Global Warming

Today began the international conference in Copenhagen on climate change. There will be debates on Global warming, carbon emissions and who needs to make the biggest sacrifices to keep the world stable.

Saturday Baltimore had its first winter snow of more than three inches. days like that make me question global warming as well.

Then I remembered that a friend of ours sent us pictures of Nova Olinda do Norte, Amazonas, the town where I met my wife, in September when the floods hit. This was the highest the river has gotten into the town in more than twenty years, making many fear that the snows from the Andes are coming down the Rio Madeira in bigger volume than in the past.

When you look at the pictures and see the destruction remember that this could be a scene of many places if Global Warming continues.

Should Industrial Nations Pay to protect the Amazon Rain Forest?

While most Americans were enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that "gringos" should pay the nations that contain the Amazon rain forest to prevent deforestation. He insisted the rich Western nations caused more environmental destruction in the past than the Brazilian loggers and farmers who cut and burn trees in the world's largest tropical rain forest.

In anticipation of the upcoming Copenhagen climate summit, beginning December 7, 2009, President da Silva invited the seven leaders of the nations containing the Amazon Rain Forest to a summit in Manaus, Amazonas. The delegates signed a declaration calling for financial help from the industrial world to halt the deforestation that causes global warming.

Regrettably, the only leaders attending the summit were Guyana's Bharrat Jagdeo and France's Nicolas Sarkozy, representing French Guiana. Peru and Ecuador sent vice presidents or ministers. To President da Silva's embarrassment both the presidents of Columbia and Venezuela cancelled at the last minute.

One positive item to come out of the Amazon Summit was Sarkozy supporting a proposal by da Silva for the creation of a financial transaction tax to build a fund to help developing nations protect their forests.

This and other plans will be discussed in Copenhagen.

It will be interesting to see how the industrial world reacts to the proposal and what counter proposals will be placed on the floor.

The future of the Amazon rain forest and the oxygen it produces is of vast importance to all of us who walk Mother Earth. Let us hope that the world's representatives will keep that in the fore front when they meet beginning next week.

Dams will Effect Amazonas

As Brazil continues its march to become a world leader, the desire to modernize the country could end up having some unforeseen, or at least poorly thought out results.

Currently there are projects underway to build a dam on the Xingu River in Amazonas, and two dams on the upper Madeira River. The dams on the Madeira would be in the state of Rondonia and in Bolivia but the effect will be felt down on the Amazon because the Maderia is the principal tributary of the Amazon River.

I lived along the Madeira River for several years in the town of Nova Olinda do Norte. I traveled by boat from where it empties into the Amazon and I have been to the navigable river end in Porto Velho, Rondonio.

Those who live along its banks are accustomed to it during the flood season and when its banks drop during the dry time. The same is true of those who reside along the Xingu River.

Dams that will change the flow of the rivers could have negative effects both on the humans and wildlife that depend on the rivers for their survival.

Let us hope that the legislators in Manaus and Brazilia begin listening to the ecologists, naturalists and the citizens of the rivers before they follow through with these projects.

Modernization is fine, as long as we do not destroy an important part of us in the process.

Americans heading to Brazil for work

Who would have thought that the American labor force would be part of an invasion heading south?

The truth is Brazil is reaching out for skilled laborers, technicians, scientists and any others who can assist them in getting ready for the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games. Though in the near future there is a lot of work to be done and with venues scattered across the country the Brazilian government wants to move swiftly and steadily with its preparations, which means bringing in outside help.

It will be interesting how many of the foreign work force decide to stay in Brazil after their immediate task is completed, rather than return to the USA.

Perhaps this is the beginning of a new migration trend.

It will be interesting to watch.

World Cup 2014 (Copa do Mundo 2014)

The World Cup (Copa do Mundo) comes to Brazil in 2014. (I know its South Africa for 2010 but we're really excited about Brazil in 2014.)

One piece of news that is great is that some of the matches will be played in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas. In preparation, the city is already planning to take down the old stadium and construct a new, modern one for this world class event.

In addition, means of transportation, subways, better roads, buses and possibly a monorail are all in the works.

2014 will be an excellent year to make your visit to Amazonas. You'll be able to see world class soccer (or futebol to the locals) and then have a chance to see the natural wonders that make Amazonas the wonder of the world that it is.

We will have updates, hopefully with pictures of the stadium and other upgrades as they become available.

Start making plans now, while the price is right!

CIA Torture investigation?

Recently Leon Panetta, current director the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), reported that he had been informed that after 9/11 then Vice-President Dick Cheney had instructed CIA personnel not to inform Congress of any activities they were undertaking, especially in the areas of torture and eavesdropping.

Amazingly, Mister Cheney, who has been so visible & talkative lately, is not available for comment.

Following that theme, of possible wrong doing by the CIA while receiving orders from the Bush Administration (Dick Cheney), Attorney General Eric Holder is considering naming a special prosecutor to see look into the allegations and take necessary actions, if it is proven the CIA overstepped their bounds.

Interestingly enough, the Obama Administration would prefer that Holder let sleeping dogs lie, which raises some interesting questions. Such as, was Congress as ignorant about CIA actions as they have pretended? Did then Senator Obama, along with the majority of his colleagues give silent approval, but following that old tradition of asking no questions and hearing no lies?

I think if an investigation is allowed, we will find there is a lot more lies and dirt than anyone suspected. All parties are going to be found complicit in what occurred, either actively or silently. However, guilty is guilty and many heads could role.

It will be interesting to see if Holder proceeds or backs down.

Will the truth win out, or will it be business as usual?

Keep watch.

Its Common Sense!

Web Site

There have not been any entries lately because we are in the process of constructing a web site. Once it is completed we will send out updates.

Thanks for your patience.