Eight Nobel Peace Prize winners write Harper to oppose oilsands expansion - Winnipeg Free Press
Can we be more directed by the smart and virtuous, less the destructive and rich?
Here's a great comment to the article:
"...While I understand society has created dependance on oil and gas, I wish our PM would focus more on the future of green energy initiatives... it is a lucritive market with future potential to become the backbone of the Canadian economy... we still need oil and gas to survive, but in the meantime, we should be doing more to get rid of it and move onto something else... not doing more to keep everything the same..."
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Obama Adviser: Shutdown Looms As GOP Bends To Will Of Tea Party | Fox News
Obama Adviser: Shutdown Looms As GOP Bends To Will Of Tea Party | Fox News
Really, this is our new form of governance?
Really, this is our new form of governance?
Friday, September 23, 2011
Idiocy and Advocacy on the Environment - NYTimes.com
Idiocy and Advocacy on the Environment - NYTimes.com
"...Some of the leading Republican presidential candidates, stuffed with the best bad science that oil and coal companies can buy, continue to insist that global warming is a hoax. No matter that an overwhelming majority of climate scientists have long concluded that the earth is changing in a dangerous way, the deniers have found a home in Bachmann’s party....
...With climate change, it’s easy to follow the money that bought the nutty opinions: big coal-burning utilities have the most to lose in the effort to curb greenhouse gases, and have been purchasing opinion and politicians as the urgency has increased...."
"...Some of the leading Republican presidential candidates, stuffed with the best bad science that oil and coal companies can buy, continue to insist that global warming is a hoax. No matter that an overwhelming majority of climate scientists have long concluded that the earth is changing in a dangerous way, the deniers have found a home in Bachmann’s party....
...With climate change, it’s easy to follow the money that bought the nutty opinions: big coal-burning utilities have the most to lose in the effort to curb greenhouse gases, and have been purchasing opinion and politicians as the urgency has increased...."
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Gutsy wrangler, huge horse save boy from charging grizzly
Spokesman.com - Sept. 18, 2011
Great story about human-wildlife interface, and the will to protect life.
Great story about human-wildlife interface, and the will to protect life.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
This is the Congress, GOP Moment of Early Millenium Reckoning
Are We Going to Roll Up Our Sleeves or Limp On? - NYTimes.com
This looks at the inaction of Congress, and the blocking of the Republican Party, to address our nation's ills.
Mark this article or bookmark this page link in RED.
Revisit it in the future and see, which way did we turn? Did America pull together?
"...We can either roll up our sleeves and do what’s needed to overcome our post-cold war excesses and adapt to the demands of the 21st century or we can just keep limping into the future.
This looks at the inaction of Congress, and the blocking of the Republican Party, to address our nation's ills.
Mark this article or bookmark this page link in RED.
Revisit it in the future and see, which way did we turn? Did America pull together?
"...We can either roll up our sleeves and do what’s needed to overcome our post-cold war excesses and adapt to the demands of the 21st century or we can just keep limping into the future.
Given those stark choices, one would hope that our politicians would rise to the challenge by putting forth fair and credible recovery proposals that match the scale of our debt problem and contain the three elements that any serious plan must have: spending cuts, increases in revenues and investments in the sources of our strength. But that, alas, is not what we’re getting, which is why there remains an opening for an independent Third Party candidate in the 2012 campaign....
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Obama to address year of 'seismic change' at U.N. - CNN.com
Obama to address year of 'seismic change' at U.N. - CNN.com
These are some good, appropriate, and right goals for the U.N.
"....The document cited "concrete results" at the United Nations that it said advanced "U.S. foreign policy objectives and American security," including:
These are some good, appropriate, and right goals for the U.N.
"....The document cited "concrete results" at the United Nations that it said advanced "U.S. foreign policy objectives and American security," including:
The stiffest U.N. sanctions ever against Iran and North Korea;
Efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and materials;
The Libya intervention and subsequent efforts to aid the political transition there;
The peaceful independence of Southern Sudan; and,
U.N. assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq...."
Obama to address year of 'seismic change' at U.N. - CNN.com
Obama to address year of 'seismic change' at U.N. - CNN.com
"This is how the international community should work in the 21st century -- more nations bearing the responsibility and the costs of meeting global challenges," Obama said. "In fact, this is the very purpose of this United Nations. So every nation represented here today can take pride in the innocent lives we saved and in helping Libyans reclaim their country. It was the right thing to do."
$16 muffins, $8 coffee served in Justice audit - Yahoo! News
$16 muffins, $8 coffee served in Justice audit - Yahoo! News
"...Senator Chuck Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee which has oversight of the Justice Department, said the report was a blueprint for the first cuts that should be made by the "super committee" searching for at least $1.2 trillion in savings...."
Agreed!
"...Senator Chuck Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee which has oversight of the Justice Department, said the report was a blueprint for the first cuts that should be made by the "super committee" searching for at least $1.2 trillion in savings...."
Agreed!
Flying Home - People Soaring With Eagles
Ok, this is seriously cool.... "I want to fly like an eagle" Steve Miller sang; and some people do this, with hawks!
Nice to see some of this stuff when modern society seems to offer such relatively soul-less recreation!!
Home
Nice to see some of this stuff when modern society seems to offer such relatively soul-less recreation!!
Home
Online gamers crack AIDS enzyme puzzle | Games Blog - Yahoo! Games
Online gamers crack AIDS enzyme puzzle | Games Blog - Yahoo! Games
Remarkably cool. If we can position these types of adventures and games in from of the young generation -- instead of just shoot 'em up / blow 'em up (yawn) games -- our evolution gets on a new arc.
Please share, consider, get your kids interested. http://fold.it/
Remarkably cool. If we can position these types of adventures and games in from of the young generation -- instead of just shoot 'em up / blow 'em up (yawn) games -- our evolution gets on a new arc.
Please share, consider, get your kids interested. http://fold.it/
"...This is where Foldit comes in.
Developed in 2008 by the University of Washington, it is a fun-for-purpose video game in which gamers, divided into competing groups, compete to unfold chains of amino acids -- the building blocks of proteins -- using a set of online tools.
To the astonishment of the scientists, the gamers produced an accurate model of the enzyme in just three weeks.
Cracking the enzyme "provides new insights for the design of antiretroviral drugs," says the study, referring to the lifeline medication against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
It is believed to be the first time that gamers have resolved a long-standing scientific problem.
"We wanted to see if human intuition could succeed where automated methods had failed," Firas Khatib of the university's biochemistry lab said in a press release. "The ingenuity of game players is a formidable force that, if properly directed, can be used to solve a wide range of scientific problems."
One of Foldit's creators, Seth Cooper, explained why gamers had succeeded where computers had failed.
"People have spatial reasoning skills, something computers are not yet good at," he said.
"Games provide a framework for bringing together the strengths of computers and humans. The results in this week's paper show that gaming, science and computation can be combined to make advances that were not possible before."
Monday, September 19, 2011
A Call for Fairness - NYTimes.com
A Call for Fairness - NYTimes.com
"The president is right to challenge Congress to balance the federal deficit by increasing taxes...."
"The president is right to challenge Congress to balance the federal deficit by increasing taxes...."
Obama Offers Plan to Cut Deficit by Over $3 Trillion
Obama Deficit Plan Cuts Entitlements and Raises Taxes on Rich - NYTimes.com
Obama Offers Plan to Cut Deficit by Over $3 Trillion
Obama Offers Plan to Cut Deficit by Over $3 Trillion
Oceans may pause warming of Earth's surface - Technology & Science - CBC News
Oceans may pause warming of Earth's surface - Technology & Science - CBC News
Consider how fast global average temperatures are rising ( http://www2.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/news/2011/noaa_globaltemp_2010.jpg ) and how extreme weather events are getting so funky...
And one wonders if the multiplicative factors and slow burn changes (like the oceans) will really slingshot things into a world like Dune... and how soon... And how human folly is so pronounced that we'll fiddle like Nero, pretend we can't help or don't care enough to hide our selfish insecurity and sense of unempowerment, or even deny the problem... and dance, dance, dance on this beautiful blue sphere and damn the torpedoes. Still I, and many, will keep trying daily to minimize our carbon footprint until it is zero, and I will also dance, looking around with passion, awe, hopefully merciful compassion, and wonder...
Consider how fast global average temperatures are rising ( http://www2.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/news/2011/noaa_globaltemp_2010.jpg ) and how extreme weather events are getting so funky...
And one wonders if the multiplicative factors and slow burn changes (like the oceans) will really slingshot things into a world like Dune... and how soon... And how human folly is so pronounced that we'll fiddle like Nero, pretend we can't help or don't care enough to hide our selfish insecurity and sense of unempowerment, or even deny the problem... and dance, dance, dance on this beautiful blue sphere and damn the torpedoes. Still I, and many, will keep trying daily to minimize our carbon footprint until it is zero, and I will also dance, looking around with passion, awe, hopefully merciful compassion, and wonder...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Let the sun shine: O.C. cities drop solar fees, but many are still high - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register
Let the sun shine: O.C. cities drop solar fees, but many are still high - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register
This is good news... hard to imagine such cities blocking progress... guess the flat-earth societies die off incrementally....
This is good news... hard to imagine such cities blocking progress... guess the flat-earth societies die off incrementally....
Republicans Call Obama’s Tax on Millionaires ‘Class Warfare’ - NYTimes.com
Republicans Call Obama’s Tax on Millionaires ‘Class Warfare’ - NYTimes.com
Glad the Republicans are really working on a bipartisan jobs bill, not just calling names and avoiding the issue. (Not.)
Glad the Republicans are really working on a bipartisan jobs bill, not just calling names and avoiding the issue. (Not.)
Friday, September 16, 2011
GOP Again Torpedoes US Well-Being for Political Gain!!
Gov. Martin O'Malley: GOP will block jobs if Obama would get credit (VIDEO) - CSMonitor.com
This is unfreaking-believable!!
Both sides have to work together, and both can get credit!!!
Work together Mr. Boehner, with Dems and Obama, and when things get better see your party get some of the f-in credit!!!!
Doing nothing or obstructing bicameral efforts is TORPEDOING our country's rating and progress.
Get with it!!! Or get voted away. I'm starting to think impeachment. Seriously.
This is unfreaking-believable!!
Both sides have to work together, and both can get credit!!!
Work together Mr. Boehner, with Dems and Obama, and when things get better see your party get some of the f-in credit!!!!
Doing nothing or obstructing bicameral efforts is TORPEDOING our country's rating and progress.
Get with it!!! Or get voted away. I'm starting to think impeachment. Seriously.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Bipartisanship of the Wrong Kind - NYTimes.com
Bipartisanship of the Wrong Kind - NYTimes.com
"...Economists have estimated that Mr. Obama’s plan, if fully adopted, could create 1.3 million to 1.9 million jobs next year. Despite poll after poll showing that Americans support tax increases on the wealthy, Democrats have failed to act. In 2010, with majorities in both houses of Congress, they did not even vote on letting President Bush’s high-end tax cuts expire.
"...Economists have estimated that Mr. Obama’s plan, if fully adopted, could create 1.3 million to 1.9 million jobs next year. Despite poll after poll showing that Americans support tax increases on the wealthy, Democrats have failed to act. In 2010, with majorities in both houses of Congress, they did not even vote on letting President Bush’s high-end tax cuts expire.
The Republicans will not support the jobs bill, if only because Mr. Obama wants it. Americans need Democrats to step up now, and for Mr. Obama to lead them."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Is Thorium the Biggest Energy Breakthrough Since Fire? Possibly. - Forbes
Is Thorium the Biggest Energy Breakthrough Since Fire? Possibly. - Forbes
We desperately need a new generation energy breakthrough. I will pray Thorium, or something of similar effect, is found soon. This sounds promising!!!
We desperately need a new generation energy breakthrough. I will pray Thorium, or something of similar effect, is found soon. This sounds promising!!!
Obama gets slight boost from jobs speech: poll | Reuters
Obama gets slight boost from jobs speech: poll | Reuters
We can't not do anything here. Obama put an honest, bicameral proposal together.
It's time for Congress to join in and pass meaningful legislation.
We can't not do anything here. Obama put an honest, bicameral proposal together.
It's time for Congress to join in and pass meaningful legislation.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
For Nascar, Going Green Is Good Business - NYTimes.com
For Nascar, Going Green Is Good Business - NYTimes.com
Whoa, more change, in (somewhat) surprising places. Nice! And for some of the right reasons... including buying solar parts built in the U.S....
"...Despite the scale of these efforts, Lynch does not disagree with environmentalists who call these recycling measures low-hanging fruit. So he has supported other projects like the installation last year of 40,000 solar panels over 25 acres at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. The track operator, which spent about $15 million to build the three-megawatt solar farm, now saves about $500,000 a year in energy costs and has produced electricity equal to 324,000 gallons of gasoline.
We gained a lot of fans because of it,” said Brandon Igdalsky, the raceway’s president. “Our generation is trying to clean up the things that our grandparents and great-grandparents did.”
Whoa, more change, in (somewhat) surprising places. Nice! And for some of the right reasons... including buying solar parts built in the U.S....
"...Despite the scale of these efforts, Lynch does not disagree with environmentalists who call these recycling measures low-hanging fruit. So he has supported other projects like the installation last year of 40,000 solar panels over 25 acres at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. The track operator, which spent about $15 million to build the three-megawatt solar farm, now saves about $500,000 a year in energy costs and has produced electricity equal to 324,000 gallons of gasoline.
We gained a lot of fans because of it,” said Brandon Igdalsky, the raceway’s president. “Our generation is trying to clean up the things that our grandparents and great-grandparents did.”
Igdalsky said that he paid more for his solar power system because he bought parts made in the United States. Indeed, many businesses at Nascar, perhaps playing to the sports’ fans, which skew toward the South and the Midwest, view their green initiatives almost as a patriotic duty. Generating electricity from the sun is not just about saving money, but also a way to wean the country off imported oil...."
Monday, September 12, 2011
Is Your Gmail Account Killing the Planet? | Mother Jones
Is Your Gmail Account Killing the Planet? | Mother Jones
Wow, I had second thoughts about posting this.
"...In the end, the energy experts I talked to all agreed that it's our hardware that really sucks up the juice. LBNL's Bruce Nordman notes that running your desktop rig for 10 hours a day uses roughly 30 kilowatt-hours per month, costing you about $3—compared to the pennies a data center might pay to store 10,000 of your emails for a month. The takeaway: You're better off using your gadgets efficiently than sweating about your bloated archive...."
Wow, I had second thoughts about posting this.
"...In the end, the energy experts I talked to all agreed that it's our hardware that really sucks up the juice. LBNL's Bruce Nordman notes that running your desktop rig for 10 hours a day uses roughly 30 kilowatt-hours per month, costing you about $3—compared to the pennies a data center might pay to store 10,000 of your emails for a month. The takeaway: You're better off using your gadgets efficiently than sweating about your bloated archive...."
9/11 anniversary: Obama closes day with "Concert for Hope" - latimes.com
9/11 anniversary: Obama closes day with "Concert for Hope" - latimes.com
“These past 10 years tell a story of resilience,” Obama concluded. “Our people still work in skyscrapers. Our stadiums are filled with fans, and our parks full of children playing ball. Our airports hum with travel, and our buses and subways take millions where they need to go. Families sit down to Sunday dinner, and students prepare for school. This land pulses with the optimism of those who set out for distant shores, and the courage of those who died for human freedom.”
“These past 10 years tell a story of resilience,” Obama concluded. “Our people still work in skyscrapers. Our stadiums are filled with fans, and our parks full of children playing ball. Our airports hum with travel, and our buses and subways take millions where they need to go. Families sit down to Sunday dinner, and students prepare for school. This land pulses with the optimism of those who set out for distant shores, and the courage of those who died for human freedom.”
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Vermont Students Travel Across a Mountain to Get to School - NYTimes.com
Vermont Students Travel Across a Mountain to Get to School - NYTimes.com
I like this story; of kids overcoming man-made/mother nature's misfortune.
"...At first, the woods were still and unsettling. 'My hands shaked a little bit,' said Jillian Bradley, a second grader.
But as Sophia Hussack, another second grader said, 'Since Vermont got hit by the storm, people think we couldn’t, but we do.'..."
I like this story; of kids overcoming man-made/mother nature's misfortune.
"...At first, the woods were still and unsettling. 'My hands shaked a little bit,' said Jillian Bradley, a second grader.
But as Sophia Hussack, another second grader said, 'Since Vermont got hit by the storm, people think we couldn’t, but we do.'..."
9/11
So, the 10th anniversary of 9/11 already. Wow.
Where are we? How are we doing?
There is still so much war, acrimony, and suffering in the world.
Mature people, you and I, Americans and non-Americans have to evolve.
I must be more tolerant, of others and myself. We all must be more tolerant.
Multi-culuralism and pluralism is inevitable. This is worth celebrating!!
We have to put down weapons, and start planting trees.
It's so easy. We have to do it. I am going to keep trying to do it.
Many people are doing it.
Today, and many days, in their hearts, and in the world.
Where are we? How are we doing?
There is still so much war, acrimony, and suffering in the world.
Mature people, you and I, Americans and non-Americans have to evolve.
I must be more tolerant, of others and myself. We all must be more tolerant.
Multi-culuralism and pluralism is inevitable. This is worth celebrating!!
We have to put down weapons, and start planting trees.
It's so easy. We have to do it. I am going to keep trying to do it.
Many people are doing it.
Today, and many days, in their hearts, and in the world.
Iraq cleric to followers: Stop attacking US troops - Yahoo! News
Iraq cleric to followers: Stop attacking US troops - Yahoo! News
Well, if Iraq is to be sovereign, and law abiding, this is good.
The most evolved progression here is:
** U.S. troops leave (entirely or virtually so at the outset)
** Iraq peacefully (I know) dictates it's own restoration and political structure
** Iraq does not allow fragment groups to train and foist violence against other countries
These are understood, but should be binding, in our willingness to return full autonomy back to Iraqis.
Or else **multi-national** intervention must be redeployed to help return the country to stability.
Well, if Iraq is to be sovereign, and law abiding, this is good.
The most evolved progression here is:
** U.S. troops leave (entirely or virtually so at the outset)
** Iraq peacefully (I know) dictates it's own restoration and political structure
** Iraq does not allow fragment groups to train and foist violence against other countries
These are understood, but should be binding, in our willingness to return full autonomy back to Iraqis.
Or else **multi-national** intervention must be redeployed to help return the country to stability.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Can Obama get his jobs bill passed? - Political Hotsheet - CBS News
Can Obama get his jobs bill passed? - Political Hotsheet - CBS News
Both sides of the aisle - and notably the obstructionist GOP - HAVE TO work with the President on a jobs bill. This time and issue is too important.
Obama's offer is bilateral and genuine... Congress needs to (1) work together now in a similar fashion.
Or, the GOP can (2) be like a dead limb on a living tree in its efforts to revitalize America's economy. Which could - helpfully - atrophy, die, and fall off before the next election.
Bring us back the pre-Newt Gingrich GOP please; that could find consensus, pass bilateral legislation, and even display some class and poise bridging the gap.
Both sides of the aisle - and notably the obstructionist GOP - HAVE TO work with the President on a jobs bill. This time and issue is too important.
Obama's offer is bilateral and genuine... Congress needs to (1) work together now in a similar fashion.
Or, the GOP can (2) be like a dead limb on a living tree in its efforts to revitalize America's economy. Which could - helpfully - atrophy, die, and fall off before the next election.
Bring us back the pre-Newt Gingrich GOP please; that could find consensus, pass bilateral legislation, and even display some class and poise bridging the gap.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Krugman: The proposal is significantly bolder and better than expected.
Setting Their Hair on Fire - NYTimes.com
"... First things first: I was favorably surprised by the new Obama jobs plan, which is significantly bolder and better than I expected. It’s not nearly as bold as the plan I’d want in an ideal world. But if it actually became law, it would probably make a significant dent in unemployment.
"... First things first: I was favorably surprised by the new Obama jobs plan, which is significantly bolder and better than I expected. It’s not nearly as bold as the plan I’d want in an ideal world. But if it actually became law, it would probably make a significant dent in unemployment.
Of course, it isn’t likely to become law, thanks to G.O.P. opposition. Nor is anything else likely to happen that will do much to help the 14 million Americans out of work. And that is both a tragedy and an outrage..."
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Last Moderate - NYTimes.com
The Last Moderate - NYTimes.com
"...With Congress back in session this week — and the mean-spirited wrangling about to begin anew — I thought it would be useful to ask Cooper how Congress became so dysfunctional. His answer surprised me. He said almost nothing about the Tea Party. Instead, he focused on the internal dynamics of Congress itself.
"...With Congress back in session this week — and the mean-spirited wrangling about to begin anew — I thought it would be useful to ask Cooper how Congress became so dysfunctional. His answer surprised me. He said almost nothing about the Tea Party. Instead, he focused on the internal dynamics of Congress itself.
To Cooper, the true villain is not the Tea Party; it’s Newt Gingrich. In the 1980s, when Tip O’Neill was speaker of the House, “Congress was functional,” Cooper told me. “Committees worked. Tip saw his role as speaker of the whole House, not just the Democrats.”
Gingrich was a new kind of speaker: deeply partisan and startlingly power-hungry. “His first move was to get rid of the Democratic Study Group, which analyzed bills, and which was so trusted that Republicans as well as Democrats relied on it,” Cooper recalled. “This was his way of preventing us from knowing what we were voting on. Today,” he added, “the ignorance around here is staggering. Nobody has any idea what they’re voting on.”
In the O’Neill era, when an important issue was being debated, there were often several legislative alternatives. But, under Gingrich, “that was eliminated in favor of one partisan bill,” said Cooper. That continued after the Democrats retook the House in 2006. “We no longer search for the best ideas or the best policies,” he said. “There was only one health care bill offered. One Dodd-Frank. Now you are either an ally or a traitor.”
Cooper was rolling now. “The real problem with big issues like Medicare is that both parties have to be brave at the same time,” he said. “Every pollster will tell you not to do that to get partisan advantage.
Too many people here are willing to deliberately harm the country for partisan gain.
That is borderline treason."
Jon Stewart rips media for hyping Obama speech conflict
Stewart rips media over "Speechgate" - Yahoo! News
"Jon Stewart rips media for hyping Obama speech conflict"
Agree. You wonder with such manufactured dissent (see GOP Insider post below, and the media in this link) why our national unity is so frayed. Or not.
Moderates and rational people are going to rebound, soon. Trust me. Soon, I hope.
The reality-tv, shouting and conflict-vampire people can't run what news we see, just because it sells. At some point, we have to look at ourselves to see why America is limping along. Are you functional, or dysfunctional? Do you crave watching dysfunction?
We need a national Oprah day where we pledge to function, rationally, and work together to help make are country better again.
"Jon Stewart rips media for hyping Obama speech conflict"
Agree. You wonder with such manufactured dissent (see GOP Insider post below, and the media in this link) why our national unity is so frayed. Or not.
Moderates and rational people are going to rebound, soon. Trust me. Soon, I hope.
The reality-tv, shouting and conflict-vampire people can't run what news we see, just because it sells. At some point, we have to look at ourselves to see why America is limping along. Are you functional, or dysfunctional? Do you crave watching dysfunction?
We need a national Oprah day where we pledge to function, rationally, and work together to help make are country better again.
The Last Moderate - NYTimes.com
The Last Moderate - NYTimes.com
"...The reason is that Cooper is the House’s conscience, a lonely voice for civility in this ugly era. He remembers when compromise was not a dirty word and politicians put country ahead of party. And he’s not afraid to talk about it. “We’ve gone from Brigadoon to Lord of the Flies,” he likes to say..."
More like this please. More, soon, NEEDED.
"...The reason is that Cooper is the House’s conscience, a lonely voice for civility in this ugly era. He remembers when compromise was not a dirty word and politicians put country ahead of party. And he’s not afraid to talk about it. “We’ve gone from Brigadoon to Lord of the Flies,” he likes to say..."
More like this please. More, soon, NEEDED.
The Whole Truth and Nothing But - NYTimes.com
The Whole Truth and Nothing But - NYTimes.com
This is spot on. Must leaders lie to the electorate? I don't think so.
Bring on the truth, and don't underestimate the audience. A better future should not be delayed by obfuscation, misdirection, and selfish lies - particularly from our elected officials.
This is spot on. Must leaders lie to the electorate? I don't think so.
Bring on the truth, and don't underestimate the audience. A better future should not be delayed by obfuscation, misdirection, and selfish lies - particularly from our elected officials.
The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
"...Republican presidential contenders who regard global warming as a hoax do not offer the leadership that the nation needs..."
No kidding. The flat-earth fringe party. Are there no Republicans willing to be moderate, or even reasonable? "No, my Tea Party audience," the GOP candidate gushes, "I will be freakier than thou."
"...Republican presidential contenders who regard global warming as a hoax do not offer the leadership that the nation needs..."
No kidding. The flat-earth fringe party. Are there no Republicans willing to be moderate, or even reasonable? "No, my Tea Party audience," the GOP candidate gushes, "I will be freakier than thou."
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Goodbye to All That: Reflections of a GOP Operative Who Left the Cult | Truthout
Goodbye to All That: Reflections of a GOP Operative Who Left the Cult | Truthout
Wow. The first 10 paragraphs or so have me so pissed off I can't even continue reading this now.
"....But both parties are not rotten in quite the same way. The Democrats have their share of machine politicians, careerists, corporate bagmen, egomaniacs and kooks. Nothing, however, quite matches the modern GOP...."
"...John P. Judis sums up the modern GOP this way:
Los Angeles police cars have "to protect and serve" printed on their car doors. Often they do.
And Republican Congress members are ELECTED... essentially to protect and serve us. What a disgrace. More like to divide and debilitate the opposition, fellow Americans. Fucking awful, a freaking travesty in our time.
Wow. The first 10 paragraphs or so have me so pissed off I can't even continue reading this now.
"....But both parties are not rotten in quite the same way. The Democrats have their share of machine politicians, careerists, corporate bagmen, egomaniacs and kooks. Nothing, however, quite matches the modern GOP...."
"...John P. Judis sums up the modern GOP this way:
'Over the last four decades, the Republican Party has transformed from a loyal opposition into an insurrectionary party that flouts the law when it is in the majority and threatens disorder when it is the minority. It is the party of Watergate and Iran-Contra, but also of the government shutdown in 1995 and the impeachment trial of 1999. If there is an earlier American precedent for today's Republican Party, it is the antebellum Southern Democrats of John Calhoun who threatened to nullify, or disregard, federal legislation they objected to and who later led the fight to secede from the union over slavery.'
A couple of years ago, a Republican committee staff director told me candidly (and proudly) what the method was to all this obstruction and disruption. Should Republicans succeed in obstructing the Senate from doing its job, it would further lower Congress's generic favorability rating among the American people. By sabotaging the reputation of an institution of government, the party that is programmatically against government would come out the relative winner.
A deeply cynical tactic, to be sure, but a psychologically insightful one that plays on the weaknesses both of the voting public and the news media...."Los Angeles police cars have "to protect and serve" printed on their car doors. Often they do.
And Republican Congress members are ELECTED... essentially to protect and serve us. What a disgrace. More like to divide and debilitate the opposition, fellow Americans. Fucking awful, a freaking travesty in our time.
Michael Moore on New Book 'Here Comes Trouble' and 9/11 Annivers - The Daily Beast
Michael Moore on New Book 'Here Comes Trouble' and 9/11 Annivers - The Daily Beast
History will like Michael Moore a lot. I like him a lot.
As he says, change takes time. But some people fight for the common good.
I'm glad we have him.
History will like Michael Moore a lot. I like him a lot.
As he says, change takes time. But some people fight for the common good.
I'm glad we have him.
Vegas tries to kick its water addiction - CNN
Vegas tries to kick its water addiction - CNN
Sustainability... even in Vegas. Chipping in from all sides to help the earth with simple laws of physics.
Sustainability... even in Vegas. Chipping in from all sides to help the earth with simple laws of physics.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
India's anti-corruption movement gains momentum, has far to go - CNN.com
India's anti-corruption movement gains momentum, has far to go - CNN.com
It was good to see Hazare released, and parliament agree to adopt anti-corruption tenets of the Lokpal Bill.
Now they have to follow up on their promises.
It was good to see Hazare released, and parliament agree to adopt anti-corruption tenets of the Lokpal Bill.
Now they have to follow up on their promises.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Texas regulators hail clean-air surrender - Houston Chronicle
Texas regulators hail clean-air surrender - Houston Chronicle
Shit. That headline, sadly, is pretty informative.
Shit. That headline, sadly, is pretty informative.
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Sunset, Venice 12/20/2012
