From Sunlen Miller and Jon Garcia Goodbye to gas-guzzling fleet vehicles like the ubiquitous big brown UPS trucks? President Obama hopes so, saying it’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for business. “From gas-guzzlers to hybrids, … there’s…
Political Punch
When Dwayne Whitney started his trucking business decades ago he had only one truck. Today he has eighteen and 20 employees. But that’s about to change.
“The State of California says my trucks are killing people,” says Whitney. “What do you say to that?”
In a few years, new air quality regulations approved by the California Air Resources Board will render Whitney’s entire fleet illegal.
“New CARB rules are putting me out of business,” he says.
CARB claims that diesel particulates, a type of pollution emitted from buses and trucks, contributes to 2,000 premature deaths in California each year. But UCLA epidemiologist Dr. James Enstrom says the number should be closer to zero.
In 2005 Enstrom authored an extensive study that found no relationship between diesel particulates and premature deaths. He says his study, as well as other evidence that agrees with it, have been ignored by an agency bent on passing ever more stringent regulations regardless of their effect on California’s economy.
Enstrom blew the whistle on CARB for, among other things, failing to publicize that the lead author of the study that was used to justify the new regulations falsified his education history (he purchased his PhD from an online diploma mill).
But UCLA didn’t come to Enstrom’s defense. In fact, officials informed him that, after 34 years at the university, he was out of a job.
“The environmental regulation machine in powerful in California,” says Adam Kissel of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which is defending Enstrom in the fight to keep his job. “When Dr. Enstrom went up against that machine he was retaliated against.”
A hearing that begins on April 4 will determine whether Dr. Enstrom keeps his job, and the final decision rests with UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.
Says Kissel, “If Dr. Enstrom loses his job because he exercised his academic freedom, then it’s a message to other researchers that you’d better not rock the boat because you might be next.”
Approximately 9 minutes.
“The Green Regulation Machine” is written and produced by Ted Balaker. Field Producer: Paul Detrick; Camera: Alex Manning, Hawk Jensen, Josh Swain, Austin Bragg.
Go to Reason.tv for downloadable versions of this and all our videos and subscribe to Reason.tv’s YouTube channel to receive automatic notification when new content is posted.
When Dwayne Whitney started his trucking business decades ago he had only one truck. Today he has eighteen and 20 employees. But that’s about to change.
“The State of California says my trucks are killing people,” says Whitney. “What do you say to that?”
In a few years, new air quality regulations approved by the California Air Resources Board will render Whitney’s entire fleet illegal.
“New CARB rules are putting me out of business,” he says.
CARB claims that diesel particulates, a type of pollution emitted from buses and trucks, contributes to 2,000 premature deaths in California each year. But UCLA epidemiologist Dr. James Enstrom says the number should be closer to zero.
In 2005 Enstrom authored an extensive study that found no relationship between diesel particulates and premature deaths. He says his study, as well as other evidence that agrees with it, have been ignored by an agency bent on passing ever more stringent regulations regardless of their effect on California’s economy.
Enstrom blew the whistle on CARB for, among other things, failing to publicize that the lead author of the study that was used to justify the new regulations falsified his education history (he purchased his PhD from an online diploma mill).
But UCLA didn’t come to Enstrom’s defense. In fact, officials informed him that, after 34 years at the university, he was out of a job.
“The environmental regulation machine in powerful in California,” says Adam Kissel of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which is defending Enstrom in the fight to keep his job. “When Dr. Enstrom went up against that machine he was retaliated against.”
A hearing that begins on April 4 will determine whether Dr. Enstrom keeps his job, and the final decision rests with UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.
Says Kissel, “If Dr. Enstrom loses his job because he exercised his academic freedom, then it’s a message to other researchers that you’d better not rock the boat because you might be next.”
Approximately 9 minutes.
“The Green Regulation Machine” is written and produced by Ted Balaker. Field Producer: Paul Detrick; Camera: Alex Manning, Hawk Jensen, Josh Swain, Austin Bragg.
Go to Reason.tv for downloadable versions of this and all our videos and subscribe to Reason.tv’s YouTube channel to receive automatic notification when new content is posted.
Machine politics.
Reason TV’s Ted Balaker offers a lengthy look into how government and academia teamed up in California to stifle scientific dissent and pass new environmental regulations on the basis of fraud. Take the time to watch it all, as there is a lot to unpack in this story, which starts off with a trucking company […]
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
The White House Insider Diary Entry 11:00 March 8th 2011
Today was the day I decided to get to the bottom of the matter. It had long irked me that this so called 44th President was an interloper and despite my successful attempts to prove he:
- possessed a false birth certificate
- was born outside the good old US of A
- was a Muslim
- had – through the employ of a secret building contractor – had a Mosque carved from the rock beneath the White House’s foundations.
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Zarg
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Grimblob
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Quimblast
- spoke via a black hole (no pun intended) to the alternative universe where an alternative president ruled an alternative US of B
President Barack Hussein Obama was still held dear by the people of the good old US of A. No matter what I reveal this president sits pretty. He damned approval rating is pushing back up slowly but surely. Why did mud not stick to him? By the end of this propitious day I will hold sufficient information to bring him down.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:50 March 8th 2011
Things have not gone as I planned. I met my friend with no name, you know diary, the man with the long face who came from Ulster in Northern Ireland. We had a few drinks and a few more and then I asked him what it was like in Derry. This was a mistake of course. While we were rolling around on the floor fighting I discovered why. Calling his hometown Derry was an insult so big it led to an automatic fight. While rolling about on the floor with this Ulsterman atop me I discovered I would always refer to this town as Londonderry. It was the Loyalist way. Unfortunately I also discovered that I had missed my chance of catching the 44th president of the US of A up to anythinmg untoward… I’d passed out in the rest room… again. I must stop drinking diary. Please help me!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 19:20 March 9th 2011
Spent the day in bed. Note to self try to avoid Ulsterman and must stop drinking alcohol. Please help me do this diary!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:00 March 10th 2011
Bingo! I found a package of green herbal substance in the president’s kitchen earlier. I have taken it to my contact in the CIA and I am expecting the results of the analysis of the substance later. I know that the substance is marijuana but I will wait for official clarification. Hey diary, good idea to have booked a press conference later today or what? All the press and TV media will be there when I take the podium and announce that the 44th president of the US of A needs to be impeached for smoking marijuana. Can’t wait.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 22:00 March 10th 2011
That man has done it again. The press conference was a nightmare. The rumours that I had found evidence of drug use by the 44th president were out. All I had to do was to confirm them and show them the package with the president’s finger prints. I had the package in my hands, the press were frantically taking photos. Then I had to announce, in the manner of an Obama supporter, that the President of the nited States does not use drugs of any king, including marijuana. I had to add that because of its free radicals and antioxidants, the president did however drink green tea. Green tea, I had to add and seemingly insult my good friends in the Tea Party, is better for health than black tea.
Image via Wikipedia
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
The White House Insider Diary Entry 11:00 March 8th 2011
Today was the day I decided to get to the bottom of the matter. It had long irked me that this so called 44th President was an interloper and despite my successful attempts to prove he:
- possessed a false birth certificate
- was born outside the good old US of A
- was a Muslim
- had – through the employ of a secret building contractor – had a Mosque carved from the rock beneath the White House’s foundations.
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Zarg
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Grimblob
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Quimblast
- spoke via a black hole (no pun intended) to the alternative universe where an alternative president ruled an alternative US of B
President Barack Hussein Obama was still held dear by the people of the good old US of A. No matter what I reveal this president sits pretty. He damned approval rating is pushing back up slowly but surely. Why did mud not stick to him? By the end of this propitious day I will hold sufficient information to bring him down.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:50 March 8th 2011
Things have not gone as I planned. I met my friend with no name, you know diary, the man with the long face who came from Ulster in Northern Ireland. We had a few drinks and a few more and then I asked him what it was like in Derry. This was a mistake of course. While we were rolling around on the floor fighting I discovered why. Calling his hometown Derry was an insult so big it led to an automatic fight. While rolling about on the floor with this Ulsterman atop me I discovered I would always refer to this town as Londonderry. It was the Loyalist way. Unfortunately I also discovered that I had missed my chance of catching the 44th president of the US of A up to anythinmg untoward… I’d passed out in the rest room… again. I must stop drinking diary. Please help me!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 19:20 March 9th 2011
Spent the day in bed. Note to self try to avoid Ulsterman and must stop drinking alcohol. Please help me do this diary!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:00 March 10th 2011
Bingo! I found a package of green herbal substance in the president’s kitchen earlier. I have taken it to my contact in the CIA and I am expecting the results of the analysis of the substance later. I know that the substance is marijuana but I will wait for official clarification. Hey diary, good idea to have booked a press conference later today or what? All the press and TV media will be there when I take the podium and announce that the 44th president of the US of A needs to be impeached for smoking marijuana. Can’t wait.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 22:00 March 10th 2011
That man has done it again. The press conference was a nightmare. The rumours that I had found evidence of drug use by the 44th president were out. All I had to do was to confirm them and show them the package with the president’s finger prints. I had the package in my hands, the press were frantically taking photos. Then I had to announce, in the manner of an Obama supporter, that the President of the nited States does not use drugs of any king, including marijuana. I had to add that because of its free radicals and antioxidants, the president did however drink green tea. Green tea, I had to add and seemingly insult my good friends in the Tea Party, is better for health than black tea.
Image via Wikipedia
**Written by Doug Powers
If you don’t have the time to watch or read Obama’s entire energy speech, here’s the whole thing in a nutshell: “You’re buying a f*#@*!g Volt if you like it or not!”
If you do have a couple of minutes, read on…
Imagine if, in 1961, President Kennedy had said the following: “I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and then harnessing ingenuity to figure out how to return him safely to the Earth after he gets there.”
That’s what President Obama’s “challenge” of cutting oil imports https://southcapitolstreet.com/files/tag/green/and_replacing_it_not_with_domestic_drilling__but_rather__a_href_.css”http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/obamas-new-plan-for-old-goal-cutting-oil-imports/”>a wildly expensive ‘green’ player to be named later sounds like:
So today, I’m setting a new goal: one that is reasonable, achievable, and necessary. When I was elected to this office, America imported 11 million barrels of oil a day. By a little more than a decade from now, we will have cut that by one-third.
I set this goal knowing that imported oil will remain an important part of our energy portfolio for quite some time. And when it comes to the oil we import from other nations, we can partner with neighbors like Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, which recently discovered significant new oil reserves, and with whom we can share American technology and know-how.
But our best opportunities to enhance our energy security can be found in our own backyard. And we boast one critical, renewable resource the rest of the world cannot match: American ingenuity.
To make ourselves more secure – to control our energy future – we will need to harness that ingenuity. It is a task that won’t be finished by the end of my presidency, or even the next. But if we continue the work that we have already begun over the last two years, we won’t just spark new jobs, industries and innovations; we will leave your generation and future generations a country that is safer, healthier, and more prosperous.
What will the US replace almost four million imported barrels of oil per day with if we’re not going to drill more domestically? Ingenuity. Sounds reasonable, provided anybody can invent a car or jet that runs on ingenuity. Drill for oil domestically in the interim at least? Nah, we’re way too ingenious to have to resort to that.
The promise of creating “green jobs” (which is snipe hunting for the new millennium except far more profitable for those who organize the hunt but will bankrupt the hunter) has caused “ingenuity” itself to become a commodity instead of a byproduct of free people in a free market that leads to tangible advances.
“Ingenuity” is vague and unquantifiable, which makes it the perfect product for greens to peddle — because it isn’t a product at all, just a promise of a product somewhere down the line. Eventually it’s discovered that the only ingenuity involved in any of this was in putting together the scheme itself, but by then we’re faced with a choice of paying $ 10 a gallon for gas or spending $ 50,000 on a golf cart electrified by kumquats and burning coal, but mostly burning coal. If that’s ingenuity, we need to find some stupid, and fast.
Changing the subject slightly, President Obama today said that Energy Secretary Chu “actually deserved his Nobel Prize.”
Click the pic to watch:
Note: The caption underneath that says “storms over the Gulf” is purely coincidental, although somewhat fitting given the unwavering stance on the drilling moratorium.
**Written by Doug Powers
Twitter @ThePowersThatBe
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
The White House Insider Diary Entry 11:00 March 8th 2011
Today was the day I decided to get to the bottom of the matter. It had long irked me that this so called 44th President was an interloper and despite my successful attempts to prove he:
- possessed a false birth certificate
- was born outside the good old US of A
- was a Muslim
- had – through the employ of a secret building contractor – had a Mosque carved from the rock beneath the White House’s foundations.
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Zarg
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Grimblob
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Quimblast
- spoke via a black hole (no pun intended) to the alternative universe where an alternative president ruled an alternative US of B
President Barack Hussein Obama was still held dear by the people of the good old US of A. No matter what I reveal this president sits pretty. He damned approval rating is pushing back up slowly but surely. Why did mud not stick to him? By the end of this propitious day I will hold sufficient information to bring him down.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:50 March 8th 2011
Things have not gone as I planned. I met my friend with no name, you know diary, the man with the long face who came from Ulster in Northern Ireland. We had a few drinks and a few more and then I asked him what it was like in Derry. This was a mistake of course. While we were rolling around on the floor fighting I discovered why. Calling his hometown Derry was an insult so big it led to an automatic fight. While rolling about on the floor with this Ulsterman atop me I discovered I would always refer to this town as Londonderry. It was the Loyalist way. Unfortunately I also discovered that I had missed my chance of catching the 44th president of the US of A up to anythinmg untoward… I’d passed out in the rest room… again. I must stop drinking diary. Please help me!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 19:20 March 9th 2011
Spent the day in bed. Note to self try to avoid Ulsterman and must stop drinking alcohol. Please help me do this diary!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:00 March 10th 2011
Bingo! I found a package of green herbal substance in the president’s kitchen earlier. I have taken it to my contact in the CIA and I am expecting the results of the analysis of the substance later. I know that the substance is marijuana but I will wait for official clarification. Hey diary, good idea to have booked a press conference later today or what? All the press and TV media will be there when I take the podium and announce that the 44th president of the US of A needs to be impeached for smoking marijuana. Can’t wait.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 22:00 March 10th 2011
That man has done it again. The press conference was a nightmare. The rumours that I had found evidence of drug use by the 44th president were out. All I had to do was to confirm them and show them the package with the president’s finger prints. I had the package in my hands, the press were frantically taking photos. Then I had to announce, in the manner of an Obama supporter, that the President of the nited States does not use drugs of any king, including marijuana. I had to add that because of its free radicals and antioxidants, the president did however drink green tea. Green tea, I had to add and seemingly insult my good friends in the Tea Party, is better for health than black tea.
Image via Wikipedia
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
The White House Insider Diary Entry 11:00 March 8th 2011
Today was the day I decided to get to the bottom of the matter. It had long irked me that this so called 44th President was an interloper and despite my successful attempts to prove he:
- possessed a false birth certificate
- was born outside the good old US of A
- was a Muslim
- had – through the employ of a secret building contractor – had a Mosque carved from the rock beneath the White House’s foundations.
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Zarg
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Grimblob
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Quimblast
- spoke via a black hole (no pun intended) to the alternative universe where an alternative president ruled an alternative US of B
President Barack Hussein Obama was still held dear by the people of the good old US of A. No matter what I reveal this president sits pretty. He damned approval rating is pushing back up slowly but surely. Why did mud not stick to him? By the end of this propitious day I will hold sufficient information to bring him down.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:50 March 8th 2011
Things have not gone as I planned. I met my friend with no name, you know diary, the man with the long face who came from Ulster in Northern Ireland. We had a few drinks and a few more and then I asked him what it was like in Derry. This was a mistake of course. While we were rolling around on the floor fighting I discovered why. Calling his hometown Derry was an insult so big it led to an automatic fight. While rolling about on the floor with this Ulsterman atop me I discovered I would always refer to this town as Londonderry. It was the Loyalist way. Unfortunately I also discovered that I had missed my chance of catching the 44th president of the US of A up to anythinmg untoward… I’d passed out in the rest room… again. I must stop drinking diary. Please help me!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 19:20 March 9th 2011
Spent the day in bed. Note to self try to avoid Ulsterman and must stop drinking alcohol. Please help me do this diary!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:00 March 10th 2011
Bingo! I found a package of green herbal substance in the president’s kitchen earlier. I have taken it to my contact in the CIA and I am expecting the results of the analysis of the substance later. I know that the substance is marijuana but I will wait for official clarification. Hey diary, good idea to have booked a press conference later today or what? All the press and TV media will be there when I take the podium and announce that the 44th president of the US of A needs to be impeached for smoking marijuana. Can’t wait.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 22:00 March 10th 2011
That man has done it again. The press conference was a nightmare. The rumours that I had found evidence of drug use by the 44th president were out. All I had to do was to confirm them and show them the package with the president’s finger prints. I had the package in my hands, the press were frantically taking photos. Then I had to announce, in the manner of an Obama supporter, that the President of the nited States does not use drugs of any king, including marijuana. I had to add that because of its free radicals and antioxidants, the president did however drink green tea. Green tea, I had to add and seemingly insult my good friends in the Tea Party, is better for health than black tea.
Image via Wikipedia
Everyone’s ready for spring break after a long winter. CAP has some ideas for those who want to relieve their stress without stressing out the planet.
Take a “staycation.” Staying at home instead of traveling can be a really inexpensive and relaxing way to enjoy your time off. In fact, it’s probably the “greenest” travel option there is. It will save you money, make less of an environmental impact, and allow you to explore your immediate surroundings. Consumer Reports has some ideas to help you get started.
Pack light. Traveling light saves you money as well as stress, and it can lower your vacation’s carbon footprint. Traveling lighter means less weight, which means less fuel for your car or plane. Some of the items you’ll be trying to cram into your suitcase can be bought upon your arrival, which helps boost the local economy of wherever you’re visiting. Visit RealBuzz for tips.
Enjoy the great outdoors. Take your bike out, go camping, or hang out at the beach. Just remember to use resources wisely: Recycle, look for ways to cut waste, and leave no trace when you camp.
Look for green hotels. Eco-friendly lodging is cropping up across the country as hotels face pressure to conserve resources. You can find loads of green hotels online.
Travel green. Your transportation has perhaps the biggest effect on the environment. If you’re flying, try to avoid flying at night. The contrails of a plane at night have a bigger impact on global warming than those left in the day. As an alternative to flying, you can also take a train overnight while you sleep, carpool, or take a road trip with a rented hybrid car.
Go alternative. Many students these days are choosing to participate in an alternative spring break. Most colleges organize volunteer opportunities that include partnering with Habitat for Humanity or with local community groups painting schools, planting trees, or engaging in another worthwhile green activity. Other opportunities include traveling out of state or even out of the country. Sometimes you can even get college credit for your week spent “working.” Check with your local campus community service and/or volunteer office to see if they have anything in the works.
– A CAP repost.
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
The White House Insider Diary Entry 11:00 March 8th 2011
Today was the day I decided to get to the bottom of the matter. It had long irked me that this so called 44th President was an interloper and despite my successful attempts to prove he:
- possessed a false birth certificate
- was born outside the good old US of A
- was a Muslim
- had – through the employ of a secret building contractor – had a Mosque carved from the rock beneath the White House’s foundations.
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Zarg
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Grimblob
- was regularly holding talks with aliens from the planet Quimblast
- spoke via a black hole (no pun intended) to the alternative universe where an alternative president ruled an alternative US of B
President Barack Hussein Obama was still held dear by the people of the good old US of A. No matter what I reveal this president sits pretty. He damned approval rating is pushing back up slowly but surely. Why did mud not stick to him? By the end of this propitious day I will hold sufficient information to bring him down.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:50 March 8th 2011
Things have not gone as I planned. I met my friend with no name, you know diary, the man with the long face who came from Ulster in Northern Ireland. We had a few drinks and a few more and then I asked him what it was like in Derry. This was a mistake of course. While we were rolling around on the floor fighting I discovered why. Calling his hometown Derry was an insult so big it led to an automatic fight. While rolling about on the floor with this Ulsterman atop me I discovered I would always refer to this town as Londonderry. It was the Loyalist way. Unfortunately I also discovered that I had missed my chance of catching the 44th president of the US of A up to anythinmg untoward… I’d passed out in the rest room… again. I must stop drinking diary. Please help me!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 19:20 March 9th 2011
Spent the day in bed. Note to self try to avoid Ulsterman and must stop drinking alcohol. Please help me do this diary!
The White House Insider Diary Entry 14:00 March 10th 2011
Bingo! I found a package of green herbal substance in the president’s kitchen earlier. I have taken it to my contact in the CIA and I am expecting the results of the analysis of the substance later. I know that the substance is marijuana but I will wait for official clarification. Hey diary, good idea to have booked a press conference later today or what? All the press and TV media will be there when I take the podium and announce that the 44th president of the US of A needs to be impeached for smoking marijuana. Can’t wait.
The White House Insider Diary Entry 22:00 March 10th 2011
That man has done it again. The press conference was a nightmare. The rumours that I had found evidence of drug use by the 44th president were out. All I had to do was to confirm them and show them the package with the president’s finger prints. I had the package in my hands, the press were frantically taking photos. Then I had to announce, in the manner of an Obama supporter, that the President of the nited States does not use drugs of any king, including marijuana. I had to add that because of its free radicals and antioxidants, the president did however drink green tea. Green tea, I had to add and seemingly insult my good friends in the Tea Party, is better for health than black tea.
Image via Wikipedia
Military life can be the most rewarding experience, but also, even in peace time, one of the most dangerous professions.
On March 23, 1994, a fighter jet collided with a C130 over Pope AirForce Base. The resulting fire engulfed 82nd Airborne paratroopers on the ground, ammunition lit off, fuel containers expoded, and among the devastating carnage, the smoke, the fire, paratroopers do what they are trained to do…NEVER QUIT.