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Flooded Coastlines

Written by Sarah Kitteringham Wednesday, 09 March 2011 20:51

This morning the BBC reported "Polar ice loss quickens, raising seas". Apparently, ice loss from Antarctica and Greenland has accelerated and Earth is losing about 3 mm of coast per year. While this seems a minuscule amount annually, it will add up. If this loss of land mass continues at the present rate, in 8-9 years we will have lost an inch of land. And in just over 300 years, we will have lost one meter. Despite this being a reality far enough away that none of us will live to see, it creates vast issues for future generations both in terms of population demographics and monetarily.

It's irrelevant whether you believe in global warming or not. The fact remains that nations worldwide will lose landmass in the upcoming years. What makes this so disturbing is the population concentration. As reported in Scientific American, "200 million people live within one meter above the present sea level, including eight out of 10 of the world's largest cities and all the megacities of the developing world." It goes on to report the sea level will eventually rise "by at least 65 meters." However, that first meter alone will result in $944 billion in loses to the world's Gross Domestic Product.

We've all been beaten to death with claims over global warming, and we're all encouraged to change our ways so we can prevent the catastrophic changes. Perhaps the ice loses are caused by natural fluctuations in the earth's mean temperature, then again, maybe not. Regardless of what you choose to believe, you can do nothing, make simple changes, or make significant changes and encourage others to do the same. For those in the hopeful boat, there is a plethora of things one can do to reduce their environmental footprint. From eating locally, taking transit, recycling, using incandescent light bulbs and a clothesline, reducing your waste, reusing more ... the list goes on. For those who don't care, there's no changing your mind, so I won't even bother trying.

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Web 2.0 in the trailor park

Calgary20 Blog - News

Written by Gordon Williamson Tuesday, 08 March 2011 20:10

The Dirty.com fulfills a unique spot on the net. It’s all about gossip, but unlike TMZ, it’s user submitted. It’s like crusty citizen journalism for the trashy people who walk among us. And lets face it, there's a little bit of trash in us all.

This site is owned and managed by Nik Richie out of Scotsdale Arizona. He is currently married to Shayne Lamas, a Season 12 winner from The Bachelor.

You can read about people in almost every major city in North America, even Calgary. Giddy up cowboy. You can even check out the scuzzyness of various US colleges.

Instead of the latest dirt on John Mayer, you get to read about local bar stars and the latest about that poor girl with daddy issues – complete with pictures.

Wow, so this is what happens when the trailer park gets broadband access. Now we know who doesn’t pay child support, and who has herpes – all from anonymous sources.

That’s the worst part; people can hide behind this mask of anonymity and take you down, destroying your reputation.

That’s nothing new of course, but now there’s a concentrated venue that thrives on it.

On the flip side, maybe people will be watching their backs more closely, for fear that their slutty escapades will be displayed for all to enjoy.

The site could serve a unique function of social control. It’s within human nature to do crazy things when they think no one’s watching. The fear of humiliation keeps a lot of people in line with social norms.

This site is takes human beings, and lowers them to their most primal level. Almost like monkeys throwing crap at each other, big steaming loads of crap.

Check it out for yourself.

I wonder about the people who are being ripped to shreds handle it.

Wait a minute; I think somebody at Calgary20 should write a story about this. Well, guess what? It’s coming.

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Former MADD president arrested for DUI

Calgary20 Blog - News

Written by Kimberly Wright Monday, 07 March 2011 23:21

Debra Oberlin, the former president of a chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), was arrested for drunk driving on February 18, 2011.

Even though the arrest was a couple weeks ago, it keeps on popping up in my mind every couple days.

I think it’s the hypocrisy that gets to me. How on EARTH can a woman who was once a part of the most outspoken anti-drinking and driving organization have fallen this far from grace?

I know, I know – we all make mistakes and no one’s perfect, but COME ON!

The 48-year-old was pulled over in Florida, and after having difficulty with the field sobriety test, Oberlin was given the breathalyser test blowing a .234 and .239 – nearly three times Florida’s legal limit.

I have to wonder, what happened to her for her to have gone this far from the organization she was once the president of? Maybe that’s why she is the former president?

Perhaps the fact that the chapter of MADD she was once president of no longer exists has something to do with her drinking?

This also changes the way that I think of MADD as a whole.

I used to look at MADD and think that the women that it comprises would never drink. That they spent all their free time dreaming up anti-drinking and driving commercials and ways to get their voices heard. But it’s official, my illusions have been shattered.

Now, I remember that some of these women have experienced the tragedy of losing loved ones to drinking and driving, and sometimes alcohol is the best kind of medication to numb the pain of such a loss.

Or maybe it’s the economy? Are people drinking to numb the pain or anxiety that such an intense drop in the economy brings? Who knows?

Whatever the reason, if you are/were a president of MADD, don’t tarnish what your organization has worked for to save yourself the cost of a cab.