The Flashlight, Feb. 3-9, 2007
THE FLASHLIGHT, Feb. 3-9, 2007
World Climate
2-3. PBS and NY Times. In a UN report, 2600 scientists and government officials unanimously agreed that the climate is heating up, and the mean temperature will increase by 3.5 to 8% F. by 2200 as a result of the trapping of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) in the atmosphere.
There was also an over 90% probability agreement in the data that human actions were responsible for this phenomenon, especially the practice of burning coal and oil. The findings also showed that positive feedback mechanisms enhanced this result: oceans, soils, ice, and trees were losing their ability to absorb greenhouse gases.
The US has 5% of the population of the world, and produces 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions – being the greatest single contributor. According to John P. Holden, Harvard climate and energy expert, action must be taken immediately “before intolerable consequences become inevitable.” Pres. Bush no longer denies the problem, but has so far done very little to resolve it.
The United States Government and Iraq
NYT 2-3. The latest National Intelligence Estimate report was released showing that the situation in Iraq is dire and deteriorating. It suggested three most probable outcomes: the partition of Iraq; the emergence of a Shia strongman; and widespread anarchy.
Bush asked for a budget allocation of $245 billion for use in Iraq in 2007-2008.
CNN and WPost . Bush is asking for $345 billion for use in Iraq and Afghanistan over three years.
NYT Editorial 2-7. The 2.9 trillion dollar budget is a smokescreen for making tax cuts permanent.
NYT and Guardian 2-4. In Baghdad a truck bomb caused the largest single explosion since the beginning of the war in 2003. At least 135 people died and over 300 were wounded. Most of the victims were Shia. The bomb left a crater 15 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 5 feed deep. The sound was heard all over Baghdad.
[But the Republican Senators did not hear it. They blocked a debate on the Iraq War proposed by the Democrats. The Democrats do not have the 60 votes necessary to cut off a filibuster, nor the 67 votes necessary to override a presidential veto.]
WPost 2-4. There are now two million Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, where they are straining the resources of the inhabitants.
2-8. Seven Republican Senators are bucking White House and Republican Party pressure to prevent a debate on Iraq. They are Warner, Hagel, Collins, Snowe, Coleman, G. Smith, and Voinovich. They need an additional three Republican allies to succeed.
US Politics: the Libby Trial
PBS 2-7, Former Cheney chief of staff Scooter Libby, has admitted in court that Cheney told him about Valerie Plame being a CIA agent. Tim Russert denied that he knew anything, saying such a claim was inaccurate, implausible, and impossible. The White was trying to discredit one of its critics: all else in the case is irrelevant.
US Health Care
The need for universal health insurance coverage is now widely accepted, and plans for achieving it will play an important role in political campaigning during the next two years.
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has proposed a plan that has won the approval of liberal economist Paul Krugman of Princeton and the NYTimes. In his plan, private insurers would have to sell everyone health care at the same price, instead of cherry picking applicants. Public insurance would also be available. Since public insurance would be cheaper than private, eventually a single payer public system would develop. The system would require an increase in taxes.
Appetite Control Pills
Xenical, a prescription drug currently available, creates an aversion to excessive fat in food. It has just been made available as an over the counter drug called Alli and costs $1 - $2 dollars a day. However, a regime of diet and exercise is also necessary for success.
Today 60 million American adults, 31% of the total, are obese.
Mideast: Truce between Palestinian parties (Hamas and Fatah)
PBS 2-8, The Saudi government has succeeded in mediating a truce between warring Palestinian parties, and negotiating a national unity Palestinian government.
The US Media
On Thursday Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room of CNN at 1:00 PST spent two hours covering the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith, who won fame as a successful gold-digger. Mr Blitzer is renowned for his calm and fairness. He seemed to have lost his balance. Why?
World Climate
2-3. PBS and NY Times. In a UN report, 2600 scientists and government officials unanimously agreed that the climate is heating up, and the mean temperature will increase by 3.5 to 8% F. by 2200 as a result of the trapping of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) in the atmosphere.
There was also an over 90% probability agreement in the data that human actions were responsible for this phenomenon, especially the practice of burning coal and oil. The findings also showed that positive feedback mechanisms enhanced this result: oceans, soils, ice, and trees were losing their ability to absorb greenhouse gases.
The US has 5% of the population of the world, and produces 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions – being the greatest single contributor. According to John P. Holden, Harvard climate and energy expert, action must be taken immediately “before intolerable consequences become inevitable.” Pres. Bush no longer denies the problem, but has so far done very little to resolve it.
The United States Government and Iraq
NYT 2-3. The latest National Intelligence Estimate report was released showing that the situation in Iraq is dire and deteriorating. It suggested three most probable outcomes: the partition of Iraq; the emergence of a Shia strongman; and widespread anarchy.
Bush asked for a budget allocation of $245 billion for use in Iraq in 2007-2008.
CNN and WPost . Bush is asking for $345 billion for use in Iraq and Afghanistan over three years.
NYT Editorial 2-7. The 2.9 trillion dollar budget is a smokescreen for making tax cuts permanent.
NYT and Guardian 2-4. In Baghdad a truck bomb caused the largest single explosion since the beginning of the war in 2003. At least 135 people died and over 300 were wounded. Most of the victims were Shia. The bomb left a crater 15 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 5 feed deep. The sound was heard all over Baghdad.
[But the Republican Senators did not hear it. They blocked a debate on the Iraq War proposed by the Democrats. The Democrats do not have the 60 votes necessary to cut off a filibuster, nor the 67 votes necessary to override a presidential veto.]
WPost 2-4. There are now two million Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, where they are straining the resources of the inhabitants.
2-8. Seven Republican Senators are bucking White House and Republican Party pressure to prevent a debate on Iraq. They are Warner, Hagel, Collins, Snowe, Coleman, G. Smith, and Voinovich. They need an additional three Republican allies to succeed.
US Politics: the Libby Trial
PBS 2-7, Former Cheney chief of staff Scooter Libby, has admitted in court that Cheney told him about Valerie Plame being a CIA agent. Tim Russert denied that he knew anything, saying such a claim was inaccurate, implausible, and impossible. The White was trying to discredit one of its critics: all else in the case is irrelevant.
US Health Care
The need for universal health insurance coverage is now widely accepted, and plans for achieving it will play an important role in political campaigning during the next two years.
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has proposed a plan that has won the approval of liberal economist Paul Krugman of Princeton and the NYTimes. In his plan, private insurers would have to sell everyone health care at the same price, instead of cherry picking applicants. Public insurance would also be available. Since public insurance would be cheaper than private, eventually a single payer public system would develop. The system would require an increase in taxes.
Appetite Control Pills
Xenical, a prescription drug currently available, creates an aversion to excessive fat in food. It has just been made available as an over the counter drug called Alli and costs $1 - $2 dollars a day. However, a regime of diet and exercise is also necessary for success.
Today 60 million American adults, 31% of the total, are obese.
Mideast: Truce between Palestinian parties (Hamas and Fatah)
PBS 2-8, The Saudi government has succeeded in mediating a truce between warring Palestinian parties, and negotiating a national unity Palestinian government.
The US Media
On Thursday Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room of CNN at 1:00 PST spent two hours covering the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith, who won fame as a successful gold-digger. Mr Blitzer is renowned for his calm and fairness. He seemed to have lost his balance. Why?
posted by THE FLASHLIGHT at 11:36 AM
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