Robert Peake, Ojai's most distinguished poet this century, thinks deeply and writes beautifully about topics that only poetry has the means to bring down to earth. Over the summer I happened to see him read the following, which may be of particular interest to the readers of this site, because this poem dares to suggestContinue reading “Meteorology — It’s So Not about You”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Withholding Is What Gives Telling Its Power
From a wonderfully wandering essay by Ange Milko in last month's issue of Poetry, on motherhood, Pinocchio, nature, and much much more, this central truth: Over the last half-century, poetry and memoir have served the function of self-expression, and self-expression is justified as a necessary truth-telling. “Identity” poetry has even claimed the moral high ground,Continue reading “Withholding Is What Gives Telling Its Power”
Beautiful, But Not Paradise (a Nobel for Barack)
Giving the Nobel Prize to our new president, after less than 300 days in office, seems not just surprising but a little too flattering, doesn't it? Still, as the Prez said, as a call to action — on climate, as much as any issue — it's a worthy gesture. Personally, I would like to giveContinue reading “Beautiful, But Not Paradise (a Nobel for Barack)”
The Rapid Peasanti-zation of America
Matt Taibii brings more heat with his words on True/Slant than just about any writer in the country right now. He opens his discussion of Michael Moore's new movie [warn: loads video] by focusing on recent years in the U.S. through Moore's lens: Even just looking at the historical context provided by Moore’s own movies,Continue reading “The Rapid Peasanti-zation of America”
China vs. the USA: Blaming the Other for Climate Change
This blog person hasn't spent much time on the climate legislation currently stalled in the Senate, not believing — sadly — it has much if any chance of passage. This position was bolstered by a blunt commentary from the NYTimes funniest columnist Gail Collins, who ranted to David Brooks: An energy bill is much harderContinue reading “China vs. the USA: Blaming the Other for Climate Change”
Obama Won’t Be “Naked” in Copenhagen
So explains The Economist: Over the past few days, America has moved towards a federal system for regulating its carbon emissions in three ways. First, several big companies have broken with trade associations that oppose the cap-and-trade bill now in the Senate. Second, the bill has moved a stage further towards becoming law. Third, andContinue reading “Obama Won’t Be “Naked” in Copenhagen”
Obama vs. the Rampaging Monster
No doubt inspired by this lefty silliness, Ted Rall finds a new phrase/image for the crisis: A "rampaging monster crisis." Sounds a little scarier than "climate sensitivity," doesn't it?
Rehabilitating — not Restoring — California’s Rivers
From a thoughtful interview posted on the wonderful Earth and Sky site, a look at California rivers yesterday and today with Prof. Jeff Mount of UC Davis. At one point he mentions that when Congress gave the "wild and scenic river" designation to a dozen or so California rivers, "they got half of it rightContinue reading “Rehabilitating — not Restoring — California’s Rivers”
First Snow in Yosemite (fall of 2009)
A week ago yesterday, it was 96 degrees in Yosemite Valley. Yesterday it snowed — pretty hard — forcing the closure of the road to Glacier Point, and forcing me to walk up from the valley. But the beauty of the snow was a fine compensation, as Emerson would say…here's Sentinel Rock, from the so-calledContinue reading “First Snow in Yosemite (fall of 2009)”
George Will Ignores Facts on Climate Change Again
In a column last Thursday, George Will once again ignored one of the most basic facts established this century about climate change. I'm not talking about his claims that global warming has reached a "plateau" in which it is likely to remain. That canard has already been shot down by a dozen or so reputableContinue reading “George Will Ignores Facts on Climate Change Again”
Kit Stolz 