Missing in the News

What with the Democratic campaign wall to wall, and disasters in Myanmar and China, some things are getting very little coverage. Here are some news items that I have found interesting.

Regarding the massive earthquake in China, there are concerns about damage to nuclear plants.

In a win for conscientious objectors among serving troops, the U.S. District Court in Anchorage recommended the Army grant C.O. status to Pfc. Michael Barnes who asked for an honorable discharge on the basis of his Christian faith.

While the news only throws the issue of "race" around when it comes to Black voters or "hard working" White voters, Obama's grassroots workers are running into significant racism. The incidents include having dogs sicced on a volunteer in Kokomo, Indiana, and a highly negative reception in Muncie, Indiana. Doors have been slammed in faces, derogatory names called, and a campaign office tagged with racist graffiti.

The largest agri-business companies are harvesting patents on genetically modified seeds they think will tolerate climate change. "BASF of Germany, Syngenta of Switzerland and Monsanto of St. Louis -- have filed applications to control nearly two-thirds of the climate-related gene families submitted to patent offices worldwide, according to the report by the Ottawa-based ETC Group, an activist organization that advocates for subsistence farmers."

Drought resistance might indeed be an issue in Spain where Barcelona is now having to ship water into the city. Apparently, officials think this is not a short term problem as they have already scheduled six months worth of water deliveries. The hope to bring a desalinization plant on line in the near future.

There was a partial win for polar bears today as they won protection as a "threatened species." Interior Secretary Kempthorne made it clear that this listing would stop well short of addressing global warming as a threat to the bears. In typical Bush administration double-speak Kempthorne stated that "the Endangered Species Act 'is not the right tool to set U.S. climate policy'." The "threatened" listing may not even slow down by much the Bush administration's push for oil exploration in bear habitat. We still need to continue to push for strong climate change legislation.

Students from Harvard (4 of who are African) won a $200,000 in the "Development Marketplace" competition for their microbial fuel cell. Almost 75% of Africans are without electricity. The fuel cell is planted in the dirt in (essentially) compost. The cell converts the energy into electricity which is stored in a battery which can run a low power LED. They hope to have it production-ready and in the field in 18 months for a cost of about $10 a unit. The cells are easily hooked together to increase the power output - and it works rain or shine.

Oh SH ... OOT! Caught out again. Just as the U.S. military in Iraq was getting ready to trot out the proof that weapons made in Iran were flooding into Iraq, they discovered that none of the munitions captured were made in Iran. Since there has been a constant din about Iran providing arms and munitions to Iraqi fighters, this bit of reality was a disappointment I am sure.

A devastating tornado hit Picher, Oklahoma killing six residents. The town was a superfund site because of the lead mines (now decommissioned) which has left the town with massive lead contamination. Approximately 800 residents remained when the tornado hit decimating what was left of the town. Mentioned only in passing was that there might be concern about spreading the lead dust and tailings far and wide.

Last but not least, (and you likely already heard this one) Bush says that he gave up golf out of respect to the families of troops killed in Iraq. I can think of a lot of things he might have given up that were more meaningful than golf. However, like Lenten sacrifices, you are supposed to give up something that is personally meaningful to you. I am so glad he has his priorities straight (not).