I usually like Ike, but I'm a little disappointed with his latest stance on energy.  Take a look at this carefully worded press release.  While I can appreciate his caution when it comes to powers assigned to government agencies, it sure looks like it's his intent to prevent much needed steps for curbing greenhouse gas emissions.  He's aligned himself with energy coops, which are opposed to any changes that would impose additional costs on their industry.

Maybe his office can clarify his position, but the truth is that energy will cost us more at some point.  Business as usual is no longer a viable option.  Until we account for the true cost of burning fossil fuels, there will be no change in the status quo - right up until the point it all falls apart. 

Toyota is reeling.  They surpassed American car makers in the last few years as the most popular vehicle in America, but thanks to a couple of recalls, they're on the figurative ropes.  It's possible that they grew too fast and couldn't produce and test certain design issues fast enough.  I don't imagine anyone ever thought the accelerator pedal could be such a danger.  But in today's economy, any issue is life-threatening. 

I saw some nice PR work by the car company this morning on MTP.  They did some quick turnaround on a spot for this mornings program and I was impressed with the quality and message.  They took responsibility and made it clear that they would correct the problems.  They have been known to generate some quality products, so it will be interesting to see if they can recover from this misstep.  There's probably not many folks who can afford to go out and replace their car, but it's already a boon for American car-makers.  We'll soon see how much, or if Toyota has stopped the bleeding with a solid response. 

Here are some pretty heavy articles for you to check out.  John Michael Greer starts us off with this weeks column in which he sees signs of the endgame in motion, and they are everywhere. 

It has a lot to do with energy.  The CEO of Petrobras has declared that oil production can not keep up with demand.  We may not run out next year, but we will have to learn to live with less.

What this means is goodbye moon.  Not only will we abandon pursuits that aren't sustainable, we are going to be a lot poorer nation in the near future.  We need to start the transition now, and adopt different strategies for the necessary functions like transportation.

And the bad news is that there's no such thing as being completely self-sustaining.  We're going to need each other, and that's the good news.  We're stronger together. 

Finally, check out this interview with a very smart man on the economic factors in play - and think about how we can do some things differently. 

The Great Recession is finally catching up to the state's budget.  New revenue figures are out and the governor has been forced to make more cuts to the current fiscal year.  And the vicious cycle continues...

One of the announced cuts is an incentive for state employees to contribute to their deferred comp plan.  While it's just a perk, it's another blow to state employees who have taken it on the chin over the last decade.  More expenses and stagnant wages means essentially less pay.  I'd be willing to bet that the monthly contributions to the state's investment program will see large reductions as people lose faith in the system. 

Oh well - we're probably going to lose most of everything invested in the market anyhow. 

I had been meaning to comment on the State of the State and the SOTU, but I haven't gotten around to it.  Of course, they've been analyzed throughly elsewhere.  I did think the speeches were interesting this year.  The State of the State was unlike any I've witnessed over the last 15 years, with Nixon choosing to point out our strengths and call for optimism instead of the usual agenda setting focus.  What it lacked in substance, it achieved with a clarion call to restore order to politics, with reform and bipartisanship to get something done for the people. 

Conversely, Kinder's delivery of the Republican response was little more than a blame session, where he tried to say everything that's been done is wrong and that they will work to stymie progress.  Interestingly, that's exactly the tact that Obama attacked in his SOTU speech.  In that respect, the two executive's speeches were similar - letting America and Missouri know that they understand that the people want to see effective government, and giving some encouragement that we can do this. 

Here, Hank gives his analysis of Obama's speech, which was followed up this week with a televised Q&A between Obama and the Republican caucus.  I was heartened to see him call the party of no out for their lack of cooperation, and deflect all attempts to sour his agenda.  Quite frankly, I think what has the people pissed off is the attempt by politicians to win battles while shortchanging the work they were sent to do.  Our problems are too great to continue bickering for the sake of re-election.  Our forefathers had it right - stop working to stay in office and start working on the problems.  It shouldn't matter who gets elected if they do their job right.   

Some of the lurkers on this blog will be happy to know that I don't like big government any more than the other guy - I just see a role for government and am willing to accept some authority for the benefits that an organized society provides.  For instance, I'm quite happy to have trash service and a sewer system to dispose of my waste.  But certainly there should be a line when it comes to personal decisions.  I don't want government dictating every aspect of my life - call it the American spirit. 

There are a couple of items working their way through the Missouri legislature that I believe cross that line, and they deal mainly with drug testing.  Some legislators believe that teachers and people who receive welfare payments should have to submit to drug screens.  Now, I understand the concept.  People who we trust with our kids, or those who don't have enough money to support themselves, shouldn't be engaging in illegal activity.  But that's the rub.  What's illegal?  Millions of Americans self-medicate in various ways - booze, marijuana, and even prescription drugs.  I think the legal status of marijuana is very much in debate, and could change in the next few years.  So why is it ok for government to exclude one based on how an individual chooses to balance their life? 

Is it ok for the well-to-do to use whatever substances they want, while only the poor are refused access to something that helps them maintain their sanity?  Or is it another attempt to control substances - so that only those who get their medication from a drug company are within the boundaries of the law? 

Here is a related post from the Contrary Farmer, who talks about government subsidies for organic farmers.  His point of view is that paying farmers is just another attempt to control the way those farmers choose to do business, and his case holds merit.  And yet while elected officials are making such attempts to control our lives, they have little desire to show constraint themselves, as we see wrangling over ethics reform take shape. 

I find it interesting - if those who are truly for limited government wish to stand on their ideals, shouldn't it apply to everything?  If you wish government to stay out of your business, shouldn't it also stay out of your living room? 

Hey, here's a pretty cool column from Bill Gates.  He says that in order to get to zero CO2 emissions, which should be the goal, we should encourage research and development, not simply push low hanging fruit like conservation.  While he acknowledges that insulation and energy-saving behavior is a good thing, we really need to transform the way we generate energy. 

I just thought it was interesting that one of the richest business people in the world recognizes the need to work on reducing carbon emissions. 

Here is some light reading while contemplating the tragedy in Haiti.  (I think it's cool when we have national telethons to support the rebuilding of devastated countries.  Well, not the tragedy part, just the caring stuff) 

A couple of articles of interest in tonight's CDT.  The first is a group of veterans who are calling for energy independence.  Men who have been to the ME and understand the need for renewable sources of energy.  And a shout-out for Columbia's mayor, recognized by the first lady for leading a town with the foresight to create walkable, bikeable, sustainable communities.  Huzzah. 

Cool interview with a lady who is growing and sharing a lot of food.

The Archdruid's column this week on the role of community organizations in the past, just cause I dig them.  Kind of makes me want to become a freemason. 

The connection between the recession and oil.

Doubt peak oil?  Lot's of peaks have been documented, and we might be able to add another one - peak fat.  Here is a pretty thorough article on oil. 

I believe part of being a responsible patriarch is being prepared for various disaster scenarios.  I don't have a walk-in pantry, but I do keep a few things on hand.. just in case.  Don't just take my word on why we should be prepared.  Listen to a finance guy talk about your money and five potential disasters. 

Last decade was the warmest on record.  Here's the thing about climate change.  You can deny that man has anything to do with it.  That doesn't change the fact that it's happening.  Even if our role is small, we should probably start preparing for the consequences, and it might also be smart to stop adding to the problem.  Sure, earth has been through cycles before.  But I didn't live here then.  I'd prefer to keep the environment more or less as it is, or better. 

Fantastic rant on teabaggers, from one of the best.  Another one of Joe's, appearing on AlterNet this week.

President Obama finally called for new regulations for banks today.  Whew!  It's about time we figured that one out.  Really what we need to do is re-instate some of the old regulations.  We allowed Wall Street to get fast and loose with our money and now we're paying the price.  I know lots of you don't like restricting the "free market," but until we put some of these practices in check, our economy remains at risk. 

The gap has grown to wide with too much money at the top.  Did you know that 1 percent of our country controls more than 40 percent of the wealth?  Take a look at this analysis of tax brackets.  About 85 percent of Americans earn less than $108,000 a year and carry the bulk of the burden, but the small sliver of the wealthiest stand to benefit most from the policy changes of the last few decades.  Do you think that's fair?  

When you give a middle class family $100, they spend it.  That's what drives our economy.  What we have now is good for no one.  It's time to set it right.    

So Big Mac did steroids.  It was wrong, and he admitted it.  Several players have criticized him and rightfully so, but I'm a Cardinal fan and I'm willing to forgive.  The irony is not lost on me, in that we demand respect for the game.  Maybe we were willingly oblivious, but his ascension saved baseball for me.  I had written it off following the strike and that was an exciting time to be a redbird fan.  The Cards/Cubs rivalry was extra special and the historical connection was invigorating.  I won't forget the asterisk, but I welcome him back for a chance to make it right. 

Along those lines, Jim Edmonds has indicated a desire to end his career as a Cardinal.  He's not the player he once was, and I was ready for a change when he departed.  But he had some great years in St. Louis and we love our nostalgia.  If there's room for Jimmy Ballgame, I say come on back.  You'll have to work hard, but who wouldn't want to go out in a baseball environment like St. Louis?  

Maybe it's self-serving, maybe it's too lenient and it could be a distraction.  But that's one of the things that's special about St. Louis.  If you're willing to give it all, we'll give it back and then some.  And the result is electrifying - magic, really. 

There's always hope in Cardinal nation.     

Mike Ruppert can read the tea leaves.  He made a map following 9-11, and it looks like it was pretty much dead on.  If you feel like having some cold water thrown in your face, read his book "Crossing the Rubicon."  Well, he's still reading between the lines.  He made some comments about the official story unraveling in Haiti, and it's enough to give you pause. 

Speaking of which, here's a pretty interesting read about the financial crisis.  Maybe just another conspiracy theory, but it asks the simple question, are we really to believe that NO ONE in government saw this coming?  As a cog in wheel, I know it can be hard to get those at the top to listen to you sometimes.  We're all biased by our own perceptions.  But how could something as large and complex as our own government been so completely incompetent and unaware?  In truth, they couldn't. 

The big news is another Republican win in Mass.  Whoopee.  I'm sure it's a referendum on something, but I don't know what.  Probably the two people who ran. 

The Repugnicans are all fired up about stopping health care, claiming we now need to start the entire process over because one person changed in the Senate.  No doubt they would like to get something else, because just killing everything doesn't show a lot of progress.  If they want to keep us where we are, fine.  Let's vote on that later this year and two years down the road.  The problem is eventually  you'll have to get something done, and we'll know exactly who to blame.  Have fun. 

I'm starting to believe the whole game is rigged, and all they really want is more of the same.  That's a disaster in the making, but that train wreck has been coming at us for years now.  I'm not sure we can run fast enough to even get out of the way. 

On a happy note, I saw Clinton and kid Bush over the weekend, coming together to raise funds for Haiti.  Impressive show of solidarity, and they said all the right things.  And I'm sure that was especially hard for W.  It's nice to know there's still room for compassion in American politics.  Wish we could see more of it. 

There has been a series of great articles on community lately.  I'm very interested in sustainable communities, and the intersect between the expansion of social media and a lack of a sense of belonging.  One place I have hope for in the coming decade is the local community.  I think people will find a need to reach out and connect in ways that have been discarded in recent decades.  What will be available to them. 

John Michael Greer started off the debate with last week's column on community.  He pointed out that the only thing that lacks is the will.  Definitely a challenge in today's fast paced world.  We've spent years separating ourselves from the connections that we so crave now.  Sharon followed that up with a response of her own, saying that the root cause is the complexity of modern life, which may be changing in the near future.  And then Rob Hopkins followed up with his comments regarding the transition town movement, and why it has been successful - namely because the people are of like mind and are committed.   (here's a great video on urban gardening, btw) 

But then Dmitry Orlov brought us all back to earth in his special way with this excellent point - that successful communities don't have to be organized - they just happen.  And he reminded us that this country used to be a place were communities had the freedom to do what they wanted. 

I think they all have valid points, and my take on community is an extension of those beliefs.  Identify the things that would make your town thrive, provide a framework for the people build upon, and encourage them to act in a way that supports life.  In the end, it will be the individuals who make it grow, but local governments can do a lot to get them started in the right direction.   

Fantastic weekend.  I was surprised by an old friend who flew in to visit.  We kicked it old school.  I was blessed with visits and offerings from a number of good friends.  It was so much fun, I wished it could have lasted a few more days.  I am fortunate to have such compadres, and we are all fortunate we can still gather and celebrate every now and then.

I have a confession - I drank a lot of Bud Light this weekend.  It's going to be much harder to separate my rhetoric from my real life.  I received a number of gifts bearing the AB logo and even saw an old friend whose livelihood is attached to the company.  As much as I want to use my limited power to exert some pressure of the massive brewery, Bud is rooted in our culture around here and I don't wish hardship upon my neighbors and friends.  I still think business needs to give some ground to the common good.  There's common ground to work toward. 

Another earthquake in the Caribbean. 

I had some deep discussions over the weekend.  I have some ideas about diet and my approach to life that I may tinker with in the near future.  I'm not sure I ever bought all of that optimistic "you can do anything you want to" schtick over the years.  But it's true that we do control what we do.  If you want to try something different, just do it.   

Massive earthquake in a part of the world that can least afford it.  Haiti is an extremely poor country, and while I sympathize, they hold some responsibility (us too) for their situation.  Jared Diamond documented the divergent paths of Haiti and the country which shares their island, the Dominican Republic. 

Nevertheless, it's terrible that they are suffering another natural devastation.  I'm warmed by the response from our country, providing aid and assistance to people in distress.  I'm also heartened by the number of Americans who were already there providing services.  I'm not going to pull a Pat Robertson and suggest that god is punishing them.  However, I do believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg.  There will be more of these types of events - and hopefully we'll all be able to find the compassion we need when it seems all hope is lost.