A federal judge in Phoenix on Wednesday blocked key provisions of Arizona's controversial immigration law from taking effect as scheduled Thursday, granting in part an injunction requested by the Obama administration.
Editorial and Comments
by Michael M. McGreer
Current Affairs
July 28, 2010
Compulsion: The Hallmark of a Golfer and His Dog
Cocoa, one of my two dogs, and I have similar objectives in life: we both chase balls.
via 65.60.58.10
July 19, 2010
A hidden world, growing beyond control
The top-secret world the government created in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has become so large, so unwieldy and so secretive that no one knows how much money it costs, how many people it employs, how many programs exist within it or exactly how many agencies do the same work.
July 15, 2010
Geothermal Energy Right Under Our Feet
Between Mesquite and Bunkerville (Nevada) are warm water wells atop geothermal hot spots.
These hot spots exist throughout Nevada with both the potential to make Nevada a leading source of clean energy and generating revenue for economically starved communities.
via 65.60.58.10
June 17, 2010
The influence of oil company donations
As part of the Republican efforts to blame the White House for the BP oil spill disaster, former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin (R) appeared on Fox News yesterday to share a conspiracy theory of sorts.
"I don't know why the question isn't asked by the mainstream media and by others if there is any connection with the contributions made to President Obama and his administration, and the support by the oil companies to the administration," Palin said, "If there is any connection there to President Obama taking so dog-gone long to get in there and dive in there and grasp the complexity and the potential tragedy that we are seeing here in the Gulf of Mexico."
Let's just pause a moment to appreciate the humor in the dimwitted Fox News personality accusinganyone of failing to "grasp the complexity" of anything.
Soon after, "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs about the accusation. "I'm almost sure that the oil companies don't consider the Obama administration a huge ally," Gibbs noted, adding that Palin should probably "get slightly more informed as to what's going on."
But in case anyone's inclined to take the substance (I use the word loosely) of Palin's nonsense seriously, the Wall Street Journal had a worthwhile report.
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Republicans receive far more campaign money from the oil and gas industry than do Democrats.
So far in 2010, the oil and gas industries have contributed $12.8 million to all candidates, with 71% of that money going to Republicans. During the 2008 election cycle, 77% of the industry's $35.6 million in contributions went to Republicans, and in the 2008 presidential contest, Republican candidate Sen. John McCain received more than twice as much money from the oil and gas industries as Obama: McCain collected $2.4 million; Obama, $898,000.
This is a decades-long trend, the center says: Since 1990, oil and gas companies have donated $238.7 million to candidates and parties, with 75% of the money going to Republicans.
To borrow Palin's phrase, does she wonder if there's any connection between the contributions made to Republican candidates and the Republican Party's support for the oil companies. "I don't know why the question isn't asked by the mainstream media and by others."
What's more, as Ben Armbruster noted, even conservatives seem to think Palin is on the wrong track with this one. Ed Morrissey warned Republicans not to "overplay their hand on this issue."
June 08, 2010
Afghanistan war longest in U.S. history
The Afghanistan war, launched in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, seemed to be close to resolution after three months, when every major Taliban city in the country had fallen and Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was on the run. But bin Laden evaded capture, and while America was waging war on Iraq, the Taliban regrouped and regained control in key areas of the country. More...
However, America's longest war is not its bloodiest. There have been 1,000 U.S. casualties in Afghanistan, compared to the 58,000 troops lost in Vietnam.
But, with President Obama committed to decisive action to beat back Taliban insurgents, analysts fear there could be many more fatalities to come.
Public support for the war has also fallen as the number of dead has increased - just as it did with Vietnam. More than half of Americans now believe that the fighting in Afghanistan has not been worth the cost.
May 28, 2010
Upcoming Elections Hold Promise for Progressive Growth in Nevada
Beneath the veneer of conservative Republicans, Tea Partiers, Oath Keepers and Friends of the Founding Fathers lays a progressive undercurrent of local residents concerned about the environment and economic conditions of Mesquite.
via 65.60.58.10
March 27, 2010
Coffee Party activists say their civic brew's a tastier choice than Tea Party's
let's start a coffee party . . . smoothie party. red bull party. anything but tea. geez. ooh how about cappuccino party? that would really piss 'em off bec it sounds elitist . . . let's get together and drink cappuccino and have real political dialogue with substance and compassion.
Say no to fossil fuel
While natural gas is perceived as a better alternative to coal, in absolute terms it does contribute substantially to carbon emissions. In 2004 natural gas produced about 5,300 metric tons per year (Mt/yr) of CO2 emissions, while coal and oil produced 10,600 and 10,200 respectively. However, by 2030 natural gas is expected to produce about 11,000 Mt/yr, with coal and oil at 8,400 and 17,200 respectively. In addition, natural gas produces sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxides (NOX) but in lower concentrations than other fossil fuels.
via www.examiner.com
February 14, 2010
Solar Bill Proposed in Congress - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com
A small number of politicians are moving aggressively to end the nations vulnerability to economic and environmental catastrophe from decades of reliance on fossil fuels.
Recently, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced a bill aimed at getting 10 million new solar rooftop systems and 200,000 new solar hot water heating systems installed in the U.S. in the next 10 years1. The bill, entitled the "10 Million Solar Roofs & 10 Million Gallons of Solar Hot Water Act"i, would provide rebates that cover up to half the cost of new systems.
The proposed legislation was constructed along the lines of incentive programs in California and New Jersey. Both states are leaders in installed solar in the U.S.. The federal legislation also includes measures to insure that those who receive assistance get information on how to make their buildings more energy efficient.The bill would accelerate the growth for distributed solar power. Distributed renewable energy2 (in its many forms) has a number of advantages over both clean and dirty central-plant competitors.
Distributed renewable energy approaches are faster to build, they avoid the need for expensive transmission lines, and can use already developed land. In addition, they enhance community resilience and self-reliance. Since distributed energy construction is labor-intensive, the approach creates more jobs per dollar of investment than its competitors. This feature is especially attractive during a recession, when reasonable politicians are turning their attention to unemployment.Sanders estimates that distributed solar systems will cost between 2 and 3 billion dollars a year. However, at the end of a 10-yeas they will be producing 30,000 new megawatts of energy. That is equal to the production rate of 30 nuclear power plants.
Michael M. McGreer
Dr. Michael M. McGreer resides in Northern Virginia and Mesquite, Nevada. He retired from federal service in Europe and Washington, D.C. He currently conducts research, writes and teaches on a variety of eclectic subjects.
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