Kevin Harcourt - Center for Alternative Fuels » Alternative Energy http://www.kevinharcourt.com Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:37:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Energy in Burundi – Wood and peathttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/energy-in-burundi-wood-and-peat http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/energy-in-burundi-wood-and-peat#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:37:18 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/energy-in-burundi-wood-and-peat Wood and peat account for 94% of energy consumption in Burundi. Peat offers an alternative to increasingly scarce firewood and charcoal as a domestic energy source. The government is promoting peat production and is fostering the development of renewable energy resources, such as solar electricity and biogas.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Energy in Burundi, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/energy-in-burundi-wood-and-peat/feed 0 Datapipe – Sustainabilityhttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/datapipe-sustainability http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/datapipe-sustainability#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 11:37:18 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/datapipe-sustainability Datapipe runs its Somerset, NJ Data Centers on 100% renewable electric energy by purchasing Green-e Energy certified renewable energy certificates (RECs through Constellation NewEnergy’s NewMix(SM) Wind energy program. The company also touts energy conservation measures and powers its London data center on alternative energy.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Datapipe, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/datapipe-sustainability/feed 0 2007 State of the Union Address – Speechhttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/2007-state-of-the-union-address-speech http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/2007-state-of-the-union-address-speech#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 09:37:17 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/2007-state-of-the-union-address-speech The President’s speech focused equally on domestic policy and foreign policy.

Domestic policy

Bush placed emphasis on balancing the federal budget, eliminating excessive earmarks, changing the tax code to replace the existing business tax exemption to workers health insurance premiums with a new personal health insurance deduction, providing health care for needy individuals, and expanding health savings accounts. Bush supported “laws that are fair and borders that are secure” in regards to immigration, suggesting a temporary worker program, stating that, “[a]s a result, they won’t have to try to sneak in”. He suggested resolving the status of current illegal residents “without animosity and without amnesty”.

Bush said the United States has been dependent on foreign oil for too long, and that this chances placing it in hostile situations. Bush asked Congress to work to reduce gasoline usage in the U.S. by 20 percent over the next ten years, and recommended research into alternative fuels. He asked Congress to “double the current capacity” of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. In what appears to be a change of stance, Bush made a connection between energy policy and climate change: “America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on oil. And these technologies will help us be better stewards of the environment, and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change.” Bush specifically named plug-in hybrid vehicles as part of his “advanced energy initiative” to help end the U.S. “addiction to oil.”

Bush asked Congress to give future federal court nominees a “fair hearing”, and a “prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.”

In the realm of education, he asked Congress to renew the No Child Left Behind Act and consider school vouchers, although he never mentioned vouchers by name.

Foreign policy

A large part of Bush’s speech centered on the Iraq War. Bush emphasized that he still stood behind it, stating that, “to win the War on Terror, we must take the fight to the enemy.” He stated that the dangers of terrorism have not ended, and that it is the government’s duty to locate terrorists and protect the American people. He stated that it was not responsible to leave Iraq yet, as it would put “ourselves in danger and our friends at risk.” He emphasized that stability in Iraq is essential, and that chaos is the enemy’s greatest ally. Bush asked Americans to give the Iraq War a chance, and support the troops on the field and “those on their way,” a reference to the “surge” strategy involving 20,000 soldiers and Marines sent to Baghdad and al-Anbar, most of which would go to Baghdad.

Bush advocated adding to the ranks of the military. He asked Congress to authorize an increase in the Army and Marine active duty forces by 92,000 in the next five years. He spoke of developing a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps which could help ease the burden on military personnel: “It would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.” The phrase ”terror” (whether as terror, terrorism, or terrorist) appeared 22 times in his speech, highlighting its continuing significance in his administration’s foreign policy and political position.

Bush advocated saving the people affected by the conflict in Darfur, Sudan. He advocated continuing to fight HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa. Bush asked for $1.2 billion over the next five years to combat malaria in 15 African countries.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article 2007 State of the Union Address, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/2007-state-of-the-union-address-speech/feed 0 Upper Canada College – Campus and facilitieshttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/upper-canada-college-campus-and-facilities http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/upper-canada-college-campus-and-facilities#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:38:40 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/upper-canada-college-campus-and-facilities Adapted from the Wikipedia article Upper Canada College, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/upper-canada-college-campus-and-facilities/feed 0 Chuck Harder – Harder’s political and economic beliefshttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/chuck-harder-harders-political-and-economic-beliefs http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/chuck-harder-harders-political-and-economic-beliefs#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 04:43:40 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/chuck-harder-harders-political-and-economic-beliefs His populist political views comprised elements of both conservative and liberal ideologies, but he was neither a libertarian nor a religious conservative. He tended toward a mix of fiscal liberalism and cultural conservatism although there were exceptions. On some issues, such as taxation and foreign policy, he took a mix of liberal and conservative views on the same issue.

Harder was opposed to free trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) as well as international organizations such as the United Nations (UN). He favored a moratorium on legal immigration and the deportation of all illegal immigrants.

In addition to his economic views, Harder also frequently discussed conspiracy theories during the 1990s.[http://www.chuckharder.org] This was largely confined to the early and mid-1990s, a period when conspiracy theories were a hot topic on several talk radio shows (including Art Bell and others). In recent years, conspiracy theories had no longer been a major feature of his program.

A key economic doctrine of Harder’s was that free trade with China and Mexico would cause so many Americans to lose jobs or get paid less that the American retail economy would collapse from a lack of middle-class consumers who could afford to be constant purchasers.

Harder’s views on taxation were illustrative of his populist mixture of liberal and conservative views. He favored a heavily graduated income tax and increasing taxes on the wealthy, but also believed the Internal Revenue Service to be guilty of abuses in auditing taxpayers, and he supported the abolition of the business tax which he considered “double taxation”.

Another area where Harder simultaneously promoted a mix of liberal and conservative views was environmental issues. Harder believed overpopulation was a threat to the environment and had guests from such groups as Negative Population Growth on the show. Harder was a strong supporter of alternative energy and building or rebuilding extensive mass transit systems in the United States, particularly passenger rail. He was critical of the Reagan administration for defunding alternative energy, Amtrak and mass transit, and critical of every president since for promoting free trade agreements and globalization to the detriment of American workers. A common theme discussed by Harder was how National City Lines bought out and closed urban mass transit systems in the United States. But Harder also supported oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and bringing back jobs in the timber industry by increasing the amount of logging, and had often featured guests from groups such as the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Heartland Institute who are skeptical of global warming.

Harder advocated a Swiss-style neutrality on all foreign policy, especially as it related to the Middle East. He did, however, believe that China was becoming increasingly powerful and posed an economic and military threat to the United States. Since 9/11 he had discussed U.S. foreign policy more. He took a hawkish view toward the War on Terror, supported the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, but opposed the U.S. war in Iraq which he believed was an unnecessary distraction from winning the War on Terror. He did say that militant Islam posed a major threat to U.S. and world security.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Chuck Harder, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/chuck-harder-harders-political-and-economic-beliefs/feed 0 Baba roots – Introductionhttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/baba-roots-introduction http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/baba-roots-introduction#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:37:07 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/baba-roots-introduction Baba Roots, which was founded by entrepreneur William Webb, is a herbal energy drink popular among young people in Jamaica. It is said to increase sexual energy and alertness and is marketed as a homegrown and natural alternative to Red Bull .

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Baba roots, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/baba-roots-introduction/feed 0 Resolution (debate) – Recent National Policy Debate High School Resolutionshttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/resolution-debate-recent-national-policy-debate-high-school-resolutions http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/resolution-debate-recent-national-policy-debate-high-school-resolutions#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:36:35 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/resolution-debate-recent-national-policy-debate-high-school-resolutions (2010–2011) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its military and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey.

(2009–2010) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.

(2008–2009) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.

(2007–2008) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.

(2006–2007) Resolved: The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially increasing the number of persons serving in one or more of the following national service programs: AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, Senior Corps, Peace Corps, Learn and Serve America, and/or the Armed Forces.

(2005–2006) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially decrease its authority either to detain without charge or to search without probable cause.

(2004–2005) Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish a foreign policy substantially increasing its support of United Nations peacekeeping operations.

(2003–2004) Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish an ocean policy substantially increasing protection of marine natural resources.

(2002–2003) Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially increase public health services for mental health care in the United States.

(2001–2002) Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish a foreign policy significantly limiting the use of weapons of mass destruction.

(2000–2001) Resolved: That the United States federal government should significantly increase protection of privacy in the United States in one or more of the following areas: employment, medical records, consumer information, search and seizure.

(1999–2000) Resolved: That the federal government should establish an education policy to significantly increase academic achievement in secondary schools in the United States.

(1998–1999) Resolved: That the United States should substantially change its foreign policy toward Russia

(1997–1998) Resolved: That the federal government should establish a policy to substantially increase renewable energy use in the United States

(1996–1997) Resolved: That the federal government should establish a program to substantially reduce juvenile crime in the United States

(1995–1996) Resolved: That the United States government should substantially change its foreign policy toward the People’s Republic of China.

(1994–1995) Resolved: That the United States government should substantially strengthen regulation of immigration to the United States.

(1993–1994) Resolved: That the federal government should guarantee comprehensive national health insurance to all United States citizens.

(1992–1993) Resolved: That the United States government should reduce worldwide pollution through its trade and/or aid policies.

(1991–1992) Resolved: That the federal government should significantly increase social services to homeless individuals in the United States.

(1990–1991) Resolved: That the United States government should significantly increase space exploration beyond the Earth’s mesosphere.

(1989–1990) Resolved: That the federal government should adopt a nationwide policy to decrease overcrowding in prisons and jails in the

United States.

(1988–1989) Resolved: That the federal government should implement a comprehensive program to guarantee retirement security for United

States citizens over age 65.

(1987–88) Resolved: That the United States government should adopt a policy to increase political stability in Latin America.

(1986–87) Resolved: That the federal government should implement a comprehensive longterm agricultural policy in the United States.

(1985–1986) Resolved: That the federal government should establish a comprehensive national policy to protect the quality of water in the

United States.

(1984–1985) Resolved: That the federal government should provide employment for all employable United States citizens living in

poverty.

(1983–1984) Resolved: That the United States should establish uniform rules governing the procedure of all criminal courts in the nation.

(1982–1983) Resolved: That the United States should significantly curtail its arms sales to other countries.

(1981–1982) Resolved: That the federal government should establish minimum educational standards for elementary and secondary schools in the United States.

(1980–1981) Resolved: That the federal government should initiate and enforce safety guarantees on consumer goods.

(1979–1980) Resolved: That the United States should significantly change its foreign trade policies.

(1978–1979) Resolved: That the federal government should establish a comprehensive program to significantly increase the energy independence of the United States.

(1977–1978) Resolved: That the federal government should establish a comprehensive program to regulate the health care system in the United States.

(1976–1977) Resolved: That a comprehensive program of penal reform should be adopted throughout the United States.

(1975–1976) Resolved: That the development and allocation of scarce world resources should be controlled by an international organization.

(1974–1975) Resolved: That the United States should significantly change the method of selecting presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

(1973–1974) Resolved: That the federal government should guarantee a minimum annual income to each family unit.

(1972–1973) Resolved: That governmental financial support for all public and secondary education in the United States be provided exclusively by the federal government

(1971–1972) Resolved: That the jury system in the United States should be significantly changed

1971

Resolved: That the federal government should establish, finance, and administer programs to control air and/or water pollution in the United States.

1970

Resolved: That Congress should prohibit unilateral United States military intervention in foreign countries.

1969

Resolved: That the United States should establish a system of compulsory service by all citizens.

1968

Resolved: That Congress should establish uniform regulations to control criminal investigation procedures.

1967

Resolved: That the foreign aid program of the United States should be limited to non-military assistance.

1966

Resolved: That the federal government should adopt a program of compulsory arbitration in labor-management disputes in basic industries.

1965

Resolved: That nuclear weapons should be

controlled by an international organization.

1964

Resolved: That Social Security benefits should

be extended to include complete medical care.

1963

Resolved: That the United States should

promote a Common Market for the western

hemisphere.

1962

Resolved: That the federal government should equalize educational opportunity by means of grants to the states for public elementary and secondary education.

1961

Resolved: That the United Nations should be significantly strengthened.

1960

Resolved: That the federal government should

substantially increase its regulation of labor

unions.

1959

Resolved: That the United States should adopt

the essential features of the British system of

education.

1958

Resolved: That United States foreign aid

should be substantially increased.

1957

Resolved: That the federal government should

sustain the prices of major agricultural products

at not less than 90% of parity.

1956

Resolved: That governmental subsidies should

be granted according to need to high school

graduates who qualify for additional training.

1955

Resolved: That the federal government should

initiate a policy of free trade among nations

friendly to the United States.

1954

Resolved: That the President of the United

States should be elected by the direct vote of

the people.

1953

Resolved: That the Atlantic Pact nations

should form a federal union.

1952

Resolved: That all American citizens should

be subject to conscription for essential

service in time of war.

1951

Resolved: That the American people should

reject the welfare state.

1950

Resolved: That the president of the United

States should be elected by the direct vote of

the people.

1949

Resolved: That the United States now be

revised into a Federal World Government.

1948

Resolved: That the federal government

should require arbitration of labor disputes in

all basic American industries.

1947

Resolved: That the federal government

should provide a system of complete medical

care available to all citizens at public

expense.

1946

Resolved: That every able-bodied male citizen of the United States should have one year of full-time military training before

attaining age 24.

1945

Resolved: That the legal voting age should be reduced to eighteen years.

1944

Resolved: That the United States should join in reconstituting the League of Nations.

1943

Resolved: That a federal world government should be established.

1942

Resolved: That every able-bodied male

citizen in the United States should be

required to have one year of full-time

military training before attaining the present

draft age.

1941

Resolved: That the power of the federal

government should be increased.

1940

Resolved: That the federal government should

own and operate the railroads.

1939

Resolved: That the United States should

establish an alliance with Great Britain.

1938

Resolved: That the several states should adopt a

unicameral system of legislation.

1937

Resolved: That all electric utilities should be

governmentally owned and operated.

1936

Resolved: That the several states should enact

legislation providing for a system of complete

medical service available to all citizens at

public expense.

1935

Resolved: That the federal government should

adopt the policy of equalizing educational

opportunity throughout the nation by means of

annual grants to the several states for public

elementary and secondary education.

1934

Resolved: That the United States should adopt

the essential features of the British system of

radio control and operation.

1933

Resolved: That at least one half of all state and

local revenues should be derived from sources

other than tangible property.

1932

Resolved: That the several states should enact

legislation providing for compulsory

unemployment insurance.

1931

Resolved: That chain stores are detrimental to

the best interests of the American public.

1930

Resolved: That installment buying of personal

property as now practiced in the United States

is both socially and economically desirable.

1929

Resolved: That the English cabinet method of

legislation is more efficient than the committee

system is in the United States.

1928

Resolved: That a federal department of

education should be created with a secretary in

the president’s cabinet.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Resolution (debate), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/resolution-debate-recent-national-policy-debate-high-school-resolutions/feed 0 Housetrucker – Historyhttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/housetrucker-history http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/housetrucker-history#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:39:07 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/housetrucker-history The idea of the nomadic styled mobile home was spawned from the international 1960s and 1970s counterculture movements, New Zealand with its unique Kiwi experience was fashioned from the early American and British hippie crusades and the then alternative music revolution. In the 1960s and 1970s hippie culture spread worldwide through a fusion of rock music, folk, blues, and psychedelic rock; it also found expression in the arts, specifically in literature, the dramatic arts and the creative arts. The early and modern housetruckers essentially derived their cultures and belief systems from these original influences.

The first groups of housetruckers to travel in an a co-ordinated convoy was the Nambassa Winter Show with Mahana in 1978 and then again Mahana traveling with the Roadshow Fayre after the 1979 Nambassa festival.

Nambassa Winter Show with Mahana

The Nambassa Winter Show with Mahana was a musical theatrical production of 60 entertainers and crew who toured the North Island of New Zealand in a convoy of mobile homes, buses and vans, performing at major centres and theatres throughout September and October 1978. While initially four main shows were scheduled for this collective theatre company, repeat and spontaneous performances around the nation saw this number of live performances increased to over ten. This theatrical extravaganza was organised by the Nambassa Trust as part of its national promotion of the arts and towards promoting its 1979 three day music, crafts and alternative lifestyle festival which was held in Waihi.

The Nambassa festival connection

The New Zealand handcrafted house-truck fad essentially found its early roots around the period of the 1970s Nambassa alternative festivals. The annual mobile homes pilgrimage to Nambassa grew in strength, and creative design of trucks increased, as each festival unfolded, culminating in an amazing display of thousands of unique innovative rigs and vans at the 1981 festival. There were just a handful of inspiring-looking rigs in 1978, these wonderful early machines prompting a popularity explosion in this unique trucking culture. Many a jovial debate was had around camp fires arguing as to who actually built the first machines to adorn New Zealand roads.

Throughout the 1980s many mobile homes frequented the Sweetwater’s music festivals, and alternative festivals regularly held throughout the country.

Nambassa

Between 1976 and 1981, hippie music festivals were held on large farms around Waihi and Waikino in New Zealand-Aotearoa. Named “Nambassa”, the festivals focused on peace, love, and a balanced lifestyle, featuring workshops and displays advocating alternative lifestyles, clean and sustainable energy, and unadulterated foods. Nambassa is also the tribal name of a trust that has championed sustainable ideas and demonstrated practical counterculture and alternative lifestyle methods since the early 1970s.

Road folk will insist that a mobile home is the ideal hippie set up for home ownership, self sufficiency, transport and to facilitate a free nomadic lifestyle. And in the 1970s anyone in New Zealand could own one very cheaply.

Construction

Most 1970s mobile homes were constructed from the chassis upwards utilising predominantly cheap recycled materials. Throughout this era house-truck rigs were constructed on the decks of old ex farm trucks which could then be purchased for $500 to $2500. House-buses were either stripped down to the chassis in preparation for construction or just added onto, to facilitate increased living areas. As opposed to the bright colourful American and British versions of the 1960s, many of the early Kiwi rigs were finished in earthy colored timber exteriors. This was due in part to the fact that in the 1970s the Toyota Motor company imported their new vehicles from Japan in car-crates which were constructed from reasonable quality marine grade plywood. The crates came with good quality framed floors. These were the perfect material in which to construct and clad a house truck. In the 1970s one could then purchase a complete car crate (six-sided) for around $25. An average size house-truck took up most of five car crates to build. In the 1970s a large number of derelict country farm houses from New Zealand’s early colonial days were being demolished, these containing a treasure-trove of beautiful recyclable rare timbers such as kauri, totara and rimu. Other materials were purchased from timber recyclers and secondhand traders. One could purchase cheaply a good second-hand wood fired potbelly or small wood stove with a wetback attached, for cooking, heating hot water and warmth over the winter months. As most housetrucks parked in non residential areas very few of the early housetrucks were wired up for mains electricity. Gas lighting and candles were the norm. Some trucks utilized a small gas or kerosene stove to supplement cooking over hot summer months. All these items were purchased second hand. Some early 1970s rigs experimented with home made wind turbines for lighting; however these large units even though they were fastened to the roof during travel, proved awkward. Today smaller modern units can be purchased at a reasonable price. Innovative housetruckers looking for the complete self-sufficient unit attached gas producer units to their rigs, effectively running their engines for free on charcoal gas.

== Gallery

Image:1979 Nambassa.jpg|”Mahana Roadshow” at Nambassa 1979.

Image:At Nambassa 1978.jpg|A very early seventies housetruck at Nambassa 1978.

Image:1981 Camping. Mobile Homes 54 copy.jpg|1981 Mobile home at Nambassa.

File:1981 Housetruck with developement handmade wind-generator technology.jpg| Housetruck with development handmade wind-generator technology

Image:1981 Nambassa.jpg|1981 Nambassa.

Image:Gypsy Travellers 4.jpg|2007 Gypsy Travellers Market day at Taupo.

Image:Gypsy Travellers 1.jpg|2007 Gypsy Travellers Market day at Taupo

Image:Gypsy Travellers 5.jpg|2007 Gypsy Travellers Market day at Taupo.

Image:Gypsy Travellers 2.jpg|2007 Gypsy Travellers Market day at Taupo.

Image:Gypsy Travellers 3.jpg|2007 Gypsy Travellers Market day at Taupo.

Category:Itinerant living

Category:Hippie movement

Housetruckers

Category:Transport culture
Adapted from the Wikipedia article Housetrucker, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/housetrucker-history/feed 0 Tom Cotter (environmentalist) – Biographyhttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/tom-cotter-environmentalist-biography http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/tom-cotter-environmentalist-biography#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:37:39 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/tom-cotter-environmentalist-biography Early life

Tom Cotter grew up in Napa Valley, California, United States. A significant influence was the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Hiking, camping and fishing in beautiful Northern California through adolescence and the Boy Scouts rule: “Always leave the campground cleaner than you found it” led to a deep ecological awareness and accountability in adulthood.

The original form of this rule was written by Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the father of scouting. In his final letter to the Scouts, Baden-Powell wrote:

…I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have a happy life too. I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come from being rich, nor merely being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man. Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. ‘Be Prepared’ in this way, to live happy and to die happy& — stick to your Scout Promise always& — even after you have ceased to be a boy& — and God help you to do it.

In 1990 Cotter was awarded the title of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program.

Personal life

Cotter currently resides in Clovis, California with his wife, Christi Gaither, and their two children. He is the Sales Manager at the [http://www.realgoodssolar.com/local/central-valley/ Real Goods Solar] office in Fresno and serves as adjunct professor of Theological Ethics and the Environment at Fresno Pacific University.

Environmental activism

In 2007, Cotter and Socient CEO, Victor Ramayrat, Co-founded [http://www.greenfresno.org Green Fresno], a free online community and information portal for exploring ecologically intelligent, commercially beneficial and socially productive living in the Fresno metro area.

He is the organizer of the annual [http://www.fresnosolartour.com Fresno Solar Tour] part of the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots solar event in history. At this educational event participants tour homes and buildings to see how their neighbors are using solar energy to reduce their cost for electricity.

Cotter is also a public speaker addressing various environmental topics such as solar, alternative fuels, sustainability, simple living and stewardship.

Environmental affiliations

*Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

*Solar Living Institute[http://solarliving.org/]

*Green Drinks

*Fresno Green Drinks[http://www.greendrinks.org/CA/Fresno]

*Vote Hemp

*National Biodiesel Board

*American Solar Energy Society

*Rainforest Alliance

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Tom Cotter (environmentalist), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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]]> http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/tom-cotter-environmentalist-biography/feed 0 Lackluster – Musical careerhttp://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/lackluster-musical-career http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/lackluster-musical-career#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:37:49 +0000 http://www.kevinharcourt.com/article/lackluster-musical-career Esa Ruoho started composing electronic music in the mid-1990s and, after 2000 has been releasing recorded music (remixes, compilation-tracks, original work) on dozens of labels, full-length CDs on such labels as deFocus records (Great Britain), Merck Records (Miami, Florida, U.S.), U-cover (Belgium), Psychonavigation Records (Dublin, Ireland), New-Speak Records (Stockholm, Sweden). He is currently working with SLSK Records, Project Mooncircle from Germany, Nice And Nasty from Ireland, and San Francisco based netlabel, TwoCircles Records..

Several prominent IDM artists have mentioned his name as an influence on their work (including Miss Kittin & Bogdan Raczynski & Xela), and he has influenced and been influenced by both the IDM as well as the tracker scenes.

Live Performances

Since 2000, Ruoho has played numerous musical performances in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, England, Austria, Poland, Russia, Latvia, Estonia and Bulgaria. Current tally: 99 live gigs (as of 1 June 2009)

Other Media Collaborations

*Utopias of Helsinki, a web report for Helsingin Sanomat “What would Helsinki be like now, if all of the grandiose city-utopias of the 1960s had come to fruition?” (composition)(2001)

*Pauli Ojala (a Finnish graphics artist) on “13/10/99″, a short music video which was presented at the Assembly 2001 Wild demo competition, placing 4th.

*Company (website), “Kooded.com”, providing an in-house shockwave animation with soundfx + rhythms (2002)

*Wilma Mehtonen (a Finnish choreographer) “Ulottumaton Symbioosi” (2002).

*Halcyon (demogroup) DVD, providing in-menu composition(2002)

*Wilma Mehtonen “T.43″ modern dance-performance (2003).

*Teemu Niskanen (a Finnish photographer) on a web-slideshow project (2006).

*Thuyen Nguyen: “The Most Powerful Person in the World” – May 16 2007.

**Synopsis: A love letter to video games.

*Luca Barbeni (designer) on “dune.8081″, a flash website, 2007.

*Mari Helisevä (painter) on “Luontaisenkaltaisia”, an art installation featuring a musical mixture of kitchen-recorded materials, displayed at Maa-Tila, Helsinki, Finland, 9 to 20 January 2008.

*Thuyen Nguyen: “Same as it ever was” – February 29 2008.

**Synopsis: Video game critics use the same arguments against gaming as they did for movies, television, comics, books.

*scheltema/van beem NEPCO/ILC: “Headfooters”, 2008

**Synopsis: Cutesy headfoot monsters jump around to the sound of “Hugytrak” off of Lackluster: Slice (released on U-Cover)

*Antti Mutta/Pelaaja-Lehti (Journalist) on “Korg DS-10″, a review, Pelaaja-Lehti September/2009 (2009)

Other Interests

Ruoho also has a striking interest in the thoughts, discoveries and concepts of Walter Russell, Buckminster Fuller, Viktor Schauberger, Wilhelm Reich, John Keely, John Bedini and any related nature and intuition-based information, such as Earthship technology, the Dymaxion map, Dymaxion Chronofile, and Biomimicry. . In 2008 Ruoho became a lifetime Friend of The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust, and also a supporting Citizen of The Solar Village. Ruoho / Lackluster is also a hemp, medical marijuana, cannabis activist.

Interests and Releases

*In 2005, Ruoho released “Zero Million Barrels of Oil Per Day” on Monotonik netlabel as a MP3, as a statement of intent for the planet to reach for alternative energy technologies.

*In 2005, Ruoho released “What You Want Isn’t What You Need” on Newspeak Records on CD, the linenotes state “Please stop legislation telling us what natural supplements, vitamins and nutrients we can eat and what we cannot. Please stop codex alimentarius.” This was Ruoho’s comment on Codex Alimentarius.

*In 2007, Ruoho released “Repulsine EP” on SLSK Records on CD, a tribute to Viktor Schauberger, with artwork containing photographies of Viktor Schauberger’s face and imagery of the Repulsine device patents and assorted photography.

*In 2007, Ruoho released “The Stationary Trout Ep” on Part2 Records as MP3, the name inspired from Viktor Schauberger and the writings of Callum Coats. “The Stationary Trout Ep” also contained a song called “Monsanto Corporation”, which was Ruoho’s take on the works of Monsanto Company.

*In 2009, Ruoho contributed “Liop Mehch’t! Nosp Misc Kir” to Axis of Amity, a Centrifuge compilation for raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Support-charity, the track title, however, is reversed, referring to Rick Simpson’s alleged THC Hemp Oil cure for cancer.

*In 2009, Ruoho photographed and recorded portions of his visit to the Steorn Waterways Demonstration Centre in Dublin, Ireland, and became the first composer of electronica to openly associate with the global Free Energy community.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Lackluster, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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