Long time readers of this blog may recall my affectionate referencing of some of his ‘toons, on those rare occasions when he turns his attention to climate and environmental topics. (Here’s a 2012 classic of his, sez me, on The Fun of Ignorning Climate Change.) Rall is leftier than I am, and much angrier atContinue reading “How the LAPD fired Ted Rall from the LATimes”
Category Archives: activism
Blogging the Pope’s “Praise Be”: on Nature as a book
In Chapter 12 of Pope Francis' encyclical, "Praise Be," in our language, just before he launches into an appeal to all people to come together to save the world, the pontiff brings up the idea of nature as a book. He writes (in a passage that is, may I say, too rich to be truncated): 12.Continue reading “Blogging the Pope’s “Praise Be”: on Nature as a book”
Jefferson and the problem of inequality in a democracy
Earlier this month, the Ojai Chautauqua held a panel discussion on income inequality, with a brilliant and politically diverse group of panelists, phenomenally well-moderated by Dan Schnur of USC. I'll put in a link, but may I say (even as someone associated with the "Ojai Chat") that it really went well, and honestly may be worth your time to watch, ifContinue reading “Jefferson and the problem of inequality in a democracy”
Blogging the Pope’s Encyclical: Praise Be
Where do we start with a document as vast and thought-through as Pope Francis' "Praise Be?" With listening, I think. Try this, from the Vatican's translation into English, section 11: If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beautyContinue reading “Blogging the Pope’s Encyclical: Praise Be”
USA: #1 in tax whining (Edward Kleinbard)
Perhaps the wittiest of panelists at yesterday's Ojai Chautauqua on income inequality was Edward Kleinbard, a USC professor of business and law, and author of the new book We Are Better Than This. At one point he put up this chart, in defense of his statement that the USA was "#1 in tax whining." AtContinue reading “USA: #1 in tax whining (Edward Kleinbard)”
Income Inequality in Ojai: June 7th conversation
Don't often succumb to video in this space, but will make an exception for this announcement promoting what I think will be a fascinating discussion tomorrow in Ojai on the subject of income inequality [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMwTLn42-jk%5D Thanks for listening — event info below the fold.
An air mattress for the trail: REI Flash pad review
The REI Flash insulated air Pad is the third air mattress for backpacking I've tried since starting on the Pacific Crest Trail a couple of years ago, and, to be truthful, the first that really worked well. Alternatives such as NeoAir, by the well-known brand Thermarest, and the Oak Street, by the great tent makersContinue reading “An air mattress for the trail: REI Flash pad review”
From Kennedy Meadows north on the PCT
It's May, and though California only recorded 5% of a normal snowpack, err, 3%, still that turns out to be plenty when climbing from the desert up the Pacific Crest Trail into the mountains, into the high Sierra around Cottonwood Pass and Horseshoe Meadows. I couldn't dawdle through this section, not while trying to keep my nephew Eli Huscher, here seen in a typical pose, in sight:
More on this surprising section of PCT for the curious, bellow the virtual fold:
Throwback: the campfire at Pinyon Point
I mentioned in a recent post that I made a fire at Pinyon Point in the fall of 2013. I didn't plan to, I didn't know anything about this campsite, and would never believe after walking through barren dry sand desert with yucca and Joshua trees for ten or twenty miles that I would comeContinue reading “Throwback: the campfire at Pinyon Point”
Income inequality: Shocking facts, visualized
According to economic experts, for the first time in at least a hundred years, quite possibly ever, the American middle-class is losing ground. It's not just that the richer are getting richer, it's also "wage stagnation." Meaning that young people today cannot expect to surpass their parents, as young generations in the past could —Continue reading “Income inequality: Shocking facts, visualized”
Kit Stolz 