When I speak of social distortions I generally think of events that happen in our society that are, shall we say, somehow wrong. These events remind me of a square bearing being forced into a round hole. Of all places to see a distortion, I could not believe that the Amazon forest would be such a place.
In past years Brazil has done a lot in the effort to protect the Amazon forest from deforestation. In fact the government set aside some 150,000,000 acres to be conserved. This would be near the size of the country of France. So well have worked the efforts of the Brazilian government that the amount of a deforestation decreased by nearly 80% in the last six years alone.
Today there is a bill to overhaul the forest code, a 47-year-old piece of legislation, leading to a reversal of government policies with regard to environmental issues. Most of the governmental changes leading to anti-environmental policies are occurring as a result of the newly elected president of 2010, Dilma Rouseff. It appears that the government is becoming more relax about restrictions and licensing issues over environmental protection. New and very large infrastructure projects are being proposed. Some of the land previously set aside may now be used for projects.
The distortion is that the people of Brazil are becoming more and more sympathetic to environmental concerns and wish to protect the Amazon forest. But the government they have elected is going in the opposite direction. The distortion is that the government officials know full well this is the wrong course for them to follow. And still, they continued to follow the wrong course. This is a social distortion that will cost the people of Brazil and the world for eons to come.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Thursday, December 15, 2011
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Exclusive Premiere Trailer [HD] - YouTube
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Exclusive Premiere Trailer [HD] - YouTube
Although this is not a social distortion...I just gotta say go see the movie. Myself, I can't wait.
Although this is not a social distortion...I just gotta say go see the movie. Myself, I can't wait.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Occupy Houston protest - Photo #11 - Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston protest - Photo #11 - Houston Chronicle
Social distortions are becoming more and more commonplace. When older citizens are ready to be arrested while protesting, then is the time for the world to sit up and take notice. My sympathies are with the Occupy Movement, but logic dictates to me that they are still missing the whole picture. Their cause is righteous but their methods are behind the times.
Social distortions are becoming more and more commonplace. When older citizens are ready to be arrested while protesting, then is the time for the world to sit up and take notice. My sympathies are with the Occupy Movement, but logic dictates to me that they are still missing the whole picture. Their cause is righteous but their methods are behind the times.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Bad Chihuahua
Bad Chihuahua
There are just some days when the Devil just seems to control you. Even my dog Chico, who thinks he is a chihuahua, has those days too. This photo makes him appear to be possessed.
There are just some days when the Devil just seems to control you. Even my dog Chico, who thinks he is a chihuahua, has those days too. This photo makes him appear to be possessed.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Man is accidentally shot by his own dog | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News
Dogs are man's best friend. Except, you know, http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=18299091&title=dog-shoots-man">when they're shooting a gun at you.
And strangely enough, that's what really happened to a hapless dog owner in Brigham City, Utah. The man in question--a 46-year-old hunting enthusiast who is not named in local news reports on the incident--got a behind-full of birdshot courtesy of his loyal canine companion when he was out duck hunting over the weekend.
KSL.com reports the man and his dog were traveling in a canoe-like boat when the man stepped out into a shallow marsh to set up some decoys. His left his 12-gauge shotgun resting across the bow of the boat, according to Box Elder County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Potter.
That's when the dog "did something to make the gun discharge," Potter said. "I don't know if the safety device was on. It's not impossible the dog could have taken it off safety."
Apparently excited to join his owner in the marsh, the dog jumped up on the boat's bow and stepped on the gun. The gun was fired, hitting the man in the buttocks with 27 pellets of birdshot.
The man promptly called 9-1-1, and is now reportedly recovering. Potter said that thanks to a well-positioned pair of waders--the hip-length rubber boots he was wearing at the time--the dog owner was able to avoid a more serious gunshot wound.
via news.yahoo.com
This kind of makes it possible to believe in Dick Cheney's hunting accident.Sunday, September 11, 2011
Death of Cliff Robertson
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Illegal Aliens Got Billions in IRS Tax Credits Last Year - Illegal Immigrants - Fox Nation
Illegal Aliens Got Billions in IRS Tax Credits Last Year - Illegal Immigrants - Fox Nation: "AP File
By Lisa Rein, Washington Post
The Internal Revenue Service allowed undocumented workers to collect $4.2 billion in refundable tax credits last year, a new audit says, almost quadruple the sum five years ago.
Although undocumented workers are not eligible for federal benefits, the report released Thursday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration concludes that federal law is ambiguous on whether these workers qualify for a tax break based on earned income called the additional child tax credit.
Taxpayers can claim this credit to reduce what they owe in taxes, often getting refunds from the government. The vagueness of federal law may have contributed to the $4.2 billion in credits, the report said."
'via Blog this'
By Lisa Rein, Washington Post
The Internal Revenue Service allowed undocumented workers to collect $4.2 billion in refundable tax credits last year, a new audit says, almost quadruple the sum five years ago.
Although undocumented workers are not eligible for federal benefits, the report released Thursday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration concludes that federal law is ambiguous on whether these workers qualify for a tax break based on earned income called the additional child tax credit.
Taxpayers can claim this credit to reduce what they owe in taxes, often getting refunds from the government. The vagueness of federal law may have contributed to the $4.2 billion in credits, the report said."
'via Blog this'
I guess having taxes taken out and reporting as any American would doesn't count.
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