What would you do if you could walk into your home or office and automatically recharge your electric appliances with out plugging into the wall sockets? Park your electric car in the garage overnight and it recharges automatically? Move your HDTV from room to room without a bunch wires? Or even drive along the highway on free energy?
WHAT IF ALL YOU NEEDED WAS ONE DEVICE IN YOUR HOME TO PLUG INTO AND IT WOULD GENERATE ALL OF THE ELECTRICITY YOU NEEDED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST?
This could be the future here in RI, if only we had a creative and forward thinking legislature and state government.
Gov. Carcieri has been pushing for an off-shore wind farm to help the state overcome its energy dependency. But simply generating more electricity is not the solution to the energy or economic problems. We need to move further and faster if we are ever to catch up with the future. That future is wireless electricity.
And you ask, What the heck is that? And how does it apply to RI?
Check out this article by Paul Hochman at FastCompany.com
Wireless Electricity Is Here (Seriously)
Once we produce electricity from our wind farm, what are we going to do with it?
Sell it to National Grid to sell where ever it wants at whatever price?
What if instead, we sell to homes, buildings, and municipalities to power their wireless electricity generators (inductive devices mentioned in the article). These would recharge batteries on mobile devices and create electricity on any wireless equipment within the immediate range of the generator. For example, have an induction device implanted in your garage and on your electric car and recharge the batteries at night without plugging in. Wild thought but it is possible.
Just up the road in Massachusetts, people are already working on the basic engineering. Is anyone in Rhode Island thinking or planning along these lines?
Check out this video
Once Rhode Island was the manufacturing capital of the United States because we took advantage of the tremendous resource of water power on the Blackstone River. Samuel Slater changed forever the textile industry in America when he captured the power of the river. He changed the nature of energy production and use in his industry by replacing animal and people power with water power to spin thread and weave cloth. The use of water power was extended to a wide range of industries thereafter and served as the basis for Rhode Island's manufacturing industry in the early 19th century.
Today we are exploring the possibility of producing electric energy based on our wind resources. But the money and jobs are not to be made in the harvesting of the wind. The money and jobs will be found in transforming that free energy into electricity, it will be made producing products and systems that people can easily use and in more cost effective energy products.
Wireless electricity has the same potential of radically altering the nature of the commercial use of electricity and competing with traditional generating technologies.
As we ponder the bankruptcy of the state in the short term, are we going to forgo the future and long term? Here is an area which offers potential and is directly related to our needs for generating a new economic base.
Give it some thought and let me know what you think. It might bring back the Lively Experiment that has been RI.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Welcome to Rhode island
Some years ago I had the opportunity to be working in the middle east on a USAID funded agricultural development program in what is today Yemen (then it was North Yemen.)
Trying to understand the complexities of the area, I asked a Yemeni counter-part to explain why his people were allowing themselves to be caught up in the global and regional power struggles when there were so many other more immediate issues there in Yemen.
He said, "Let me tell you a story -The Story of the donkey and the scorpion."
I thought at the time, how appropriate. The Arab/Israeli war had been going on for decades blowing hot and cold. Yet when you look at the region you see tremendous potential. Just think, the financial power of Saudi Arabia, the technological and entrepreneurial power of Israel, and the untapped labor potential of the Palestinians working together, what a global powerhouse. Instead they are engaged in a suicidal dance that threatens the world.
Today, I would change the ending. In light of the level of discourse here in Rhode Island between the Unions and the Governor, I would say, “Welcome to Rhode Island."
Trying to understand the complexities of the area, I asked a Yemeni counter-part to explain why his people were allowing themselves to be caught up in the global and regional power struggles when there were so many other more immediate issues there in Yemen.
He said, "Let me tell you a story -The Story of the donkey and the scorpion."
Once there was donkey who was walking along a path when he came to a rushing stream. The stream was wide but fairly shallow. The path the donkey was following lead across the stream and up the side of the small canyon. As he stepped into the water a small voice called out,
"Hey Donkey!"
The Donkey turn in the direction of the voice but saw nothing.
"Hey Donkey, can you give me a ride?"
The Donkey turned and looked until his eyes fell upon a scorpion standing in the path.
"Hello!?" responded the Donkey.
"Hello! I see you are going to cross the stream. Can I ride on your back and get across? asked the scorpion.
"No," answer the Donkey. "I don't trust you. I'm afraid that you'll sting me."
Waving his hook tail with the sharp poisonous spike, the scorpion replied, "No I won't. Why would I?"
"I don't know. I just don't trust you. Your sting can kill me."
"Why," said the scorpion, "would I want to kill you if you are carrying me across the stream? I would drown."
"True," said the Donkey. "Ok! Climb up and get on my back! I'll take you across."
The scorpion climbed up the donkey's leg and position himself on the donkey's back just above the shoulders.
"Are you ready?" the donkey asked.
"Yes!"
The donkey started out into the stream, the scorpion comfortably seated between the donkey's shoulders. They were in the middle of the stream when suddenly the donkey felt a sharp pain in the base of his neck.
"You stung me!" cried the donkey. "Now we are will both die. Why? WHY DID YOU STING ME?"
The scorpion chuckled. "Because that's what I do. WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE EAST."
I thought at the time, how appropriate. The Arab/Israeli war had been going on for decades blowing hot and cold. Yet when you look at the region you see tremendous potential. Just think, the financial power of Saudi Arabia, the technological and entrepreneurial power of Israel, and the untapped labor potential of the Palestinians working together, what a global powerhouse. Instead they are engaged in a suicidal dance that threatens the world.
Today, I would change the ending. In light of the level of discourse here in Rhode Island between the Unions and the Governor, I would say, “Welcome to Rhode Island."
Friday, August 7, 2009
North Carolina Internet Sales Tax Moments Away
Headline on NY Affiliate Voice.com suggests that Rhode Island is not going to be alone in its attempt to impose the Amazon or Advertising tax on its citizens. This attempt to generate revenue from whatever source that vaguely relates to commerce and employment suggests to this writer that a sales tax on all services is not that far away. The Rhode Island legislature and executive branch should feel embolden by the North Carolina move.
Stay tuned -- more to come.
Stay tuned -- more to come.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Addendum - Bangkok West
This is an addendum to yesterday's post and clarification
In light of yesterday's story about the teenage stripper, the Providence Journal this morning carries the following story, Providence legislator seeks to ban underage stripping
The story goes on to say that the teenager in question was from Massachusetts and was using a fake ID to get the job at the time.
This case may be an unusual and exceptional one, but it points to piece-meal approach that the legislature goes about when dealing with critical public policy issues. Loopholes whether by intent or ignorance are a hallmark of this part-time one party body. Short term and narrow political thinking have been the SOP (standard operating proceedure) of the RI Assembly for all too long. But as long as the people of RI are happy beggaring each other, it will continue.
In light of yesterday's story about the teenage stripper, the Providence Journal this morning carries the following story, Providence legislator seeks to ban underage stripping
Rep. Joanne Giannini, D-Providence, said she is working on a bill that would ban anyone younger than 18 from working in strip clubs.
The story goes on to say that the teenager in question was from Massachusetts and was using a fake ID to get the job at the time.
This case may be an unusual and exceptional one, but it points to piece-meal approach that the legislature goes about when dealing with critical public policy issues. Loopholes whether by intent or ignorance are a hallmark of this part-time one party body. Short term and narrow political thinking have been the SOP (standard operating proceedure) of the RI Assembly for all too long. But as long as the people of RI are happy beggaring each other, it will continue.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Bangkok West? - Rhode Island Sex trade policy
The sex industry is a lucrative, pervasive and corrupting reality in the world today. Sex tourism is industrial policy and a major source of revenue for such "developing" nations as Thailand, Viet Nam, Philippines, Mexico, and Rhode Island.
What? Rhode Island?
Yes, there is a long and questionable history of a sex industry in Rhode Island. By intent or neglect, it thrives today. In today's Providence Journal there are two stories which point to the connection between the state's third world political culture and its sex industry.
First, on the Editorial page, focuses on the continuing debate about criminalizing prostitution. The question of sexual exploitation is a key element in the debate. But this is also an industrial policy question for the legislature. Private clubs and spas that can offer sexual services, albeit not "openly," but as long as it is done behind closed doors, are a major draw to the darker side of the Rhode Island tourist trade and economy.
In an OpEd piece: David Segal/Edith Ajello: Don’t turn prostitutes into criminals
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Rhode Island state representatives David Segal and Edith Ajello write:
While Segal and Ajello present the argument for and against criminalizing prostitution, they state that their primary concern is that criminalization would not help the victims of trafficking. This is a fair position if they had an answer. But the only way to solve the problem, according to them, is to wait.
Their conclusion is,
Their solution, if I read them correctly, is that it is too complicated for us -- "let the federal government solve the problem."
The second story raises questions about why our legislator and city councils are unable to solve the school funding issue. Is it because keeping kids in school might hurt the tourism industry?
Minors in R.I. can be strippers
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
By Amanda Milkovits, Journal Staff Writer
According to the article
So why was this issue not addressed 12 years ago?
The article goes on
Nevada which has build itself on silver, sex and gambling has a more child friendly law than Rhode Island.
Again from the article,
So, 12 years ago our political and justice administrative leaders learned that children were stripping for money in clubs which serve alcohol. Their solution was to do nothing, as they probably will do again. And now our legislators are proposing we do the same for those who, may drop out of school, and instead may graduate from dancing to the more lucrative profession of prostitution, willingly or as victims. And where is the line between child pornography and legitimate artistic expression.
There is a third world sex industry in Rhode Island which should and must be regulated -- through prohibition and/or strict regulation.
What? Rhode Island?
Yes, there is a long and questionable history of a sex industry in Rhode Island. By intent or neglect, it thrives today. In today's Providence Journal there are two stories which point to the connection between the state's third world political culture and its sex industry.
First, on the Editorial page, focuses on the continuing debate about criminalizing prostitution. The question of sexual exploitation is a key element in the debate. But this is also an industrial policy question for the legislature. Private clubs and spas that can offer sexual services, albeit not "openly," but as long as it is done behind closed doors, are a major draw to the darker side of the Rhode Island tourist trade and economy.
In an OpEd piece: David Segal/Edith Ajello: Don’t turn prostitutes into criminals
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Rhode Island state representatives David Segal and Edith Ajello write:
"...Many writers on these pages believe that many women who sell sex in Rhode Island do so against their will, that they are trafficked to Rhode Island by contemptible international syndicates. Somehow, they say, these women would be better off were we to empower police to arrest them, and the courts to imprison them.
We think that idea runs counter to the ideals and very purpose of our criminal-justice system: Since when do we arrest and punish the victims of crimes? Human trafficking is obviously a despicable practice; its magnitude in Rhode Island remains in question. "
While Segal and Ajello present the argument for and against criminalizing prostitution, they state that their primary concern is that criminalization would not help the victims of trafficking. This is a fair position if they had an answer. But the only way to solve the problem, according to them, is to wait.
Their conclusion is,
So, rather than enact legislation that will only make matters worse, let’s heed the advice of the experts. The Urban Justice Center’s Sex Worker Project put it succinctly. The solution to the human-trafficking problem “is more effective and vigorous enforcement of federal anti-trafficking legislation and passage of strengthened state anti-trafficking legislation, not the wholesale criminalization of the very persons you seek to help.
Their solution, if I read them correctly, is that it is too complicated for us -- "let the federal government solve the problem."
The second story raises questions about why our legislator and city councils are unable to solve the school funding issue. Is it because keeping kids in school might hurt the tourism industry?
Minors in R.I. can be strippers
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
By Amanda Milkovits, Journal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE –– Rhode Island teens under 18 can’t work with power saws or bang nails up on roofs.
But dance at strip clubs? Sure. Just as long as the teens submit work permits, and are off the stripper’s pole by 11:30 on school nights.
According to the article
"State law says that anyone who employs a person under 18 for prostitution or for “any other lewd or indecent act” faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. But that isn’t enough to prevent underage girls from working in strip clubs, said senior assistant city solicitor Kevin McHugh, who researched the issue a dozen years ago when a teenage dancer was found at a raided strip club."
So why was this issue not addressed 12 years ago?
The article goes on
"When questioned about Rhode Island’s law, Michael J. Healey, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, offered a copy of the current state law but did not comment for this article."
Nevada which has build itself on silver, sex and gambling has a more child friendly law than Rhode Island.
Again from the article,
Nevada, meanwhile, doesn’t let anyone under 18 work in casinos or in public dance halls where there is alcohol — and there are no strip clubs in Nevada without one or the other, or both, said Cartwright, of the attorney general’s office. Minors aren’t even allowed to deliver mail to brothels.
So, 12 years ago our political and justice administrative leaders learned that children were stripping for money in clubs which serve alcohol. Their solution was to do nothing, as they probably will do again. And now our legislators are proposing we do the same for those who, may drop out of school, and instead may graduate from dancing to the more lucrative profession of prostitution, willingly or as victims. And where is the line between child pornography and legitimate artistic expression.
There is a third world sex industry in Rhode Island which should and must be regulated -- through prohibition and/or strict regulation.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thinking Outside the BOX: Tax the Tagger Graffiti artists????
Thinking outside the box is an occasional off the wall thought that might make sense in Rhode island.
Here is an interesting way to control graffiti. Sign painting is subject to sales tax. Why aren't we collecting sales tax from either the owners of the property being tagged, or from the taggers themselves?
Think About IT
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND - DIVISION OF TAXATION
SALES AND USE TAX
REGULATION SU 02-08
BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS
Tax applies to retail sales of signs, showcards and posters, and to charges for painting signs, showcards and posters whether the materials are furnished by the painter or the customer.
Where a billboard or sign manufacturer fabricates a sign and delivers it to the customer, who either installs it or has someone other than the manufacturer install such sign, the sale by the manufacturer of such a completed sign constitutes the sale of tangible personal property and the tax applies. This category would also include signs that are wholly fabricated in the dealers' shops but delivered to the job site in two or three sections as a matter of convenience, provided, that either the customer or some person other than the sign fabricator affixes such sign to the building. The rental of such signs is a rental of tangible personal property and is therefore taxable.
All signs which are fabricated by a sign company, whether they are completely fabricated prior to reaching the job site, or whether they are fabricated at the job site, or whether they are fabricated partially in the sign company's shop and partially at the job site, are considered as improvements to real property, provided that they are affixed by the sign company to the real estate in a permanent manner. The sign company in this situation is operating as a contractor and not as a retailer and is required to pay sales or use tax as a consumer on the purchase of materials and supplies.
Roadside billboards and bulletins which are constructed on the site where they are to be permanently located and which rest on foundations or have their own supports anchored into the ground in a permanent manner, are considered as improvements to real property. The fact that the panels may be removable for painting or storm protection does not alter the situation.
Lettering on walls, floors, doors, and windows of buildings are improvements to real property. Dealers who do this type of work are the ultimate consumers of materials and supplies so used and should pay tax on the cost thereof.
Other signs -- All other types of signs, whether handpainted, printed or electric, are tangible personal property taxable at their selling price. Installation charges, if separately stated, are exempt.
Except as otherwise stated above, sign companies must charge and collect the sales tax on the full selling price.
Sales of signs to contractors for use on their jobs are taxable whether or not the job is for a tax-exempt organization.
CROSS REFERENCE: SU 91-27 Contractors and Subcontractors -- "Regulation C"
R. GARY CLARK
TAX ADMINISTRATOR
EFFECTIVE: FEBRUARY 1, 2002
THIS REGULATION AMENDS AND SUPERCEDES SU 87-8 PROMULGATED MAY 1, 1987.
Here is an interesting way to control graffiti. Sign painting is subject to sales tax. Why aren't we collecting sales tax from either the owners of the property being tagged, or from the taggers themselves?
Think About IT
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND - DIVISION OF TAXATION
SALES AND USE TAX
REGULATION SU 02-08
BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS
Tax applies to retail sales of signs, showcards and posters, and to charges for painting signs, showcards and posters whether the materials are furnished by the painter or the customer.
Where a billboard or sign manufacturer fabricates a sign and delivers it to the customer, who either installs it or has someone other than the manufacturer install such sign, the sale by the manufacturer of such a completed sign constitutes the sale of tangible personal property and the tax applies. This category would also include signs that are wholly fabricated in the dealers' shops but delivered to the job site in two or three sections as a matter of convenience, provided, that either the customer or some person other than the sign fabricator affixes such sign to the building. The rental of such signs is a rental of tangible personal property and is therefore taxable.
All signs which are fabricated by a sign company, whether they are completely fabricated prior to reaching the job site, or whether they are fabricated at the job site, or whether they are fabricated partially in the sign company's shop and partially at the job site, are considered as improvements to real property, provided that they are affixed by the sign company to the real estate in a permanent manner. The sign company in this situation is operating as a contractor and not as a retailer and is required to pay sales or use tax as a consumer on the purchase of materials and supplies.
Roadside billboards and bulletins which are constructed on the site where they are to be permanently located and which rest on foundations or have their own supports anchored into the ground in a permanent manner, are considered as improvements to real property. The fact that the panels may be removable for painting or storm protection does not alter the situation.
Lettering on walls, floors, doors, and windows of buildings are improvements to real property. Dealers who do this type of work are the ultimate consumers of materials and supplies so used and should pay tax on the cost thereof.
Other signs -- All other types of signs, whether handpainted, printed or electric, are tangible personal property taxable at their selling price. Installation charges, if separately stated, are exempt.
Except as otherwise stated above, sign companies must charge and collect the sales tax on the full selling price.
Sales of signs to contractors for use on their jobs are taxable whether or not the job is for a tax-exempt organization.
CROSS REFERENCE: SU 91-27 Contractors and Subcontractors -- "Regulation C"
R. GARY CLARK
TAX ADMINISTRATOR
EFFECTIVE: FEBRUARY 1, 2002
THIS REGULATION AMENDS AND SUPERCEDES SU 87-8 PROMULGATED MAY 1, 1987.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
How about good news
All the bad economic news and press coming out of the state house tend to cover up and hide some of the good news. Here are some examples of good things going on in Rhode Island.
A Rhode Island firm is one of 3 New England small business firm to EPA sponsored Small Business Innovation Research Grant to Develop Green Technology
Release date: 02/27/2009
"Ion Signature Technology will receive $69,989for the development of an In Situ thermal extraction detection system (TEDS) for rapid, accurate, quantitative analysis of environmental pollutants in the subsurface. The goal of this technology is to provide data to better manage pollution site investigations and cleanup. TEDS would create a collection and analysis system that retrieves soil-bound pollutants as well as soluble and non soluble contaminants from groundwater. When the system is commercialized, it will “sniff” for the presence of pollutants; identify the pollutant, its location and quantity. This process will create conceptual models that depict the location and rate of movement of the pollution. The end result of this process also reduces the regular costs of pollution remediation."
Ion Signature Technology is a privately held company focused on developing and marketing advanced data analysis software and hardware. The company also holds proprietary technology essential to making a handheld Mass Spectrometer sniffer for the detection of explosives, chemical warfare agents, and environmental pollutants.
URI receives support from NIH's National Center for Research Resources, May 9th 2009
URI receives $18 million grant to strengthen biomedical research capacity in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Foundation is a local source of support for community bootstraps initiatives
Nonprofit Organizations are a major community resource in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Foundation is supporting the development excellence in the governance and operations of Non-profit organizations here in the state.
I will try to publish A good news entry each month from now on.
A Rhode Island firm is one of 3 New England small business firm to EPA sponsored Small Business Innovation Research Grant to Develop Green Technology
Release date: 02/27/2009
"Ion Signature Technology will receive $69,989for the development of an In Situ thermal extraction detection system (TEDS) for rapid, accurate, quantitative analysis of environmental pollutants in the subsurface. The goal of this technology is to provide data to better manage pollution site investigations and cleanup. TEDS would create a collection and analysis system that retrieves soil-bound pollutants as well as soluble and non soluble contaminants from groundwater. When the system is commercialized, it will “sniff” for the presence of pollutants; identify the pollutant, its location and quantity. This process will create conceptual models that depict the location and rate of movement of the pollution. The end result of this process also reduces the regular costs of pollution remediation."
Ion Signature Technology is a privately held company focused on developing and marketing advanced data analysis software and hardware. The company also holds proprietary technology essential to making a handheld Mass Spectrometer sniffer for the detection of explosives, chemical warfare agents, and environmental pollutants.
URI receives support from NIH's National Center for Research Resources, May 9th 2009
URI receives $18 million grant to strengthen biomedical research capacity in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Foundation is a local source of support for community bootstraps initiatives
Nonprofit Organizations are a major community resource in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Foundation is supporting the development excellence in the governance and operations of Non-profit organizations here in the state.
I will try to publish A good news entry each month from now on.
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