Vermont government and cleaning up Lake Champlain

Gov.Peter Shumlin can start by asking counties and municipalities within them to stop the clearing of forests and the subsequent conversion of that land to crap like parking lots, driveways and even lawns, all of which contribute a hell of a lot of nutrient pollution to Lake Champlain via its tributaries (Winooski River, Otter Creek, Mississquoi River, Lamoille River, etc.). Then, having declared that water quality means more than a developer's bankroll, we can all start restoring the natural landscape - the landscape that's critical toward filtering surface waters and, ultimately, to cleaning up the big lake's water. So, come on,folks. Let's get going on this. Here's Vermont Public Radio's take on the governor and the lake.

Obama seeks to use oil and gas money to develop alternative fuel cars

For the Nth time, reporting like this skips entirely over the best alternative fuel of all time: Walking, as in burning calories not gasoline. The oil and gas royalties Mr. Obama targets to fund the development of alternative-fuel cars would simply continue the status quo. The current way of operating in the U.S. is to pave over nature and to keep doing so, ostensibly forever. I strongly suggest putting the same royalties to work for Wild Nature by spending them to buy and preserve - forever - the nation's dwindling natural landscape.