The results of a lovely weekend shopping spree with my mom :-)
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Big $pender
Palin's shopping spree is now out in the open. Wonder if this chunk of change was spent with good old Joe the Plumber in mind, and for the greater good of the rest of the American people, too?
Blegh, I was so hoping this was a farce, but it is looking more and more accurate. Unfortunately so, because many people are cutting back on personal and family clothing allowances at this very minute...not to mention the attempts being made by McCain/Palin to garner votes on claims of sympathy to the economic woes, and on promises to get Americans out of the red...nice. I feel sorry for the people who donated each of those 150,000 dollars to the campaign, thinking their money was going to a cause greater than Neiman Marcus.
In fact, in a recent interview, Palin had this to say when asked if she'd ever struggled with tough economic times: "I know what Americans are going through. Todd and I—heck, we’re going through that right now even as we speak, which may put me again kind of on the outs of those Washington elite who don’t like the idea of just an everyday working class American running for such an office." She also went on to say that: "John McCain and I (will) work that much harder to make sure that our ticket is victorious, and we put government back on the side of the people of Joe six-pack like me, and we start doing those things that are expected of our government, and we get rid of corruption, and we commit to the reform that is not only desired, but is deserved by Americans."
And guess what? The old saying is still true. Actions speak MUCH louder than words.
Blegh, I was so hoping this was a farce, but it is looking more and more accurate. Unfortunately so, because many people are cutting back on personal and family clothing allowances at this very minute...not to mention the attempts being made by McCain/Palin to garner votes on claims of sympathy to the economic woes, and on promises to get Americans out of the red...nice. I feel sorry for the people who donated each of those 150,000 dollars to the campaign, thinking their money was going to a cause greater than Neiman Marcus.
In fact, in a recent interview, Palin had this to say when asked if she'd ever struggled with tough economic times: "I know what Americans are going through. Todd and I—heck, we’re going through that right now even as we speak, which may put me again kind of on the outs of those Washington elite who don’t like the idea of just an everyday working class American running for such an office." She also went on to say that: "John McCain and I (will) work that much harder to make sure that our ticket is victorious, and we put government back on the side of the people of Joe six-pack like me, and we start doing those things that are expected of our government, and we get rid of corruption, and we commit to the reform that is not only desired, but is deserved by Americans."
And guess what? The old saying is still true. Actions speak MUCH louder than words.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Not a Navy Fan Today
The Supreme Court looked into a case of Navy sonar exercises and the effect on marine life, most notably whales, today. Some of the little power displays and pulling of rank were quoted when military officials had their feathers ruffled by the fact that their offshore doings might even be subject to court debate, and apparently these officials want to use the "military necessity in time of war" reasoning.
Not surprisingly, "the Bush administration's Council on Environmental Quality declared "emergency circumstances" existed, which the administration argues should dissolve the district court's training limitations." With all the money floating around for the war and war efforts, surely there is a better way for them to train. One that does not involve harming endangered whales, dolphins, and at least 37 other species of marine mammals. When offering justification for the sonar exercises, which sound "2,000 times louder than a jet engine" underwater, "Solicitor General Gregory Garre told the court...that no marine mammals will be killed as a result of these exercises" and went on to say they hear the (sonar) sound, and they go in the opposition direction. It also has some temporary effect on their feeding patterns." Yeah, well scientists say that the effect goes more like this: "sonar use can cause hearing loss, cranial bleeding, behavioral modifications and mass strandings". Sounds much more serious and lethal, and I look to scientists, not military officials, for intelligence concerning marine life.
More examples and scientific accounts of the effect sonar has on whales and other marine life can be found here and here. The blatant denial of facts by such a huge operation is deeply saddening...maybe one day the Navy will stop focusing on it's flawed science claims to justify sonar use, and will instead concentrate on investing in ways to improve their technology while protecting coastlines and marine habitats as well.
Not surprisingly, "the Bush administration's Council on Environmental Quality declared "emergency circumstances" existed, which the administration argues should dissolve the district court's training limitations." With all the money floating around for the war and war efforts, surely there is a better way for them to train. One that does not involve harming endangered whales, dolphins, and at least 37 other species of marine mammals. When offering justification for the sonar exercises, which sound "2,000 times louder than a jet engine" underwater, "Solicitor General Gregory Garre told the court...that no marine mammals will be killed as a result of these exercises" and went on to say they hear the (sonar) sound, and they go in the opposition direction. It also has some temporary effect on their feeding patterns." Yeah, well scientists say that the effect goes more like this: "sonar use can cause hearing loss, cranial bleeding, behavioral modifications and mass strandings". Sounds much more serious and lethal, and I look to scientists, not military officials, for intelligence concerning marine life.
More examples and scientific accounts of the effect sonar has on whales and other marine life can be found here and here. The blatant denial of facts by such a huge operation is deeply saddening...maybe one day the Navy will stop focusing on it's flawed science claims to justify sonar use, and will instead concentrate on investing in ways to improve their technology while protecting coastlines and marine habitats as well.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Scary Waters
No, not referring to a hurricane this time.
A Ukranian ship is currently moored after being seized by Somali pirates.
There are criminals everywhere, even in the ocean. Unfortunately, pirates still exist, and they are not of the Disney variety. Still, hope this incident has a happy ending....
A Ukranian ship is currently moored after being seized by Somali pirates.
There are criminals everywhere, even in the ocean. Unfortunately, pirates still exist, and they are not of the Disney variety. Still, hope this incident has a happy ending....
Sunday, July 06, 2008
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