So okay it's the weekend.
What's one little thing that we all can do this weekend to collectively have an impact on the environment. It should be something that anyone could do regardless of where they live and how much they make. Meaning it shouldn't cost. But if there is a long term solution that might mean a cash outlay include that too.  

I'll start.

Unplug "stuff" when you aren't using it.

No kidding.

We actually saw a decrease in our electrical bill by doing this.

If you unplug the computer, the television (anything with a remote control), small appliances with clocks (okay if you unplug other appliances, the coffee maker might not be so bad). I know this doesn't seem like a lot but folks it works. Anything with a remote or a clock is constantly using energy without benefit. All week, while you're at work, no one benefits from this energy use. So. Unplug.

Long term change requiring cash outlay?
Specialized surge protectors. More later.

Remember one thing that anyone could do with little to no cash outlay. Doesn't require special equipment. Anyone could do in any area of the country.

Thanks.

So why this post. Because while it is grand to have big picture ideas for national energy use, it really is the collective energy savings that we can easily and cheaply do everyday that will have the greatest impact. Just one little thing.

I'm hoping that will be one of the elements of the Dem Party's energy platform. Energy policy on the local level.

So, help what do you do that we can do too.

12 dogs.

Hey. This isn't a serious political journal about the election but it is a serious question. It's about energy constumption. I would like to try and go green with regards to electricity.

To say that this process is intimidating would be an understatement. I know what I want it to do but I am so much at a loss.

So what am I looking for?

Well first I'd like set up a small version for a dog kennel. If I can do that I figure I can work up to using solar in my living space. The kennel will be a small, 8x16, wooden shed. I know that the first thing is to insulate well to keep down cool/heat loss. I would love to have the electricity to run a small window mounted heat pump, lights, tiny college fridge, and luxury a water heater. I can use a passive solar water heater (hot water to wash hands and care for dogs). But the rest of the requirements like light and the heat pump? I could use. This would give me space to keep my pups in the extreme heat and cold. This winter we tried everything but with no real final solution.  I'm on a limited budget and have to justify expenditures.

I have a general idea of how this works but no confidence.

Maybe there are other folks here that my be interested. Oh I also am looking for solar power to run a small submersible pump.

Thank you. If this is a problem? I'm sorry and will delete. I'm interested on what the national agenda will be in terms of personal energy consumption. Thought I'd learn along with everyone else.

If there's a problem with posting this let me know. Or better yet do you use solar power? How do you do it?

First. To MeganLocke and others who read this diary:

Hope you had a great weekend and Happy Monday!

Yes, I know, I'm supposed to be fishing. I should be on the beach but I made the mistake of listening to the Sunday "spin cycle". Then I read comments to my post here at myDD.

One pissed me off and the other got me thinking and well...

I was reading another diary about picking the Vice Presidential candidates. You may see the first part of this diary in the comment section elsewhere in myDD. I'm greatful to MeganLocke for reminding me of the subjective part of picking a VP. Her reminder caused me to reexamine my own thoughts of the process. This diary, that started out as a comment, is a result. This is a comparison between two women for the office of VP. They are Gov. Sebeliius of Kansas and Sen. Clinton of New York.

On the point of choosing a VP, I like the fact that reasonable people can peacefully disagree. Nice.

With Sen. Obama's recent shift to a campaign that looks more and more like a Sen. Clinton primary? To skip over Sen. Clinton for a 2nd tier option? He'd have to hate the woman's guts to skip her now. How do you explain it?

Before you read my opinion after the bump, there's something I'd like for you to consider.

You see something troubles me. There's this undercurrent arguement that I find troubling for the Gov of Kansas or any woman running for political office. This is the argument that Sen.Clinton is too qualified for the office of Vice President but Gov.Sebelius in not. But, hey no worries, they're both women aren't they; they must be interchangeable. The reasoning is that the office of VP is nothing more than a do nothing job. The thought is that any idiot can do it. It seems that this is the reason why it would be okay to nominate the unknown Gov. of Kansas. She wouldn't be doing anything anyway. Doesn't matter what her qualifications are because, again, any idiot can do it. It doesn't seem to be important what skills she brings to an administration. As long as she knows her "place" and  is not someone who'd out shine Sen. Obama? She is considered highly qualified. Oh and if she can bring in Ohio all the better.

(Sounds like how they used to arrange marriages for Old World kings and queens. Give me your dowry(votes) and then go back to exile in that cold castle(vp office) far, far away. You've served your function. Well unless the VP was required to birth an heir. There would be one obligatory night of sex and a beheading if you don't produce a future king. Lucky VP.)

What does this say about the VP selection process? What does that say about the Gov.? What does that say about Sen. Obama and his views on women in governent? What does that say about the future of women in general in the White House?

Doesn't do anything for either Sen.Clinton or Gov. Sebelius does it. This arguement doesn't do anything for Sen. Obama either. There is a danger of him looking petty and yes weak. Don't get me wrong folks. I'd love the idea of having more than one highly qualified woman to chose from. The more qualified women candidates the better the future for women in general. But saying that Sen. Clinton is too qualified and Gov. Sebelius doesn't have to be because the VP job is a do nothing job? To me, it looks less like picking a qualified candidate. Looks more like trying to get around picking the qualified person who is a woman to pick anyone else as long as they know "their place" and don't out shine the man.

There has to be a compelling reason to skip the highly qualified candidate other than, "Well I just don't like her." or "Well let's pick another woman, any woman, as long as she's not as strong as the guy. After all any idiot can do that job. Not a problem if she's less qualified."  You can't do that in the "real world" folks. It wouldn't pass Human Resources. I believe it is considered an unfair hiring practice. As a matter of fact, it would probably trigger a lawsuit. It has in my state. In that case, it was a matter of race not gender. My understanding though is that race and gender would have been equal in status. In this case it was an issue of passing over the qualified candidate because they did or did not want to hire someone because of their race NOT their qualifications. Insert gender for race? Looks like the same arguement to me.

I'd be interested in your opinion.

For me? I'm looking at the folks who ran in the presidential primary first. These people would be the first tier candidates. They have national support and actual dollars spent in the primary to promote their name and issues. Democrats then put confidence in these people by voting for them. The governor of Kansas doesn't have these qualifications. The Senator from New York does.

Regardless of their gender.

I kind of thought that was the point of equality.

Again I'd really love to have your opinion.

Regards from an old feminist RedNeck from the Deep South,

12 dogs

Oh and there's more after the bump.

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy weekend.

At the end of the day, no matter what our differences, there is one thing we all have in common. We are all Americans.

Happy and safe holiday.

What a good day to celebrate.

12 dogs and a blog

Hey ya'll.

So did the Ground Hog see it's shaddow?

No?

No Unity ticket?

Ah

Okay

Well I'm gonna go fuss over those "pristine beaches"  (read that look at the back of my eyelids while I listen to the sound of the waves.)

Let me know when these guys FINALLY do sumthin'.

Otherwise?

Why don't ya'll come go fishin' with me?

It's Friday people and that Unity thing wasn't just "cheesy" it was stupid and as much a waste of time as you're thinking this diary entry is.

That's why I wrote it.

That "heck what a waste this diary entry that knocked a really good political idea off the page" feeling is the same way I feel about that stupid Unity photo op. That's what they missed the FISA vote for? Man that just "wasted the very air it breathed". Folks that's sad.

Yeah.

I feel the same way.

So I'm going to redeem this lost time by learning some new thing about conservation of the Gulf. Or about oil drilling. And then I'm gonna recycle something. And hug my kid and the dogs. Take a walk instead of drive my car. Fill the day up with stuff that actually helps this poor old world.

Want some happy? You can come celebrate the end of another week and the promise of the next one us if ya' want to. I got a soda or a beer here somewhere.  I can even wrestle up some latte's.
Hey I'm a RedNeck Waterbaby I know about lattes and we do have a Starbucks somewhere.

I just happen to think the Red Neck Waterbabies are alot of fun. Mercy they sure do know how to throw a heck of a party. Ya'll bringing the cooler. I'm headin' to the River.

Rascal Flatts Lyrics - Me And My Gang   LOL Got to love it.

It's Friday people. Tomorrow is Saturday. I ain't been fishing in forever. Hey take tomorrow or your next day off and do something kind to this old Earth. Go fishing. Or find a kid and show them the world. It is after all their world too. Like the saying says we're just keeping it for 'em until they grow up.

Goof off and go do your own form of hugging this old earth.

Help us all redeem some of this pitiful use of the world's energy.

That's what myDD is supposed to be about. Life.

12 dogs gone fishin'.  Woof.

Well, heck, here I was fixing to go outside and I made the stupid mistake of turning on the radio where I hear about the protection of our state's "pristine coastline". So I go to look in at myDD. See what's up.

So much for not posting. But this kind of hits home.

I'm all for protecting our "pristine coastline". Some of my family has been living on that coast for 60 years. We have family in every gulf coastal state. We are "Gulf coastal water babies" from way back. Salt water in our veins.

I want to protect the coast I love but I'm sorry. Everytime I hear or read the words "pristine coast line" I have to laugh. As I said, some of my family has lived on the Gulf for 60 years. This is an issue near and dear to my heart. So here I am, the day after I swore off all things computer and political and was about to embark on my "surfs up slacker" existence when I read and hear about how the Governor of New Mexico wants to protect our "pristine coastline".

Should have turned the radio off too. But I didn't so...

Hello fellow myDDers.

Well I've learned enough.

Will be in and out of here during the summer, will lurk, but frankly

I'm going to do something I haven't really done in a long time.

I'm going to enjoy my summer.

I'm going to make slackers look like busy little beavers.

And I'm going to write about ANYTHING OTHER THAN POLITICS!

Have a happy.

If you comment on this or any other thread or comment of mine?

It may be ALLLLLLLLLooooongggg time before I reply.

Just be forewarned so that you don't think you've been ignored.

I really don't have anything else to say here until a VP is picked for either side.

Or someone makes news.

Otherwise?

Yawn.

Pass me that cola and some sunscreen.

I'm catching some rays.

Man I just love being able to write this particular blog.

TTFN.

12 dogs

Just wanted to send prayers to the family of Tim Russert.

I always enjoyed Meet the Press because of Mr. Russert.

We will miss hearing him say,

"If it's Sunday. It's Meet the Press"

Mr. Russert's death made me appreciate the fast that my father is still with us all the more.

So to my father, who taught me to read, to think, and to remember that all "politics is local" when he took us to Washington DC so long ago. The man who made sure we saw The Constitution, the US legislature in action, took us to meet our Senator, AND took us to see Resurection City on the mall. To the man who said we are not limited by our geography or economic background and wouldn't take that Mississippi car tag off because folks from Mississippi are Americans. We're all equal under the law.

The fella who made sure I knew this,

To that man I say,

"Thanks dad. I love you."

Your cranky but lovable daughter,

12 dogs.

Woof.

Happy Father's day.