Stars n Moons 7/11/07

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

By PJH Staff

Maybe a start
It sure is impressive that 2 billion people could be gathered together on seven continents (six if you don’t count Antarctica) for concerts to raise awareness about global climate change. I have no doubt that the global stunt did at least a little something to shift perceptions about the crisis and to educate people about what we all can do to avert disaster. So, overall, I’ve got to give Live Earth a big bright star.

But with some reservations. If you really think you’re doing your part by watching a concert on TV or texting “shop” or even buying a Prius, you are fooling yourself. The solution to global climate change – not to mention the West’s poor relations with much of the rest of the world, our pitifully sagging performance in math, science, literacy and virtually every other educational standard, and a host of other social woes – is simple: Kill your goddamned television, stop buying so much crap, and read at least a book a month.

— Richard Anderson

Hating haters
Today, I hate haters. It seems as though everywhere you go in town, there is someone hating one thing or another for no apparent reason. “My Thai food isn’t spicy enough. This beer is too warm. It’s too sunny. That guy’s outfit is whack. My ice is crushed and not cubed. This song sucks. The water level is too low. I hate tourists.”

Well today, I hate you, haters. Why must you always have the last word? Take a look around, realize where you are, and shut up. Everyone: do yourselves a favor and keep your negative comments to yourself and try a grin on for a change.

— Lucille Rice

…And the living is easy
Summertime in Jackson Hole is good. Sure, days of unrelenting sunshine can occasionally erode away one’s constitution, but it’s nothing a trip to a favorite swimming hole can’t remedy (besides, it’s a dry heat). And Jackson has really been stepping it up on the cultural events of late.

A couple of weeks ago, a lucky few dozen got to see Japanese drumming and fife playing atop Snow King Mountain. Last Friday saw a wine and beer open house at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary gallery, where the good people of Jackson Hole took in modern sculpture, painting and even a performance piece that mixed Victorian dress with avant-garde sensibility.

The following day, Bondurant hosted a poker ride where some real cowboys rode horses, drank Bud and picked at a whole smoked pig. Keep givin’ ‘er, Jackson Hole.  Keep givin’ ‘er.

— Ben Cannon


Bush administration still evil
During the 2004 Republican convention, President Bush said, “America’s children must also have a healthy start in life.” He said, “In a new term, we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for government health insurance programs. We will not allow a lack of attention, or information, to stand between these children and the health care they need.”

Pfff.

Right now, the Senate Finance and House Energy and Commerce Committees has began its work to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which expires on Sept. 30. Standing in the way is the Bush administration, which no longer supports the successful program and has proposed a budget that would result in cutbacks in children’s health coverage.

“The Administration is also engaging in rhetorical attacks about SCHIP,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA in a statement. “These attacks — which absurdly suggest that covering low-income kids constitutes a government takeover of health care —are now the Administration’s smokescreen for inaction.”

Aside from the Bush administration spinning things as usual, hopefully the bipartisan SCHIP will live on and continue to help children in need.

— Sam Petri
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Stars n Moons 7/11/07 | Planet JH News Article: Stars & Moons

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