How much influence do any of us really feel in national or even state politics? What can we do about the dysfunction we witness? It's easy to feel hopeless with our political system but we do what we can.

Our energy needs seem to put us in a similar boat: we're at the mercy of what the corporate world wants to sell to us, and they set the prices. But in terms of energy, we actually can make individual choices that give us much more liberty, or even complete independence, even without the support of industry and politics.

The price of oil has dropped rapidly in recent weeks. What's going on? And what do falling oil prices tell us about whether the world has passed its peak in oil production?

The short answer to what's going on is that it could well be random variation in a long-term trend of rising prices. And yes, volatile oil markets are exactly what we'd expect when global oil production has passed its peak.

Let's begin by looking at the fundamentals of supply and demand.

By Jane Dwinell

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a really small space with just the basics? Ever wonder what it would be like to do this with your sweetheart? Could you stand to be together in such tight quarters, doing all the activities of daily living along with all the fun things you enjoy? Well, if you have a hobby that takes up a lot of space or needs tons of equipment (or you don't want to be that close with your loved one), living in 250 square feet may not be for you. But it is for me.

For those who want to know what happened to South Ossetia, read on. Otherwise, go to the main stream (and alternative) media.
See Brzezinski's puppets run. See Brzezinski's puppets scurry. See Obama follow the charge to demonize Brzezinski's old enemy. But, you say, the Soviet Union is no more!! Not to worry, say the New York Times, Bush, McCain and Obama. It's evil old Russia! THE NEW ENEMY!!!

Not Invented Here: What Vermont Can Learn from Northern Europe
(And how many small businesses could benefit)

Ralph Meima

On August 8th the military of the Republic of Georgia decided to celebrate the opening of the Olympics by attacking citizens of South Ossetia, a small section of the nation with a different language and culture, most of whose residents would like to reunite with North Ossetia. The "pro-Western" Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has been excusing his murderous attacks using Lincolnesque language and worse...

Read the New York Times story.

I might have used the word "entrepreneurialism" in the title.

But then, that isn't in keeping with larger national stereotypes about Vermont, is it?

8/6/08

THE EXPENSE OF FREE SPEECH
By
Richard Davis
GUILFORD-. Last week a case played out in Federal Court in Brattleboro that revolved around the free speech rights of the pharmaceutical industry. The big boys are crying foul and saying that a new Vermont law, Act 80, will drive up drug prices and stifle innovation. It’s hard to have a lot of sympathy for an industry that is perhaps the most profitable on the planet (neck and neck with the oil companies), an industry that profits from the sickest and most vulnerable people in our society.

While lots of people seem to be whining about high fuel prices (did you know that gas was $4/gallon in Europe in 2001?), Vermonters are getting smarter about their energy use. We can easily cut our energy costs in HALF by being less wasteful. Taking action in our personal lives is a good place to start. Even our U.S. Congress is paying attention to the "Carbon Shredders," a Vermont group that is trying to help people measure and reduce their energy costs.

The following floor statement was made on August 1 by Vermont Congressman Peter Welch.

What is madness but nobility of soul
At odds with circumstance

~Theodore Roethke "In a Dark Time"~