the name game . . .

What's in a name?

Nu? Why don't we have one?

Actually, word on the street is that "the new West Ashley Minyan" (The New WAM!) is already taken.

And so, dear friends, perhaps it is time we settled on a name. Certainly, there are some indications out there that we need to come up with some new way of identifying our minyan.

Now, when you think about a name for someone or something, you have to try it out, to see how it fits, and how it sounds and looks. It's hard to know when a name will stick, and we have not yet found our mark. But, let's give it a go.

My first suggestion has a modern ring to it - maybe too modern. Maybe too far-out-there, in sixties-speak. Anyway here it is - the new "JAM" ( - as in the new JCC-Area Minyan.) Doesn't even need a slogan: it is a slogan!

Then there is this one, something a little more serious.

The new "JACOM". meaning the new JCC-Area Community Orthodox Minyan. This, to me, speaks of our essence in all respects. You could make it more interesting in written form, this way - The New J.COM (JCC-area Community Orthodox Minyan). What d'ya think? Huh?

Another consideration - What about the "Outback" Minyan?

It has the merit of being used with the catch-phrase - "where to get back in!" but I'm not sure there are any, or many, who feel like going with this. Let bygones be bygones and all that jazz.

Well, in the interest of kicking ideas around, this week's question of the week awaits you.

1) Which of these do you like - the new JAM, the new J.COM, the Outback?

2) Any other suggestions.

Either email your response to me at

Etzchayimforum@aol.com,

or respond online at EC forum FreeZone.

Climate Watch (Originally "This millenium's most important movie")

Eco updates:

(originally a post about Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" ***)

Update July 8, 2007:

I have another article from my Climate Watch Correspondent, and most-frequent-blog-visitor, who wishes-to-remain-anonymous. Like many who feel global warming is overhyped, he is not a Gore-o-phile. Nor am I, particularly. However, the anti-Gore lobby seems to like smacking Gore down without necessarily addressing the heart of the matter. Look at this article. All sorts of points Gore has made are apparently bogus:

Article: Alarmist global warming claims melt under scientific scrutiny
June 30, 2007
BY JAMES M. TAYLOR* - Link (* I assume he is no relation to the singer/songwriter)

Somewhere in the article, you might think, you would see some formal statement of a balanced view, at least assuming the author has a balanced view. But there is none. It's just a listing of Gore's questionable statements.

So, let's frame it simply and clearly: CO2 in the atmosphere is higher than it has ever been, and this is a fact based on scientific testing of the polar ice-cores. CO2 levels have not been proven to be a climate leader, but of all the things that influence climate, it may be the ONLY element we humans have influence on. We don't control sunspots and cosmic rays, the earth's orbital tilt, or other things that may influence climate. We do, however, have an impact on CO2 levels.

The key question is whether we should take a chance and ignore this element, or not. I believe the reasonable position is that we act like we are the custodians of this planet. We need to achieve sustainable progress for all of mankind. And the US needs to lead with dignity.

So, dumping on Gore is fun, but avoids the larger questsion. And what is amusing is to note that Gore bashers like to do the following: 1) To point out that global warming may be good, as we will be able to populate and farm Greenland; - 2) Avoid noting they have left the prior question - is climate change / global warming real? in preferrence for - Yes, it's occuring, but not as fast as Gore et al say. (See also: Goodbye "Cowboy Diplomacy" - Hello "Cowgirl Duplicity" elsewhere in the EC Forum)

In Taylor's article, global warming is said to increase wind-shear, reducing hurricane development. Oh, so global warming is real after all? Or weren't we supposed to notice this linguistic "sleight of hand"? As always, you can have your cake, or you can (h)eat it.

Addendum: July 13th, 2007: Gore did state in his movie that climate change would include more weather extremes - droughts here, floods there. I'm sure you've seen news from recent floods. Here's a piece about a recent record drought.

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Update Feb 26, 2007:

Next time you buy a car, consider this.

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*** Post under reconstruction:

The original title of this post was:

"This millenium's most important movie" and it began like this -

"Remember Al Gore? His movie, "An Inconvenient Truth" may be the most important movie you will ever see! If we care about our future, it has to include caring about our world.

I will donate $18 to a Jewish institution in Charleston, SC, for each of the first 10 people (limit 1 per family) who email me at etzchayimforum@aol.com that they have gone to see this movie in response to this posting.

Your comments will be appreciated, and please include which institution you wish the donation to go to."

Well, there weren't too many takers, but there were some comments - see below.

_____________________
Update #10 Jan 3, 2007

Here is a composite of a series of maps from the webpage of US Museum of Natural History.

Geography vs Wealth vs Population vs CO2 emissions.

Note the correspondence of wealth and emissions - can the US reasonably "not" lead the way?

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Update #9 December 6th, 2006
Evolution, squirrels and Global Warming collide!

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Update #7 August 31, 2006

This was an important news update, about a new Trans-Atlantic Alliance: Ecological, economic, and forward-looking.

I decided to call it -

"Terminator 4"

Yes!!! You got it right! "Global warming" is little more than Science Fiction - Just ask . . . .

"Ze Terrminaderr . . ."

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Update Feb 21, 2007:

Abominable Snowman spotted in Chicago.

Locals don't seem to mind ->

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Happy July 4th

Lawn of Harbor Cottage Inn, backed by neighboring house, SW Harbor, Maine 2006; photo by P Rosenthal


Been fishin'. . .

Will be bloggin' soon again . . .