More Green Thoughts

Going through Saranac Lake yesterday, I was really impressed that, in one of the coldest cities in the US, so many buildings didn't even have rudimentary storm windows, doors or vestibules. This is the sort of contemptible laziness and cheapness I despise. I mean, in like 2 years of heating, one would recoup the cost of the windows. But some crummy landlord will rent some old building with 100 year old doors and windows and tons of plate glass, and not give a thought about simple, common sense, middle class things like cutting your heating bill and cutting the amount of stuff that has to be burned to heat it, scum. Or newer buildings with flat roofs and no windows or natural ventilation, so they have to be mechanically heated and cooled year round. So when I see this as the norm, along with stores arranged so only the foolhardy would dare walk and walled off from the houses nearby so Joe SixPack drives his full size pick up everywhere, I can only have contempt at the people who whine about energy prices and demand we drill or somehow we are all going to be living in the dark ages when they squander energy hand over foot. I don't say we can't heat or cool buildings and live comfortably, but a well insulated building with good passive cooling and ventilation, is more comfortable and cheaper to run, ergo more green. So there is no real sacrifice if it is done right from the start. Sure some people are doing this now and if the government has to legislate it, it will be mediocrity.
Also, lets put in some sensible bike and walking paths. I heard some cranks on some so called news channel whining about bike path grants as if this was some hideous thing to spend money on like gold fixtures in the Whitehouse bathroom. So let's have nation of soft, fat slobs falling over from heart attacks and diabetes while consuming energy and junk food like gluttons. Don't walk or ride a bike anywhere, make sure your kid doesn't have to make that horrible quarter mile trek to school, drive or put him on the bus. When you hunt or fish, make sure you bring your ATV, god forbid if you break a sweat. We are victims of our own success, the success of the transport vehicle and junk food industry, coupled with the crummiest sort of planning and sidewalks. So let's fight another war for more oil instead, that is so patriotic!