Response to the “National Security Implications of Climate Change” Meeting.

ORONO, Maine –Dr. William J. Brennan, President-Select of the Maine Maritime Academy, spoke on behalf of SPIA, the School of Policy & International Affairs, at the University of Maine campus on Wednesday March 31, 2010 to deliver an address titled “National Security Implications of Climate Change”. UMaine President Robert Kennedy introduced Dr. Brennan, a graduate of the University, with a Ph.D. degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Brennan, outfitted in a dark blue suit, took to the podium and addressed the crowd that had gathered in the McIntire Room.

Dr. Brennan began his speech with a slew of “thank you’s” and recognized a few of his colleagues in the audience.

Dr. Brennan then continued onwards, acknowledging the consequences of mass climate change; reduced water supply, mass migration, and hunger, all of which lead to reduced economic, industrial, national and human security. “Because of globalization”, Brennan began, “we are connected in ways our forefathers could never have imagined”. He stressed the human aspect of climate change, stating that “electricity exists for hair dryers and flat screen TVs”.

“Despite talk of change from Washington last year”, Dr. Brennan said in-between graceful sips of water, “we have increased our dependency on oil”. A semi prophetic statement, since just hours earlier, reports began to surface that the Obama Administration was looking to pass legislation allowing off shore drilling on the east coast of the United States.

In the years prior to the current economic recession, climate change was an issue at the forefront of debate and discussion. Dr. Brennan points out that now it is an issue for only those concerned with the long term outlook, he says, the peoples main anxiety is money. That people are not willing to spend the money necessary to invest in renewable forms of energy, thus halting the overhaul of the energy industry. “Will it be affordable and practical to thwart climate change”, he elaborates, “I say can we afford not to. There are consequences to doing nothing”.

Dr. Brennan finished speaking rather quickly, admitting to writing his speech that morning. His tone was serious but his wit and sense of humor seized the moment. An audience member asked a question, confessing that he was not sure if there was an answer, Dr. Brennan responded “ I will make one up if there isn’t”; the crowd chuckled.

The audience, a mix of men in suits and students in cargo shorts, were attentive but frankly, seemed to expect more, since the event was supposed to last from 4:30- 6:30 but ended around 5:15 pm.

Dr. Brennan engaged the audience with an interesting argument. He raised key points, regarding mankind’s misuse of energy and what the potential effects could be; war, famine, possible extinction. Dr. Brennan’s speech was a success that left slightly more to be desired in terms of content, but what he did divulge was interesting and captivating.

The Downside to Wind Power

BANGOR, Maine-Renewable energy is clean and sustainable and has a laundry list of benefits compared to the latter; but Maine residents who live close to local wind farms say they have concerns.
Maine is known as a fall foliage Mecca and a state ripe with natural beauty, this is the reason why the state has refused the construction of billboards and other signage along its highways and major roadways. It is also a state at the forefront of wind technology, with several wind farms located around the state. Recently, some rural Maine communities have fired back at the wind power industry. Towns such as Mars Hill, Dixmont, Jackson, Oakfield, New Vineyard and Vinalhaven Island, all have issues with the 400 foot tall turbines.
In Mars Hill, locals criticize the windmills looks and say they’re too noisy. In context to the benefits of wind power these critiques seem trivial, but Maine is a state devoted to natural preservation and natural tourism, which generates an excess of millions of dollars. Their concerns become valid when these disturbances are put into context with Maine culture.
Appearance is also an issue for residents in Roxbury located near Rumford, where a proposal to build a wind farm along the ridgelines of five mountains in Highland Plantation in Somerset County has created an outpouring of disapproval. Residents say the areas scenery would be compromised, others say it would be marred.
Light reflection is also an issue for residents of Union, Maine. Preventative measures have already been taken at Fort Kent, where no wind farm plans are underway, yet an ordinance is under consideration that would limit wind farm noise.
The debate over wind power in Maine is so great that critics have appealed their case to the Supreme Court. Despite all the negative outcries, spokesmen for the wind industry say people should not lose sight of the benefits of wind power, including clean energy.
“If we want to advance towards a cleaner environment, sacrifices have to be made”, says Ryan Clancy a resident of Fort Kent, “appearance and other trivial characteristics are insignificant compared to tons of greenhouse gases”.
Ryan attends school in Southern Maine and notes that the coast around Portland is littered with massive oil drums. Portland is in fact the largest oil port on the east coast of the U.S., but it is equally important to note that Maine is also the most heavily forested state in the nation, with over 90% of its land mass covered with trees; 17.7 million acres to be exact.This, no doubt, reflects Maine’s priorities.
As the debate continues on, it has led many to wonder, how exactly the state will proceed? Will Mainers elect to save the environment through continued preservation efforts but still be dependent on oil for its power? Or will residents join the green revolution and allow the production of wind farms across the state, lessening their dependence on oil? In this debate one thing is certain. Mainer’s will no doubt stand firm, they understand that Maine’s scenic quality is an attribute that lays deep in the culture of the state and the hearts of its citizens.

Reader Script

“Our top story tonight….”
President Obama slams insurance companies and calls for a final congressional vote on his health care reform plan.
SOUND-BYTE:
(President Obama:
“"I don't know about the politics, but I know what's the right thing to do.”)

Toyota challenged a California driver's story of an out-of-control Prius at a press conference Monday afternoon in California.

In other news…

The Obama Administration plans to overhaul the No Child Left Behind law, the eight year old law was a signature policy of President Bush…

The Downside to Wind Power

“Going Green” is not an entirely new concept; pioneered by the mindset of the hippies of the 60’s and 70’s it was reborn in the early 2000’s due the public’s heightened awareness of global climate change and new advances in technology. In recent years, a wave of green products has swept the market but the green revolution has yet to fully transition into the mainstream. The overwhelming hurdle to cross is the mass transition from fossil fuels to green energy. Renewable energy is clean and sustainable and has a laundry list of benefits compared to the latter, but Maine residents who live close local wind farms say they have concerns.
Maine is known as a fall foliage Mecca and a state ripe with natural beauty, this is the reason why the state has refused the construction of billboards and other signage along its highways and major roadways. It is also a state at the forefront of wind technology, with several wind farms located around the state. Recently, some rural Maine communities have fired back at the wind power industry. Towns such as Mars Hill, Dixmont, Jackson, Oakfield, New Vineyard and Vinalhaven Island, all have issues with the 400 foot tall turbines.
In Mars Hill, locals criticize the windmill’s looks and say they’re too noisy. In context to the benefits of wind power these critiques seem trivial, but Maine is a state devoted to natural preservation and natural tourism, which generates an excess of millions of dollars. Their concerns become valid when these disturbances are put into context with Maine culture.
Appearance is also an issue for residents in Roxbury located near Rumford, where a proposal to build a wind farm along the ridgelines of five mountains in Highland Plantation in Somerset County has created an outpouring of disapproval. Residents say the areas scenery would be compromised, others say it would be marred.
Light reflection is also an issue for residents of Union, Maine. Preventative measures have already been taken at Fort Kent, where no wind farm plans are underway, yet an ordinance is under consideration that would limit wind farm noise.
The debate over wind power in Maine is so great that critics have appealed their case to the Supreme Court. Despite all the negative outcries, spokesmen for the wind industry say people should not lose sight of the benefits of wind power, including clean energy. But as the debate continues on, Mainer’s will no doubt stand firm, they understand that Maine’s scenic quality is an attribute that lays deep in the culture of the state and the hearts of its citizens.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2010

Contact: Anthony Chiamulera
University of Maine Orono
5783 - York Hall, Room 318
Orono, ME 04469-5711
Phone: 207-899-8514
Email: Anthony.Chiamulera@umit.maine.edu



"Men's Ice Hockey Hosts UMass Lowell"

ORONO, Maine-- The University of Maine Men ‘s Ice Hockey team is setting out to revamp their winning streak in a double face off against UMass Lowell this weekend , hosted by the UMaine Black Bears. With only three weeks remaining in the 2009-2010 season, teams are being to fight for a playoff position. Both teams hold a similar profile this season, Maine is 14-11-3 on the season and 11-8-2 in Hockey East play while UMass is 15-13-2 overall and 9-10-2 in Hockey East play.

UMaine is ranked 15th in both the latest USCHO.com Poll and the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine, which was announced on Monday, Feb. 15. It is the first time that Maine has been ranked since Nov. 14, 2007 when the Black Bears were 16th in the nation in the USCHO.com Poll. This is no doubt due to the amazing effort and output of the Black Bears this season.

UMaine’s Alfond Arena will host the Friday and Saturday games scheduled to start at 7 p.m. In honor of our nation’s military; Saturday’s game will be the Annual Operation Community Support Game. Throughout the night military members and their families will be recognized for their service. Tickets for the public are $19 and are still available while student tickets are, as always, free of admission.
We hope to see many of our fellow Black Bears at the ice this weekend,

GO BLUE!,

Anthony Chiamulera
Anthony A. Chiamulera
Public Relations Correspondent

Profile Story

Art is theoretical and beautiful, abstract and elusive, an expression of self creativity and imagination. For many art is a language, a form of communicating consisting of many accents and dialects, scattered in hues of neon. To help navigate me through this chaotic decoupage of inspiration and invention, I have turned to my brother, Robert Chiamulera, an avid art theorist, and a senior art student at the University of Maine. It was my hope that he could enlighten me in regards to what exactly art is, and the methods and intentions behind its creation.
My journey to artistic enlightenment began in the basement of Carnegie Hall, long after traditional operating hours had ended. As I observed and inquired throughout the night, the basic principles of the artist began to unveil.
We sat at a metal table; Rob was shading in a sketch of two hands holding a coin. Curious, I asked him what exactly he was working on. “A cooper print, using an aqua tint”, he responded. A project he no doubt put off to the last minute, as he was still in the initial stages of sketching the print on paper, which would later be transferred and carved out of a copper plate. I began to wonder if procrastination was a driving force behind his inspiration and artistic work ethic. I soon found out procrastination is a symptom of restricted creativity, the inability to create and do as you please with your art; a response based on the constrictions of an art class. Basically you are being forced to complete a particular project, not always to your own aesthetic, resulting lackluster enthusiasm and effort. Two things that are essential for an artist’s creative spirit.
Sometime in-between pencil strokes he revealed his perspective on the art community. “The art world is very snooty, someone could paint a red dot and people would praise it”. This idea of a possible social hierarchy in the art community reminded me of a quote fashion designer Marc Jacobs said in his documentary “Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton”, “I have always felt intimidated by the art world”, Jacobs said “in the creative hierarchy, the art world is up at the top and fashion is down at the bottom”. When asked what he thought of this particular quote, Rob responded “This quote shows the snobbery and elitist effect some artist can portray. All art is as important as everyone else’s, whether it be a painting done by some famous dead guy, a comic book, or a coat, all art is self contained and meaningful”. As he elaborated further he began to get into his own art theory. He explained that “art is the ability to evoke emotion. Creativity and art comes naturally, it is the skills you have to work on. Creativity you can’t help, it is just there, as for the technical skills you have to work at them like any skill. Art isn’t being able to draw something realistically or perfect, it is more important to have your art fit the concept in your mind than to draw something pretty. It is more than just painting; you mix your materials with a concept to establish your vision”.
As I followed him throughout the night, he began the process of transferring the paper sketch to the copper plate using a strong acid. The dots began to connect and the picture began to take shape. Art is a form of self expression a medium in which a artist can directly or indirectly transcend his or her values into society. I found it interesting that it was actually more important for art to carry a meaning or purpose with it than to actually be visually appealing. This idea that concept and context is superior to visual interest is one that is often over looked by outsiders of the art community.
Inspiration is vast and can vary among all artist. I found that Rob is mostly inspired by people and their personality and moods. He will create characters in his own work based off of people he observes or knows firsthand. He can also be inspired by more abstract concepts such as light and configuration. He says that his definition of success if not necessarily fame or self-fulfillment exclusively but to have people view his work and become inspired.
Slightly manic and pressed for time, Rob runs his cooper plate and places it in a airbrush station. This piece he is working on now may not be his shining achievement in his portfolio, but the heart of an artist cannot be fooled. Clearly he has what is most important; a drive and knowledge of his craft, theoretically and technically. I believe I have found the answer to my original inquires. Art is more than color and texture, feel and approach; it is the essence of the artist himself. It is his visual interpretation of a everything he stands for or stands against.

Local Newscast

The newscast I have selected focuses on Sarah Palin’s visit to Bangor, Maine in 2008. I feel that the only way to truly critique this newscast is to be extremely nitpicky; otherwise the newscast is satisfactory. I would alter the first sentence slightly by rearranging the order of the words in the sentence; I think this would improve the flow and sound of the newscast. The first sentence reads as follows, As anxious Mainer’s who had come from all over the state, held signs and screamed at Bangor’s international airport, governor Sarah Palin finally took to the stage with senator Olympia Snow. I think it may just be a matter of personal preference but for some reason this first line always leaves me confused. My sentence would read, Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Olympia Snow, finally took to the stage at Bangor’s international airport, as anxious Mainer’s who had come from all over the state, held signs and screamed. I think this sentence is more organized and more direct. When Cindy Michaels, the reporter, says the first line she is talking over a screaming crowd, this distracts the viewer from actually listening to what she is saying. I would run the first sentence clear of any background noise and then cut to it after the line was delivered, to ensure the focus of the audience. I also would cut the bit about the local country singer; I don’t think it offers anything to the overall story of the newscast. I appreciated how the newscast told the story, the actual footage from the event fills most of the body of the newscast, and no actual opinion on the event was given by the narrator, just the facts.


(See the newscast here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMTw83uj_c8)