Archive for category Editorial
Toward a Sustainable Future for Haiti
Posted by Jonathan Cloud in Analysis, Editorial, Global, Haiti, Sustainability on Monday, February 8, 2010
The earthquake in Haiti has been many things – including both a wakeup call for Americans, and an opportunity to demonstrate our compassion – but it has above all been a human tragedy that has revealed the weaknesses and deficiencies that were there before. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake will no doubt cause some damage no matter where it occurs, but it does not always need to cause the extent of devastation that has occurred in Haiti, or to leave the population as unaided.
Some colleagues of ours at the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise met last week to discuss what we could do to contribute to a longer-term recovery, that would try to address the social, environmental, and economic challenges facing this troubled nation. We talked about a great many things, including the fact that many of us feel powerless in the face of such catastrophes, especially those that afflict human beings in distant places. We are all “overcommitted” to many worthwhile and challenging tasks already, and taking on such a monumental task as helping to chart the way forward in Haiti clearly seems to require that we steal time and energy from other causes. But if we can make even a small difference, while honoring our other commitments, this seems a compelling goal. Read the rest of this entry »
An Open Letter to the President
Posted by Jonathan Cloud in Analysis, Editorial, Global, National on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Road Not Taken:
A Letter to President Obama
from a Concerned Democrat,
and a Concerned Citizen
Jonathan Cloud (Publisher)
Dear Mr. President:
I write out of deep concern as to the state of our nation today.
I believe that in the year since your inauguration, an important opportunity has been missed to unify and mobilize the American people in the service of their highest ideals.
I acknowledge the many pressures and challenges that have been thrust upon you by circumstances, and I applaud you for the intelligent and courageous actions you have taken. Your actions have, as almost all economists now recognize, averted an outright collapse of the financial system. And this is but one of many remarkable accomplishments, not the least of which has been changing the tone around America’s role in the world. Read the rest of this entry »
Latest News & Updates
Posted by Jonathan Cloud in Editorial, Local, News on Sunday, January 24, 2010
Jonathan Cloud (Editor & Publisher)
I’ve been working to add some sections and some content to the site and get it ready for a launch of some kind, when we decide that it’s ready for “prime time.” There are some challenges in the formatting, and I welcome your comments.
- I’ve posted Bill Allen’s upcoming discussion of “OFF by 2040” at the February 1 Bernards Democrats’ meeting to the Events page. Eventually I’ll add a Calendar to this page so it will be easier to see what’s happening.
- I’ve posted a recent correspondence between Larry Nault, Bill Allen, and myself, starting with Larry’s communication as an article and then adding our responses as comments, as an example of how things ought to appear (at least in my view).
Why The Dead River Journal
Posted by Jonathan Cloud in About, Editorial on Tuesday, December 29, 2009
…and what you can expect to find here.
Photo Credit: Passaic River Coalition (http://www.passaicriver.org)
The idea for the Dead River Journal was hatched at a meeting to consider a new communications strategy for democrats, independents, and moderate republicans in Bernards Township. We intend to be serious, wide-ranging, funny, and engaging, and provide what a local newspaper or magazine should – articles worth reading.
PLEASE NOTE: The focus of the Dead River Journal has changed substantially since it first began. I’ve kept much of the original description here, but we never implemented some of these ideas, and are not likely to. Rather, it has become a vehicle for sharing original thoughts, articles, and essays for me and a few close colleagues in Bernards Township, NJ. (Jonathan Cloud, Nov. 8, 2013)
We’ll have a monthly newsletter, and a subscription list, and ask readers for $10 a year for a subscription. Frankly, if we each kicked in that much we could make this much more effective as a means of communication. Given the urgency of our times, this seems increasingly important. Issues of economics, of energy and the environment, of the role of local government, and of other matters of public interest, are impacting each and every one of us and call for concerted action. Read the rest of this entry »
Writers and bloggers wanted!
Posted by Jonathan Cloud in Editorial on Sunday, December 27, 2009
We’re looking for Bernards Township residents who like to write, comment, debate, and sometimes even make fun of the goings-on in our town and around the world. If that description fits you, sign up and leave us a message at the Contact Us page, and we’ll upgrade you to a Contributor.
If you just want us to keep you posted, sign up as a Subscriber, and you’ll be notified when new articles are added.
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