Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Act Locally, Get Recognized Globally

Helen and David Slottje offered their legal assistance gratis during much of Dryden's long anti-fracking slog. Now Helen is the North American winner of the Goldman Prize, which "annually honors grassroots environmental heroes from the six inhabited continental regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. The Prize recognizes individuals for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk." Here is the list of this year's recipients, from South Africa, India, Russia, Indonesia, Peru—and Ithaca.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Spring Break

The last time I was in the Yucatan was over 30 years ago, when there were maybe four hotels on Cancun and no vendors around Chichen Itza or Tulum. I know things have changed. This time we're going by boat and spending just two quick days on shore, visiting Uxmal, because, as Paul pointed out, "How often do you get to go places that start with U?" We'll also stop on Cozumel for some snorkeling time. Sun would be nice!

TULUM, 1981

Friday, April 4, 2014

Honey Maid

I don't usually share pages like this, but I really like this story. Scroll down to watch the original ad that caused all the flap, then click on the response up top. ♥warming.

The Worst Decision?

The Roberts Court is responsible for a bunch of loser decisions—Gonzales v. Carhart, Ledbetter v. Goodyear, FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Morse v. Frederick (with a very different view of free speech), Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, and of course Citizens United v. FEC—but I can't help feeling that McCutcheon will be the one that most comes back to bite us. It's worth looking at Breyer's dissent, excerpted here. It's already being talked about on both sides more than the majority opinion is.