Latest News
8/25/2008Watergun fight broken up by police
Read More
Recently Updated
California - 8/26/2008California is the most populous State in the Nation and its total energy demand is second only to Texas. Although California is a leader in the energy-intensive chemical, forest products, glass, and petroleum industries, the State has one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the country.
Iowa - 8/26/2008
Iowa has few conventional fossil energy resources but is rich in renewable energy potential of wind and ethanol. Iowas population is low and its economy is relatively energy intensive, resulting in high per-capita energy consumption.
Oklahoma - 8/26/2008
Oklahoma is rich in energy resources. Fossil fuels of oil, gas and coal are plentiful. Hydroelectric, solar and wind potential also exist. The industrial sector is the leading energy-consuming sector in the State. Due in part to the energy-intensive oil and gas industry, Oklahoma's per capita energy consumption is among the highest in the country.
Pennsylvania - 8/26/2008
Pennsylvania is rich in fossil fuels. Renewable energy resources are also abundant. The industrial sector is Pennsylvania's leading energy-consuming sector, due in part to energy-intensive industries.
South Dakota - 8/26/2008
South Dakota has few fossil fuel reserves but has substantial renewable energy potential. As one of the least-populated States, South Dakota has low energy demand.
And Now For Something Completely Different...
A half truth is a whole lie.
-- Yiddish Proverb
-- Yiddish Proverb
August 28, 2008
68 Days to Go
With just over 2 months until the presidential election we don't have much time to overcome centuries of fear.I've never thought of myself as a racist. Although I grew up in a town so white that being Polish made me "not white enough", I've had the opportunity to be exposed to races and cultures from all over the world.
Honestly, I've been a bit smug about how open-minded I am. People are people, all struggling for the same opportunities and celebrating the same joys. Who cares where their family comes from - who cares what the color of their skin is.
That's how I THOUGHT I thought about the world.
About 18 yars ago I was in a conversation and heard myself spewing the worst, most racist, denigrating, vicious comments about a sub-racial culture. I heard it coming out of my mouth and couldn't stop it. I had NO idea those feelings were in my heart.
It shocked me more than the person I was speaking with. I was devastated to know that I could harbor such hate. It continues to be a shame.
Since then, I've done my best to atone for and overcome this deeply buried craziness. Prayer, meditation, volunteerism, education are all paths I've followed to cut this out of my life. I think I've been successful but the more I work at it, the more I understand how much gets buried deep.
God's got a funny sense of humor. Over the years I've been blessed with a multi-racial family and a truly multi-cultural neighborhood. Without that moment of shock I'd never have been ready to move into the blended society of the twenty-first century.
This public confession isn't a Jerry Springer moment. It's important that with 68 days left before we vote for president, that America examines it's subconscious. Maybe by sharing my shame, you can face your hidden prejudices by knowing that it's a worthwhile and possible.
I'll be voting for Barak Obama - not to prove how liberal I am - because he is the right man for the job right now. It is my prayer that America can make it's choice based on what we need and who he is and not from lingering fears and hate about his race.
Let's vote in our self-interest for a change.
More Justification...
I always find it interesting that "Global Climate Change" is such a bad thing but "Change We Can Believe In" is good. Larry Talbot changing into the wolfman was bad, a candidate changing from a maverick into a neo-con is a good thing? Well, change is something we usually only pretend to crave as long as the change goes the way we want it to.
In reality, change is the nature of the universe. We can whine about it or embrace it -- our reaction will never stop change.
StartChange.net believes that there are realities that deserve to be changed. With purpose and a good heart we can affect the changes we want. No one has to wait for someone else to kick start the process, we have the potential to be in control of our reality as long as we are willing to make change happen.
About StartChange
The editors and writers of StartChange believe that responsible and positive change needs to start at the smallest, most deeply individual level and work its way through society to the policies of all world leaders. We believe that waiting for the government to change is a cop-out.We all know what we need to change so lets do it.