James Cameron Tours Alberta, Canada Oil Sands Site

Hollywood filmmaker believes Alberta's oilsands are a gift that could become a curse.

Cameron at a press conference on Wednesday in Alberta:

"It will be a curse if it's not managed properly. It can also be a great gift to Canada and to Alberta. I'm pragmatic enough to understand the powerful economic forces that are driving this development.

James Cameron touring oil sands site

Cameron's two-day visit to northeast Alberta, which included aerial and ground tours of oilsands sites and a visit to the Fort Chipewyan aboriginal community, familiarized him with the complex issues in the region. Cameron's initial view of the massive open-pit mines and tailings ponds was of a "horrific" blemish on the natural beauty of the forest. But he later found some hope in talking with oilsands experts that new technology and improved research could improve the industry's environmental footprint. Cameron acknowledged industry's work to start reclaiming some of the disturbed lands, but suggested questions remain about the feasibility of fully cleaning up tailings ponds, industry's commitment to funding such long-term projects and government regulations to ensure they get done properly. And he recommended a moratorium on development on open-pit mines until some greener technology is developed.

Cameron's biggest concern was for the aboriginal people living downstream from the oilsands, many of whom have expressed worry about pollutants damaging the river and wildlife they depend on to survive. Cameron a study about the environmental effects on people downstream to be inconclusive simply because the people in Fort Chipewyan are afraid to drink their own water, they are afraid to eat the fish and they are afraid to let their kids swim in the river.

It had been reported that Cameron had agreed to help First Nation communities in the Fort Chipewyan area with legal action against the government, but the director backed away from that position. Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation hopes Cameron's commitment includes assistance with a legal fight, but noted:

"Maybe he's backed away a bit, but we clearly understood what he said (Tuesday), because I've got it written down on paper. That's why I had my assistants sitting there taking notes. I made sure I covered my end."

The Center supports utilizing nuclear power as the heat source for producing oil from oil sands at Canadian sites to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  We agree with James Cameron that the open pits mines should be better managed or should not developed. First Nation communities and residents should demand percentage ownership and profits from the tarsand operations.  The Canadian government and the tarsand developers should provide ownership and profit sharing to First nation residents. (Edmonton Journal, 9/30/2010)

Environment Man To Play Gig at Stewart - Colbert Rally?

Comedy Central, which is owned by Viacom, will stage a National Mall Rally on October 30, that will feature both its late-night hosts, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. "The Daily Show's" Stewart announced on his show that his Rally to Restore Sanity, a.k.a. a Million Moderate March is:

"a rally for the people who've been too busy to go to rallies, who actually have lives and families and jobs (or are looking for jobs), not so much the Silent Majority as the Busy Majority."

Stephen Colbert counters:

"On October 30, 2010, I am calling for the nation to join me on the Washington Mall for the March to Keep Fear Alive. Shame on you, Jon Stewart -- America cannot afford a rally to restore sanity in the middle of a recession. . . . Did you even consider how many panic-related jobs that might cost most of us in the fear-industrial complex?"

Although the permit has not yet been issued, there aren't any hugely outstanding issues that would prevent or bar the signing of a permit. Although both Stewart and Colbert mentioned the Mall in their announcements, the permit application is for the north side of the Washington Monument grounds -- which does not include the Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool or what is known as the Mall. Of course, that would put the White House in the background of the rally.

Eman
Although not yet confirmed, it is rumored that Environment Man's agent is in negotiations for him to play his 3-song set at the rally. Eman's three-song set includes:

1) "Mother Nature: You Were Always On My Mind,"

2) "Lisa Jackson," and

3) "Global Warming/Climate Change."

(Wash Post, 9/18/2010)

Environment Man Performs "Lisa Jackson"

By Holly Wood





Our very own Eman has done it again and has written, performed and produced a great song about U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. Environment Man was joined in performing the tune by the international cult keyboardist & vocalist Dax.

Lyrics

Lisa's the administrator of the EPA
She's the top cop for Earth Day
Lisa is so smart and Lisa is cute
Pollution is her enemy and she is not mute

[Chorus: Lisa Jackson]

Lisa knows what to do for Super Fund
She loves Mother Nature and has polluters on the run
Lisa is so sweet but is sometimes sour
Cause she's the top cop with green power

[Chorus: Lisa Jackson]

Lisa is so sweet, but so intense
She's on the environmental beat with no pretense
Lisa is the administrator of the EPA
And she's gonna protect the Earth until her dying day

[Chorus: Lisa Jackson]

U.S. Military Spends $500 Million on Bands

By Korben Dallas

Our Defense Department spends about half a billion dollars a year on bands. Go figure. I appreciate music as much as the next guy, but isn't that a little bit much? The Marine Corps spent $50 million last year on its military bands. The Army spends about $195 million a year on its bands. (Wash Post, 9/6/2010)

TEN COMMANDMENTS: EBONICS STYLE

Try this for those who don't understand the King James Version:

1. I'm God. Don't play me.

(I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any other gods before me.)

2. Don't be makin no hood ornaments and charms outta me, or like me.

(Thou shalt not have any graven images)

3. Don't be callin' me for no reason.

(Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain)

4. Y'all betta be in church on Sunday, and not just the Sundays when it's Mother's day, Easter and Christmas.

(Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy)

5. Don't dis or cuss out yo momma... and if you know who ya daddy is, don't dis him neither.

(Honor thy father and thy mother)

6. Don't be goin' on no drive bys.

(Thou shalt not kill)

7. Stick to ya own Boo.

(Thou shalt not commit adultery)

8. Don't be borrow'n stuff and don't give it back.

(Thou shalt not steal)

9. Don't be lyin' on the otha' man to save your behind.

(Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy brother)

10. Don't be eyein' (skeeming) yo homie's crib, ride, woman, or nuttin.

(Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy neighbor.)

Will Oprah Pick McDonald Autobiography for Her Book Club

By Holly Wood

Norris McDonald

The first week of the final season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will include a selection for Oprah's Book Club. Winfrey will announce her 64th and latest pick during a live episode airing on Sept. 17. That would be 14 years to the day that Winfrey announced her first book club selection — Jacquelyn Mitchard's "The Deep End of the Ocean" — on Sept. 17, 1996.

Rumor has it that Oprah could pick "Diary Of An Environmentalist: Norris McDonald Autobiography." Who knows? Stranger things have happened.

Winfrey's book club choices have vaulted to best-seller lists and instant fame. Her last choice was author Uwem Akpan's short story collection "Say You're One Of Them." "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is set to premiere its 25th and final season on Sept. 13, 2010. (MSNBC, 9/3/2010)