Jane Fonda's Visit to Alberta

Last week, actress Jane Fonda came to Alberta to tell us how to manage our petroleum resources!  She said flying over the oil sands extraction areas made her physically ill.  She told us to stop this terrible industry, right now!

I wonder how much actual research she did on the problems of oil extraction in the Athabasca Oil Sands.  Did she base her comments on strong scientific evidence?  What qualifications does she have to tell us what to do?  I personally don't think she has any right to come here from California (which isn't known for it's pollution free environment) in a private jet fueled by petroleum products to tell us we're all going to heck for what we're doing to the environment! 

I have doubts that she understands the situation!

Wasn't it Jane Fonda who went to North Viet Nam during the war, sat in an anti-aircraft gun and pretended to shoot and kill American airmen?  My case rests!

Tired of Climate Leadership Plan Ads

I'm totally sick and tired of those Government of Alberta adds on TV touting the wonderfulness and the benefits of our new carbon levy and the Climate Leadership Plan.  I don't know if they're trying to convince us or them!  I also find them somewhat insulting!

I've worked hard and paid taxes since I was about seventeen.  I figure that I've earned a few comforts in my life.

Instead, I'm being asked to drive less, turn my thermostat down, shower in cooler water, buy expensive local groceries, pay more for less recreational facilities, and pay more for doing all those things!  Yes the world has to lower its carbon footprint, but are we going about it the right way?

I'll just be glad when the Alberta Government runs out of our money, and can't afford these commercials any more!

Welcome to Eden Valley, Minnesota!

Photo by Elvis & Donna Chow, via Facebook

Beiseker is now acting the role of Eden Valley as they film (or tape, or whatever they do nowadays) the upcoming third season of FX Networks' award-winning TV show, Fargo.  Some changes have been made to our Main Street as it's made up to look like the show's setting of a small mid-western town in North Dakota.

I haven't been 'round to see the production crew at work, yet, but I see the evidence of their labors all around.

 

I am very pleased that parts of Fargo are being shot here!  For me, it's just one more way to show everyone that Beiseker is here, we're friendly and we're open for business!  See you on TV!

Volcanoes and the Carbon Levy

Boy, did I ever kick up some dust with that comment about carbon dioxide and volcanoes in my last blog!  

I stand by what I said!  There are scientists who agree with me and probably an equal or greater number of scientists who say I'm full of it!  And they don't mean CO2!  The argument is something akin to arguing who left the barn door open after the horse escaped.  

In my opinion, the truth of it is that the carbon levy will do nothing for the environment.  It will however, make friends for our Premier in some circles, so she can push for the pipelines!  Maybe that's a good thing!  And even if the new tax did work, the affect on overall carbon dioxide levels in the earth's atmosphere would be negligible at best!

Ah well, I guess the Premier can say that she tried!

Happy New Year!

Here we are on the second day of 2017!  How's it going for you so far? 

As of yesterday morning we've all started paying the NDP carbon levy.  According to my unscientific calculations, it could cost us living in rural Alberta over $100 a month extra!  I'm looking forward to applying for the rebate.  I expect that most rural Albertans will be eligible for a full rebate, after all we do not have the luxury of public transit and services "around the corner"!  We have to use our vehicles to get around!

Next year at this time it will be interesting to hear our Premier's  report as to the success of the new sales tax on fuel in the province.  I wonder if she'll mention the following;

• Most of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere comes from volcanoes which are exempt from the NDP tax.
• Alberta is responsible for less than 2% of the man-made carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
• There is no suitable replacement available for fossil fuels, and likely won't be for many years to come.
• The simplest and easiest carbon dioxide recovery system are plants, especially trees!
• More and more states in the world are giving up on carbon taxes in favor of other more sensible ways of curbing carbon dioxide emissions or recovering carbon dioxide..

This year will  be an interesting year in Alberta.  Happy New Year!