, or the sound of tinnitus.

Response To a Local Newspaper Pushing Disinformation.

 Letter to the Editor,
I was saddened by the Opinion column penned by you, Mike Wallace “Why Has Nothing Been Fixed?” in
the November 3 rd edition of the Glenwood Herald. I was struck by the lack of respect you have for the
current President of the United States. Despite our like or dislike of who is President, I was taught we
must show respect for the office. Terms like “Uncle Joe” and “his minions” are beyond opinionated and
downright disrespectful, which is sadly what most politics have become lately.
You then go on to repeat several conspiracy theories and downright lies. Your hyperbole is more fit for a
Facebook rant than a column in a respectable newspaper, which is bound to reporting facts and news.
Sadly, it seems you have become so swayed by whatever conspiracies to which you have been exposed,
you miss the obvious irony in the title of your opinion column. If President Biden inherited a stable
economy and the former President had “Made America Great Again” then there would be nothing
needing to be fixed. Unfortunately, he inherited a country in despair.
President Biden continued the work of President Trump in rolling out vaccines for free throughout the
country. Misinformation and conspiracy theories cost hundreds of thousands of peoples their very lives.
With over 1 million now dead from Covid-19 and over 2 million with long-term Covid, the shame lies in a
political party so intent on undermining the entire political system, they put the lives of the Americans
they represent at risk. And it paid off in extended lockdowns, hospitals understaffed, nurses and doctors
overworked, our children out of school far too long, and untold preventable deaths.
Moving past the glaring irony of the title of this opinion piece, one can see you have chosen to conflate
inflation with “printing money.” Inflation is rampant throughout the globe at this time; it is not a
uniquely American concern. Many parts of China are still in a Covid lockdown, adding stress to
manufacturing. President Biden signed the CHIPS Act into law. This is just one example of efforts by the
current administration to put their money where their mouth is by investing in domestic research and
manufacturing, bringing those jobs back to the United States. The $2 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest
Americans under Trump created an increased deficit and putting an average additional $1500/annual
tax burden on the middle class. A deficit reduction of $350 billion and $1.5 trillion dollars in 2021 and
2022, respectively, creates the opportunity for the federal government to channel money into programs
to help Americans. Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act works in very real ways to lower costs for
the costliest items Americans spend money on: healthcare and prescription drugs. The average savings
is $800/year on health insurance premiums for 13 million Americans. It also caps the prices on many
prescriptions and caps out of pocket expenses at $2,000. For many people that is only one or two
months of prescriptions. Another high-cost item for families is childcare. Families making less than
$250,000 will see significant changes to their tax returns, with credits to offset the cost of childcare at
certain levels.
Mr. Wallace, you also chose to spend several paragraphs attempting to scare readers into believing
President Biden is going to take away your gas vehicle and force you to spend $60,000 on an electric
vehicle. This statement is obviously ludicrous. Like all industries, change happens. We no longer drive
Model T’s and the steam-powered engine doesn’t convey us down the highway. Automakers agree
electric vehicles are going to be part of our future. Since President Biden took office, companies have
invested nearly $85 billion in manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries, and EV chargers in the United
States. That is a private investment by private companies. This is what happens under a free market.

This figure does not include the government’s investment in EV technology. This leads to more
manufacturing jobs for these vehicles here in the United States. EV charging stations are starting to pop
up everywhere.
As to the “batteries catch fire” scare tactic, a quick Google search will show electric automobiles catch
fire less frequently than gasoline-powered cars. The duration and intensity of the fires can make them
considerably more difficult to put out due to the use of lithium-ion battery packs. With less than 200
globally since 2010, EV battery fires don’t seem to be the “gotcha” in the rant against new technology.
Sadly, it also appears you do not understand the progress of solar and wind energy. As a former Texas
resident, I lived through the blackouts where people literally died from lack of electricity to heat their
homes. This was not a failure of solar or wind energy, but was the failure of coal and natural gas. In fact,
the wind turbines continued to run and provide reliable electricity once the grid was back online. It was
a predictable failure, given the failure of Republican leadership to have mechanisms in place to oversee
the weatherization of the Texas grid. After the deaths from lack of oversight, Republican Governor
Abbott gave the oil and gas industry permission to add up to $60 monthly to every electric bill to pay for
winter weatherization, weatherization which they were required to do but had not done, weatherization
which still hasn’t been done to standard.
Later in your opinion piece, you talk about “a particular group of people are not in power and be able to
tell us what to do” then Democracy is lost. A long list of things Republicans have banned or are
attempting to ban would be impossible to fit in this letter. I would remind you that freedom is not telling
others what they can or can’t do based on your personal beliefs, to wit: abortion, healthcare, which
books to read, etc. No matter your opinion on any of these matters, it is not any one individual’s
personally held beliefs which should dictate the actions of another. If you want freedom, you must give
freedom to others.
I won’t go into the entire immigration scare scenario. I will say this: It is NOT illegal to be a human.
Lastly, Mr. Wallace, you want to discuss gas prices. This mish-mash of factually incorrect statements is
just another misinformed talking point from politicians and political pundits who want to use escalatory
gas prices for political gain. America is part of a global economy. The entire world is dealing with higher
gas prices and yes, embargoes against Russian export of oil and gas have impacted those prices. In
addition, the oil and gas companies are posting astronomical record-breaking profits. In the first quarter
of 2022, Shell Oil's adjusted earnings rose to $9.1 billion from $3.2 billion in the same period last year.
The same types of profits are recorded by BP, Exxon, Chevron, and all the rest. The oil and gas
companies should make a profit, but not at the expense of the consumer. This has nothing to do with
politics and everything to do with capitalism and a free market. When consumers start pointing their ire
where it belongs, to the oil companies, instead of at politicians, who have nothing to do with setting oil
prices, then perhaps a change will come about. Oil and gas companies are lining the pockets of certain
politicians to turn them into a mouthpiece for political finger-pointing.
Back in April of 2020, President Trump joined Russia and Mexico in persuading OPEC to cut production
by a little over 13 percent. Part of that deal included a decrease of 300,000 barrels a day of United
States oil production. Overall, the U.S., Brazil, Canada, and other non-OPEC countries cut production by
four million to five million barrels a day. All of this happened during a global pandemic and was
necessary to keep oil companies in business. Once the shutdowns were loosened and people were

buying more oil, these companies saw an explosion in profit. OPEC, in fact, just cut production again.
United States oil and gas companies, since President Joe Biden took office, have seen oil production rise
both on federal lands and on U.S. lands overall. Overall domestic oil production in 2021 came close to a
record high. In addition, no President has the authority to block drilling on private lands. As to a shut
down on drilling and pumping on federal lands, President Biden did order a pause to review the leases
and climate impacts; however, a federal judge blocked the order and drilling continued. Oil and gas
companies currently hold over 9000 approved permits on federal lands which they are not using.
Federal permits have actually risen during the Biden administration to the highest levels yet.
Additionally, no President has the authority to restrict how much the refineries around America can
produce.
Mr. Wallace, your poorly informed opinion article, written under the guise of political blame-gaming,
falls short on facts. Every political party wants to see their preferred candidate win. I remember when
people could disagree on things without resorting to lies, innuendo, disrespect, and outright conspiracy
theories. Despite the outcome of the elections on November 8 th , Americans will still wake up and go to
work together and worship together. We will all go grocery shopping and be shocked at the price of a
dozen eggs. I remember my mother telling me how she went to the movies and got a Coke and candy
for a nickel. I’m sure you and I can both agree that a nickel for a day out sounds great. And I’m sure we
can both agree those days are long past. I just hope we can both agree to move past the finger-pointing
and us versus them to make our communities a warm, welcoming place for everyone, despite their
political affiliation.
Sincerely,
Karen Cline-Tardiff

Insurectionist Barred from Office. Yea New Mexico! Is It Time to End The Republican Party?

 Its about time the people behind the January Sixth Insurrection be stopped from running from office. The courts in New Mexico made it official today. I was born and grew up in New Mexico. Both My mom and dad were members of the republican party. The Republicans in New Mexico back then, were more like the Democrats were like in the Clinton era in My opinion. I had a lot of respect for the Republican leadership back then. I do not know what happened to there ideals or morals. Sure hope they can get it together or get of the public stage. They have sold the American people out to the giant corporation or just become fascists.

The New Mexico Democrats were very progressive even back then. More like the Bernie branch of the Democratic party are now. Its time for an all out landslide for the Dems in this Midterm Election. Give the Crazy supporters of the insurrection a few years to cool off and rethink what this country is really about. We might just have to get a new party to replace that crazy type of corruption if they refuse to change.