Recent research shows that ocean warming just might be even worse than previously thought because it has gone deeper than previously believed but another way in which climate change has been affecting the oceans is by altering their chemistry. Having just read another article about this acidification last week and having taken a chem class or two I was wondering how that might … [Read more...] about Ocean Acidification Just Might Complicate the Climate As Well
Bad to Worse to What in Syria and Egypt?
Every new headline from Egypt and Syria affirms chaos in the Middle East and American helplessness to do anything about it. Impotence is a bad basis for foreign policy, but self-delusion would be worse, as we presumably learned in Iraq but seem to have forgotten. John McCain rants about a “loss of credibility” in not responding faster to the latest crises, but the President … [Read more...] about Bad to Worse to What in Syria and Egypt?
Syria: Part 1: Ten Points Compared to Washington State, USA
FORMAL NAME 1. Like the United States of America being that nation's actual name, [not America, and not the United States--] Syria's formal name is Syrian Arab Republic LAND AREA 2. Syria is equal in land area to the size of the State of Washington in the United States. --Generally Syria is about 1/70th the size of the overall land mass of the entire … [Read more...] about Syria: Part 1: Ten Points Compared to Washington State, USA
C.I.A Acknowledges Area 51 Exists — Is It What We Think? (Guest Voice)
C.I.A Acknowledges Area 51 Exists — Is It What We Think? by Courtney Gordner For all of you alien enthusiasts out there, the Central Intelligence Agency has great news — Area 51 is a real government base. Area 51, which has long been the fodder of conspiracy theorists, has generally been thought of as a top secret base where the government has kept evidence of aliens. … [Read more...] about C.I.A Acknowledges Area 51 Exists — Is It What We Think? (Guest Voice)
The Nerve! Solitary, Poor, Nasty, Brutish, and Short
And no, I'm not talking about Paul Ryan. Hobbes will have to wait for Hob's. This is from Memeorandum and was either a heavily revised earlier draft or an html-only come-on header: Exclusive: CIA Files Prove America Helped Saddam as He Gassed Iran The U.S. knew Hussein was launching some of the worst chemical attacks in history — and still gave him a hand. — The U.S. … [Read more...] about The Nerve! Solitary, Poor, Nasty, Brutish, and Short
Syria: Time to End a ‘Moral Obscenity’ (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: The Washington Post reports: President Obama is weighing a military strike against Syria that would be of limited scope and duration, designed to serve as punishment for Syria’s use of chemical weapons and as a deterrent, while keeping the United States out of deeper involvement in that country’s civil war, according to senior administration … [Read more...] about Syria: Time to End a ‘Moral Obscenity’ (UPDATES)
The Miley Cyrus firestorm (with Tweets)
This is a story with legs. And other parts of the anatomy. Once upon a not-too-short time ago, kids everywhere would say that one of their favorite shows was "Hanna Montana" on the Disney Channel -- a show that symbolized Disney entertainment growing up a bit from the days of the 50s. Even now when new episodes are not being taped, kids know and love the show and many of … [Read more...] about The Miley Cyrus firestorm (with Tweets)
US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply
US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply (via AFP) Firefighters reported progress Monday battling a huge blaze on the edge of Yosemite National Park, but warned it remains an "extreme" threat as it nears the top US tourist destination and San Francisco's water supply. The Rim Fire, which began nine… … [Read more...] about US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply
Syria Chemical Attack a Clumsy Atrocity By Islamists to ‘Buy Time’ (Izvestia, Russia)
As America and its allies prepare for military action in Syria in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack on civilians, the Russians, Chinese and others are expressing skepticism over assertions that the Assad regime is responsible. For Izvestia, laying out the Russian case for why the rebels are the most likely culprits is historian Stanislav Khatuntsev. Khatuntsev not only … [Read more...] about Syria Chemical Attack a Clumsy Atrocity By Islamists to ‘Buy Time’ (Izvestia, Russia)
Daniel Hernandez, Former Intern Who Saved Giffords, Hit With Nasty, Homophobic Recall Campaign
If you think (like me) that American politics is getting increasingly smelly, not smelling like a melting pot of ideas and groups but a septic tank of tactical seek-and-destroy moves that usually involve demonizing someone or another group, then here is more proof. Right Wing Watch: Daniel Hernandez Jr., the former intern credited with helping to save Rep. Gabrielle … [Read more...] about Daniel Hernandez, Former Intern Who Saved Giffords, Hit With Nasty, Homophobic Recall Campaign
The Armageddon Caucus
WASHINGTON -- Are you ready for the Big Magilla of American politics? This fall, every important domestic issue could crash into every other: health care reform, autopilot budget cuts, a government shutdown, even a default on the national debt. If I were betting, I'd wager we will somehow avoid a total meltdown. House Speaker John Boehner seems desperate to get around … [Read more...] about The Armageddon Caucus
What Country Should You Flee to? Citizenship Info for U.S. Asylum Seekers (Infographic)
A great infographic from llminfo.com titled: "What Country Should You Flee to? Citizenship Info for U.S. Asylum Seekers" Via LLM Info … [Read more...] about What Country Should You Flee to? Citizenship Info for U.S. Asylum Seekers (Infographic)
Tea Partiers now calling Obamacare ‘BoehnerCare’
It's fascinating -- and troubling -- to see how despite occasional stories about its waning influence Tea Partiers weild so much clout within the Republican Party. And now we see yet another shift: Tea Partiers are calling Obamacare "BoehnerCare," a term they intend to use unless he does everything possible (government shut down...or let the country default on its debt) to halt … [Read more...] about Tea Partiers now calling Obamacare ‘BoehnerCare’
Banned rodeo clown would like to shake Obama’s hand
The rodeo clown who set off a mini-firestorm and was banned for life from performing at the Missouri State Fair says he would like to shake President Obama's hand -- and has received death threats. Two things: a)his comments enhance the argument that he himself didn't mean it to be taken in the way the bit seemed to be hyped up by the announcer and taken by the crowd, and, … [Read more...] about Banned rodeo clown would like to shake Obama’s hand
Ty Michael Carter Receives the Medal of Honor
President Obama is about to present the Medal of Honor — our nation’s highest award for battlefield heroism — to Army Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter for his “conspicuous gallantry” in Afghanistan on Oct. 3, 2009, while serving as a cavalry scout with the 4th Infantry Division’s Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, and 4th Brigade Combat Team. You can watch the … [Read more...] about Ty Michael Carter Receives the Medal of Honor
UPDATE — Impeach Obama NOW! Do the Paperwork Later.
UPDATE: Fair is fair. It is gratifying to note that not all Republicans are obsessed with wanting to impeach the first black president of the United States -- so much that “it would be a dream come true” for some. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal over the weekend rejected such irresponsible rabble-rousing. . Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Jindal said, "Look, … [Read more...] about UPDATE — Impeach Obama NOW! Do the Paperwork Later.
Meet a Man with ‘Three Big Hearts’
Two-time heart recipient New Jersey man helps others have their second chance Heart transplants are, in my nonprofessional opinion, miracles: Precious, God-given, man-facilitated second chances at life. The Mayo Clinic defines a heart transplant somewhat more clinically as "an operation in which a failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthier, donor heart...a … [Read more...] about Meet a Man with ‘Three Big Hearts’
Chris Christie’s 2016 tightrope walk
If you hear a grinding sound, it may be New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shifting gears to run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He's clearly gearing up — as evidenced by his shoring up of political positions, aggressive outreach to both party pragmatists and the conservative base, criticizing of Republican rivals, and attempts to straighten conservative noses … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s 2016 tightrope walk
Snipers shoot at UN chemical weapons team in Syria
Snipers shoot at UN chemical weapons team in Syria (via AFP) Snipers shot at a UN team set to inspect the site of a suspected deadly chemical weapons attack on Monday, further ratcheting up tensions as the West warned of possible military action against Damascus. A defiant Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared… … [Read more...] about Snipers shoot at UN chemical weapons team in Syria
If Martin Luther King Had Lived On
Grainy black-and-white images were all over TV this weekend, but a flesh-and-blood Martin Luther King Jr. might still be here, heavy with years denied him by an assassin’s bullet at age 39. As they celebrate his finest moment fifty year ago, can Americans reckon the moral loss of his not walking the earth since then and working for a just and nonviolent world? That he … [Read more...] about If Martin Luther King Had Lived On