2nd look back

Posted originally on July 2, 2014

Benefits

So, to summarize:  this planned grazing approach takes land that has almost stopped producing life, places large herds of animals on it, manages animal grazing in a way that mimics nature - and in a just a few years the land supports grass, shrubs, and animals . . and pulls large amounts of carbon out of the air and into the soil.

photo:  ted.com

Sounds like a miracle!  The land comes back to life, and it sustains human life by producing food both plant and animal.  Now we go beyond environmental achievement to social benefits.

Desert-ified land in Africa results in millions of people requiring aid.  When they can support themselves on renewed land, their society becomes more stable and there is hope that their culture will survive.  Prospering, self-supporting people are less vulnerable to violence and suppression.

Scientist Allan Savory (Monday's post) thinks that global efforts  should be re-directed from a focus on replacing fossil fuel (a long, long, disruptive, expensive project) to a focus on reversing the ruin of productive global land.  I wish him success.

1st look back

For the last two days of 2014, we're taking a look back at last summer's surprising and controversial series on potentially saving the earth.  Originally posted June 30, 2014.

Desert to green

Here's a take on "climate change" that I've never heard before.  Scientist Allan Savory says that the biggest problem relating to climate change is desert-ification:  about two-thirds of the globe is becoming desert.  He has a solution that does notfocus on replacing fossil fuels.

He's been using his theory on land that's become dry and unproductive and shows pictures of the land renewed and re-greened.  His solution involving animals actually turns things around.

htt

Sticky

“Swami, is economic prosperity a good or bad thing?” Economist Arthur Brooks asked a Hindu swami that question while in India recently.

The swami replied, “It has saved millions of people in my country from starvation. . . There is nothing wrong with money, dude. The problem in life is attachment to money.”  The Tibetan word for "attachment" means in English "sticky desire."

In America, roughly half of us are worried about the inappropriate compulsion to get material things at Christmas (and the rest of the year). We've heard this:  it's okay to have money but not for money to have you." It's stickiness when money has you.

Christians would agree with the swami on this point (read what Jesus says in Luke 12:15).

Just wondering . . how much of the stuff we got for Christmas could easily fall out of our hands, and how much would stick to our fingers like half-eaten candy?  What are we too attached to?

From "Abundance without Attachment," by Arthur Brooks at nytimes.com

Heisman

Another high-achieving athlete who honors God (see Tuesday's post) is 2014 Heisman Trophy winner (by a "landslide") and Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota from Honolulu, Hawaii.

photo: oregonlive.com

His motivation? “Going All In is glorifying God with the abilities He’s given us and shining our light for Him. It’s being motivated to always set the bar higher and never getting complacent."

According to his high school friend Taylor Troy, "He’s always had a different mind-set than everyone else . . He always had his priorities in the right order."

"At Oregon, Mariota developed into the nation’s top player and the predicted top overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The shy kid gradually developed into a follow-me leader, not a look-at-me type . . "

Hallelujah

"The Messiah" by George Handel was performed last week in my city. I listened to the performance on public radio a couple days ago, including comments from the announcer about Handel.

There was chuckling and some cynicism about the composer becoming rich.There was debunking of the "myth" that Handel broke into tears at the beauty of the music.

There was amusement at the old-fashioned audience tradition to stand during the "Hallelujah" chorus.  It was suggested that standing is quite unnecessary, and that very likely some of the audience would think it "silly" and would remain seated.

But for a believing Christian, this music goes beyond beauty. The "Hallelujah" chorus is joyous and appropriate - the spirit soars in praise to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. I don't think I could sit through it even if I wanted to.

Someone who had been at the concert called the show later on to report that the entire audience stood - "without hesitation" he said - for the "Hallelujah" chorus.

Kindness

Maybe you've seen that video of a grandmother hugging and thanking a policeman for eggs.  Here is the Tarrant, Alabama, news story.

When she was caught trying to shoplift eggs to feed her children, she thought she'd go to jail. The policeman instead bought the carton of eggs for her and the store didn't press charges: unexpected, unearned mercy. Because the bystander's video has been seen by thousands, food and gifts have poured in to help this woman, Helen.

This small kindness reminds Eric Metaxas of the kindness of God to reach out to us in our darkness by sending Jesus Christ, the light of humankind:

"[T]he darkness gathering around us does not have the final word. .  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Legendary

Athletes we admire for both their personal and professional lives might be uncommon, but we have an example like that this month in San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, North Carolina native and humble guy.

Read about his phenomenal - legendary - performance in this Sports Illustrated article and be sure to watch the video.  They awarded him the 2014 Sportsman of the Year for being, in the author's words, "the greatest pitcher in World Series history."

photo: indystar.com

At the age of 16 he was asked about his goals:

"My short-term goal as a person is to witness an activity of Jesus in my life, and my long-term goal is for people when they look at me to see something in me about Jesus. My short-term goal as a player is to win the state championship. My long-term goal is to be a Hall of Famer."

Bethlehem Star

"Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem" (Matthew chapter 2) looking for the King of the Jews about the time of Christ's birth. They said they had seen His star in the East and had come to worship Him.

For two thousand years people have asked what these men saw because it doesn't sound natural, and lots of attempts have been made to explain it.

A lawyer attempted a scientific investigation using modern software, and he makes a good case (dvd of his lecture).  On his website is this statement from former Chief of the Planetary Astronomy Dept. at Nasa:

"About 99.9% of the Star of Bethlehem stuff is nutty, but this isn’t that. It’s well-researched and reasonable.”— RONALD A. SCHORN, PH.D.

Game changer

The Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk) in the U.K. has chosen its car of the year, and they say it is actually the most important car of the last 20 years.

It was chosen not just because it is electric, but because it is a "game changer."  Here are a few highlights from the seven reasons given to call it a game changer.

It's the only EV to go 300 miles on a full charge because its battery is so much bigger, about 3x the battery of a Nissan Leaf. The interior is spacious and has a 17" screen control panel that is "simplicity itself." With 440 pounds-feet of torque and 400 hp, its acceleration clearly makes for a fun ride - judging from this video of the British author's test drive. Quote: it "will leave an Aston Martin for dust".

Against mediocrity

Do Hard Things. It's a book written by teenage brothers who wanted to start a "rebellion against low expectations." They blog at The Rebelution.

Immaturity and irresponsibility are often the kind of behavior expected of teenagers.  But is that all there is?

Most of us have not attempted much compared to what we could do.  Authors Alex and Brett (now out of college and married) will challenge you, no matter how old you are.

Attract walkers

(third of three)

According to Walkable City author Speck, several factors make street life - "pedestrian culture" - desirable.  More walking/less driving means an overall saving of money as well as obvious fitness benefits and less CO2 in the atmosphere.  City walkability appeals both to millenials and to empty-nester boomers, who are willing to pay more in real estate dollars to live there.

Speck helps city governments and planners to incorporate these goals:

• Protect pedestrians from traffic and parking lots
• Bring back awnings and trees
• Make biking easy
• Make public transit more accessible  
• Line streets with interesting store fronts

Walkable city

(second of three)

There's a term for it according to city planner Jeff Speck's book, Walkable City. If pedestrians are comfortable walking from place to place, if they feel safe and interested in what they see, if they are intrigued and engaged by the street life, the city has walkability.

American cities, according to Speck, are designed for cars. Wide traffic lanes, fast-moving traffic, huge parking lots, clearing of obstacles including trees, all inhibit pedestrians' sense of comfort. These features get cars into and out of cities efficiently, but they discourage walking.

Picture a boring and unpleasant street scene, then imagine how it could be made beautiful and appealing (click on the picture below). That's what this organization does:

photo: walklive.org

Walkable city-scapes are high in real estate value. Millenials (~age 20-32) expect to live in an urban core, or at least 77% of them do. They - and the empty nest boomer generation too - will pick an urban neighborhood that makes city living safe, friendly, interesting. Go to walkscore.com to get an idea of the walkability of any address.

City living

(first of three)

Millenials (many) want to live in cities. One of my sons did that for three years, but never had the experience he hoped for. He moved to a suburb last summer. A friend enlightened me about the appeal of city living - she longs to walk to her destinations and live among diverse neighbors.

My son and my friend are right on-trend, and investors are well aware of it. In this NY Times story an investor group has bought a 30-story office building to re-purpose into a combination of residential apartments, retail shops, restaurants, a fitness center - in addition to office space. "Mixed-use" development means more destinations within walking distance.

Not all cities, nor all areas within cities, draw people in. How do you do that, i.e., create city spaces that people actually love? Mayors and city councils have been asking. Some answers tomorrow.

Gas prices

Americans have more money to spend for Christmas or to pay down debt because the price of a barrel of oil is down 30-40%.  Here in the U.S., you'll save up to a dollar per gallon compared to about a year ago! How many gallons do you use per month? What good news for families (or anyone) who live close to the red.

One big reason for falling prices is that America, using fracking technology and other vastly improved technologies (like the VorTeq pump), is producing much more oil and gas than just a few years ago.

As more oil goes on the global market, the price goes down.  Some market watchers thought OPEC might reduce their output to drive up the price, but that didn't happen at their November meeting. The price of gasoline is expected to stay below $3.00 in 2015.

Airbnb: helping

New York's state attorney general is apparently planning a crackdown on Airbnb claiming that they break zoning and other laws.  Those on their side say it empowers people and threatens greedy monopolies. NY Times says "real estate is often viewed as a blood sport."

As Arthur Brooks writes in an op-ed for the NY Times:

"Nobody wants zero regulation, and every company should follow the law.  But policy should begin with admiration for new ways that citizens can build their lives, not with hostility to profits or the impulse to protect entrenched industries.

"[E]ntrepreneurs who want to empower ordinary people and government officials who welcome novel industries as opportunities to evolve instead of nuisances to be squashed . . " all can work for the common good. "We just need to ask if what we are doing truly lifts others up."

Airbnb: sharing

Without risking/investing in a brand new business or getting another job, is there a way for a disabled 30-year-old New Yorker to earn some extra money? Yes. The new "sharing industry" is a vehicle she can use create some wealth using assets she already has.

That's the story of Kimberley Kaye, who thinks renting out her apartment a few days a month through Airbnb has enabled her to keep her home. Started 6 years ago, Airbnb brings visitors together with local residents who are willing to rent them a place to stay. 800 people have jobs working for Airbnb and the company is valued at $10 billion.

"Ordinary people, especially vulnerable people without power and privilege, find Airbnb empowering and useful. It lifts Americans up with zero cost to the taxpayer. And people like it. Shouldn’t we encourage this?"

Sure, it's a chance to save money or to stay in a unique spot - for visitors.  It's a chance to make some money - for the host.  But it's being attacked. 

  

More crisis aid

Islamic State (IS) does not tolerate minority misfits in those regions where they've pounded the people into submission.  So hundreds of thousands of religious minorities, Christians and others, have run for their lives.

photo: nytimes.com

But the BBC reports a small sort of movement that has sprung up among Muslims on Twitter opposing Sharia law (which takes some courage).  "[T]he conversation [lists] reasons why Arabs and Muslims should abandon Sharia. "Because there's not a single positive example of it bringing justice and equality," one man tweeted."

Regarding the refugees, an American pastor - born in Iraq - continues to wonder why American Christians have not done more for them.  He has started an aid fund.  

Canon Andrew White's organization in Baghdad also continues "providing food, accommodation, clothing, and disabled aids to those in great need. Last year we could have never dreamt that we would be facing this level of crisis – with our people being hounded from their homes, our people being massacred and having nowhere to go for real safety."

Aid Iraqi refugees

When IS conquered the city of Mogul and villages in northern Iraq last summer, they delivered an ultimatum to Christians and other religious minorities:  leave, pay extra tax, or die.  Tens and hundreds of thousands fled from their homes, bringing little or none of their belongings.  

Surrounding countries now have the challenge of managing a humanitarian crisis.  "Winter is Coming" with snow and cold, as Christianity Today puts it, and refugees often live in canvas tents.  "Having survived eradication by terror groups, they now might die naturally from the coming harsh winter."

TV producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey ("The Bible" pbs series and "Son of God" film) have started to raise $25 million to help existing churches care for these people, "a strategy to rescue, restore, and return fleeing Christians."  

They and their organizers committed to act in a way that: "1) honored God; 2) was multi-faith/non-proselytizing; and, 3) was at the invitation of regional leaders."

Africans create

 "You are stuck in a . . village with all your skills and all your talents.  And that's just unfortunately the way it is.  The people here are not stupid!  They're just disconnected from global trade."

"What creates wealth?  People create wealth."

"Every single person, [even] the homeless standing there who doesn't know where he is, there is a soul there ."

"Around the world there are a lot of huge hearts that are trying to help the poor, to make a difference. But I don't see as much where those hearts are being filtered through a mind, to say let's understand the complexity, let's understand that there are no easy answers."

"What does this mean for those of us who are called by God to help the poor?"

Leave a comment if you have an opinion about the answer to this question!

Cheetahs & hippos

final re-post of aid to Africa:

George Ayittey, economist from Ghana, says that Africa's elitist leaders are "hippos."  Note who he calls "cheetahs" in his TED talk:

Ayittey condemns African leaders who he claims have not cared for the people they lead  (he calls it the "blind leading the clueless").  Instead, they have made themselves rich by manipulating aid money.  He believes aid has done more harm than good for Africans.

U2's Bono was in attendance, and approached him afterward. Ayittey gave him a copy of his book,  Africa Unchained, which may have helped Bono re-think the problems of African nations.

Years ago I remember asking someone why Africa is so poor when it has so much in the way of natural resources.  That someone told me that the reason lies in Africa's corrupt and brutal leaders.  So this video - by an African - resonates.

Bono & capitalism

continuing a re-post of last year's 3-day series on aid to Africa:

U2's Bono has lobbied for decades in the cause of more and more aid handouts from Western countries to Africa.  

But some Africans protest that aid has been hurting Africa more than helping.  The charge is that corrupt leaders get their hands on the millions - that average people see very little of it.  Dambisa Moyo has spoken and written on this, one of her books being Dead Aid.

The amazing thing is that Bono has changed his mind.  He's still a bit shocked by it, says "it's been a humbling thing for me," but he now says that aid is only a "stopgap."

At a conference about a year ago, he said,   "Job creators and innovators are just the key, and aid is just a bridge."  Redistribution of wealth isn't the answer.  Society prospers when wealth is created.  For stories about how that happens, see the topic "Create Wealth" on the right.

You've got to respect a person who changes his mind when he receives better information. Winners make corrections.

(originally posted 10.31.13)

Stopgap aid

Over a year ago I published some posts on the new attitude toward government aid to Africa.  This week we'll take another look at aid:

Bono of the band U2 made headlines again this past August.  It was not for a concert; it was not for asking developed countries to donate aid to Africa (the 1985 concert, "Live Aid," was his  first fundraising concert).  He has changed his narrative.

The policy of West has been to pump money, food, clothing, wealth in general into African countries that they perceived as needy and desperate.  Motive?  They saw poverty, and they wanted to help.

But did it help?  That is the question.  As more became known about the results of massive aid, voices - from Africa - tried to change the paradigm.

Bono has been one of the most influential people in the world in raising money for African aid.  But here's what he said in August 2013:

"Aid is just a stopgap. Commerce [and] entrepreneurial capitalism take more people out of poverty than aid. We need Africa to become an economic powerhouse."

(originally posted 10.28.13)

Hug

I want you to see this, if you haven't already seen it . . 

Destruction, hatred, heartache, anger, disappointment, injustice, all have shown up in Ferguson, Missouri, seen by the whole nation and much of the rest of the world.

When light shows up for a moment in the midst of all the darkness, we need to see that too:

Get the story here at ABC News.  The original photo is here.

1st Fruits farm

"When I think about a life of greatness, I think about a life of service," says Jason Brown.

At the age of 29 he quit playing NFL football for the Rams (and also quit earning millions) to be a farmer in North Carolina.  He knew nothing about farming.  He learned how to farm on  . . youtube.

This year he gave 100,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to food pantries.  That's the plan for every year, to give away the "first fruits" of his harvest, and he sounds excited about it.

See Jason's story at CBS News here.

Giving thanks

Giving thanks, gratitude, is valued by people all over the world - and it's the reason for a national holiday in America.  That's a good thing.

Consider today the good things you enjoy, and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Still a holiday

"Here’s some heartening news for those of you who can’t think of a worse way to spend Thanksgiving Day than bargain hunting at your local mall: you’re not alone."

Consuming/buying/selling is so not the ultimate American value.  Lots of Americans object to the shopping rush starting "while shoppers’ turkeys [are] still warm."

There are petitions you can sign and facebook pages you can like.  Some object to employees leaving their families to go to work (I did it once and it was awful).  Some say that the giving of thanks as a long valued tradition is worthy of honoring with a whole day.

My feeling is . . ditto to both the above.  It won't even cross my mind to go shopping on the evening of our national holiday.  Retail can wait a few hours.

General's thanks

George Washington initiated the first nation-wide American Thanksgiving in 1789, his first year as president.  He recommended :

". . a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness . ."

Americans thanked God passionately for their new nation for many years after the fact.  It's often said that their victory over Britain in the war was a miracle. 

According to historian David McCullough in his book 1776, "Without Washington's leadership and unrelenting perseverance, the revolution almost certainly would have failed."

And what enabled the General to persevere when most would give up hope?  "[W]ith everything around him falling apart, Washington was able to see by faith the bigger picture of what God was doing . . "

French thinking

Three weeks ago I asked why France would "slash" their nuclear program.  It could also be asked, how were they able build such a large and successful nuclear industry at all?  Its scope is beyond any other nation's.

A PBS producer interviewed France's General Director for Energy and Raw Materials at the Ministry of Industry, M. Mandil, to find out.  He had the answers. 

Primarily, it seems the French think in a practical way about their energy needs and resources:  "no oil, no gas, no coal, no choice."  Not having significant natural energy resources themselves, they were dependent on outside circumstances and therefore vulnerable.  

But they are well aware that there are risks that must be handled with great skill.  A small-town baker reacted to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster with confident French thinking about their own expertise:

"the Russians, he says, were not "up to the task. But the French scientists and engineers are."

Some escaped

"Anna" was a student at Chibok Boarding School in the Nigerian town of Chibok last April when Boko Haram arrived.  They took her and 275 other girls away to be coerced into Islam and into marriage (or female bondage).

But "Anna" and 57 others were blessed with the opportunity and courage to leap out of those trucks carting them away from their homes.  Now 21 of them are enrolled at American University of Nigeria due to a free offer to continue their education, in defiance of Boko Haram's claim that Western education is "sinful."

“I feel very excited to have a chance to be part of this university and to continue my education,” said Anna . . in an interview by telephone with The Sunday Telegraph last week. “I am studying science now and I hope to become a doctor after graduating."

"Indeed, had Anna remained in Chibok, she might be contemplating a very different future right now. For only last Thursday, Boko Haram militants attacked the town yet again, sending its residents fleeing into the bush once more . ."

Attacks increase

Somebody actually keeps track of the worldwide number of people dying in militant attacks every year, attacks like those described in this week's posts.  

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP),  the number "jumped more than 60 percent last year to a record high of nearly 18,000 and the figure could rise further in 2014 due to an escalation of conflict in the Middle East and Nigeria, a report showed on Tuesday."

"Four Islamist groups operating in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria were responsible for two thirds of the 2013 attacks and the vast majority of the deaths occurred in those countries," with "two dozen countries seeing more than 50 deaths in 2013."

Nigeria & sharia

(cont'd)

Having created overwhelming fear among Nigerians - for their children's lives, for their own lives - Boko Haram may be moving on to the next step in pounding them into submission.

"[T]he Islamist rebels' latest video [is] aimed at showing an unidentified community happy to be under their control . .  a departure for a group whose trademark has been brutal hit-and-run attacks against defenceless civilians."

Their strategy may be "trying to persuade people that they will be safe under its so-called caliphate, provided everyone adheres to the group's medieval interpretation of Islamic law."

"Residents in the affected areas have told AFP that people are desperately seeking the chance to flee, sometimes under the cover of darkness, after watching their neighbours suffer brutal corporal punishments administered by the new rebel leadership."

Nigerians a target

(cont'd)

Boko Haram has enslaved or injured children and routinely killed and maimed thousands, all in a "brutal five-year uprising to create a strict Islamic state in northeast Nigeria."  Yesterday I asked, how could they think that doing this kind of evil could motivate citizens to approve or accept their leadership in government?  

Looks like I was thinking of government that exists at the "consent of the governed."  (And so it does for us in America, African Fred Swaniker says, because our laws and institutions stop this sort of evil from succeeding.)

But terrorists have no interest in the legitimate foundation of government.  They seem very confident that they can force government on the governed if they create enough overwhelming fear.

How long can Nigerians dare to send their helpless kids to school, when schools are such a target?  

Nigeria's grief

Last Monday, 2000 Nigerian students gathered in assembly to hear the principal of the school.  At 7:30 a.m. an explosive device sewn into a popular type of backpack detonated.  About 47 individuals never went home to their families again, and another 79 were injured.

It is thought that the brutal attack was one in the series of attacks carried out recently in that region by terrorist group Boko Haram.  

In the town of Chibok, 276 school girls were kidnapped last spring by these terrorists - and they have recently taken over the town.  

Why are they doing this?

"Boko Haram is seeking to establish an Islamic state in northern Nigeria."  So then the next  question must be asked:  how could the murder of school children possibly help them establish an Islamic state?

More tomorrow.

Saeed Abedini

Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, 34, is originally from Iran but became an American citizen in 2010.  In 2012 he was back in Iran supervising the building of an orphanage when the authorities arrested him for "creating a network of Christian house churches."

photo:  noticias.gospelprime.com.br

His family holds on to hope for his release but there's been a setback.  While his parents were visiting him in a hospital (where he'd been sent to recover from beatings), he was forcibly taken and beaten again then thrown back into an Iranian prison.

Pray for Saeed's freedom, his physical health, and his family who wait for him.  You can also take part in a campaign to ask our government to use their influence to get him out and back to home and safety.

Young unemployed

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that overall European unemployment of young workers under the age of 29 is at 19%.  In Spain it's 42% and in Greece 49%.  The longer a person is unemployed, the more unemployable he/she becomes.

Three points of view are offered as options to help these people find jobs.  Strategies suggested are:  gov't vocational training, gov't welfare entitlements, gov't retracting budget cuts.  

But jobs must be created by businesses that create wealth.  Maybe the strategies that would help are those that empower existing businesses to grow, or enable new businesses to start up.

As one discouraged biomedical physicist/real estate agent in Spain says, an economy that has no use for physicists can't be sustained long term.  Somebody somewhere in Spain should come up with a great idea for a biomedical business, and then hire him to help fulfill the idea.

The wealth of a nation depends on its people working to create value/wealth.  These people are being wasted.  They have talent that their countries need.

Veteran stories

Howard Schultz, founder/CEO of Starbuck's, had never spoken to someone in military uniform.  He went to West Point to speak, took a tour, spoke to people in uniform, and experienced a transforming moment.

“My visit,” he wrote, “revealed to me just how disconnected I had been from those fellow citizens who have dedicated years of their lives to defending the freedom I hold dear . . . "

Since then, he's visited more military bases and spoken to more folks in the service - and they inspired him with their character and their stories.

"“For too long,” Schultz writes, “too many of us have paid scant attention to the commitment of the brave few in our midst. It is unhealthy for a nation to become detached from those who secure it.”  He's committed Starbucks to hiring 10,000 veterans.

His new book, For Love of Country, tells some of those veteran stories.

Frankly atheist

Atheists claim that there is no supernatural, no God, only a material universe.  Their debate with believers has gone on throughout history and it is alive today online.

Christians often argue that there's no foundation for morality if there's no God as ultimate lawmaker and creator.  Atheists then protest that they can have morals without God.

But someone named John, who is frankly atheist, thinks that's "rubbish."  He wrote an open letter to his fellow atheists saying, "Maybe it's time we Atheists were a little more truthful and let the chips fall where they may."   

"We believe that the Universe is a great uncaused, random accident . . While we acknowledge concepts like morality, politeness, civility seem to exist, we know they do not . . Outside of my greedy little gene's need to reproduce, there is nothing in my world that stops me from killing you and reproducing with your wife."

There you are - an atheist just trying to be consistent with his beliefs.

You voted

"[W]e as Christians, out of love for God and our neighbors, must stay involved in the political process."  If you are an American and you voted three days ago, then, well done.  As the late Chuck Colson said, it's part of your Christian duty to be a good citizen.

Chuck Colson photo: www.livenet.ch

It's part of that duty to speak up locally, to be "salt and light" on your community boards and commissions - "in other words, [among y]our neighbors! People we can relate to and care for and persuade."

"Poverty, prisoners, community brokenness, education problems—these things won’t be solved by another government program, but by Christians living redemptively in our own neighborhoods and our towns."

(From an excellent article by John Stonestreet at breakpoint.org)

Tax share

Most U.S. citizens think that those who earn higher incomes should pay more than others do for the services that government provides.  And that's exactly what we have.  It's called "progressive," meaning that the tax burden is a higher percentage for those who have more money.

Here's an animated story explaining the concept:

Slashing nuclear #2

Germany's energy policy came with a very high price.  The policy is called energiewende, or energy transition, a move from fossil fuels and nuclear power to much-increased reliance on "renewables," primarily wind and solar.

In 2011, eight of their 17 nuclear power plants were just switched off (a huge capital investment drain in itself).  The remaining nine plants will be phased out from 2015 to 2022.  "Ironically, since shutting down some of their older nuclear plants in response to the nuclear accident in Japan, they now have to import nuclear power from France and the Czech Republic."

To pay for subsidizing those renewables, German households pay about 3 times as much for electricity as Americans do.  About 300,000 households have to cope with power shut-offs per year due to unpaid bills.

Is it all worth the effort and the price the German people have had to pay?  One of the founders of Germany's environmentalist movement, Dr. Fritz Vahrenholt, says the alarm raised by the U.N. committee on climate change was wildly exaggerated.

Slashing nuclear

At a time when France's economy is doing badly, you'd think they would want to retain a certain export, namely nuclear electricity and technology.  But France's president and parliament have voted to reduce the share of nuclear-powered electricity from its current level of 75% down to  50% by 2025.

Environmentalist opposition has been strong for five decades - now the additional factors of aging plants and pressure to invest in renewable energy, a la Germany, have converged to make headway against France's nuclear industry.

On the other hand, it 's not clear how Germany's example of shutting down nuclear while investing heavily in renewables could motivate anyone.  "France's economy may be doing badly but Germany's energy sector is a disaster," according to a spokesman for a French energy company.

Read here for a summary of the state of Germany's energy sector.

French nuclear

Would you be surprised to learn that France gets three-quarters of all its electricity from nuclear power plants?  (As a comparison, the U.S. gets only 19% of its electricity from nuclear.) French energy policy sets energy security as a priority.

www.geni.org

They do not have to worry (as much as the rest of Europe does) about Russia's threats to restrict the flow of natural gas, since so much of their energy production is in their own nuclear plants.  In fact they export their abundant/cheap electricity - and pocket 3 billion euros per year doing it.  

France also exports nuclear technology, and they "pioneered waste reprocessing," 

Now - would it surprise you that France plans to slash this super successful nuclear industry?  More tomorrow.

Houston civility

You may be aware of the Houston TX mayor who brought subpoenas against five pastors who opposed an LGBT ordinance that she supports.  Mayor Parker's subpoenas demanded that the pastors hand over "sermons and electronic communications with congregants containing their opinions on homosexuality and gender. . "

Christians see this as totalitarian overreach which is inappropriate in America.  But instead of responding with acrimony, many around the country responded benignly - standing with the Houston pastors by sending their own sermon copies and Bibles to the mayor's office, for a total of 500-1000.

There's been some backing down by the mayor's office.  "[She] credited pastors and religious leaders she met with Tuesday with helping sway her decision . . "These pastors came to me for civil discussions about the issues,” [she] said of the meetings. “They came without political agendas, without hate in their hearts . . "

Civility between opponents is not easy, and is fragile.  This story isn't over but I think it's good to highlight the effort they've made so far.