9.  Inconsistent foreign policy with respect to non-democratic and autocratic regimes. We trade and honor China, and yet Cuba is embargoed. We embargo Iran, even though they have (theoretically free) elections and arguably the most liberal human rights policies in the region, while supporting the authoritarian, non-democratic regimes of Saudi Arabia and others (where the hijackers of 9/11 originated, by the way).

8. The Constitution and our civilian justice system are designed to protect the rights of American citizens — not foreign national terrorists — who should unquestionably be classified as enemy combatants.  By giving some terrorists civilian trials, we are invalidating military tribunals, which exist to provide a legal process for terrorist enemy combatants.

7. We advocate around the world for transparent government that’s free of corruption, and where different parties have a voice in the lawmaking process. Yet, the Democrats are drafting monumental healthcare legislation behind closed doors in secret, and plain old bribery is rampant.  Include Republicans, let the cameras in, publish drafts of bills on the Internet, and let’s show the world we mean what we say.

6. Through the State Department, the World Bank, the WTO, and the IMF, we advocate (and mandate) responsible fiscal and monetary policy. Yet, America has totally unsustainable debt levels that we are only able to currently get away with because the dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency. Artificially low interest rates have had a significant role in creating huge asset bubbles that have threatened the collapse of the capitalist system.

5. Our law enforcement profiles everyday in support of justice, and sometimes innocent people are questioned in pursuit of justice.  Yet, political correctness inhibits the use of profiling in airports.  It’s just an observation that most people who support affirmative action also oppose profiling for security purposes,  even when hundreds and thousands of innocent lives are at stake. So, is profiling a good thing or a bad thing?

4. We believe in and promote the capabilities of the free market to produce world-changing innovation. Yet, the government is undermining, rather than supporting innovation, with its failing public education system, unnecessary meddling and high taxes. When the government intrudes into free markets, it creates unfair disparities and an unpredictable business environment that subverts sustainable and innovative business development. For instance, one year there are tax breaks for battery powered vehicles, and solar electricity installations, and the following year there are not. And, tax breaks for lithium ion gives battery tech an unfair advantage over hydrogen development, or other technologies, for instance. Also, billions of dollars will go to incumbent health information technology players that have archaic systems, which gives them an unfair advantage over smaller, less politically powerful upstarts that have superior solutions.  Government-assisted research and development should be directed to technologies that may be too risky for private investment, but would have a huge public benefit payoff if a breakthrough is achieved.

3. We expect emerging economies to have progressive environmental policy, when America and much of the West built their prosperity with zero regard for the environment. Republicans need to embrace their heritage as the party that founded the political environmental movement. Teddy Roosevelt established the national parks. And, Nixon established the cabinet-level Environmental Quality Council and the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality, which preceded the establishment of the EPA. Protecting the environment should not be a controversial issue, so let’s develop common sense solutions.  Clean air and water and resource preservation have universal benefits.

2. We say we don’t tolerate genocide, and yet allow it in Rwanda, Sudan and elsewhere.  We can defend freedom and protect the dignity of life, without dropping bombs and killing innocent lives by setting up safe zones. We should be willing to protect and preserve any person that wishes to have freedom and safety. That would be truly respecting the sanctity of life.

1. We need to admit that our values of freedom and equality are supreme, and this justifies a proactive foreign policy in support of our ideals. George Washington and the American Revolutionaries are heroes, even though their methods resembled “terrorist acts” in the eyes of the “Red Coat Marching in Formation Army” of Great Britain, because they were fighting for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Abraham Lincoln is a hero, even though he used violence to suppress an internal revolt (as Saddam Hussein and other dictators have done), because he stood for liberty and freedom for all. There is quite simply just war and non-just war.

seems like there’s a lot of energy that can be captured from a moving car besides the current braking hybrid generators, including having turbines integrated into wheels, and low-drag wind turbines.

I believe that the government can have an important role in fostering innovation through investment, but not sure this government investment makes sense (announced yesterday). Isn’t it putting the cart before the horse? It seems to me the bigger problem is not having cheap, renewable energy.  If we can figure that out (and we’re getting closer every day), and consumers have the capability to power their cars with an energy source that’s cheaper than gas, the consumers are going to demand electric cars (or maybe hydrogen fuel cell cars are better…), and no tax payer money would be needed for their development.

Thought this booklet in the New York Times yesterday was a pretty good advertisment. It loooks like a public service informational booklet about the environment, and includes blurbs about health, education, connectivity etc. but it’s really an ad for the Prius, if you look carefully. Blended with other information about the environment, there is information about the green credentials of the Prius, including that 85% of the raw materials to build the car are recyclable (except for those pesky toxic batteries, of course).

If Toyota is really so altruistic, maybe they should place into the public domain, the thousands of patents it has on efficient engine and hybrid technology!

Also, I saw this today – some flowers attached to the antenna of a Prius. That’s Harmony.

Designed by Alastair Callender, an aesthetically beautiful and eco responsible yacht… check out this video!

more info here.

very clever – link here.

the mission of the Institute is to enable the building of ocean communities, to experiment with innovative political and social systems…

they just had a contest, to envision what life offshore would be like.

These cities would be great for my refugee idea…

For more details, click here for source (fast company).

I’ve seen the biodegradable corn-based plastic alternative cups, which have the same strength characteristics as plastic but fully biodegrade within a couple months.

You can also get food containers etc. – check out the source here.

The amount of waste we generate is unbelievable – particularly packaging waste from food products – how long will it take to stop using petroleum-based plastic packaging?

Corn should be used for food – one might say?

Build urban farms!  Check out these plans by the Hantz Group to revitalize Detroit by building huge urban farms on abandoned and vacant property.

And this concept for NYC.

[previous sharkride post on urban farming from September, 2007 here.]

I love concept videos!  This is cool!