green goals for 2008

I have been thinking of some green goals for myself and the family for 2008. Funny how one color can now encompass a large range of ideas.

One of the main ones is to reduce the amount of driving I do. I would like to have one car-free day a week as a goal. As I think of the environment, simplicity, frugality, and waste reduction, I quickly distilled out how much of an impact driving has.

I thought that when I drive I am consuming gas , polluting, sometimes going somewhere that involves consumption like the store,"entertainment", or food. Risk of impulse-purchases are high. Then there are the resources involved in packaging or getting goods home, and time involved. I know I must have missed a few impacts, but the simple act of driving really does impact a whole bunch of things. I think it would be nice to have a low-key day, to just BE with family instead of DOING with family, a Sabbath of sorts. I was convinced once I actually figured the impact:

One day of no driving per week=4 days per month= 48 days per year= about 1.5 months of no driving- at all-per year. I just gained a whole month and a half per year to spend on something other than driving and consumption.

Any green goals for you in 2008?

Defense Budget 2008

In the current Utne reader are the following statistics:

*The U.S. Department of Defense budget for the fiscal year 2008 is $481.4 billion.
* $141.7 billion is for the 'war on terror'.
* By contrast, the second-highest budget is for Health and Human services, which is $70 billion.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace, contentment, and joy.

I wanna be like New Jersey

The U.S. has executed 1,099 people since the Supreme Court reauthorized the death penalty in 1976. It's refreshing to see someone stand up and exercise their power in a positive manner. Such as New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine for outlawing the death penalty in his state, the first state to do so since 1965. Yes.
A small step in the right direction, with my hopes & prayers that more states will follow.
And, yes, that is the actual N.J. electric chair used for killing people.
www.ncadp.org

"Wake me up when we're done meditating"

Trees. Big Trees.

Smiling with joy, he looked up at the ancient sequoias, pointed, and enthusiastically said "TREES!" Maybe that was actually, "Teeze!"

This was what Joaquin yelled when he first got out of the car at Big Trees state park. There was lots of snow, painting the landscape in peace. It was significant because it was a day of firsts for Joaquin...the first time he has experienced snow, and the first time to see some very big trees. As a parent, firsts are warm & fuzzy all around. He got to slip and slide on the ice, try to eat snow, and met his first snowman who was just his size. Joyful and relaxed, he seemed to be completely at home amongst the trees. The ride home was not, however, relaxed and joyful. Most of the three hour ride was filled with fussing and shouting "ALL DONE!". But, It was an awesome day spent as a family with our elders.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551

"Bad Newz Kennels"

"Bad Newz Kennels".
I couldn't think of a more perfect name for the hellish place that Michael Vick's dogs unfortunately called home...before they were killed for not being good enough fighters for his dog-fighting-money-rolling operation.

I feel ultra sensitive to this issue, not only because of the cruelty of humans towards animals, but because I own a dog breed that is frequently-if not always- used in these types of abuses. Many of you know we own a pit bull....a sweet, mushy, lick-you-lots pooch. But...at first glance, even the most loyal dog lovers may stop cautiously when they meet Zoomer. He looks intimidating if you don't know him. I have even caught Carlos giving Zoomer his hand to sniff before petting him. By the way, you can stop that Carlos. I think Zoomer knows you now.

Although Zoomer adopted me the Sacramento City shelter four years ago, I never thought of what we would take on with pit bull ownership. People cross the street when they see you walking with your dog, they pull over in their cars to ask if you want to breed him, nobody wants to insure you, people nervously try to hide their onslaught of feelings when you tell them what type of dog you own, & parents pull their children closer. Even family can stiffen up when they feel Zoomer is 'too close' to Joaquin.

But...on the other hand...we have found that pit bulls are a great social equalizer. We get instant approval...nods...props...comments of adoration...from gangstas to kiddos, white collar to blue collar....black, white, hispanic...We are able to interact with people on the streets that we likely would not otherwise. Zoomer is the great connector and equalizer in that way. He is an ambassador for his breed. He is a great teacher, teaching us to not make judgements based on popular belief or appearance, teaching others that not all pit bulls are programmed to eat their children, and naturally teaching about unconditional love. Dogs are awesome at unconditional love...both in giving it and teaching us to both give and receive it. I adore cats as well, and we have two of them. But...how many times have you been 'snubbed' by a dog? Dogs don't play that game. They either like you, or they don't. Dogs don't know how to snub. I think this is a redeeming quality to come home to, we get enough snubbing in the world as it is.

Zoomer has converted my uncle Marc from a dog-fearing man to a tolerant friend that Z-dog looks forward to leaning on and getting a good pet from. This is the power of unconditional love in action. You just have to know my uncle to realize how significant this is. The guy fears dogs, but Zoomer no longer. I think he might be a convert. To what? I don't really know.

I openly admit that pit bulls can do harm, and have. But so have people, and the media. Spin, spin, spin...

We are grateful that Zoomer did not ever exist in a place called "Bad Newz Kennels". Our compassion goes out to the dogs that are taken advantage of and abused, as well as their owners for being so disconnected to life & love. And...23 months just doesn't seem long enough.

www.badrap.org