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by Connie Harvey, Aspen Daily News Columnist Friday, July 11, 2008 Although he’s not about to take any action to combat climate change himself — or propose anything useful to his successor — it’s a sign of the times that President Bush has now dimly recognized that there is such an issue.
Bush is in good company, only a little behind the curve. Most politicians, heads of energy companies, and probably a majority of the American public think it’s more important at the moment to worry about the economy, jobs, profits, health care, a slumping dollar, and the mortgage crisis. Sure, we’d all like to stabilize the climate, but not right now! There’s plenty of time to do something about that later — why, some people seem to think we have a good 50 years to take care of it. Scientists mostly vote for 10 years, while James Hansen, a leader in the field, gives us about 2 years to get something real done. Full Story »
by Connie Harvey, Aspen Daily News Columnist Friday, June 27, 2008 Yesterday I got an e-mail from Kiva with the heading, “Good news; you’ve been repaid!” The loan in question was for $25, and I then had a choice between getting my money back or the pleasant task of choosing another recipient for my largesse. I decided this time to re-lend the money to a group of Guatemalan women.
Kiva is a non-profit organization that facilitates microfinance loans to small enterprises around the world. My $25, always part of a larger pool, had already assisted a group of four farmers in Sudan; and then Claudia, a woman in Huancayo, Peru, who started a little Internet café in her home and is now expanding to an in-town location. Kiva loan recipients have a terrific record of repaying their loans, and Kiva facilitates recycling the loans once they are repaid. Shades of Ben Franklin, who developed a similar program of his own to help young men start businesses of their own. Full Story »
by Connie Harvey, Aspen Daily News Columnist Friday, June 13, 2008 Dominguez Canyon in western Colorado is one of the most enchanting
places I’ve ever visited. On my first trip there many years ago we
crossed the Gunnison River by raft south of Grand Junction, and soon
found ourselves in a desert paradise of colorful red rock, desert
plants, sweeping horizons, and Dominguez Canyon itself. In the course
of hundreds of thousands of years, Dominguez Creek, itself not very
large, has formed a passage through and over the rocks. Water tumbles
among cliffs and over boulders, forming sculptured alcoves and a series
of magical pools. No other people were there, and I marveled to find
this place so near the highway between Grand Junction and Montrose, and
yet a world away.
We hiked a little way up the canyon. Along the way we stopped to admire
Indian petroglyphs, as yet undisturbed by vandals or barriers set up to
defend against them. Full Story »
by Connie Harvey, Aspen Daily News Columnist Friday, May 30, 2008 Now and then, police officers, charged with upholding and enforcing the law, stray out of bounds in their treatment of suspects or even innocent civilians. Police brutality may occur without being reported, but, in other cases, the lawbreaking lawmen are themselves brought to justice. It’s an imperfect system, but at least the goal is to have a decent police force.
Not so at higher levels of our government. Sworn to uphold our Constitution, the Bush-Cheney administration is the ultimate law-breaker, unfortunately aided and abetted by an often corrupt and craven Congress. It’s a sad thing to see freedoms trashed, elections stolen, the Bill of Rights ignored, pre-emptive war based on shameful lies, and basic resources like air, water, land and wildlife permanently sacrificed to endless, mindless greed. Full Story »
by Connie Harvey, Aspen Daily News Columnist Friday, April 18, 2008 Our beloved old earth continues to take a terrible beating, despite the bountiful lip service furnished in her behalf by well-meaning humans.
As humans ourselves, and, worse yet, Americans, or at least visitors, you and I have a lot to answer for. The least guilty among us are self-sufficient backwoods dwellers willing to subsist in a very primitive but sustainable lifestyle, and homeless people surviving on other people’s castoffs. The rest of us share a responsibility to help set things to rights. Full Story »
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Weather Current: 82° Extremely hot | |
Horoscopes
- Aries
 - Taurus
 Be aware that many are observing how you handle a particular situation.
You actually might be a role model. Don't make anything heavier than
need be. Don't forget an older relative. Make a call. Tonight: Nap and
then decide. Think "fun."
This Week: Work within a partnership, then seek out more expertise.
- Gemini
Break from your pattern. Do something very different. Your ability to
zero in on what is important comes out in a conversation. A day trip or
meeting someone halfway will help you restore your mind-set. Enjoy the
change of scenery. Tonight: A must appearance, via phone, Internet or
in person.
This Week: Defer to others, and you'll get a panorama of opportunities.
- Cancer
Others prove not to be as flexible as you might like. This situation
leaves you with a choice. You might not be sure which way to go. Center
on doing what you need to do, possibly solo, perhaps just for now.
Tonight: Rent a movie.
This Week: Be part of a well-oiled team. You'll get amazing results.
- Leo
Others dominate, which is sometimes difficult for you. Right now,
understand that your influence is moot. So why not go off and have a
jolly good time by yourself or with one compliant person? Relax with
the moment. Tonight: Make special time if requested.
This Week: Ever playful, you see more options than many. Take that ability into different facets of your life.
- Virgo
Complete a project or indulge in a favored pastime during the day.
Though you might think you have no plans, you might be surprised by
what pops into your life. You will want to say yes and yes. Tonight: Go
with the winds of fate.
This Week: Work from home if possible, understanding your limits.
- Libra
You might act like you don't have a care in the world, but those who
know you understand that more is going on. Though you might have a late
lunch, the time afterward needs to be just for you. Isn't there a
project to complete or a letter to write? Tonight: Easy does it.
This Week: Make calls, schedule meetings and let others know where you are coming from.
- Scorpio
 - Sagittarius
Speak your mind and ask for more of what you want. Others might not be
responsive, but it is important to put your needs out there. You can no
longer put yourself on the back burner. Sometimes you sell yourself
short. Tonight: Be easygoing with an intense family member.
This Week: You smile, and others respond. Use your big personality.
- Capricorn
Money continues to have inordinate importance in your world. You might
not handle a situation with ease. A conversation could be difficult,
but it helps open up feelings. You won't always hear what you want!
Tonight: Catch up on a friend's news.
This Week: Thursday, you finally feel up to snuff. Make it OK not to always be a barrel of energy.
- Aquarius
Your imagination continues to be your strong suit, as long as you
realize what is going on. Sometimes you would prefer to live in the
world of daydreams. A certain event could blow the dream away. Instead,
stay realistic. Tonight: Treat a friend to dinner.
This Week: You have an expectation of always having the right solution
or idea. This might be the case, but work with others' ideas too.
- Pisces
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