Friday, January 31, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Federal appeals court may halt Shell’s plans to “drill, baby, drill”
Federal appeals court may halt Shell’s plans to “drill, baby, drill”
click link
snip
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
ruled Wednesday that when the U.S. government sold leases to Shell back
in 2008—during the final days of the Bush administration—it did a
spectacularly bad job of assessing the amount of oil available in
Alaska’s Chukchi Sea and the potential environmental impact of removing
it.
For $2 billion, the Interior Department sold Shell the rights
to drill for oil over nearly 30 million acres of the sea floor,
estimating that there were 1 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the
lease areas. Native Alaskan tribes and environmental groups, including
NRDC (which publishes OnEarth), fought the leases on the
grounds that 1 billion barrels was an extreme understatement. The
three-judge panel agreed Wednesday, calling the estimate “arbitrary and capricious”.
The
case now goes back to U.S. District court in Alaska for further review,
which has the potential to seriously jam up Shell’s Chukchi plans for
the foreseeable future. The attorney representing Shell told Reuters:
“It’s unlikely that the government could authorize drilling activities
on leases the court says were improperly awarded.” In other words: Shell
will likely have to take its massive drilling rigs and go home, at
least for another summer.
click link
snip
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
ruled Wednesday that when the U.S. government sold leases to Shell back
in 2008—during the final days of the Bush administration—it did a
spectacularly bad job of assessing the amount of oil available in
Alaska’s Chukchi Sea and the potential environmental impact of removing
it.
For $2 billion, the Interior Department sold Shell the rights
to drill for oil over nearly 30 million acres of the sea floor,
estimating that there were 1 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the
lease areas. Native Alaskan tribes and environmental groups, including
NRDC (which publishes OnEarth), fought the leases on the
grounds that 1 billion barrels was an extreme understatement. The
three-judge panel agreed Wednesday, calling the estimate “arbitrary and capricious”.
The
case now goes back to U.S. District court in Alaska for further review,
which has the potential to seriously jam up Shell’s Chukchi plans for
the foreseeable future. The attorney representing Shell told Reuters:
“It’s unlikely that the government could authorize drilling activities
on leases the court says were improperly awarded.” In other words: Shell
will likely have to take its massive drilling rigs and go home, at
least for another summer.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Congressman Moneybags: Darrell Issa and Washington’s epidemic of wealth
Congressman Moneybags: Darrell Issa and Washington’s epidemic of wealth
click link
snip
Over the holidays, I was watching that old Marilyn Monroe comedy “How to Marry a Millionaire” on Turner Classic Movies (okay, I have no life). This week, a new report suggests (to me, at least) that if Hollywood were to produce a remake of that 1953 film, the variety of now politically incorrect tactics Ms. Monroe and her friends deploy to land a well-to-do partner could be reduced to one: start dating a member of Congress.
An analysis of personal financial disclosure data by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics reveals that “for the first time in history” a majority of senators and representatives are millionaires:
click link
snip
Over the holidays, I was watching that old Marilyn Monroe comedy “How to Marry a Millionaire” on Turner Classic Movies (okay, I have no life). This week, a new report suggests (to me, at least) that if Hollywood were to produce a remake of that 1953 film, the variety of now politically incorrect tactics Ms. Monroe and her friends deploy to land a well-to-do partner could be reduced to one: start dating a member of Congress.
An analysis of personal financial disclosure data by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics reveals that “for the first time in history” a majority of senators and representatives are millionaires:
Of 534 current members of Congress, at least 268 had an average net worth of $1 million or more in 2012, according to disclosures filed last year by all members of Congress and candidates. The median net worth for the 530 current lawmakers who were in Congress as of the May filing deadline was $1,008,767 — an increase from last year when it was $966,000. In addition, at least one of the members elected since then, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), is a millionaire, according to forms she filed as a candidate. (There is currently one vacancy in Congress.)
The deplorable story of how 300,000 West Virginians lost their water
The deplorable story of how 300,000 West Virginians lost their water
click link
snip
Following a 7,500 gallon chemical spill that left 300,000 people without drinkable tap water for five days, West Virginia Gov. Earl Tomblin announced Monday that a nine-county tap water ban would begin to be lifted. The spill spurred a federal emergency declaration, 10 hospital admissions and new scrutiny on industry’s influence over state and federal policy.
To consider the fallout, Salon called up Dr. Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council and lecturer for George Washington University. Sass blasted Freedom Industries’ handling of the emergency, called West Virginia “a state that’s not interested in enforcing … state or federal regulations,” and warned that an initially promising bill in Congress could make the situation worse. A condensed version of our conversation follows.
click link
snip
Following a 7,500 gallon chemical spill that left 300,000 people without drinkable tap water for five days, West Virginia Gov. Earl Tomblin announced Monday that a nine-county tap water ban would begin to be lifted. The spill spurred a federal emergency declaration, 10 hospital admissions and new scrutiny on industry’s influence over state and federal policy.
To consider the fallout, Salon called up Dr. Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council and lecturer for George Washington University. Sass blasted Freedom Industries’ handling of the emergency, called West Virginia “a state that’s not interested in enforcing … state or federal regulations,” and warned that an initially promising bill in Congress could make the situation worse. A condensed version of our conversation follows.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Russia's War in Afghanistan : Documentary on 10 Years of Soviet War in A...
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note: how much has changed? only fools would want us to stay another decade
also note: brits have fought four times in afghanistan, over 100 years
Friday, January 10, 2014
Why this satanic goat statue has the Christian right so freaked out
Why this satanic goat statue has the Christian right so freaked out
click link
snip
The design for the Satanist statue proposed for the lawn of the Oklahoma state capitol is a delight: Baphomet, a goat-headed pagan idol, sits gracefully on a chair, gazing beatifically forward while holding two fingers aloft. Two children, a boy and a girl, stand on either side of him, looking worshipfully upon the goatly representation of the occult.
For the Satanists who designed the statue and their supporters, the joke is obvious, though no less hilarious. Baphomet is a figure likely made up by the Inquisition for the purpose of accusing its victims of worshipping him. Satanists today use his face as a way to mock modern fundamentalist Christians for their tendency to concoct imaginary enemies to stoke their own paranoid fantasies about being persecuted.
click link
snip
The design for the Satanist statue proposed for the lawn of the Oklahoma state capitol is a delight: Baphomet, a goat-headed pagan idol, sits gracefully on a chair, gazing beatifically forward while holding two fingers aloft. Two children, a boy and a girl, stand on either side of him, looking worshipfully upon the goatly representation of the occult.
For the Satanists who designed the statue and their supporters, the joke is obvious, though no less hilarious. Baphomet is a figure likely made up by the Inquisition for the purpose of accusing its victims of worshipping him. Satanists today use his face as a way to mock modern fundamentalist Christians for their tendency to concoct imaginary enemies to stoke their own paranoid fantasies about being persecuted.
Hilarious as the statue is, it was designed to make a serious point. Christian fundamentalists in Oklahoma managed to get a Ten Commandments monument placed on capitol grounds in 2012. Though the supporters of the monument deny it, it’s an obvious attempt by fundamentalists to get the state government to endorse Christianity above all other religious beliefs, in a direct violation of the Constitution’s ban on state
establishment of religion. The ACLU of Oklahoma has sued, arguing, “When the government literally puts one faith on a pedestal, it sends a strong message to Oklahomans of other faiths that they are less than equal.”
No doubt the Satanists expect Oklahoma to reject their petition, which is the point, of course. By rejecting the petition, the legislature will make it clear they really are elevating one religion over another, strengthening the ACLU’s case against the state.
establishment of religion. The ACLU of Oklahoma has sued, arguing, “When the government literally puts one faith on a pedestal, it sends a strong message to Oklahomans of other faiths that they are less than equal.”
No doubt the Satanists expect Oklahoma to reject their petition, which is the point, of course. By rejecting the petition, the legislature will make it clear they really are elevating one religion over another, strengthening the ACLU’s case against the state.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
9,135 out of 9,136 scientists believe climate change is happening
9,135 out of 9,136 scientists believe climate change is happening
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snip
Contrary to what conservatives might suggest, there really isn’t a debate in the scientific community over whether climate change is real. The commonly cited statistic is that 97 percent of scientists agree that global warming is happening, and that it’s caused by human activity. Another way of looking at that consensus comes courtesy of James Lawrence Powell, who examined a year’s worth of climate-related scientific studies and found that virtually all accept man-made global warming.
Powell’s analysis covers 2,258 articles published in peer-reviewed journals between November 2012 and December 2013, written by a total of 9,136 authors. He found but one holdout: S. V. Avakyan who, writing for the Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences, concluded that “contribution of the greenhouse effect of carbon-containing gases to global warming turns out to be insignificant.” Powell discusses Avakyan’s dissenting opinion at his personal blog:
click link
snip
Contrary to what conservatives might suggest, there really isn’t a debate in the scientific community over whether climate change is real. The commonly cited statistic is that 97 percent of scientists agree that global warming is happening, and that it’s caused by human activity. Another way of looking at that consensus comes courtesy of James Lawrence Powell, who examined a year’s worth of climate-related scientific studies and found that virtually all accept man-made global warming.
Powell’s analysis covers 2,258 articles published in peer-reviewed journals between November 2012 and December 2013, written by a total of 9,136 authors. He found but one holdout: S. V. Avakyan who, writing for the Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences, concluded that “contribution of the greenhouse effect of carbon-containing gases to global warming turns out to be insignificant.” Powell discusses Avakyan’s dissenting opinion at his personal blog:
Most important political news this week: New report kills GOP’s radical agenda
Most important political news this week: New report kills GOP’s radical agenda
click link
snip
The furthest-reaching political news of the week has nothing to do with who clogged the George Washington Bridge or what Robert Gates thinks of Barack Obama’s completely justifiable skepticism of David Petraeus and the war in Afghanistan.
It came in a seemingly boring actuarial report from a government agency most people probably have never of, showing that for the first time since the 1990s, total U.S. healthcare spending grew at a slower rate than the U.S. economy at the beginning of the current decade
.
This sounds like the kind of thing only wonks and other nerds care about, which is probably why it didn’t become a #hashtag meme on Twitter or whatever, but the implications of the great healthcare spending slowdown are vast, and have thus reignited a long-simmering academic and ideological debate over whether, and to what extent, Obamacare deserves credit.
click link
snip
The furthest-reaching political news of the week has nothing to do with who clogged the George Washington Bridge or what Robert Gates thinks of Barack Obama’s completely justifiable skepticism of David Petraeus and the war in Afghanistan.
It came in a seemingly boring actuarial report from a government agency most people probably have never of, showing that for the first time since the 1990s, total U.S. healthcare spending grew at a slower rate than the U.S. economy at the beginning of the current decade
.
This sounds like the kind of thing only wonks and other nerds care about, which is probably why it didn’t become a #hashtag meme on Twitter or whatever, but the implications of the great healthcare spending slowdown are vast, and have thus reignited a long-simmering academic and ideological debate over whether, and to what extent, Obamacare deserves credit.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
Report: North Dakota’s crude oil is particularly explosive
Report: North Dakota’s crude oil is particularly explosive
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snip
When a mile-long train carrying crude oil through North Dakota derailed and exploded in a “giant fireball” Monday, Mayor Ed McConnell of nearby Casselton commented that his town, which evacuated as strong winds blew acrid smoke and soot toward them, had dodged a bullet. This was, after all, the fourth serious derailment in North America in just the past six months, including the July incident that saw 47 killed in Quebec. ”It’s almost gotten to the point that it looks like not if we’re going to have an accident, it’s when,” McConnell told the Associated Press.
It’s probably no coincidence that Warren Buffet — who owns the company that owns the company that operated the derailed train – chose Monday to buy stock in a pipeline company.
And while many are continuing to question the safety of rail transport for crude oil, officials now
click
snip
When a mile-long train carrying crude oil through North Dakota derailed and exploded in a “giant fireball” Monday, Mayor Ed McConnell of nearby Casselton commented that his town, which evacuated as strong winds blew acrid smoke and soot toward them, had dodged a bullet. This was, after all, the fourth serious derailment in North America in just the past six months, including the July incident that saw 47 killed in Quebec. ”It’s almost gotten to the point that it looks like not if we’re going to have an accident, it’s when,” McConnell told the Associated Press.
It’s probably no coincidence that Warren Buffet — who owns the company that owns the company that operated the derailed train – chose Monday to buy stock in a pipeline company.
And while many are continuing to question the safety of rail transport for crude oil, officials now
Kinder: ‘The Votes Are There’ For Right-To-Work in 2014 « CBS St. Louis
Kinder: ‘The Votes Are There’ For Right-To-Work in 2014 « CBS St. Louis
click link
snip
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Missouri Legislature is expected to consider right-to-work legislation when it meets in January and the state’s lieutenant governor says the legislation is likely to pass.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder predicts the House and Senate will pass a plan to allow Missouri voters to decide the issue on the November 2014 ballot.
click link
snip
Local
Kinder: ‘The Votes Are There’ For Right-To-Work in 2014
December 24, 2013 4:54 AM
Mo. Lt. Governor Peter Kinder greeting seniors in St. Louis County
Election Returns
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder predicts the House and Senate will pass a plan to allow Missouri voters to decide the issue on the November 2014 ballot.
Obamacare’s real problem: Right-wing defeatism
Obamacare’s real problem: Right-wing defeatism
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Whatever happened to American can-do optimism? Even before the Affordable Care Act covers its first beneficiary, the nattering nabobs of negativism are out in full force.
“Tens of millions more Americans will lose their coverage and find that new ObamaCare plans have higher premiums, larger deductibles, and fewer doctors,” predicts Republican operative Karl Rove. “Enrollment numbers will be smaller than projected and budget outlays will be higher.”
Rove is joined by a chorus of conservative Cassandra’s, from Fox News to the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal, all warning that the new law will be a disaster.
Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, anticipates a shortage of doctors. “There just aren’t going to be enough of them.”
click
snip
Whatever happened to American can-do optimism? Even before the Affordable Care Act covers its first beneficiary, the nattering nabobs of negativism are out in full force.
“Tens of millions more Americans will lose their coverage and find that new ObamaCare plans have higher premiums, larger deductibles, and fewer doctors,” predicts Republican operative Karl Rove. “Enrollment numbers will be smaller than projected and budget outlays will be higher.”
Rove is joined by a chorus of conservative Cassandra’s, from Fox News to the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal, all warning that the new law will be a disaster.
Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, anticipates a shortage of doctors. “There just aren’t going to be enough of them.”
McDonald’s CEO Donald Thompson named Scrooge of the Year | The Labor Tribune
McDonald’s CEO Donald Thompson named Scrooge of the Year | The Labor Tribune: "McDonald’s CEO Donald Thompson, nominated by the St. Louis Organizing Committee and the “St. Louis Can’t Survive on $7.35” campaign, was elected Scrooge of the Year for 2013 in St. Louis Jobs with Justice’s annual election and “Holiday Party with Attitude” recognizing the greediest, cold-hearted CEO, politician, corporation or 1 percenter who truly exemplifies the Spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge. This year’s party was held at Painters District Council 2 Hall.
Thompson, who received 4,783 votes, was named CEO of McDonald’s in 2012 and, according to Bloomberg Business Week had a total calculated compensation over $13 million.
According to the St Louis Post Dispatch, “McDonald’s posted $1.5 billion in third-quarter profits. Taxpayers paid $1.2 billion last year for public assistance to the McDonald’s workforce. That’s $300 million per quarter, a 20 percent contribution to the company’s bottom line.”"
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Thompson, who received 4,783 votes, was named CEO of McDonald’s in 2012 and, according to Bloomberg Business Week had a total calculated compensation over $13 million.
According to the St Louis Post Dispatch, “McDonald’s posted $1.5 billion in third-quarter profits. Taxpayers paid $1.2 billion last year for public assistance to the McDonald’s workforce. That’s $300 million per quarter, a 20 percent contribution to the company’s bottom line.”"
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Democratic legislators file ALEC Transparency Act | The Labor Tribune
Democratic legislators file ALEC Transparency Act | The Labor Tribune: "Bill would require corporate group to disclose its activities like other lobbying organizations
Jefferson City – The right-wing, corporate funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) claims not to lobby, but recently disclosed documents and the group’s own actions show otherwise.
Missouri representatives Judy Morgan (D-Kansas City), Bill Otto (D-Maryland Heights) and Charlie Norr (D-Springfield) recently filed an ALEC Transparency Act to require ALEC staff and any other organizations or individuals who distribute “model legislation” to register as lobbyists with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Under the legislation, ALEC would finally be required to register as a formal lobbying group and to regularly disclose the junkets it provides to legislators, just like all other lobbying interests in the state."
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Jefferson City – The right-wing, corporate funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) claims not to lobby, but recently disclosed documents and the group’s own actions show otherwise.
Missouri representatives Judy Morgan (D-Kansas City), Bill Otto (D-Maryland Heights) and Charlie Norr (D-Springfield) recently filed an ALEC Transparency Act to require ALEC staff and any other organizations or individuals who distribute “model legislation” to register as lobbyists with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Under the legislation, ALEC would finally be required to register as a formal lobbying group and to regularly disclose the junkets it provides to legislators, just like all other lobbying interests in the state."
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GOP leaders introduce union busting RTW (for less) bill | The Labor Tribune
GOP leaders introduce union busting RTW (for less) bill | The Labor Tribune: "Jefferson City – Instead of focusing on creating jobs and strengthening Missouri’s economy, Republican House leaders in the House of Representatives, under the influence of radical right-wing extremists, have once again filed legislation that would authorize a phony right-to-work (for less) law in Missouri.
In the very first hours of pre-filing for the 2014 legislative session, House Speaker Tim Jones of Eureka and Republican floor leader John Diehl of Town & Country joined Rep. Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, in introducing the union-busting legislation."
In the very first hours of pre-filing for the 2014 legislative session, House Speaker Tim Jones of Eureka and Republican floor leader John Diehl of Town & Country joined Rep. Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, in introducing the union-busting legislation."