The Briefing - 6/11/07: G8, NASCAR, and Naked Protesters

A big thank you goes out to Bettina, our new intern, for helping compile a good chunk of The Briefing! It's been out of commission for a while, but we're back and back for good. Boo ya.

MW

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The Briefing – 6/11/07
511 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Politics, Politicians, Elections, and Electoral Mayhem
The (supposedly) Presidential ’08 Crowd
- McCain: Bush deserves credit; Defends immigration stance;
- Romney: Has some Mormons wary;
- Thompson, Fred: Heads west; George Will’s thoughts;
- Clinton: The anti-Clinton machine resurfaces; What’s her sport?
- Obama: Launches massive door-to-door effort;
- Bloomberg: Bob Shrum (yikes) offers some analysis;
- Giuliani: Can he win the nomination?;
- Richardson: Would leave no troops in Iraq
Senatorial Shenanigans
- Sen. Johnson (D-SD) expected to return to work
Our Very Own House of Commons
The Environment and Elections
- The Clinton/Obama “energy plan” – pandering like no other!
- ’08 candidates are hot for global warming (I give the credit to Bettina for that line)
o Here’s a similar article from NRP
o They also give us a nice little run-down on their global warming positions
Environmental Issues People Really Should Care about in the News
- NASA leader regrets global warming comments
- G8: US plans to consider European plan. Wow, that’s a strong statement.
o Financial firms do some prodding of their own
o UN Sec-Gen praised the progress
- Will ethanol lead to food shortages?
- Can NASCAR go green?
o Formula One is trying it…
- Bush’s climate plan? Ehh, not so impressive… and the world continues to pass us
o Not to mention US Cities
- Clinton (BILL) promotes green jobs
- Measure global warming from space? Not under the Bush Administration
- New laws poke a hole in the Clean Water Act
- Green U. -- Is that anything like P.C.U., but with a carbon calculator?
- Mayor Bloomberg works with NYC Universities to cut their carbon emissions
- Taskforce created to cut “cyber warming”
- Congress is primed an pumped for a showdown
- Turkey waste? Promising, but that’s gotta stink
- Sea Lions hit by high levels of acid poison in California
…oh that pesky Blogosphere
- The Daily Green: Republican debate outpaces Democrats on the environment… what exactly did they have to show for all that time they used?
- The Fix: Will religion affect your vote?
- MYDD: Dem nomination at a glance
- DailyKos: Republicans losing grip on rural areas?
- Grist:
o Slow food fight
o Green sports stars
o Wind energy hits Alaska
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Nothing like naked protesters to make you turn the other way
- Have you “storm-proofed” your dog?
- Did a comet kill the Wooly Mammoth?
- Oooh boy, I guess it wasn’t that good
- If Larry Flynt is involved, it has to be classy
Quotes O’ the Day
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~ E. E. Cummings

The Briefing - 5/23/07: Global Carbon Emissions, Al Gore, and Invasive Species

Carbon emissions are increasing exponentially, Republican Governors are pestering the Bush Administration to do something, and we've got two Senators pushing for drilling in the Arctic. Sheesh.

MW

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The Briefing – 5/23/07
530 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Politics, Politicians, Elections, and Electoral Mayhem
The (supposedly) Presidential ’08 Crowd
- Giuliani: An abortion muddle?; Above the McCain-Romney fray;
- McCain: Assails Romney on immigration; Turns focus to fundraising
- Richardson: Kurtz wonders why no one is paying attention to him;
- Edwards: Discussing diplomacy and military policy; An easy mark?
- Gore: He’s got big plans; Even lucky enough to have Maureen Dowd pick on him
- Romney: He’ll bring a new approach;
- Clinton: She’s got Bill doing some fundraising
- Thompson, Fred: Signs point to a candidacy;
- Gingrich: Announcement coming soon
- Brownback: Wants to end US reliance on foreign oil by drilling in the Arctic and Canadian sands
- Obama: Ready to get specific on health care
Senatorial Shenanigans
- Oregon: Smith may get a challenger soon
Our Very Own House of Commons
- DCCC leader gets early jump on ’08
The Environment and Elections
Environmental Issues People Really Should Care about in the News
- Global carbon emissions in overdrive
o Response from Grist
- Border fence could imperil wildlife
- Governors Schwarzenegger and Rell to the EPA: Lead, or Step Aside
- How to win the energy war
- Harnessing methane, cutting waste… recycling carpet tiles
o An interview with the CEO on his green conversion… and here’s the video
- Returning to the land for fuel
- Money shuffle creating friction over Farm Bill
- Gov. Corzine (D-NJ) worrying environmentalists
- NY cab fleet to be green by 2012
- Sens. Rockefeller and Byrd: Coal and clean air aren’t incompatible
- Sen. Murkowski likes the whole drilling in the Arctic thing too
- Bill to honor Rachel Carson is held up in the Senate
- Happy 300th, Carl Linnaeus
…oh that pesky Blogosphere
- The Fix: Hillary and Women
- TPM: Edwards – “War on terror” is a bumper sticker slogan
- The Caucus: New ads from Dodd and Romney
- Taylor Marsh: A conversation with Al Gore
- The Lede: Sustainability for the rich and poor
- This is pretty neat
- Grist:
o Change the rules, change the future
o Is it alright to kill an invasive species?
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Great, now the saying “Who needs men anyway?” really has some weight
- Umm, I’m guessing the “side effect” would make the car ride home a tad uncomfortable
- Mars was once… wetter?
- Alright, why am I not on this list?
Quotes O’ the Day
“Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all the wrong reasons.” ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

The Briefing - 5/14/07: Dodd's Proposal, Support from the Spy Chief, and a New Format!!

Ahh, it's good to be back! After a long absence to due a number of circumstances, most notably a reworking of its format and focus, The Briefing is back! In short, it's now more focused on politics and any electoral bent on the environment. Also, it will no longer be a daily offering. The plan is to deliver it every Monday and Wednesday, but with more tradition postings on the blog interspersed. I hope you like it. Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions. Improvements can always be made.

Enjoy!
MW

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The Briefing – 5/14/07
539 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Politics, Politicians, Elections, and Electoral Mayhem
The (supposedly) Presidential ’08 Crowd
- Dodd: His ambitious global warming proposal,
- Obama: Uh-oh, he said “tax”; Come on Barack, it’s a pretty good show
- Bloomberg: New Yorkers say, “Giuliani who?”
- McCain: Dismisses Iraqi Parliament call for withdrawal
- Romney: Criticizing Bush, railing against polygamy, and talking religion
- Giuliani: Qualifying his abortion stance with regards to Court picks
- Hagel: He’s back again, and he likes Mike
- Clinton: Gets Spitzer’s endorsement
- Thompson, Tommy: I’ve never heard this excuse before for saying something stupid
- Gingrich: Yep, he’s still thinking about it
- Thompson, Fred: He’s ready to go… just not yet
- Brownback: Snubbing Brett Favre in Wisconsin… good one, Sam
Senatorial Shenanigans
- Colorado: Bob Shaffer jumps into the fray
Our Very Own House of Commons
- A couple special elections in California and Massachusetts
The Environment and Elections
Environmental Issues People Really Should Care about in the News
- Spy Chief (what do I have to do to get a title like that?) backs global warming study
- Outdoor industry, experts want to “leave no child inside”
- Bangor Daily News: Better flood control
- President Bush ready to announce new air pollution regs… annnnnd here it is!
- Fed loans for coal plants clash with carbon cuts
- Cutting packaging… bout darn time!
- Fish virus worrying anglers in Eastern Wisconsin
- Climate change hurts low emitting Africa
- Don’t have all the species memorized? Check out the Encyclopedia of Life
- Wetlands losing ground in Ohio
- Argentina confronts Latin American biofuels craze
- Most Floridians favor action on global warming
- Goodness gracious, enough wildfires for you? From Georgia/Florida to California to Minnesota
- Yahoo! Green
…oh that pesky Blogosphere
- Wildlife Action: Day 6 of Derek’s Jaunt through Iowa
- The Fix: Where Dems made gains in ‘06
- The Caucus: Putting the candidates through the Sunday ringer
- DailyKos: Countdown to $100 oil
- Nature’s Climate Change Blog: Biofuels warning
- MYDD: Edwards goes left
- Politico: When conservative bloggers revolt
- Check out this blog by certain new intern here at NWF
- CPI on problems with Superfund
- Grist:
o On class and climate change
o Praising Rupert Murdoch??
o More on peak coal
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Smoking in a movie? That’ll get you an R
- It’s what my Mom always told me, its what’s inside that counts
- Wow, Hef even gets a pad in Second Life?
- Are Scotty’s ashes Lost in Space? (hehe, awesome double sci-fi reference)
- Serving our country? No MySpace or YouTube for you!
- And the winner for Morons of the Year… these guys
- An interview with the Round Mound of Rebound
Quotes O’ the Day
“All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.” Aristotle

Daily Briefing - 4/13/07: Army Corps, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Onion, and Global Warming

Mind your luck today.

MW

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Daily Briefing – 4/13/07
570 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Army Corps has to face global warming
- US faces change
- Canadian Environment Minister comes to US seeking a global effort
- Lloyd’s of London: Prepare for serious climate change
- Fight global warming, use a clothesline
- Australian PM Howard refuses climate change plan
- The Economist on cutting down trees
- Virginia leads DC metro region in growth of greenhouse gas emissions. Local officials say that the removal of George Allen from the public sector should show an immediate decrease…
o U.S. PIRG drops state by state report
- Florida lawmakers move expansive energy plan forward
- Warming is serious, say Californians
o Arnold: From Governor to green giant though some question his credentials
- Holmen Courier: Action Needed
- Mayor Menino (D-Boston) proposes cut in greenhouse gas emissions
- Snow won’t dampen Step It Up rallies in Michigan
- NWF’s Melinda Hughes goes to Clarion
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Things are getting a bit mysterious with all this email deleting
- Saying no to Fox News
- Gov. Corzine (D-NJ) in critical/stable condition after car crash
- Umm, Senator Byrd may have lost it
Potential ‘08ers…
- Romney (showing signs of life in SC), Giuliani (big apple baggage?), McCain (jeez, he can’t be happy about that title), Gilmore (GOP needs a true conservative), Clinton (proposes rebuilding government), Giuliani again (says he can take Hillary), Romney again (plays down role in health law), Huckabee (goes to Utah), Kucinich (yes, he’s still around), Obama (building the money machine), Edwards (McCain is dead wrong), Giuliani again again (scrutiny finds him), Obama again (backed by Rep. Adam Smith),
- Politico’s campaign notebook
- Dems urge Shaheen to challenge Sununu
Other News from the Media
- 16 ideas for the planet, including this one from the venerable Jerome Ringo
- FEMA at it again
- A plan to curb watershed pollution of the Chesapeake Bay
…and the Blogosphere
- The Fix’s Friday Senate Line
- Grist:
o An interview with Jay Inslee
o US consumerism through China and Brazil
o US soccer team goes carbon neutral
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Farewell, Kurt Vonnegut
- THE ONION comes to DC
- With regard to the Imus debacle, Jason Whitlock throws it down
- A small gesture grows into a movement to pay respect to Jackie Robinson
- OK so let me get this straight… humans came from monkeys and chickens came from dinosaurs??? I think these scientists are messing with us.
- Senator George Allen, can you explain this for us?
Quotes O’ the Day
"Climate change, other than the war in Iraq ... is the most important thing we can work on," ~ Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Daily Briefing - 4/3/07: More Supreme Court, IPCC, Spies, Campaign Money and Global Warming

The media is focused on the Supreme Court decision dropped yesterday with roughly EVERY major outlet publishing a story about it. As a whole the reaction is quite positive, most legal analysis seems to see the decision as solid, if not a change in course of the Court's view of standing in the environmental cases. Don't take my word for it, check out the plethora of articles below.

MW

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Daily Briefing – 4/3/07
580 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Lots more on the Supreme Court decision
o From NYT, WSJ, Canada National Post, LA Times, NPR, SF Chronicle, KC Star, WashPost, Legal Times, USA Today
o Emissions law could still face hurdles
o A simple explanation of the ruling from Grist
o White House response
§ Grist: Bush v. Everyone Else
- The second IPCC report cometh…
o Tropical losers, northern winners?
o They’re even talking about it in Turkey
- U.S. spies urged to assess global warming
- Citing Al Gore, federal judge allows global warming lawsuit to advance
- U.S. and Australia holdouts… it doesn’t work in the NFL, why would it work with this?
o U.S. hampering efforts
- The FACE of global warming (GO BU!)
- Bangladesh warns region must act
- Impact on Florida discussed today
- Gore wins praise from head of Nobel committee
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Reid may move to cut war funding
- Gonzalez prepares to face down the Senate
Potential ‘08ers…
- Romney (big time money numbers), Obama (on global warming and cap and trade), McCain (hmm, some dissenting views on the Senators visit to Iraq), Tancredo (as immigrants tremble everywhere, he’s in), Clinton (backs public campaign funding), Clinton again (gets endorsement from Gov. Corzine), Clinton again again (heads to Iowa), Edwards (Elizabeth: This is what I wanted to do), Giuliani (big money month), Giuliani again (heads to Iowa), McCain again (money troubles), Obama again (anticipated most of the problems in Iraq… so he says), Obama again again (built donor network from roots up), Biden (surprisingly still around)
- Nine candidates agree to GOP debate
Other News from the Media
- Busy hurricane season forecast
- Solar power going mainstream?
- Nationalism may weaken big oil
…and the Blogosphere
- Here’s a nifty little site that tracks news coming out of each campaigns headquarters
- The Fix: Wowed by Mitt
- National Review: Hot Times in the High Court
- RedState: On the Fred Thompson boomlet
- DailyKos: A few lessons for the traditional media
- SCOTUSblog: On the global warming decision
- Grist:
o Carbon tax catching on?
o An interview with David James Duncan, author and fly-fisherman
o CO2 low hanging fruit
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Title factory? Jeez, do Florida fans need any more to gloat about? Nonetheless, congrats to my brethren of Gator persuasion.
- Sydney Pollack to direct film about the 2000 recount… I’m guessing it’ll seem like a sequel to Tootsie.
- What do you get when you combine Scary Spice and Eddie Murphy?... Uhh, I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
- French train hits 357mph
- Wow, they really are beaming him up!
- Yet another reason why Google is the coolest company around
Quotes O’ the Day
“I never met anybody who said when they were a kid, "I wanna grow up and be a critic."” ~ Richard Pryor

Daily Briefing - 4/2/07: Supreme Court, John Dingell, Loads of Campaign Cash, and Global Warming

Aaaaaand we're back!

After a lengthy absence thanks to NWF's annual meeting, which was a rousing success the Daily Briefing is back with the Wildlife Action blog on life support, I'm sure. Nontheless, our return is met with great news.

The Supreme Court this morning announced that it has ruled against the Bush Administration on regulating carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act. Justices Stevens (who wrote the majority opinion), Breyer, Ginsburg, Souter, and Kennedy voted in favor of allowing the Federal government to regulate carbon dioxide clearing states such as California of any potential legal action and opening the door for future Administrations, or dare I say this Administration, of regulating carbon dioxide emissions.

As expected Justices Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Roberts dissented. My colleague Derek wrote about the argument way back in November. You can read his analysis here, but here's a quick quote that summarizes his guess,

So, to my calculation that brings us down to 4-4, with Kennedy on the fence
(just like the wetlands case). My gut hunch is that Kennedy will think
Massachusetts doesn't have standing, thus leaving a 5-4 decision against us.
However, I'm notoriously bad at predictions and tend to be pessimistic, and upon
leaving the court there seemed to be full agreement that the case went as well
for us as it possibly could have.

Well, you came close, but thankfully Justice Kennedy did not live up to your pessimism.

MW

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Daily Briefing – 4/2/07
581 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Supreme Court rules against Bush Administration in global warming case. Feds can now regulate car emissions.
- Chairman Dingell, speaking at NWF’s annual meeting, says climate change bill is the most difficult task he’s faced, but one he will not rush.
o David Roberts at Grist is unimpressed
- Time: The Global Warming Survival Guide
- Fearing a refugee crisis like we’ve never seen
- EU official pushes U.S. on emissions
- Himalayas could melt by 2030
- Catholic Online: Former VP makes impassioned plea
- NWF’s (a “conservative green group,” so says the author of the article) An Inconvenient Truth film party spurs discussion
- State coalitions curbing global warming
- Judge OKs global warming suit
- Sydney blacks out for global warming
- CA legislature flooded with bills on climate change
- Who says India isn’t doing anything about global warming? Bollywood!
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Democrats to widen conflict with Bush
- President Bush declines to throw out first pitch
- The Governator sure likes his cronies
- Republicans targeting McNerney but fearing a 2008 meltdown
- Bush pushing three pro-industry nominees
Potential ‘08ers…
- Clinton (shatters record for fundraising), Thompson, Tommy (if he enters race and no one notices, does it make a sound?), Thompson, Fred (Bob Novak sure likes him, maybe he’ll leak some of his secrets), Edwards (the media’s most personal debate), McCain (sees progress in Iraq, after visit), Obama (Congress will fund war if Bushes uses veto), Giuliani (a Rudy awakening… ugh, why do people have to use such bad puns?), Obama again (getting chewed up?), Huckabee and Brownback (fighting for attention), Giuliani again (ties to Kerik may hurt him), Tancredo (platform: immigration), Obama again again (Dems must listen to faithful), Romney (raises $23 mil, tops GOP field),
Other News from the Media
- WRDA bill passes out of committee
- NWF partners with Sonopia, kick starting the mobile revolution
- National Landscape Architecture month kicks off
- San Antonio sets water conservation example
- Seeking a car that gets 100 miles a gallon
- U.S. won’t override state rules on chemical plants
- San Francisco takes aim at plastic bags
- U.S. churches go green for Palm Sunday
- Federal judge strikes down Bush Administration forest management rules, you know because trees are kinda useful
- Interior official rode roughshod over agency scientists, violating federal rules
- LA suffers longest dry spell in 130 years
- MA offshore wind farm wins state approval
…and the Blogosphere
- Michael Barone on parties, polls, and predictions
- DailyKos has the Democrat’s first quarter fundraising numbers
- Pajama Media has a straw poll with very odd results
- TomPaine: The inspiration budget
- Grist:
o On green weddings
o Helpful hints for deniers
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Wahoo! It’s baseball season! (I will refrain from mentioning anything about a certain team with 26 glorious championships for fear of retribution from half my office, specifically Chelsea)
- When people with square pants go bad…
- French architect claims to know the secret of the great pyramid
- My question is, are the Dippin’ Dots sustainable?
o Gap rocking the organic
- BRILLIANT. JibJab on the news
Quotes O’ the Day
“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

Daily Briefing - 3/27/07: 83% of Americans, India, Local Climates, and Global Warming

83% OF AMERICANS...

What percentage of our politicians?

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/27/07
587 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Scientific American: 83% of Americans say global warming is a serious problem
- British economists: India must mitigate climate change
- Driving the message
- Heat invades cool nights over Arizona desert
- Top EU energy official comes to Washington
- Local climates at risk… may create novel climates or eliminate some altogether
- U.S. magazines going green
- A rush for riches in the Arctic
- Laurie David and Sheryl Crow hit the road on the Stop Global Warming College Tour
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Tony Snow’s cancer has returned
- Webb aide mistakenly tries to take gun into Senate building
- Republicans soften stance on pullout message
- Poll backs Attorney General investigation
Potential ‘08ers…
- Obama (his back story), Clinton (cultivating the military), Giuliani (wooing anti-Hillary crowd), Clinton again (takes on White House), Edwards (Elizabeth is buoyed by supporters), Edwards again (gains support as he remains in the race), Romney Paying off students), Romney and McCain (touring Texas), Thompson, Fred (gaining support in the House), McCain (traveling through SC)
Other News from the Media
- You, too, can be a banker to the poor
- Taking green up a notch
- Mr. Puck’s good idea
- Global boom in coal power… and emissions
…and the Blogosphere
- The Fix: The Case Against Fred Thompson
- The Caucus: Couric criticized for Edwards interview
- Huffington Post: Science for Sale
- MYDD: As Dems’ Senate field expands, GOP admits concern
- The Man in Seat 61: Traveling without flying
- Tell your clean energy story, get in Rep. Jay Inslee’s book!
- Grist:
o Investing in wind
o As farms succumb to chemical factories, bullets fly
o Conservatives and global warming
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Cool, robot worms
- Rudy gets shunned by Mets fans
- A solar powered Wii
Quotes O’ the Day
"The planet has a fever. If your baby has a fever, you go to the doctor. If the doctor says you need to intervene here, you don't say 'Well, I read a science-fiction novel that told me it's not a problem.' If the crib's on fire, you don't speculate that the baby is flame-retardant. You take action.” ~ Al Gore, during Congressional testimony

Daily Briefing - 3/26/07: China, John Edwards, Prince Harry and Global Warming

As a conservationist who obviously cares greatly about the environment an how our country tends to it, I am quite glad Sen. John Edwards has stayed in the race. His contributions to bringing global warming to the forefront of the campaign have been fantastic, and I hope he continues to make it a major part of his campaign (which I fully expect -- just notice his expected attendance at a global warming forum), and the other candidates will follow suit!

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/26/07
588 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- China, Norway, and UN ink deal
- John Edwards in S.F. for global warming forum
- Sen. McConnell (R-KY) blocks Live Earth concert from being staged on Capitol grounds
- Why the right goes nuclear over global warming
o Chris Mooney offers some ideas as well
- Investors call for government action
- Becoming an issue in NH
- VT lawmakers are grappling with climate change
- Spurring a race for Northwest Passage
- Birds are having trouble adapting
- Artificial turf causes global warming
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Bob Novak: A President all alone
- Paul Krugman: The emerging Republican minority
- GOP senators lug weight of war into ‘80
- A fresh face vows to revive GOP
- Jim Webb (D-VA) is on the warpath
Potential ‘08ers…
- Gingrich (his reading list), Edwards (rejecting the sympathy vote), Edwards again (candor from the campaign), McCain (says they won’t meet fundraising goals), Romney (says don’t believe the hype about McCain), Romney again (pander, pander, pander), Hagel (still pondering), Clinton (can no longer safely depend on black, female voters), Bloomberg (eyeing ’08), Obama (hits South Florida), Obama again (does he fit with blue collars?), Giuliani (drag story could ruffle right wing)
- Elizabeth Edwards: Political Wife
- Democratic candidates on health care
- SC may move up its primary
Other News from the Media
- Book review: This Moment on Earth, by John and Teresa Heinz Kerry
- Time Magazine changes cover story about Afghanistan only for America
- NYPD spied broadly before GOP convention
…and the Blogosphere
- Huffington Post: GM switches gears on climate change
- MYDD: Interview with Bill Richardson
- Grist:
o An interview with the director of Appalachian Voices
o Carbon trading v. carbon taxes
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Washington D.C.: A hub of knowledge workers attractive to many businesses
- So you picked the final four? Join the club (sadly, I’m not included in this club)
- Prince Harry stumbles spectacularly into the gutter
- Julia Roberts, going green
- Greenpeace is shifting to the music biz
Quotes O’ the Day
“Never answer a critic, unless he's right.” ~ Bernard M. Baruch

Daily Briefing - 3/23/07: Cow Burps, Markets, Voting Rights (or lack thereof), and Global Warming

As Chair(wo)man Boxer says, "Elections have consequences."

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/23/07
591 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Pill stops cow burps, saves the planet
- New system tracks atmospheric CO2
- Response: Markets or Taxes?
- Waxman introduces Safe Climate Act
- More on Al Gore
o He did better than his critics, says Chris Mooney
- Giving nuclear power a boost?
o Some rethinking opposition
- Four in five Canadians believe global warming is occurring
- Sea change in public attitudes
- Global warming may be bad for asthma sufferers
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION: Foiled by the gun lobby
o Thwarted
- Dems pass a timetable for Iraq
o Bush threatens a veto
- More machinations in the Justice Department
- A national security letter gag order
- Ronald Brownstein: Who’s watching the President
- Cabinet official pleads guilty in Abramoff case
Potential ‘08ers…
- Clinton (endorsed by Vilsack), Obama (talking to his old classmates), Romney (luring students with money), Clinton again (she’s got Bill spinning), Giuliani (the Log Cabins like him the best), Giuliani again (changing his tune on gun control), Edwards (choosing to live), Hunter (friends with American Spectator),
- Vegas union wants a say
- Ahnuld takes it to the candidates
Other News from the Media
- The year without toilet paper
- Gates gives $122 million for DC scholarships
- Reaction to grizzly bear delisting
…and the Blogosphere
- Firedoglake: Elections have consequences
- DCist: Meet your new Representative
- DailyKos: Public Opinion on Global Warming
- The Fix: Ranking the GOP Presidential Candidates
- National Review: Isakson-McCain ‘07
- Thoughts from the man himself, Al Gore
- Grist:
o An interview with Rep. Ed Markey
o Big climate week in DC
o Why aren’t more farmers producing organic food?
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Conclusive proof: Vampires do not exist
- Tom Delay didn’t read his own book
- Google staff get free bicycles
Quotes O’ the Day
“Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.” ~ George Carlin

Daily Briefing - 3/22/07: Al Gore, Congress, Honeymoons, and Global Warming

It's already been established but it was wholely strengthened yesterday... Senator Inhofe is off his rocker.

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/22/07
592 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Al Gore gets top billing
o Planetary Emergency, Wonking out, A star, Turning up the heat, A crusade, and Warming up to Gore
o A write-up from David Roberts at Grist
- Gregg Easterbrook: Who wins, who loses?
- Bill McKibben: Global warming can’t buy happiness
- Lobbyists building momentum
- Utility chiefs wary of emission limits
- Activists stirring Americans to change
- Czech leader fights the so-called religion
- Cereal fields in China produce less due to global warming
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- After honeymoon, the fight
- A 16-day gap in emails between DOJ and White House
- Constitutional showdown nears
- Mayor Rocky Anderson: An opponent of the culture of obedience
- Fox News viewers supported George Bush over John Kerry by 88 percent to 7 percent. No demographic segment, other than Republicans, was as united in supporting Bush.
Potential ‘08ers…
- Edwards (wife’s cancer returns, will continue his bid), Gingrich (sure is raking in the cash), Brownback (Iowa strategy), Gingrich again (talks about the 08 race… again), Edwards (America must cut emissions), Clinton (challenges Obama), Obama (defends himself), McCain (partnership with Kennedy faltering)
- Oy vey, super-duper Tuesday
- New poll from Quinnipiac
Other News from the Media
- Deal expands wildlife habitat near Yellowstone, thanks to NWF
- Unite, plan to save outdoors
…and the Blogosphere
- ThinkProgress: Senator Boxer gives Sen. Inhofe a bit of a smackdown
- Grist:
o On Al Gore’s day on Capitol Hill
o Peeing in the shower… does it save water?
o Green jobs for low income workers
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- D.C.: No longer Hollywood for ugly people?
- President, serial killer… who can tell the difference?
- “Paypal me your lunch money, or I’ll spam your email box!”
- Jurassic crocodile unearthed
- Justin Timberlake: But I dowanna be the king of pop!!!
Quotes O’ the Day
"Rin Tin Tin was a movie star. I just have a slideshow." ~ Al Gore

Daily Briefing - 3/20/07: Censorship and Climate Change Politics... Oh how we love the Bush Administration

This is an uber-late post, but it's a good one and will have to last you until Wednesday ebcause the briefing will be off tomorrow. You can try and cope by following the two hearings Vice President Gore will be testifying at here and here.

Enjoy!

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/20/07
594 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Material shows weakening of climate reports by Bush Administration
o Congressional hearing heats up over changes to reports
o Chris Mooney sounds off on this and the vindication of James Hansen
o David Robert from Grist liveblogged the hearing
- Global warming panel makeup questioned
- Utility and Sierra Club deal aims to cut carbon dioxide
- The Independent Review of the Year: Global Warming
- Climate change concerns everyone, Jerome Ringo tells students
- Lightning and climate change
- Politico: The new climate change politics
o Politico now has a focus site all on global warming, yay!
- Grist: Al Gore to testify tomorrow
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- White House voices support for Gonzalez
o Senate limits Gonzales’ hiring authority
- Prominent conservatives launch effort to restore civil liberties under assault by executive branch
- Christian right at a crossroads
Potential ‘08ers…
- Clinton v. Obama (oh baby, it’s getting heated), Romney (pandering gone bad: commie phrase sparks rage), McCain (may be changing his tune on immigration), Obama (unofficially smacking Hillary down via YouTube), Edwards (I’m a frontrunner!!!!!!!), Obama again (record shows caution, nuance on Iraq), Brownback (welcome back), Gore (can he let it rip?), Thompson, Fred (got some support in Iowa),
Other News from the Media
- Bush Administration reinterprets endangered species law
- Environmental injustice in Tennessee
- Scientists find the beginnings of morality in primates
- Mine blast kills over 100 in Russia
…and the Blogosphere
- MYDD: Gore nears half a million signees
- Grist:
o The venerable David Tucker asks about organic alcohol
o Outside magazine sure likes Grist
o Answering Drudge
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Millions of Americans may have been overcharged on student loans
- Washington, D.C…. war zone for a day
- Frisbee sized snowflakes?
- Fox News, fair and… not relevant
- Leo takes on peace in the Middle East
Quotes O’ the Day
“There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher.” ~ Victor Hugo

Daily Briefing - 3/16/07: Temperature Records, Primary Frontloading, and Global Warming

It's friday.

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/16/07
598 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- World breaks temperature record
- G8 Ministers: U.S. will join fight
- Loss of Antarctic ice has scientists perplexed
- Costing billions in grain
- Using smoke and mirrors
- Solutions… from “great to idiotic”
- Gore collects signatures
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!
- Christians who won’t toe the line
- Valerie Plame testifies
Potential ‘08ers…
- McCain (chattering on), Obama (taking on Bill… oh boy), McCain again (touting immigration plan), Romney (also talking immigration), Romney again (putting Mass. economy in the spotlight), Clinton (old ties in Texas may spur some cash), Edwards (global poverty is a security issue),
- Holy primary frontloading batman!!!! California officially moves theirs to the 5th
o South Carolina may benefit
- Bush promises to restore party potency
Other News from the Media
- Green energy enthusiasts are also betting on fossil fuels
- Friedman: Marching with a mouse
- Making US produce safer?
- Coal could face a bleak future
…and the Blogosphere
- The Fix’s Friday Line: The Senate
- Carl Pope: If you want to be President, listen to those folks in New Hampshire
- A generation gap between MYDD and DailyKos?
- National Journal ranks the Democratic candidates
- Grist:
o An Inconvenient truth for kids?
o Food and Punishment
o Ranting about facts and persuasion
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Don’t worry about those rats
- Bill O’Reilly sued… ha
- Umm, ‘bout time Disney got with the times
- Rahmbo is a party pooper
Quotes O’ the Day
“Much of the social history of the Western world over the past three decades has involved replacing what worked with what sounded good.” ~Thomas Sowell

Daily Briefing - 3/14/07: Britain, Worldwide Polls, Voting Rights, and Global Warming

We have exactly 600 days until the 2008 Presidential election. What will you do to get global warming addressed by this critical date?

MW

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Daily Briefing – 3/14/07
600 DAYS until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Britain drafts laws to slash carbon emissions
o How the penny dropped
o Christian Aid: A good start
- Poll shows a majority of people in the world see global warming as a critical threat
o Sadly, the US was an exception
- Renewing a call to act: NYT on Bill McKibben’s Step It Up campaign
- South Africa calls Gore to help put the brakes on biofuel production
- Rep. Herseth to study global warming
- Auto execs head to Capitol Hill to discuss global warming
o Also from MSNBC
- Frostbite derails Arctic study
o The impact continues to lure scientists
- Will hit Africa the hardest
- Guardian: The appliance of science and the split on solutions
- Dave Johnson has a suggestion: Fewer Babies
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- White House finding trouble harder to shrug off…what’s that saying about a hole and too much digging…?
o A NYT editorial
- One step closer to voting rights in D.C.! TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
- Democrats split on domestic plan
Potential ‘08ers…
- Clinton (another right-wing conspiracy?), Giuliani (marriages annulling his bid?), Gingrich (he’s baaaack), Thompson, Fred (gets Frist’s endorsement… is this guy even running yet?), Clinton v. Obama (fighting over the Jewish vote), Dodd (considering bill to protect homeowners), Huckabee (meeting a challenge from conservatives), Giuliani again (ooh ooh, he’s a flip-flopper too!), Clinton again (knows a little something about firing attorneys), Obama (Sharpton is begging for a fight), Edwards (a little tiff with Bob Shrum… is that a bad thing?), Obama again (media surfing his past)
- A manifesto for the next President
Other News from the Media
- Orion: The Idols of Environmentalism
- World population to reach 9.2 billion
- Seas yielding surprising catch of unknown genes
- Silicon valley sets its gaze on energy
- A decent life wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?
- A U.S. alliance to update the light bulb
- Judges say EPA ignored setting emissions standards
- Army Corps knowingly put in faulty pumps after Katrina
…and the Blogosphere
- The Fix on Sen. Dole’s vulnerability
- MYDD: Norm Coleman is looking weak
- Oooh, ouch
- Huffington Post: Big Oil U
- Grist:
o Making green messages stick
o Dispatch from the Step It Up campaign
o More on the supposed “reasonable middle”
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Behind the Scenes: Chris Dodd on the Daily Show
- Beckham on his way to the US
- Poll: Rich people happy, poor people… not so much
- Oh, those crazy PETA activists (Thanks to Chris in Seattle for digging this up)
- I have a feeling Kevin Smith thought of this… GodTube
Quotes O’ the Day
“Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.” ~H. L. Mencken