Thursday, July 26, 2007

Middle Eastern Policy Captain's Quarters: "The stalemate between the Israelis and the Palestinians ironically started to melt when Hamas conducted a coup in Gaza. Now the Arab League, nervous about Iran's growing influence in the region, has decided to take the unprecedented step of officially sending representatives to Israel to begin peace talks." "2008 pres" 6:44:39 AM

? for President? Political Wire: "A new Insider Advantage poll in South Carolina finds Sen. Hillary Clinton with a commanding 43% support, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 28% and John Edwards at 13%." ToTheRight.org: "Sam Brownback has now proven that his campaign is not only the last refuge of the certifiably insane, but also that he himself is among the slimiest politicians in America. Sen. Brownback has turned on his long-time political ally on pro-life issues, Rep. Tom Tancredo, in a desperate attempt to deflect attention from his own pro-amnesty views on immigration." "2008 pres" 6:41:14 AM

Iraq Colorado Confidential: "Think of it as the 'Kucinich Strategy.' At Monday's debate among would-be Democratic presidential candidates, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich outlined what he said was a solution for Iraq: Stop funding the war except to get the troops out... Among Colorado's Congressional delegation, it seems Denver Congresswoman Diana DeGette is alone in buying into the 'Kucinich Strategy.' DeGette was one of 70 members of Congress to sign a letter last week to President George W. Bush that essentially drew the line on money for Iraq." "2008 pres" 6:39:16 AM

Global warming: The Earth is a beautifully complex system Here's an article about a report about the effects of global warming from the Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center. From The Colorado Springs Gazette: The Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center said during the summer of 2006, the average daily low in Colorado Springs was 2.4 degrees above normal, and the average high was 3.9 degrees above. Statewide, 2006 was the ninth-warmest on record, the study found. The year 2000 was the fifthwarmest, 2001 and 2005 tied for the sixth-warmest and 2003 was the fourth-warmest, the study said... The study's authors argue the figures show Colorado is experiencing the same warming as the rest of the country; the national average last year was 2.1 degrees above normal. Advocates of tougher environmental standards say if the trend continues Colorado could experience water shortages from loss of snowpack, more wildfires, crop failures, destruction of animal habitat and the devastation of its ski industry. Said Baker, "I think we have a lot to lose. Water supplies, agriculture, outdoor recreation are all impacted by global warming." The group is pushing for legislation to require cleaner cars and reduce coal pollution. It also wants Gov. Bill Ritter to set climate reduction goals and join other states in the Western Climate Initiative. While there is no disagreement it's been hot, there is no consensus on whether it's human-caused. State climatologist Nolan Doesken said there have been cycles of extended warm weather here, most recently in the 1930s. "There's not necessarily an absolute clear-cut answer, because temperatures have varied and cooled whether man was doing anything or not," Doesken said. But, he said, there is mostly consensus among scientists that the current warm period is "connected to human activity." The best indicator is nighttime summer temperatures, because they are the most stable year to year, and those have been warmer than average in Colorado Springs and across the state in recent years, Doesken said. More coverage from The Cherry Creek News. They write: The average temperature in Denver was 3.8°F above average in 2006, according to a new report released today by Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center. Environment Colorado said this warmer-than-normal weather is indicative of what Colorado can expect with continued global warming. "Throw out the record books, because global warming is raising temperatures in Colorado and across the country," said Meghan McCloskey, Global Warming Fellow of Environment Colorado. "The long-term forecast is for more of the same unless we quickly and significantly reduce global warming pollution from power plants and passenger vehicles," continued McCloskey. According to the National Climatic Data Center, the 2006 summer and 2006 overall were the second warmest on record for the lower 48 states. 2007 is on track to be the second warmest year on record globally. To examine recent temperature patterns in the United States, Environment Colorado compared temperature data for the years 2000-2006 from 255 weather stations located in all 50 states and Washington, DC with temperatures averaged over the 30 years spanning 1971-2000, or what scientists call the "normal" temperature... Colorado is poised to consider global warming legislation this summer. "The heat is on Colorado decision makers to take decisive action to curb global warming," stated McCloskey. "Environment Colorado urges Governor Ritter and the Colorado legislature to follow other states by setting strong global warming pollution reduction goals, curbing pollution from coal burning power plants, and adopting the Clean Cars Program," concluded McCloskey. "2008 pres" 5:43:00 AM

Changes in store for the General Mining Act of 1872? Here's an update on Congress' effort to overhaul the General Mining Act of 1872 from The Denver Post. From the article: A consortium of hunters and anglers began a push Wednesday to reform the nation's 1872 mining law, calling it outdated and environmentally damaging to public lands and water. Representatives of Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining argued that the law is an excuse for abuse by multinational mining companies that can buy bargain-priced land, extract huge riches and leave environmental catastrophes. The act was written 135 years ago, in large part to promote settlement of the West and to exploit a growing country's natural resources. The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee is holding hearings and reviewing a bill proposed by the committee chairman, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va. "Most American citizens don't know that this robbery is taking place," said outdoors-television host and columnist Tony Dean, who is slated to testify today at the congressional hearing. The consortium called for an end to issuing mine patents, and it wants the federal government to hike royalty payments to fund projects for conservation and abandoned-mine reclamation. It is also seeking tougher environmental protections on operating mines. Under the law, companies still may file claims for new mines on federal lands - even near some of the nation's most visible scenic attractions - and could "patent" or gain ownership of the claim outright for as little as $2.50 an acre, although a moratorium on the practice has been in place since 1995. "2008 pres" 5:33:39 AM

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