Friday, September 12, 2008 Could smoking trees balance the budget? POST A COMMENT 'News today of the U.S. accusing the Venezuelan government of aiding drug traffickers -- ('giving Colombian gang-leaders guns & helping move the drugs)... 'kinda points to the pink-elephant in the room -- 'might be time to legalize some drugs? -- Wouldn't that disarm the criminal traffickers lock on such dirty-biznesses? 'Not sure if a blanket legalization of all street drugs is the answer -- ('but really now, isn't Weed a harmless herb??)... 'and there's no denying that our war-on-illegal-drugs is full of corrupt-sloppy-politically motivated agendas... 'from the futile efforts by the Drug Enforcement Agency, 'locking up stupid people for their victimless crimes...to reinforcing the gangs and mafia outfits that live-and-die off of street drugs; 'I'd much prefer a government gang running shit, over the violent gangs populating our streets. All while the real white collar criminals, those legal-drug companies, swim in billions off of medicating us with another useless pill we really don't need. I'm generalizing here, and over simplifying the answers, I know. There's no denying the fact that legalizing some street drugs would give the U.S. a $50 billion boost to the economy; 'not to mention relaxing the burden on our maxed-out-prison-system since -- 'about 2 million people in the U.S. are arrested for drug offenses each year...' Popular Science points out how folks -- 'have long appreciated smoking trees for its seemingly magical effects on mind and body. The fact that it is illegal (at least in the United States), has never stopped people from partaking in a little herbal refreshment.' Experts agree -- 'marijuana alleviates the pain of those afflicted with glaucoma...'But even since the 1950s, scientists have recognized, and pushed for, the antibacterial properties of Cannabis sativa.' 'A team of scientists...tested the five most common cannabinoids and found each one to be effective against several common multiresistant bacterial strains....the team also suggested that cannabinoids may be even more useful in fighting off bacterial diseases.' I'm no economic expert, but doesn't it does sounds like a win win for a slumping economy to tax defenseless crimes -- (the very same way we tax cigarettes and alcohol). I'm here to say: smoke 'em if you got 'em... Via MSN Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, brain-power, Business-101, drug bust, drugs, economy, medicated nation posted by Henry Cruz at 1:34 PM Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Should we Shame-out-the-Garbage? POST A COMMENT 'Some guilt is good for you. Like the Ten Commandments, engraved on stone tablets, passed along to Moses to offer to his flock of 'guilt-filled-hearts... 'reminding them each day of the divine law, and their 'sustainable-eco-duties: (1)'Thou shalt not waste, when you should recycle (2)'Thou shalt not use Styrofoam, because it'll never disintegrate... (3) 'Thou shalt be mindful about your daily impact on the environment. (4) 'Thou shalt religiously separate your cans, bottles and newspapers in those blue recycling bins 'So these will be the commandments of the green crusaders -- (a kick ass costume is optional -- because after all, being green should still be fun). If the Batman taught us anything with his fancy moves; 'Fear is a strong motivator. It's even spilling into the workforce, also looking for more of that street cred in environmental responsibility, adapting -- "Less packaging. More beautiful" -- green mantra... Not only makes for smart $$ business, it's yet another way to outdo the competition by saying you're much more green and ethical to our planet. 'Showing up other companies, by showing your company's blood runs extra green. One quick fix, suggested in Business Week, that'll give your workplace an instant membership in that in "go green" crowd: Throw down tiny wastebaskets for non recyclable trash; making workers empty them into a central dumpster...'makes them think twice before tossing out trash. "At California’s Sonoma State University, recycling rose by 55%...'as people put cans and bottles in their proper place instead of in newly installed five-inch-tall bins." How 'bout adding a special sign: 'Would Jesus Christ Refuse To Recycle? - 'I smell an Ad Campaign (that could replace those I honk for Jesus bumper stickers). Check out this video showing that shame strategy at work (in a green hotel): Source: Business Week Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, brain-power, Business-101, economy, Energy-101, environment, Go-green, green living, mudprint.com, Trash, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 1:15 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Making sure that job is...Green? POST A COMMENT College students ain't interested in just "Working for the man" -- unless they get a touch of green -- and by green, I don't mean just cash: "Young people are thumbing their noses at companies that don't offer green-collar jobs," This according to a survey by the career network Experience. 'Sorta become the "in" thing for Students -- (and recent grads) -- to make more environmentally-conscious decisions when it comes to their career choices: In that nationwide poll: "Four in five (81%) said it is important to work for a green company and nearly as many (79%) said they would be more likely to accept a job offer at an eco-conscious company over a company that wasn't, when evaluating two similar offers." Since not everybody can wake-up an all-out expert on topics like sustainable technologies... 'Schools are adapting this eco-trend and offering a crop of courses -- "that help you safeguard the planet while boosting your skills." Ultimately, one-hand-washes-the-other fits perfectly for that green economy to stick...'Hitting the workplace from all angles: When a company has to appeal to both consumers and future employees...it then makes fiscal sense. Source: Time Out Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, Business-101, College Students, Energy-101, environment, Go-green, green living, News Trends, recycling, smaller carbon footprint, Waste management posted by Henry Cruz at 12:55 PM Friday, August 08, 2008 An Inconvenient Housing Twist POST A COMMENT "Eat all your food," my Mom would say when I was little. "And be lucky, because there are starving kids in Africa." -- which was her way of pointing out, as poor as we were, others had it much worse. Which is what came to mind when reading about the "real-estate bust" - See if you can follow this one: Chronic homelessness has actually dropped 30 percent, a new report says. But now family homelessness is on the rise. It seems the foreclosure mess had an unexpected twist in that we will see more available "housing for the homeless." -- with a sour note for for families who just lost their homes... Because - "foreclosure crisis pushes some low income families into shelters, chronic homeless rates are shrinking thanks in part to the foreclosed and vacant buildings social-service agencies can now afford to buy." Seems more nonprofits are turning those homes and "seized apartment buildings and run-down motels" into places "with access to addiction treatment and health care." -- so, people now getting kicked outta their homes might have more places to crash...but, it will actually be other-peoples-reconverted-foreclosed-homes we are using to house them...'confused yet? "Historically, economic downturns are good for the homeless," points out Newsweek. "just as booms tend to be bad. During the 1990s, despite record spending and increases in shelter beds under the Clinton administration, homeless rates jumped 50 percent." Doesn't it sounds like a Real Estate Catch-22? -- Because in a strong economy -- and in turn -- a stronger real estate market -- wouldn't it actually make it harder to house our homeless? Source: Newsweek Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, Business-101, capitalism, Poverty Divide, Real Estate, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 1:04 PM Sunday, July 27, 2008 Oil Addict: 'rough & costly road ahead POST A COMMENT 'Flashback-Hello-2-the...1970s - when folks called for the 55 mph Speed Limit to conserve on Oil. As fuel costs trickle-down into other areas...that idea for new energy alternatives don't sound so bad. As the Washington Post points out -- two recent factors suggest even rougher roads ahead: 1. That recent announcement from Mexico that it will cut it's crude output by 15 percent... 2. Also news from India's Tata Motors -- "to begin producing a new $2,500 "people's car" called the Nano in the fall. The company hopes that by making automobiles affordable for people in India..." Run the numbers, "supply and demand," will continue to drive world oil prices...and drivers will not see "gas prices retreat to the levels they enjoyed for much of the last generation." Also...while "The high price of oil has sparked recent efforts by technology experts...to come up with ways to wean the world economy off its addiction..." "Developing countries like China and India, however, are in no hurry to embrace this new vision. They want to join the ranks of economic powerhouses and question why they should be forced to temper their aspirations..." Hear that sound? -- It's those huge-SUV makers...'going outta business. Now, if we can only find a decent car battery; 'cause that electric car sounds real good right 'bout now. Source: Washington Post Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, Business-101, economy, emissions, environment, hybrid, Oil Prices, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 12:49 PM Sunday, June 15, 2008 An Inconvenient Fun POST A COMMENT Behind "Happening" director M. Night Shyamalan joke that -- "the quintessential horror film for our time might turn out to be a documentary: An Inconvenient Truth." -- comes a wave of Green-Panic to the Big Screen...and -- in this funny video clip -- the excesses of being Green: However, the real hope is that acceptance keeps business markets greener; bringing with it, clean choices for clean modes of transportation...and a wave of more green-inspired jobs. Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, green living posted by Henry Cruz at 2:24 AM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 . August 2008 . September 2008 .