One hopes that human wisdom and ethics will continue to grow, but unlimited growth of population and industry on a finite earth is a logical impossibility.

Today we are pressing against the absolute limits of the earth’s carrying capacity. There are many indications that the explosively increasing global population of humans, and the growth of pollution-producing and resource-using industries are threatening our earth with an environmental disaster. Among the serious threats that we face are catastrophic anthropogenic climate change, extinction of species, and a severe global famine, perhaps involving billions of people rather than millions. Such a famine may occur by the middle of the present century when the end of the fossil fuel era, combined with the effects of climate change reduce our ability to support a growing population.

A new book

I would like to announce the publication of a book addressing these problems, entitled “Population and the Environment.” The book may be freely downloaded and circulated from the following links:

Two fires within 24 hours at Rumpke’s Columbus Recycling Facility has prompted the need for another reminder – please watch what you are putting in your Rumpke recycling and trash containers.   “We are incredibly proud of our team members for following the proper protocol and quickly containing the fires,” said Randy Broadright, area safety manager, Rumpke. “The safety of our team is always a top priority, which is why we urge everyone to recycle appropriately. Items such as propane tanks, batteries and full aerosol cans continue to be an issue for us. These items are not accepted in our recycling program and prove to be very hazardous, often resulting in fires that are started in our trucks as they transport material to the recycling center or at the facility itself.”   The two fires, which were caused by a full aerosol can and a lithium ion battery, were contained and extinguished by Rumpke employees.   Rumpke accepts the following items for recycling: • Plastic bottles and jugs (please empty, flatten and reattach the lid) • Cartons • Glass bottles and jars (any color) • Aluminum and steel cans • Empty aerosol cans (with lids and tips removed)

Today, members of a newly formed citizens coalition entitled A.R.T. (Advocates for Responsible Taxation) announced its opposition to the proposed 7% ticket tax in the city of Columbus.  The A.R.T. membership consists of a diverse group of area residents who are united to prevent an unneeded and unwarranted massive new tax that threatens the middle class while shining the light on this special interest driven new tax.

Attend the public meeting to oppose the ticket tax tonight:

Wednesday, August 22, 5:30-7:30pm
Vanderelli Room, 218 McDowell St. (Franklinton)

In Norm Foster’s Screwball Comedy the Canadian playwright emulates movies of the film genre of the same name that had their heyday during the Depression. These breezy pictures were known for their clever, rapid fire patter and word play, with droll dialogue and plots penned by witty wags such as Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.

 

In We’re In the Money author Andrew Bergman described screen Screwballs as “comedy at once warm and healing, yet off-beat and airy… [Their] overwhelming attractiveness… had to do with the effort they made at reconciling the irreconcilable. They created an America of perfect unity: all classes as one” at a time when capitalism was in deep crisis. Prime examples of Screwballs include Frank Capra’s 1934 It Happened One Night with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert and 1938’s You Can’t Take It With You starring Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur plus Leo McCarey’s 1937 The Awful Truth featuring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.

 

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO:  On August 8th, the Fourth District Court of Appeals dismissed the Athens County Bill of Rights Committee’s (ACBORC) appeal to place their rights-based county charter initiative on the ballot. Athens County residents were denied the right to vote on forming a county charter government in the November 2017 election. The Athens Board of Elections and the Common Pleas Court blocked the people’s initiative, which also banned fracking wastewater injection wells, despite residents duly qualifying the measure.
 

The appellate court claimed there was a technical mistake made at the Common Pleas Court, thereby justifying the higher court’s refusal to issue a decision. ACBORC asks why the court took more than six months to decide not to decide.