Thoughts on the WorldThoughts on the WorldOpinion and analysis of current events: what should be happening, not what is happening. A realistic, moderate look at the world. Articles
Australia to Become Even Drier Thanks to Global Warming
2007-10-18 01:31:00 Australia (TGW) - Global warming is going to take a heavy toll on Australia, already one of the driest parts of the world, according to a new report released by scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).Australia is likely to be hit harder because it is already dry there.The key findings of the report include that by 2030, temperatures will rise by about 1 degree Celsius over Australia ? a little less in coastal areas, and a little more inland - later in the century. If emissions are low, warming of between 1 ºC and 2.5 ºC is likely by around 2070, with a best estimate of 1.8 ºC. Under a high emission scenario, the best estimate warming is 3.4 ºC, with a range of 2.2 ºC to 5 ºC.The report also indicates there will be changes in temperature extremes, with fewer frosts and substantially more days over 35 ºC.Temperatures have already increased .9 degrees Celsius since 1950.At low emissions of greenhouse gases, warming of between 1 degree Cel... More About: Global Warming , Australia , Hank , Armin
Do the Democrats Really Have a Majority in the Senate?
2007-10-17 00:41:00 Why can?t this Democratic majority get anything done? They promised to end corruption, the Iraq War, and so much more. I?m so disappointed. We finally give them a majority, and what do they do with it? Nothing.But is it their fault? They have a majority you say. 51-49; it?s not like you need 60 votes to pass a bill, and 66 to be veto proof.But wait! Super-Truthman says no to Republican lies and propaganda! Let?s think this whole majority thing through.First of all, be serious, Lieberman isn?t a Democrat. So what, he caucuses with them; that doesn?t mean he votes like them. He voted ?yes? on the FISA amendment, ?no? on the Senate statement to condemn Gonzales, and of course, sponsored the unforgettable Kyl/Lieberman amendment, which originally threatened to ?combat, contain and [stop]? Iran via ?military instruments.?Hmmm? That makes it 50-50 you say! Wait, there?s more:Remember Tim Johnson, the senator from South Dakota who was hospitalized in December and is still there, unable to ... More About: Democrats , Nate , Ally , Rats
Blog Action Day Linkathon!
2007-10-15 21:49:00 Blog Action Day is today! Well, this blog already writes about the environment a lot (every post, actually), so today I thought I'd just link to many of the great other environmental posts.DeSmogBlog: Questionable funding uncovered in the Al Gore UK High Court CaseThe Daily Green: Grease 2010: Green Cars are Tomorrow?s Hot RodsCelsias: Toyota in the Hot Seat BIOstock Blog:Ending Obstructive Environmental LawsuitsEnvironmental Graffiti: SimCity Adds A Global Warming ThreatTreehugger:Key Green Algal Genome Provides Insights into Carbon Capture, Better Biofuels ProductionThe Environmental Blog: Environmental Impact of Disposable DiapersAlternative Energy Investing: Investing In Renewable Energy 101About My Planet: Borrowing into TomorrowGreen Business: Airline Goes Carbon NeutralFuel Ghoul: A Whale of a Cover Up: Pacific Oil SpillsBioFuels Digest: Mozambique green lights 30 Mgy sugar ethanol project, but is it wise?Local Warming: SEC: consider investment risk from AEP settlementThe E... More About: Blog
[POLL] Should Al Gore Run for President?
2007-10-14 21:27:00 Should Al Gore run for president?YesNoOther pollcode. com free polls More About: Global Warming , President , Poll
GodTube: the Religous Right's Lunatic Answer to Youtube
2007-10-13 22:09:00 Everyone knows YouTube, 'broadcast yourself'.But have you heard of GodTube, where the model is 'broadcast him'?Yes, 'him' is who you are thinking of.Almost as bad as conservapedia... More About: Youtube , Answer , Godtube
An Endorsement of Genocide
2007-10-11 00:33:00 While President Bush endorses genocide by fighting against a bill recognizing the Armenian genocide almost a century ago, I'd like to endorse this bill. It is completely outrageous that you don't recognize the genocide. It's as bad as denying the Holocaust (the horror!).The evidence is overwhelming. More About: Genocide , Endorsement , Cide
Turkey Threatens to Invade Iraq, Destabilize the Whole Region - A Brief His
2007-10-10 01:24:00 As the United States works towards peace in the Middle East , one country is threatening stabilization. Who? One of America?s greatest allies: Turkey .The ruling Turkish party, the AK Party, said it would request the Turkish Parliament?s authorization for a ?major incursion?, according to Reuters.The government there has come under increasing pressure, as the PKK rebel group has stepped up its attacks in the country.A brief history lessonThe PKK, or the Kurdistan Workers Party, is a Kurdish nationalist group listed as a terrorist organization by a number of states and organizations, including the U.S., NATO, and the E.U. The PKK?s goal is an independent, socialist Kurdish state encompassing northern Iraq , south east Turkey, west Iran, and parts of north east Syria. It has no qualms against using violence to obtain its objectives.Turkey has a large minority of Kurds, who feel that they have been treated as second-rate citizens since the creation of modern Turkey in 1923. The PKK has fo... More About: Terrorism , Invade
On Torture 2.0
2007-10-09 00:22:00 I wrote this over a year ago, when I got around 1 hit a day (and that was probably from my IP). It was the third post ever. Since then, my writing has improved drastically (you like the big words?) thanks to blogging.Some of it's points don't apply today, but much of it does:Although torture is meant to keep the United States of America safe, it does not always have that effect. Sometimes, in dire emergencies, torture may be necessary. Usually, this is not the case. President Bush does not agree with this. He thinks that torture is necessary to prevent another terrorist attack. While the President believes that, others, who have been in the military, including Republican Senators John McCain, John Warner, and Lindsey Graham, have the opposite view on interrogation techniques. Both sides have proposed a bill. The senate bill, which was approved by the Senate Armed Service Committee (led by McCain, Warner, and Graham), is not much better than the President's bill. It would allow th... More About: Terrorism , Torture
Why Would Darfur Rebels Attack AU Peacekeepers?
2007-10-02 01:30:00 BBC: Darfur rebels 'behind AU attack' What?s this? The rebels are behind the attack on Africa n Union troops that are supposed to be protecting them? What?s up with that?Professor Seth Weinberger has some truly excellent analysis over at his blog, Security Dilemnas.But it's altogether likely that the rebels do, in fact, want the peacekeepers out. The rebels are those Darfur who have decided to take up arms against the Sudanese government in hopes of achieving greater political autonomy and protection, if not independence, for Darfur. The presence of peacekeepers, while perhaps sufficing to minimize or prevent the attacks against civilians that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more, will not serve to advance the larger political goal. If anything, the peacekeepers will serve to entrench the status quo by freezing the battlelines and political demands in place. They certainly will make it more difficult for the rebels to attain their larger political goals.To ... More About: Attack , Atta
[POLL] Do You Support President Bush's Environmental Policy?
2007-10-01 01:34:00 Do you support President Bush's environmental policy?YesHeck no!Other pollcode.com free polls More About: Global Warming , Environmental , Poll , Policy
Bush Advisor: Global Warming Could Make Planet 'Unlivable'
2007-09-27 02:14:00 Washington (TGW) - John Marburger, one of U.S. President George Bush 's scientific advisers, said climate change is real and is likely caused by humanity.He said he is 90% certain that greenhouse gas emissions are causing global warming."I think there is widespread agreement on certain basics, and one of the most important is that we are producing far more CO2 from fossil fuels than we ought to be. And it's going to lead to trouble unless we can begin to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we are burning and using in our economies,? he told the BBC in an interview."The CO2 accumulates in the atmosphere and there's no end point, it just gets hotter and hotter, and so at some point it becomes unlivable," he said."You only have two choices; you either have advanced technologies and get them into the marketplace, or you shut down your economies and put people out of work," he said.The Bush administration has been resistant to joining the fight against climate change.Via :: BBC (click h... More About: Global Warming , Planet , Global , Make
Hillary's Nomination: Increasingly Likely
2007-09-25 01:59:00 Reuters: Bush thinks Clinton will win Democratic nominationPolitical Grind: This is Hillary?s TimePolitical Realm: Wesley Clark Endorses ClintonHillary Clinton is increasingly edging towards the Democratic nomination. She?s ahead of Barack Obama by over 20 points, most polls indicate.So what? Polls aren?t very accurate, after all, right? Right. And that?s why Clinton?s nomination is even more likely.The voter factorPolls aren?t very accurate for many reasons, but one is more important than others: the likelihood a voter will vote. In fact, only 54% of eligible voters actually vote. A candidate may have a 20 percentage point lead, but when the election actually comes, the win could narrow to only 7 or 8% of the vote. Why? People choose not to vote. Out of the top 3 Democratic candidates, whose supporters are most likely to cast ballots come Election Day? Here are three brief summaries:Hillary Clinton?The machine?. Clinton?s ?political machine? comes with years of experience and polit... More About: Nomination , Mina
[POLL] Are Mercenaries Doing More Harm Than Good?
2007-09-23 23:05:00 Are mercenaries in Iraq causing more harm than good?YesNoOther pollcode.com free polls More About: Middle East , Poll , Good , Harm
New Posting Schedule
2007-09-22 19:38:00 I think, at least temporarily, posting here is going to move to every other day.Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.Of course, Stat just posts whenever, and I might post other times as well.The reason is that until the end of October I'm very busy every day. But I hope having a scheduled post every other day that I will be able to write better quality posts, even if they're posted less often.--Simmons More About: Schedule , Posti
Timeline: Anti-Syrian Lawmakers Assasinated
2007-09-21 03:32:00 Sept. 19, 2007: Ghanem, 64, an anti-Syria lawmaker from the Christian Phalange Party, is killed in a blast in Beirut. Six others also die.June 13, 2007: Walid Eido, 65, an anti-Syria member of Parliament, is killed along with his son, two bodyguards, and six others in an explosion in Beirut.Nov. 21, 2006: Pierre Gemayel, 34, the industry minister and a prominent anti-Syria Christian politician, is shot to death by gunmen in a Beirut suburb.Dec. 12, 2005: Gibran Tueni, an anti-Syria newspaper editor and lawmaker, is killed when a car bomb destroys his vehicle.June 21, 2005: Anti -Syria politician George Hawi, a former Communist Party leader, is killed by a bomb placed under his car.June 2, 2005: Anti-Syria journalist and activist Samir Kassir is killed by a bomb planted under his car.Feb. 14, 2005: Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an anti-Syria lawmaker, is assassinated in a bombing that also kills 20 other people. Among the dead is Bassel Fleihan, who served as economy minister in... More About: Terrorism , Middle East , Statistics , Timeline
[POLL] Is North Korea Giving Syria Nuclear Technology?
2007-09-16 21:47:00 Do you believe North Korea or A.Q. Khan is providing Syria with nuclear technology?YesNoOther pollcode .com free polls More About: Middle East , Technology , North Korea , Nuclear
New $50,000 Global Warming Contest from Quantum Shift TV
2007-09-16 00:13:00 Watch more videos like this at www.quantumshift.tvCALGARY?An innovative new Web broadcaster is using the power of the Internet to inspire children and youth in schools across North America to make a difference.Quantum Shift TV is challenging students from grades one to twelve across the United States and Canada to participate in the ?Be the Change! Share the Story!? School Video Contest . Students are invited to work on a social or environmental project of their choice, and document their progress in two short videos to be uploaded on the Web. In addition to making a difference in their community, students have an opportunity to win up to $50,000 in prizes for their school.Through this contest, Quantum Shift TV is building an online community focused on socially conscious, solution-oriented videos. An entertaining puzzle game woven into the contest stimulates cross-pollination of ideas by encouraging youth to watch each other?s videos. Teams receive points for social network activity... More About: Global Warming , Global
Hezbollah - Not North Korea
2007-09-14 01:52:00 Israel strike on Syria? Yup.North Korea supplying Syria with nuclear technology? Nope.Fox news, along with right-wing extremists (notably John Bolton) are publishing stories and op-eds claiming they have (unidentified) ?sources? who tell them North Korea may be supplying Syria with nuclear technology. We find that very unlikely.First, North Korea is just beginning to disclose its nuclear facilities to the U.S. and the U.N, for very large sums of money, oil, and other basic necessities. If North Korea is selling nuclear technology to Syria, Syria would be paying very well. North Korea would not need anything from the U.S. After the North Korean nuclear deal earlier this year, most analysts suspected (for good reason) that North Korea badly needed the aid they were receiving in the deal. North Korea wouldn?t be needing that if they were exporting nuclear know-how.Second, New deals with the DPRK are being announced every other week it feels like. Kim Jong-Il is giving the impression th... More About: Terrorism , Middle East , Israel
1 Year Anniversary!
2007-09-13 20:07:00 Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of the first post here at Thoughts on the World. You can see the first post here. The truth is yesterday was kinda really busy, so I didn't have a chance write this yesterday.I came in with no knowledge of blogs, blogging, or politics on the Internet. All I knew was that I wanted to express my opinions on the internet. It's been a strange journey.Let's not get too emotional.Most trafficked post: 5 Reasons Solar Power WorksLeast trafficked post: Post of the Month: June More About: Anniversary , Year
Bottled Water Refund Payout per State
2007-09-12 02:18:00 Stat blogs at The Statistics Monster. If you would like to blog here, send us an email at worldthoughts(at)gmail(dot)com.There are 12 states with bottle deposit refunds. You know, those things where you bring in your bottles and they give you money? Here they are:California: 5 or 10 centsConnecticut: 5 centsDelaware: 5 centsHawaii: 5 centsIowa: 5 cents, also applies to wine bottlesMaine: 5 cents, also applies to fruit juice and bottled water, 15 cents for some wine bottlesMassachusetts: 5 centsMichigan: 10 centsNew York: 5 centsOregon: 5 centsVermont: 5 centsThe northeast seems to have the highest amount of states with a refund policy.Source: Wikipedia More About: Global Warming , Water , State , Bottled Water
A New Strategic Objective in Iraq
2007-09-11 02:58:00 As the British withdraw from Basra, we here in America are struggling to find a way to meet our goals in Iraq .There have been many proposed solutions, but there are no good options; each plan to fix or to get out of Iraq contains serious flaws.Our strategic objective in Iraq since the start of the war has been to create pro-American coalition government in Baghdad. The original Rumsfeld plan was to go in, create some degree of stability while training the Iraqis to pacify Iraq. We would then withdraw leaving the rest of the nation building to the Iraqis.It didn?t work.The optionsWe now have 3 options available. The first is to maintain the current strategy. This is the Bush Administration?s point of view. The second is a rapid withdrawal of forces, a position held by a fairly small group mostly on the left. The third is to start a phased withdrawal, beginning sometime in the next few months and concluding when circumstances allow. This is the consensus among most moderate Democrats ... More About: Terrorism , Middle East , Strategic , Rate
Welcome Stat!
2007-09-08 23:58:00 Everybody welcome Stat Statistical, the statistics monster, from Statistics Monster!He will now be co-blogging here with me, as well as at Thoughts on Global Warming.Stat blogs about statistics. For more, see the Statistics Monster about page. Please give him a warm welcome!
Most Polar Bears Could Be Gone by 2050
2007-09-08 02:47:00 Washington (ToGW) - Two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population could be gone by 2050 if predictions of melting sea ice hold true, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday.Polar bears could become extinct even sooner than predicted because sea ice has been melting faster than expected, the USGS said in a report aimed at determining whether the arctic bear should be classified as a threatened species."Projected changes in future sea ice conditions, if realized, will result in loss of approximately two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population by the mid 21st century," the report's executive summary said."Because the observed trajectory of Arctic sea ice decline appears to be underestimated by currently available models, this assessment of future polar bear status may be conservative."The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering putting polar bears under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.Via :: Reuters More About: Global Warming , Bears , Ears , Polar bears
Has the War in Iraq Helped the War in Afghanistan?
2007-09-07 02:38:00 Has the War in Iraq helped the War in Afghanistan ?An outrageous claim, but think about it; many terrorists are now in Iraq, fighting us there, instead of fighting us in Afghanistan.When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, Islamists came down on the occupiers hard. Now, the U.S. is meeting comparatively less resistance.The ?Al-Qaeda? that is not in hiding is probably concentrating their firepower in Iraq. It would make sense, n?est-ce pas?But there?s another side to the argument. Iraq has drawn huge amounts of resources away from Afghanistan. Troops, funding and public interest are just a few.It comes down to opinion: is the number of terrorists possibly kept out of Iraq more or less important than the loss of troops, funding and public interest.I'd probably say Iraq has hurt the War in Afghanistan, but that's my opinion. Feel free to tell yours. More About: Terrorism , Middle East , War in Iraq
Israel's Mistaken Gaza Approach
2007-09-06 02:49:00 Israel is considering a power cut in Gaza in retaliation for a rocket attack that almost hit a kindergarten in a town called Sderot. This may not be the best option, but considering Israel?s current strategy, it could be the best option.Israel?s current strategyIsrael has been attempting to isolate Hamas and make their government in Gaza look like a failure. Israel, the U.S., and other western powers have been bolstering Mahmoud Abbas?s (semi-)democratic government in the West Bank to solidify this image.It hasn?t been going so well. Gaza hasn?t been a failure, but it hasn?t been a success either. But because of an international boycott of trade with Gaza, it will be a failure soon. Gaza isn?t getting basic supplies, and Gaza is being torn apart by it.A power cut would hasten Gaza?s downfall, but it would help to continue to alienate the one group of Palestinians that support?s Israel: the merchants. More on this later.But if Israel is to continue its current policy, cutting power w... More About: Terrorism , Middle East , Israel , Gaza Strip
How Many Bush Administration Officials Does it Take to Screw in a Lightbulb
2007-09-05 00:47:00 After "How Many Republicans Does it Take to Screw in a Lightbulb", here comes this:How many members of the Bush administration does it take to change a light bulb?1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed;2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed;3. One to blame Clinton for burning out the light bulb;4. One to arrange the invasion of a country rumored to have a secret stockpile of light bulbs;5. One to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Halliburton for the new light bulb;6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner: Light Bulb Change Accomplished;7. One administration insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how Bush was literally in the dark;8. One to viciously smear #7;9. One surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how George Bush has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along;10. And finally one to confuse Americans about the diffe... More About: Bush administration , Administration , Crew
2 Reasons NOT to Set Up a Naval Blockade around Iran
2007-09-04 03:04:00 I?ve been divided over whether or not to blockade Iran . It sounds extreme, but I couldn?t find any solid argument against it. But now I've made my decision over a blockade. We shouldn't do it. For 2 reasons:1. It would consume too many resourcesOur navy may not be as heavily involved in Iraq and Afghanistan as, say, the Army, but we do have a budget deficit, and I'm sure this would not help.2. Would we attack our allies?Iran is still the 4th largest exporter of crude oil. What would we do if China, Russia, or even France needed that oil and tried to bypass our blockade? Would we sink them? Capture their ship? How many enemies does the U.S. need? More About: Middle East , Reasons , Naval
[POLL] Would You Support a National Identity Card?
2007-09-02 22:26:00 Would you support Rudy Giuliani's 'SAFE' card?YesNoOther pollcode.com free polls More About: National , Card , Poll , Support , Identity
Rudy Giuliani: Every Foreigner in U.S. Must Carry New Card
More articles from this author:2007-08-29 01:38:00 I know this is kinda old, but it didn?t get the attention it deserves: Rudy Giuliani wants every foreigner in America to carry around a ?SAFE? card, along with their passport.Yes, it has been proposed before; but by a presidential candidate?Rudy G is trying to cement his immigration position as hard line after Mitt Romney came out of the Ames Poll swinging hard.And the worst news??If you don?t have that card, you get thrown out of the country,? Giuliani said.Under what circumstance would a foreigner be asked to show their card? Would they be issued immediately? Is this even legal?Those are the questions that have to be answered."When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis More About: Illegal Immigration , Card 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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