When did the Fourth of July fireworks show get so contentious? That shirtless dude 12 Coors deep is just trying to have a good time.

The most American of American holidays can start a shouting match faster than Jenny Sanford blaming her husband’s infidelity on gay marriage. Your grandmother laments the noise, your brother complains about air pollution, and your dad tells him to get off his goddamn soapbox.

John Adams did, after all, write that July 4 should be marked with “illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forevermore.”

But head to the park and you can’t swing a cat without hitting a college freshman discussing how the city could feed the homeless population with the money it spends on the annual firework display. It’s a popular argument. So popular you’ll hear the same crowd grousing about how the city could feed the needy with the money it spends on its Christmas decorations.

Even with the environmental issues that abound, canceling the traditional Fourth festivities is a tall order. But this year, Montebello, Calif., has done just that. Read the rest of this entry >>

I figured that this 4th of July I would do one movie list that was appropriately thematic in terms of the content of films and one movie list that was based solely on “thematic” film titles.

Thus I give my Top 10 Movies with “American” Titles. All the films below contain America or U.S.A. in the title.  A few actually deal with what it means to be American while others are simply movies that should be seen.

Enjoy and as always let me know if I missed your favorite

10. The American President - This movie may be pretty typical Hollywood fare and a bit cheesy but I still really like it.  For some reason intellectual, idealized romcoms set in The White House don’t bother me (think Dave). Perhaps I just like seeing good people in charge of things?  And the speech below is simply a great movie moment. Read the rest of this entry >>

As I write this, I am heading to a Fourth of July celebration where they will likely set off a ridiculous number of fireworks (especially for a house party), and I will most assuredly oooo and ahhh over the chest-thumping explosions and sparkling weeping willows falling from the sky.  So, forgive me a certain degree of hypocrisy while I suggest a few alternatives to celebrating the Fourth of July that don’t involve polluting the sky with gunpowder.  As Andy pointed out, environmentally friendly fireworks are in the “works”, but until then…

1.  Outdoor Movies Rule

Something tells me that somewhere in your town there will be an outdoor movie screening for the Fourth of July.  Find that place, pack a picnic basket (full of farmer’s market veggies, local cheese and bread, and sustainably-produced fermented beverages), and go there.  If there isn’t a film showing under the stars, organize one yourself.  Getting your hands on a projector may not be the easiest task, so how about playing your favorite movie scenes on a laptop with the subtitles turned on, the sound turned down, and invite everyone play a bit of movie-karaoke.  I repeat: Outdoor movies rule. Read the rest of this entry >>

It’s been 233 years since America declared its independence, but for millions of people around the globe, the fight for freedom is just getting started. More than half a century after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was passed, the international community continues its struggle to combat discrimination, government corruption and political oppression worldwide. Western coverage of protests in Tehran, the coup in Honduras and internet censorship in China just scratch the surface of a global deficit of human rights, but the problem runs much deeper.

Two hundred years out, it’s easy to forget that the Fourth is not just about fireworks and cookouts–It’s about freedom. On this Independence Day, here are four freedom movements (in no particular order) that you should know about, and support, if you don’t already:
Read the rest of this entry >>

Sarah Palin, in a move that most likely is meant to be buried by other news (read: Michael Jackson) and a holiday weekend, has announced she is resigning as governor of Alaska. Check out the last part of her speech here:

Having watched the whole 18 minute speech, she seems tense and slightly rambling, and based on her words, I really feel like she’s resigning not for any political positioning, or ulterior motive, but simply because she’s simply tired of it. She doesn’t like being scrutinized, she doesn’t like being attacked, and she was just plain done with people being mean. What do you think? Is this positioning, or is this, “I don’t wanna play anymore”?

Photo: notjake13's flickr photostream

If you’re like me you like keeping your Fourth of July party planning simple and streamlined, so I’ve gathered a few sustainable suggestions to help cut down on waste and hassle, allowing you to make the most of your Independence hoot-nanny.  Even if you’re not hosting a party this year, you can always bring along these ideas to which parties you’re crashing or save them for your next shindig.

1.  BYO Dishware

While biodegradable party kits are definitely a snazzy, earth-friendly alternative to piles of plastic plates, the dirty truth is that your home compost bin probably doesn’t get hot enough to break them down, and not every town offers commercial composting (ask for it!).  So, when people ask what they can bring, tell them to bring their favorite (or wackiest) plate and cup to use!  Not only will you cut down on the production, waste and clean-up that come with disposable plates, but individualized plates will definitely spark some great stories.  Guests can also use their plates to bring home leftovers and cut down on wasted food (although I wouldn’t recommend people take “road sodas” with them, if you know what I mean). Read the rest of this entry >>

Big news in the education world yesterday: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan addressed the National Education Association (NEA) at their annual Representative Assembly. And yes, he did get booed. Several times.

Here’s an excerpt:

The greatest points of contention were over Duncan’s mention of merit pay for teachers, and his unwavering support for charter schools.

Read the rest of this entry >>

Give or take three months ago, we told you that the Navy is looking into building a training facility off the coast of Florida, and that environmentalists weren’t thrilled about that idea, but not a whole lot of information had come to light at that point. But now, the New York Times‘ Green Inc. is filling in some of the details.

According to the Southern Environmental Law Center and some other organizations, Navy ships would be performing exercises and sonar tests in areas otherwise protected for fish — including snapper and grouper — and close to a calving area for North Atlantic right whales.

Hmmm. This sounds vaguely familiar. The Navy, naturally, thinks that this is a non-issue, because they’ve done some research into the effect they might have on whales. Read the rest of this entry >>

Did you know that California doesn’t have any coal-fired power plants? It’s true! Yet Los Angeles still gets 40 percent of its power from coal…for now. But the good news is that the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, announced that by 2020 the city will no longer use coal power. At all. Says Reuters:

“LADWP [Los Angeles Department of Water and Power] will deliver 40 percent renewable power, with the remainder coming from natural gas, nuclear, and large hydroelectric,” said Villaraigosa. Coal and natural gas-fired power now account for 76 percent of the electricity delivered by the LADWP. By 2020, the LADWP expects to cut its carbon emissions by up to 60 percent from 1990 levels, according to the mayor’s office. Villaraigosa said the LADWP will meet its goal of getting 20 percent of its power from renewables by 2010.

Villaraigosa did concede that consumer would see higher electric bills to account for the switch to going green. Yet Deputy Mayor David Freeman stated that the “costs to society,” such as medical costs for pollution-related illnesses, will drop. Read the rest of this entry >>

Jessica Alba has gone eco-chic (the new term that makes being eco-friendly fashionable. Whatever works, right?) and she sat down with Vogue to talk about the changes she’s made to make her life more green. Check out the video after the jump: Read the rest of this entry >>