Most people don't think the conservatives have a interest in this, much less a response. Before I began reading your posts on this forum, I didn't think there was such a thing as a conservative environmentalist. I've learned a lot from you. I think others can too. It's time to market YOU. Have you considered forming a nonprofit consortium with your colleagues? A conservative counter to the Sierra Club? What I'm thinking of is a vehicle to advance these issues: newspaper columns, internet news columns, even TV time. When do we hear the conservative counter to this issue when the liberals go on the talk shows and news magazines? Never as far as I'm concerned. Is there someone who is highly visible to call on for this? None that I've seen. There's a void here.
Funny you should bring up grantwriting. I'm starting to learn that in order to pay for graduate school. The most important thing I've learned so far is the necessity of a good project. If a good project and plan is in place, the actual writing of the grant is a piece of cake. That last part is only 10 to 15% of the project. You've already got that. All you need is a good PR person. I'm serious!
As for Simon, if he is listening to Bush/Parsky/Rove then he is making a pact with the devil. They were so successful in the CA primary, weren't they? They have no idea what Californians need or want. As far as I'm concerned they should have minimal input in this campaign. However, none of us have any control over that. Simon is probably being told not to focus too much on the environment because it's not an issue. Politicians have become notorious for sticking their fingers to the wind to see what the issues are. When all Californians realize that this IS an important issue for ALL of us, then the politicians will respond. Then they'll go looking for the experts. That's when they will come to someone like YOU.
Just my unsolicited two cents worth:)
Thank you. You have made my day.
I think others can too. It's time to market YOU. Have you considered forming a nonprofit consortium with your colleagues? A conservative counter to the Sierra Club?
No. I want to form a FOR PROFIT company, in part because the motives of non profits are too opaque. I want people to understand that there is money to be made doing the right things to make the lands and seas healthy. I hope to attract investment capital, pay taxes and publish our books (including what I earn out of it), so that people can figure out that I'm not out to get cash rich here. I applied for patent on the business method to attract investors. If it allows, expect a very large noise. I am looking for a board of directors.
Wouldn't it be neat to dry up the money of the lefit eco-wackjobs because people want to make a profit investing in environmental health?
As far as exposure is concerned, I don't want a lot until more people on the left have read it. I don't want to alienate them with my other political opinions. You may have a hard time believing it, but there are died in the wool leftist ecologists who find my ideas intriguing and worth pursuit. They are sick of the corporate sellouts like the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy profiting on State perservation which ends up as neglected land subject to infestation. They also want to eat.
What I'm thinking of is a vehicle to advance these issues: newspaper columns, internet news columns, even TV time. When do we hear the conservative counter to this issue when the liberals go on the talk shows and news magazines? Never as far as I'm concerned.
They don't know how. It's really sad. I would be grateful if you would write a letter to such a magazine or poltician. It's very hard to get a book review unless there is the promise of advertising money that I just don't have.
Is there someone who is highly visible to call on for this? None that I've seen. There's a void here.
No kidding. There are a few property rights "spokespeople," out there who make a living sounding the green alarm, but from what I can tell they don't want a real solution. There are a few decent conservative writers on ecological topics (have you checked out Range Magazine?) and a few think tanks such as CEI and PERC but they spend almost all their time protesting environmental activists and raising money. Sadly, none of these voices has an alternative to government management other than less of it while expecting a return to objectivity and professionalism in resource agencies. Don't hold your breath there.
That's why I need the professorate and select policy people to read it. You would be surprised how far up the food chain this book has gone but I was hoping for more broad exposure by now. I am actually quite hopeful for progress, even while I'm frustrated at the way conservatives have been either too busy or too rigid to consider it thoughtfully. Part of that problem is that I'm virtually unknown.
All you need is a good PR person. I'm serious!
Right you are. Sorry, I'm broke. I'm waiting for some professors to finish reading it, but most of them don't get to reading until summer. I'm getting ready to blow the cover of a couple of big cheeses in the activist/foundation cabal with a couple of introductory articles. Stay tuned there. Until then, it's three years of deferred projects at home (I have been hammered with weeds off my neighbors' property this year) and a big opportunity to fix a big drainage problem reared came out of nowhere.
As for Simon, if he is listening to Bush/Parsky/Rove then he is making a pact with the devil.
He may think he HAS to.
They were so successful in the CA primary, weren't they? They have no idea what Californians need or want. As far as I'm concerned they should have minimal input in this campaign.
Amen. Please do what you can to tell Mr. Simon precisely that.
However, none of us have any control over that. Simon is probably being told not to focus too much on the environment because it's not an issue.
It is with the swing voters he wants. Consider that bond propositions for unspecified environmental work still pass in this State even when we are headed into the financial tank.
Politicians have become notorious for sticking their fingers to the wind to see what the issues are. When all Californians realize that this IS an important issue for ALL of us, then the politicians will respond. Then they'll go looking for the experts. That's when they will come to someone like YOU.
We can only hope. The best thing a politician can do is teach the public how his/her principles meet their desires. (I am cooking up a string of such speeches and policy papers for Mr. Simon now.) Frankly, I would rather be the 'thinker on the hill' than a public figure. I love my working on my land and teaching my kids too much to spend that much time on the road.
Just my unsolicited two cents worth:)
You underestimate yourself. Thank you.