Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A Comment on Paul Krugman's NYT OP-ED - Betraying the Planet

In his latest OP-ED for the New York Times, Paul Krugman equates climate change denial to a form of treason against the planet. I couldn’t agree more. I would also add that it is a betrayal against reasonable discourse.

As new facts and research continue to sound the alarm, many in the US, including some of our elected representatives, have chosen to blindly deny that something needs to be done about the excess of greenhouse gases. This, agreeing with Mr. Krugman, is betrayal - not only against the planet but against civilization itself.

As Krugman points out, rejecting a claim based on informed opinion and critical reflection is “acting responsibly”. Yet, establishing an opposing position on the subject because you dislike the “political and policy implications of climate change” is both dishonest and immoral. It becomes even more so, when facts and research results are misrepresented to “feed the denial”.

Climate change denial requires the rejection of hard science and factual data. It also requires fallacious and nonsensical arguments to support such denial. This results in a betrayal of logic, and attacks the very foundation of rational discourse intended to find the common ground necessary to begin solving such a real and serious problem.

Those among us, including our representatives, should be held accountable for such acts of “treason”. The position of a policy maker is not a privilege, but rather a duty – a duty that requires living up to the expectations of the polis – that our policy makers will be honest, forthright, educated and will put the interests of humanity above self-interest and political affiliation.

As Krugman asks, “How can anyone justify failing to act”. I can’t find a reason, can you?

Paul Krugman is a professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton University and OP-ED columnist for the New York Times. In his article he writes:

“To fully appreciate the irresponsibility and immorality of climate-change denial, you need to know about the grim turn taken by the latest climate research.

The fact is that the planet is changing faster than even pessimists expected: ice caps are shrinking, arid zones spreading, at a terrifying rate. And according to a number of recent studies, catastrophe — a rise in temperature so large as to be almost unthinkable — can no longer be considered a mere possibility. It is, instead, the most likely outcome if we continue along our present course”. Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/opinion/29krugman.html
"Agreeing on values is one of the most difficult things about being human. Agreeing that there are none, however, is impossible."
-Peter Marston, PhD. Califiornia State University, Northridge

Song of the Day - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor - mvt. 3



I've always been a music lover. This is probably apparent by my insistence on the Song of the Day portion of this blog. I've always enjoyed finding a reason, no matter how loosely related, to associate a song to a moment, or a day.

This selection was easy. A very close friend of mine, one of the closest, mentioned it to me on the phone this morning. To this friend I owe a debt of gratitude for heightening my appreciation for the art of music. It was this friend that let me know that it was ok to like anything, that within every piece of music, the potential to discover something genuine or pleasing is always present, we just have to open ourselves to it.

This is the friend who recommends Rachmaninoff on a random Tuesday, and has at least a decade of cassette-tape recordings, mostly from the 80s, of Kasey Kasem’s Top 40. Talk about varied taste!

In his own words, Piano Concerto No. 2 (and No.3) is another place, perhaps even another time. After listening to it this morning, I think he was referring to that “swept away” feeling we sometimes experience from a truly special piece of music.

Video originally posted on youtube.com by mariocast.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Song of the Day: Paul Simon - Slip Slidin' Away



The memory attached to this song is riding shotgun in my Mom's rusty Toyota Corolla wagon (a late 70s model) listening to the AM radio. We were very often together, going here or there, doing this and that. I don’t think I had started kindergarten yet, because I remember, while my sisters were at school, I was Mom’s sidekick for the errands of the day. This tune stands out as the soundtrack to these isolated moments. Although the song is quite melancholic, these memories of driving around with my mother as a young boy are happy ones.

Video originally posted on youtube.com by alexbarlw
“It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts.”
Adlai E. Stevenson

This is one of my favorite quotes. I often say it to people on their birthday who are having a difficult time accepting their age. Today I am 35, so I've said it to myself. Who we choose to be and how we choose to live are the building blocks of happiness.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

"Eternity is a mere moment, just long enough for a joke."
Hermann Hesse
Swiss (German-born) author (1877 - 1962)

Friday, June 26, 2009

"A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Kurt Vonnegut, Sirens of Titan
US novelist (1922 - 2007)

Song of the Day: Human Nature - Tribute to Michael Jackson (1959 – 2009)



Michael Jackson died yesterday in California. Artist of Thriller, the best-selling album of all time and winner of countless awards including 18 Grammies, the King of Pop left us prematurely at the age of 50 as he prepared to stage a comeback tour in the UK.

For many of us who were alive and dancing in the early and mid-eighties, we will remember how his music played a central role in our lives. Who can forget those inimitable dance moves and high-pitched notes that left us all spellbound? Albums like “Off The Wall” or “Thriller” and songs like Billy Jean, Rock with Me and of course Beat It, still contain the magic that changed the musical landscape forever 25 years ago and will undoubtedly continue to leave a mark on future generations.

Music is such a wonderful part about being human. Music has the ability to touch us deeply, attach itself to our memories and live on well after the artist has gone. It is a perfect accompaniment to the celebration of life. In the same way as Elvis or Marliyn, Michael Jackson's legend will live on and continue to touch us. Hard to Beat It!

Youtube video produced and originally posted by prshmack31

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Song of the Day: SMOKIE - If You Think You Know How To Love Me (1975)



Originally posted on youtube.com by nyrainbow4

The Best Known Secret in Le Marais


Nestled in the Marais district of Paris on the Rue de Vieille du Temple is an atmospheric gem that inspires a return of the romanticism that has for so long defined the city of lights.

Frequented by the discerning and especially wine lovers, la Belle Hortense is a 19th-century style café housed in a literary motif that combines fine wine, literature and art to create a true Parisian ambience.

The café, named after the playful novel by Jacques Roubaud, features a wonderful selection of regional wines that can be ordered by the glass or bottle, or purchased to take away. Along with your wine, enjoy some delicious French cheese and charcuterie available upon request from the sister restaurant across the street, and sometimes offered by the gracious staff.

Inside this warm and friendly establishment, where the music blends gently into the background, you can relax at the bar or retreat to the back room to sit comfortably on a sofa and peruse the artwork decorating the walls and the large selection of books from a variety of genres. Most of the books are in French, but among them, you will find a small and interesting selection of books in English.

La Belle Hortense also plays host to exhibitions usually by inspiring young artists, book signings, lectures and round-table discussions.

For people who enjoy relishing in the romantic idealism of Paris through ambience, wine and location, La Belle Hortense will most certainly not disappoint.

La Belle Hortense, 31 rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Métro Line 1: Saint-Paul.

Tel : 01 48 04 71 60. Open daily from 17:00 to 02:00.