Maiden voyages can be nervewracking, so bear with me please…my philosophy of blogging is that I provide you food for thought that makes you want to comment as opposed to my telling you how to think or interpret most of what I provide: so please, express yourself!
First, H/T- to my friend Lone: it's been awhile since we've celebrated OR or Portland so please add your kudos for:
https://www.minds.com/blog/view/415942000412463104/portland-installs-turbines-in-their-city-water-pipes-powers-city-by-flushing-toilets
and http://inhabitat.com/portlands-water-pipes-are-the-newest-source-of-clean-energy/
On war and peace, a sequel: Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Joins Chorus Questioning Legality of Drone Killing Program
Statement by Rep. Keith Ellison sparked by Intercept exposé on killing program
My this man is guiding progressives on where to look and pay attention!
Poll: More Democrats Now Favor Socialism Than Capitalism
http://www.alternet.org/poll-more-democrats-now-favor-socialism-capitalism
Who wuddah thunk? 
And finally, GOP vs. DEM:
Not what the talking points suggest now is it?
21 Responses to “Terse Tuesday Tidbits”
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Congratulations on your first blog, Joanne! It looks great and the "tidbits" are indeed inviting me to comment, so here you are:
Portland's turbines in water pipes: The idea of using turbines to turn the power of water flowing downhill into electricity is not new – it is the way Norway is able to generate electricity almost completely without burning fossil fuels – but the idea of using the water flow in water pipes is new and very smart indeed. But from the headline part "by flushing toilets" I first got the idea that they were putting the turbines in their sewage system LOL. What they mean is "by turning on a tap", because the article mentions drinking water, but hey, it may be the next step. I'm really impressed by the cost-effective way they are doing this, installing sensors to detect water pressure and water quality changes at the same time. Kudos to Portland.
The legality of the drone-killing program: Wow, this is really hot stuff: "These revelations are further damning evidence that the Obama administration is continuing the Bush-era project of treating the world as a global battlefield while evading public accountability," The drone report is especially damning for Obama because it shows exactly how "the kill chain"works and who is responsible for these executions without trial, so I find it amazing and hopeful that the Congressional progressive caucus is willing to tackle this hot issue. I doubt that the GOP will join them, even if it could harm Obama, because Bush is also implied and their weapon-manufacturing masters have other ideas, and so the GOP will keep quiet just as they did on TTP. But it may have far stretching consequences for Democratic presidential candidates: what stance will Hillary and Bernie take on this?
Poll: No surprise by the difference between Republicans and Democrats, but the result is somewhat surprising for the Democrats itself as "socialism"is still a dirty word in America and I think what the responders had in mind here was the democratic socialism of Bernie Sanders and countries in Scandinavia.
The true story: Republicans have never let themselves be influenced by reality or numbers and only go for feelings blown out of all proportion , feelings that can be manipulated by fear mongering and populism. The figures are clear: even when the military are not taken into account, Democratic administrations shrank the federal government; while Republican administrations grew it.But Republicans will only play on the perceived role of government in society, which they exaggerate when they do not agree with it. The GOP has nothing to fear, only Democrats will read the numbers and draw their conclusions, but they were Democrats to begin with. Republicans will only go for the instilled feeling that the government is too big and will take things away from them.
Thanks again Joanne for this excellent food for thought.
thanks Lona
I'm sorry, JL! I got to this page on my own and very mistakenly thought it was Joanne's first attempt. I do apologize, but my compliments are meant nevertheless. Again, JL, great work and lots of food for thought.
Your first attempt is a good one! Congrats!
Portland is 10 steps ahead of the rest of the country with this innovative installation. Kudos to the city admins
On War & Peace ~ I'm inclined to agreee with Rep. Ellison in most instances. But it has saved lives when we have sent drones to target certain terrorists. As long as they don't miss and hit the wrong target I guess.
Poll ~ When Socialism is explained to people they have a tendency to like it. Go figure!
GOP vs.Dem ~ They don't need no steenking facts!
thanks Patty!
Verrrry innnnterrrestimg!
* A note to Lona on Portland – flushing a toilet does draw water out of a home, but at the same time it brings replacement water in, just like turning a tap does. Even a low-flow one brings in more water than turning a tap for a glass of water, so it's not outrageous to cite flushing as a power producer (and the author may have intended to be a little misleading LOL).
* I do love Keith Ellison. A man of peace. A real Progressive (Shhhh – don't tell anyone he's a Muslim!)
* Democrats always have favored Socialism over Capitalism, but they were never able to say so, because, thanks to disinformation, they had no idea what the words meant. Thanks to some information campaigning, more are starting to understand those definitions. I suspect the real total is higher – and would be higher among Republicans if they were not so truth-resistant.
* Actually, not with these statistics but similar ones, this is something I learned at my mother's knee. The way she explained it was that Democrats were better for business, not (in the fifties) meaning corporate behemoths such as we have now, but actual businesses providing actual goods and services for actual people. And also providing actual full-time sustainable employment to actual people. Because, no customers, no business. Additionally, when full employment exists, it's probably less necessary to pay people for things like holding Benghazi hearings just to keep them off the streets. The government sector (Federal, state, and local) is extremely important in achieving a healthy economy. But it's also important that public employees get paid to do appropriate government things, not to drug test SNAP applicants or harass abortion clinics or black citizens. Democrats can do more with fewer people by avoiding BS.
Posted to Care2 at (about) 3:06 MDT (because JL's own post disappeared 🙁 )
at http://www.care2.com/news/member/101612212/3922098
Thanks Joanne!
Excellent post, jl! These links will have to wait for a while. I have sick kittens and just checking in.
Anyone hear from TC?
Thanks for the articles and the message on C2!
Thank Vivian. TC may be waiting until his doctors interpret his test results to be in touch again.
Congratulations on your first foray into new territory, you did an excellent job.
Portland: what an interesting concept, that is actually working. Maybe more cities will follow their example.
Common Dreams: Good for Keith Ellison. Too much of what our government does that is either illegal or immoral is ignored by Congress as well as a large part of the American people. These drone killings are just wrong, wrong, wrong.
Alternet: Bernie is educating a lot of people with his common sense, glad to see progressives are following his reasoning.
Daily KOs:: Sharing this report on Facebook. Thanks.
I hope your MOm is doing ok, keeping her in my prayers.
Thanks Edie
"An assessment of 1) federal employment figures from 1962 to 2014 (excluding the military) and 2) year-upon-year increase in federal spending shows that 5 of the last 7 Democratic administrations shrank the federal government; while 5 of the last 7 Republican administrations grew it."
This isn't actually a surprise to me. An old poli sci major, I've known this for years. It never fails to amuse though because even though the gop knows it is true, they spend all their time and money, including the right wing media in loudly proclaiming the opposite. I can see Rush drooling on himself now from the sheer effrontery of some daring publish a truth he does not like.
Great first post, JL. :^)
Thanks Gene
Adding my thanks here to Judi, great selection, good job! Got a bit confused there as it's been suggested that Joanne did this post..??) Not actually, right?
JL-healing thoughts and all the best for your mom!!!! Do I know all about that! My thoughs go out to you as well!!
Thanks Angie
I hate drones. Whether here, or overseas.
Gosh, you did an awesome job on your first post here!
Kudos to you, and prayers for you and your mom too.
Take care. Thanks, and for Joanne posting too.
Thanks Pat
Great job, JD. Hugs!!
good to see you here TC-thanks