Green and Stuff

So in my new, ongoing effort to share some news and stuff about the environment, here are a few things that I stumbled upon.

Free-Range Jello: There was an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times titled "I'll Have the Free-range Jello" by Charlotte Allen. Cute title, but really pathetic and sad article. The author talks about the "greening of the Capitol." The cafeteria in the Longworth Office Building on the Hill has apparently changed up its menu to provide more eco-friendly fare. This seems to have provided much amusement and fodder for the author of the opinion piece. She indulges in the excessive use of scare quotes around such words as organic, cage-free, fair trade, and sustainable. Scare quotes are generally used for terms that are nonstandard or ironic. Apparently the author takes delight in thinking of these things as ironic, when in fact they are quite real. The Longworth cafeteria seems to offer healthier options for diners when traditionally they served old favorites like meatloaf, fried chicken, burgers, and mac and cheese. Now, anyone who knows me well knows that I love these foods too. Sometimes a girl wants a good, juicy cheeseburger every now and then. I'm not going to be a hypocrite here. But I would also recognize the benefits of the healthier options of the Longworth cafeteria that are good both for me and the planet. With rising obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, you think that this kind of cafeteria would be a good step in the right direction to solving a lot of connected problems. The author of the piece, though, seems to dismiss it as some kind of trend. After brushing off eco-friendly paper products and utensils, she goes on to make even more light of the recycling stations at the cafeteria. Because, recycling after all is a senseless waste of time. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. This woman is obviously a Republican given her repeated stabs at Democrats, and she closes her article by saying that the Democrats are merely a party of the elite and trendy. Elite? Sweetheart, have you looked at the Republican party lately? Are they not elite? Fortunately I read her article online. Had I received the actual newspaper, I would have to send her to recycling!

Six Degrees: There was a great documentary on the National Geographic Channel tonight called Six Degrees Could Change the World. It discussed the different effects of global warming and climate change and what would happen to the Earth if the average temperature rose by six degrees. It was an excellent show. However, I have some advice for the National Geographic Channel. If you're going to show a documentary about global warming and climate change, you might not want to keep running commercials for the new Hummer.

Current mood: relaxed
Current music: Beth Waters. Beth Waters
Current drink: milk. It does a body good...and it's organic!!