author : Henry Cruz


    Friday, September 05, 2008

    Prison Break: tube encourages good behavior!

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    'Don't think prisons when I think about that argument against a digital-divide inequality in America -- (which affects making sure we have an equal playing field for folks locked in poverty as those with a silver spoon in their mouth)...

    So, when I read how TVs switch to an all-digital format (dumping analog) locking out prisons: 'the nation's broadcasters make the switch from analog to digital signals next Feb. 17, televisions that aren't hooked up to cable, satellite or a converter box will be reduced to static...'

    I pull out the worlds smallest violin to I listen to prisoners cry "waaaah, I can't watch America Idol..."

    'While TV might seem like an undeserved luxury for inmates, prison officials and inmates say the tube does more than fill year after year of idle hours - it provides a sense of normalcy and is a bargaining chip that encourages good behavior.'

    I don't know about you, but I don't think missing out on getting HBO qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment.

    Like this video shows, prisoners have bigger issues -- like not dropping the soap:










    Source: CBS News

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    Tuesday, September 02, 2008

    Got nothing to wear...

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    "It's like the back-to-school season never happened," says the NY Post. Talking how retailers -- (especially clothing companies) -- have called this year the worst in recent years.

    'Just not the best time to be in the clothing business: 'On one end, you have working families forced to skip discretionary items like clothing...

    'And those that can spend on big ticket items just aren't -- fearing they might appear like they're flaunting their excess wealth. Leaving everybody feeling like they have nothing to wear.

    You have a whole Lotta folks feeling stuck in middle -- trapped in a vicious cycle. In part, because of the rising inequality of the super-wealthy... They keep working and working only to feel like they are not getting anywhere.

    'Which causes people to work more and more...'just to keep up in an economy increasingly dominated by status goods. Getting back little in return, scratching their heads -- still wondering why they have nothing to wear.


    Source: NY Post

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    Friday, August 29, 2008

    Abercrummy: 'say no to Ugly?

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    'Might need to change that to name to Abercrumbles -- with slumping profits 'sounds like that pricey-preppy-chain might need it's own fashion makeover: "As allowances dwindle and parents fret over their jobs and home values, the 'fresh, clean, simple and optimistic' look of American Apparel's hipster gear is gaining appeal," says the NY Post.

    And it just might get uglier...


    Speaking of Ugly, 'found this article on the 'Hierarchy of hotness' rules at Abercrombie & Fitch. Which basically says, 'You're either Abercrombie hot – or you're not. Hmmm...

    Makes ya wonder if there are enough hot people to wear their clothes; And does this exclusion on the average Joe-buyer affects their bottom line? Opps, I guess it does.

    One girl 'was pulled from a sales position on the floor...and shoved back to the stockroom to fold clothes.

    In its defense the company says 'it is important to uphold the brand's image and maintain diversity in its stores.' -- "It's a hierarchy of hotness," says the Morning Dallas News.

    "There's no real problem to discriminate against 'ugly' people," said one Lawyer. "The problem is when you define beauty to incorporate white, which it essentially does at Abercrombie."



    Source: Dallas Morning News

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    Monday, August 25, 2008

    Soaring Gas prices bring us long-term cures!

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    Look around, notice anything different? -- I sure do.

    'People are changing how they go about their daily lives; the Highway Administration says: Americans drove 12 billion less miles in June '08 than last June -- the biggest monthly drop in eight months. An even bigger decline than what we saw in the oil-shock of the 1970s.

    'Bus and train usage is up. More people are looking for ways to conserve energy.

    'News today shows gas prices have temporally dropped 15 cents a gallon in the past two weeks; but, isn't the better news, at least from where I sit, that sense-of-crisis has forced people to change their behavior.

    'Back in the 70's the country made promises to increase gas efficiency, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and find alternative forms of energy...'sound familiar?

    'None of that happened. Today, we get-a-do-over:

    'There's every reason to continue to chase alternatives.

    'Right now, our oil-dependent economy is shaped by oil's arbitrarily determined price. It's become like a fake-currency. And we're slaves to that black gold standard -- (with most of those profits shipping off to foreign soil).

    Obviously, we can't over simplify all the issues. "The soaring cost of energy is causing plenty of pain for Americans, especially at a time when they're being hammered by declining house values and rising food prices.

    The pain isn't about to ease, either - 'We haven't yet seen the cost of heating,' warns Business Week. 'Expensive energy is a powerful medicine. It may hurt when taken, but it brings long-term cures for a host of ills.

    Focus on what High energy prices is bringing us:

    (1) Military-funded researchers have made jet fuel from plants.

    (2) Toyota and General Motors are testing plug-in hybrid cars that can run 40 miles on electricity alone.

    (3) Companies are building vast expanses of mirrors in the desert to make steam, and thus electricity, from the sun.

    (4) There are new systems to control power consumption by homes and businesses from afar and programs to insulate inner-city houses, providing energy savings—and jobs.

    (5) All this cuts pollution and slash carbon dioxide emissions, which cause global warming. They reduce the need for a military presence to ensure global commerce in oil.

    (6) And they slow the flood of dollars to the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela, keeping more wealth in the U.S. instead of handing it over to often unfriendly suppliers.



    Source: Business Week

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    Tuesday, August 19, 2008

    Should we Shame-out-the-Garbage?

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    '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

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    Saturday, August 16, 2008

    It's the teachers, stupid!

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    As a survivor the public school system -- including a bout at one of the most dangerous High Schools in the Bronx - (NYC)...

    'I can testify that the biggest problem at inner-city schools -- (aside from threat-to-life issues) is what you don't see -- all the dropouts....

    but, for those that stick it out, it does become so much about the quality of the teachers; which is why I think "Teach for America" might have something.

    Let's face it, there is no easy band-aid fix; as this Newsweek article points out: "the American system of education is broken..." -- poor kids without money are basically screwed.

    Repairing it, begins with better teachers: "The single most important factor in student achievement is the quality of the teacher. And yet, we have no effective system to attract, train, retain and promote high-caliber candidates for our schools. Today's teachers score in the lowest quartile of college grads and too many of the schools that train them are diploma mills."

    - Teach for America basics: The two-year program "recruits high-performing college grads to teach in low-performing public schools." And while the teachers are paid the same as other new teachers, Teach for America actually helps to pay off the participants student loans.

    More than that is how this program has raised the stakes by sparking a join-the-cool-club-mentality among recent grads: "Among the candidates: 11 percent of seniors at Yale, 10 percent at Georgetown and 9 percent at Harvard. This summer, 3,700 corps members who were carefully culled for their leadership skills through TFA's data-driven, envy-of-Wall Street selection model underwent an intensive, five-week crash course in teaching."

    I know for myself, the difference between ending up locked up in jail or finishing college -- came down to a few memorable teachers showing me some of life's possibilities.



    Source: Newsweek

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    Friday, August 15, 2008

    Ads: Going for the online Gold!

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    Those airbrushed pics of Eva Mendes doing nude twirls on a bed...might be worth a thousand words...

    But, that paper-trails drying up faster than expected -- as 2008 marks -- "the first time in U.S. history" television will get more advertising dollars than newspapers...

    All this comes while Internet Ads are lined up to "take over as the leading generator of advertising revenue..."

    "Internet advertising will boast an 18.9% compound annual growth rate from 2007-12, compared with 2.6% for broadcast TV and negative 2.8% for newspapers." -- (according to VSS Data)

    TV's boost from the Olympics and upcoming presidential race has allowed it to -- "spike to $51 billion while newspapers sink to $46.8 billion..."

    "And once newspapers relinquish their lead, they aren't expected to regain it any time soon."

    But, NBCOlympics.com live multimedia has inadvertently set up onlines future's Ad model, especially as more and more Television viewers shift online.

    "Viewers can watch up to 20 feeds simultaneously. This in contrast to the 2004 and 2006 Olympics when NBC had little to offer in the way of online video..."

    With Television Ad-revenue expected to sink again in 2009, that leaves it wide-open for the Internet to take the gold sooner than expected.

    I'm the first to say we should all welcome the pending-death of print media; I mean think of all the trees we'll be saving.

    Speaking of death...'check out these Olypi-AD-misses:



    Source: Hollywood Reporter

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    Thursday, August 07, 2008

    Let the terrors...Beijing?

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    They built it, so what. I'm ready to admit my interest in the spectacles of the Summer Olympics - (Yeah, Rah-rah-rah, Go USA!! -- and all that good stuff)...

    However, the Athletes doing their twirls -- going around and around in circles... ( ** big Yawn) ...that's all background fodder.

    Nobody cares about the shiny new stadium, or the neatly swept up streets...I live for the real life drama...like why director Steven Spielberg really withdraw as an adviser to the ceremonies...'yum, yum, gimme some of that.

    I'm Sure China designed everything to leave this wonderful impression for the world watching...

    But like watching the end of the movie the "Wizard of Oz" aren't we really waiting for a peek behind the red curtain...

    After reading about China's addictions to oil and ties to death in Dafur -- (loaded with all these human-rights injustices) -- How could any decent person focus on swimming relays?

    Don't you want to know about the lack of freedom of the press, and lack of freedom of expression...??

    Its more like watching your-morbidly obese-good-girl-friend-graze on carrot sticks...sure, behind her back you nod sadly and pity her...

    but, we all know there's food stash of bad calories hiding in some closet calling her name at night...unless you buy into that big-boned or bad genes theory...

    The real sport in these Olympics will be hoping we get to see some dirty laundry aired...to lay witness to a train wreck over a bridge of really troubled waters...I'll be there with my tub of popcorn....Hoping someone will save the day....I'd be really juice to see Batman swoop in and save the day -- (but stuff like that only happens in the movies):

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    Tuesday, August 05, 2008

    Finally the rich join our nation of whiners

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    Sen. Phil Gramms' mental recession can add a bunch of wealthy folks to that "nation of whiners." Yep, even those swimming in cash have been tightening their Gucci-belts.

    Before you go out and call the tiny violins...'or clap your hands 'bout that rampant consumption in our culture coming to a end...

    'let me point out the how the "upper-crust thriftiness could reverberate across the economy..."

    Because - "The 10 percent of households with the highest incomes account for nearly a quarter of all spending..."

    We kinda do really need the rich flaunting their cash -- (Like one big tail gate party of rich folks 'out-doing-the-Jones...how 'bout a keep on-honkin' for Prada and Gucci Bags).


    On most days I'd be first on that line to argue the imbalances -- and why only a small percent of the population can actually afford to spend right now -- the point here is that imbalance "gives the wealthy immense economic clout" -- and not spending in the already slumping economy...well...

    Let's toss out there another couple of nuggets to chew on: "Consumer spending makes up 70 percent of gross domestic product...and that "economic activity...creates (new) jobs"

    Soooo, we don't need to hear right now that rich people are -- "seeking the best deals" rather than the "over-the-top extravagances that's expected!"

    Or we really don't need to hear that "Luxury spending fell 4 percent last year, and this year's decline is expected to be steeper, particularly for luxury handbags and clothing that don't hold value"

    Don't the rich people know Phil Gramm was talking about poor slobs like us when he was talking about mental problems...don't be insane.

    If you're one of the 10 percent with all that available cash on hand get over your whining and go out and buy one of them luxury gas-guzzling HUMMER SUVs...and hell, why not go out for a nice loooong drive...'go on and make Phil Gramm proud again.



    Source: Denver Post

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    Monday, August 04, 2008

    Don't call 'em "Whole-Pay-Check"

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    A couple of years back I had a friend over -- complaining as usual about his job -- and then he spotted my Whole Foods shopping bags laying out in the kitchen.

    "Oh man, you shop at whole-pay-check?" He says with a touch of disdain. "Only 'rich people shop there." -- Whole-Pay-Check, is what people have labeled the upscale market, -- meaning "shop at Whole Foods...'you'd better expect to spend your Whole-weekly-Paycheck there."

    I remember I got a tinge of being "too uppity," for wanting quality foods...hey, it was really hard at the time to get fresh fruits and veggies....so, I especially understood the recent NY Times article outlining -- in these tough times -- Whole Foods needs to remake itself: "convincing people that Whole Foods Market can be an economical place to shop." -- Um, Yeah, good luck with that one.

    "The company was once a Wall Street darling, but its sales growth was cooling even before the economy turned. Since peaking at the beginning of 2006, its stock has dropped more than 70 percent."

    “I came for something else one day and was shocked to find the meat on sale, so I bought it and put it in the freezer,” adds one customer. I'll be checking them out again this week to monitor the price changes, and see if I come home with at least half my paycheck -- (and I'll write a follow up here).

    A-Real estate side bar -- 'interesting thing about having a Whole Foods Market open up near you -- I learned watching HGTV -- are property values goes up. Mainly because whole foods will smartly only open up in college-friendly and areas where the average income and education level skews higher than the norm...

    I know when I buy my new place...it's gonna be near a whole foods so, it'll hold that resale value -- (assuming they can keep their asses in business long enough).

    Check out this Whole Foods video -- "inviting customers to show up for budget-focused store tours..."



    Source: NY Times

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    Sunday, August 03, 2008

    Energy-101: Here Comes the Sun!

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    Storing solar-energy inside batteries right now is way too costly to be used in everyday usage. But, a new breakthrough is about to change all that...

    Basically, scientists have now figured out a Cheaper way of storing electricity from the sun-rays...'and as one expert offered, this means "you've answered everything."

    "The breakthrough uses a relatively simple way to use electricity to produce oxygen and hydrogen from water...When the two gases later are recombined in a fuel cell they cause a chemical reaction that spins off electrons that are forced through a circuit, reproducing the electricity."

    "The discovery shatters the biggest barrier to widespread use of solar power, namely that it's unavailable after dark, said Daniel Nocera, an MIT energy professor.

    Similar to the way plants store energy from the sun -- "The process uses nontoxic natural materials to convert sunlight into gases..."

    Researchers also say this could make solar power "in homes a mainstream energy option and might even make power companies obsolete, at least for residential needs."

    "This is the nirvana of what we've been talking about for years," Nocera told the MIT News Service. "Solar power has always been a limited, far-off solution. Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon."

    "This is a major discovery with enormous implications for the future," offered another MIT expert. ''It opens up the door for developing new technologies for energy production."

    Ultimately, this breakthrough would aid us in getting off of our dependence of Foreign Oil. So...I'm sure we'll all be watching this story carefully.

    Here's a great primer video --(with MIT's Nocera) -- offering a break down of how this actually works:



    Source: ABC News

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    Friday, August 01, 2008

    Go-Green: Smelling Cash in Trash!

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    Talking 'waste management might get that stereotype-image of a Tony Sopranos-mob-type -- (wink, wink) -- offering some under the table payoffs.

    'But, high finance is now holding its nose to smell-up investing opportunities in taking-on-the-trash.

    Today's smart economy and job growth go hand-in-hand with promoting smarter environmental sustainability...So, welcome-in the saying, “One man's trash is another man's treasure” -- and welcome-in the trash boom:

    "recyclers can make vast profits from combing through ordinary rubbish, processing it, and then reselling it to other companies. And that leads to another, bigger thought: Trash is no longer just an environmental liability. It is becoming a financial asset," says Business Week.

    Landfills are no longer just a landfill...It’s a source of renewable energy:

    Trash creates bacteria when decomposing. A 50 percent methane/50 percent carbon dioxide mixture is naturally emitted. Pipes can collect and deliver the gas to a central processing location...ultimately, working like a boiler does, replacing natural gas and providing energy...

    Big-dollar $$ signs: "waste and recycling...drew a record $622 million of investment in 2007, compared with $245 million a year earlier and just $20 million in 2001, according to Cleantech Group..."

    More and more builders of mainstream developments are also embracing green neighborhoods - (Some communities even offer carbon offset fees to make it pocket friendlier to Go-Green)...and you can't get any more eco-friendly than flipping waste back into something useful.




    Source: Business Week

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    Thursday, July 31, 2008

    College Students on Food Stamps

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    When I think back to my 20's and working my way through college with a part time job...(* sighs)

    I do remember learning to stretch each dollar...'doing more with less. And yeah, even going hungry a few times.

    'but thankfully, it never got so bad that I would imagine ever forming a Facebook group called "I Ain't Afraid to be on Food Stamps." - so, times have changed.

    With inflation fears mounting -- due in large part to the crippled housing market; 'we can expect to see growing gas prices & food costs...

    'Even heard last night on ABC's Nightline that even 'rich-folks -- with plenty of available cash on hand -- are not spending right now.

    So much for that theory of trickle-down economics that says if you give Tax breaks to the rich they'll keep spending to grow the economy. Seems everybody's cutting their spending bracing for the worst-yet-to-come-ahead.

    So not so crazy to read "with things the way they are, a lot of students just can't afford to eat," reports the Gainesville Gardian. And they are lining up to local food banks just to get something to eat.

    "There is a stereotype that well, if they're in college, they can afford to eat," said a food pantry director. "But there are some - (college) - students who have hardly any disposable income, and because of that, the food budget suffers. They either eat really badly, or they just don't eat enough."

    I want to say learning to do more with less helps build character --for the generation ahead -- but, it's really hard to listen to any rosy theories on a empty stomach.



    Source: Gainesville Guardian

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    Sunday, July 27, 2008

    Oil Addict: 'rough & costly road ahead

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    '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

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    Tuesday, July 08, 2008

    Oil Dependent: Blows in the Wind?

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    'Might take an 80-year-old to show this old hungry dog some new tricks -- 'solving our countries $700 billion-a-year dependency on foreign oil.

    T. Boone Pickens' plan suggests replacing gasoline use with natural gas...and eventually with wind... "Things were fine until the price went vertical on us," said Mr. Pickens. He calculates that, spending $140 a barrel for crude, adds up to $700 billion a year...all going into foreign pockets.

    The "hurdles to the Pickens plan...include building the infrastructure to dispense natural gas as a vehicle fuel, building new power plants to replace natural gas-fired plants, overcoming possible opposition from oil companies and politicians..."

    Funny, that Pickens himself has been investing in vehicular natural gas for years and now has plans to build a massive wind farm in the Panhandle. But he offers "that's not the reason for his campaign."

    "I'm 80 years old. I'm worth $4 billion. I don't need to make any more money," he said. Instead, he said, this is about patriotism and his reputation as a man who "sure puts his money where his mouth is." - and maybe a little bit to-do with money...but, at least it's one option on the table to a problem that wont be going away anytime soon.



    Source: Hispanic Business

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    Tuesday, April 22, 2008

    Grandma * gone * WILD?

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    I watched recently Tina Feys' 30 Rock on the subject of Cougars (40-something women who date much younger men)...'not sure what she would make of Grannies with "boy toys" -- as depicted in the movie Vers Le Sud - which shows true stories of Granny's-sex-tourism...(ya'll can read all about it here)

    The old-bitties are Blaming it on the "beautiful young man with the most incredible, fit body, begging" to go to bed with them -- but the article also points out...

    It's usually very cash and carry: "Poverty is rife. Then, over the past ten years, planeloads of mature single British women have started arriving, their handbags full of cash. They're fit, good-looking men and it didn't take them long to realise that there are rich pickings here." -- Bringing new meaning to wrinkled-joys.

    Source: Daily Mail (UK)

    Speaking of Tina Fey...this flick looks pretty good:

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    Wednesday, October 17, 2007

    How Green Collar fights poverty!

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    Right near where I live, I found a place (FoodForLifeSupreme) that does more than put up a smart plate of veggies -- (and focuses instead on the future)...'that trend may become the newest buzz for the next gen.

    Hungry for new ideas: With "Blue Collar jobs" fading fast...one idea that helps the planet and helps fight poverty might be just the thing to help -- Green-collar retrofitting jobs -- "a big chunk of the African-American community is economically stranded. The blue-collar, stepping-stone, manufacturing jobs are leaving. And they’re not being replaced by anything. So you have this whole generation of young blacks who are basically in economic free fall.”

    (Source NYTIMES)

    places like “Green for All” campaign (greenforall.org)in the Bronx says, “If we can get these youth in on the ground floor of the solar industry now, where they can be installers today, they’ll become managers in five years and owners in 10. And then they become inventors,” said the dude running the show. “The green economy has the power to deliver new sources of work, wealth and health to low-income people — while honoring the Earth."

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