Thinking Outside the Box

  [As an online teacher of environmental economics, most of my time is spent talking about pollution, cap and trade, marginal social costs, and the like, with the expected student responses... But every once in a while there is an email exchange that makes it feel good to be a teacher, and influence someone's life in a positive way: this was one of them. Below is a response I got from a student to a long response where I explained to him where corporate personhood originated and why it is so significant..] [This was the student's response: ] Wonderful explanation, I am looking forward to becoming much more informed and involved. This class has sparked a potential path for me to follow in life at a time when I find myself searching as all I do is plan with beer and I need to be a part of something more fulfilling. I will check out those books you recommended as well, thanks for the tip. Cheers, [from one of my students This was my answer that inspired the student......

[Preface circa 2025: Too few people are aware that the entire fracking industry would be illegal as it is currently practiced were it not for a perversion of federal environmental law, created in 2005. This is a letter I sent to Mother Jones magazine on November 9, 2012, asking that they do an article on how the national fracking campaign developed, which was conceived of and created by Dick Cheney and lawyers from the oil and gas industry in the early 2000's. This resulted in a small clause in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which created the infamous "Halliburton Loophole"...and which had enormous consequences, of which few people are aware. To learn about it, read on...] Hello Mother Jones,  I am a subscriber to your magazine, and really enjoy your quality investigative journalism.  I would like to suggest that you do a story that would have national significance on the topic of fracking, global climate change, and the actions of the multinational oil and gas c...

[These are remarks I made to the Boulder Planning Commissioners on October 17, 2012, as part of the public input process. I was among the dozen or so persons who spoke out against fracking, while there were two people who spoke in support. ] Greetings Commissioners, My name is Rick Casey, and I live at 1118 Centaur Circle in Lafayette. Thank you for this opportunity to express my concerns about fracking, which I consider a dangerous and unwise policy to allow on county lands. I've taught environmental economics at Front Range Community College since 2009, and have become firmly convinced that fracking is a wrong and unnecessary policy of resource development. We should instead be investing in alternative energy, and building the base for a truly sustainable energy future, instead of the short term opportunistic policy of hydraulic fracturing.   I last spoke to you on Sept 24, and spoke in support of extending the county moratorium on fracking. I am actively engaged ...

[Remarks I made to a meeting of the Boulder County Commissioners regarding oil and gas development in Boulder County, in the public meeting room, 3rd floor, Boulder County Courthouse, Sept 24, 2012. I was about 10th in line, right after Carolyn Bninski from the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. The meeting was packed, to standing room only, where the oil & gas spokespersons got to speak first for about an hour. Thereafter, the public was allowed to make comments within three minute periods or pooled periods up to twelve minutes....quite the contrast.] Good evening Commissioners: My name is Rick Casey, I have lived at 1118 Centaur Circle in Lafayette since 2003, and have been a Colorado resident since 1981. Thank you for this opportunity to express my concerns as a Boulder County resident.  I am speaking as a concerned citizen, and as a member of East Boulder County United, an anti-fracking citizen's group based in Lafayette. I hope the Commissioners wi...

[This is an email that I sent to Danielle Forrest, who addressed the adjunct faculty at an administrative meeting at the beginning of the fall semester at Front Range Community College, in her capacity as the administrator of a new program, Veteran Services, August 16, 2012. She spoke rather strongly against singling out veterans in class, which I can understand; but she crossed the line when she said that "liberal minded" instructors should "keep their opinions to themselves" about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. So I wrote her this email the following day...] Dear Ms. Forrest, I am an adjunct faculty member in the Behavioral and Social Science department at FRCC's Larimer campus, and attended the required in-service meeting last night, where I heard your presentation about the new veteran services that is being offered. I have taught environmental economics there since fall 2009. While I agree this type of service is needed and will help some veterans, ...