Darvin Dowdy's blog

 Americans have been vilified and conditioned to believe that they are the worst polluters on the planet.   The USA has the assignment; worlds whipping boy for any and all environmental abuse on the earth. Somehow it’s all our fault that 16 of the worlds 20 most polluted cities are in China.     None of the top 20 most polluted cities are in the U.S., however.   In fact of the 10 cleanest cities in the world  we, here in the U.S., have 3 cities on that list.   And that is an accomplishment to be proud of and should not be taken lightly. It wasn’t always so good, however. 

It was June 22nd,1969 when Cleveland Ohio’s Cuyahoga River caught fire. That’s right – water so polluted it just started burning.   Ignited by a spark from a passing train, some believe. This, of course, made the national news. The incident is credited with motivating the American public to get on about the chore of cleaning up their environment. Not too long afterward came the Clean Water Act of ’72 and Clean Air Act of ’70. And today the Cuyahoga River has recovered and is frequented by local fisherman.   

 The Great Lakes are also on the mend and a home to a thriving sports fishing industry. Boston Harbor, called the “filthiest harbor in the nation” back in the early ‘80s, is well on its way to a full recovery.   And does anyone remember the “LA Smog Alerts”? Fact: the last LA Smog Alert was in 1997! A monumental accomplishment that Californians and Americans should be extremely proud of.   Not just LA but most of the major U.S. cities have decreased Particulate Matter in the air dramatically over the past couple of decades ( link ).  Additionally, much of these advances were prior to the introduction of hybrid vehicles.  Thanks to technology, vehicle emissions have decreased and we are actually driving many more miles and polluting much less.  The reduction of particulate matters in the air have no doubt ( link2 ) contributed to the increase in U.S. life expectancy.    And what ever happened to “acid rain”? Apparently those sulfur dioxide scrubbers in power plants have helped considerably.   And the Ozone Hole? Where did it go?   And the Whooping Crane? Down to 21 birds in 1941. Now there is a heavily protected population of 300 birds.   Successes we get little credit for.  Here’s a cool website: ( link3 ).   This site gives the current/daily Air Quality Index status for our nation.   The site is provided by our own government. Monitoring the site over a period of time and you’ll have to conclude that our USA is a clean/ healthy place to hang out, for the most part. Rarely an “unhealthy” rating is observed. More and more, the incessant diatribes from our critics simply do not appear to be grounded in reality.   And regarding greenhouse gas emissions. We’re continuously getting chided and berated because of our alleged excessive greenhouse gas emissions, here in the U.S.   Its been said that the burning of fossil fuels will cause carbon dioxide to be pumped into the air causing this greenhouse effect (hence warming), yet we continue to have record cold winters and scientists have proven that the oceans are actually cooling a bit.   A fairly reliable indication that the earth’s temperature is not rising to any significant or dangerous levels and that the concerns over these emissions have been exaggerated.   Sadly, the recent and tragic emergence of the Climategate emails have deeply tainted all of the Environmental Sciences. Because of the lust of a few for political power and money, the entire scientific community has lost a large measure of credibility.   Especially the political-agenda-driven environmental science cabal, headed up by a former vice-president of the United States. It will be difficult for the scientific community to win back that confidence and until that day comes, Americans need not accept or tolerate any criticisms/blame for causing any sort of climate change.  And they need not give up their SUV’s!  It is now time to put the man-made climate change debate back on the shelf until we have some solid proof that man is responsible. Not a collection of loose, unproven theories. An honest and open debate must take place with both global warming proponents and skeptics allowed to participate.   In my “layman’s” view it seems there are factors that are not being - factored in.  (maybe purposely) Think about plants. During daylight hours plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. During hours of darkness that is reversed – unless there is artificial light available. Then photosynthesis continues.  Next time you’re at some high-rise office building, do a quick count of all the plants you see - hundreds. Nasa has proven the value of indoor. Plants that may actually save your life.   Some plants actually absorb not only CO2 but toxins from the air. Two indoor plants per 100 square feet can make a significant and healthful difference. Another American success story! Yes, we Americans are house-plant fanatics.   We love and nurture millions of plants that help absorb many of the impurities out of the air and in return they emit sweet oxygen. How many indoor plants would you estimate are in a 40 story office building under artificial light?   It’s a factor!  And, hey, we humans eat many plants. We love the edible ones, too!   During the growth cycle of these plants they are absorbing CO2 and emitting oxygen. The more people, the more they will need to eat and the more plants will be grown for the purpose of feeding these people. Millions of acres of plants being raised for food – absorbing/emitting. Another factor!  And what about the Forest Products sector? Almost half of the of all wood supply is now planted and grown on plantations.   Yet these plantations make up only 5% of the worlds forests! Which precludes the need for deforestation in the worlds natural forests. One mature tree (whether planted or naturally grown) can absorb approximately 48 pounds of CO2 per year! The Forest Products Industry has been planting and reforesting for decades. Couple that with the number of trees/shrubs that individuals plant  on their personal properties. Massive amounts of CO2 absorbed. Massive amounts of oxygen emitted. A massive factor, for sure!  And, lest we forget…our Nations valiant U.S. Forest Service Firefighters who have saved millions of acres of forest land. From the Hot Shot Crews to the Smoke Jumpers.   Some have made the ultimate sacrifice…(link).   Our gratitude goes to these brave women and men. An ultimate factor.  We get so much negative input from our media, the blogs,  the entertainment industry, foreign nations and world governing bodies regarding the damage that we Americans do to the environment. And personally, I don’t want to hear any more of their doom/gloom predictions.   I didn’t have to work very hard to find America’s true, positive environmental impact. But I know I missed much. If you readers have other reports of home grown U.S. environmental successes, please add them to the comments. I’d love to hear more upbeat news.   One day, when pigs fly, Time Magazine might once again celebrate the American People as they did back in 1969 by naming them as  “Person of the Year”. It was a far different publication back then.    But I’m not going to wait.  Nor am I going to wait on timid politicians, who run like scared rabbits from this debate/issue and are afraid to heap this sort of praise on you. Think of the political fallout!    Therefore, I am honored to perform this duty. I do hereby name the Citizens of the U.S.A. -  “2009 Darvin Dowdy Person of the Year”  for being Great Stewards of the Environment. I salute you and applaud you. And I exhort you to hold your heads high and make no apologies.  And don’t get rid of your SUV’s! DD          

“As a public official, I expect criticism and I expect to be held accountable for how I govern, but the personal, salacious nature of recent reporting, and often the refusal of the media to correct obvious mistakes, unfortunately discredits too many in journalism today, making it difficult for many Americans to believe what they see in the media.” . . .Sarah Palin

 Something has happened to the political landscape that most potential conservative candidates aren’t even aware of yet. An astonishing, unintended “change” has occurred that will give candidates from the Right a definite advantage if they choose to take it. A definite chink in the Left’s armor. And that’s a dilemma because charging in and taking advantage of this new breach in the Left’s parapet will take courage and conviction. Assets that even the best GOP politicians are generally in short supply of, especially in the higher echelons. With the exception of a couple of “bold ones” the rest are all playing it safe. Over cautious. So what is this significant “thing” that has happened? Simple, the biased, autocratic, domineering Main Stream Media (MSM) has clearly given away its position and, as a result, they can no longer be called objective or respectable. “What?” you say. “you’re telling us something we’ve known for years.”   True, but the difference is that today, there are literally volumes written that prove, and expose, without a shadow of a doubt, the hatreds and prejudices that the MSM have for Conservatives.   It’s no longer just the lone, pioneer voice of Limbaugh talking about it on the radio. Its now categorized and documented by a myriad of learned experts and available for any conservative politician to reference. At their finger tips. Now the possibility of a surprise ambush by the MSM is almost non-existent. This is huge. Conservatives can now make a legitimate case for a major break in relations with the various elements of the MSM. So, what does this mean?   Is it now time to go on the attack? Hit the MSM head on? Kick them where it hurts?   No!  We can learn from beloved former Washington State governor, the late Dixie Lee Ray who took a confrontational strategy with the state media. When a pet pig had a litter of piglets, she even went so far as to name each of the piglets after some of her worst adversaries in the press. Dixie Lee was a brilliant scientist but she made some serious missteps in her handling of the media which cost her a re-election. Dixie was a no-nonsense gal, God rest her soul.   Not enough like her, sadly.  Were I advising a contemporary conservative politician vying for a high public office, I’d tell them to take a look at how ** Danish politician, Fogh Rasmussen handled the situation when an aggressive, left-leaning member of the Danish media began to pressure him to grant an interview. In reality it was nothing but an ambush and Fogh knew it. But he didn’t counter attack. No, Mr. Rasmussen made a simple public statement: “it is an infringement of my personal freedom if I, myself, may not decide who I will speak to on a day to day basis”. Surprisingly, that was the end of it. Fogh simply ignored them, stuck to his principles and kept quiet.  I’m sure he then focused on his constituents. Perfect. A simple, respectful refusal – and then ignore them.  Of course we can expect no such civility in our own political process. Maybe from the Conservative side but you can bet that the MSM counterpart will not reciprocate.    You see, the MSM considers itself a legitimate and legal part of that process. When in fact they’re nothing more than a business trying to make money and they’ve been given far too much access. They have no more rights than any other business other than their individual right to vote.    But they won’t see it that way. Which is why any conservative politician who attempts to quietly banish them from “our side” of the political process will set off an unprecedented political firestorm.    And this will be an opportunity for Conservative politicians to, once and for all, forget George Bush’s disgusting “New Tone” and grow a spine. Regain some respect and stop pandering. Politicians with a backbone? What a concept.   They’ll have to learn just as Riot Police must learn. Riot Police are taught to keep their fear, anger and emotions under control. Not an easy task when being verbally attacked by a mob. Only when the rioters cross a certain line and actually assault the police, are they allowed to retaliate. Until then, they remain silent with plexiglass shields locked. The tuning-out and expulsion of the MSM from the conservative side of the political process will cause an intellectual riot of sorts. Depriving these spoiled MSM brats of what they think they’re entitled to will cause the expected destructive conflagration. Something to definitely be prepared for. There may even be some small skirmishes. Extra security might be required for restricted conservative functions so that disruptions don’t occur. Yea, its going to take some real backbone on our part! We’ve catered to these Constitution-hating leftists far too long and they’ve become accustomed to having their way. But it is the MSM, through their own misconduct that have forfeited these privileges. Privileges are not rights and can be taken away. What would be the positive effects of this sort of decisive and courageous action on the part of Movement Conservatives?   Think of the time spent by Conservative politicians preparing for the hostile gauntlet that they require themselves to run through every political season. They must shift their focus away from the Conservative Base and give rapt attention to the enemy in the MSM. They must become as “walking encyclopedias”. With knowledge and the correct pronunciation of every little tinhorn dictator around the world and the tiny nation they lord over. They’re required to know minute details on all subjects or risk looking foolish on national TV. The irony is that the vicious MSM will see to it that they look foolish anyway. No matter how well prepared they are. Can we remember the ’08 GOP debates? The time it takes to maintain this charade totally shifts the politicians focus away from connecting and bonding with the actual voting Base that will, hopefully, elect them. Exactly as the Left has designed and implemented it!   Such a tragedy that Conservatives have repeatedly fallen into this trap and allowed themselves to be manipulated to this extent.  It has been Sarah Palin who has taken the worst of the full frontal attacks/barrages of the MSM and certain other well organized, well financed elements on the Left. This fact is telling.  If Sarah decides to pursue the 2012 POTUS, she should consider a departure from the traditional/conventional forms of campaigning and that will also include banishment of the MSM. Going straight to the populace or working through “friendlies” of which there are ample. She can learn much from the mistakes of Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter.   Sarah will need to skirt around the Left’s Maginot Line. She should also avoid, like the plague, the well traveled thoroughfares that other GOP candidates choose to travel upon. They’re lined with trip wires, booby traps and snipers peering down from tree tops. Sarah can reach the same destination by traveling off road along dirt roads and game trails. Metaphorically speaking, of course.  Darvin Dowdy   **Danish politician – copy/paste this url: https://www.indymedia.ie/article/82913?comment_order=asc&condense_comments=false

Meghan is a force to be reckoned with. She is not the bimbo/valley girl that many on our side portray her and neither should they ignore this - Progressive Powerhouse.    So what am I saying? That conservatives should sit down with her and seek to find common ground?    NO!! Meghan McCain represents a new progressive wing of the Republican Party that has gone on the offensive against Conservatism. Extreme/Radical Moderates, they are. In that sense Meghan and her sort are just as much a foe as are liberal democrats.   And they should be considered as such. She and her ilk have chosen this confrontational path.   These intemperate and immoderate moderates started this fight and it is up to Movement Conservatives to get up out of their whimpering fetal position, stop sucking their thumbs, turn and confront. Start pushing back!    If they fail to stand and fight, this Conservative Movement that Ronald Reagan and others so lovingly constructed, brick by brick, could certainly (and soon) become nothing more than a footnote in some future history book. What was once a “shining city on a hill” will appear only as distant ruins to wayfarers passing by. 

 Meghan McCain is, no doubt, emerging as the unabashed leader of this Movement of Radical Moderates and she doesn’t try to hide or mask her objectives: 1) separate the Republican Party from the Conservative Movement, 2) push the conservatives out and/or diminish their influence.    And she is succeeding to date. For that she deserves credit and respect. Respect for her intellect that is. Not her views.  For instance, in her recent address to the Log Cabin Republicans, she does correctly point out that the GOP and Conservatives are sitting around, “waiting for the other side to be perceived as worse than us”.   And that is absolutely true. The Movement Conservatives have become completely distracted.   Refusing to consider getting their own dysfunctional house in order but instead continuously harping and pointing their finger at the flawed, Constitution-hating democrats. They keep telling us what we already know rather than making an effort to fix our own problems. Of which they are in deep denial about. And many problems they do have, but honestly they are not insurmountable. However, their stubborn arrogance won’t allow them to even recognize that they have a problem. So they’ve become as a dog chasing its tail.  And Meghan, like most everyone else, can see this joke of a “GOP three ring circus”. It doesn’t take some political genius.   She sees it! Many of us see it. And to her credit she at least has the courage to try to offer up, with an element of passion, some Progressive solutions. She’s a progressive what else do you expect her to do?? Just so happens that her solutions (and those of others in her camp)  would finish the GOP for good. These “youthful” moderates may dominate the right Blogeshpere. They may be able to set up a Facebook page. They certainly know how to Twitter deep into the wee hours of the night. But, if left unchecked, they’ll finish the demolition job that John McCain started in 2008.   If Conservatives don’t “gently & lovingly” smack them down, these misguided progressives will drive away millions more of the 59.9 million that voted GOP on 11/4/08 and ruin any chance we might have of taking back one of the legislative houses on 11/2/10. Of which, for the sake of our Nation, we desperately need to do.   So, who are these “Old School Republicans” that Meghan proclaimed as “Scared S**tless”? They used to be called Reagan Democrats.   Now they are the 59.9 million Civic Conservatives   who held their nose and pulled the GOP lever on 11/4/08. Surely not voting “for” her progressive Dad but rather voting “against” the socialist Barrack Obama. And lets not forget about the 10-20 million who opted to “Stay at Home” rather than compromise their principles.   Meghan is correct about one thing, however. They are scared. But not for themselves because, you see, they’ve made their pot of gold!   They are scared for the future of Meghan and her fellow Gen Y’ers because of the destructive course these youngsters have set our Nation upon. Installing at the highest level of our government one who will punish achievers/producers, take the wealth they’ve earned and give it to the non-producers of not only our society but throughout the world.   And one who will incrementally push our Constitution aside and replace it with the charter of some world governing body.  Meghan says we Old School’ers want to, “cling to past successes”. Here’s where she show’s her serious lack of maturity. Certainly it makes perfect sense to “cling” to traditions and values that have worked for millennia. Truth transcends the generations but these Gen Y’ers, in their arrogance, believe that they have evolved to some higher plane of consciousness and have gained some unique higher knowledge.   Hence, they’ve concluded, that these traditions/values that have served mankind well over the centuries, no longer apply to them. They, of course, are tragically wrong and will pay a heavy and painful high price. If this mentality begins to control the Republican Party, to put it simply, Old School Republicans will flee the party by the millions.   And they will not be replaced by some hyped-up, puffed-up, overrated youth vote.   These radical moderates are loose cannons on a rolling deck, encouraged and coached by an exultant MSM. Certainly they have moderate views but what makes them extreme is this; they are absolutely enthralled with what comes out of their own mouth.   “Hooked” and enticed by the attention they receive from the media. They’re in awe of their opinions and see themselves as messianic. Viewing themselves as some great leader holding the torch and pointing the way for the huddled masses. And they’re dangerous because, in essence, they are so very wrong-headed.   Next to the road they’re telling us we should travel upon there’s a tattered sign that reads “Bridge Out Ahead”. Yet they continue pointing the way and, as a result, many mindless followers within the lazy GOP Hierarchy convince themselves that this is the correct path-of-least-resistance to take. Hence the momentum builds for this Movement, in its infancy, of Radical Moderates. I have feared for a long time that the vacuum caused by the total void of leadership within the GOP would eventually suck in something impure. Meghan’s Moderates seem to be that void filling contamination. Those on the right, such as Laura Ingraham, who believe the best way to deal with a force like Meghan McCain is to make fun of her dress size….well they have blundered seriously.   Meghan has brilliantly turned it around on them resulting in Ingraham and other conservative talkers drawing back a bloody stump, in shock. They’ve been made to look small as Meghan swings her substantial mallet and drives the divisive wedge still deeper between Conservatives and the Republican Party.   Those who oppose Meghan McCain had best learn do so strictly on an intellectual level and cease with the childish name calling.    Darvin Dowdy