The Connectedness

Most Americans Get a Failing Grade in Climate Change Facts · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives.

While 63 percent of Americans believe that global warming is happening, many do not understand why, according to a Yale project study on climate change communication. The study finds that eight percent of Americans have knowledge equivalent to an A or B grade, while 40 percent would receive a C or D, and 52 percent would get an F.

The study, “Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change” (PDF), also finds gaps in knowledge and common misconceptions about climate change and the earth system, which has led some people to doubt global warming or that human activities are a major contributor, say researchers.

I suppose a blog can be anything you really want it to be, but it would seem that what you put into your personal blog should be things that you want others to read and perhaps comment on or learn from. I can blather on about my personal life weirdness in a private diary, but is a blog really the ideal forum for people to vent their insanities? Personally, I don’t think so. After all, would you want to read personal rantings of someone who should be telling these things to a therapist? I say this because recently I read a post in someone’s blog that surprised me with it’s raw exposure of odd behavior that I would be embarrassed to tell strangers about. I’m by no means a prude, but it would seem that there was no purpose in the posting except to justify their point of view, which was a bit unreal given a completely different account from someone else. Maybe I’m being judgmental, but I cannot figure out why someone would show their worst side to the world.

Anyone who thinks they will be fully satisfied with their day in court at Hayward Superior Traffic Court beware. I tried to be polite and respectful to the judge in court today, but somehow I was shouted down anyway for trying to make what I think is an extremely pertinent point. Since I didn’t get to have my say in court, I will post my complaint below. People falling victim to the red-light camera scam in cities all around the Bay Area should know the following, which is quoted fro Gary Richards column:

The chief complaint over the use of red-light cameras involves th steep fine for making a so-called “California stop” on a right turn. It is more than $500 (in some cases) with penalties and fees, the same amount it would be if you ran the red light going straight – which can lead to dangerous “T-bone” crashes. But it was never supposed to be that high.

In 1997, the base fine for running a red light was increased from $35 to $100, and that was supposed to cover only drives who run a red light going straight (through the intersection). But the new legislation inadvertently increased fines for all red-light infractions, according to sources in Sacramento. That became a big deal when cities started using cameras and the vast majority of tickets began going to drivers rolling through an intersection while making right turns.

Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, may push to lower the fines for right turns.

I want to personally thank Assemblyman Hill and State Senator Simitian for seeing the inequity in this law that made the use of cameras a form of business and revenue for cities. The worst part is not being to dispute the wrongness of it all in court and ending up with the ticket on your record when you cannot go to traffic school due to a Class A or B license. This was my case, so the judge reduced the fine in half to a different citation, but still stated that I failed to yield to oncoming traffic, which was clearly untrue since the video showed that not only was traffic not coming in my direction, but it was turning onto the street I was coming from.

My second complaint regarding the nonsensical set up at Halycon/Floresta/Washington intersection in San Leandro is the way it is set up to catch people making right turns when there not only no traffic to yield to, but traffic is turning in a manner that surely warrants a green arrow rather than a stop. So if you get one of these tickets take it to court and hopefully your city will have already seen the light – and it won’t be red!

“There is no constitutional right to never be offended.”
Leonard Pitts, May 24, 2010

One of my favorite columnists for the Bay Area Newsgroup is Leonard Pitts. I have written to him commending him on his insightful viewpoints, but so far have not received a response. His latest column in today’s Daily Review discusses the issue of when is being politically correct a pain in the derriere? The ridiculous issue of students being sent home for wearing American flags on Cinco de Mayo just about sums it up. Cinco de Mayo is a fine holiday that celebrates Mexican pride, but this is still America. It is not recognized as a national holiday where federal offices are closed, but a day to celebrate heritage and culture. That culture, in this country, should include perhaps recognition that as people with a Mexican heritage they are fortunate to be able to celebrate that in this country.

While my mother was born in Russia and emigrated to the United States in 1939 from Berlin, she never felt compelled to deny that it was this country – the US – that took in her family when Germany was killing all the Jews. I feel proud to have both Russian and Italian heritage from my parents, but I was born in this country, educated by the public school system, and enjoy the liberties and freedom to vote for whom I want and express myself however I want, when I want to. That is part of being an American citizen and living here.

I like Mexico a lot and visit there often. I’ve even considered retiring there for the economics and good weather. But when I am in Mexico, I realize that I am in a different country than the U.S. I don’t expect to be afforded the same rights and privileges as I have in the United States because it is not the United States and I am not a Mexican citizen. Therefore, I am respectful of Mexican laws and customs, which include their right to feel that they come first in their country.

Thank you again Leonard Pitts.

Abbott Receives FDA Approval for First Fully Automated Blood Test for “Kissing Bug” Disease: May 19, 2010

Posted using ShareThis

Spoetzl Brewery to Add $3 Million Biogas Facility.

Maya Plumbing: First Pressurized Water Feature Found In New World

Posted using ShareThis

The $45B In The Sewers: Energy And Resources From Wastewater

Posted using ShareThis

Pension reform: don’t blame workers | San Francisco Bay Guardian.