Constant Readers,
Today Mistermayor was in Washington, D.C. where he testified before the Congressional Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. The subject of the hearing: “Building Green, Saving Green: Constructing Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Buildings.”
Who else was there to testify? Ed Norton!
Now, I'll admit to rolling my eyes and thinking: Pfft. Whatev. Just another example of the magical alliance between starstruck politicians and insipid actors who read one book/watch The Daily Show/have a Word-a-Day calendar and now want to get political.
But I was (kinda) wrong. It seems that Edward comes from a long line of hippies. He is now a Trustee of Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit founded by Norton's grampy in 1982. According to Ed's testimony,"Enterprise Community Partners provides training and expertise to community based organizations for affordable housing development and other community revitalization activities." ECP is now trying to bring green building practices to affordable housing.
None of which explains his hair. Jebus.
What did Mistermayor say? His testimony was about San Francisco's high environmental standards for new construction. In the course of that testimony, he thankfully disabused listeners of the notion that SF is full of kooks by pointing out that insulation at the New California Academy of Sciences building is made of recycled blue jeans.
Way to represent.
He also touted the fact that SF businesses have supported the new building standards.
Whoopiddydoo! Everybody wins, right?
Well, maybe not everybody.
Take the Federal Building (which I note is not LEED certified). Aside from being built to look like a post-apocalyptic prison in a perpetual state of construction, it apparently sucks to work in. According to an article by Randy Shaw at BeyondChron, among other issues, some federal employees have to use umbrellas in their offices to keep the sun out and the elevators only stop at every third floor - so employees just pull a Costanza and tie up the disabled elevator that stops at each floor.
I'm down for protecting this rock we live on, but I just hope politicians, actors, and architects don't forget that, even though it's pretty cool to tell Congress we are building a "green" library that has no right angles and is made entirely of old Barbie shoes, discarded landline telephones and Karate Kid posters, regular folk will have to function in such science eco-speriments.
I would totally go to that library though. I loved The Karate Kid.
--Melissa
PS - Some other folks testified at the hearing today. Go here for the full scoop and more pics.
I can't believe you didn't mention my e-mailed observation about that final photo. God, you and your need to stick to the facts. Ugh!
Doesn't Gavin look like he's trying to figure out a way to get Edward to cast Swiss Miss in a movie on location somewhere far, far away? Look at that picture and imagine a thought bubble. It totally says, "I'm thinkning Myanmar..."
Right?
Posted by: Beth Spotswood | May 15, 2008 at 07:22
glad norton was there to represent.
also, ed is simply *vile* IRL.
Posted by: Brock | May 15, 2008 at 12:16
verrrrry eenteresting...
@brock: got some gossip? do go on! I hear he's been a pain in the ass with the Hulk movie and is now refusing to do any promo for it.
Posted by: Greg | May 15, 2008 at 12:59
You have a superficial outlook on actors when it comes to their understanding of American History and Government -- George Clooney, Madonna, Tim Robbins... Would you prefer those undecided swing voters who say on the day of their local primaries, "I still haven't made up my mind yet?" As Bill Maher said, "I don't expect everyone to pour over every issue. We can't even get our President to do that." Where does your Karate Kid analogy come into play here? It was one of my favorite movies from the 80s as well.
It would be nice to go green and yes, it will create tens of thousands of jobs. However, our abandonment of the Kyoto Protocol doesn't bode well for a nation that's to be taken seriously on environmental conservation.
Posted by: P.J. | May 15, 2008 at 14:04
I think Gav is staring so intently at Norton because he trying to figure an angle on getting himself a movie role, not Jen. The world already knows she has no talent. Her Mrs. Gavin Newsom insurance policy may give her a slight boost in the industry. I look for Newsom to make the jump to film in a few years, he might prefer anchorman, though. Aunite Dianne and Auntie Nancy will help out. Are telepromters difficult for those with dyslexia? It is the ultimate vanity profession where he can truly produce a cult of Gavin worshippers.
Posted by: SFRN | May 15, 2008 at 16:08
I'd like to highlight two main issues here:
First, access to a platform does not grant that one has expertise in every dicipline known to humankind. Thespians know much more about their profession than I do mine. However, although I applaud their thirst for knowledge, obtaining unsubstantiated information and spewing it in front of starstruck politicians and the public can be hurtful. Their positions are often ill-educated...whether you agree with them or not...and fail to highlight important points and counterpoints. Even though it sounds "Green", there may be a good reason why buildings aren't made out of used diapers.
Second, The Karate Kid makes this country a better place.
Thanks for a chance to respond; I love what you've done. Oh, where are my manners. Hi, Mel. It's been a while, and I've missed and thought of you often.
tertius tiercel
Posted by: Tertius | May 16, 2008 at 13:32
@tertius tiercel- Thank you so much for your comment. But I don't believe we've ever met.
@P.J.- I admitted that Norton was not completely talking out of his ass. I also love George, Madonna and Tom, but don't think they would be "experts" sufficient to testify at a Congressional hearing. And Karate Kid was just what popped into my head. Thanks for your comments.
Posted by: Sweet Melissa | May 16, 2008 at 15:43
@melissa:
Amorphus image, a memory of a beautiful woman.
Or was it an angel who sang to me
a song that soothed me and abated my fear?
The one I adore now serenades the fibers of my heart.
I cry for the night she descended to me.
We shared a taste of what could have been;
whispered words through lips of honey,
her tranquil eyes, her enchanting smile.
The night betrayed us as she faded from our embrace.
I cry also for she ascended to the heavens and
the odyssey lay in wait as I emplore the sun never to rise again.
With a painful smile, I caress the memory of her kiss and the touch of her angelic skin.
Is more tragic that night she sang to me
or that my words fall silent and she forgets?
Convinced now that an angel I did see
for the pain in my heart doth warm my soul.
- tertius tiercel
We've met. Of that, I am certain.
Posted by: Tertius Tiercel | May 18, 2008 at 11:29
Oh, doth it?
Hey Renaissance Faire, give it a rest...
Posted by: Beth Spotswood | May 21, 2008 at 15:06
No one who has met me would ever write poetry about me. You sure you aren't looking for the volleyball player from Ohio with the same name?
Posted by: Sweet Melissa | May 21, 2008 at 15:40
@Beth - sorry, if I've irritated. I've already given it a rest.
@Melissa - Alright, we've met and I just wrote a poem about you...showing caution is needed when stating 'absolutes'. I've never known you to play volleyball, nor have I seen you in Ohio. Although, I have seen you with a bucket of rocks and with a tendency to pay attention sporadically. Like I said...we've met, and I'm certain.
- tertius tiercel
Posted by: tertius tiercel | May 21, 2008 at 17:24