Self-Reliant Cities

Originally published in 1982, we’re making this book available as a free download since many of its discussions are as relevant today as they were 25 years ago. The first half discusses the century-long struggle by cities to gain autonomy and authority from state governments and create their own planning and service delivery capacities. The second part describes the first urban-based localization movements and the successes and challenges. As a standalone document, we’ve also included the new foreword and the book’s last chapter, The Ecological City given the current revived debate about the subject.… Read More

Will the Economic Crash Take Down Our Hopes for Clean Energy?

Date: 29 Oct 2008 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Will the Economic Crash Take Down Our Hopes for Clean Energy? By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, October 29, 2008 A century ago French philosopher and writer Paul Valery observed, “The central problem with our times is that the future is not what it used to be.” He could have been commenting on current events. … Read More

Voter fraud? No, voter suppression.

Date: 28 Oct 2008 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Voter fraud? No, voter suppression. By David Morris, originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 28, 2008 Why are we hearing so much about voter fraud and so little about election fraud? After all, the odds of someone voting fraudulently are about the same as those of an American being struck and killed by lightning. … Read More

The Big Difference in Obama’s and McCain’s Plans for Our Energy Future

A few weeks ago I was at Iowa State University addressing 500 students and faculty at its engineering school. I was sharing a platform with former CIA Director Jim Woolsey. At one point, a student asked our views on the presidential candidates’ energy programs.

Iresponded that the essential difference between Obama and McCain is not in their goals as much as it is in the tools they would use to reach those goals. Obama believes in the active use of government authority; John McCain does not. McCain’s self-declared heroes, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, galvanized and led a movement whose principal thesis is that government is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

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The Big Difference in Obama’s and McCain’s Plans for Our Energy Future

Date: 23 Oct 2008 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Big Difference in Obama’s and McCain’s Plans for Our Energy Future By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, October 23, 2008 A few weeks ago I was at Iowa State University addressing 500 students and faculty at its engineering school. I was sharing a platform with former CIA Director Jim Woolsey. At one point, a … Read More

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed

The financial bailout bill passed by Congress may have once and for all put an end to T. Boone Pickens’ energy plan. Let me explain.

Until the financial meltdown obliterated all other news coverage, T. Boone and his energy plan were everywhere. His book, The First Billion Is the Hardest, is number two on the bestseller list. During the Republican and Democrat Conventions his press conferences were attended by a fawning media, virtually all of who filed stories with the theme "oil man turns wind energy advocate."

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How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed

Date: 9 Oct 2008 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed The new bailout plan passed by Congress may have put the nail in the coffin on Pickens’ dangerous energy proposal. By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, October 9, 2008 The financial bailout bill passed by Congress may have once and for all put an end to … Read More

Palin’s Self-Reliant Image of Alaska Is Bogus

Date: 15 Sep 2008 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Palin’s Self-Reliant Image of Alaska Is Bogus By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, September 15, 2008 In her latest comment on the “Bridge to Nowhere” controversy, Sarah Palin appealed to the self-reliant, individualist, rugged, anti-government image most Americans have of Alaska. “If we wanted a bridge,” she declared, “we would build it ourselves.” Actually, much … Read More

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