Possible effects of tariff on natural gas from Canada to USA.

A 25 percent tariff on Canada might mean more expensive natural gas in the Pacific Northwest. We get our gas, for heating and much of our electricity, from Canada. Not much, if any natural gas produced in the Pacific Northwest. It comes from Canada by pipeline.

Picture above: Steam rising from cooling fans of a natural gas fired powerplant on Bellingham's waterfront. Amtrak Train on its way from USA to Vancouver, BC.

Trade with Canada and Mexico is good for the economy.

I the long run we still do need to rely more on greener energy, however.

Today, on Canadian Radio, I heard some interesting takes on the tariff proposal from Canadian politicians.

One commentator, who happened to be from BC hoped that it would spur more security at Canadian ports which he said were bringing fentanyl into the country. Apparently some ports up there have no port police and lots of containerized cargo comes through shipping ports.

He said that local police often have to get permission to enter port district property and that process is cumbersome for the police. He thought they need to have more control of the flow of drugs through shipping ports.

Then, on another topic, I heard, a few days ago, that some people, in the Alberta oil patch, found the proposal to be devastating to the economy. Oil and natural gas sales to US customers play an important role in many pocketbooks.

The missing middle of attention span for political discussion.

To read a whole book takes too long for me.

At the same time I don't use X (formerly Twitter). Sound bytes are too short for me.

I prefer things like NPR round table discussions, TED Talks, short articles, thoughtful Facebook posts and face conversation about big ideas.

A need for the missing middle affordable housing can unite labor, minority, environmental and other interests.

Very interesting podcast about Washington State's new bill for affordable housing.

House Bill 1110, which legalized “missing middle” housing statewide. A conversation with Rep. Jessica Bateman.

After decades of effort by urbanists, housing has arrived as a political issue. Big environmental groups have come around to the idea that dense housing is a crucial climate strategy, support is growing from unions worried that their members can’t afford to live where they work, and polls show that the public is increasingly convinced that there is a housing crisis.

Over the last five years, a wave of good housing legislation has been building on the West Coast, spreading from California to Oregon and now to Washington state. In this last legislative session, some 50 housing bills were put forward in the Washington legislature and more than a half dozen passed, any one of which would have been historic.

One of the most significant bills that passed this session — and one of the biggest surprises — was House Bill 1110, which legalized so-called “missing middle” housing statewide. Every lot in the state will now be permitted to build at least two units of housing, four units when located near transit, and up to six units if some portion are set aside for low-income homeowners.

Podcast on Volts.

Arguing over goals not met and compensation not available fails. How about making next Climate Conference into a tradeshow for green energy technology?

Seems like COP29 climate conference at Azerbaijan was mostly a failure. Not worth the jet fuel it took for bringing the delegates there. The conference was mostly about arguing over who should pay for the cleanup; so to speak.

An elephant in the room was USA who I doubt will pony up any money since Donald Trump has won the 2024 election. Maybe the US private sector will contribute however. Wealthy individuals, non profits and corporations can make a difference.

Besides fighting in the global sandbox over money, no goals were set for reducing carbon emissions. In reality, setting goals doesn't do any good if they aren't followed. In spite of past goal setting, by elite delegates at past climate conferences, world carbon emissions continue to increase.

Might there be a better strategy to reduce worldwide carbon emissions. I got to thinking that a better conference plan could be a tradeshow to show off alternative energy technologies. A trade show instead of an argument over goals that don't usually get far from the documents they reside on. Take a page from the more optimistic and enjoyable trade shows that Las Vegas is famous for; tradeshows exhibiting new computer technologies.

Maybe there could be an uplifting tradeshow presenting solar technology where products are improving and the price of solar is going down. Other technologies, such as electric vehicles, energy storage systems and wind power would be there also. Even nuclear power and hydrogen fusion research could inspire folks about the future.

I tend to have somewhat of a cynical view about mainstream human culture versus the promise of innovation and technology. At the same time, I feel like my own personal life has some lifestyle innovations around less desire for money than most folks seem to have in this culture. Yes, money for survival and a bit more is still needed, but downsizing is a good thing. I do find that there are many people in this world who do value quality of life over personal pocketbook issues.

Should some international force invade and temporarily occupy Haiti for it's own good?

Apparently, the gang violence in Haiti has gotten worse in spite of the troops from Kenya that finally arrived to try and improve that situation. From what I hear, on CBC Radio news from Canada; the gangs are so powerful that they outgun the Kenyan Troops.

I'm a bit of a cynic. Maybe the world should invade and occupy Haiti to try fix the problem. There is talk of a powerful UN force. I'm Remembering when George Bush II lead the "Coalition of the willing;" an international force invading Iraq in 2003. That, probably didn't end well, but might have looked, at the time, as the right thing to do, according to some people at least.

After 911, in 2001, Bush II's popularity soared providing political support for invading, occupying and trying to install democracy in Afghanistan at least. It didn't really end well. It wasn't really a slam dunk. Fixing Iraq was thought, by some, to be a good thing; liberating that country, we had earlier invaded related to oil, from the dictatorship of Sandam Hussein.

I remember the pottery barn rule after the 1992 Persian Gulf War; "you break it you fix it." The second war (2003) tried to fix that. By the end of Bush's term. Democrat Barak Obama won the 2008 election.

Haiti doesn't have oil, however.

Still it might be a good idea to invade Haiti for humanitarian reasons.

Folks on the left might think it's a bad idea similar to colonization. On the other hand, the enemy is often within due to some aspects of human nature. Maybe there is a way that an invasion, or possibly call it an "intervention," as in an intervention to help some drug addict, is needed.

Remembering the George McGovern, Richard Nixon race in 1972.

Start of my Senior year in high school, 1972 George McGovern was pretty far to the left. He wanted to end the Vietnam War.

The Democrats did back him after a pitched nomination contest. He won the nomination and ran for president, but lost badly in the general election only carrying the state of Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.

Republican Richard Nixon won all other states, but by spring of my Senior year, he was embroiled in the Watergate Scandal.

By the summer, between my freshman and sophomore years in college, Nixon became the first US president to resign from office under threat of impeachment and possible removal from office.

Trickle Down Economics might boost the economy, but not necessarily the amount of happiness.

By a slim margin, the Majority of US voters have voted for the concept of "trickle down economics in November 2024." This, in spite of that concept's bad reputation.

There is some logic to that concept. I remember the phrase, "what's good for General Motors is good for America."

USA has a robust economy, but still ranks low, among developed nations for happiness, health and even longevity. Material wealth isn't the only value in life.

Businesses and corporations do provide many of the jobs, services and products that people use; for instance big problems at Boeing airplane manufacturing company are now leading to large layoffs among Boeing workers.

Vacant land in Bellingham area that is held for investment purposes is vulnerable to becoming troublesome encampments for the homeless.

Privately owned vacant lots, in Bellingham and county areas, are vulnerable to becoming homeless encampments. This is due to the high value of property / cost of housing in this area as well as nationwide.

The city will sometimes have to clean up an encampment if it becomes too large and troublesome. The bill can be sent to the landlord in the form of a lean on the property.

Owning vacant lots, for investment purposes, is a bad idea; if just to wait for appreciation. It's better to have plans for building, or using the land soon, rather than letting it sit.

Reducing regulations, such as single family zoning, can help. Some of the vacant lots could be fast tracked into housing and density. Hopefully, this can address the need for more affordable housing.

Other lands could be used for garden space and parklands for quality of life in the neighborhoods. Sometimes volunteers can turn vacant land into garden space. On the other hand, open space is often owned by the public, as in city parks, but that requires spending tax dollars.

Cared for open space, or even development, is better than just a bunch of vacant lots with absentee private owners.

Where can the homeless go without vacant lots for tent encampments?

If housing was less expensive, less people would be pushed into that downward spiral of homelessness and sometimes angry, destructive behavior.

Even some tent encampments might be okay. Living in RVs, parked along Bellingham streets, can be an innovative solution for affordable housing. Tiny home villages are good.

If there isn't sewer service, composting toilets can work. Providing garbage pickup to RV, tiny home and even tent, low income neighborhoods, could work in my idealistic world. Then again, the people, including residents of these Hooverville type areas, should live responsibly as well.

There is the concept of "intentional communities."

Today's rat race society may be driving many folks mad, however.

Both Republicans and Democrats should back away from class and identity warfare rhetoric.

Some folks think the Democrats should back off a bit from social issues and focus on economics. I have a somewhat different take.

I do think both the Democrats and Republicans should back off from class and identity warfare. They should place less emphasis on resentment of others over differences in income, privilege and so forth. Not that those aren't important factors, however. It's just that the politics of resentment hasn't been working. There are more creative ways to reduce income, wealth, privelege and race inequality.

I do see social issues as important to the environment and the economy. For instance more modern attitudes toward sexuality reduces the burden that population growth places on the environment.

Topics discussed in local politics tend to be more useful than topics discussed in national politics.

Where the rubber meets the road, local community planning, in cities and counties across USA, are the most interesting topics to me.

There are many tradeoffs in life. The Walmarts can offer lower prices and even sometimes higher wages due to something called "economy of scale." Big, such as in bulk buying, or the most advanced technologies, is often an advantage, but what are the tradeoffs.

We can't have it all, but we can take a clear look at our priorities and our planning. Small is often better for intimacy and community spirit. Do we need all the material wealth that efficiency, alone, can provide? Is efficiency our only goal, versus our humanity or our lives not being reduced to stressful rat races.

Can lower income people have what they need to survive if we seek community over efficiency? Is maximizing consumption and money measured wealth our most important goals or are there other ways to measure wealth; such as quality time and personal fulfillment with community.

These are all tradeoffs we need to discuss as we strive for consensus in our local communities across the nation.

Can minority voters be blamed for Harris' loss?

I've heard that if the 2024 vote was up to minorities, while white males were not counted in the vote, Kamala Harris would have won. It's still the case that enthusiasm for Harris, among minority voters, has significantly degraded; relative to the minority vote for Biden in 2020. For instance 45% of Latino voters are said to have voted for Trump in 2024 versus a much lower percentage for Biden in 2020.

I do think that the Democrats and the left do place too much emphasis on trying to make things fair. Fairness is one of many things that is important, but I think there is too much emphasis on personal pocketbook issues.

How much consumption, income and wealth is enough? Resentment of folks, who are better off, can be problematic. Comparing oneself with others can lead to unhappiness. Yes, fairness is important and certain basics; like a place to call home, safety, food and fulfilling lives are important, but beyond that the struggle for equality is like hitting one's head against a brick wall.

Society is unlikely to ever be totally fair, but it can be more reasonable than it is today.

I do think the economy is important, but there is more to economics than just distribution of wealth. There is also quality of life, preservation of the environment, health and so forth. What are the end goals of our economy? Those are the big questions. What type of communities does the economy create?

I would like to see the emphasis, of the left and the Democratic Party, shift toward things like sustainable communities, health and happiness.

We need to change the national discussion toward issues like affordable housing, transportation, how to implement greener energy, technology, logistics, science and so forth.

Some of these issues are dealt with at the local levels, in cities and counties across the country, but they are sadly missing from the big stages of national politics.

Pointing the finger at the people, themselves, might empower the people.

I'm not surprised that Trump won the popular vote. It was only by a close margin, however. At the same time, It does seem to confirm my idea that the people are the problem; not the institutions of government or business.

Yes, the big institutions do have more power than a single individual, but the people, in whole, are the ultimate power. Culture is part of the problem, for instance the lust for money.

I think the people are most of the problem, but I would also like to believe that the people can be empowered. The way we live our lives each day, in the marketplace and in our communities, can hold lots of power.

Some immigrants wish to pull up the drawbridge.

I read that 45% of Hispanic vote went for Trump. Still, if the vote was just among Hispanics, Harris would have won, but why did Trump's percentages increase among voters normally thought of as in the Democrat's base?

One factor might be drawbridge thinking among immigrant populations. Drawbridge thinking is certainly evident among white populations. When people move to a place they like more than where they lived before, they often want to put up the drawbridge to keep too many from following. Also to keep out some of the elements, in the countries they have fled, from following them to where they now live in USA.

For many years, I've jokingly said that conservatives want to build a wall on the southern border while liberals, here in Bellingham, WA. want to build the wall on I-5 to keep our small city from turning into a big city.

Global South giving up bicycles for the West's old toxic cars.

Some folks thought it was a good idea to send used cars, from the west, to Africa. If they are still drivable, they can provide less expensive transportation, but small nations, like Ghana, are flooded with cars, traffic and pollution; plus, when the car dies, toxic waste.

Second hand computers, cars and so forth might seem like charity, but not always.

This very interesting recent segment on PBS News Hour.

Poetic justice. The Onion buys Infowars.

Poetic justice.

Seems like this makes lots of sense. The Onion that honestly admits it is a fantasy / fake / humorous / creative media outlet buys Inforwars.

Maybe RFK Jr. should stay away from medical science. Could he fight obesity by overseeing a department building recreation centers, bike paths and sidewalks?

RFK Jr. does think obesity is a bad thing. He has some quack like science ideas, but a broken analog clock is correct twice per day.

Obesity is a health hazard, but the solution is partially outside the scope of medical science so it can also be addressed by city planning.

Build more sidewalks, encourage less rural sprawl, build bike paths, think about parks plus recreation and community centers; where people can meet face to face.

Are these the things RFK Jr. would be promoting? Compartmental thinking tells me that's the job for other departments outside the scope of Health and Human Services.

Some Arabs in Michigan shot themselves in the foot by not voting for Harris.

Anger is usually a bad tool in politics. Excerpted from a recent article I saw.

Visuals of the conflict — with tens of thousands of deaths collectively in Gaza and Lebanon — stirred anger among many in Arab and Muslim communities about President Joe Biden and Harris' backing of Israel.

Trump picks what pro-Israel conservatives call a "dream team." Those in the community with concerns have specifically pointed to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, nominated as Trump's ambassador to Israel. Huckabee has consistently rejected the idea of a Palestinian state in territories seized by Israel, strongly supported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposed a two-state solution, claiming "there really isn't such a thing" as Palestinians in referring to the descendants of people who lived in Palestine before the establishment of Israel.

Michigan-arab-american-voters-trump-cabinet-picks.

Looking at land area geography behind the headlines can provide a new perspective.

I've been comparing land areas and populations for various countries. For instance the lands of Israel and Palistine, that so much of the world is fighting over, is small compared to even the state of Washington, here in USA.

We have lots of land in USA, yet we struggle trying to densify our cities for greener, transit oriented neighborhoods. Our neighborhood associations often fight density to accomidate our population growth. They still often hang onto the obsolete dream of single family zoning.

Link over to my space on Flickr for the image essay. Click forward on the side arrows on Flickr.

My college major was Geography; a different perspective than many commentators use.

Lack of gratitude, on both the left and the right, has fed some of the enthusiasm for Republicans who have figured out how to exploit a national mood of grievances.

Seems like many of the folks, who feel they are getting an unfair deal, have been shifting away from the Democrats and toward the Republicans. What's called the "working class" and low income folks have been constituencies thought to be in the Democrat base. Seems like folks complaining about their situations are increasingly moving toward the Republicans leaving the Democrat's base to be more made up from well educated professionals.

Lack of gratitude, mixed with anger about one's lot in life, is now feeding more energy into the Republican Party.

I would guess that well educated, professionals do have it pretty good, here in USA. Some blue collar laborers will say that life at a university is like being in an "Ivory Tower." Life that can be quite fulfilling, though I'm sure, if one looks more closely, it does have it's stresses as well; tenure battles, office politics and whatever. I remember the term "publish or parish."

Still, it looks like the act of complaining is starting to feed more energy toward the Republican Party as time goes on.

Complaining about those who have "privilege" is starting to hit some of the complainers, themselves, in the back. Folks who talk about the privilege of billionaires are now finding themselves in the same target; for instance most of my friends, who are homeowners, are millionaires; on paper at least. Most of my friends tend to be liberal as I'm living in Bellingham.

The rise in asset values, beyond the rise in wages, has buoyed the billionaires, but it has also increased the wealth gap between homeowners and renters. It has made buying a home, for first time homebuyers, or renting a home, extremely difficult.

Gaps are getting wider between those who can afford a lifestyle of travel and others who are working in low wage jobs. Even some small and struggling business owners can feel left out of privilege while other folks can take an occasional trip to Europe on their frequent flyer miles.

Many folks lives are quite fulfilling, but gratitude can be in short supply.

Those who are even more poor, such as the homeless, also feel left behind. If they go to the polls, they might think, "nothing has worked so far, so we might as well give Republicans a try."

The wave of negative thinking, along with anger and finger pointing, is starting to lean Republican, or at least the Republicans have shrewdly learned how to take advantage of that sentiment.

I myself tend to be fairly well educated, though I don't feel the need to keep up with higher income folks as long as my basics are met. I'm somewhat of a minimalist, materialistically at least, but I feel like I've had a good life.

I think some of the complaining and finger pointing has helped the Republican brand. I also think Republicans are working it into their campaign strategy. It's kind of a strategy like "divide and conquer" which takes advantage of people's tendency toward anger. Often those who have lots of anger will turn on one another fueling infighting that people, who have more power and privilege, can take advantage of. Divide and conquer.

Liberal causes often sink from internal strife, but conservatives and Republicans also have their internal strife as well.

How we live our lives can make a big difference.