About: Beth Robinson

Tennessee native. Computer Systems Analyst - 24+ year career in computer industry. BS, Computer Science, 1983 TTU. MA, Instructional Technology, 1999 APSU. Friends of Dunbar Cave. Audubon. Sierra Club. World Wildlife Fund. League of Conservation Voters. Active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clarksville (UUFC). UU Service Committee. UUFC Social Action chairperson / Green Sanctuary chairperson / Youth group advisor.


Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/beth_robinson/

Email: beth_faith@hotmail.com

Beth Robinson's Articles:

Tree-mendous Arbor Day celebration

By Beth Robinson | March 4, 2008 |

 

Bring the family to A Tree-mendous Arbor Day Celebration at the Customs House Museum this Saturday, March 8 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. This event is sponsored by the Clarksville Tree Board. There will be kids’ activities, a presentation for adults in the auditorium & free seedlings. The Customs House will also be waiving admission fees all day.

Help is needed to bag seedlings at the Museum on Thursday, March 6th, from 3 to 5 pm to prepare for the Seedling Give-a-Way.

Then on March 15, an Official Arbor Day Ceremony will be held at Barkers Mill Elementary School from 1-4 pm . Bring your shovels, rakes, gloves & wheel-barrows and volunteer for tree planting & mulching.

For more information or to volunteer contact Dottie Mann, the Tree Board Chair at DotMannClarks@aol.com

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

 

A state energy policy for Tennessee

By Beth Robinson | March 2, 2008 |

 

As a Tennessean, I’m very proud that Governor Bredesen has committed to signing an executive order to develop a comprehensive state energy policy.  The Tennessee Environmental Council, Solar Valley Coalition,  Tennessee Sierra Club, Cumberland Sustainable and other environmental groups have been requesting a plan for Tennessee that will seriously addresses curtailing greenhouse gases, setting emissions standards, and funding renewable energy initiatives.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (aceee.org) ranks TN as 43rd of 50 states based on their energy policy.   Energy efficiency is our easiest, cleanest, and cheapest energy resource and it will be a great economic stimulus far surpassing our recent tax rebates or other temporary fixes. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

 

Global Warming is everyone’s responsibility

By Beth Robinson | February 14, 2008 |

 

Unlike 1999, tornadoes spared Clarksville this time, but ripped through Tennessee and neighboring states on February 5th. In Madison, WI, where my sister lives, it snowed one foot in less than 24 hours. They’ve had over six feet of snow so far this season, so severe that she and others were told to leave work because snow came down so fast that the plows weren’t going out until it stopped. When it comes to climate change, we have our heads in the sand.

The cold and snow is also a symptom of global warming: more heat causes the air to hold more water vapor and more heat dries out some areas — then dumps snow/rain on others. The weird result is both floods and droughts — and snowstorms. The United States hasn’t yet recovered from Katrina, but the United States and the rest of the world will have many ‘Katrina-like’ storms if we don’t make huge changes now. I keep writing my senators and congress to pass sweeping legislation to lower carbon emissions (Kyoto). I wrote them recently to make investments in clean energy and ‘green’ rebates instead of the across-the-board tax cuts. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Opinion | No Comments

 

Darfur Diaries film - Feb 12 - tonight at Austin Peay State University!

By Beth Robinson | February 12, 2008 |

 

“I left the film feeling a great deal more hope for us all.” - Alice Walker

The Govs Programming Council will be showing “Darfur Diaries” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12 in the Clement Auditorium.

In October, 2004 three activists snuck across the Sudanese border into rebel-held territory to document the atrocities in Darfur. They returned with some of the first footage exposing the massive war crimes being perpetrated by the Sudanese government.

The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsor:  Govs Programming Council
Contact:   Melissa Davis
E-mail: davisma@apsu.edu
On the Web:  http://www.darfurdiaries.org/

Sections: Events | No Comments

 

Trickle down economics, rebates: Just “crumbs under the table”

By Beth Robinson | January 29, 2008 |

 

The US deficit is a monstrosity. I don’t subscribe to the notion that owing money is ‘the American way’. If we must have an economic stimulus package, it should address some of our current problems instead of giving an across the board, meager handout to the middle and upper class. One critical example is funding clean alternative energy solutions.

Let’s say I am deep in debt. Would you suggest I borrow more money? That seems to be what the US government is doing. Our huge US trade deficit spending cannot go on forever. Eventually, someone will have to pay.

Giving $50 billion to businesses is lunacy. CEO’s ‘legally’ steal billions every year using ’stock options’. They buy company shares at $5 and sell them the same day for $50. For some details on this immoral behavior see: http://www.corpwatch.org/ . Where does this money come from? It can’t just appear out of thin air. It must be related to low worker pay and lack of benefits - such as health care.

I know the opposition will lament: business rebates will create jobs. I think the ‘trickle down’ theory basically means ‘you can eat the crumbs that might happen to fall under my table’. Will any jobs created be decent paying careers for Americans? US Capitalism should not degrade into merely platinum collar theft.

Sections: Opinion | No Comments

 

Give incentives not tax cuts

By Beth Robinson | January 19, 2008 |

 

Instead of blindly giving another tax cut, how about giving tax incentives for buying green vehicles and other green products, or services? I think this would be smarter way to go rather than across the board tax cuts (which somehow despite good press) puts very little money in the places where it really needs to go. Most of the incentives to buy hybrid vehicles, add solar energy, and make our homes more energy efficient have expired.

A lack of drinking water also seems to be a very serious problem many states are facing. How about boosting the economy by creating some new and cleaner water systems? Why does the used water from my shower and washer go down the drain when it could be recycled to save dying trees in my yard?

Consumer spending simply creates more waste which must eventually be dealt with. Putting more TV’s and other electronic gadgets in our landfills is not what a tax rebate should go to support.

In a related note, it is very sad to see all the current TV commercials to money-strapped individuals: “get your tax refund today!”. They should really say, “give us a chunk of your tax refund today”. I’m sure these types of businesses are pushing and lobbying for small rebates across the board.

Sections: Opinion | 2 Comments

 

Darfur genocide - US needs to ACT!

By Beth Robinson | December 15, 2007 |

 

Peace on Earth, good will toward men.

Have you heard these words this Christmas season? The genocide continues in Darfur. Resolutions are passed but there is no action to protect the people. 

This past week I watched the new HBO movie, Sand & Sorrow, narrated by George Clooney, who was trying to explain why the genocide continues. It prompted me to again contact my representatives urging them to support ACTION. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »

 

Cut oil companies corporate welfare

By Beth Robinson | December 12, 2007 |

 

The House has passed H.R. 6, a bill containing moderate energy reforms. The best part of this action is a repeal of $13.5 billion in tax breaks for oil companies. Haven’t they been reporting record profits? Some Republicans objected to the repeal, and hope that it can be taken out when the bill goes to the Senate. Aren’t we looking for a way to reduce the federal deficit? Democrats are ’supposedly’ guilty of tax-and-spend. The current administration is just ’spend’.

The bill raises fuel efficiency standards, requiring that cars average 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. Although this is quite modest compared to other countries standards, it represents the first US increase in efficiency standards in over 30 years.

The bill also mandates that some of the electricity produced by utilities come from renewable sources. Contact your legislators to support this minimal change to US energy policy. Support H.R. 6

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »

 

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