In State of the Union, Obama Focuses on the Middle Class -- New York Times

Here. "Obama: The State of the Union Is Strong During his State of the Union address, the president said the economy was growing and “it’s now up to us” to choose where we go from here."

I liked the speech a lot. Nina said it sounded like the United States she wants to live in. Toddy said 'Proud Americans; fine SOTU"

I won't wax rhapsodic, but we are bigger than the power play pissing contests between political parties make it seem. America as a country and concept is resilient. I hope we keep that up. After all we are all immigrants here (if you the reader is not of Native American heritage).
I'll stop there. The speech did make me emotional a couple of times. Some of it was spectacular in its understanding and grasp of -- and ability to communicate -- the breadth of the American Dream.

I still like Obama a lot. I think history will look back and show we were very lucky to have such a competent and well-principled man when we did. 

It's now up to us to choose where we go from here. With his help for two more years.

Pope Francis Defends the Poor

Here  Sustainable. Again, this Pope is inspired, and inspiring. "“Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart,” Francis told an audience including President Benigno Aquino on Jan. 16, his first public address in the country. He urged the people “to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the community.” Yesterday, he made a similar call."

The whole 1% of the globe will soon own over 50% of the world's wealth is a reminder: Capitalism Gone Wild. We all have to do what we can to reverse the current global culture and direction of income inequality. In my mind, this is at least as big a factor in the ISIS thing as religion.

In a related example of Capitalism Gone (Really, Really) Wrong, Mexico has a strong Catholic history. The state of consciousness of some (many?) could be improved here, such as the mayor implicated in the kidnapping and murder of student-teachers. Despicable and heinous, this needs and those responsible need to be stopped. http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/01/14/mexican-mayor-charged-with-kidnapping.html 

Is Manmade Climate Devastation Inevitable? New York Times

Here

How an EPA Plan to Reduce Carbon Emissions is Playing Out in Coal Rich Wyoming

Here The EPA is just doing their job. The article here includes a couple points of view included which are pretty good. (As per the comments, a Democrat should have been quoted to counter-balance the GOP quote). That one climate denier politician Rep. Lummis supplies the most ignorant quote. But interesting that the farmer and even some of the coal 'advocates' seemed genuinely concerned and apologetic about the pollution -- health and climate destruction -- coal provides. Nice if they have developed absorbing towers, why are these not used more commonly even if expensive? We all know that the coal industry is one of the most profitable in the world, why can't some of the profits be used to install and use these pollution control devices? It's not necessarily the source people have the biggest problem with (although of course coal mining has its own dangers and mortality rate) ... it's the pollution. And obviously if the pollution cannot be adequately or affordably controlled the black junk has got to stay in the ground until it can.

The most meaningful exchange:

"Professor Harold Bergman specializes in environmental toxicology.

HAROLD BERGMAN, University of Wyoming: Wyoming can file 100 lawsuits a month if they want, and it’s not going to change a thing. This is going to get fixed. It absolutely must.

LEIGH PATERSON: He says Wyoming lawmakers need to recognize the realities of a changing climate.

HAROLD BERGMAN: The consequences for the coal industry, for instance, are going to be severe, and they have to begin adjusting for it now. If they don’t, we’re going to be blindsided."

As Ocean Heats Up, Race to Save World's Coral Reefs

Here Interesting. Transplanting and research on ph and temperature quite interesting. Cross-breed and help selectively breed more robust coral. Hate adaptation before stopping the problem (some things will not be able to adapt) but I guess we'll have to do a lot of both to keep life-systems and biodiversity functioning and alive on our planet.

And the story's sub-title is not too subtle: "Will efforts to save corals be overwhelmed by the quickening pace of climate change?"

2014 Hottest on Record

Here

France Shows Need for Compassion, Integration

Here The New York Times discusses need. Income inequality, and tolerance two defining issues.
Most people and parents and families would rather put down guns (than have firefights with their neighbors over religion) and are peacefully educating their next generation, and share in the mutual prosperity of modern nations.

But, as throughout history, there still there are violent and extreme people existing on the margins of all societies. Who now can take up guns and 'adopt ' 'holy war' in their search for power and/or destruction/retribution. Using the Koran as an excuse (like Boko Haram, largely ignorant thugs).
It's important to separate the most fringe element -- who are already by an unlucky combination of genes willing to kill or be killed for no apparent good reason, from those who are lacking anything better to do (apathetic youth in cultures without much opportunity or individual expression). See my post here "Antidotes to violence..."  http://colbyallerton.blogspot.com/2012/12/hollywood-responds-to-deadly-conn.html

Modern Muslims condemning the violence and urging a peaceful path are taking an authentic spiritual path that can inform all societies.

We all must support, tolerance, compassion, and income equality. And peace.

NYT has interesting take: I am not Charlie Hebdo. About personal responsibility, satire, growing up, and what kind of content a modern culture might be better off surrounding themselves with.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/opinion/david-brooks-i-am-not-charlie-hebdo.html?_r=4 

Obama Administration Addressing Methane Leaks

Here I think this is groovy. Methane lesser publicized but deviously impactful greenhouse gas. We retracted ozone pollution when science made us aware of the dangerous bad impact it had on our atmosphere. Methane needs to be reigned in immediately as well.

Existing sources need to be regulated quite clearly as well as new ones.
Methane can be reduced, there are already practical processes to achieve this as well.

"Climate advocates say that many of the fixes that could curb leaks from the oil and gas industry, which account for almost 30 percent of U.S. methane emissions, are simple and cost-effective. Indeed, many companies have taken action. Houston-based Southwestern Energy, for example, has led an industry effort to monitor for leaks and upgrade equipment. (See related story: "High Levels of Dangerous Chemicals Found in Air Near Oil and Gas Sites.")

The White House acknowledged that industry emissions are down 16 percent since 1990. "Nevertheless, emissions from the oil and gas sector are projected to rise more than 25 percent by 2025 without additional steps to lower them," it said. (See related story: "Oil and Gas Industry Faces Its Methane Problem.")"

Three Bikers: Surviving the Nepalese Snowstorm in October 2014

Here. http://m.pinkbike.com/news/surviving-nepal-on-a-bike-2014.html

This is a first-hand account. Harrowing and humbling, in the face of a changing Mother Nature. Wow.