Tip of the week #36

Rifts (X2)

1. Clinton - Obama Gas Rift:

Political watchdogs are all gaga over a widening philological rift that has recently developed between Democratic Political candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton near the end of their campaign trail.

In a campaign between two Democrats who seldom disagree much on big issues, the gas tax debate is both ridiculous and refreshing.

Ms Clinton has proposed her solution for rolling back today's skyrocketing fuel prices -- a federal gas tax holiday.

And from the other camp, Obama quickly countered that Clinton's plan was a "bogus gimmick!"

Savvy political insiders know that Hillary's proposal is ridiculous and hasn't got a prayer of succeeding. Why? Because:

· no Democratic leaders in Congress have signed on to her idea

· nobody thinks President Bush would let an idea like that ever become law

So, why would someone as smart a player as Hillary Rodham Clinton suggest a federal gas tax holiday in the first place?

She's shameless pandering, say-anything, do-anything-to-win candidate. Quite simply,

Hillary is desperate.

Obama, has quickly jumped on Clinton's gas tax proposal. He says it's just the sort of phony Washington approach he wants to change.

Now here's my take.

Everyone knows that the price of gas is through the roof with virtually no hope ever heading south again. This is a reality and it seems to me that these two Democratic Presidential Candidates should be able to come up with a better suggestion than "tax holiday" as a solution to our energy woes.

What our country needs desperately right now is another JFK. His charisma, leadership and vision ignited our imagination and unified our efforts with a clearly stated common goal -- to put Americans on the moon and returning them safely back home within a decade.

Alternative energy could be one of today's common goals.

Global warming, escalating gas prices and now skyrocketing food prices -- the global demand for energy is the underlying cause.

So, please Hillary and Barack, show some real leadership!

Don't insult our intelligence - have some balls - offer up real suggestions for solving this countries and the world's energy crisis. Suggestions that once again ignite our collective imagination and unify our spirit to work toward a common goal.

Your challenge, Hillary and Barack, is to come up with an idea that ranks right up there with the once seeming impossible notion of landing a man on the moon.

2. Outdoor Oven Rift:

A story that appeared recently in the pages of the Orlando (Fl) Sentinel caught my attention. It was yet another common story about a disagreement between a resident and his homeowners association. However, for me, this story hit pretty close to home.

An east Orange County man has chosen to hide behind a law designed to encourage modern, energy-saving devices to save his old-world, backyard pizza oven. And the reason this story interest me is because I'm also planning to build one of those ovens in my back yard.

The homeowners association told Gary Dobbs his oven had to go because it breaks homeowners association rules about accessory structures. Dobbs fired back that his oven is an energy-saving device. He uses leftover wood from his son's lawn-care company to fuel the oven. He says he also saves energy by not using his conventional oven.

The energy law doesn't mention ovens, but Marguerite Jordan, a spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed that a wood-burning stove "is an example of a renewable energy technology."

The law also doesn't waive Dobis' need to seek permission for the structure, said Colleen Kettles, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation. The association can't say no, but can impose restrictions on where the structure is built or how it looks, Kettles said.

What's the Point?

The fact of the matter is -- outdoor ovens similar to the one built in Mr. Dobbs backyard are as commonplace in Italian backyards as Bar-b-que grills are here in America. Matter-of-fact, Dobis' friends from Italy built him the oven during a visit a few years ago. The stucco exterior matches his house, and it is built to hurricane standards. They knew he would appreciate the gift, having been stationed in Naples 20 years ago in the Navy.

My suggestion to Mr. Dobbs is he invites his association president and his neighbors over for a pizza party. Nothing can make his case to save his oven better than the taste of a piping hot piece of wood-fired brick oven Pizza Napoliana!

And I'm serious about that suggestion. Because, you see, there's a movement that has been growing in popularity in recent years and spreading all around the world.

The movement is called "Slow food"

The branch of this international movement here in America is Slow Food USA.

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/about/index.html

Slow Food USA envisions a future food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice -- in essence, a food system that is Good, Clean and Fair.

· Good: Naturally delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals.

· Clean: Grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on ecosystems and biodiversity.

· Fair: Produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

Slow Food USA is working hard to catalyze a broad cultural shift away from the destructive effects of an industrial food system and fast life; toward the regenerative cultural, social and economic benefits of a sustainable food system, regional food traditions, the pleasures of the table, and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.

In reality Mr. Dobbs' backyard pizza oven is the perfect vehicle for bringing the members of his community closer together.

I really hope he takes my advice.

The big picture

Both of these rifts are examples of failing to see the forest for the trees. We must all start thinking about the impact we as individuals have on the system as a whole.

In the case of gas prices -- don't waste time worrying about short-term problems like price -- rather concentrate our energies and resources and work toward finding a viable and sustainable solution to our energy needs. A solution that would eliminate our worlds dependency on fossil fuels -- once and for all.

And I'd be willing to bet that the ideas would flow like Merlot into a friends goblet while enjoying slow food and stimulating conversation during a leisurely dinner with your neighbors.

Till next week!