Iran's Policies Attacked on Visit by UN Head and Egypt's President

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE87T0JJ20120830?irpc=932 

This is good stuff, the right stuff, by Ban-Ki Moon. 

We must continue all efforts for fairness, honesty and transparency in mutual efforts for peaceful co-existence. Efforts to more safely and quickly arrive at the proper, peaceful, mutually-supported prosperity and social state of an evolved humanity.

"I strongly reject threats by any member state to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts such as the Holocaust," Ban said in his speech, without naming Iran.

"Claiming that Israel does not have the right to exist or describing it in racist terms is not only wrong but undermines the very principle we all have pledged to uphold," he said.

Obama: Overturn Supreme Court cash contribution ruling

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/08/obama-overturn-supreme-court-campaign-cash-ruling/1#.UD-FWYl5nTo 

Yes, please. A huge priority.

As we're bombarded with misinformation and attack ads, wondering where the truth lies.

Paul Ryan Selling, Ahem, 'Factual Shortcuts" on National Stage; Lying, Right-Wing Extremist

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/fact-check-ryan-takes-factual-shortcuts-in-speech/14898048670841759c6755a7cabfd5d5

Paul Ryan's misinformation was maddening.

Detailed debunks are included in the very good linked article.

What angered me the most was his 'US Downgrade' comments when he asserted Obama did nothing.

EVERYONE knows the GOP's brinksmanship in debt ceiling negotiations precipatated the delay that caused the rating slip.

That he even brings the subject up is infuriating, and shows the man has little honesty or class.

GOP Presidential Nominee Can Veto State Delegates? And Replace Them with Whomever He Wants???

http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/news/blogs/ticket/texas-delegates-planning-floor-mutiny-over-rnc-rules-225837647.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=US&.lang=en-US 

Hokey stokes!!

"Indiana delegate and Romney supporter James Bopp wrote in an email to RNC members that it's "the biggest power grab in the history of the Republican Party."

Romney Moves Toward Center/Reality/The Future Re: Energy Sources

http://www.businessinsider.com/mitt-romney-solar-and-wind-energy-2012-8 

See some of my comments under 'Why Romney is Losing' post.

This is good news.

::On Vacation::

I'm on vacation for a spell.
Will try to put up a few interesting posts, but maybe won't!

LONDON: Assange urges US to end Wikileaks 'witch hunt' - Technology - MiamiHerald.com

LONDON: Assange urges US to end Wikileaks 'witch hunt' - Technology - MiamiHerald.com

***The Beasts and Beats of Belize - NYTimes.com

The Beasts and Beats of Belize - NYTimes.com 

Conservation via ecotourism, beauty.

What if US rockers were convicted of ‘hooliganism’ like Russia’s Pussy Riot? - CSMonitor.com

What if US rockers were convicted of ‘hooliganism’ like Russia’s Pussy Riot? - CSMonitor.com 

Except we have the Bill of Rights and First Amendment, one of the fundamental achievements of a free democracy,

"The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances."

Put into use poorly, as per Ted Nugent in article, and occasionally with higher-minded aims,

"Code Pink describes itself as 'a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end US funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, and to redirect our resources into health care, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities.'"

Volkswagen's Jetta Hybrid Is the World's Fastest Hybrid - MarketWatch

Volkswagen's Jetta Hybrid Is the World's Fastest Hybrid - MarketWatch 

Really like market diversity for hybrids. And fast ones, cool.
At 45 mpg, I'd say the top end speed of 185 mph is nice, but a 75 mpg and 140 mph model sounds sexier to me.
A plug-in of this, so you could burn no gas for your local trips/commute, would be nice and the next step.

Actions: Decrease Your Carbon Footprint! (Report - July Marked 329th Consecutive Month with Above-Average Global Temperature)

Report: July Marked 329th Consecutive Month with Above-Average Global Temperature 

Everyone is aware of this now. Everyone should be acting.

We must make actions very easy:

• decrease your carbon footprint
• do not support any politician or person who is not helping combat global warming
• buy carbon offsets (http://www.terrapass.com/ , etc.) for plane rides you or your loved ones take
• contribute in ways you can, plant a tree, turn off lights, bike, buy an electric car
• etc., etc., etc....

Obama Working for Our Future, Urges Congress to Help Put Teachers Back to Work | ABC News - Yahoo! News

Obama Urges Congress to Help Put Teachers Back to Work | ABC News - Yahoo! News 

"That's why part of the jobs bill that I sent to Congress last September included support for states to prevent further layoffs and to rehire teachers who'd lost their jobs. But here we are - a year later with tens of thousands more educators laid off - and Congress still hasn't done anything about it," he says.

The president says the Republicans' economic plan would "make the situation even worse."

"It would actually cut funding for education - which means fewer kids in Head Start, fewer teachers in our classrooms, and fewer college students with access to financial aid - all to pay for a massive new tax cut for millionaires and billionaires," he says. "That's backwards. That's wrong. That plan doesn't invest in our future; it undercuts our future."

Pictures: A Rare Look Inside Carmakers' Drive for 55 MPG

Pictures: A Rare Look Inside Carmakers' Drive for 55 MPG 

Let's hope they beat these goals.
I'd love a Tesla that was affordable, fun to drive and nearly all-electric..... let's GO!!!!!

Song Premiere & Upcoming Game App: Devo, 'Don't Roof Rack Me, Bro Seamus Unleashed' | Music News | Rolling Stone

Song Premiere: Devo, 'Don't Roof Rack Me, Bro Seamus Unleashed' | Music News | Rolling Stone 

They're also creating an iPhone app for the tune called the Crate Escape – a game where players attempt to free Seamus from his crate. Nice!!!!!

Listen to Devo's "Don't Roof Rack Me, Bro! (Seamus Unleashed)":  http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-premiere-devo-dont-roof-rack-me-bro-seamus-unleashed-20120815#ixzz23qc2KqNz

Really, is Anyone You Like? Rage Against the Machine guitarist no fan of Paul Ryan | The Ticket - Yahoo! News

Rage Against the Machine guitarist no fan of Paul Ryan | The Ticket - Yahoo! News 

Not sure anyone I know or like is a fan of Paul Ryan and his politics....

"I wonder what Ryan's favorite Rage song is? Is it the one where we condemn the genocide of Native Americans? The one lambasting American imperialism? Our cover of "Fuck the Police"? Or is it the one where we call on the people to seize the means of production? So many excellent choices to jam out to at Young Republican meetings!
Don't mistake me, I clearly see that Ryan has a whole lotta "rage" in him: A rage against women, a rage against immigrants, a rage against workers, a rage against gays, a rage against the poor, a rage against the environment. Basically the only thing he's not raging against is the privileged elite he's groveling in front of for campaign contributions."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-morello-paul-ryan-is-the-embodiment-of-the-machine-our-music-rages-against-20120816#ixzz23qH1WrfH

Not Real Groovy: Mitt Romney says he pays 13 percent in taxes. How low is that? - CSMonitor.com

Mitt Romney says he pays 13 percent in taxes. How low is that? - CSMonitor.com 

Not feeling the fair tax bracket vibe here... no wonder he doesn't want to share his tax returns. What a cad.

A Plea to Iranians: Despite Ahmadinejad Saying Israel's Existence 'Insult to All Humanity' - ABC News

Iran: Israel's Existence 'Insult to All Humanity' - ABC News

I'm offering prayer and support for Iran.
I hope their country, history, and future retain pride and legitimacy.

Old quarrels die slowly, but I truly think Iran's best interest is to peacefully modernize and improve their culture within their borders.
Mutual antagonism with Israel only plants more new seeds for conflict, war, and bloodshed.
Iran should realize at some point their best option is to focus on their country, peacefully, and allow the world's league of nations to eventually embrace and protect it equally as with all the other nations.

The below is not where their trajectory and energy should be headed.

"Demonstrators in Tehran set U.S. and Israeli flags on fire and chanted "Death to the U.S." and "Death to Israel" during their pro-Palestinian rally.
Iran and Israel have been bitter enemies for decades. Khamenei has called Israel a "cancerous tumor" that must be wiped out."

Fuck Freedom: Russian punk protesters sentenced to two years jail | Reuters

Russian punk protesters sentenced to two years jail | Reuters 

"A disgraceful political reprisal is underway on the part of the authorities. ... If we swallow this injustice they can come for any one of us tomorrow."


"As in most politically motivated cases, this court is not in line with the law, common sense or mercy," veteran human rights campaigner Lyudmila Alexeyeva said.

But Valentina Ivanova, 60, a retired doctor, said outside the courtroom before the verdict was delivered: "What they did showed disrespect towards everything, and towards believers first of all."
"Let them get three years in jail; they need to wise up."

"A disgraceful political reprisal is underway on the part of the authorities. ... If we swallow this injustice they can come for any one of us tomorrow."
 

Uh, Did He Really? Mitt Romney: 'I Never Paid Less Than 13 Percent' In Taxes

Mitt Romney: 'I Never Paid Less Than 13 Percent' In Taxes 

How do we know? As per Harry Reid's aide, "We'll believe it when we see it. Until Mitt Romney releases his tax returns, Americans will continue to wonder what he's hiding. Romney seems to think he plays by a different set of rules than every other presidential candidate for the last thirty years, all of whom lived up to the standard of transparency set by Mitt Romney's father and released their tax returns."

**A Closer Look at Extreme Drought in a Warming Climate - NYTimes.com

A Closer Look at Extreme Drought in a Warming Climate - NYTimes.com 

Although there are those that refuse to look.
And say these things are not happening, because oil is good.

Two Bad Ideas Converge: Climate Change & Nuclear Reactors

Nuclear Regulator Ticks Off Her Wish List - NYTimes.com

**Should Candidates Talk About Climate Change? - NYTimes.com

Should Candidates Talk About Climate Change? - NYTimes.com 

Absolutely. This issue is preeminent, in talking about quality of life, the economy, fair development, and planning for a desirable future for the next generations.

"...The short answer is that – at the national level and among ten key swing states – taking a pro-climate stand appears to benefit candidates more than hurt them with registered voters. Of course, the political dynamics in any given district may be an exception to this pattern, but it is important to note that the pattern is similar at both the national and swing-state scales...."

**Social Security Reform: Arguments, and a Nobel Laureate's Balanced Approach

Social Security: Absurdly Complex? Not that Hard to Fix? | PBS NewsHour 

At above link, Nobel Laureate Peter Diamond writes about Social Security reform, and sensible ways to bring it back to sustainability.

Ocean Health Index - Conservation International

Ocean Health Index - Conservation International 

Like this! One should bookmark this site.
In our efforts to protect the oceans, returning to it can help us prioritize and gauge regions that most need our help and oversight.

Bad Taste, But Free Speech: Paul McCartney Writes Letter of Support to Pussy Riot - Speakeasy - WSJ

Paul McCartney Writes Letter of Support to Pussy Riot - Speakeasy - WSJ 

Good for Sir Paul.
It is, after all, basically the punishment of free speech.
Jail time seems overly cruel and unjust punishment.
The choice of venue, and lack of taste, notwithstanding.


"“I would like you to know that I very much hope the Russian authorities would support the principle of free speech for all their citizens and not feel that they have to punish you for your protest,” the ex-Beatle said in a open letter to the accused published on his web site."

Jon Stewart rips Romney on Bain, taxes – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Jon Stewart rips Romney on Bain, taxes – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs 

....Stewart continued, "It's Romney's inability to understand the institutional advantage that he gains from the government's tax code largesse, that's a little offensive to people, especially considering Romney's view on anyone else who looks to the government for things like, I don't know, food and medicine.""

Romney’s Death Squad Ties: Bain Launched With Millions From Oligarchs Behind Salvadoran Atrocities

Romney’s Death Squad Ties: Bain Launched With Millions From Oligarchs Behind Salvadoran Atrocities

Obamas Continue to Show Olympic Spirit

http://whitehouse.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/09/obamas-continues-to-show-olympic-pride/ 

Three polls show Obama widening lead over Romney - The Washington Post

Three polls show Obama widening lead over Romney - The Washington Post

Romney Scrutinized over Bain’s Ties to El Salvador Death Squads

Romney Scrutinized over Bain’s Ties to El Salvador Death Squads

Why Mitt Romney is losing - CNN.com

Why Mitt Romney is losing - CNN.com 

I'd suggest other reasons as well.
But it's hard: one doesn't want Romney in his current incarnation to be President, but one would also like him to move his positions into more reasonable directions. The article addresses a few of the latter, but not ones that would seem to make any noticeable difference.

Romney as Audit Chair Oversaw Marriott 'Fictitious Schemes' (IRS) and 'Expensive Hoax' and 'Scam's (John McCain)

Romney as Audit Chair Saw Marriott Son of BOSS Shelter Defy IRS - Bloomberg 

"...During Romney’s tenure as a Marriott director, the company repeatedly utilized complex tax-avoidance maneuvers, prompting at least two tangles with the Internal Revenue Service, records show. In 1994, while he headed the audit committee, Marriott used a tax shelter known to attorneys by its nickname: “Son of BOSS.”

A federal appeals court invalidated the maneuver in a 2009 ruling, siding with the U.S. Department of Justice, which called Marriott’s transaction and attempted tax benefits “fictitious,” “artificial,” “spectral,” an “illusion” and a “scheme.”

During Romney’s years on the board, Marriott’s effective tax rate dipped as low as 6.8 percent, compared with the federal corporate statutory rate of 35 percent...

In 2004, Marriott’s tax planning drew the ire of Senator John McCain. Marriott received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal tax credits meant to promote so-called synthetic fuel through a business purchased by Marriott in 2001 while Romney sat on the board’s audit committee.

“One of the greatest beneficiaries of this tax shelter -- and that is all that it is, a tax shelter -- is a very profitable hotel chain: Marriott,” McCain said at the time. He called the program an “expensive hoax” and a “scam.”

Did Romney enable company's abusive tax shelter? - CNN.com

Did Romney enable company's abusive tax shelter? - CNN.com 

"(CNN) -- Mitt Romney's refusal to release tax returns in the critical years of his income accumulation has done little to dispel the legitimate concern that arises from hints buried in his scant disclosure to date: Did he augment his wealth through highly aggressive tax stratagems of questionable validity?

Opinion: Why won't Romney release more tax returns?

One relevant line of inquiry, largely ignored so far, is to examine what exists in the public record regarding his attitude toward tax compliance and tax avoidance. While this examination is hampered because his dealings through his private equity company, Bain Capital, are kept shrouded, there are other indicators.

A key troubling public manifestation of Romney's apparent insensitivity to tax obligations is his role in Marriott International's abusive tax shelter activity...."

Coal-Powered Colorado Undergoing a Natural Gas 'Revolution' | PBS NewsHour | Aug. 8, 2012 | PBS

Coal-Powered Colorado Undergoing a Natural Gas 'Revolution' | PBS NewsHour | Aug. 8, 2012 | PBS 

Interesting, hopeful. "BILL RITTER, former Colo. governor: We went in and we reformed all the rules.
RAY SUAREZ: During his time as Colorado's governor, Bill Ritter brokered the deal with the state's largest electricity producer.
BILL RITTER: Over time, the use of coal will depend a lot upon what kind of research and development can lead to cleaner coal alternatives. If they're not there and they're not economical and they can't compete with gas or renewables, then they will go away.
RAY SUAREZ: The United States is in the midst of a gas revolution. More deposits are found with every passing year that can be drilled economically. Right now, gas is really cheap to burn and cleaner than coal...."

Michael Jordan to headline celebrity hoops fundraiser event for Obama re-election campaign | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports

Michael Jordan to headline celebrity hoops fundraiser event for Obama re-election campaign | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports 

Cool. And very close to rock and roll fueling activism - Michael Jordan is pretty much a rock star.

Standard Chartered Bank: Accused of hiding $160bn of transactions with Iran from the U.S. government | Mail Online

Standard Chartered Bank: Accused of hiding $160bn of transactions with Iran from the U.S. government | Mail Online 

"The findings include a memo sent in October 2006 from Standard Charter’s US chief executive to the group executive director in London raising concerns about the activities with Iran...

'Firstly, we believe (the Iranian business) needs urgent reviewing at the group level to evaluate if its returns and strategic benefits are... still commensurate with the potential to cause very serious or even catastrophic reputational damage to the group.'

He added: 'Secondly, there is equally importantly potential of risk of subjecting management in US and London (for example you and I) and elsewhere to personal reputational damages and/or serious criminal liability.'

To which the group executive director allegedly replied: 'You f****** Americans. Who are you to tell us, the rest of the world, that we’re not going to deal with Iranians.'

The New York State Department of Financial Services [who has threatened seemingly quite rightfully to tear up Standard Charter's U.S. trading license] report said, 'SCB's actions left the US financial system vulnerable to terrorists, weapons dealers, drug kingpins and corrupt regimes, and deprived law enforcement investigators of crucial information used to track all manner of criminal activity.

'In short, SCB (Standard Chartered Bank) operated as a rogue institution.'

Obama's Lead Over Romney Grows

Obama's Lead Over Romney Grows

"Obama's lead over Romney among registered voters was 49 percent to 42 percent, up slightly from the 6-point advantage the president held a month earlier over the former Massachusetts governor, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll says."

Standard Chartered Reportedly Deals with Iran! Should Face More than $17 Billion Share Loss

"HONG KONG/LONDON (Reuters) - The market value of Standard Chartered Plc tumbled as much as $17 billion on Tuesday after New York's bank regulator threatened to tear up its state banking license for allegedly hiding $250 billion in transactions tied to Iran.

The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) slammed the London-based but Asia-focused bank as a "rogue institution" that "schemed" with the Iranian government, which is subject to U.S. sanctions over its nuclear program, and hid 60,000 secret transactions to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in fees over nearly 10 years...."
 
This a most troubling account for the banking industry in serious need of vetting and anti-corruption improvements.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE8750VM20120807?irpc=932 

In June of 1995, Standard Chartered Bank’s general counsel in London sent an email to the bank’s compliance officer that “embraced a framework for regulatory evasion,” according to the case filed on Monday by New York’s top financial regulator.

**Classic Line from Obama: "It’s like Robin Hood in reverse... it's Romney Hood.”

Absolutely classic, and spot on.

See a meteor shower in the August sky

There are some interesting things in the heavens during August.

http://m.jacksonville.com/entertainment/2012-08-07/story/see-meteor-shower-august-sky 

Thousands of fish die as Midwest streams heat up - Yahoo! News

Thousands of fish die as Midwest streams heat up - Yahoo! News 

Attention getting at the very least. Think local and global, act global and local! Hope the summer heat and drought abates for them. And more join in ecosystem / climate sustainability efforts.

The Obama Administration Torpedoes the Arms Trade Treaty

The Obama Administration Torpedoes the Arms Trade Treaty 

This is very nuanced, but disappointing.

Energy Upgrade California | Reduce Energy Use. Save Money. Create Jobs.

Energy Upgrade California | Reduce Energy Use. Save Money. Create Jobs. 

Improve your home, save energy and get up to:
   $4,000 back from your utility
+ $4,000 back from your city or county

GOOD News: Adrian Grenier: Is the Paradigm Shifting? Food Revolution and Eco-Minded Vehicles (with videos)

Adrian Grenier: Is the Paradigm Shifting? Food Revolution and Eco-Minded Vehicles 

Some more coverage on the GOOD news, people helping act as caretaker and catalyst, creating wider paths for popular culture to tread into a desirable future...

Charts: Just How Small Is The Super-PAC Gazillionaire Club? | Mother Jones

Charts: Just How Small Is The Super-PAC Gazillionaire Club? | Mother Jones 

"A mere 47 people are responsible for more than half of all Super-PAC cash...."

Great News/Culture Shift: Brazil Supreme Court to Confront Corruption: No Cash for Votes

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHiQMKg2kkCgip840gXQSMq63IGQ?docId=9cf7b8f177614d15895618e815be32dc 

Bill McKibben: Global Warming's Terrifying New Math | Politics News | Rolling Stone

Global Warming's Terrifying New Math | Politics News | Rolling Stone 

Incredibly brave long article on where we're at.
No avoidance, and still roadmap to keeping our planet stable.
While we are losing time...

"Just like us, our crops are adapted to the Holocene, the 11,000-year period of climatic stability we're now leaving... in the dust."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719#ixzz22Qmg1LDM

Hopes fade for new U.S. cybersecurity law in 2012 | Reuters

Hopes fade for new U.S. cybersecurity law in 2012 | Reuters 

"But the Senate mustered just 52 of the 60 votes needed in the 100-member body to advance the bill to a final vote, effectively sidelining it.
Business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce complained that the bill would bring government over-regulation, and some Republicans wanted more opportunity to push amendments. Privacy groups and some Democrats were concerned about the potential for Internet eavesdropping in the legislation.
The White House blasted Senate Republicans for blocking the bill.
"The politics of obstructionism, driven by special interest groups seeking to avoid accountability, prevented Congress from passing legislation to better protect our nation from potentially catastrophic cyber-attacks," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement."

Images: Mapping How the Seas Will Eat Coastal U.S. Cities - Neighborhoods - The Atlantic Cities

Mapping How the Seas Will Eat Coastal U.S. Cities - Neighborhoods - The Atlantic Cities 

Palm trees could grow in Antarctic if climate change continues, scientists say

And drown great coastal cities from London to Mumbai, Tokyo to Vancouver to New York City.

News roundup: Reid: Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years | Political Cornflakes | The Salt Lake Tribune

News roundup: Reid: Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years | Political Cornflakes | The Salt Lake Tribune 

Mmm hmm. Of course Romney could dispel this uncertainty by releasing his tax returns... unless...

San Bruno Gas Explosion: preventble?

Senior engineer from PG&E repeatedly told supervisors there were gaps in the record keeping in that area. That the potential for danger was present.
Currently blamed on a 'bad weld' seam, there are 200 such known potential seams in the PG&E system. 'Over the next two years' (!) they will test and/or replace these sections. That's pretty underwhelming. The trial is up in October I think. Stay tuned.

(1) Makes you mad large companies are not rigorous enough to fully protect the public.
(2) Makes you think failure in the old mega power systems are unavoidable (when are they put out to pasture/deemed obsolete?).
(3) Makes decentralized, local home power like renewable solar and wind seem ever more attractive.