http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/04/dead-missing-and-jailed-bp-whistle.html
on Care 2
Wow... I wonder what the odds are of this long list of people all having bad experiences, while being critics of BP, compared to the average person who just stays meek and quiet?
opit
:) I follow a couple of sources that I wonder don't have problems. A favourite technique of silencing people is to embroil them in scandal in the fashion of Assange. ( Somehow I don't think that's what happened to churches ! )
Most of the info I post at opitslinkfest.blogspot.com on the Deepwater Horizon Blowout comes from Florida Oil Spill Law, which aggregates into on RSS continually regarding various sources of information on the results of the oil infestation. Not only are there reports of ongoing Corexit spraying by the Coast Guard but reports of diseases and conditions which point to not just chemical influences but also of biohazards from lifeforms resistant to the poison, which have evolved in different times. If you know anything about the effect of invasive species this unreported condition is alarming indeed.
But researchers aren't safe even with hazmat equipment if reports are correct. Riki Ott is perhaps the most interesting scientific investigator - but we really are in Terra Incognita here.
If you look at graphs of the crazing of the Gulf of Mexico sea bottom by drilling it is reminiscent of what is done in fracking. But this is now done to depths where radioactive oil under pressure could make a mockery of blowout preventers designed to work at 1500 psi because not just the differential pressure equal to the height of a column of water simply is developed by the rock mass around the hole but also drilling in a salt dome threatens to dissolve the floor of the gulf.
And this is all new drilling done with sophisticated equipment but in conditions where neither theory of oil formation agrees with what they are finding !
( Sidebar note. I seem to recall an email from Dr. John v. Kampen where he mentioned the presence of high pressure deposits! Plus he has a more novel 'take' which suggests recovery is possible...eventually. We're talking a good decade for that, however.
Poke around his Archives listing posts to find articles he has posted on the topic. )
A little surfing around related information for those not familiar with an exotic topic
Abiogenic petroleum origin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenic_petroleum_origin This article needs attention from an expert on the subject.
Abiogenic petroleum origin is a discredited hypothesis that was proposed as an alternative to theory of biological petroleum origin. It was relatively popular in the past, but it went largely forgotten at the end of the 20th century after it failed to predict the location of new wells
A thermophile is an organism — a type of extremophile — that thrives at relatively high temperatures, between 45 and 80 °C[1] (113 and 176 °F). Many thermophiles are archaea. It has been suggested that thermophilic eubacteria are among the earliest bacteria.[2] As a prerequisite for their survival, thermophiles contain enzymes that can function at high temperature. Some of these enzymes are used in molecular biology (for example, heat-stable DNA polymerases for PCR), and in washing agents.
Facultative thermophiles (also called moderate thermophiles) can thrive at high temperatures but also at lower temperatures (below 50 °C)
Many of the hyperthermophiles Archea require elemental sulfur for growth. Some are anaerobes that use the sulfur instead of oxygen as an electron acceptor during cellular respiration. Some are lithotrophs that oxidize sulfur to sulfuric acid as an energy source, thus requiring the microorganism to be adapted to very low pH (i.e., it is an acidophile as well as thermophile).
Sidebar Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy.
The digestion process begins with bacterial hydrolysis of the input materials in order to break down insoluble organic polymers such as carbohydrates and make them available for other bacteria. Acidogenic bacteria then convert the sugars and amino acids into carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ammonia, and organic acids. Acetogenic bacteria then convert these resulting organic acids into acetic acid, along with additional ammonia, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Finally, methanogens convert these products to methane and carbon dioxide.[1]
It is used as part of the process to treat biodegradable waste and sewage sludge[2] As part of an integrated waste management system, anaerobic digestion reduces the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere. Anaerobic digesters can also be fed with purpose grown energy crops such as maize.
.......Hopanoids, called the "most abundant natural products on Earth", were believed to be indicators of oil derived from ferns and lichens but are now known to be created by many bacteria, including archaea.
Sterane was thought to have come from processes involving surface deposits but is now known to be produced by several prokaryotes including methanotrophic proteobacteria.
The case for shallow bacterial life creating petroleum is apparent from circumstantial evidence at "tar seeps" in sandstone outcrops where live oil is encountered down-dip (e.g. Midway-Sunset field, San Joaquin Valley, California). Bacteria are considered to have "degraded" higher gravity oil to bitumens.
Extrapolation of bacterial degradation to still higher gravity oils and finally to methane leads to the suggestion that all petroleum up to tar and most of the carbon in coal are derivatives of methane, which is progressively stripped of its hydrogen by bacteria and archaea. The resultant partial methane molecules, CH3, CH2, CH, may be called "an-hydrides". Anhydride hypothesis, a New Theory of Petroleum and Coal Generation, is offered by C. Warren Hunt (1999).[citation needed]
Due to the difficulty in culturing and sampling thermophilic bacteria little was known of their chemistry. As more is learned of bacterial chemistry, more biomarker chemicals can be attributed to bacterial sources. Although extremophile micro-organisms exist deep underground and some metabolize carbon, some of these biomarkers are so far only known from surface plants and remain the most reliable chemical evidence of biogenic genesis of petroleum.
This evidence is consistent with the biogenic hypothesis, although it might be true that these hydrocarbons have merely been in contact with ancient plant residues. There also is evidence that low-temperature relatives of hyperthermophiles are widespread, so it is also possible for biological deposits to have been altered by low-temperature bacteria which are similar to deeper heat-loving relatives.
It must also be acknowledged that, if extremophilic bacteria prove to be the source of some parts of known oils, that this remains a biological process.
Panspermia - alien source of life
Panspermia proposes that life that can survive the effects of space, such as extremophile bacteria, become trapped in debris that is ejected into space after collisions between planets that harbor life and Small Solar System Bodies (SSSB). Bacteria may travel dormant for an extended amount of time before colliding randomly with other planets or intermingling with protoplanetary disks. If met with ideal conditions on a new planets' surfaces, the bacteria become active and the process of evolution begins. Panspermia is not meant to address how life began, just the method that may cause its sustenance.[3]
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for habitable environments in our Solar System and habitable planets outside our Solar System, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry, laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in outer space. Astrobiology addresses the question of whether life exists beyond Earth, and how humans can detect it if it does.[2] (The term exobiology is similar but more specific — it covers the search for life beyond Earth, and the effects of extraterrestrial environments on living things.[3])
Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography, and geology to investigate the possibility of life on other worlds and help recognize biospheres that might be different from the biosphere on Earth.[4][5] Astrobiology concerns itself with interpretation of existing scientific data; given more detailed and reliable data from other parts of the universe, the roots of astrobiology itself—physics, chemistry and biology—may have their theoretical bases challenged. Although speculation is entertained to give context, astrobiology concerns itself primarily with hypotheses that fit firmly into existing scientific theories.
Key environmental issues in the Niger Delta of Nigeria relate to its petroleum industry.
The Department of Petroleum Resources estimated 1.89 million barrels of petroleum were spilled into the Niger Delta between 1976 and 1996 out of a total of 2.4 million barrels[2] spilled in 4,835 incidents.[3] (approximately 220 thousand cubic metres).
Spills in populated areas often spread out over a wide area, destroying crops and aquacultures through contamination of the groundwater and soils. The consumption of dissolved oxygen by bacteria feeding on the spilled hydrocarbons also contributes to the death of fish. In agricultural communities, often a year's supply of food can be destroyed instantaneously. Because of the careless nature of oil operations in the Delta, the environment is growing increasingly uninhabitable.
People in the affected areas complain about health issues including breathing problems and skin lesions; many have lost basic human rights such as health, access to food, clean water, and an ability to work.[7]
The shoreline along the Niger River is important in maintaining the temperature of the water because the slightest change in water temperature can be fatal to certain marine species. Trees and shrubs provide shade and habitat for marine species, while reducing fluctuation in water temperature.[15]
The Niger River is an important ecosystem that needs to be protected, for it is home to 36 families and nearly 250 species of fish, of which 20 are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth.[16] With the loss of habitat and the climate getting warmer, every prevention of temperature increase is necessary to maintain some of the marine environments. Other than restoring habitat, pollution can also be reduced. Problems such as pesticides from agricultural fields could be reduced if a natural pesticide was used, or the fields were moved farther away from the local waterways. Oil pollution can be lowered as well; if spills were reduced then habitat and environmental impacts could be minimized. By limiting the devastation caused by disturbances to the marine environment, such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss, the productivity and biodiversity of the marine ecosystems would increase.
Gas flaring is generally discouraged as it releases toxic components into the atmospshere and contributes to climate change. In western Europe 99% of associated gas is used or re-injected into the ground. Gas flaring in Nigeria began simultaneously with oil extraction in the 1960s by Shell-BP. Alternatives to flaring are gas re-injection, or to store it for use as an energy source. If properly stored, the gas could also be utilized for community projects.
Gas flaring releases of large amounts of methane, which has a high global warming potential. The methane is accompanied by the other major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, of which Nigeria was estimated to have emitted more than 34.38 million metric tons of in 2002, accounting for about 50% of all industrial emissions in the country and 30% of the total CO2 emissions. While flaring in the west has been minimized, in Nigeria it has grown proportionally with oil production.[20]
( In this context I might note vast flaring of gasoline as a waste byproduct when seeking kerosene in the late 19th century : in amounts which make automotive consumption pale )
Water Hyacinth is an invasive species that was introduced into Africa as an ornamental plant, and which thrives in polluted environments.
http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/bibarticles/glowka_alien.pdf
Bioprospecting,Alien Invasive Species and Hydrothermal Vents : Three Emerging Legal Issues in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity ( that's established ecology - of which we were a part )
The use of biological remediation has also been implemented in areas of the delta to detoxify and restore ecosystems damaged by oil spills. Bioremediation involves biological components in the remediation or cleanup of a specific site. A study conducted in Ogbogu located in one of the largest oil producing regions of Nigeria has utilized two plant species to clean up spills. The first stage of cleanup involves Hibiscus cannabinus, a plant species indigenous to West Africa. H. cannabinus is an annual herbaceous plant originally used for pulp production. This species has high rates of absorbency and can be laid down on top of the water to absorb oil. The oil saturated plant material is then removed and sent to a safe location where the hydrocarbons can be broken down and detoxified by microorganisms. The second stage of bioremediation involves a plant known as Vetiveria zizanioides, a perennial grass species. V. zizanioides has a deep fibrous root network that can both tolerate chemicals in the soil and can also detoxify soils through time requiring little maintenance. The people of Ogbogu hope to use these methods of bioremediation to improve the quality of drinking water, soil conditions, and the health of their surrounding environment.[12]
Within the Imo State of Nigeria, a study was conducted in the city of Egbema to determine the microfloral communities present at the site of an oil spill. These microorganisms have the ability to break down the oil, decreasing the toxic conditions. This is recognized as another method of bioremediation and scientists are trying to determine whether the properties these microorganisms possess can be utilized for the cleanup of future spills.[23]
However bleak this situation may seem for the Niger Delta region there are clearly alternatives that can be implemented to save it from future contamination. Satellite imagery combined with the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can be put to work to quickly identify and track spilled oil. To hasten the cleanup of spills, regional cleanup sites along the problem areas could help contain spills more quickly. To make these tasks feasible more funding must be provided by the stakeholders of the oil industry. Nongovernmental organizations will keep fighting the damaging effects of oil, but will not win the battle alone.[11]
Environmental issues in the Niger Delta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_the_Niger_Delta
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Suzie-Q ★ 63 
“Palin Was Practically Booed Back to Wasilla” By Pro-Union Protesters in Madison, Wisconsin
“Palin Was Practically Booed Back to Wasilla” By Pro-Union Protesters in Madison, Wisconsin MARK KARLIN, EDITOR OF BUZZFLASH FOR TRUTHOUT Submitted by mark karlin on Wed, 04/20/2011 – 9:32pm. Why do Tea Party rallies get so much media attention, even when their gatherings appear to be shrinking in size? That is because the corporate mainstream media has a bias toward covering protests from the r
Evening Jukebox: Boom Boom Pow
The Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow
Russell Pearce Gets Belligerent With Reporter Who Wants Him To Produce Fiesta Bowl Invoices- VIDEO
. Russell Pearce gets belligerent with reporter who wants him to produce Fiesta Bowl invoices Crooks and Liars- By David Neiwert April 21, 2011 07:00 AM Our favorite Nazi-coddling nativist politician, Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, just can’t seem to escape the corruption scandal that’s dogging him daily now — namely, his major role in the distribution of illegal free tickets as part of
Chris Hedges: Throw Out the Money Changers
truthout Monday 18 April 2011 by: Chris Hedges, Truthdig These are remarks Chris Hedges made in Union Square in New York City last Friday during a protest outside a branch office of the Bank of America. We stand today before the gates of one of our temples of finance. It is a temple where greed and profit are the highest good, where self-worth is determined by the ability to amass wealth and po
Democrats Target John Boehner With Mocking Medicare Ad
Democrats Target John Boehner With Mocking Medicare Ad (VIDEO) HuffPost- Michael McAuliff First Posted: 04/20/11 09:37 AM ET Updated: 04/20/11 11:13 AM ET This story has been updated to include additional reporting. WASHINGTON — After getting mocked by GOP operatives for launching an “offensive” on 25 vulnerable Republicans with minuscule ad buys Tuesday, Democrats are turning the tables with a n
American Leftist ★ 8
On Vacation Until 4/21
Meanwhile, the Second Reagan Revolution proceeds unimpeded.
Eurocentrism
UPDATE 1: Oh, by the way, if you are a woman, and show silent support for a woman wearing a niqab, you'll get arrested, too: Halima, a 53-year-old mother from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, who wears a normal headscarf, was detained by police for standing silently with the niqab-wearers at Notre Dame. She said: This is the first time I've ever protested over anything. I'm not in favour of the niqab, I
Egypt Erupts
UPDATE 1: The Arabist has another account of the attack. Interestingly, the person who provided it also says that a sit-in at the Israeli embassy was attacked brutally. David Dietz has also provided a description of the attack that confirms that it appears to have been prompted by the participation of Egyptian military officers in the protest: The desperation turned to delight when 15 army office
Surveillance of Student Protest at the University of California, Davis
I graduated from the University of California, Davis undergraduate program in 1983, and the campus law school in 1986. The intensity of student protests against substantial registration fee increases while the salaries of high level administrators skyrocket has prompted this response from Chancellor of UC Davis, Linda Katehi: Students are questioning their rights to free speech after a Public Reco
Vote or Die
It has been awhile since I have posted on the subject as to whether the US political system provides any meaningful opportunity for participation for the vast majority of the populace. I have periodically elaborated on this theme in posts entitled Vote or Die, an sarcastic reference to someone here who commented that the choice in the 2008 election was either death or voting for Obama. If you ar
Amygdala ★ 7
April What?
video APRIL WHAT?It's still April 1st on the Left Coast for another two hours and five minutes (when I started this post; an hour and ten minutes when I finished), no matter what date you read above this post. Some foolish links are in order!So, out of order!Japan is on everyone's mind, but we need to remember than it's not all doom and gloom, and yet in the spirit of helping:The Tactical Philant
Blogging Is Like A Simile
BLOGGING IS LIKE A SIMILE. Let's try some news and article dumping throughout the day here, eh? The Amygdala staff has been slack, scattered, and unfocused on posting to this blog; the staffers responsible have been sacked; once again, new staffers for new brain connections!So: 2 US servicemen mistakenly killed by drone attack in Afghanistan. [...] The Marines under fire were watching streaming
Pottery Barn Libya, Part 1
video POTTERY BARN LIBYA, PART 1 What is to be done?Colin Powell famously said of Iraq, quoting Tom Friedman (who got it wrong)'You are going to be the proud owner of 25 million people,' he told the president. 'You will own all their hopes, aspirations, and problems. You'll own it all.' Privately, Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage called this the Pottery Barn rule: You break it,
Pottery Barn Libya, Pt 2: Anthony Cordesman, One Man Army, Or Give Peace A Chance?
video POTTERY BARN LIBYA, PT 2: ANTHONY CORDESMAN, ONE MAN ARMY, OR GIVE PEACE A CHANCE?Part 1 on Amygdala!In Pottery Barn Libya, Part 1 (or do you prefer ObWi?), I began explaining the situation in Libya. Now, more, and what America and NATO should do.The tactical day to day sway of battle does not matter, save to those brutally slaughtered in it, and suffering from it. Suffering greatly.What matters
Green & White ★ 4
NaanMap goes mobile
Naanmap the halal food finding service has launched apps for mobile phones. Launched for iTunes and Windows 7 Mobile. With this now you can not be out of reach of halal restaurants and store when you are on the road. Details here http://www.naanmap.com/mobile.html NaanMap is the fastest way to experience the near by halal restaurants and stores. Works with only one tap. Instant searches without us
Convofy getting spotlight on the web.
Convofy after its initial launch and video is getting some rave reviews, here is the feedback. Robert Scoble has done a detailed demo run with Faizan, embedded below with come comments from around the world wide web. And twitter is exploding with Convofy too Just when we thought we figured out the new “social enterprise” market along comes Convofy. I tried to be skeptical, but the collaborative
Google Summer of Code Program 2011. Opportunity for Pakistani Students
BrightSpyre’s blog had this useful information about a Google Program. Some snippets for quick information from the post are (do follow the link for details on BrightSpyre original post) According to Google Summer of Code Program “Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a global program that offers student developers stipends to write code for various open source software projects.” In this program along
Abid Beli sells Beliscity.com
Beliscity.com is one of the top online shopping site of Pakistan, founded as early as 2001. Abid Beli was the founder of this thriving online business. More recently they have diversified their offering from typical online products by adding a dedicated book section (in partner ship with Liberty books) and an online Grocery store. However recently Abid Beli has sold his venture to an online distri
Syria Comment ★ 35
Great Friday: Over 80 Killed
Over 80 dead are reported in the government crackdown on Friday April 22. The government is struggling to contain the demonstrations. Some think that they would not grow indefinitely were the government to permit them to go ahead. Who knows? Clearly the government is not prepared to find out. Many Syrians fear chaos and are staying inside. It is hard to figure out how many are coming out to demons
“Who Supports the Regime and Why a New Party Law Will Not Include Eliminating the Supremacy of the Baath Party,” by Ehsani2
Who Supports the Regime and Why a New Party Law Will Not Include Eliminating the Supremacy of the Baath Party by Ehsani2 for Syria Comment April 22, 2011 Nearly 23 million Syrians are mesmerized by the recent events engulfing their country. The seemingly boring, predictable and stable Syrian political scene has suddenly suffered its black swan moment. Once the lid was removed, stability suddenly
The Government Draws a Line in the Sand
The Syrian government has drawn a line in the sand. Now that it has made concessions — canceled the special National Security Court, lifted the emergency law, fired governors of Banyas and Deraa governates, named a new Prime Minister and cabinet and promised a new party law — the president has stated that there is no longer reason to demonstrate. He has called the on-going uprising a rebellion. Th
Ammar Abdulhamid, a leading Activist, and Joshua Landis Discuss the Syrian Uprising
Ammar Abdulhamid and Joshua Landis Discuss the Syrian Uprising 20 April 2011 Bloggingheads.tv
Syrians Comment on Homs and Syria’s Future
Demonstrators in Homs Ziadsouri: I just received bad news. A friend of mine lost his son last night in 7oms. He was a very good young man and a recent graduate of Mechanical Engineering. My friend told me his boy, just like the rest of population, had no hope for the future. My friend and family are in disbelieve. His oldest son, just 24 years, is gone because he dared to speak his mind. Th
A Damascus Cameo
A Damascus Cameo By a Friend in Damascus April 17, 2011 The Syrian turmoil is a surprising and challenging experience for Bashar and his governmental disciples. Over the last few weeks, Damascus has witnessed immense and eager protests in support of the current regime, while reports of uprisings calling for freedom, release of political prisoners and ends to corruption also spring in different qu
Obsidian Wings ★ 35
your formless weekend open thread
by liberal japonicus Comments in last week's open thread remind me I've not put this week's up. As Miyamoto Musashi said, water take the shape of it's container without losing its essence. How about you?
Guest Post: A Couple of Thoughts on Greg Mortenson
by Benjamin Orbach I watched the 60 Minutes piece on Greg Mortenson with disappointment. If you haven’t heard of Greg Mortenson, he is a humanitarian that has built more than 100 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the best-selling author of Three Cups of Tea (co-written with Oliver David Relin). Three Cups of Tea is the inspirational story of Mortenson’s personal journey from a lost K2
The first obesity epidemic
by Doctor Science A few months ago, I read Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human, by Richard Wrangham. Wrangham marshals many lines of very good evidence to argue that humans are physically adapted to cooked food. One unexplored prediction of his theory is that, when proto-humans starting eating cooked food, they must have experienced a true "obesity epidemic". I'm cutting this beca
scary scary debt
by russell As we all know, the debt load carried by the federal government is a topic of great concern. It's currently in the historically nosebleed territory of 100% of GDP. I thought I was kinda concerned about that until I ran across this, and in particular this graph: Federal debt is that green series. Yes, it's growing, and is starting to approach levels we haven't seen since W
not a good sign
by russell From today's Globe, more doctors gravitate toward boutique practice. The nitty gritty at a glance: six doctors in MA will be converting to a concierge practice this year "concierge practice" means unlimited access to the doctor for an $1,800 rider above your insurance coverage two of the doctors profile will be reducing their patient load from 3,000 to 600, each at 600 p
a current-events poem
by fiddler Sonnet of a disgruntled citizenry (with minor apologies to Homer, Chapman, et al.) Sing, news, of Obama's promises, made To voters who elected him to power. Which has he kept? Wars' ends? Taxes paid By the rich? An economy in flower? New jobs for all who seek them? Emptying Guantanamo's cells, its prisoners tried By civilian courts? Oh, reporters, sing Of DADT's end, so none need
Hatewatch | Southern Poverty Law Center ★ 22
Student Group Leader Tied to White Supremacist Arrested Wednesday
A white supremacist just arrested on federal firearms charges in the state of Washington had ties to a university student leader of a new chapter of Youth for Western Civilization (YWC). Jeremiah Daniel “JD” Hop, previously convicted of child rape in California, is accused in a federal indictment of being a felon illegally possessing a shotgun. Arrested by FBI agents on Wednesday, Hop also likely
Wife of ‘Sovereign’ Who Killed Arkansas Police Officers Sues Police
Since her common-law husband and his son died 11 months ago in a gunfight with police after killing two officers, Donna Lee Wray has issued angry threats, hurled epithets at reporters and accused police of a cover-up. She has even tried to charge Hatewatch millions of dollars for the use of her “copyrighted name” – a claim based on the bizarre ideology of the anti-government “sovereign citizen” mo
Far-Right Student Group Building Ties to Right-Wing European Extremists
Taylor Rose, with the Liberty University chapter of the far-right campus student organization Youth for Western Civilization, is slated to appear at an international anti-Islamic demonstration called the “March for Freedom” in Cologne, Germany, on May 7, where he has pledged to give a speech. The Cologne march is a yearly event sponsored by Cities Against Islamization, a coalition of various far-r
Koran-Burning Pastor to Protest Outside Michigan Mosque
Fresh on the heels of burning the Koran after staging a “trial” of Islam, an act that led to deadly protests in Afghanistan, Florida pastor Terry Jones is planning a rally outside a mosque in Dearborn, Mich., this week, despite pleas from city officials to abandon his efforts. Jones told the Detroit Free Press that he plans to visit the Islamic Center of America, the largest mosque in North Americ
Federal Judge Throws Out Neo-Nazi Bill White’s Conviction
A federal judge ruled today that a jury was wrong when it convicted neo-Nazi Bill White for using his website to promote violence. CBS Chicago is reporting that U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has ruled White was within his rights when he published information about a juror on his website in 2008. In January, White was convicted of one count of solicitation for publishing the personal information
White Nationalist Report Guesses That Immigrants Commit Tax Fraud
Just in time for tax day, the white nationalist Social Contract Press has released a special report claiming that immigrants — legal and undocumented alike — are manipulating the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to cheat taxpayers out of billions. The report, “Defrauding the American Taxpayer — The Earned Income Tax Credit,” is packed with questionable assumptions and leaps of logic, undisguised ra
Obsolete ★ 27
Playing the victim in the privacy wars.
Whenever the tabloids start to play the victim, it ought to be apparent that there's something far more vital at stake than the freedom of the press: that other enduring freedom, to make money out of the misery of other people. If you've been cynical enough to think there might be something else afoot that's encouraged the so-called popular press to spend much of this week complaining bitterly ab
Guns and consequences in Libya.
From the essential C.J. Chivers. Also, my post from yesterday was mirrored over at Lib Con.
Mission creep and self-inflicted wounds.
The announcement that we're sending 10 or 12 "experienced military officers" (the Graun's quotation marks, not mine) to Benghazi, it should be clear, changes precisely nothing on the ground in Libya. Ever since the passing of the UNSC 1973 or even possibly before there will have been special forces/spooks in the country, doing the same or similar jobs to that which this new team will supposedly b
Betrayal seems to beckon.
One of the things you can't help but notice is that those who shouted loudest for intervention in Libya have gone strangely silent over the last couple of weeks. Even when UNSC Resolution 1973 was passed over a month ago it seemed likely that the introduction of a no-fly zone would merely instigate a stalemate; indeed, to read it by the letter that was exactly what it was supposed to do, calling
Phronesisaical ★ 30
Bits and Pieces - April 22, 2011
How low are taxes? Too low.David Frum concludes, with Irving Kristol and Bismarck, that the welfare state is consistent with conservatism.Is it just me, or is there an awful lot of fantasizing these days? Pan-Arabism is back in fashion, although perhaps not among the Arabs. We shall see, I guess.Here's a map of actual measurements of radiation from the Fukushima reactors. Whatta concept, NRC and N
Bits and Pieces - April 21, 2011
I'm still struggling with BEIR VII, to try to get some numbers out on what the various radiation exposures associated with Fukushima mean in terms of people's health. In that regard, the far too many units used to describe those exposures are the subject of four posts at the American Nuclear Society's Nuclear Cafe by Stewart Brand, Steve Aplin, Mimi Limbach, and me.I'm kind of sad to see Russia pu
Another I-Told-You-So
TEPCO has retracted the chlorine-38 measurements they published a couple of weeks ago.There was much chortling over those measurements, because about the only way you could get chlorine-38 would be if there were "re-criticalities," if the fuel in the reactor cores or possibly the fuel pools were becoming critical again. I pointed out the improbability of such things happening. I hope that now thos
Your Chart For Today
Can't be said enough: Let the Bush tax cuts die!From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities via Ezra Klein. And read Ezra's piece.
Bits and Pieces - April 18, 2011
Happy Tax Day from John Cole!Paul Revere's ride was 236 years ago today.Tepco provides their plan for the next six to nine months to get all the reactors to cold shutdown. What's here and in its links needs an enormous amount of detail worked out. But they wouldn't necessarily make all that public.A few weeks ago, the president of the American College of Surgeons wrote an editorial urging the valu
Boak Tabung Kak, Sumatra
Photos by CurupKami Flickr
Centauri Dreams ★ 13
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(title unknown) ★ 13
easter riddymz
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1: 18
Cote d’Ivoire discussed – Africa – Al Jazeera English
Cote d’Ivoire discussed – Africa – Al Jazeera English.
Sing It!
I need some inspiration, a shot of adrenaline. Ladies and gentleman: Dame Shirley BASSEY!
“What the World Needs Now…”
I was eleven years old. The riots were still fresh. The “Poor People’s March” had failed to ignite the revolutionary redistribution of wealth. “Soul Brother” graffiti was still plastered on burnt out buildings in DC. The faint smell of tear gas could be conjured by its mere mention. On the radio, I heard the song below. Young as I was, I was terribly moved by it. Back then, in spite of the assassi
Cote D’Ivoire Update: BBC
From the BBC: Ivory Coast: Ouattara wants EU sanctions lifted Ivory Coast’s internationally recognised President Alassane Ouattara has urged the EU to lift sanctions, in a bid to restart the ailing economy. Mr Ouattara now controls the main cocoa-exporting port of San Pedro, and wants to restart the trade. But his troops are still not in control of all of the main city Abidjan, where his rival Lau
Pickled Politics ★ 31
Don’t Fuck With Tesco
video
The BNP and AV
There has been a lot of debate about whether introducing the Alternative Vote (AV) would make it more likely that a BNP or similar candidate would be elected. Given that AV is not a proportional representation system, I think that this is unlikely, but, more importantly, it shouldn’t matter. The problem with the BNP and other extremist groups is not that they might send a representative or two to
EDL’s Guramit Singh responds to ultimatum with hypocrisy
Further to the recent Pickled Politics article highlighting the EDL’s “Sikh” spokesman Guramit Singh’s admission of hatred towards other South Asians, some further information about Guramit himself is continuing to come to light. Doublespeak in action A new Youtube video focusing specifically on Guramit is an excellent compilation and definitely worth watching in full. The repeated juxtaposition o
Anjem Choudhary banned!
Have just heard Muslims Against Crusades aren’t going to be allowed near the Royal Wedding. Just as I predicted. The refusal of permission to demonstrate outside the abbey does not prevent them from protesting elsewhere, but Owens warned that any action to burn the union flag would be seen as an offence under the Public Order Act. Go on Anjem – are you really going to listen to what the police say
Sri Lankan govt deliberately killed innocent civilians, damning report finds
Via Sepia Mutiny this big story is in the New York Times today: A United Nations panel investigating allegations of war crimes by Sri Lankan troops at the end of the bloody battle against Tamil rebels in May 2009 found that there was credible evidence that government soldiers had targeted civilians, shelled hospitals and attacked humanitarian workers, according to a leaked copy of the panel’s repo
EDL’s Guramit Singh admits hating other Asians, ridicules God of Sikhism & Islam
video Further to the joint statement by numerous major British Sikh & Hindu temples and organisations condemning the EDL and any Sikhs who join them, followed by the recent ultimatum issued to the EDL’s “Sikh” spokesman Guramit Singh, some more facts about Guramit himself are coming to light. “I f****** hate the Pakis” As can be heard in the Youtube clip below, a BBC Three documentary about the EDL
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Interfaith understanding: A Muslim at Passover
Every year, I look forward to the Passover holiday. As a devout Muslim, I do not celebrate the holiday, but, I know that it is the time for the annual broadcast of my absolute favorite film of all time, “The Ten Commandments,” directed by Cecil DeMille and starring Charlton Heston. First released in 1956, it has become an instant classic, being shown every year around the time of Easter. I try not
Appearance: Judging a (holy) book by its cover
There are a number of Latin phrases that have survived millennia, because they contain immortal pearls of wisdom. In a world that is increasingly using Twitter and short SMS text messages to communicate, these Latin phrases may experience a renaissance, because they are often concise and profound. One of my favorite Latin phrases is "barba non facit philosophum", which roughly translates to "a bea
Rebuilding Egypt: Beyond the Egypt referendum
The ”yes” camp in the recent Egyptian referendum for constitutional reform, which was supposed to bring forward early parliamentary elections, got 77 per cent of the vote. The ”no” vote got the rest. And now people are trying to figure out what this means. There are several things both the ”yes” voters and the ”no” voters should now consider, as Egypt heads towards September parliamentary election
Quran burning: Burning the myths about Islam
The recent violent protests in Afghanistan - a reaction to the burning of the Quran by a small church in the United States last month - recalled an inescapable reality. Extremists on all sides - whether in free, democratic America, or in corrupt, occupied Afghanistan - create havoc and chaos, demonstrating the danger brought about by a deadly cocktail of ignorance and idiocy. Ultimately, they caus
The Arab revolution: The Jersey Shores of Tripoli
If you've ever been through New York's Museum of Natural History, and you're a person of color, conscience, or a student of critical race theory, I'm sure you walked out feeling deeply offended. The museum organizes human populations as if they’re animals along a Darwinian ladder of civilizational evolution. All sorts of “exotic” — the right word here, with all the right implications, might be “e
After Tahrir: Protecting US Muslims from bigotry
Of all the images to come out of the North African uprisings, this is the one that consistently makes me tear up. These are Coptic Christians in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, holding hands around Muslims during Friday prayer, to protect them from surprise attack. We could do this. We could do this here, in the United States, to keep our Muslim citizens safe. All of us, Christians and Jews and atheists,
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Kissinger Calls For US Ground Invasion Of Libya
Kissinger Calls For US Ground Invasion Of Libya Globalists want protracted war to last through 2012 Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet.com Friday, April 22, 2011
Lukashenko: Globalists Are Preparing To Strangle Belarus
Lukashenko: Globalists Are Preparing To Strangle Belarus "They want to force us to be just like everybody else....we will resist" Paul Joseph Watson Prison
Nanny State Gone Wild
Nanny State Gone Wild The government is overseeing a calculated coup d'état against individuality, and if you complain about it you could be a terrorist Paul
Damning New Study: Eco Bulbs Cause Cancer
Damning New Study: Eco Bulbs Cause Cancer Americans will be forced to use CFLs that contain poisonous carcinogens after government ban on traditional light
Cops Use Mobile Scanner To Steal Cellphone Data From Innocent Americ
Cops Use Mobile Scanner To Steal Cellphone Data From Innocent Americans Michigan state police slap ACLU with half a million dollar demand for information
G. Edward Griffin: The Collectivist Conspiracy
G. Edward Griffin: The Collectivist Conspiracy Legendary researcher G. Edward Griffin on the elite's obsession for world government, the chemtrail cover-up and
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Israel and North Korea
I’ve been doing a lot of work lately on state-to-state nuclear cooperation — especially the connection between Pakistan and North Korea. I recently reread Bamboo and Blood, by James Church (a pseudonym for one of the most distinguished North Korea watchers in the US). Although Bamboo and Blood is a work of fiction, and Church permits himself some artistic license, it is also a pretty decent intr
Rethinking Multinational Consortia
At one point in a wide-ranging op-ed back in March, Frank von Hippel made the case for a global switchover to multinational consortia for uranium enrichment: [It] would make it more difficult for any one country to divert the material to military ends. In fact, Urenco, the West’s most successful uranium enrichment enterprise, is already under the joint ownership of Germany, the Netherlands and Bri
FEPC Info Sheets 4/15-4/20
Here are the information sheets from our friends at FEPC from 4/15, 4/18, 4/19 and 4/20. On a related note, TEPCO has walked back the estimate of Cl-38 on which Ferenc Dalnoki based his paper, What Was The Cause Of The High Cl-38 Radioactivity In The Fukushima Daiichi Reactor #1. I have a couple of real posts in the hopper. Lots of writing toward no particular end lately. Update to Information S
The Advisors
One of Herb York’s many talents was his ability to write clearly with a strong narrative line, despite his training in physics and immersion in technical detail. See, for example, Herb’s book, The Advisors: Oppenheimer, Teller, and the Superbomb (1976). This slim volume tells a cautionary tale about nuclear technology. In the preface, Herb writes, The United States has pursued policies which cau
FEPC Info Sheet 4/14
Your daily information sheet sheet from our friends at FEPC. Update to Information Sheet Regarding the Tohoku Earthquake The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC) Washington DC Office As of 12:00PM (EST), April 14, 2011 Radiation Levels On April 13, TEPCO announced the result of the analysis of water samples from the spent fuel pool at Unit 4 of Fukushima Daiichi
FEPC Info Sheet 4/13
We have some interesting comments on yesterday’s thread about the wonders of the INES. I wonder Fukushima results in a fundamental reform of the scale, with the IAEA taking on a role in vetting how states rank their nuclear disasters. Olli Heinonen thinks so, or at least that is how Pete Spots paraphrases him in the Christian Science Monitor. Anyway, your daily fix from our friends at FEPC after
IPS Inter Press Service Earth Alert: Confronting Climate Change ★ 23
JAPAN: Civil Society Gaining Ground Following Quake
Civil society organisations in Japan have traditionally been on the sidelines in influencing mainstream policy, but the massive Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of Mar. 11 is becoming a catalyst for important change.
ENVIRONMENT: Kiss of Life for DR Congo Pygmies
"Most of the houses in our villages are still made with small branches that we have collected, while our timber and our medicinal plants are taken by people who are enriching themselves elsewhere," said Ampiobo Amuri, a traditional pygmy chief.
A Fair Wind for Clean Energy in Central America
Soaring international prices for oil and gas are driving the expansion of renewable energies in Central America, a region that has plenty of untapped potential for producing hydroelectricity, wind power and geothermal energy.
JAPAN: Quake's Aftermath Weighs Heavily on Women
Since the horrific Mar. 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated her coastal town of Minato, in Ishinomaki city, Masami Endo's three-year-old daughter has been crying and clinging to her every night.
China's Green Blueprint Raises Stakes at U.N. Climate Talks
China's rise as a leader in the environmentally friendly, low-carbon economy is giving the Asian giant new diplomatic muscle for this year's round of climate change negotiations leading up to the COP17 U.N. summit in Durban, South Africa in November.
JAPAN: Difficult Shift From Aid Donor to Recipient
April has traditionally been the time for ‘hanami', or cherry blossom festivals, when millions of Japanese hold parties under the pink flowering trees in parks and streets lit up gaily by lanterns.
ALL THINGS PAKISTAN ★ 21
Mukhtar Mai Case: Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Against LHC Verdict. What Now?
Adil Najam This is a sad and difficult post to write. Today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan gave its verdict on Mukhtar (Mukhtaran) Mai’s appeal against an earlier verdict by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The three-judge bench decided to uphold the LHC verdict. This means that the earlier decision will hold; of the six accused of Mukhtaran Mai’s gang rape, five are acquitted and a sixth will complet
Greg Mortenson’s Half-Empty Cups of Tea: Lessons for Philanthropy and Policy
Mosharraf Zaidi Under the burden of a 60 Minutes exposé on CBS and a blistering, 75-page takedown by adventure writer Jon Krakauer, Greg Mortenson’s phenomenally successful weaving together of fact and fiction has already faced more scrutiny than most pop philanthropy ever receives in its entire shelf life. While opinions about Greg Mortenson have always varied within the international developmen
Karzai-Gillani: What Are They Saying To Each Other?
Adil Najam These two photographs – both taken during the recent visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani to Afghanistan to meet with Afghan Prime Minister Hamid Karzai – are rather interesting. Although this is most likely just the magic of the camera at the moment it was clicked and signifies nothing of import, one wonders what could be done with these with some creative spe
Smart Donkeys: Photo-Shopped or Real? Either Way, Its Funny
Tamashbeen Smart Donkeys. Stop at the red light. And look both ways before you proceed. Now, if only the rest of us on Pakistani roadways could also get that message. Is this photo-shopped or is this real? It matters little. Because its funny. And in a profound sort of way!
Who Speaks for the Other Pakistan?
Adil Najam Every time I read one of Shirazi’s wonderful posts I am reminded of the fact that even though Pakistan is still a predominantly rural entity, the voices that speak about it are nearly entirely urban. Not surprisingly, we tend to speak about Pakistan in a mostly urban idiom, with a dominant urban bias, and using a strikingly urban imagery. There is , of course, nothing wrong with the ur
Abdul Sattar Edhi: A Giant Amongst Men
Adil Najam Like so many others, I consider Abdul Sattar Edhi to be amongst the greatest Pakistanis. Indeed, a great human being. A giant amongst men. At ATP we have written about him often – and just writing about him and recalling his contributions is inspiring. In particular, we did a series of posts on Edhi sahib back in 2007, beginning with two Quiz posts (here and here) with some excerpts fr
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WWF - Latest News ★ 23
Deferral of Mekong dam to ministerial level signals recognition of potential negative impacts
Vientiane, Laos: The intergovernmental panel of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has deferred the final decision on the construction of the Xayaburi dam in Laos to the ministerial level, following concerns raised by Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. The decision comes amidst the submission of a growing body of evidence to the Commission highlighting risks to biodiversity, fisheries and livelihoo
Possible to have same power with less damage with alternative Mekong dams
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A new study by WWF on aquatic ecosystem connectivity reveals that the Mekong region could have equivalent power but dramatically less damage to river functioning by opting for tributary rather than main channel dams. Poorly evaluated and uncontrolled dam development could also take the Mekong to a tipping point past which vital natural processes, such as sediment- and nutri
New hope for survival for elusive saola
Quang Nam, Vietnam: Indochina’s elusive saola, a recently discovered and critically endangered relative of antelopes and cattle, now has new hope for survival with the establishment of a dedicated nature reserve in the province today. Quang Nam’s People Committee today agreed to the Forestry Protection Department establishing a Saola Natural Reserve in the Annamite mountains along the border of
Substandard dam assessment opens way to fisheries destruction on Mekong
Bangkok, Thailand: Disruptions to fish migration and food supplies for millions in the Mekong basin are likely if the first mainstream dam on the lower Mekong is allowed to go ahead, WWF predicted as it released expert analysis showing the dam feasibility study and environmental impact assessment failed to address key environmental risks. The WWF commissioned review – coordinated by the WorldFis
Tigers could reappear in Kazakhstan under new plan
Tigers could roam again in Central Asia under a new plan by the Kazakhstan government to reintroduce them in part of the country where they went extinct decades ago. WWF-Russia, together with the government and experts of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced today a new programme to return tigers to the region. The plan seeks to relocate Amur tigers from the Russian Far East to suitable habita
WWF partners with business school on unique MBA programme
The new One Planet MBA programme will launch in September 2011, representing a unique partnership between WWF and the University of Exeter Business School. It will be the world’s first MBA systematically devoted to embedding the need for a sustainable approach to strategic business management. The One Planet MBA will be global in outlook, developing leaders and managers capable of running organis
Yoono is busy in my sidebar in Firefox 4.0 - yes, I upgraded a couple of weeks ago. To keep posting flowing I often compose in the Pale Moon version 3.6 .15 of Firefox with Zemanta locked out until I have a Saved version of a post in the Editor. LastPass bought the password manager ; it may not interfere with posting and resource use as much.
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