BBC News - BMW hoping to spark interest in electric car
Like this! First BMW I've actually wanted in a long time -- maybe ever!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Obama Questions Keystone XL Pipeline Job Projections
Obama Questions Keystone XL Pipeline Job Projections
All for a few dozen permanent jobs??? He's getting on point here. Consider the extensive damage first driven by dirty tar sands extraction to Canada, subsequent threats to every adjacent community fully across the U.S. on the proposed pipeline route, and the debilitating damage to our already shaky climate it would produce, it's just a horrible idea. A few dozen permanent U.S. jobs in no way justifies such a destructive, dangerous project through the U.S. "Republicans have said that this would be a big jobs generator," Obama said, according to the newspaper. "There is no evidence that that's true. The most realistic estimates are this might create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline, which might take a year or two, and then after that we're talking about somewhere between 50 and 100 jobs in an economy of 150 million working people."
All for a few dozen permanent jobs??? He's getting on point here. Consider the extensive damage first driven by dirty tar sands extraction to Canada, subsequent threats to every adjacent community fully across the U.S. on the proposed pipeline route, and the debilitating damage to our already shaky climate it would produce, it's just a horrible idea. A few dozen permanent U.S. jobs in no way justifies such a destructive, dangerous project through the U.S. "Republicans have said that this would be a big jobs generator," Obama said, according to the newspaper. "There is no evidence that that's true. The most realistic estimates are this might create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline, which might take a year or two, and then after that we're talking about somewhere between 50 and 100 jobs in an economy of 150 million working people."
Obama Questions Keystone XL Pipeline Job Projections
Obama Questions Keystone XL Pipeline Job Projections
All for a few dozen permanent jobs??? He's getting on point here. Consider the extensive damage first driven by dirty tar sands extraction to Canada, subsequent threats to every adjacent community fully across the U.S. on the proposed pipeline route, and the debilitating damage to our already shaky climate it would produce, it's just a horrible idea. A few dozen permanent U.S. jobs in no way justifies such a destructive, dangerous project through the U.S. "Republicans have said that this would be a big jobs generator," Obama said, according to the newspaper. "There is no evidence that that's true. The most realistic estimates are this might create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline, which might take a year or two, and then after that we're talking about somewhere between 50 and 100 jobs in an economy of 150 million working people."
All for a few dozen permanent jobs??? He's getting on point here. Consider the extensive damage first driven by dirty tar sands extraction to Canada, subsequent threats to every adjacent community fully across the U.S. on the proposed pipeline route, and the debilitating damage to our already shaky climate it would produce, it's just a horrible idea. A few dozen permanent U.S. jobs in no way justifies such a destructive, dangerous project through the U.S. "Republicans have said that this would be a big jobs generator," Obama said, according to the newspaper. "There is no evidence that that's true. The most realistic estimates are this might create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline, which might take a year or two, and then after that we're talking about somewhere between 50 and 100 jobs in an economy of 150 million working people."
Sunday, July 28, 2013
In Brazil, pope backs youths' quest for change - The Times of India
In Brazil, pope backs youths' quest for change - The Times of India
Yes. "He made the remarks in a country where young people spearheaded nationwide street protests by more than one million Brazilians last month demanding better public services and an end to corruption."
Yes. "He made the remarks in a country where young people spearheaded nationwide street protests by more than one million Brazilians last month demanding better public services and an end to corruption."
Friday, July 19, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
In the House, a Refusal to Govern - NYTimes.com
In the House, a Refusal to Govern - NYTimes.com
Ridiculous. "The House will refuse to consider a comprehensive immigration bill that could lead to citizenship for millions of immigrants, Republican leaders said on Wednesday,..."
Reprehensible that the Republicans are not willing to work on the bill and compromise, like their unwillingness to work (16 times!) with the Senate on the budget.
Holding your breath and stomping your feet when you don't get your way befits a 5-year-old -- but is behavior our elected U.S. government should never resemble. It is shameful, and an abrogation of their duties.
We need to censure and soon after fire such obstructionist politicians. This ugly refusal to work together to move forward on important issues sounds like the death rattle of a functional Democracy, if not of one political party in particular.
"These actions show how far the House has retreated from the national mainstream into a cave of indifference and ignorance. House members don’t want to know that millions of Americans remain hungry (in an economy held back by their own austerity ideology), and they don’t want to deal with the desperation of immigrant families who want nothing more than a chance to work and feed themselves without fear of deportation."
Ridiculous. "The House will refuse to consider a comprehensive immigration bill that could lead to citizenship for millions of immigrants, Republican leaders said on Wednesday,..."
Reprehensible that the Republicans are not willing to work on the bill and compromise, like their unwillingness to work (16 times!) with the Senate on the budget.
Holding your breath and stomping your feet when you don't get your way befits a 5-year-old -- but is behavior our elected U.S. government should never resemble. It is shameful, and an abrogation of their duties.
We need to censure and soon after fire such obstructionist politicians. This ugly refusal to work together to move forward on important issues sounds like the death rattle of a functional Democracy, if not of one political party in particular.
"These actions show how far the House has retreated from the national mainstream into a cave of indifference and ignorance. House members don’t want to know that millions of Americans remain hungry (in an economy held back by their own austerity ideology), and they don’t want to deal with the desperation of immigrant families who want nothing more than a chance to work and feed themselves without fear of deportation."
FDA to set new limits on arsenic in apple juice - The Washington Post
FDA to set new limits on arsenic in apple juice - The Washington Post
This is good; shame we had to fight to keep inorganic (toxic) arsenic levels down in something as common as apple juice. FDA barely doing its job to ensure public health and safety, and some say business needs no or less regulation. Shee-oot it does.
This is good; shame we had to fight to keep inorganic (toxic) arsenic levels down in something as common as apple juice. FDA barely doing its job to ensure public health and safety, and some say business needs no or less regulation. Shee-oot it does.
Democrats Poised to Limit Filibusters, Angering G.O.P. - NYTimes.com
Democrats Poised to Limit Filibusters, Angering G.O.P. - NYTimes.com
Yes. “Now and into the future, Republicans and Democrats should be able to have an up-or-down vote on the team they want to put in place,” said Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, as she walked into the meeting to discuss how Democrats plan to proceed. “I do not view that as an extraordinary step. I do not view it as a nuclear option. I view it as something we sadly had to come to because of the way they’ve obstructed putting really good people in place without cause.”
Yes. “Now and into the future, Republicans and Democrats should be able to have an up-or-down vote on the team they want to put in place,” said Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, as she walked into the meeting to discuss how Democrats plan to proceed. “I do not view that as an extraordinary step. I do not view it as a nuclear option. I view it as something we sadly had to come to because of the way they’ve obstructed putting really good people in place without cause.”
Study: Air pollution causes over 2 million deaths a year - latimes.com
Study: Air pollution causes over 2 million deaths a year - latimes.com
Solar power is cheap, plentiful, and sustainable. It does not blow up in trains, or foul entire ecosystems, villages, and oceans.
Solar power is cheap, plentiful, and sustainable. It does not blow up in trains, or foul entire ecosystems, villages, and oceans.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Senate fails to advance student loan rate fix - CBS News
Senate fails to advance student loan rate fix - CBS News
This is infuriating. "Do you know the party affiliation of the 49 members of the Senate who refused to support this one year extension? 3 Dems and ALL GOP. So why attack them all?"
This is infuriating. "Do you know the party affiliation of the 49 members of the Senate who refused to support this one year extension? 3 Dems and ALL GOP. So why attack them all?"
Monday, July 8, 2013
BBC News - China orders firms to curb pollution
BBC News - China orders firms to curb pollution
Can definitely help climate and health if implemented and enforced immediately.
Is 5.5 years too late for many (see link below Coal pollution cuts lifespans in north China by 5.5 years -study | Reuters )
Can definitely help climate and health if implemented and enforced immediately.
Is 5.5 years too late for many (see link below Coal pollution cuts lifespans in north China by 5.5 years -study | Reuters )
Coal pollution cuts lifespans in north China by 5.5 years -study | Reuters
Coal pollution cuts lifespans in north China by 5.5 years -study | Reuters
Coal pollution cuts lifespans in north China by 5.5 year
Coal pollution cuts lifespans in north China by 5.5 year
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Quebec train carrying oil explodes, killing at least two
With all due respect and condolences to Quebecois, how awful is oil?
Can people really defend and embrace oil as opposed to clean energy with any clear conscience?
https://www.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct3=MAA4AEgEUABgAmoCdXPYAQE&usg=AFQjCNHGL3FwhbGsRATq_GWMLNVtxV_j6Q&rt=MORE_COVERAGE&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canada/10164914/At-least-one-person-dead-and-80-missing-after-train-carrying-crude-oil-explodes-in-Quebec.html&ei=1_nYUZjvAunNmQKipQE
Can people really defend and embrace oil as opposed to clean energy with any clear conscience?
https://www.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct3=MAA4AEgEUABgAmoCdXPYAQE&usg=AFQjCNHGL3FwhbGsRATq_GWMLNVtxV_j6Q&rt=MORE_COVERAGE&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canada/10164914/At-least-one-person-dead-and-80-missing-after-train-carrying-crude-oil-explodes-in-Quebec.html&ei=1_nYUZjvAunNmQKipQE
Thursday, July 4, 2013
"Do-Nothing Republican Congress" Could Sink GOP
Sustainability and Politics: Robert Creamer: "Do-Nothing Republican Congress" Could Sink GOP In 2012
Have things changed at all? YES, the GOP has gotten worse,,,,
"...Last week, for the third time this fall, Republicans successfully blocked Obama's jobs program in the Senate. Of course this came as absolutely no surprise, since Senate Republican Leader told the world earlier this year -- in no uncertain terms -- that his top legislative priority was to prevent the re-election of the president.
McConnell, and his House counterpart, John Boehner, don't lose a wink of sleep over concerns that their intransigence harms the economic prospects of everyday Americans. In their view, the worse the economy gets, the more likely the voters will be to boot President Obama out of the Oval Office.
"...Not only has the GOP refused to support Democratic measures to put Americans back to work, their alternative "jobs program" features no direct, measurable job creation whatsoever. Instead it relies on the same "trickle down" economic theory that didn't create one net private sector job in the eight years before the Great Recession - and the same unwillingness to rein in the big Wall Street banks that led to the worst financial collapse in 65 years...."
"But that's not all. Everyone agrees that the Republican House Majority was swept into office last November precisely because of the terrible economy. But instead of job creation, they've busied themselves focusing on trying to defund Planned Parenthood, protecting Americans from the imaginary threat of Sharia Law, and fending off non-existent attack on the use of "In God We Trust." The Republican controlled House hasn't voted on a single job creation measure since John Boehner and his colleagues took power last January....."
"...In the deliberations of the "Super Committee," Republicans have been completely unwilling to give on the fundamental question of whether millionaires should be asked to pay to put America's economic house in order. The view of the Republican leadership is that -- in addition to defeating President Obama -- their principal mission is to act as guard dogs for the exploding incomes of the top 1%."
"...In the upcoming fight over the next fiscal year's appropriation bills, there is every indication that the Republicans will demand that riders be attached limiting the power of the EPA and restricting funding for contraception -- which surveys show is used by 98% of American women...."
"...
Then there is the House schedule. Last week the Boehner team published a House schedule for next year intended to guarantee that very little gets done. The House will be in session only 94 days in all of next year (including many days where votes are postponed until 6PM) and will continue its habit of going into recess virtually every third week. Yet another example of a "do-nothing Republican Congress."
It's no accident, that while the polls show that most officials in the American government have fallen into disrepute for their failure to get the economy moving again, Congressional Republicans win the prize for negative ratings...."
"...On the other hand, the president's agenda itself is overwhelmingly popular. His jobs bill is supported by the vast majority of Americans -- and becomes more popular the more voters hear about it. When its provisions were explained, 63% offered their support in the October Wall Street Journal/NBC poll....."
"...An October National Journal poll found 68% of voters support the Democratic proposal for a surtax on millionaires to pay for the jobs bill...."
"...In fact, the whole 99% versus 1% message frame that has dominated the airwaves since everyday people began Occupying Wall Street -- is very popular -- as are the president's executive actions to improve the economy without Congressional approval...."
"...And what is unpopular? The Republican plan to abolish Medicare and replace it with vouchers - that is really unpopular. In fact, most polls find that 70% of voters oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare to reduce the deficit. Creating jobs, making the 1% pay their fair share, and protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will be the defining symbolic issues next year -- and on every one of them Democrats hold the high political ground and Republicans have to walk through the valley of political death...."
Have things changed at all? YES, the GOP has gotten worse,,,,
"...Last week, for the third time this fall, Republicans successfully blocked Obama's jobs program in the Senate. Of course this came as absolutely no surprise, since Senate Republican Leader told the world earlier this year -- in no uncertain terms -- that his top legislative priority was to prevent the re-election of the president.
McConnell, and his House counterpart, John Boehner, don't lose a wink of sleep over concerns that their intransigence harms the economic prospects of everyday Americans. In their view, the worse the economy gets, the more likely the voters will be to boot President Obama out of the Oval Office.
"...Not only has the GOP refused to support Democratic measures to put Americans back to work, their alternative "jobs program" features no direct, measurable job creation whatsoever. Instead it relies on the same "trickle down" economic theory that didn't create one net private sector job in the eight years before the Great Recession - and the same unwillingness to rein in the big Wall Street banks that led to the worst financial collapse in 65 years...."
"But that's not all. Everyone agrees that the Republican House Majority was swept into office last November precisely because of the terrible economy. But instead of job creation, they've busied themselves focusing on trying to defund Planned Parenthood, protecting Americans from the imaginary threat of Sharia Law, and fending off non-existent attack on the use of "In God We Trust." The Republican controlled House hasn't voted on a single job creation measure since John Boehner and his colleagues took power last January....."
"...In the deliberations of the "Super Committee," Republicans have been completely unwilling to give on the fundamental question of whether millionaires should be asked to pay to put America's economic house in order. The view of the Republican leadership is that -- in addition to defeating President Obama -- their principal mission is to act as guard dogs for the exploding incomes of the top 1%."
"...In the upcoming fight over the next fiscal year's appropriation bills, there is every indication that the Republicans will demand that riders be attached limiting the power of the EPA and restricting funding for contraception -- which surveys show is used by 98% of American women...."
"...
Then there is the House schedule. Last week the Boehner team published a House schedule for next year intended to guarantee that very little gets done. The House will be in session only 94 days in all of next year (including many days where votes are postponed until 6PM) and will continue its habit of going into recess virtually every third week. Yet another example of a "do-nothing Republican Congress."
It's no accident, that while the polls show that most officials in the American government have fallen into disrepute for their failure to get the economy moving again, Congressional Republicans win the prize for negative ratings...."
"...On the other hand, the president's agenda itself is overwhelmingly popular. His jobs bill is supported by the vast majority of Americans -- and becomes more popular the more voters hear about it. When its provisions were explained, 63% offered their support in the October Wall Street Journal/NBC poll....."
"...An October National Journal poll found 68% of voters support the Democratic proposal for a surtax on millionaires to pay for the jobs bill...."
"...In fact, the whole 99% versus 1% message frame that has dominated the airwaves since everyday people began Occupying Wall Street -- is very popular -- as are the president's executive actions to improve the economy without Congressional approval...."
"...And what is unpopular? The Republican plan to abolish Medicare and replace it with vouchers - that is really unpopular. In fact, most polls find that 70% of voters oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare to reduce the deficit. Creating jobs, making the 1% pay their fair share, and protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will be the defining symbolic issues next year -- and on every one of them Democrats hold the high political ground and Republicans have to walk through the valley of political death...."
Blue whales are disturbed by military sonar - Telegraph
Blue whales are disturbed by military sonar - Telegraph
Very not good.
"They found that the whales stopped feeding for more than an hour after the sonar, resulting in a loss of around a metric ton of krill for the animals"
Very not good.
"They found that the whales stopped feeding for more than an hour after the sonar, resulting in a loss of around a metric ton of krill for the animals"
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
July 3 News: 2001-2010 Hottest Decade On Record, With 'Unprecedented High-Impact Climate Extremes', WMO Reports | ThinkProgress
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Kerry Hails China in Urging N. Korea to End Nuclear Program (1) - Businessweek
Kerry Hails China in Urging N. Korea to End Nuclear Program (1) - Businessweek
Progress re: China, and potential great promise re: North Korea and safety in Southeast Asia (and abroad).
Progress re: China, and potential great promise re: North Korea and safety in Southeast Asia (and abroad).
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Sunset, Venice 12/20/2012
