Comments for Rolland G. Smith

Comment on Green by Blank

Blank — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:54:16 +0000

YOu rock Rolland

Comment on Green by Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:59:29 +0000

I was walking on a spring day with an artist once and he pointed to the landscape before us and said that if we counted the shades of green before us, the number would be over 1,000!!

Comment on Being Super Rich by Dick Prophet

Dick Prophet — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:32:20 +0000

You said that “perfectly”….

Comment on Headlines and Head-shaking by Leah

Leah — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:54:01 +0000

Rolland, you remind me of why I don’t spend much time watching the news or reading newspapers or listening to political hype. I don’t think the headlines represent what’s really going on in America or the world. The media digs for the sensational and shocking to make us shout “What were they thinking?” while the average Joe goes to work, gives generously of his time and talent, loves his family, follows the rules, pays his taxes and lives within a budget. Apparently those sterling qualities aren’t considered newsworthy.

Comment on Death and Dying by KatyL

KatyL — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:27:06 +0000

“I have always believed that if we have finished what we came here to do then why would we want to linger in this density constricted by the illusion of time.”

Because living is better than dying. I’ve never yet seen anyone who said in advance they’d rather die if they “had a stroke/were incontinent/couldn’t move/etc., etc.” and when the moment came, didn’t cling to life.

You know, that’s a good thing, not being willing to quietly go to one’s dirt nap. You have eternity to be dead; wanting to live is gorgeously, wonderfully, individually selfish and human!

P.S. Tell me, are you getting all sappy about death because you’re getting up there?

Comment on Thoughts on Cancer by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:07:21 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about cancer. I am about your age, with children and grandchildren. So far, cancer has not struck our family but as no one knows the future, I shall keep your words in mind. I do believe you are right that your son taught us all some valuable lessons. I believe Gad is keeping him safe.

Comment on The Lottery by Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:44:45 +0000

To not have to worry about every penny, how to pay that next electric bill, not having to work past retirement age, and even have the finer things in life for a month would be nice. And a good majority would help out the poor….and their struggling friends or family. A dollar and a dream…why not?

Comment on Bob Samples by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:44:46 +0000

What a wonderful man! Your words of appreciation for his life are beautiful. Thank you!

On the idea of death, here is a statement that really opened my perspective:

“Death is that phase of living that is beyond the space requirement of form.” – Kenneth G. Mills

Comment on A new experience! by mike kaufman

mike kaufman — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:28:14 +0000

yo rolland, just messing with the computer, luv the show, luv appearing on it, hate mortgages, never had one, did i say i hate mortgages, cant spell well on this bloody machine, hate this computer, am very cranky today sorry, regards mike

Comment on A Dam Shame! by Jennifer Doherty

Jennifer Doherty — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:05:07 +0000

Interesting article

The World Bank estimates that forcible “development-induced displacement and resettlement” now affects 10 million people per year. According to the World Bank an estimated 33 million people have been displaced by development projects such as dams, urban development and irrigation canals in India alone.

India is well ahead in this respect. A country with as many as over 3600 large dams within its belt can never be the exceptional case regarding displacement. The number of development induced displacement is higher than the conflict induced displacement in India. According to Bogumil Terminski an estimated more than 10 million people have been displaced by development each year.

Athough the exact number of development-induced displaced people (DIDPs) is difficult to know, estimates are that in the last decade 90–100 million people have been displaced by urban, irrigation and power projects alone, with the number of people displaced by urban development becoming greater than those displaced by large infrastructure projects (such as dams). DIDPs outnumber refugees, with the added problem that their plight is often more concealed.

This is what experts have termed “development-induced displacement.” According to Michael Cernea, a World Bank analyst, the causes of development-induced displacement include water supply (dams, reservoirs, irrigation); urban infrastructure; transportation (roads, highways, canals); energy (mining, power plants, oil exploration and extraction, pipelines); agricultural expansion; parks and forest reserves; and population redistribution schemes.