Anyone who has ever basked on a sunny Florida beach or devoured a fried oyster poboy in New Orleans has a psychological stake in the successful cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Every single person in America has a financial stake as well, for the oil and natural gas tapped by offshore drilling contribute to almost every aspect of our lives.
It's too early to tell what the long-term consequences of the spill will be. We mourn the loss of the 11 crew members who died in the accident, and we worry about the damage to the Gulf Coast ecosystem and the economic impact on an area still recovering from the hurricanes of 2005. Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana will suffer greatly if their tourism and seafood industries are stifled.
The most adverse consequences, however, are those that are likely to result if the wrong lessons are learned from this incident.
If offshore drilling is scaled back at the very moment when the American public is demanding more of it and political leaders are acquiescing, a golden opportunity to revitalize our economy and reduce our reliance on foreign oil will be lost.
A disaster of this magnitude is startling. It compels us to question the costs and benefits of offshore oil drilling, and rightly so. But a little investigation reveals that the benefits of drilling far exceed the costs.
The first thing you realize is how rare these accidents are. Few people can cite more than two or three similar incidents during the seven decades of offshore drilling. The oil industry has a remarkable record of safety.
The comparison to the airline industry is an apt one. The crash of a jumbo jet commands attention, necessitates investigation, and leads to recommendations for improved safety standards. But it does not stop people from flying. Why? Because reasonable people can recognize that the enormous benefits of air travel far outweigh the minimal risk.
The Deepwater Horizon received a safety award from the U.S. Minerals Management Service in 2009 and passed inspection three times this year. Nevertheless, something went terribly wrong -- and we now must determine, as best we can, what caused the accident and what steps should be taken to minimize the risk of another occurrence.
What we must not do is succumb to the temptation to overreact. We must not operate on the assumption that risk can be eliminated, because it can't. While we strive to make oil spills as rare as possible, we must recognize that, eventually, another will occur and we will again go through this necessary process of review and improvement.
Ships, pipelines, and trucks delivers millions of gallons of oil and natural gas to American homes, farms, and businesses safely every day. On the rare occasions when spills occur, the industry works with regulatory officials to minimize the environmental impact. They try to keep the oil from reaching shore, to clean up as fast as possible, and to protect marine life. The industry invests millions of dollars every year to develop and implement contingency plans for cleanup. The booms, skimmers, and dispersants you've seen in action on the nightly news are all part of its arsenal of recovery.
There are lessons to be learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill - lessons that will lead to improved safety standards and expedited cleanup efforts -- and we must learn those lessons. But it is vital to our nation's economy and security that we continue and expand offshore drilling. Abandoning our commitment to long-term energy independence would be a tragic mistake.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Finding Time to Give Back
We climb the ladder, we get promotions, we get laid off, we invest for our futures, we send emails, text messages and efaxes - but yet it seems we have never been more disconnected from each other as a community. In a world that operates at a dizzying speed, how do we find the time and ways to connect with our communities? And, is it worth the hassle? It seems with the pace of life that people are left with little time or energy at the end of the day.
Americans are competitive and this doesn’t stay on the sporting field. Anyone who has worked in an office can tell you how competitive the work world is. There is a frantic pace led by millions of Americans as they try to get the next promotion, buy a bigger house, save for their kids’ college funds and dream about the sports car they want. But, without a sense of connection to something bigger, this frantic pace can feel very hollow.
One of the greatest benefits of volunteering with a community organization is that it offers the ability to connect with others. Connecting with new people and working towards the same end goal of positive impact, can be incredibly rewarding. The feeling volunteers get isn’t a feeling they can get at the office. Being connected and feeling like you are a part of something bigger than yourself is a base emotional need.
Another benefit of volunteering is that you can try something new or get to be a kid again for a little while. Habitat for Humanity will let you help out on a construction site even if you wouldn’t trust yourself with a hammer. The Boy Scouts of America gives you the opportunity to go out on those campouts that you so fondly remember from your childhood.
Giving back can round out a life that would normally be taken up solely by a career. With the way the economy has gone the last couple of years, many people have unfortunately realized that giving 110% at work, just may not matter when corporations are cutting expenses. Volunteering can give a person valuable perspective on life, while also expanding a network that would have previously been career-focused. You don’t want all your eggs in one basket. This goes for your network, as much as it does for your portfolio.
Americans are competitive and this doesn’t stay on the sporting field. Anyone who has worked in an office can tell you how competitive the work world is. There is a frantic pace led by millions of Americans as they try to get the next promotion, buy a bigger house, save for their kids’ college funds and dream about the sports car they want. But, without a sense of connection to something bigger, this frantic pace can feel very hollow.
One of the greatest benefits of volunteering with a community organization is that it offers the ability to connect with others. Connecting with new people and working towards the same end goal of positive impact, can be incredibly rewarding. The feeling volunteers get isn’t a feeling they can get at the office. Being connected and feeling like you are a part of something bigger than yourself is a base emotional need.
Another benefit of volunteering is that you can try something new or get to be a kid again for a little while. Habitat for Humanity will let you help out on a construction site even if you wouldn’t trust yourself with a hammer. The Boy Scouts of America gives you the opportunity to go out on those campouts that you so fondly remember from your childhood.
Giving back can round out a life that would normally be taken up solely by a career. With the way the economy has gone the last couple of years, many people have unfortunately realized that giving 110% at work, just may not matter when corporations are cutting expenses. Volunteering can give a person valuable perspective on life, while also expanding a network that would have previously been career-focused. You don’t want all your eggs in one basket. This goes for your network, as much as it does for your portfolio.
100 Years of Boy Scouting: What Has Changed?
February marked the 100 year anniversary of the the Boy Scouts of America organization. Since its founding in 1910 more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA. Currently it still remains one of the largest youth organizations in the United States with over four million youth members in it’s various divisions.
The BSA goal’s isn’t just to provide kids a safe place to play and learn, though that is an important benefit. The organization’s goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations.
For younger members, Scouts are introduced to typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking.
In Alvin Townley’s book, “Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America’s Eagle Scouts,” he states that the BSA's purpose at its incorporation in 1910 was "to teach patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values." In 1937, the BSA's director stated, "Each generation as it comes to maturity has no more important duty than that of teaching high ideals and proper behavior to the generation which follows." The current mission statement of the BSA is "to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
While the program has grown and changed over it’s 100 year history, much has stayed the same. Scouts still learn leadership skills, teamwork skills as well as learning about citizenship. Much of the information that is taught through participation in the BSA is unique and not taught anywhere else.
Camp outs remain as popular with scouts today as they did 100 years ago. Now, though, it offers the rare opportunity for kids to ‘unplug’ from technology and get in touch with nature. This opportunity itself seems to become more and more rare with each passing year and each new gadget invented.
If you talk with any of the 110 million Americans who have participated in the BSA organization, you will hear fond memories of hiking, learning to sail, cooking over a campfire as well as earning badges. It’s reassuring to know that the newest generation of scouts still get to participate in a very similar experience that past members got to participate in.
With the pace of the current technology age, kids can seem to speak a different language than adults. The BSA offers activities that bring kids and adults together, for positive activities. It’s a special organization where important skills are handed down, and memories are both shared and created.
The BSA goal’s isn’t just to provide kids a safe place to play and learn, though that is an important benefit. The organization’s goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations.
For younger members, Scouts are introduced to typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking.
In Alvin Townley’s book, “Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America’s Eagle Scouts,” he states that the BSA's purpose at its incorporation in 1910 was "to teach patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values." In 1937, the BSA's director stated, "Each generation as it comes to maturity has no more important duty than that of teaching high ideals and proper behavior to the generation which follows." The current mission statement of the BSA is "to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
While the program has grown and changed over it’s 100 year history, much has stayed the same. Scouts still learn leadership skills, teamwork skills as well as learning about citizenship. Much of the information that is taught through participation in the BSA is unique and not taught anywhere else.
Camp outs remain as popular with scouts today as they did 100 years ago. Now, though, it offers the rare opportunity for kids to ‘unplug’ from technology and get in touch with nature. This opportunity itself seems to become more and more rare with each passing year and each new gadget invented.
If you talk with any of the 110 million Americans who have participated in the BSA organization, you will hear fond memories of hiking, learning to sail, cooking over a campfire as well as earning badges. It’s reassuring to know that the newest generation of scouts still get to participate in a very similar experience that past members got to participate in.
With the pace of the current technology age, kids can seem to speak a different language than adults. The BSA offers activities that bring kids and adults together, for positive activities. It’s a special organization where important skills are handed down, and memories are both shared and created.
Four Ways Scouting Helps Prepare Kids for Adulthood
Career changes, layoffs, bank failures, breakneck-speed technology advancements - all of these things combine to make for a fast-paced and complicated world. The Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 100 year anniversary in February. They are still offering a great platform for boys to develop skills that will not only help them in their youth, but prepare them to better deal with the challenges of the current world. How can scouting help our kids?
Fosters self-esteem. A high self-esteem is the best tool a person can have in dealing with the challenges of modern society. Kids that have participated in scouting have experience with cooperation and team-building, leadership, and have learned the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving goals. People that have never had the opportunity to participate in scouting may think that merit badges were just busy work, but any scout can tell you that they were hard work and created a great sense of pride when they were accomplished.
Sense of value and belonging. The fast pace of life today can pull people in dozens of different directions, which leaves most feeling very disconnected. Scouts have learned the value and benefits of ‘belonging to a pack’ and having a positive connection with others. When this sense of belonging is nurtured, like it is in scouting, kids grow up with an attitude of reaching out, connecting and giving back. Communities as a whole, as well as individuals, benefit greatly from this positive attitude.
Accountability. Scouts learned that cooperation was an important aspect of life and being held accountable for your part of the activities was mandatory. You couldn’t oversleep at camp if it was your day to get the campfire going for breakfast. Simple responsibilities like this teach a scout that they are important and that following through on their promises is as important. In a world full of litigation and finger-pointing, people that maintain accountability for their actions are extremely valued and respected members of society.
Teamwork. You can’t set up camp or break down camp very effectively on your own. Scouts learn these skills at camp, as well as with other troop activities. Kids that grow up only participating in competitive activities can miss out on important life skills, such as teamwork and cooperation. Having drive is important as an adult, but it is much more powerful if it is coupled with knowing how to effectively be a member of a team.
These four skills are important skills to have in today’s world. Scouting gives kids the opportunity to learn them at a young age, while having fun in a safe, adventure-filled environment. The lessons aren’t just printed on a page, they are experienced through activities and they are used over and over in adulthood.
Fosters self-esteem. A high self-esteem is the best tool a person can have in dealing with the challenges of modern society. Kids that have participated in scouting have experience with cooperation and team-building, leadership, and have learned the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving goals. People that have never had the opportunity to participate in scouting may think that merit badges were just busy work, but any scout can tell you that they were hard work and created a great sense of pride when they were accomplished.
Sense of value and belonging. The fast pace of life today can pull people in dozens of different directions, which leaves most feeling very disconnected. Scouts have learned the value and benefits of ‘belonging to a pack’ and having a positive connection with others. When this sense of belonging is nurtured, like it is in scouting, kids grow up with an attitude of reaching out, connecting and giving back. Communities as a whole, as well as individuals, benefit greatly from this positive attitude.
Accountability. Scouts learned that cooperation was an important aspect of life and being held accountable for your part of the activities was mandatory. You couldn’t oversleep at camp if it was your day to get the campfire going for breakfast. Simple responsibilities like this teach a scout that they are important and that following through on their promises is as important. In a world full of litigation and finger-pointing, people that maintain accountability for their actions are extremely valued and respected members of society.
Teamwork. You can’t set up camp or break down camp very effectively on your own. Scouts learn these skills at camp, as well as with other troop activities. Kids that grow up only participating in competitive activities can miss out on important life skills, such as teamwork and cooperation. Having drive is important as an adult, but it is much more powerful if it is coupled with knowing how to effectively be a member of a team.
These four skills are important skills to have in today’s world. Scouting gives kids the opportunity to learn them at a young age, while having fun in a safe, adventure-filled environment. The lessons aren’t just printed on a page, they are experienced through activities and they are used over and over in adulthood.
Four Powerful Ways Scouting Improves Kids’ Self-Esteem
The Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 100 year anniversary this year and they are as valued of an organization now as they ever were. Kids today deal with issues and a speed of life that was unheard of even 10 or 15 years ago. Organizations like the Boy Scouts helps boost self-esteem which is critical in helping kids cope with the world today. Here are four ways they do it.
Social growth. Pack and troop meetings and activities give kids a safe place to interact, learn, play and adventure. Being with like-minded kids helps even the shyest boy come out of his shell to participate. Troops across the nation do field trips such as visiting nursing homes every year. Boys in these troops will be responsible for assisting in the planning of these visits and will do everything from creating crafts with residents to serving them dinner. Learning to communicate and socialize with different types of people is a natural result of participating in the many scouting activities, and a huge benefit in a boy’s development.
Leadership opportunities. Scouting has always focused on creating opportunities for boys to develop their leadership skills. Scouts work with adults as partners, but many activities are led directly by elected youth officers. Troop Leadership Training is a program for these youth leaders and is specifically designed to introduce the youngster to leadership while fostering skills necessary to be an effective leader. Scouts as young as 10 years old can participate in this program and there are many other levels of training available as a boy progresses.
Cooperative activities. Boy scouts learn early on that cooperation is a major key to success. It doesn’t take a kid long to learn that it’s faster to pitch a tent if you have a partner helping you. But, their experience doesn’t stop there. Troops often plan their own meals while at camp and that requires organization, cooperation, creativity and plenty of communication. Everyone needs to pitch in at all troop activities which is valuable in teaching the importance of cooperation.
Acknowledgement. Merit badges and ceremony have become synonymous with scouting and there is good reason. Attaining a merit badge involves a commitment by the scout and it’s accomplishment is rewarded. Gaining badges and advancing through the various scouting programs is key in the Boy Scouts’ goals of encouraging positive character development. The ceremonies around advancing from one level to another are important moments of growth in a boy’s life. It’s a time when kids get to be acknowledged for their accomplishments and get to celebrate accomplishing goals. Every adult who participated in scouts can remember the pride they felt at these ceremonies, and it’s still the same today.
Boys from every corner of this country and from every walk of life can benefit from the self-esteem boosting activities that Boy Scouts offers. It’s fun, educational, builds character and is an organization that has 100 years of positive impact and is still going strong.
Social growth. Pack and troop meetings and activities give kids a safe place to interact, learn, play and adventure. Being with like-minded kids helps even the shyest boy come out of his shell to participate. Troops across the nation do field trips such as visiting nursing homes every year. Boys in these troops will be responsible for assisting in the planning of these visits and will do everything from creating crafts with residents to serving them dinner. Learning to communicate and socialize with different types of people is a natural result of participating in the many scouting activities, and a huge benefit in a boy’s development.
Leadership opportunities. Scouting has always focused on creating opportunities for boys to develop their leadership skills. Scouts work with adults as partners, but many activities are led directly by elected youth officers. Troop Leadership Training is a program for these youth leaders and is specifically designed to introduce the youngster to leadership while fostering skills necessary to be an effective leader. Scouts as young as 10 years old can participate in this program and there are many other levels of training available as a boy progresses.
Cooperative activities. Boy scouts learn early on that cooperation is a major key to success. It doesn’t take a kid long to learn that it’s faster to pitch a tent if you have a partner helping you. But, their experience doesn’t stop there. Troops often plan their own meals while at camp and that requires organization, cooperation, creativity and plenty of communication. Everyone needs to pitch in at all troop activities which is valuable in teaching the importance of cooperation.
Acknowledgement. Merit badges and ceremony have become synonymous with scouting and there is good reason. Attaining a merit badge involves a commitment by the scout and it’s accomplishment is rewarded. Gaining badges and advancing through the various scouting programs is key in the Boy Scouts’ goals of encouraging positive character development. The ceremonies around advancing from one level to another are important moments of growth in a boy’s life. It’s a time when kids get to be acknowledged for their accomplishments and get to celebrate accomplishing goals. Every adult who participated in scouts can remember the pride they felt at these ceremonies, and it’s still the same today.
Boys from every corner of this country and from every walk of life can benefit from the self-esteem boosting activities that Boy Scouts offers. It’s fun, educational, builds character and is an organization that has 100 years of positive impact and is still going strong.
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