Monday, May 31, 2010

  • I intend to sort these by subject.
  • U.S. Plans ‘for Worst’ in Gulf, Seeing Risk in Leak Strategy

    Whether or not BP and the government are successful in stopping the flow of oil is a moot point. But how did we get here? While many scream for alternative energy sources have they thought those out? More nuclear reactors? Where do we put the spent fuel rods? Seems Yucca Mtn. is still a point of contestation. What is clear is our dependence on oil will continue for some time. The question is do we import it or try and get it domestically? We are stuck with deepwater rigs for the same reason that opposition to wind turbines upset the people in Massachusessetts and Martha's Vineyard. The fear of rigs close to the coasts resulted in huge outrage as dangerous and unsightly. But perhaps more manageable? Then we have those opposed to Alaskan drilling because of caribou and other animals. And every one comes back to cite the Exxon Valdez incident. Has everyone forgotten that the skipper was drunk? So we have wells drilled at a mile or more underwater. Incredible pressure generated at those depths, but how is it that many sea creatures thrive at those depths or sustain life in superheated plumes at even deeper levels? Where is science in understanding these things. I'd sooner see beaucoup dollars spent on oceanic research than dumping monies into a space stace or going back to the moon, because I don't think moon rocks are edible.

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    The Pain Caucus

    Anyone who has done any reading about the Great Depression is aware that Franklin Roosevelt, after making a good start on attacking the crisis, succumbed to pressure to reduce the deficits and, thereby, erased most of the progress made at the beginning of his administration. Knowing that historical lesson is one thing, but not until one has witnessed the daily political pressure to cut spending is it possible to understand how easy it is to make the same mistake F.D.R. made. It is vital that we support a continued effort to create jobs, even though that effort will entail running a federal deficit for the next two years.

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    Blacks in Memphis Lose Decades of Economic Gains

    Ten years ago, wasn't this newspaper leading the clamor that banks approved a lower proportion of home loans to blacks compared to whites because of racial discrimination? And that the banks were hiding behind "rules" that were antiquated? I believe "creative" solutions were called for. Make up your minds already!

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    The Pain Caucus

    Less than a year into a weak recovery from the worst slump since World War II, there is a dangerous urge to stop helping the jobless and start inflicting pain.

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    14 Deaths Reported as Israel Attacks Aid Flotilla

    The Israeli Navy attacked a flotilla carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists and supplies for Gaza on Monday morning, news agencies reported.

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    U.S. to Aid South Korea With Naval Defense Plan

    Let's hope that North Korea's ally, China, is not behind this, luring the U.S. deeper into the pit.

  • TimesPeople recommended a user:

    May 30, 2010
  • The Pain Caucus

    “The Pain Caucus - http://nyti.ms/cWVhMW How bout NOT helping the poor and unemployed? Fuck that.”

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    Web Start-Ups Offer Bargains for Users’ Data

    Start-ups are pushing to see how much data consumers are willing to give up in exchange for getting a deal.

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    Blacks in Memphis Lose Decades of Economic Gains

    The combination of growing foreclosures and rising unemployment have destroyed black wealth and income and erased two decades of slow progress.

  • TimesPeople recommended an article:

    May 30, 2010
    The Birds and the Bees (via the Fertility Clinic)

    Mr Douthat, The study you are referring to in 'The Birds and the Bees' can hardly be called scientific, and the Institute of American Values' credentials are dubious at best. The chairman on the IAV website states, in regard gay marriage "Christianity - as the wellspring of ‘animus’ against homosexual activity - is being attacked as full of bigotry, but empty of factual content... Yet 99% of the empirical evidence regarding homosexual activity supports the Christian appraisal of it." How would one make 'empirical' such suposed "evidence"? The motivations of this organization are clear, and if you wish to highlight the activities and 'studies' promulgated by this organization, a clear statement addressing the organizations' mission would better inform your reader audience of possible biases, particularly ones that spew propaganda such as (in the same article) that 'homosexual promiscuity' makes the spread of AIDs virus "more efficient" and paedophilia "more likely". I have enjoyed your columns in the past and hope that your column advertsing the IAV's findings with regard IVF was published with an ignorance of their unscientific biases and bigoted values. Faithfully Stevie Modern

No comments:

Post a Comment