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Monday, December 05, 2016

What's up Ivanka's designer climate change sleeve now?

Ok. Climate change. It's real. It's caused by emissions from human activities. It's gonna get worse. It's gonna cause problems.

If you don't believe that, I don't give a shit. You're stupid.

YEH, STUPID!


Photo from Ivanka's Facebook page - Fair Use

Ok. Well, the President-elect, Donald Trump - who I know a lot of stupid people voted for - has said (it's on record, you can look it up) - that climate change is a hoax.

So what is his daughter, Ivanka Trump doing meeting with Al Gore, the former Vice-President who has made climate change his signature issue?

We don't know - read the article at the following link to get some more info: Ivanka meets Gore

Monday, November 28, 2016

Wack job-elect appoints wackier wack job clown to dismantle EPA

Every friggin' day it gets scarier and scarier. Time to invest in some gas masks and who knows what else?

Trump just appointed a guy with no scientific or engineering degree to oversee the dismantling of EPA and its climate change regulations. Myron Ebell, a guy who claims climate change/global warming is a hoax/myth, a guy who gets paid by COAL COMPANIES to make outrageous claims, a guy who has been called a "fanatical ideologue" and a "clown" by others, will be leading Trump's effort to undo environmental gains that have literally taken decades to achieve.


Photo: Pennywise the Clown by Q, Creative Commons Free to use License

And don't even TRY to tell me Trump has a mandate. The 2.5 million+ more people that voted for his opponent than him will support me on that.

Read the article below, read it and weep. This is just the start of probably even more craziness.

Trump picks "fanatical ideological clown" Myron Ebell to gut EPA, millions of lives may be at risk

Friday, November 18, 2016

Time to turn in that Patagonia fleece for some natural fiber

Didja' ever feel like some people on the environmental left are always turning up their noses toward you with their "holier than thou," smug, bark-eating attitudes? Yeah? Me too, and I've been an environmental professional for over 30 years!

I MEAN, I HAVE ACTUAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA!!! I DIDN'T JUST LOOK SOMETHING UP ON THE INTERNET, OR FOLLOWED THE LATEST TRENDY THING AND DECLARED MYSELF AN EXPERT!



Anyway, it looks as though clothing made from recycled plastic may be as big a problem as microbeads in consumer products. I didn't know this - I guess ya learn something every day, even an old fart like me. Check out the following article for more info:

Is your recycled Patagonia fleece hoodie hurting the environment?

Tuesday, November 01, 2016

Guys, don't end up looking like a wrinkled old fart!

Guys, don't end up looking like a wrinkled old fart!

Watch the video below, then check out our products at our website above or at this link:

https://www.seacretdirect.com/frankmaccioli/en/us/


Free recycling event in Bakersfield, November 12, 2016

There will be a free, drive-thru recycling event for Bakersfield and Kern County residents next week on Saturday, November 12, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.



Click on this link for more information: America Recycles Day - Free Recycling Event

Monday, October 31, 2016

Every United States river basin in one map

I thought there was a drought in many parts of the country. This new map seems to show rivers EVERYWHERE!!!




Check all the details at this link: U.S. Rivers map

Saturday, October 22, 2016

A Gnarls Barkley song on accordion? Why that’s, uh, “Crazy!”

Kama Ruby and the Rough Cuts will be making an appearance at The Padre Hotel on November 4th, 2016. The jazz influenced group will be providing entertainment for a fundraiser that will benefit the Housing & Opportunity Foundation of Kern.

Entitled “Dreaming Beyond the Stars – Une Nuit de Paris,” the French themed evening is the premier gala fundraising event for the organization, a non-profit whose mission is to provide services to the neediest of families, as well as low & fixed income seniors in Kern County.



Attendees will be able to enjoy crepes, French kiss cocktails, and many more surprises.

Reasoning that most people would rather have a hand up than a hand out, the Foundation helps to provide tools and education for those in need in Kern County. By supporting this effort, either by attending this event or becoming a sponsor, you will help them become assets not only to their community but also to themselves.

A Bakersfield native and graduate of CSUB and UNLV, Ms. Ruby is well known for her unique interpretations of jazz standards as well as imparting a jazzy influence upon classic rock and pop tunes. She is also known for “themed” concerts such as a night of Burt Bacharach songs or performances devoted to artists such as Joni Mitchell.

For this event, the group has added several French songs to their set list, including “Ou Vent les Fleurs” (“Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”) and the classic Edith Piaf song, “Non, Je ne Regrette Rien.” (Film enthusiasts will recognize that as the “kick” song used in the movie, “Inception,” to awaken Leonardo DiCaprio and his associates from their journeys into the world of dreams.

As an added attraction and performing for the first time with Ms. Ruby, Bakersfield’s world renowned accordionist Richard Noel will add his distinctive and virtuoso skills to the group. The former CSUB professor and tennis star has attracted a huge following across the world. Earlier this year he traveled to Australia to perform for his fans and wowed audiences there.

Completing the powerhouse musical group will be pianist Doug Davis, the former man-in-charge of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival, Mark Meyer on sax, and Glen Fong on bass.

In addition to the Piaf song above, attendees will enjoy renditions of other songs not normally heard in the local musical scene, including Grace Jones’ “Libertango” and a duet of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy,” with Ms. Ruby on vocals accompanied by Mr. Noel on accordion – something one definitely doesn’t experience every day!

Activities will start at 6:30 p.m. and end at midnight. Tickets for this charitable event are $125 and available at the following link: Tickets

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Whale poop and global warming

Whoulda thought it? I know I didn't.


Didja ever wonder what happens when a whale takes a crap in the ocean? I didn't. But now, you're gonna think about it a lot differently; at least, you are if you watch the video at the link below which explains how whale poop helps to fight climate change.

And I thought all we had to do was stop driving cars.

Whale Poop and Climate Change

Friday, August 19, 2016

Harley outlaws busted by EPA sheriffs for bypassing emission controls

WTH? I guess that "outlaw" image that Harley-Davidson works so hard to promote has some truth to it!

EPA and DOJ just busted them for doing something similar to what Volkswagen did with its diesel cars and SUVs. Emission control defeat devices.

Get the details at the following link:

Harley-Davidson gets busted by EPA



Photo credit: This is from Harley's website. I think they call this Fair Use. I have no idea if this was one of the bikes involved or not.


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

EPA and DOT adopt new truck rules that pay for themselves - America! What a country!

Hey, I live in a place - Bakersfield - that has just about the worst air pollution in the country. It's pretty bad, but, at least I'm not in China - the air there is about a zillion times worse. Makes this place look like a pristine tropical paradise. Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit.

Anyway, government agencies are always proposing and adopting new laws to reduce pollution, and the people that have to comply with those regs are always bitching that they cost too much, will put them out of business, and/or they won't do what they are supposed to do anyway.

Sometimes those arguments get ripped to shreds.



Case in point: Today EPA and DOT announced some new rules for big ass trucks and other heavy duty vehicles. The rules are gonna reduce CO2 emissions by over 1 billion tonnes (that's the fancy schmantzy way of saying metric tons for you non-science types reading this). They're also gonna reduce oil consumption by over 2 billion barrels and the fuel savings from that alone will pay for the new controls in about 2 years.

So the new regs essentially pay for themselves!

In addition, the public will reap a net benefit of over $230 billion - that's a benefit-to-cost ratio of about 8:1.

Not bad, not bad at all.

You can get all the details at this link: New EPA/DOT truck rules pay for themselves



Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Don't swim in Bakersfield's Lake Ming - you might get sick

Hey - have ya' heard the news about Bakersfield's (cough, cough) pristine environment? No, well, it turns out that Lake Ming, you know, that place where regular folks bring their kids and families for picnics and splashing around, where they have Iron Man swim competitions, where some people even practice yoga on paddleboards!!! (wtf is THAT all about), is CONTAMINATED with harmful bacteria!!!!


Photo: Lake Ming, Kern County website, Fair Use

You think I'm making this up? An announcement from the Kern County Public Health Department today says we need to stay out of the water. They've plastered signs all over the damn place to warn people about it.

Gee, maybe Bakersfield should try to get the next Summer Olympics, no? Sounds just like Rio, except instead of Samba music, we'll have the Bakersfield Sound.

Click on the link below for more info:

https://environalysis.blogspot.com/2016/08/third-world-water-issues-hit.html

Thursday, August 04, 2016

Elon Musk blames Air Resources Board for $300 million loss, says Tesla needs more stringent regulations to make money

Wow, I thought I'd heard everything until I picked up the Los Angeles Times today and learned that Elon Musk apparently went full out raving mad ballistic against the California Air Resources Board yesterday.

Musk is the CEO of Tesla and the company lost almost $300 million last quarter. He blamed the loss in part on "pathetically low" air pollution standards and said CARB should "...damn well be ashamed of themselves."

Geez - he also implied that the loss was because CARB was colluding with other car companies to rig the price of ZEV credits and associated air regulations.

What do you think?

Click on the link below for more info:

Elon Musk blames CARB for $300 million loss

Monday, August 01, 2016

Fix your damn ATM machines!!!!

I'm so pissed off. Was on my way to play tennis at the local tennis club - once again had made my way back to Court #1 in the Monday night King of the Court doubles competition - when I decided to stop by Bank of America and deposit two retirement checks.

BIG FRIGGING MISTAKE ACE!!!!



My first clue that this was gonna be a bad idea was the two dozen car traffic jam queued up to use the 2 drive thru ATMs. I thought of backing up and going inside the bank, but, figured there'd be too many people this time of day, around 5 p.m.

So I stuck around and waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Finally, my turn comes and I drive up to the ATM. I give it my Debit card, enter my pin, and tell it I want to deposit some checks. It tells me to insert the checks, so I do, then I hear a bunch of grinding noises I don't think I'm supposed to hear.

The ATM stops - the screen asks me if I want to complete the deposit of $388 dollars.

I say, "Hmmm..." (My checks only total $240.)

So, nice guy that I am, I tell it to cancel the deposit and give me my checks back.

I hear some more loud grinding noises, but, no checks. I wait a few more seconds. Again, I hear some more loud grinding noises, but, no checks. The screen flashes - "Your transaction has been cancelled."

WTF - where are my checks? Then I think, "Wait, where the F*&# is my Debit card? The ATM machine never gave it back. I start looking for some button to push to cancel everything and get my card back - there isn't anything.

ARE YOU FRIGGING KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?  I have to play tennis in 15 minutes!!!!

So I notice a phone number to call if the ATM breaks down. I call it. I'm on hold a while. Finally someone comes on, asks what the problem is, and I tell her: "Your frigging ATM machine misread my check deposit, won't give me back the checks after I canceled the deposit, and now won't even give me my Debit card back!!!! What are you gonna do about it!!! I need the Debit card!!!

Then she tells me, "Sorry, since the machine won't give you the card back, we're going to have to cancel that one and send you another one." You can also go inside the bank and ask them for a temporary one.

Right, sure, I am now 10 minutes from start time for tennis.I'm sure I'm gonna be able to park the car, walk into the bank at 5:20 p.m. I tell her I don't have time for that. What do I do? So she gives me a toll -free number to cal to file a claim. Just as I'm ready to hang up, the ATM machine makes a noise and I see my Debit card coming out. I grab it and tell her, "The ATM just gave me my debit card back."

She says, "Great, I will reactivate it." Then she tells me to call the claims number to get my deposit recorded.

So, I'm still parked in the car. The people behind me start honking their horns because I've been there so long. I try to get out of the car to tell them the ATM is F*^#ed up, but, I can't open my car door because I had to park too close to the ATM to reach it. (I have a sports car.)

'I dial the number, I get a recorded message asking me for my Debit card number. I enter it, "We're sorry, we have no record of that number in our system." WTF - the card never got re-activated. Now WTF am I gonna do?

My checks are gone, I can't get thru to anyone to help me because of the stupid phone mail system, and I have to play tennis in 5 minutes.

So I call another B of A number on the back of the Debit card. I get a real person. He's sympathetic. He confirms my Debit card is now active. He then gives me a direct line to the ATM claims department, but tells me not to call until 8 p.m.or later because they are so busy.

Frustrated, I drive off, barely make it to the tennis club on time, and walk onto the court steaming with anger, anxiety, and frustration. This is no way to play tennis, with a head full of crap about something not at all related to tennis.

And it shows.

We start playing doubles. I almost get hit in the head with a volley. Another one misses me a few shots later. Then I get hit in the elbow. A couple of games later, another shot to the gut. WTH is my partner trying to do, kill me?!?!?!?

Too make this long-ass story shorter, I end up playing pretty poorly, but, I still have a chance in the last set to win enough games to stay on Court 1 next week. All I have to do is win by at least 6-4. My partner and I get up 4-1. We have a chance to go up 5-1 but we each blow some easy shots. We lose the game and now lead 4-2. I'm serving.  I get the first point on a bad return of serve by my opponent. The next serve I boom an ace to the sideline. We're up 30- Love. I can taste victory.

Well, we frigging fell apart after that. We lose every frigging game and go down 6-4. Four games in a row we lost. I'm about ready to explode.

So, after the match I decide to call B of A. I get put on hold...For 30 frigging minutes!!!!! Jeez, I'm ready to drive my car over a bridge into the Kern River, except there ain't any water in the Kern River!

Finally, someone answers and tells me cooingly how B of A takes these matters seriously. She asks me some questions and says a credit for the 2 checks will appear in my account while they investigate the matter.

I'm thinking, "Right, I'm gonna spend the money, then a week or 2 later, you're gonna tell me that all you found was a bunch of shredded up checks. Then you're gonna charge me  an overdraft fee after you delete the credits you gave me."

I'm fucked.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Wow - my old bones are creaking with excitement. I can't hardly wait.

TWO - COUNT'EM - TWO Phantasm movies are coming out this fall.


Photo: Silver Sphere Corporation, Fair Use 

The first is a remastered version of the original Phantasm that came out in 1979. Fittingly, it's called Phantasm:Remastered.  And if that isn't good enough news, the remaster has been put together by none other than J.J. Abrams, of Star Wars and Star Trek fame! Wow! Apparently he's a bigger fan than me!

The second is a brand new film, Phantasm:Ravager. The few hints I've seen of that one have me drooling with anticipation.

You can find a lot more info on the 2 films at this link: Phantasm films to be released this fall

I first saw Phantasm at a midnight sneak preview at a now defunct theater in Westwood, California with two friends. We had no idea what the flick was about, but were blown away as each minute unfolded.

And then...

AND THEN!!!!!!!...

Right before the movie ended, I happened to look up above us. We were sitting just below the balcony and to my astonishment, one of the silver spheres was just hanging there, right above my head. The final scene of the movie happened - who can forget that shock?!?! - and suddenly, the sphere above me started flying across the audience toward the stage. There was a loud explosion of smoke and light, people started screaming, and behind the curtain, on stage, Angus Scrimm appeared, pointed at the audience, and snarled at the top of his lungs, "BOY-Y-Y-Y-Y!!!!"

Man, that is moviemaking! THAT is how you make a lifelong fan of a franchise to be!

Can't wait!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Check your pantries - you might have an E.coli monster living in there

Worried about the food supply? You should be. General Mills has been selling people flour and cake mixes laced with E.coli bacteria. About fifty people have gotten sick, more than a dozen hospitalized, and one person developed kidney failure.

From flour and cake mix...

CAKE MIX - ARE YOU FRIGGING KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Here's a link for more information with details from CDC, USFDA, and General Mills, who distributed the flour and cake mix nationwide.

General Mills Flour and Cake Mix Recall




Thursday, July 21, 2016

Become the Alfred Hitchcock or Michael Mann of Climate Change!

Now, I know I have some friends who like to think they're the next Hitchcock, Coppola, or Mann, just to drop a few names. I think most of them have a ways to go, but, hell, who am I to say?

Anyway, I also know that some of them believe climate scientists who have told us we have a BIG problem with global warming, or climate change, or whatever the hell you want to call it.

So they may be interested in this film competition dealing with climate change.

Click on the video below for more info or this link: film4climate.net

Prizes include $8,000 in cash and more. The jury of filmmakers and politicos who will be judging everything are led by none other than famed director Bernardo Bertolucci!

Entries should be submitted to the above link by September 15, 2016. Winners will be announced at COP 22 in Morocco.


Film4Climate Competition Teaser from Connect4Climate on Vimeo.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Old links to Examiner.com posts don't work anymore - sorry about that

So, just so you don't get pissed at me, some of the stuff I posted here before have links that don't work correctly anymore.

The ones that don't are those linked to articles in Examiner.com. Well, they went out of business on July 10, 2016 and instead of archiving the articles so people could still read them, the owner, AXS, decided not to do that.

So now, if you scroll through this site and see something you might want to read in more detail, the Examiner link will take you to something totally unrelated on AXS.com.

Sorry about that - I had nothing to do with it.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

You ain't gonna be driving that Tesla to your job at McDonald's anytime soon

Ok, now listen up. This next link is about energy usage, fossil fuels, renewable energy, climate change, global warming - all that stuff. Over 97% of the people who know what they're talking about - climate scientists - say global warming is caused by humans. Don't waste my time telling me they are wrong - unless you have actively published in peer reviewed journals something that disputes that notion, then you don't know shit about what you are talking about. You're either a Republican in bed with an oil company or you're just a dumbass!


Photo: California Air Resources Board, Fair Use

Anyway, the way to combat climate change is to increase the use of renewable energy and to decrease the use of fossil fuels. Simple right? The folks hawking solar panels will tell you that's all ya gotta do, that and maybe buy some of Elon Musk's $100,000 Tesla's to drive to your job at McDonald's instead of that 10 year old Toyota Corolla with the bad tires that you have.

Well folks, despite the hype, it ain't gonna happen anytime soon. Here's the real scoop, based on a report from the EIA and a recent article by some folks who believe in renewables and that climate change is real.

Just click on the link:

https://environalysis.blogspot.com/2016/07/will-our-fossil-fuel-addiction-still.html


Thursday, July 14, 2016

ARB rejects VW, Audi, and Porsche recall plans for 3.0 liter diesel emission cheating scandal

ARB just rejected the recall plans submitted by VW, Audi, and Porsche for their 3.0 diesel engines that were part of the infamous emission control cheating scandal. Read more at the following link:

https://environalysis.blogspot.com/2016/07/volkswagenaudiporsche-recall-plans-for.html


Photo: Audi advertising campaign, Fair use

Climate change has changed the clouds too

Apparently, Climate Change or Global Warming or whatever the hell you want to call it, has caused clouds to move from where they used to be to somewhere else. The cloud tops have even gotten higher.

Read the story at the following link for more info:

https://environalysis.blogspot.com/2016/07/clouds-arent-where-they-used-to-be.html


Photo: F. Maccioli

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Climate Change and the Amazon rainforest - a history

If you are one of the brain dead knuckleheads who don't believe anthropogenic climate change is real and happening (duh - that means it's caused by humans!), then you need to view the presentation in the attached link. It's all about the Amazon rainforest and the changes that have been made over the years that have screwed up a lot of things in Brazil and the rest of the world.

(And if you ARE one of the smart people who know climate change is real, you might want to view this as well. It's very well done and informative.


“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rain forest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.” – Chico Mendes, environmentalist and union leader who was murdered by those opposed to his activities.


Photo: Council on Foreign Relations, Fair Use

 Click on the following link to see the entire presentation:


Friday, July 08, 2016

Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to hold climate change advisory workshops


A series of public workshops to obtain input on addressing air pollution and how to help California meet its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals will be held this month across California.

A key goal of the workshops is to engage California residents from low income and minority communities that have historically had the most exposure to air pollution.

More info at the following link:


https://environalysis.blogspot.com/2016/07/environmental-justice-advisory.html



Photo: California Air Resources Board, Fair Use