Earth Hour may BE symbolic...And?

I posted the Earth Hour video awhile back and plan to participate tonight. That is a personal choice that I've made because of what I believe in.
So I'm perusing the blogs, as I usually do, and I start seeing things like "Earth Hour..."I am sure global warming will continue be a very serious problem in need of serious responses at 9pm tonight, whatever becomes of this hour-long gimmick." and "I guess I should be pissed but I'm not. Hippies sitting inside, in the dark, are better than hippies outside waving signs."

First of all, I love that I've been branded a hippy by someone who's never met me. I also love the fact that people get pissed off at symbolic gestures because they are symbolic. It's SUPPOSED to be symbolic. I haven't seen anyone claim that Earth Hour will cure or fix global warming. It's an action that is supposed to be one of many actions. One author referenced above, talks about what they do everyday to cut global warming, and the other assumes that whomever participates in Earth Hour doesn't do anything the rest of the year. Well guess what? The vast majority of people who participate in these actions ARE the ones acting on it everyday. I don't drive, I recycle, I sit in the dark whenever I can and wrap up in a blanket to keep the heat low, I shop local, and my piss ant little student budget sometimes strains under the cost of the extra that I pay for renewable electricity. And guess what? I'm NOT a hippy, not even close.

What exactly is the point of belittling other people for taking action, no matter how small, simply because you are choosing not to? That's your choice that is allowed you. Why attack others for the same allowance? For those of you who choose to laugh at, judge, and demean others for taking some action that feels good to them, whether it's your cup of tea or not, get over yourselves.


And here is the rest of it.

McCain already above the law?

Too bad the Bush administration has gutted the Federal Elections Commission (surprise, surprise).

And here is the rest of it.

Walden's Muddied Waters

I'm glad to see the DPO finally getting on this. Smith isn't the only one who needs to be on the chopping block.

And here is the rest of it.

Tax Rebate

I received this email from Rep. Blumenauer and thought I'd pass it on.

Dear Friend,

This Saturday, those of you who are eligible for the recovery rebate but do NOT normally file an income tax return will be able to claim your rebate. An IRS office near you will be open on March 29 so you can get help preparing your form.

So none of you miss out on the opportunity to receive your economic stimulus rebate, I wanted to share this information. Oregonians who do not pay federal income taxes may be eligible for a $300 payment if you have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Many households also will be eligible for an additional $300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.

The following locations are open if you need help with your rebate form:

Office of CASH Oregon
2201 Lloyd Center #2010
10am-4pm
IRS Office
1220 SW Third Avenue
9am-3pm

For more information about filing your taxes or getting your rebate, visit IRS

And here is the rest of it.

Pat Buchanan just makes my head hurt...

...my eyes roll to the back of my head, and my digestion just plain damn take a nose dive. WHERE do these people COME FROM? Sheesh.

Buchanan says...

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.

After working to hold my lunch down, I read the rest, and then lost it. The man is not only a complete doof and an embarrassment to this country (not to mention his self-professed faith), he is just plain ICKY.And here is the rest of it.

McCain's Fan Club

I wonder how the Log Cabin Republicans plan to spin this kind of stuff.

or this one.

I don't CARE how much folks want to believe that the Republican party can still claim to be capable of leading this country, it is absolutely impossible when these are the people to whom you are pandering. The GOP has made the mistake of thinking that a very active, very vocal and very focused minority of haters speaks for a majority of people in this country. Maybe in their deluded minds they think they do, but they don't.
And here is the rest of it.