Russia to citizens: Have a baby, win a car

Posted on 11:08AM (EDT) on 2007-09-12

Make a baby, win a car!

Sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi game show, but this is not fiction.

In an effort to stem and hopefully reverse Russia’s declining population, residents in one region are getting the day off today to procreate.

That’s right, in Ulyanovsk, Russia, today[Sep 12] is Day of Conception.

The aim is to get pregnant, and to give birth on June 12, 2008, which, coincidentally, is Russia Day or Russia's Independence Day. Successful new parents will win prizes, including a car or new appliances.

rest of article at: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/newsbarista/russia-to-citizens-h-7327

Farewell to "Flush and Forget"

DEVELOPMENT: Farewell to "Flush and Forget"
Analysis by Lester R. Brown

WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (IPS) - In urban settings, the one-time use of water to disperse human and industrial wastes is becoming an outmoded practice, made obsolete by new technologies and water shortages.

Water enters a city, becomes contaminated with human and industrial wastes, and leaves the city dangerously polluted. Toxic industrial wastes discharged into rivers and lakes or into wells also permeate aquifers, making water -- both surface and underground -- unsafe for drinking. And their toxic wastes are destroying marine ecosystems, including local fisheries.

The time has come to manage waste without discharging it into the local environment, allowing water to be recycled indefinitely and reducing both urban and industrial demand dramatically.

rest of article @: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39012

68 pounds of clothing

http://www.ehponline.org/members/2007/115-9/focus.html

According to the EPA Office of Solid Waste, Americans throw away more than 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person per year, and clothing and other textiles represent about 4% of the municipal solid waste.

I hate facebook but love Canada

I'm concerned that people may get the wrong impression of me from my recent posts. I apologize if anyone is trying to catch up with me by reading this, and offer you this photograph which I hope will inspire your continued patience in me. Or something.