Author Archives: Kit Stolz

An Incoming Democratic Tide — in Texas?

So Arnold Garcia, Jr., in a commentary for the Austin American-Statesman: Even in the reddest counties in a deep red state, Texans are streaming to vote in the Democratic primary at double and sometimes triple the number voting in the Republican primary. Early vote tallies compiled since Tuesday — the day early voting opened forContinue reading “An Incoming Democratic Tide — in Texas?”

You Can’t Save the Earth by Buying #$@!

Lots of folks have made this point, but here’s a particularly good piece on the subject, called "Beware the EcoMoms," by Laura McKenna. She begins by caustically pointing out that New York Times reporters don’t get along well with moms, especially those of the suburban variety, which in my limited-but-personal experience is absolutely true, andContinue reading “You Can’t Save the Earth by Buying #$@!”

Obama Wins in Landslide over McCain and Hillary

Sometimes numbers tell the story far more clearly than words. Whatever it is about Obama that appeals to voters, the trend continues: in yesterday’s primary in Wisconsin, he came home with about 646,000     votes. Hillary garnered 453,000. McCain, by comparison, 224,000, and Huckabee about 151,000. All by himself, Obama came within range of defeatingContinue reading “Obama Wins in Landslide over McCain and Hillary”

Why Republicans Like Bad Meat

Beats me. But — according to Eric Schlosser, author of the well-known "Fast Food Nation" — they do. It’s an agricultural policy insisted on by so-called "conservatives," in fact. Scholosser said this to Warren Olney, of the interview program "Which Way L.A.?" this evening, on the subject of the recall of 143 million pounds ofContinue reading “Why Republicans Like Bad Meat”

Homeless Man Convicted for Day Fire

In an attempt to control huge fires such as the Day Fire, which in 2006 burned through Ventura County for over a month, consuming over 160,000 acres of chaparral, Federal prosecutors took forest dweller Steven Emory Butcher to court. On Friday he was convicted of starting the Day Fire. This gives prosecutors the option ofContinue reading “Homeless Man Convicted for Day Fire”

City Limit: A Poet Takes the Measure of Portland on Foot

Starting early this century, poet and professor David Oates set out to walk the boundary line that Oregon drew around the city of Portland decades ago to concentrate its development and discourage sprawl. What is today called "the New Urbanism" is not new in Portland: it’s been part of the political process since l973. AsContinue reading “City Limit: A Poet Takes the Measure of Portland on Foot”

The Inconvenient Truth on the Campaign Trail

JohnnyRook for Daily Kos makes the unavoidable point: No candidate, even if he or she truly understands the urgency of dealing with the climate crisis, is going to say what really needs to be said about global warming until after they are elected. The reason: if they do they won’t get elected. (FDR didn’t startContinue reading “The Inconvenient Truth on the Campaign Trail”