We Used To Call It America
[ Add A Comment ]Posted on October 13, 2008 by admin in Editorial & Opinion
Monday, October 13th, 2008What’s red and blue, but black and white anyway?
I like to dream that some day we’ll have green and yellow and orange states. The mind-numbing simplicity of our blue and red ones is killing me. Am I a flag-burning weepy artist type who wants to hug a tree while I tax the hell out of myself so I can have decent health care and feed the lazy, or am I a wealthy, heroic, bomb-dropping entrepeneur whose family is proud they haven’t paid a penny in taxes since 1930? Am I a cool jock type who plays football and gets the chicks even though I treat them like crap, or am I a nerdy, philosophizing art-school dropout who’s single ’cause I still feel badly about that last girl? Am I popular, pretty, and stupid? Or am I an outcast, a little different-looking, and snobbishly intellectual? Am I red, or am I blue?
Well, frankly…neither. I’d probably live in the brown state (some muddle of all the basic color options), where we found a balance between having enough for ourselves because we were motivated, and taking care of others because we were actually kind in nature. Where inventiveness and a “maverick” spirit led to anti-gravity cars and an actually healthy way of living, rather than an obsession with archaic combustion engine technologies, holes in the ground spewing black oil, and a lifestyle of gluttony and excess that inspires bizarre medical practices like liposuction.
Or the spectrum state (rainbows were co-opted by special interests a long time ago), where people of different beliefs and lifestyles respected a simple common value: respect others’ beliefs, and when you disagree, discuss things reasonably.
Oh, wait. We used to call that America.
Ford’s Having A Fiesta, But You’re Not Invitado
[ 1 Comment ]Posted on September 14, 2008 by admin in Clean & Green, Technology
Sunday, September 14th, 2008Have you driven a Fjord lately?
Have you driven a Fjord lately? The Ford Motor Company is proudly introducing a new 65 mpg Fiesta in November. But guess what? You can’t buy it (for the record, I flipped the image at left so you could imagine it on an American road). This is apparently an ongoing trend, with only two cars available in the states that get more than 40mpg. If you really want an American-built car that gets this kind of mileage, you might try a 1949 Crosley Hot Shot or any of the other beaters on this list. Alternately, you could just give up and move to Europe. You just might be able to justify the move with the fuel cost savings from one the fuel-efficient Europe-only vehicles reviewed here. By the way, a little parting shot for any smug-faced Prius owners that might be reading: a non-hybrid BMW just kicked your butt.
Eat Like a Caveman
[ Add A Comment ]Posted on July 19, 2008 by admin in Lifestyle & Culture
Saturday, July 19th, 2008Forget Dr Atkins, forget South Beach, the latest hip diet lets you get in touch with your inner caveman.
Hey America: are you fat, lethargic, stressed out, and always suffering minor ailments? Well, stop thinking like a caveman and start eating like one. I didn’t realize it until a friend pointed it out to me, but except for massive amounts of chocolate, coffee, and cigarettes, I eat a Paleo Diet. And I feel great. Our friend George pictured here has it all wrong as usual. Lay off the corn, for starters. Otherwise, the basic idea is simple: we only started eating many common foods with the advent of agriculture about 10,000 years ago, and evolution hasn’t had time for our organism to adapt to the diet. Therefore, eat things like lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, roots and nuts, and don’t eat so many grains, beans, and dairy products. Also watch the salt, sugar and processed oils. For recipes and lots of links to other resources, visit PaleoDiet.com. Friends of mine who actually subscribe to the specifics of the diet say not to be obsessive about it; as soon as you start lowering your intake of grains and dairy a little, you actually start losing your appetite for these foods. The same friends also recommended The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat