7 Ways the Koch Bros. Benefit from Corporate Welfare | The New York Observer

7 Ways the Koch Bros. Benefit from Corporate Welfare | The New York Observer: "Charles and David Koch, the secretive billionaire brothers who own Koch Industries, the largest private oil company in America, have spent millions bankrolling free-market think tanks and pro-business politicians in order, as David Koch has put it, 'to minimize the role of government, to maximize the role of private economy and to maximize personal freedoms.' But a closer look at their dealings reveals that for the past 35 years the brothers have never shied away from using government subsidies to maximize their own profits, even while endeavoring to limit government spending on anything else."

Actually, we can’t afford a car — Carfree with Kids

Actually, we can’t afford a car — Carfree with Kids: "We actively choose to live our lives without a car. When our truck died, way back in 2004, we probably could have found enough money to get another one if we’d really wanted to. We wouldn’t have been happy about it, but we could have done it. Really though, we were just happy to see it go.

Since then, our financial situation only improved (what with finishing grad school and actually getting jobs, not amazingly well-paying jobs, but it doesn’t take much to beat grad student pay). We paid off all our debt (well, other than our tiny condo), saved up a nice emergency fund, and bought our house, all in no small part due to our savings from not owning a car. I’ve always assumed we could get a car if we wanted one, but since we don’t, we just enjoy that extra cushion in our cash flow and try our best to save it or put it to good use."

Auto system externalized costs - your precious time

Much talk -- no progress -- fossil fuel still the rule

Analysis: Roaring fossil fuels outpace green energy | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Fossil fuel investments will continue to outstrip low-carbon alternatives this year, darkening a sector struggling to shake off the financial crisis and sagging political momentum on climate change.

Soaring fossil fuel prices, where the European oil benchmark is pushing $100 a barrel, favor oil and coal producers, while falling gas prices have undermined wind power generation especially in the United States.

And the financial crisis has hit capital-intensive renewable energy projects, trimming demand for wind turbines, while the near-term solar future is clouded by cuts in European subsidies."

Letter: Environmental agenda must include transit | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont

Letter: Environmental agenda must include transit | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont: "When talking about energy and environment, transportation must be included in the agenda.

WAYNE MICHAUD
Bristol"

Zero-Fare Canada

Zero-Fare Canada: "While diseased cultural norms have kept the public distracted with shopping and irrelevant corporatized propaganda, the military has been gearing up for years for our upcoming climate wars. Indeed, while well-funded lobbyists engaged the public in a deadly game of 'is global warming real?', this issue was never a matter of dispute within the military and the US Pentagon itself. Within the realm of militarism, climate change and the deadly threats it presents have always been seen as unequivocal and the dangers it presents are viewed as unparalleled in magnitude."

New director of ShuttleBus sees ridership picking up | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

New director of ShuttleBus sees ridership picking up | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram: "BIDDEFORD - As the average price of gas in Maine tops $3 per gallon, people look for ways to leave their cars at home and, naturally, ridership on local transit lines tends to increase.

Al Schutz has seen the trend before, and as the new executive director of ShuttleBus, he anticipates seeing it again.

'When gas hit $4 a gallon, my ridership spiked 22 percent in Gloversville, (N.Y.),' Schutz said."