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Saturday, July 15, 2006
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Stem cell research as a wedge issue
Here's a rundown of the issues around the The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act from unbossed.com (Along with a call to action, of course.  ). From the article, "On Monday, the Senate will begin its debate on a measure to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The bill in question would essentially override a 2001 decision by President Bush that limited funding for such research to a relatively small number of pre-existing stem cell lines - lines that critics say have proved of little use to scientists because of their age and contamination. Presdent Bush has threatened to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which rescinds the ban on federal support for embryonic stem cell research. If he does so, it would be the first veto of his presidency...
"This sets the stage for -- finally! -- a showdown between the executive and legislative branches of government. At that point, Republicans in both houses of Congress will have a gut-check on their loyalty to Bush and the Religious Right, versus the reality of running for reelection while not standing up for research that is supported by the vast majority of Americans."
"2008 pres"
7:37:39 AM 
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Fall ballot issues
Out in Left Field: "Evangelicals love them some gays. Nothing gets a holyroller foaming more than the mere suggestion of man-on-man love. (They have a different, if private, reaction to girl-on-girl action. Who doesn't?)...
"...November election when no less than four separate ballot initiatives may leave most voters confused. Breaks down like this:
"Referendum H authorizes same-sex domestic partnerships. Angers the religious right because they think 'Hate State' has a nice ring to it.
"Initiative 83 ensures only a union of one man and one woman shall be recognized in Colorado. Backed by Our Lord is Superior to Yours partnership of churches.
"Initiative 109 would prohibit the state from recognizing any legal status similar to marriage.
"Initiative 139 establishes domestic partnerships and declares such partnerships different from marriage but with similar rights and benefits. In other words, gay couples who cannot afford a lawyer and litigation would still be able to visit each other in a hospital. I know. Bastards!"
"denver 2006"
7:29:46 AM
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Ritter or Beauprez for governor?
Rasmussen Reports: "For the second Rasmussen Reports survey in a row, Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) enjoys a five-point margin over Representative Bob Beauprez (R) in the Colorado race for Governor. Ritter leads Beauprez 43% to 38%. Five percent (5%) say they'd vote for some other candidate and 16% are still undecided (see Crosstabs). Ritter is viewed favorably by 53%, Beauprez by 43%. Both figures are down two points from our previous survey. Opinions are far from solidified however. Just 14% have a Very Favorable opinion of Ritter while 8% have a Very Unfavorable opinion. For Beauprez, the numbers are 13% Very Favorable and 16% Very Unfavorable."
Thanks to SquareState.net for the link.
"denver 2006"
7:24:41 AM
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Stem cell research as a wedge issue
MSNBC.com: "Sen. Charles Schumer, D- N.Y., the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said Tuesday that surveys show significant voter movement to the Democrats due to the stem cell issue. Many scientists say that use of cells derived from embryos offers hope of finding treatments for Parkinson's disease and other ailments."
Thanks to Elevated Voices for the link.
"2008 pres"
7:21:38 AM
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CFO for Denver?
The Rocky Mountain News editorial staff weighs in on the need for a CFO for Denver. From the editorial, "KPMG suggested that Denver consider adopting a different financial structure, and a mayoral task force has been working on possible changes since May. They are expected to propose that the city appoint a chief financial officer with oversight responsibility not only for budgeting and revenue collection, which are currently done by the mayor's office, but also payroll, accounting and financial statements, which are the city auditor's responsibility now."
"That idea doesn't sit well with Denver's elected auditor, Dennis Gallagher. He is generally supportive of having a CFO, but doesn't think these tasks should be transferred away from his office, saying it would weaken 'the very necessary checks and balances in the city as defined by our charter. Gallagher's concern, in part, is that his office's job of verifying that requests for payment vouchers are correct and complete might be compromised if given to a CFO who serves at the pleasure of the mayor. We tend to think that the quality of such work mainly depends on the competence and integrity of the individual regardless of whether he or she is elected or appointed.
"Yes, the question of checks and balances needs to be carefully considered any time a proposal changing the charter is drafted. But the biggest check on unbridled mayoral power is the auditor's ability to conduct performance reviews of city agencies. As it happens, no one is suggesting Gallagher's office be stripped of that responsibility. Presumably, any changes would even allow the auditor to focus more intently on such performance audits."
"denver 2006"
7:01:17 AM
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Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments
Global warming skeptics often complain that no one is doing the science on the ground, relying too heavily on computer models. Biologists from the University of Colorado are establishing permanent monitoring spots at high altitude in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
From the article, "University of Colorado biologists began installing an alarm system atop this craggy summit Friday, near the Continental Divide west of Boulder.
Like the alarm systems in your car or home, this one is designed to detect intruders. But in this case, the invaders are tundra plants moving up from lower elevations in response to global warming. The alarm system is a cluster of mountaintop vegetation plots that will be monitored periodically for decades to come. 'They might be an early warning, an indicator of how natural systems will respond,' said ecologist William Bowman, director of CU's Mountain Research Station at Niwot Ridge, northwest of Nederland.
"To spot changes in tundra vegetation caused by warming, permanent monitoring plots are being established this summer atop three peaks within the city of Boulder watershed, along the Continental Divide. The peaks - 12,609-foot Albion, 13,150-foot Arikaree and 13,276-foot Kiowa - were selected in part because the watershed is closed to the public, so summit-area vegetation is relatively untrammeled. Sixteen one-square-meter plots will be staked out in the alpine tundra just below the summit of each peak - four in each of the four cardinal directions. Temperature and vegetation will be monitored periodically. The National Science Foundation provided $7,000 this year to install the plots near Niwot Ridge...
"Similar mountaintop plots will be set up this summer on peaks in southwestern Colorado's San Juan Mountains - possibly near Red Mountain Pass, said Chris Landry, executive director of the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies in Silverton. The Colorado peaks will be part of an international network of long-term alpine monitoring sites called GLORIA, which stands for Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments. Established in 2001, the program has grown to more than 30 sites around the world, from the poles to the tropics."
"2008 pres"
6:53:08 AM
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Upgrade for Boss Lake?
Water districts around the state are looking at their options to expand existing storage reservoirs. Expansion is much easier that getting permits for new storage. Sustainable water supplies are the goal and capturing more surface water runoff is a great strategy. Here's an article from the Mountain Mail about the potential to expand Boss Lake.
From the article, "Following the decision last month to improve the outlet of North Fork Reservoir, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District directors Thursday studied similar options for Boss Lake. Both reservoirs are part of the South Arkansas basin system and serve Poncha Springs and Salida. With O'Haver Reservoir, they are part of a U.S. Forest Service environmental impact statement studying storage expansion and rehabilitation options. During Thursday's regular directors meeting, engineer Chris Manera presented results of a feasibility study for Boss Lake, located in a remote area northwest of Garfield.
"The study offered three courses of action, but the board decided to put off a decision until the August meeting. The outlet pipe is reaching the end of its life expectancy and there is seepage through the dam, Manera said. Options include minor upgrades to the outlet system at an estimated cost of $400,000 or replacing the outlet system and sealing the dam, increasing capacity to 425 acre-feet at a cost of about $800,000. A third option is complete replacement of the dam with a concrete structure, adding 20 feet of height increasing capacity to 1,050 acre-feet at a cost of about $4 million. Unlike North Fork Reservoir where rehabilitation is a precursor to planned expansion, options for Boss Lake are mutually exclusive, Manera said. 'I would rather see us put money into a whole new dam than working with what we have,' director Bill Donley said. District manager Terry Scanga said he preferred the second option of upgrades and increased capacity but recommended taking another month to study the options. The third option of replacing the dam would require creating a new access road. Options for a new road would need to be inserted for consideration as part of the environmental impact statement, Manera said."
"colorado water"
6:40:00 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:22:42 PM.
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