I learned that on a per capita basis, New Mexico produces twice the national average of greenhouse emissions and they will increase by 23 percent above 2000 levels by the year 2020, if we don’t take action now. I also learned that the New Mexico Climate Change website is nmclimatechange.us.
The issue of global warming and climate change really hit home for me in June this year. Six years earlier, I had taken my mother on an Alaskan cruise to see the glaciers. This year I took my granddaughter to see those same glaciers and they had noticeably retreated!
When I learned I was going to be a grandmother, I gave up smoking to increase my odds of being around longer to care and watch my grandchildren grow. Now I realize quitting smoking isn’t enough. I’m going to have to fight global warming so my granddaughter has better odds, too.
It'S The End Of The World As We Know It
A responsible government would be making plans for the transition to post-oil life. During the '70s oil crisis, interstate speed limits were reduced, tax breaks were offered for domestic solar applications and economical compact cars were the flavor of the week. Aside from rising gasoline prices at the pump, which has sidelined a few Hummers, we're seeing nothing to prolong the supply while we get organized.
It could be argued that the Iraq war was an effort to capture some of the major remaining oil reserves in order to prolong the supply to the United States while alternatives are being developed. If so, why didn't the administration tell us that, rather than the balderdash they did put forth?
It couldn't, because that wasn't the reason for the invasion of Iraq. It was largely intended to profit Halliburton and the cronies of the “oiligarchy” which passes for leadership in our republic today. They have apparently not realized that money will be of little value in the barter age to come. Swap meets in front of gutted Wal-Marts will be the high point of the week, at least for those that have a means to get there. The government could not claim the war is a stop-gap measure while seeking an alternative to oil dependence because there apparently is no plan for post-oil America.
So, beware. We're on our own. Apparently, our only hope is to get and use all the back issues of Mother Earth News we can find. The kind of articles therein may save us: Trombe walls can warm bedrooms, battery-powered well pumps, try bindweed salad, solar-powering an emergency radio, build a greenhouse of scrap, dog and cat can taste good, constructing a buckboard from a junk pickup. … By the way, save even your broken hand tools, as no more will be made and you might be able to trade them for food someday. Good luck!
Idiot News Releases
Casino Allegiance
Over the dance arena/grounds flew the United States flag and the Texas state flag. Nowhere in sight was the Mescalero Tribal flag nor the New Mexico state flag. As plain as could be these two flags, the Stars and Stripes and the Lone Star state flags, boldly bannered their message loud and clear. I found it two-faced for several reasons:
1) Texas closed our casino and called the revenue generated from the three remaining tribes of Texas as “sin” money.
2) At the same time our casino is being closed, Texas is supporting another tribe’s casino in New Mexico. Talk about “big-dollar” Texas tourists flocking to New Mexico and investing in “sin” money, but not in Texas.
3) The Mescalero Apaches declare more allegiance to Texas rather than to its residence state.
It is amazing how the “haves” continue to squash the “have-nots” because the almighty dollar talks. But just keep it hush-hush and don’t let the cat out of the bag; they will be none the wiser, those dumb lil' Indians.
Letters should be sent with the writer's name, address and daytime phone number via e-mail to letters@alibi.com. They can also be faxed to (505) 256-9651. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium; we regret that owing to the volume of correspondence we cannot reply to every letter.
