February 4, 2014
February 3, 2014
PERRspectives: Income Inequality and the Invisible Finger of the Market
PERRspectives: Income Inequality and the Invisible Finger of the Market
"Income inequality is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a disease. For over four decades, the United States has suffered from an atrophying of the great American middle class. The decline of post-World War II American economic dominance, the rise of new international competitors, the withering (and the smothering) of trade unions and accelerating globalization with its seamless transnational flow of capital, investment and automated production are among the factors which have choked off the supply of large numbers of good paying jobs for working Americans. If you have any doubt about America's painful transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to a lower-wage service economy, look no further than the top employers in 1955 (GM, U.S. Steel, General Electric, Chrysler and Standard Oil of New Jersey) and now (Walmart, IBM, UPS, Target, Kroger)."
"Income inequality is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a disease. For over four decades, the United States has suffered from an atrophying of the great American middle class. The decline of post-World War II American economic dominance, the rise of new international competitors, the withering (and the smothering) of trade unions and accelerating globalization with its seamless transnational flow of capital, investment and automated production are among the factors which have choked off the supply of large numbers of good paying jobs for working Americans. If you have any doubt about America's painful transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to a lower-wage service economy, look no further than the top employers in 1955 (GM, U.S. Steel, General Electric, Chrysler and Standard Oil of New Jersey) and now (Walmart, IBM, UPS, Target, Kroger)."
Four Examples of America's Inequality
Four Examples of America's Inequality
"Conservatives argue that individuals should be able to improve their economic positions with personal initiative and hard work. But economic mobility is lower in the U.S. than in most developed countries. And lower than in many undeveloped countries."
"Conservatives argue that individuals should be able to improve their economic positions with personal initiative and hard work. But economic mobility is lower in the U.S. than in most developed countries. And lower than in many undeveloped countries."
The 10 Vilest Things Right-Wing Nutjobs Spewed This Week: Equality Sucks Edition
www.alternet.org/10-vilest-things-right-wing-nutjobs-spewed-week-equality-sucks-edition
"Surprise, surprise, a one percenter thinks we are not all created equal."
"Surprise, surprise, a one percenter thinks we are not all created equal."
Darrell Issa’s Agenda Outed As He Is Labeled a Pure Enemy Of The U.S. Postal Service
www.politicususa.com/2014/02/03/darrell-issas-agenda-outed-proclaimed-pure-enemy-u-s-postal-service.html
"Republicans are out to destroy the USPS because they employ over 500,000 Americans, many of them Veterans, who all happen to belong to a union and earn middle class incomes. The USPS would not have to “farm out” services to low-paying retail corporations like Staples if Republicans did not pass a requirement that no company on Earth could survive. Republicans knew the postal service would be profitable without the pre-funding requirement. One thing is certain, if it was a requirement they felt would help businesses, they would demand that churches, WalMart, McDonalds, the oil industry, and agricultural corporations that reap taxpayer subsidies while posting obscene profits follow the same requirements. The postal service is being singled out because workers make living wages, belong to unions, and are considered a government entity’s employees that put them squarely in the crosshairs for privatization Republicans are hastening by attempting to end Saturday delivery and completely phase out the postal service by 2022."
"Republicans are out to destroy the USPS because they employ over 500,000 Americans, many of them Veterans, who all happen to belong to a union and earn middle class incomes. The USPS would not have to “farm out” services to low-paying retail corporations like Staples if Republicans did not pass a requirement that no company on Earth could survive. Republicans knew the postal service would be profitable without the pre-funding requirement. One thing is certain, if it was a requirement they felt would help businesses, they would demand that churches, WalMart, McDonalds, the oil industry, and agricultural corporations that reap taxpayer subsidies while posting obscene profits follow the same requirements. The postal service is being singled out because workers make living wages, belong to unions, and are considered a government entity’s employees that put them squarely in the crosshairs for privatization Republicans are hastening by attempting to end Saturday delivery and completely phase out the postal service by 2022."
The Populist Moment
The Populist Moment
"The signs increasingly indicate that, however much the folkways of Washington may resist, this nation has entered a Populist Moment. If you live and work inside the Beltway, you ignore it at your own peril."
"The signs increasingly indicate that, however much the folkways of Washington may resist, this nation has entered a Populist Moment. If you live and work inside the Beltway, you ignore it at your own peril."
Decent Economic Growth Hides The Increasing Gap Between the Rich and Everyone Else
www.politicususa.com/2014/02/02/decent-economic-growth-hides-increasing-gap-rich.html
"It is important to remember that the Commerce Department, Congressional Budget Office, and every economist not working for the Heritage Foundation predicted austerity would take a toll on economic growth that bore fruit in 2013, but it still predominates Republican economic policy and Americans will continue suffering until austerity is rejected. Of course, Republicans are well aware their austerity is crushing the economic life out of Americans and that their wealthy donors are reaping the benefits of austerity that protects them from tax reform to close loopholes that only the rich benefit from. Closing loopholes would help fund the more than $1 trillion infrastructure improvements called for by fiscal conservative and Republican economic expert Martin Feldstein. However, Republicans are not about to make any moves that help the economy, or millions of Americans struggling with economic insecurity because as long as promising economic reports benefit their wealthy donors exclusively, they will cling to austerity because it kills jobs, increases poverty, and protects the rich."
"It is important to remember that the Commerce Department, Congressional Budget Office, and every economist not working for the Heritage Foundation predicted austerity would take a toll on economic growth that bore fruit in 2013, but it still predominates Republican economic policy and Americans will continue suffering until austerity is rejected. Of course, Republicans are well aware their austerity is crushing the economic life out of Americans and that their wealthy donors are reaping the benefits of austerity that protects them from tax reform to close loopholes that only the rich benefit from. Closing loopholes would help fund the more than $1 trillion infrastructure improvements called for by fiscal conservative and Republican economic expert Martin Feldstein. However, Republicans are not about to make any moves that help the economy, or millions of Americans struggling with economic insecurity because as long as promising economic reports benefit their wealthy donors exclusively, they will cling to austerity because it kills jobs, increases poverty, and protects the rich."
Meet the Next Michele Bachmann
www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/02/michele-bachmann-congress-emmer-krinkie-primary
"Bachmann will no longer be around to carry the Tea Party banner in Congress. But she's almost guaranteed to be replaced by another far-right conservative. Minnesota's 6th congressional district skews heavily Republican—voting 56 percent for Romney in 2012. Whichever GOPer emerges from the primary should easily waltz to a general election win in November. And that successor could either be a Bachmann clone or Minnesota's own version of Grover Norquist."
"Bachmann will no longer be around to carry the Tea Party banner in Congress. But she's almost guaranteed to be replaced by another far-right conservative. Minnesota's 6th congressional district skews heavily Republican—voting 56 percent for Romney in 2012. Whichever GOPer emerges from the primary should easily waltz to a general election win in November. And that successor could either be a Bachmann clone or Minnesota's own version of Grover Norquist."
Humans Could Really Bring About the End of the World via Climate and Nuclear Disasters
www.alternet.org/environment/humans-could-really-bring-about-end-world-climate-and-nuclear-disasters
"Here’s the scoop: When it comes to climate change, there is no “story,” not in the normal news sense anyway.
The fact that 97% of scientists who have weighed in on the issue believe that climate change is a human-caused phenomenon is not a story. That only one of 9,137 peer-reviewed papers on climate change published between November 2012 and December 2013 rejected human causation is not a story either, nor is the fact that only 24 out of 13,950 such articles did so over 21 years. That the anything-but-extreme Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) offers an at least 95% guarantee of human causation for global warming is not a story, nor is the recent revelation that IPCC experts believe we only have 15 years left to rein in carbon emissions or we’ll need new technologies not yet in existence which may never be effective. Nor is the recent poll showing that only 47% of Americans believe climate change is human-caused (a drop of 7% since 2012) or that the percentage who believe climate change is occurring for any reason has also declined since 2012 from 70% to 63%. Nor is the fact that, as the effects of climate change came ever closer to home, media coverage of the subject dropped between 2010 and 2012 and, though rising in 2013, was still well below coverage levels for 2007 to 2009."
"Here’s the scoop: When it comes to climate change, there is no “story,” not in the normal news sense anyway.
The fact that 97% of scientists who have weighed in on the issue believe that climate change is a human-caused phenomenon is not a story. That only one of 9,137 peer-reviewed papers on climate change published between November 2012 and December 2013 rejected human causation is not a story either, nor is the fact that only 24 out of 13,950 such articles did so over 21 years. That the anything-but-extreme Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) offers an at least 95% guarantee of human causation for global warming is not a story, nor is the recent revelation that IPCC experts believe we only have 15 years left to rein in carbon emissions or we’ll need new technologies not yet in existence which may never be effective. Nor is the recent poll showing that only 47% of Americans believe climate change is human-caused (a drop of 7% since 2012) or that the percentage who believe climate change is occurring for any reason has also declined since 2012 from 70% to 63%. Nor is the fact that, as the effects of climate change came ever closer to home, media coverage of the subject dropped between 2010 and 2012 and, though rising in 2013, was still well below coverage levels for 2007 to 2009."
New Chris Christie Staffer Resigns After Being Subpoenaed In Bridgegate Scandal
New Chris Christie Staffer Resigns After Being Subpoenaed In Bridgegate Scandal
"There seems to be a new Gov. Christie story everyday now regarding the Bridegate scandal and even the Super Bowl couldn't stop it. Another Gov. Christie staffer has fled his administration after being subpoenaed In Bridgegate Scandal."
"There seems to be a new Gov. Christie story everyday now regarding the Bridegate scandal and even the Super Bowl couldn't stop it. Another Gov. Christie staffer has fled his administration after being subpoenaed In Bridgegate Scandal."
Obama Slams Fox News For Pushing Conspiracy Theories During Super Bowl Interview
www.politicususa.com/2014/02/02/obama-slams-fox-news-pushing-conspiracy-theories-super-bowl-interview.html
"The O’Reilly interview wasn’t a tough discussion of issues. It was crazed conspiracy theories. O’Reilly was so far out of touch with reality that he should have asked Obama about alien abductions, and the whether the moon landing was real or faked."
"The O’Reilly interview wasn’t a tough discussion of issues. It was crazed conspiracy theories. O’Reilly was so far out of touch with reality that he should have asked Obama about alien abductions, and the whether the moon landing was real or faked."
The Dangerous Charade of Billionaire Victims | Common Dreams
The Dangerous Charade of Billionaire Victims | Common Dreams
""Over the past 30-odd years, since Reagan, a vast share of the nation’s income and wealth has been transferred from the poor, working, and middle classes to the very wealthy. Twenty five years ago, the top 1% of income earners pulled in 12% of the nation’s income, today they get twice that, 25%. And the rate of transfer is accelerating."
""Over the past 30-odd years, since Reagan, a vast share of the nation’s income and wealth has been transferred from the poor, working, and middle classes to the very wealthy. Twenty five years ago, the top 1% of income earners pulled in 12% of the nation’s income, today they get twice that, 25%. And the rate of transfer is accelerating."
How Inequality is Crushing Workers, Families and Communities
www.alternet.org/economy/how-inequality-crushing-workers-families-and-communities?page=0%2C0
"Conservatives have slashed support for public education, infrastructure improvements, food stamps and unemployment assistance while fighting tooth and nail to protect farm subsidies for big agriculture, a health care system that gives the greatest tax subsidies to those in the top tax brackets and a host of mostly invisible measures that benefit hedge funds, oil companies, “too big to fail” banks, and other business interests. These measures simultaneously protect entrenched interests and make social mobility that much more difficult."
"Conservatives have slashed support for public education, infrastructure improvements, food stamps and unemployment assistance while fighting tooth and nail to protect farm subsidies for big agriculture, a health care system that gives the greatest tax subsidies to those in the top tax brackets and a host of mostly invisible measures that benefit hedge funds, oil companies, “too big to fail” banks, and other business interests. These measures simultaneously protect entrenched interests and make social mobility that much more difficult."
More Proof that the Republican Party is Spiraling Toward its Final Days of Being Nationally Relevant
www.forwardprogressives.com/more-proof-that-the-republican-party-is-spiraling-toward-its-final-days-of-being-nationally-relevant/
"In fact the tea party continues to drop in popularity nationally, though it still maintains a strong presence within the Republican party itself.
So this is the future of the GOP if these tea party backed candidates continue to “primary” more moderate Republicans. They’ll still maintain many of their seats in more rural areas that are strongly conservative. But in most of the more moderate areas they’re going to run some of these insane candidates under the Republican banner who believe things like the world is 6,000 years old and evolution is a myth, against a Democrat who appeals much more to the common voter because they believe in things like science.
They’ll never be gone, but they’ll shrink to a point that they’ll essentially have no power in Congress and absolutely no chance at the presidency."
"In fact the tea party continues to drop in popularity nationally, though it still maintains a strong presence within the Republican party itself.
So this is the future of the GOP if these tea party backed candidates continue to “primary” more moderate Republicans. They’ll still maintain many of their seats in more rural areas that are strongly conservative. But in most of the more moderate areas they’re going to run some of these insane candidates under the Republican banner who believe things like the world is 6,000 years old and evolution is a myth, against a Democrat who appeals much more to the common voter because they believe in things like science.
They’ll never be gone, but they’ll shrink to a point that they’ll essentially have no power in Congress and absolutely no chance at the presidency."
Nebraska Lawmaker Wants Her State To Stop Paying Private Prisons For Empty Cells
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/02/01/3237401/nebraska-prison-contracts-reform/
"The most notorious examples are private prison contracts that guarantee companies like the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) a certain minimum occupancy level at prisons, and promise to pay CCA the difference should prison populations sag below that level. Such “lock-up quotas” appear in two-thirds of all prison privatization contracts, according to a report last fall by the anti-privatization group In The Public Interest (ITPI)."
"The most notorious examples are private prison contracts that guarantee companies like the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) a certain minimum occupancy level at prisons, and promise to pay CCA the difference should prison populations sag below that level. Such “lock-up quotas” appear in two-thirds of all prison privatization contracts, according to a report last fall by the anti-privatization group In The Public Interest (ITPI)."
Pete Seeger: A Remembrance of a Legend By Artist Bill Day
www.politicususa.com/2014/02/01/pete-seeger-remembrance-legend-artist-bill-day.html
"Pete Seeger’s passing this week brought back a flood of memories and more than a trickle of tears."
"Pete Seeger’s passing this week brought back a flood of memories and more than a trickle of tears."
Angry right’s secret revulsion: Why they really dodge minimum wage questions
Angry right’s secret revulsion: Why they <em>really</em> dodge minimum wage questions
"It’s no great secret that Republicans oppose increasing the minimum wage. They don’t pretend it’s something they want to do under any circumstances. They don’t even really bother disguising their opposition. They cloak their view in dated and oversimplified economic arguments about labor demand and economic growth when the real impediment is ideological, and so it’s a somewhat better kept secret that many Republicans oppose the minimum wage altogether."
"It’s no great secret that Republicans oppose increasing the minimum wage. They don’t pretend it’s something they want to do under any circumstances. They don’t even really bother disguising their opposition. They cloak their view in dated and oversimplified economic arguments about labor demand and economic growth when the real impediment is ideological, and so it’s a somewhat better kept secret that many Republicans oppose the minimum wage altogether."
50 Reasons We Should Fear the Worst from Fukushima | Common Dreams
50 Reasons We Should Fear the Worst from Fukushima | Common Dreams
"Japan’s harsh dictatorial censorship has been matched by a global corporate media blackout aimed—successfully—at keeping Fukushima out of the public eye.
But that doesn’t keep the actual radiation out of our ecosystem, our markets … or our bodies.
Speculation on the ultimate impact ranges from the utterly harmless to the intensely apocalyptic .
But the basic reality is simple: for seven decades, government Bomb factories and privately-owned reactors have spewed massive quantities of unmonitored radiation into the biosphere.
The impacts of these emissions on human and ecological health are unknown primarily because the nuclear industry has resolutely refused to study them.
Indeed, the official presumption has always been that showing proof of damage from nuclear Bomb tests and commercial reactors falls to the victims, not the perpetrators.
And that in any case, the industry will be held virtually harmless.
This “see no evil, pay no damages” mindset dates from the Bombing of Hiroshima to Fukushima to the disaster coming next … which could be happening as you read this."
"Japan’s harsh dictatorial censorship has been matched by a global corporate media blackout aimed—successfully—at keeping Fukushima out of the public eye.
But that doesn’t keep the actual radiation out of our ecosystem, our markets … or our bodies.
Speculation on the ultimate impact ranges from the utterly harmless to the intensely apocalyptic .
But the basic reality is simple: for seven decades, government Bomb factories and privately-owned reactors have spewed massive quantities of unmonitored radiation into the biosphere.
The impacts of these emissions on human and ecological health are unknown primarily because the nuclear industry has resolutely refused to study them.
Indeed, the official presumption has always been that showing proof of damage from nuclear Bomb tests and commercial reactors falls to the victims, not the perpetrators.
And that in any case, the industry will be held virtually harmless.
This “see no evil, pay no damages” mindset dates from the Bombing of Hiroshima to Fukushima to the disaster coming next … which could be happening as you read this."
Groups: This is an 'All Hands On Deck' Moment to Stop KXL | Common Dreams
Groups: This is an 'All Hands On Deck' Moment to Stop KXL | Common Dreams
"Following controversial Environmental Impact Statement, indigenous communities and environmental groups prepare to mobilize"
"Following controversial Environmental Impact Statement, indigenous communities and environmental groups prepare to mobilize"
February 2, 2014
Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead In NYC Apartment
www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/philip-seymour-hoffman-dead-apartment
"Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won a best actor Oscar in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote" and created a gallery of other vivid characters, many of them slovenly and slightly dissipated comic figures, died Sunday. He was 46."
"Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won a best actor Oscar in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote" and created a gallery of other vivid characters, many of them slovenly and slightly dissipated comic figures, died Sunday. He was 46."
Meet The Employee-Centered Company That Could Eventually Take Down Wal-Mart
www.forwardprogressives.com/meet-the-employee-centered-company-that-could-eventually-take-down-wal-mart/
"This isn’t some flash in the pan, fly by night corporation either. WinCo was originally established in 1967 and became employee owned in 1985. They’re privately owned by the employees, and they brag about it on their website"
"This isn’t some flash in the pan, fly by night corporation either. WinCo was originally established in 1967 and became employee owned in 1985. They’re privately owned by the employees, and they brag about it on their website"
The "Skills Gap" Is a Convenient Myth
The "Skills Gap" Is a Convenient Myth
"A host of academic studies have debunked the notion—but you don’t need a Ph.D. to figure it out. You just need to recognize the law of supply and demand.
“It’s hard not to break out laughing,” one economist noted recently. “If there’s a skills shortage, there has to be rises in wages [for skilled workers]. It’s basic economics.”
Yet wages in manufacturing—even for skilled workers—are stagnant at best."
"A host of academic studies have debunked the notion—but you don’t need a Ph.D. to figure it out. You just need to recognize the law of supply and demand.
“It’s hard not to break out laughing,” one economist noted recently. “If there’s a skills shortage, there has to be rises in wages [for skilled workers]. It’s basic economics.”
Yet wages in manufacturing—even for skilled workers—are stagnant at best."
Philip Seymour Hoffman, the consummate actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman, the consummate actor
"Philip Seymour Hoffman leaves behind a legacy of generosity on film that won't soon be forgotten"
"Philip Seymour Hoffman leaves behind a legacy of generosity on film that won't soon be forgotten"
Remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman
Remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman
"The Oscar-winner, who died today, was one of the great actors of his generation, as these clips show"
"The Oscar-winner, who died today, was one of the great actors of his generation, as these clips show"
Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead: Actor Dies At 46 In New York Apartment
www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/02/philip-seymour-hoffman-dead-dies_n_4713623.html
"Philip Seymour Hoffman was found deadin his Manhattan apartment, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday (Feb. 2)."
"Philip Seymour Hoffman was found deadin his Manhattan apartment, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday (Feb. 2)."
Implementing the Affordable Care Act: The State of the States
www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Fund-Reports/2014/Jan/Implementing-the-Affordable-Care-Act.aspx
"States varied significantly in their approach to implementing the Affordable Care Act’s three major components, but states were most likely to take new action to implement the market reforms. These reforms include access to coverage for young adults, a ban on preexisting condition exclusions, the coverage of a minimum set of essential health benefits, and a ban on lifetime limits for health care coverage, among other critical consumer protections. To date, 32 states and the District of Columbia have taken new legislative or regulatory action on at least one of the market reforms. Of these, 11 states addressed all of the reforms studied in this report."
"States varied significantly in their approach to implementing the Affordable Care Act’s three major components, but states were most likely to take new action to implement the market reforms. These reforms include access to coverage for young adults, a ban on preexisting condition exclusions, the coverage of a minimum set of essential health benefits, and a ban on lifetime limits for health care coverage, among other critical consumer protections. To date, 32 states and the District of Columbia have taken new legislative or regulatory action on at least one of the market reforms. Of these, 11 states addressed all of the reforms studied in this report."
The More We Learn About Nuclear Past, The More an 'Accident' Seems Likely | Common Dreams
The More We Learn About Nuclear Past, The More an 'Accident' Seems Likely | Common Dreams
"It is hard to maintain much faith in the long-term safety of our nuclear deterrent with each glimpse of the all-too human flaws of those with their finger on the button. Thirty-four Air Force officers in charge of launching nuclear missiles have been suspended over accusations that they cheated in proficiency tests about their knowledge of how to operate the weapons. The cheating, uncovered during a probe into the use of drugs by nuclear launch officers, betrays the complacency and boredom of men and women whose job is to refrain from doing the one thing they are trained to do."
"It is hard to maintain much faith in the long-term safety of our nuclear deterrent with each glimpse of the all-too human flaws of those with their finger on the button. Thirty-four Air Force officers in charge of launching nuclear missiles have been suspended over accusations that they cheated in proficiency tests about their knowledge of how to operate the weapons. The cheating, uncovered during a probe into the use of drugs by nuclear launch officers, betrays the complacency and boredom of men and women whose job is to refrain from doing the one thing they are trained to do."
Largest Air Pollution Rally in US History Goes Down on Utah's Capitol Hill
Largest Air Pollution Rally in US History Goes Down on Utah's Capitol Hill
"The crisis has been so severe in fact, that it drew a crowd of approximately 5,000 motivated, and downright outraged citizens to the State Capitol on Jan. 25th in what has now gone down in the books as the largest air-pollution-specific protest in U.S. history."
"The crisis has been so severe in fact, that it drew a crowd of approximately 5,000 motivated, and downright outraged citizens to the State Capitol on Jan. 25th in what has now gone down in the books as the largest air-pollution-specific protest in U.S. history."
Remembering Folk Icon, Activist Pete Seeger in His Own Words & Songs | Common Dreams
Remembering Folk Icon, Activist Pete Seeger in His Own Words & Songs | Common Dreams
"The legendary folk singer and activist Pete Seeger died Monday at the age of 94. For nearly seven decades, Seeger was a musical and political icon who helped create the modern American folk music movement."
"The legendary folk singer and activist Pete Seeger died Monday at the age of 94. For nearly seven decades, Seeger was a musical and political icon who helped create the modern American folk music movement."
February 1, 2014
Juan Cole: Rep. Cathy Rodgers Exemplifies GOP: Benefit From Gov’t Yourself, Deny Benefits to Others - Juan Cole - Truthdig
Juan Cole: Rep. Cathy Rodgers Exemplifies GOP: Benefit From Gov’t Yourself, Deny Benefits to Others - Juan Cole - Truthdig
"Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in giving her response to President Obama’s State of the Union message exemplified everything wrong with today’s Republican Party."
"Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in giving her response to President Obama’s State of the Union message exemplified everything wrong with today’s Republican Party."
Dolphins in 'bad shape' after BP oil spill
Dolphins in 'bad shape' after BP oil spill
"Bottlenose dolphins with missing teeth, lung disease, and abnormal hormone levels were found swimming in the Gulf of Mexico a year after the BP oil spill, US researchers say.
Pneumonia, liver disease and a pregnant female carrying a dead fetus were also reported in the first major study of dolphin health after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that spilled 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
Half of the 32 dolphins studied off the coast of Louisiana in August 2011 -- a year and four months after the worst oil spill in US history began -- were judged to be seriously ill or in danger of dying.
"I've never seen such a high prevalence of very sick animals," said lead author Lori Schwacke, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)."
"Bottlenose dolphins with missing teeth, lung disease, and abnormal hormone levels were found swimming in the Gulf of Mexico a year after the BP oil spill, US researchers say.
Pneumonia, liver disease and a pregnant female carrying a dead fetus were also reported in the first major study of dolphin health after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that spilled 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
Half of the 32 dolphins studied off the coast of Louisiana in August 2011 -- a year and four months after the worst oil spill in US history began -- were judged to be seriously ill or in danger of dying.
"I've never seen such a high prevalence of very sick animals," said lead author Lori Schwacke, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)."
Republicans Are Disgracing America With Their Talk of Impeaching President Obama
www.politicususa.com/2014/02/01/republicans-disgracing-america-talk-impeaching-president-obama.html
"Republicans still refuse to accept the fact that President Obama is the president. They have tried every tactic to delegitimize him. Republicans have questioned the president’s citizenship, his education, and his entire biography. They have used the president’s skin color against him, and invoked racial stereotypes in repeated attempts to diminish his presidency. They have obstructed his agenda legislatively, and until recently, tried to thwart his ability to run the executive branch competently by refusing to confirm needed staff members.
All of this has failed, and Republicans are desperate."
"Republicans still refuse to accept the fact that President Obama is the president. They have tried every tactic to delegitimize him. Republicans have questioned the president’s citizenship, his education, and his entire biography. They have used the president’s skin color against him, and invoked racial stereotypes in repeated attempts to diminish his presidency. They have obstructed his agenda legislatively, and until recently, tried to thwart his ability to run the executive branch competently by refusing to confirm needed staff members.
All of this has failed, and Republicans are desperate."
GOP Slams ‘Imperial’ Obama After Fewest Executive Orders In 100 Years (CHART)
www.talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/presidents-most-executive-orders
"But, as the chart above shows, Obama has been downright thrifty in issuing executive orders by historical standards.
His 168 executive orders come out to less than 0.1 for every day he's been in office. FDR, by comparison, was cranking out close to one per day as he faced the Great Depression and World War II. The first half of the 20th century was the prime time for executive action, at least when measured by executive orders per day in office. Herbert Hoover, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge rounded out the top five by that metric.
And, despite the Republican rhetoric, the numbers suggest that presidential power, as wielded by volume of executive orders anyway, is actually declining. George W. Bush and Obama recorded the fewest orders per day in office since before 1900."
"But, as the chart above shows, Obama has been downright thrifty in issuing executive orders by historical standards.
His 168 executive orders come out to less than 0.1 for every day he's been in office. FDR, by comparison, was cranking out close to one per day as he faced the Great Depression and World War II. The first half of the 20th century was the prime time for executive action, at least when measured by executive orders per day in office. Herbert Hoover, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge rounded out the top five by that metric.
And, despite the Republican rhetoric, the numbers suggest that presidential power, as wielded by volume of executive orders anyway, is actually declining. George W. Bush and Obama recorded the fewest orders per day in office since before 1900."
Christie took 10 months to implement federal Sandy aid law, report says
Christie took 10 months to implement federal Sandy aid law, report says
"Gov. Chris Christie took nearly a year to implement a law he signed that would require close oversight of federal Hurricane Sandy recovery money, a report this morning said."
"Gov. Chris Christie took nearly a year to implement a law he signed that would require close oversight of federal Hurricane Sandy recovery money, a report this morning said."
8 Insidious Attacks on Our Democracy That You Don't Know About
www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/8-insidious-attacks-our-democracy-you-dont-know-about
"This year is shaping up to be another season where the GOP’s gameplan is to reshape the electorate and election rules to retain their power; instead of bringing all eligible voters into the process, running on the strength of their ideas, and trusting voters’ decisions. What follows are eight aggressive GOP attacks on democracy."
"This year is shaping up to be another season where the GOP’s gameplan is to reshape the electorate and election rules to retain their power; instead of bringing all eligible voters into the process, running on the strength of their ideas, and trusting voters’ decisions. What follows are eight aggressive GOP attacks on democracy."
Occupy Monsanto Protesters Push Labeling Resolution at Annual Shareholder Meeting
Occupy Monsanto Protesters Push Labeling Resolution at Annual Shareholder Meeting
"Protests occurred both inside and outside the Monsanto shareholder meeting in St. Louis on Tuesday as local activists, shareholders and citizens from across the country joined in 20-degree weather to demand the biotech giant label genetically-modified organisms, or GMOs."
"Protests occurred both inside and outside the Monsanto shareholder meeting in St. Louis on Tuesday as local activists, shareholders and citizens from across the country joined in 20-degree weather to demand the biotech giant label genetically-modified organisms, or GMOs."
Rep. Jim Bridenstine Shrugs Off Questioner Who Called For Obama To Be Killed | Right Wing Watch
Rep. Jim Bridenstine Shrugs Off Questioner Who Called For Obama To Be Killed | Right Wing Watch
"At a breakfast event with the Tea Party organization Tulsa 9:12 Project last week, Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) saw no need to rebuke or even disagree with a questioner who said that President Obama should be executed."
"At a breakfast event with the Tea Party organization Tulsa 9:12 Project last week, Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) saw no need to rebuke or even disagree with a questioner who said that President Obama should be executed."
Christie Lied, Knew About Lane Closures: Former Ally | Common Dreams
Christie Lied, Knew About Lane Closures: Former Ally | Common Dreams
"Letter from Port Authority official who oversaw closures further implicates Christie in George Washington Bridge scandal"
"Letter from Port Authority official who oversaw closures further implicates Christie in George Washington Bridge scandal"
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