as the leaves change color

There hasn't been as much posting here of late as I would like. I apologize for that; lots of interesting things going down, in particular inertia building for the reality based side of the peak oil crowd.

Lately, I've been walloped by work responsibilities. These should fade in December.

Meanwhile, a few echoes from the future glitter before our eyes. One realizes the times are a-changing when Wal-Mart tries out a new coat of greenwash paint, in lieu of the normal enforced ugliness of their business.

Hopes, concerns color Coast plan

A plan to build a Wal-Mart in Pass Christian that blended into the streetscape drew applause when it was presented Monday.

The majority of the designs take on a new urbanism approach. The concept of new urbanism combines residential, retail and office space in the same development.

Under such a plan, town centers would be created throughout the Coast. They would include a series of mixed-use buildings designed to set up walking communities.

There would be retail, office space, residential space and parks.

The town centers would connect with light rail or trolleys, making it easier for people to move from one area to another without depending on automobiles, Duany said.

A delightful new urbanist Wal-Mart, (new urbanism -- an idea so slow in gaining momentum that it is already itself retro-eighties), huzzah.

Follow this up with health insurance for all employees and a living wage, and they'd really have something.

With the sadness and loss of the disaster in the gulf, comes a possibility for change. Americans can build something silly, or they can build something for a future in which conservation will be the American Way.