Global Warming - Who Has The Answer

I think 90% of the world is now in agreement that climate change/global warming is real. There are still those hold out and conspiracy theorists who refuse to see the writing on the wall but that is how it is with every important issue that's faced our nation and the world....there is always a group of nay sayers.

For a while I thought the American Government would linger too long with the disbelievers but it seems with the presidential race and presidential legacies on the line, governmental positions are changing. But will it be enough to make a difference?

The old guard of skeptics are leaving the White House and we have a chance to lead the nations of the world to solve this problem. That leaves me wondering, of the remaining candidates for US president, who has the best policy proposals to change the course of our future? Who has the commitment to make the tough decisions?

Grist Magazine has put together a comprehensive chart to help people like me make up my mind. Each of the candidates ideas and stances are laid out in an easy to understand format. Please check this out and read the information provided. It's very important.

Allow me to spotlight two of the issues: Cap and Trade Prgrams for Greenhouse Emmissions and Fuel Economy Standards.


Hillary Clinton: Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Supports raising fuel standards to 40 mpg by 2020 and 55 mpg by 2030.

Barack Obama: Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Supports raising standards for cars to 40 mpg and light trucks to 32 mpg by 2020.

John McCain: Supports a cap-and-trade system. Coauthor of the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which would cap emissions from utilities, industry, and transport at 2004 levels by 2012 and then gradually decrease emissions to about 30% of 2004 levels by 2050. Supports raising standards vehicles, but has not named a specific target. In 2002, introduced legislation that would have raised standards to 36 mpg by 2016.

Mitt Romney: Does not support a cap-and-trade system unless the rest of the world participates. For fuel efficiency he, Opposes raising standards on their own outside of a broader energy plan. Calls for other steps to make the U.S. auto fleet more efficient.

Mike Huckabee - Supports a cap-and-trade system, but hasn't gotten specific about targets. Supports raising standards to 35 mpg by 2020.

In our nation we have an important decision to make about who will be the best steward of our environment and who will inspire all of us to make the needed sacrafices and changes. Dig deep and do the research. In my opinion, none of the candidates go as far as I would like. They seem afraid to take a serious stand for consequential action but at least solutions are on the table. That's a change for the better.

Visit the candidates websites and read their full positions. But first educate yourself by visiting globalwarming 101.com, Climatecrisis.net, and the Union of Concerned Scientists to arm yourself with the scientific facts needed to make a clear assessment of the issues.

I am optimistic about our future. There is a ground swell, a movement, an awakening that we must act now. I believe we will. To get us started on the right path, we need a leader who is bold, innovative, free of the influence of corporations who resist change, and as determined to end global warming as a past president was about going to the moon.

Super Tuesday - Will You or Won't You?

If you are a citizen of the United States of America and live in one of the 22 Super Tuesday States, you have something to do on February 5th. Get out and vote.

Can you feel the ground swell in our country? Something amazing is happening. We are waking up to new opportunities, new ideas, and new choices. We are lifting our heads and turning away from the distractions of life long enough to realize that every individual matters. We do know what is best for our country. We are capable of thinking through and solving our complicated problems. We are an intelligent nation and don't need Washington political junkies or pundits to tell us "the factual facts". We think just fine for ourselves, thank you.

I attribute this awakening to a critical mass of discontent around our nation. No matter our political leanings, we all seem to be dissatisfied with the status quo and we are clamoring to be heard en masse.

The voter turn out in all of the early primaries has been astounding with record numbers of people turning out to the polls from every walk of life. When I attended the Nevada Democratic caucus last month, I had such low expectations and apparently so did the organizers. I walked into a modest room at a local school and started gathering a few chairs for the Obama participants. By one hour before the caucus there was no air left in the room, much less an empty seat. Over 100 people packed into a space the size of a classroom eager to help their candidate to the White House. It was beyond amazing.

This showing has become the norm around the country with lines around the corner in South Carolina. I remember hearing on the radio that by 10AM one of the large counties had already surpassed the number of people who voted in the 2004 Presidential Primary.

So if you live in one of the states on the list below, you have the right to be excited and hopeful about our nation's future. When you head to the polls next Tuesday you will become an important part of history. I think this time will be remembered as the election year when the American people took back their democracy and claimed ownership of the rights so hard won in the Constitution.

Some of the Super Tuesday States are primaries and some are caucuses. Please do the work to find out how to cast your ballot in your state. From experience, I can tell you it is very empowering to research and learn for yourself how our government works. Then go to your polling place and make your voice heard.

One of our candidates keeps saying that she has found her voice. Well, I've found mine, too and I voted for the candidate that speaks for me. I urge each of you to find YOUR voice and let it be heard. Shout from the rooftops so Washington hears us. Our opinions are valid and deserve to be heard.

Here is the list of Super Tuesday States:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho (Democratic Party Only)
Illinois
Kansas (Democratic Party Only)
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New Mexico (Democratic Party Only)
New York
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Utah
and American Samoa

Don't wait until the general election in November to speak your mind, especially if you support a candidate that's not the front runner. Without you they may not be there to vote for when you are ready.

Big Head Todd and The Monsters - It's More Than Music

Big Head Todd and The Monsters - Never heard of them? Think you might have but you're not sure? That's okay.

The Colorado Trio, now four-some, have been making music together since their college days in the mid-'80's. They experienced radio success with hits like BitterSweet, Broken Hearted Savior and Circle but when they refused to sell out to the desires of the major record labels things changed - for the better.

Twenty years later Todd Park Mohr, Brian Nevin, Rob Squires and Jeremy Lawton make the music they want, have a fan base that follows them from one venue to the next, and are one of of the most celebrated concert bands in the country. If you ever hear them live you'll be hooked. Park-Mohr's gravelly voice and expert guitar playing is exhilarating. The band jams together like nothing I've ever seen before. It's as if when they play they become one mind, one instrument. It's good ole American Rock 'n Roll at it's best.

The music won me over years ago but that's not why I'm an ardent fan of these men. They live in the real world with the rest of us. It's not about the fame. It's about the music, the life, and what's left after the music stops. The guys from Big Head Todd go to the merchandise table after every show. They TALK to their fans and actually have fun spending time with them. It's not a burden, they really enjoy it and seem to thrive on the interaction. I've had the pleasure of meeting them twice and hope to again next spring when they make their annual trip to my town.

For the past few years they've used free podcasts and downloads on their website and ITunes to distribute their music to an ever growing fan base. Todd Park Mohr believes that art should be free. "We don't really make our money off the music," he said during an interview. "We never have, not even with a major record label."

To further that sentiment, BHTM is giving away 500,000 copies of their new CD, All The Love You Need. 25,000 copies were mailed to fans who requested them from the BHTM website and the rest are to be distributed by radio stations around the country. My copy arrived yesterday with a personal note from the band thanking their fans for the support. When was the last time you got a free thank you from your favorite band? It doesn't happen often, unless you're a BHTM's fan.

They also believe in using their notoriety to give something of value back to the world. For the last three years they've used their annual Red Rocks Amphitheater concert as a benefit to raise money for a selected cause. This year it's Soles United, a Crocs program committed to social responsibility and providing shoes for those in need.

With over 1 billion people living in extreme poverty, many households cannot meet the basic needs for survival including food, shelter, safe drinking water and basic articles of clothing, including shoes. In 2008, Soles United expects to donate over 1,000,000 pairs of shoes to those in need. To demonstrate their appreciation and support of BHTM, Soles United will donate a pair of shoes for every ticket purchased to a BHTM show in June of 2008. BHTM fans can be assured that their presence at a BHTM concert will make a real difference in the life of a child or adult living in poverty.

BMTH is conducting the first round of a charity auction that started on 12/10 that will benefit the Soles United Program. You can bid on several different VIP packages and seating for the Red Rocks concert. I can't imagine anything better than helping out a good cause and winning the bid for onstage couch seating at their biggest concert of the year.

On a side note, BHTM made national news this week when the Clinton campaign adopted their song Blue Sky as Hillary's new theme song. It's an inspirational song written in 2005 at the request of the NASA astronauts upon the first launch after the Columbia disaster. They are not claiming affiliation with any candidate but are happy for the exposure.

I'm proud to say I'm a loyal fan. Big Head Todd and the Monsters are shining examples of how to run a responsible, fun, compassionate music career. Go see them. It's an experience you'll never forget.