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Push for Slots at Race Tracks

Some lawmakers think placing slot machines at the state's five horse-racing tracks is a gamble worth taking, especially with the state facing a $12.2 billion budget deficit.

  1. slotmachine_20100309091439_JPGPush for Slots at Race Tracks
  2. capitol4_20100224090306_JPGBudget Negotiations Could Be Set On...
  3. universityofillinois_20100210122528_JPGCampus Polls Plan Splits Lawmakers

Wallet and budgeting. (mangpages / Flickr.com / Creative Commons)  

Man Trys to Get Atheists to Give More

Dale McGowan, an atheist and self-described “secular humanist,” has started the Foundation Beyond Belief organization to get his fellow non-believers to be more charitable in their community.

    1. dpg_Wallet_budget_money_20090602095227_JPGMan Trys to Get Atheists to Give More 10 min ago
    2. School_2009040913432453_JPGChinese Colleges Cheaper Than Preschool
    3. Air Transat airplane_20100308113542_JPGAttendants Don't Have to Check…

     

    Raw Video - Polar Plunge 2010

    Watch as brave participants take part in the 2010 Polar Plunge to benefit the Illinois Special Olympics.

      1. 0306plunge_20100306143048_GIFRaw Video - Polar Plunge 2010

      Illinois' Mike Tisdale, second from right, grabs a rebound over the top of Wisconsin's Keaton Nankivil (52) and Jon Leuer, right, in first- half NCAA college basketball action at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill., on Sunday, March 7, 2010. (AP photo/John 

      Illini lose intense and crucial game

      It is customary for these post games to attempt to pinpoint the turning point of any given game. Today it is not very hard.

        1. 0307_20100307202927_JPGIllini lose intense and crucial game
        2. ohiostateoverillini_20100303084333_JPGAnother opportunity lost
        3. minnillini_20100228114601_JPGIllini lose Bubble Brawl to Minnesota

        Credit: Hassan & Mariko / Flickr.com -- Creative Commons License  

        Spring Time Tips For Your Pets

        As Spring approaches, your pets will be spending more and more time enjoying the great outdoors. But before they go outside, remember to apply their flea prevention.

        1. dog_20100305103642_JPGSpring Time Tips For Your Pets
        2. stpats_20100304111416_JPGSaint Patrick's Day Book Picks for Kids
        3. arch_20100302103805_JPGSt. Louis Day Trips and Attractions

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        FOXe's Blog

        by FoxE

        Last Post 684 days, 23 hours Ago


        A carbon offset is a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequesters carbon from the atmosphere that is used to compensate for GHG emissions from another project, activity, or business.

        8 Comments |  Add a Comment

        Member Comments Total Comments: 8
        Page 1 of 1
        Kevin_Lemanowicz read my blog view my photos
        Aug 8, 2007 | 6:00 PM

        There are a couple of ways to look at a carbon offset. First, the positive. I try to always start out positive. For corporations that have done everything they can to reduce carbon emissions, but still want to do more, this might be the way to go. If there just isn't any other feasible way for the business to continue to be profitable while cutting back even more on carbon emissions, buying offsets will at least send money to help fix the environment it is endangering. Of course, families can do this as well, but how many can actually afford to buy offsets. We know the former veep Al Gore is doing it. We also know he has oodles of money. We also know he jets around the country talking about reducing carbon, but I digress.

        Now, the cynical side. Isn't this just a way to make ourselves feel better? I mean, if you are still driving a gas-guzzler, jetting around the country, cranking up the air conditioning, doing laundry in the middle of a hot day, leaving the lights on, charging cell phones constantly, and all those other things we are supposed to cut back on, but you buy offsets, is it o.k.? Sure, you are sending money to some organization that you hope is using the money for the environment, but aren't you still sending those carbon emissions into the air? Of course you are! Perhaps you feel better about it by sending out the money, but you have still done the damage. Better to just cut back on your emissions in the first place. The average family is not going to be carbon neutral. We depend way too much on electricity to ever be carbon neutral. Offset

        Kevin_Lemanowicz read my blog view my photos
        Aug 8, 2007 | 9:48 PM

        That first comment was cut off, so let me finish. Here is a way to think about offsets. Imagine a person is obese, but eats three hot fudge sundaes anyway. That person then donates to research to fight obesity. Does that mean that person becomes less obese? No! The damage is done, the person still gains weight, despite paying the "fat offset".

        rudym read my blog
        Aug 9, 2007 | 2:47 PM

        KEVIN I ONCE HEARD THE ONLY REASON CARS HAVE A CAT CONVERTOR IS BECAUSE THE CAR MAKER TRY TO LOWER EMISSIONS THAT THEY CAUSE A NEW GAS. IS THIS TRUE

        ChristineClayburg read my blog view my photos
        Aug 9, 2007 | 7:57 PM

        Kevin. Love your Al Gore/Ice Cream Carbon Offset analogy. You are correct that it is a bandaid on a much bigger issue.

        IN fact if you "offset" your footprint by planting a tree you won't fully realized the effect for 72 years!

        There is another type of offset called a Renewable Energy Credit that is a bit more progressive. Several Fortune 500 companies are among the top purchasers but anyone can buy them online at sites like www.green-e.org

        A Renewable Energy Credit goes to utility companies produce renewable energy to help support the development of more renewable energy (powerlines to the plant, more windmills, solar panels...etc etc etc).

        So the $$ you're spending is supporting renewable energy companies and giving them a competitive edge on gas and coal.

        If you can't afford these you can still make a difference from buying from companies that do.

        Here are a few companies who are among the top 25 purchasers of Renewable Energy Credits nationwide.

        Pespi, Whole Foods, Wells Fargo, Staples, Kohl and Starbucks.

        Of course the best solution is to reduce energy use and emissions but it is nice to know this you don't want to give up that morning coffee purchase or whatever that in a small way you are still supporting cleaner energy.

        Christine Clayburg
        Meteorologist
        FOX 9 Minneapolis

        Kevin_Lemanowicz read my blog view my photos
        Aug 12, 2007 | 8:31 PM

        Not sure about that, rudym. However, I understand the cynicism that we all feel at times toward industry. This will kind of go along with what you are saying, Christine.

        We have a local utility company here that is offering the opportunity for customers to purchase a portion of electricity from renewable sources, such as wind. My problem, and here is the cynicism, is that I don't know how we will ever know the utility company is actually buying the electricity from a renewable source. Further, the renewable power is at a higher cost. Last I checked, windmills require little manpower, and the wind is free. I like the idea, but there is, as of now, no accountability.

        MrNewsome
        Aug 22, 2007 | 8:52 AM

        Carbon offsets are a scam. Invest your money directly with clean energy,cut out the middle man.Does anyone remember the Y2K scam? If you react without all the information you going to get taken, and maybe deservedly so.
        If your sure its not solar warming, and a man made condition, then push for the bigger polluters to clean up their act(China,South America and Mexico), as for me I'll keep driving my SUV, but I'll turn out the light when I leave the room.

        Sanctus read my blog view my photos
        Aug 23, 2007 | 9:47 AM

        Which came first? The supply or the demand? I find it ironic that it is the responsibility of consumers to police the various industries and corporations that create the products that increase carbon emissions. It is doubly ironic when you consider that it is our very own elected government (you know, the people who are supposed to be protecting us) that allow industries like the automobile industry to create products that are harmful to our environment. Why would they do this? Hmmm, could it possibly have something to do with money in the form of political contributions? No, of course not!
        I truly believe that the only way we will change the amount of carbon emissions is to change the economy first. As long as profit is rewarded over good behavior we will not see a significant reduction in emissions. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I am really tired of all of the rhetoric about the environment when any clear thinking person can determine that it is mostly talk. Granted, there are baby steps being taken like the ones you mentioned and they are good, just not good enough.


        Daniel

        Kevin_Lemanowicz read my blog view my photos
        Sep 17, 2007 | 1:50 PM

        I want to link you over to my recent blog for our myfoxboston.com website. It fits in nicely here.

        http://community.myfoxboston.com/blogs/Kevin_Lemanowicz
        /2007/09/10/Say_A_Prayer

        Page 1 of 1


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