Tag: A21

The UN Agenda 21 premise on full display last night. Principle 1

"Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. "

But lets not stop there!  Certainly Principle 5 is equally important. ('equal' being the operative word)

All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world.

In the greatest redistribution scheme seen in our lifetime, you have just assisted in making sure the 'Right' to a healthy and productive life has new legs.  Republicans that voted for HB4714 have saved the state a few dollars over the next couple of years, but have embraced full blown global socialism in the process.  When Sebelius changes the rules with nary a peep from our weak kneed congress, illegals will ALSO have the right to our health care as well.  Former Governor and Democrat Jennifer Granholm started promoting this clunker in 2007, you just turned the key.

Its a small world after all Tom.  

Too bad.  There is so much to say that addresses the broad based policies that complete streets encompasses. So much that brings an appropriate negative light on the issue and its implementation.  Roundabouts, suicide bike lanes (like the one in the video of the last story), spending large sums of money for rural areas where only the transient bike through (tour bikers) might use, and perhaps even other reasons like private property.

Silly stuff like that.

In fact, we have one of those bike lanes in Traverse City.  The bicyclist is broken away from the right shoulder, and directed into the left turn where the lane abruptly ends (no warning) forcing the automobile into the bicycle, or mating them inappropriately. Somehow, no one has yet died on the corner, though some close calls have occurred.  I suppose the smarter cyclists avoid it, which would explain why I never see anyone using the bought and paid for streetscape as planned.

So imagine the excitement in finding out the Grand Vision folks up here (A21 implementation team) were sponsoring a traveling road show to each of the rural townships.  The effort of course, was to have neat little picture show, and included in the packet of trustees would be a ready made resolution in support of 'Complete Streets'.  Ready to serve; just add moronicide.

In my own township, I didn't see it making much sense, so I prepared a statement.

The wind tunnel effect of prop 2 and 4 puffery by labor leaders smelling the money of forced union membership might  seem to be enough to be filling the sails of prop 3, but alas, no amount of hot air, deep sighs or physical reality matches the required blow to make it happen.  Prop 3 is a non starter from the physics sense alone:

"That's because almost the entire state of Michigan is "poor" or "marginal" for wind as a resource at 50 meters above ground (see image), according to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The information says Michigan's best wind opportunities at 50 meters, which would be classified as "excellent" and "outstanding," are all located offshore.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory says annual wind speeds of about 6.5 meters per second at 80 meters or higher are "generally considered to have a resource suitable for wind development."  "

Its not the point.

The use of energy and accompanying pollution that must surely be generated by coal fired and natural gas generation must surely be stopped.  Certainly, if we do that, then wind and solar technology by necessity will have to be improved or we all starve, lose our modern conveniences and health maintenance devices. (you know refrigeration, medical apparatus etc..) If only we would understand "necessity is the mother of invention", damn it!

And in the meantime a little equalization wouldn't hurt the dying planet too.

When he said:

"....that's freedom, and I'll take it any day over the supervision and sanctimony of the central planners"

He touched on a point that is relevant no matter whom the leadership might be.  The interference and 'concern' over the affairs of our lives is too often conflicting with the independence we claim as our birthright.  Some folks forget that we have to be able to fail. That risk and reward is a part of the American dream.  That sometimes, our decisions make us healthy, and sometimes not.

Its NOT government's place to provide a boost for a business.  Its NOT government's place to control the healthcare choices through exchanges or limitations on where one buys insurance or the care itself.  Its NOT the government's place to provide housing. Nor is it government's place to control the terms of employment, and compensation that business provides.

Ryan is correct.  

Republicans in Michigan and elsewhere ought to take note of the future VP's comments and internalize them.  

A demand for engineers in Michigan:

"Andrew Watt says he figures the shelf life of an auto engineer looking for a job in Michigan is about three days. Companies that wait longer than that will have to get back in line for the next candidate.

"If their skills are even on the edges of automotive, they can get a job," said Watt, whose iTalent LLC in Troy finds engineering and information technology workers for companies in nine states. "There's an extreme shortage. There's way more demand than supply."

Demand, Supply ..  Funny how such things work.

The long term effect of our emerging technical interaction with each other will continue to create demand for such things as better engineered automobiles, heavy equipment and other manufactured goodies.  But the most important thing that ties it all together is electricity.  Cheap, abundant electricity that will continue to power the goodies, toys, and necessary equipment that keeps us healthy, mobile, and interactive.

Environmentalists in Michigan, need to mature into the continuing reality of our still relatively industrial state.  Those idealists growing up and believing the world of The Lorax exists around us need to stop believing in the fairy tale promises of such efforts as the United Nations 25x25 plan which will appear on your Michigan ballot in November.

DR. Seuss is dead.

And yes, I DID say, the United Nations plan.