Climate Change Scientists monitoring methane emissions in the thawing tundras of the world report something worrisome; methane production is proceeding at a considerably faster pace than was predicated I wasn’t previously aware of the fact, but methane generated in dry soils loses its hydrogen component before reaching the surface, yielding only carbon dioxide to the [...]

If only it was that cheap to stay in a luxury hotel in Maui! Apparently Oregon’s House Majority Leader, Wayne Scott (R-Oregon City), seems to think so. According to today’s headliner in the Oregonian, three Oregon legislators [Scott, Rep. Derrick Kitts (R-Hillsboro) and Sen. David Nelson (R-Pendleton)] went on a luxury junket to Maui which [...]

“Climate change compels a massive restructuring of the world’s energy economy.” That quotation is from the introduction to the September, 2006, Special Edition of Scientific American, entitled “Energy’s Future Beyond Carbon”.The entire issue is devoted to a series of articles devoted to providing previews of what the massive restructuring might look like. Even before the [...]

We just got this piece from Jed Jorgensen, former Political Director for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. For me, it really brings home the reasons we should make an effort this election season. After reading this, visit Onward Oregon’s Election 2006 page.  – Rick Ray Here’s why I got involved, and why you should [...]

The present underfunded situation of education in Oregon can be traced to Ballot Measure 5 that was passed in 1990. For review, passage of Measure 5 shifted the primary funding of education from property tax to state income tax. Let’s look briefly at Oregon’s tax structure to gain perspective…

People respond variously to dilemmas. Some simply follow their appetites, Some go to the Good Book for guidance. Others research their options, then make what they hope is an informed decision. The latter is what our forefathers desired when it came to shaping national or local policy. ‘Informed electorate’ was their language. Those who have [...]

If you’re in the Baby Boomer generation and not outraged about the state of Social Security, then you’re not paying attention. First, let’s define the Boomer years, a period of post-WWII prosperity beginning in 1946 and extending to about 1957. People born during this period may have experienced the 1967 ‘Summer of Love’ and the [...]