altara

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

WASHINGTON - The Democratic chairman of a House panel examining the government's response to climate change said Tuesday there is evidence that senior Bush administration officials sought repeatedly "to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming."

Comment: This is not exactly new news, but it reminds us of the potential havoc inflicted on the planet by President Bush and his cohorts. It is terrible enough that his disastrous Iraq misadventure caused the deaths and casualties for many thousand Americans and multiple more Iraqis. But the misleading and the neglect on global warming risks destruction and death of unprecedented magnitude.

NEWS AND COMMENT

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Bombers killed 36 people in two attacks on Shi'ite worshippers marking the climax of the religious ritual of Ashura near Baghdad on Tuesday and gunmen killed four pilgrims in an ambush in the capital.

This in addition to other abductions and killings today.


COMMENT

So, do these people need any non-binding Senate resolution to embolden them?

Sunday, January 28, 2007

RANDOM POLITICAL NOTES

From NY Times today - "In Law School, Obama Found Political Voice
Barack Obama arrived at Harvard Law School as an unknown; by the time he left, he had become a political sensation."

The article describes his election as President of the prestigious, and then fractious, Harvard Law Review. It notes his leadership and conciliation skills. He has the image, the brains, and the communication skills to succeed in his quest for the presidency. However, in my view he must at times lay aside emphasis on his wish to bring the
nation together and show passion and willingness to fight for the causes he believes in.


Not a new observation, but it is remarkable the amount of diversity in the field of candidates and expected candidates for the 2008 presidential election. In addition to having a woman as a viable candidate, we also have a Morman, a recovering foodaholic, and those with roots that are black, latino, italian, and other diverse backgrounds that haven't been noted yet.


The Raleigh News and Observer has an article today noting the criticism of John Edwards for building a $6 million home while emphasizing in his campaign the need to reduce poverty and to help the working poor. Well, while environmentally it may make sense to complain about his and lesser McMansions, but since when has it been necessary for presidential candidates to live in modest or medium upscale homes? Think Roosevelts, Kennedys, Kerry, Bushes, and their homes. So, do these critics expect Mr. Edwards to take a vow of poverty?