114 QuickLinks

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Testing new Afghan war doctrine
Convincing Afghan villagers you will not leave, abandoning them to a vengeful Taliban, is a bigger challenge for U.S. Marines advancing deep into southern Helmand province. The eight-year-old war is at its most intense, with more than 400 NATO troops dead this year. U.S. commander Stanley McChrystal (says) he needs 40,000 troops to push back a resurgent Taliban and convince the population insurgents will not return.

Monday, September 21, 2009
Inciting Revolution in Honduras? Real News
Months after the coup in Honduras and the removal of President Zelaya, Real News has released video footage of the country's current conditions. As film maker Oscar Estrada discusses, the people are persisting in their demands for reform, for an open congress of the people, to reformulate their constitution and tor substantial social and economic changes.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
NPR: Marine Offensive in Afghanistan Assault Taliban's Poppy Hold
(1 comments) Marines will set up combat outposts and remain to hold the Taliban poppy growing territory -- an area that hasn't seen any US/Alliance occupation for years. Brig. Gen. Nicholson intends to alter the pattern of rising civialian casualties by using marine ground troops and limiting air strikes. The objective: eliminate Taliban control of the poppy crop and secure civilian safety. . .

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Deceit for Personal Gain: Humans aren't the only onesIntentional deceit is not restricted to humans
(3 comments) Intentional deceit is not restricted to humans; Some monkeys use simple forms of deceit. Researchers designed an experiment to test three types of primates for their ability to deceive. ". . . Subordinate monkeys of all three species went straight for the food when their dominant partner was not around. But as soon as the dominant monkey was introduced, they held back. . ."

Monday, June 22, 2009
Loss of biodiversity 200 MYA Played Role in Triassic/ Jurassic Extinction
A trove of 200 million-year-old fossil leaves collected in East Greenland carry a message for today. Using fossil diversity in the various layers of the Greenland formation, researchers found dramatic loses of diversity in the final 10 meters of cliff compared to the first 20 meters. For the first time, researchers detected early signs of deteriorating ecosystems, prior to plants going extinct.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Journal of Science: Highest CO2 levels in 2.1 MY
"We know from looking at much older climate records that large and rapid increase in CO2 in the past, (about 55 million years ago) caused large extinction in bottom-dwelling ocean creatures, and dissolved a lot of shells as the ocean became acidic," he said. "We're heading in that direction now." The low carbon dioxide levels outlined by the study make modern day levels. . . seem even more anomalous.

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Che's Granddaughter: Vegetarian Revolutionary.
(2 comments) PETA will be using a new campaign featuring Che's granddaughter wearing "camouflage pants, a red beret, and bandoliers of baby carrots while standing with one fist on her hip and the other outstretched. . ." "It very much evokes the tag line of the ad, which is 'Join the vegetarian revolution . . . It's an homage of sorts to her late grandfather." A new meaning of revolution . . . Are you turning over, Che???

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Reza Aslan's how to win a Cosmic War
(1 comments) The first chapter of Aslan's book provides a taste of the rest. An audio link, so take a few minutes to listen. . .

Sunday, June 7, 2009
Economy Is Still at the Brink
If we've learned anything at all two years into the worst financial crisis of our lifetimes, it is that a capital-markets system this dependent on public confidence is a shockingly inadequate foundation upon which to rest our economy... Let's seriously consider ripping down the entire structure, dynamiting the foundation and building a new system that rewards taking prudent risks, allocates capital where it is needed, allows a

Monday, May 11, 2009
Proposed $2 Trillion In Health Care Savings
Representatives from hospital association, the White House, and industry meet on the health care reform; the goal will be to reduce the money spent on health care by 1.5 percentage points each year over the next ten years. Those familiar with the plan say [it aims] for greater care coordination, lower administrative costs and the bundling of payments among health care providers and recipients, could result in a 3% reduction

Monday, May 11, 2009
Fighting Healthcare Reform with Fear
Watch the television ads that began airing last week feature horror stories from Canada and the United Kingdom. Scott, a multimillionaire investor and controversial former hospital chief executive, has become a prominent leader of the opposition to health-care reform plans. He argues that Obama is likely to put the country on a slippery slope toward a bureaucratic, British-style national health service -- That's a problem???

Thursday, April 30, 2009
100 day Self-Examine: How have we been doing?
"it's (not) enough to wait until Obama, Axelrod, Emanuel & Co. figure out the right way to spend billions on reviving the financial industry, improving schools, reforming the health care system, diminishing our dependence on oil and oil, and magically getting so many of us back to work. . . the task ahead is hellaciously difficult. . . (And knowing) previous debacles doesn't mean (you) know the solution to this one.

Sunday, April 26, 2009
Goss" RIght about Briefing Gang of Four, Wrong aboutIntelligence and Secrecy?
"Today, I am slack-jawed to read that members claim to have not understood that the techniques on which they were briefed were to actually be employed; or that specific techniques such as "waterboarding" were never mentioned. It must be hard for most Americans of common sense to imagine how a member of Congress can forget being told about the interrogations . . . " Too bad he continues by lamenting wrongs to the CIA. . .

Saturday, April 25, 2009
Reminising about Torture, Profiling Bybee's Regrets?
(3 comments) Last year, Jay S. Bybee hosted dinner for 35 at a Las Vegas restaurant...And then, according to two of his guests, Bybee added that he wished he could say (positive things) about his previous position..." So begins this WaPo attempt to put a face on one of the writers of torture memos, a Brigham Young University law graduate. "On the primary memo, ... he just felt it got away from him. . ." Bybee: a tortured soul?

Friday, April 24, 2009
Waterboarding for Charity
Olbermann announced on Thursday that he is willing to pay $1,000 to charity for every second that Fox News anchor Sean Hannity undergoes waterboarding torture. Earlier, Hannity had broadcasted: "I'll do it for charity. I'll let you do it. I'll do it for the troops' families." Olbermann laid out his offer: "For every second you last, a thousand dollars. . .This is no game. This is serious stuff. . ."

Saturday, April 4, 2009
Future of Food Broadcasts on sunday and monday
(1 comments) Link TV will offer it's documentary for viewing on Sunday and Monday. Today's food chain is far more complicated than the traditional farmer to table model - it has become a vertically integrated industrial complex. Genetically modified seeds have found their way into our food supply. Celebrated environmental journalist Mark Hertsgaard, investigates the corporate dominance of our world's food systems.

Saturday, April 4, 2009
Jared Diamond: How Societies Fail -- long term thinking
(1 comments) Why do some societies survive for thousands of years? Perhaps the best authority on developments of civilization and their collapse, Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs, Steel: Collapse) delivered a 70 minute lecture in SF in 2006. His comments on long-term thinking and decision making, with his dry humor, is as relevant today as 3 years ago -- perhaps even more so. Watch it on You Tube

Thursday, April 2, 2009
Special hay fever relief for men
(3 comments) There may be a quick and pleasurable treatment to clear those bunged noses, for guys at least – a well-timed ejaculation. Sina Zarrintan, a neurologist from Iran, may be serious or may have a sense of humor. . . BUt this was too good not to share.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Largest Known Mass Extinction In Earth's History: Rethinking Atmospheric Connections
An international team of scientists has reported a new theory for the mass extinction at the P/T boundary. The starting point for this theory was their discovery in the south of Russia and South Africa that microbial processes in present-day salt lakes produce and emit highly volatile halocarbons. The authors explain the similarities between the complex processes of the CO2-cycle and global climate in the past and the present.

Monday, March 23, 2009
French Hyperblimp flight with HD video
(4 comments) Not to be outdone by others, the French are also building airships. And they provide a simple how=to video, too. (substitute eSPDgEMeam0&feature=channel behind the ?v= in the address. )

Monday, March 23, 2009
Holbrooke damns US Afghan drug effort
The $800m a year the US has spent on eradicating poppy cultivation "is the most wasteful and ineffective programm . . . in 40 years." The money would be better spent helping Afghanistan's farmers.

Monday, March 23, 2009
AIG Makeover: Changing Name and Look
Workers took down the AIG sign in Manhatten. A spokesman said the company had decided to replace the large AIG sign -- outside the entrance to its property-casualty offices, American International Underwriters -- as part of its plan to change that operation's name to AIU Holdings Ltd. AIG's roots date back to China in 1919 but it has only carried the American International name since 1967

Monday, March 23, 2009
Austria, Hungary Reaffirm rRght to Ban GM Crops
(2 comments) EU environment ministers squashed more attempts by the European Commission to lift the restrictions. One of the EU's most GMO-wary member states, Austria, is the only remaining country cited in the World Trade Organization case filed against the European Commission by major GM crop growers Argentina, Canada and the United States that still applies bans on specific GM products.

Monday, March 23, 2009
Brazil's Mato Grosso loses taste for GMO seed
(1 comments) With current interest in GMO seeds, readers may be encouraged by recent harvests in Brazil. In the largest state, farmers are ignoring "genetically modified soy varieties in favor of conventional seeds after the hi-tech type showed poor yields."

Monday, March 23, 2009
Chernobyl still an issue: 'shows insect decline'
(2 comments) Two decades after the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, radiation is still causing a reduction in the numbers of insects and spiders. "What we found was the same basic pattern throughout these areas - the numbers of organisms declined with increasing contamination."

Saturday, March 21, 2009
Amazing Vertical Gardens: Living Walls
This may not be new, but the growing interests in urban gardening makes it still relevant. Patric Blanc is not the only designer but he has perhaps the greatest following. His walls are gorgeous! And he utilizes not only ornamental, foliage, and flowers, but vegtables as well. Take a look!

Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Next step: Tim Berners-Lee's Linked Data
Tim Berners-Lee wrote connecting code for making the world wide web possible. His talk at TED discusses the structuring of data access that provides incredible interconnection and the potential for understanding the complexity of our world. Linked data has the potential of solving the cross-discipline problems that are plagued by our inability to develop sufficiently complex models. Synergistic systems in action!

Sunday, March 15, 2009
Best Natural History: Amateurs 2009 Awards
(1 comments) Lucy Dodwell picks out the best wildlife photographs from the 2009 Sony World Photography Awards. Each of selections has links to a resource. To see all of the amateur competition, try 1403 PAGES -- and that's just the amateur section. Or try the 12 categories for the Professional. Use the "www. " and "worldphotographyawards.org" (links >30 characters not allowed in quicklinks, so you can use the NewScientist link)

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Fidel Castro: 2 leader undone
two of the government's most public faces were abruptly removed Monday in Cuba's largest leadership shake-up in decades. Foreign analysts have often described Lage, 57, and Perez Roque, 43, as potential leaders of Cuba once 82-year-old Fidel and 77-year-old Raul Castro leave the scene.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Good Riddance, Yucca Mountain1 million years is the length of time that the Bush administration was preparing to guarant
"1 million years is the length of time that the Bush administration was preparing to guarantee (apparently to our successor hominid species) the safe storage of spent nuclear fuel rods inside Nevada's Yucca Mountain." Obama has essentially ended any options for Yucca. Mark one for Mr. O!

Monday, March 2, 2009
Sex dated to 360 MYA
(1 comments) New evidence from fossils reveal live birth occurred over 300 mya. This prompted a new look at fin structure to determine how internal fertilization could occur. Results show sex was occurring 360 mya.

Monday, February 23, 2009
Catching Black Rats by Hand - Once in 48 years
It's a complex cycle. Bamboo flowers about once in 48 years and the rat population explodes. The last time was in the late 50's. Nova producers capture the explosion on camera . . . and explain the filming and circumstance. Catch the episode this Tuesday.

Sunday, January 11, 2009
Being Unbalanced Can Make You More Productive
Being FOCUSED and balanced isn't always the best approach to accomplishing your goals. Losing your focus and returning to it can be insightful. Here are a few ways to improve your life . . .

Saturday, January 3, 2009
10 Reasons to be Hopeful about 2009, and 3 Reasons to be Terrified
Sarah van Gelder: We're entering a new year at a time unlike any other in recent memory. Here are 10 reasons I'm filled with hope as I look ahead at 2009-and three reasons I'm terrified. Are you hopeful or terrified by the coming year and by what we face in the coming decades? What I keep coming back to is this: we humans have the free will to make choices that assure our collective survival, or to do otherwise.

Saturday, January 3, 2009
FDA: Protection for Smokers
Cigarette makers have decided what's safe for consumers... and to lure young smokers by peddling candy-flavored cigarettes. Proposed legislation would eliminate such misleading labels and severely curtail Big Tobacco's ability to market to youths... By regulating tobacco, the new Congress can secure an early, bipartisan victory that would help set the tone for the rest of the session.

Saturday, January 3, 2009
Paving In Forests: Technical shift has huge implication
Mark E. Rey, the former timber lobbyist who heads the Forest Service, last week signaled his intent to formalize the controversial change. The closed-door negotiations (violate) federal laws requiring public comment because the changes would affect endangered species and sensitive ecosystems...

Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Oregon/Wahington listen up: Idaho Miners Won't Have to Restore Groundwater | CommonDreams.org
Water moves down gradient. So the impact of Idaho rulings will be flowing into the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Idaho may not object but let's hope Oregon and Washington object!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Lump This Myth with 'Frosty the Coalman' | CommonDreams.org
Clean Coal! Well, if you ignore a few minor difficulties. Don't mention coal ash. Don't mention air quality. Don't mention reclamation. But hey! Isn't advertising all about convincing those who don't realize they need what you've got. . .

Monday, December 29, 2008
CounterPunch: Israel's Attempted Endgame in Gaza
(1 comments) The intensity of the bombings on Saturday, which left over 230 people dead and 800 wounded, many seriously, was what struck one witness, R., who claimed never to have heard so many explosions so close together and for such an uninterrupted period of time... a few short hours American-made, Israeli-flown fighter jets had successfully blotted out the lives of more than 230 people and by the end of the weekend over 300

Sunday, December 28, 2008
Blood sugar loss may trigger Alzheimer's: study | Science | Reuters
A slow, chronic reduction of blood sugar to the brain could trigger some forms of Alzheimer's disease, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. The study of human and mice brains suggests a reduction of blood flow deprives energy to the brain, setting off a process that ultimately produces the sticky clumps of protein researchers believe is a cause of the disease, they said.

Sunday, December 28, 2008
Raul Castro calls for more work, fewer handouts | U.S. | Reuters
Cuban President Raul Castro called on Saturday for austerity measures including fewer subsidies for workers and stricter management to pull the country out of an economic morass. aggravated this year by three hurricanes and the global financial crisis.

Sunday, December 28, 2008
t r u t h o u t | "Living Under the Trees" Photoessay
(1 comments) "Living Under the Trees" is a project that documents the experiences and conditions of indigenous farm worker communities. It focuses on social movements in indigenous communities and how indigenous culture helps communities survive and enjoy life. The project's purpose is to win public support for policies to help those communities by putting a human face on conditions and providing a forum in which people speak for themse

Saturday, December 27, 2008
Georgia Judge Jails Muslim Woman Over Head Scarf
(2 comments) If you are an Orthodox Jew, are you required to remove head gear? If you are Catholic nun in traditional garb, must you remove the head piece? If you are woman from the 60's with big hair, do you have to undo it? What about hair pieces? Are they considered "head gear???" Mr. M, your cartoon about stripping for the press room may have had judicial following.

Friday, December 26, 2008
2008 News review: The year in science - New Scientist
What were the big stories in science? What were the most popular stories? Here are a collection from the New Scientist and their ratings for science in 2008. from astronomy to sex, the best and the worst.

Thursday, December 25, 2008
Labor's Fresh Face -- Harkens to FDR's Frances Perkins
Hilda L. Solis is the ... "daughter of immigrants, a product and champion of the labor movement, a staunch environmentalist, an ardent feminist and one of the gutsiest elected officials in American politics. ... Her appointment harks back to Franklin Roosevelt's selection of Frances Perkins as his Labor secretary..." "The lives of the working poor have been a central concern for Solis. . .

Thursday, December 25, 2008
NOAA new appointee -- More Scientist for Cabinet and Change
Lubchenco will head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A marine biologist at Oregon State concerned about climate change, Lubchenco's appointment indicates the intention of the new administration to make science an important aspect of government policy.

Thursday, December 25, 2008
Seawater science can help climate change forecasts | Environment | Reuters
(1 comments) With approximately 70% of the planet covered by water, it's no surprise that we still have lots of unknowns when it comes to the oceans. Take the circulation patterns, for instance. Surface flow carries heat from the tropics to the poles. Density helps adjust the vertical flow. Some estimate that the turn-over rate of the ocean is 1,000 years. But nothing is sure when there are so many unknowns. . .

Thursday, December 25, 2008
Shocking study: most will torture if ordered | Reuters
(2 comments) Studies in the 60's, control of others allowed insight into shocking behavior of people in position of power. Repeating some aspects of these experiments with carefully screened volunteers to represent 'average' US citizen, Burger found similar behavior today. Despite the use of a planted 'volunteer' who refused to obey the experiment scenario, 63% of the participants continued administering shocks to others

Thursday, December 25, 2008
NASA - Ring Crossing: Saturn's Crazy Christmas Tilt
This is an opportunity to view Saturn's ring cross. This occurs only about once every 14 or 15 years. If you look tonight, you may observe Saturn's rings disappear and they will only reappear in another week or so. So unpack that telescope and brave the chill!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
EPA Eases Emissions Regulations for New Power Plants -- CO2 not an Issue
The EPA ruled ... that new power plants are not required to install technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. . . New coal-fired power plants will not consider CO2 despite a ruling by the Supreme Court that the EPA could regulate such emissions. Consider, also, the analysis by the NY Times ( E.P.A. Ruling Could Speed Up Approval of Coal Plants )

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Inspiration & Hope: lost Eden amid forgotten forest in Mozambique | Environment | The Observer
In the forested mountains of northern Mozambique, scientists are documenting an area of undisturbed biodiversity. The area was first identified in 2005 using google earth but a full expedition was unable to enter the region until this year. Photos help document the new species recorded. Conservationist hope to provide protection for the isolated forest which is above the surrounding war-torn but recovering region

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Corruption Destroys Afghanistan -- more $$ than current bailout
"$904 billion - that's how much we've spent on American military operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, since the 9/11 attacks; 50 percent more than what was spent in Vietnam... (OPED's Sarah Chayes) argues that America's and Afghanistan's biggest problem comes from within - our continuing support of a corrupt and abusive Afghan government . . ."

Monday, December 22, 2008
Bush's new rules threaten Medical Treatments
Bush announced a rule that expands the right of health care workers to refuse to provide medical care, counseling, referrals, and even information to an unprecedented level. Because of it's broad terms, it allows even volunteers to deny not only abortion and sterilization, but contraception, end-of-life care, or any other medical practice to which someone might have a personal moral (not even religious) objection.

Monday, December 15, 2008
Wind, Water And Sun Beat Biofuels, Nuclear And Coal For Clean Energy
(1 comments) The first quantitative, scientific evaluation of the proposed, major, energy-related solutions was assessed not only for their potential to deliver energy for electricity and vehicles, but also their impacts on global warming, human health, energy security, water supply, space requirements, wildlife, water pollution, reliability and sustainability. The energy alternatives that are good are not the ones we talk about. . .

Saturday, December 13, 2008
Ancient armored amphibian had world's oddest bite | Science | Reuters
210 million years ago, the Gerrothorax pulcherrimus lived alongside some of the early dinosaurs. It opened its mouth by lifting its head. It has no modern relative and was part of the massive extinction over 200 million years ago.

Friday, December 12, 2008
Biggest Full Moon of the Year -- 14% bigger
(1 comments) It's been growing brighter and bigger for the last few days. Tonight the perigee Moon -- which occurs once a year -- appears 14% bigger because it is in its closet approach to earth. Go out tonight for the full effect.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Regulators scratch heads over housing crisis as buyers redefault
Regulators are surprised that even after helping with the payments, default home owners are now re-defaulting. But we shouldn't be too pessimistic. One administrator says "What we've done with ... Fannie and Freddie has the potential to be very powerful and we shouldn't lose sight of that." Just what do they have in their sights?

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Five Reasons to Support an Auto Industry Rescue
So what do some semi-progressive economists think? Can there be positives? Health care connection -- yes. What about the oil industry connection?

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Getting Real on Climate Change: making dirty energy too expensive
"Greens are now offering carbon auctions and energy taxes as the answer to the economic crisis. . . (but)Faced with a global liquidity crisis and a deep and potentially prolonged recession, government has become the investor of last resort. . . The opportunity today is to make large and sustained federal investments to radically drive down the costs of clean-energy technologies, along with investing in the enabling technologie

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Imagining the Oceans in 2025
(2 comments) If you missed it, this article is worth reviewing in light of the current push for changes in energy policies, auto industry change, and efficiency. Because we are land based, we often forget the other 70% of the entire planet. We forget that air temperatures are capable of rapid changes due to its heat capacity. The oceans are much slower -- both to warm and to cool. Add to that all the other impacts we produce ...

Friday, December 5, 2008
Obama and U.S. health reform -- public input
Before debating health care options, Obama and his administration may want to encourage the public to access the PBS Frontline coverage of health care in other countries. "Sick Around the World" provides background information and looks at multiple approaches. It is available on-line at www.pbs.org on their frontline site. The on-line link is at the bottom of the page.

Thursday, December 4, 2008
Carbon Trading: Environmental Godsend or Giant Shell Game? | Global Warming | DISCOVER Magazine
(2 comments) Carbon Cap and Trade tries to promote the most efficient methods for controlling emissions. THe system stems from limits on emissions from industries which have been permitted in the 90's. Companies can emit less through better equipment, fewer operating hours, or use of capturing processes. The savings in emissions can be traded to other companies. Trade agreements may or may not affect the over-all air quality. . .

Monday, December 1, 2008
Congo's war-baby gorillas bring hope for endangered species
There are hints that the silverback gorilla may be having a slight upswing. The habitat of the endangered gorillas is part of the war torn Congo and Rwandan area of conflict.

Monday, December 1, 2008
No Recovery for Atlantic Cod Population -- Brooks 2008 (1125): 1 -- ScienceNOW
A new study predicts for the first time that a major population of Atlantic cod, near Newfoundland, Canada, will essentially go extinct within 20 years, despite best attempts to manage it. adult cod have been dying at an unusually high rate in recent years. No one knows why, but Swain suspects the cause might be increased predation by seals. The problem may be more widespread.

Monday, December 1, 2008
Sea Change for Turtle Origins? -- Stokstad 2008 (1126): 3 -- ScienceNOW
(1 comments) A recent fossil discovery, the Odontochelys represents an early stage of turtle history during which they were evolving their shells while living in water. They were found in 220-million-year-old rocks near Guanling, in southwestern China and pushes the age of turtle origins back.

Monday, December 1, 2008
Whatever happened to the hydrogen economy? - environment - 28 November 2008 - New Scientist
Most hydrogen is currently made in refineries by heating natural gas with steam in the presence of a catalyst, but this usually relies on energy from fossil fuels and can generate carbon dioxide as a by-product. ITM Power claims: a membrane to replace platinum. Using half a dozen commonly available hydrocarbons, it has developed a solid but flexible polymer gel that is three times as conductive as existing PEMs.

Monday, December 1, 2008
Lawyers call for international court for the environment issues
A British judge has proposed an international "supreme legal authority" to rule on environmental issues and punish countries and companies that degrade the environment. The legal authority would be similar to the International Court of Justice in Hague. With oil prices down and funding scarce, legal processes could assist governments in supporting alternative energy and environmental protection programs.

Friday, November 28, 2008
Bolivia calls U.S. trade move political vengeance | Politics | Reuters
Now is the time to re-evaluate our relations with all of our neighbors. Our history of interference with Central and South America has been extensive. The "War on Drugs" is just one more effort to control our neighbors. Bolivia's claim that they are willing to talk is an open invitation to Obama. Perhaps now would be a good time to contact his admin with letters of support for good-neighbor policies.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bush's Last Minute Air Pollution Rule -- Impacting all of us! | CommonDreams.org
(1 comments) The threat of Bush's change to the Clean Air act is NOW! Changing a 3-hour or a 24-hour to an annual average air regulation may seem like a minor change but the intent of those short term regulations is to protect the elderly, the young, and the sick. Once the wind blows or the rain falls, those periods of low concentrations mask the potential damage of short-term episodes of high air pollution levels.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Cancer Decline in The U.S. (real or or procedural?)- washingtonpost.com
Current diagnoses of cancer death-rates suggest a decline has begun. But there are some doubts concerning the connection to diagnosis and treatment. A decline in testing -- mammagrams and prostate screening -- may impact some cancer rates, and some cancers are still on the rise such as melanoma, lymphoma, and kidney cancer. But lung and colon cancers are declining.

Friday, November 21, 2008
Five detainees ordered released after seven years at Guantanamo - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com
(1 comments) After seven years and several court incidents, one court order appears to be holding. Judge Leon, a conservative appointee, has ruled that the government has insufficient evidence to hold the 5 men. A previous ruling is being appealed. The Washington Post provides the details of the arrests and detention of the Algerians.

Friday, November 21, 2008
Midnight Hour: regulations for the last 60 days | Comment: The New Yorker
Clinton holds the record for the most regulations during his last days. Bush announced at the beginning of his Presidency, that he would review and eliminate those as soon as possible. Now, he too, is establishing his own pile of regulations -- or anti-regulations -- as he eliminates or restricts application of environmental, energy, and resource related laws and directives.

Saturday, November 15, 2008
Australians march against climate change | Environment | Reuters
Demonstrations were held as Australia prepares to set national greenhouse gas emissions targets. . . the march came amid a background of pressure from the fossil fuels industry for the government to adopt relatively soft emissions targets. Australia was one of the longest holdouts against the Kyoto protocol. . .leaving the United States as the only major country not to have joined it.

Saturday, November 15, 2008
Rwanda president accuses UN of betrayal | World news | The Guardian
(2 comments) The conflict in Africa is entwined and tangled with racial, cultural, and economic conflicts from decades past. Simple solutions will not be possible. Be sure to read the accompanying article: Roots of War in Eastern Congo by Chris McGreal

Saturday, November 15, 2008
The power of speech | Constructing future and past references
(1 comments) Everett started a huge division in linguistics when he suggested that the Piraha did not have recursive constructs in their language. This claim in opposition to Chomsky, the almost diety of linguistics. . . Could there be a certain amount of disaster needed to require the constructing of future planning and past reflection in a language? This is an inspirational vignette on a simple people.

Saturday, November 15, 2008
WaterWired: Peace in the Klamath Basin? Four Dams Going, Going...
(2 comments) The Klamath River is the 3rd most important river for salmon. Dams on the river provides cheap electricity and irrigation water, which has sparked controversy and conflict over the re-licensing of the dams verses dam removal. "Today's announcement is the first step in what would be the largest dam removal project ever in history . . ." A final determination of costs vs benefits will not come until 2012.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Obama's "number 1 priority"-- comprehensive energy policy and descending cap on carbon emissions
(1 comments) Obama's best choice is to fund energy-related programs and return all the carbon revenue to the people. . . carbon dividends would be taxed as ordinary income; those who use the most carbon would lose and those who use the least would gain. A carbon cap will raise fuel prices . . . (but)Cap-and-dividend permanently links dividends to carbon prices. "If you guzzle, you lose; if you conserve, you gain."

Sunday, November 9, 2008
Rahm Emanuel: 'Do What You Got Elected to Do' - WSJ.com
Wall Street has its own agenda, but there are several quotes here that worth noting. "the lesson is to do what you got elected to do. Do what you talked about on the campaign. If you got elected, that's what people expect. Don't go off on tangents . . ." "I think the country is incredibly pragmatic. Pragmatic and progressive. But you still have to mix and ..."

Friday, October 31, 2008
No charges but US may never release Guantanamo Chinese | World news | The Guardian
Last month this case received a ruling for release of the 17 Chinese Muslims who had been trying to escape China -- only to cross into Pakistan and then Afghanistan. "wrong Turn" big time! The US justice department says the men "are linked to an organization that the state department has labeled to be a terrorist entity, and it is beside the point that the organization is not 'a threat to us'

Friday, October 31, 2008
Suspected US missile strikes kill 27 in Pakistan | World news | The Guardian
Pakistan can protest but the drones will keep flying and bombing. Scores of people have been killed but no senior al-Qaida or Taliban leaders have been reported to have died. The latest attacks came two days after Pakistan summoned the US ambassador to protest against missile strikes and demand that they be stopped immediately.

Thursday, October 30, 2008
t r u t h o u t | The 700 Billion Dollar Blank Check
So what is the money being spent on??? Yes, there is word that some few homeowners are being offered assistance, but where is the money. Where are the controls, the audits, the proof of compliance with the Bill?

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Bush Violates Grand Canyon: Uranium Mining | CommonDreams.org
When groups have claimed that Bush making as big an impact as possible in these last weeks, they weren't joking. Bush has authorized claims for mining just south of the Grand Canyon -- an area protected in a bill passed by congress a few months ago. This is a test of Bush's method of interpreting and adjusting bills with which he disagrees. The Grand Canyon isn't war and death, so maybe there will be greater resistance!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
t r u t h o u t | Stop the Raids in the First 100 Days
(2 comments) Immigration! Illegals! A few diaries and articles have been posted on OpEd concerning immigration. Sometimes it seems the majority here want to 'protect' the country from the rest of the world. I hope that is blindered vision on my part. I hope that does not correctly assess the readers views. National campaigns are quiet on this point and only public input will force a change.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
t r u t h o u t | The Case Against Escalation of the War in Afghanistan
(2 comments) the American public has been lulled, perhaps even seduced, into an acceptance, without analysis or debate, of Afghanistan as the "good" war... wars of occupation in Afghanistan are unwinnable. ... The invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, upon analysis, fails to satisfy the legal and moral criteria for a good - a just - war... escalating the war in Afghanistan is misguided and a sacrifice this nation cannot endure...

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thousands of refugees stuck in camps in Pakistan | World news | The Observer
Why isn't Pakistan happy with the US and the war with the Taliban?? Up to 300,000 people have had to flee fighting in Bajaur... There is no electricity. Water is trucked in.. supplies are very short. There are outbreaks of disease... At first it was thought the army would finish the job within a month, but with no signs of the operation ending these camps are being given more permanent facilities

Sunday, October 26, 2008
PRESS CONFERENCE BY SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE
the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, today warned that ill treatment was still "widespread"... those particularly vulnerable were children, gays and lesbians, transsexuals and those with disabilities... conditions for terrorism suspects were unacceptable and even "arbitrary" in the case of those being held at Guantanamo Bay...

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Chevron Faces Suit Over Nigerian Violence | CommonDreams.org
On Monday, a federal jury will convene in San Francisco to decide whether...a U.S. corporation (Chevron) is responsible for the bloodshed. A similar suit filed against Royal Dutch Shell by Nigerians... is scheduled to go to trial in New York in February. Chevron... described the protesters as a group of "armed youths" ...(but)a faxed message sent by a company official (described) the villagers as unarmed (and calm)...

Saturday, October 25, 2008
Pakistan rejects 'America's war' on extremists | World news | The Guardian
There have been about a dozen US missile strikes inside Pakistan since the beginning of September and a ground assault, fanning widespread anti-Americanism in the country. Response to the new measures suggested by the Bush administration has not been positive.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Palin advocates marriage amendment; stands by "palling with terrorists"
Yes, she can voice a slightly different opinion from McCain. In this latest meeting, Palin backs an amendment against same-sex, claims she never heard any audience members shouting "unacceptable comments," defended faith and the freedom to worship, and reiterated that Obama has been "palling around with terrorists" -- all one short short press meeting. What a woman! What entertainment! What a wink!

Saturday, October 18, 2008
Whole World Feels Effect of US Intent, Activist Says
The US is a country that is abandoning it's roots, thinks Nobel Peace Prize winner. "The chief danger in the world today is not Saddam Hussein," Mr. Perez Esquivel said. "It is the United States." ... the United States (is) an angry, isolated country inflicting lasting damage on itself. This is not restricted to Iraq but is becoming global with demonstrations and increased resentments flaring. Is it too late . . .

Friday, October 17, 2008
Layoffs spreading across corporate America | Lifestyle | Reuters
Panic is spreading to jobs with unemployment the highest it's been in 7 years. Auto workers have already received word, but now others, including Pepsi are laying off. The holiday season wont be offering temporary employment either, so the seasom may be far from merry.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Bush signs controversial anti-piracy law | U.S. | Reuters
The law creates an intellectual property czar who reports to the president and could undermine the Justice Department's authority. The law toughens criminal laws against piracy and counterfeiting. Some critics argued that it goes too far while others complain that measures already exist to combat piracy.

Thursday, October 9, 2008
US federal court orders Chinese Muslims in Guantánamo released | csmonitor.com
The Uighur muslims from China were captured in Pakistan and have been held captive for 7 years -- dispite being cleared for release in 2004. Now the Justice Department is filing an apeal to stay the court ordered release of the group.

Thursday, September 4, 2008
Environment » Blog Archive » Republican VP Who Scoffs At Greenhouse Gas Effect "" Sound Familiar? | Blogs | Reuters.co
Moving from personal / family issues, Stuart Gaffin points out that McCain and Palin don't argee on Climate change. They do, of course, agree on promoting oil over any alternative energies.

Thursday, August 28, 2008
WHO study backs universal health care | International | Reuters
No surprise! The world suffers from inequity in health care. Life expectancy can range from 43 to 86 years, depending upon the country. But the inequities are, of course, not limited to 3rd-world countries. Within countries, the poor have much higher death rates than the rich, and the US, once again, helps lead the examples. Too bad this isn't a concern of our current political leaders.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A dangerous crisis of invisible refugees: Bernd Debusmann | Special Coverage | Reuters
Between 10% and 20% of the Iraq population is now considered refugees seeking asylum. The US will admit a mere 12,000 this year. The real hope for these refugees, and for the country as a whole, is to begin reconstruction which would allow refugees to return to their homes, or an equivalent one. But the requisite skills and trained personnel for reconstruction are currently missing and the US is slow to assist.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
US diplomat targeted in Pakistan militant attack | World news | The Guardian
More news from Peshawar and Bajaur following last week's suicide bombs: Two gunmen, armed with automatic weapons, attacked the armored vehicle of the US consul-general and then drove off. No one in the vehicle was hurt and no one, so far, is laying claim to being responsible.

Sunday, August 24, 2008
Afghan President pardons men convicted of bayonet gang rape
An Afghan mother was gang raped and stabbed after confronting the local commander about the disappearance of her son. Three men were sentenced to prison but have returned to the village – with a pardon supposedly signed by President Karzai. A spokesman for Karzai said that the President would be "upset and appalled" if the documents proved genuine.

Saturday, August 23, 2008
Louise Christian: Britain should be ashamed of MI5's role in torture case | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
This is a must read if you are at all concerned with the question of human rights and the expectation that a nation's government is expected to protect. . . Of course, if your living in the US, don't worry about it because the US already [re-empted those rights.

Saturday, August 23, 2008
MI5 criticised for role in case of torture, rendition and secrecy | UK news | The Guardian
(1 comments) For Mohamed, a British resident, facing trial with the US, the British interpretation of torture may help save his life. But the politicians have to agree to release the court records.

Saturday, August 23, 2008
mohamed_full210808.pdf (application/pdf Object)
The court document concerns torture of Mohamed by the US and the Northern Alliance.Very revealing and damning for the loss of rights enacted by the US! But the Court does NOT find that the British government has to reveal "information" obtained by torture by another Government because there is insufficient legal grounds in international law by the current case.

Thursday, August 21, 2008
Why a common treatment for prostate cancer ultima... ( Some of the drugs given to many men ...)
Treatments for prostate cancer have not produced the expected results. Although the drugs may slow the growth of some cells, a new study has found that other cells may actually be stimulated to grow. The androgen receptor in prostate cells can provide a natural inhibitor for cell growth. This new study suggests that turning the receptors off in some cells while turning others on may provide better results.

Sunday, August 17, 2008
Jason Burke reports on the critical changes transforming Pakistan | World news | The Observer
Jason Burke reports on the critical changes transforming nuclear-armed Pakistan as Musharraf's pro-US power ebb. A new sense of Pakistan's place in the world, and crucially among Islamic nations, has become clear.

Saturday, August 16, 2008
FDA to hold meeting on baby bottle chemical | U.S. | Reuters
BPA is finally getting some coverage by the FDA. Although some can scoff at the small levels of contamination, babies are the most vulnerable to chemicals. Ignoring risks to them is inexcusable.

Saturday, August 16, 2008
Charges drawn up against Pakistan's Musharraf | International | Reuters
Pakistan has prepared impeachment charges against Musharraf, a U.S. ally who seized power in a 1999. The U.S. embassy is not commenting on reports of negotiation.

Saturday, August 16, 2008
Guantanamo trial may proceed without defendant | Reuters
Ali Hamza al Bahlul's refusal to participate in his 'trial' leaves the Guantanamo tribunal in the unenviable position of showing judicial fairness within 90 days. Accused of preparing recruiting materials supporting terrorism and a video glorifying an attack in 2000, Bahlul asserts that his actions are not crimes. If he is a declared enemy, can there be judicial impartiality by a tribunal of the enemy?

Saturday, August 16, 2008
Lights are on, but banks increasingly closed: James Saft | Special Coverage | Reuters
It looked bad but the future is looking bleaker. Relief? Not likely and moderate households may be at risk.

Saturday, August 16, 2008
Rising ocean acidity slows marine fertilization | Environment | Reuters
More finding for a troubles water planet. Small acidic changes in the ocean have significant impacts. Last year we learned shells soften with very small pH changes. Now we learn sperm reacts.

Sunday, August 10, 2008
In scientific first, Einstein researchers correct decline in organ function associated wi... ( (BRONX NY) As people age
Proteins are recycled inadequate in aging individuals. Now researchers have found possible therapies which will increase the effectiveness of the liver to recycle proteins. Will better recycling slow aging?

Sunday, August 10, 2008
Oil vulnerable as OPEC supply cushion thins: Iran | Reuters
The drop in oil today is at the expense of future output(. . .duh!) No not future generations, how about next quarter? By increasing production for the last several weeks, prices have dropped. But the output has limits and not too far in the future.

Saturday, August 9, 2008
Eric Margolis: Blaming Pakistan's Spies For A War Gone Wrong
We're not finished with blaming the woes of Afghanistan. . . and "leaked" claims and evidence are still justifying accusations against Pakistan.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Why is Habeas Corpus Such a Threat to those in Power?
Perhaps the most important question about rights in general. If we can suspend some of our "rights" some of the time, when can we be sure we have any rights?

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Progress Energy files to build Fla. nuclear plant
In June, PEF asked approval to build 2 nuclear power plants in Florida. This month they are asking for 4 plants.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Texas set to defy World Court with execution
Death penalty coming due and the world is watching. The US has used moral justification for interferring with other countries, but let's not get carried away. Others can't interfer with us!