As I am buffeted by the firehouse of news of the wounds against humanity and our planet, I still try to find healing stories of truth, beauty, goodness, and justice.
The United States does rank high in one category. Among 139 countries, according to the United Nations, we rank 12th in inequity. The Inequity Adjusted Human Development Index measures the extent to which human development is thwarted by inequitable distribution of wealth, health services and education. Evidently we do exceptionally well thwarting our citizens.
The book is homage to the power of grass roots democracy, organized protest movements and speakers, who are dedicated to a safe and clean environment creating power that is responsible and safe for people everywhere.
Premarital sex was sanctioned and encouraged when two people were engaged to be married so the couple could determine beforehand if the marriage would be fruitful. What the women in the fornication trials were actually being punished for was not the act but failing to marry the man afterward.
In her letter, Edge environmental correspondent Mary Douglas writes: "Kinder Morgan would realize a 10 to 14 percent annual return on its investment as a regulated monopoly for the life of the pipeline — 100 years or more ... However, there is plenty of time to put together alternatives, such as a mix of renewables, demand reduction, energy efficiency, market adjustments."
In 1785, the problem was that inoculation against Small Pox was outlawed in many states including Massachusetts. People who had suffered and survived a ravaging disease now faced prosecution.
"The six New England states never, as the article stated, made “a decision to impose a charge of dubious legality on all New England ratepayers in order to support the funding of a natural gas pipeline that is planned to traverse Massachusetts."
-- Heather Hunt, executive director of New England States Committee on Electricity
The latest Boston Globe poll shows the Democratic and Republican front-runners Martha Coakley and Charles Baker in a virtual dead heat, should the election be held today.
Don Berwick is the only gubernatorial candidate 'with a resume of such great executive experience and accomplishment.'
-- Fred and Elaine Panitz, Sheffield
