Just plain awesome

Check out Name that Republican. This book from Doug Mayer, Alex Fine and the good folks at Chronicle Books is destined to be an instant classic.

Not good for monks... or anyone else for that matter

The travesty that is and has been the political situation in Burma continues. This latest report from the BBC regarding civilian casualties is just another horrific reminder of the price most people in the world must pay for something those of us in countries with free election take for granted.

I'm inspired as always by the people of Burma, who had the courage to take action at the polls, only to find themselves silenced, and who now, in the face of death, maintain that courage to achieve a life they feel is truly worth living.

I admit I was a bit unsure as to if the hilarious but unkempt Jim Carrey was really the most likely choice for a spokesperson for the cause, but perhaps these most recent events following on the heels of his infamous youtube video may help people draw the thread and find time to take action.

Let us hope that the world is finally ready to listen to their voice and aid them in their fight to be heard.

And while I'm on my soapbox...

Another topic near to my heart, again, within the space of advocating for responsible and ethical development in the Truckee Meadows, is the proposed development of Rosewood Canyon.

I don't believe we should allow any development in the canyon or the wash whatsoever. Development of this area will increase flood and fire danger and pose unacceptable risk to life and property, threatens endangered floral species and is just generally going to be an eyesore.

We should all be fighting to preserve the open spaces left to us in our local communities. Natural beauty is one of the main reasons we all choose to live in places that are not in the heart of urban environments... yet somehow, we all let it go and then only find time to complain when they erect condos that block our views or break ground on a shopping mall. Let your voice be heard BEFORE the open space in your community is gone.

Let's hope we continue to have success in keeping development out of Rosewood. After 20+ years of saying no, you'd hope someday someone would listen for good.

Protests this weekend to stop animal testing

Charles River Laboratories plans to open another test facility in Reno, this one employing around 800 to 900 people and thousands of animals in preclinical research.

It's fascinating, when you consider the amount of red-tape a facility like this should have gone through to initiate a second base of operations in the Truckee Meadows, that media coverage is virtually nil. The link above is an rgj featured blogger, but not an "official" rgj column... apparently that article has yet to be published. And I find that fascinating, in this news-starved town, where regular calls from reporters seeking mere tidbits from the companies I've worked with have been de rigeur, someone wouldn't pick this potentially volatile and certainly emotional issue and really run with it.

I'll say it frankly: I do not support animal testing. I believe there are a wide variety of alternatives to animal testing that have proven enormously successful in the prevention and treatment of human disease and prolonging life. We do not have to choose to make trade-offs when it comes to the quality of human life or animal life. This amazing planet of ours is made to sustain both. We are built to inquire, to innovate, to analyze and to be creative. It is in our DNA to ask impossible questions and discover the answers. And we need not choose to harm in the course of that exploration.

The kind of community I want to live in does not choose dollars over ethics. When our city council and city planners make unacceptable trade-offs that jeopardize our environment and the quality of life we want to have, it is the responsibility of each of us to let them know.

It is my position that Charles River Laboratories should never have been invited to open their Sparks location, and they should not be permitted to open another in Reno.