Thoughts on the World
Opinion and analysis of current events: Politics, global warming, alternative energy and more. A realistic, moderate (but slightly left leaning) look at the world. |
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Articles from Thoughts on the World |
Most Polar Bears Could Be Gone by 2050
2007-09-07 19:47:00
Washington (ToGW) - Two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population could be gone by 2050 if predictions of melting sea ice hold true, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday.Polar bears could become extinct even sooner than predicted because sea ice has been melting faster than expected, the USGS said in a report aimed at determining whether the arctic bear should be classified as a threatened species."Projected changes in future sea ice conditions, if realized, will result in loss of approximately two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population by the mid 21st century," the report's executive summary said."Because the observed trajectory of Arctic sea ice decline appears to be underestimated by currently available models, this assessment of future polar bear status may be conservative."The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering putting polar bears under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.Via :: Reuters
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Has the War in Iraq Helped the War in Afghanistan?
2007-09-06 19:38:00
Has the War in Iraq helped the War in Afghanistan?An outrageous claim, but think about it; many terrorists are now in Iraq, fighting us there, instead of fighting us in Afghanistan.When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, Islamists came down on the occupiers hard. Now, the U.S. is meeting comparatively less resistance.The ‘Al-Qaeda’ that is not in hiding is probably concentrating their firepower in Iraq. It would make sense, n’est-ce pas?But there’s another side to the argument. Iraq has drawn huge amounts of resources away from Afghanistan. Troops, funding and public interest are just a few.It comes down to opinion: is the number of terrorists possibly kept out of Iraq more or less important than the loss of troops, funding and public interest.I'd probably say Iraq has hurt the War in Afghanistan, but that's my opinion. Feel free to tell yours.
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Israel's Mistaken Gaza Approach
2007-09-05 19:49:00
Israel is considering a power cut in Gaza in retaliation for a rocket attack that almost hit a kindergarten in a town called Sderot. This may not be the best option, but considering Israel’s current strategy, it could be the best option.Israel’s current strategyIsrael has been attempting to isolate Hamas and make their government in Gaza look like a failure. Israel, the U.S., and other western powers have been bolstering Mahmoud Abbas’s (semi-)democratic government in the West Bank to solidify this image.It hasn’t been going so well. Gaza hasn’t been a failure, but it hasn’t been a success either. But because of an international boycott of trade with Gaza, it will be a failure soon. Gaza isn’t getting basic supplies, and Gaza is being torn apart by it.A power cut would hasten Gaza’s downfall, but it would help to continue to alienate the one group of Palestinians that support’s Israel: the merchants. More on this later.But if Israel is to continue its current policy, ...
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How Many Bush Administration Officials Does it Take to Screw in a Lightbulb?
2007-09-04 17:47:00
After "How Many Republicans Does it Take to Screw in a Lightbulb", here comes this:How many members of the Bush administration does it take to change a light bulb?1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed;2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed;3. One to blame Clinton for burning out the light bulb;4. One to arrange the invasion of a country rumored to have a secret stockpile of light bulbs;5. One to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Halliburton for the new light bulb;6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner: Light Bulb Change Accomplished;7. One administration insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how Bush was literally in the dark;8. One to viciously smear #7;9. One surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how George Bush has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along;10. And finally one to confuse Americans about the differen ...
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2 Reasons NOT to Set Up a Naval Blockade around Iran
2007-09-03 20:04:00
I’ve been divided over whether or not to blockade Iran. It sounds extreme, but I couldn’t find any solid argument against it. But now I've made my decision over a blockade. We shouldn't do it. For 2 reasons:1. It would consume too many resourcesOur navy may not be as heavily involved in Iraq and Afghanistan as, say, the Army, but we do have a budget deficit, and I'm sure this would not help.2. Would we attack our allies?Iran is still the 4th largest exporter of crude oil. What would we do if China, Russia, or even France needed that oil and tried to bypass our blockade? Would we sink them? Capture their ship? How many enemies does the U.S. need?
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Rudy Giuliani: Every Foreigner in U.S. Must Carry New Card
2007-08-28 18:38:00
I know this is kinda old, but it didn’t get the attention it deserves: Rudy Giuliani wants every foreigner in America to carry around a ‘SAFE’ card, along with their passport.Yes, it has been proposed before; but by a presidential candidate?Rudy G is trying to cement his immigration position as hard line after Mitt Romney came out of the Ames Poll swinging hard.And the worst news?“If you don’t have that card, you get thrown out of the country,” Giuliani said.Under what circumstance would a foreigner be asked to show their card? Would they be issued immediately? Is this even legal?Those are the questions that have to be answered."When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis
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Alberto Gonzales: In Memoriam
2007-08-27 20:15:00
Alberto Gonzales: February, 2005 – September 2008Alberto Gonzales, the 80th Attorney General of the United States, ushered the American Public through a new era of political scandals.The primary cause of death seems to have been political pressure.As a boy, he will be forever remembered by his neighbors as, “that kid who always looked through my window.”As he grew older, Mr. Gonzales became interested in the Texan governor George W. Bush. Mr. Gonzales served Mr. Bush faithfully until September 2008 when Alberto met his tragic end.He presided nobly over the Guantanamo Bay prison program, the NSA wiretapping program, and the dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy, even under pressure.He will never be forgotten.
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Best Backhanded Compliment Ever
2007-08-25 08:54:00
Jon Stewart: Would you take any Democrat in the field over a Republican? Is there one Republican in the field you admire?Barack Obama: I think some of these folks are decent people. I mean, Mike Huckabee.
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General Peter Pace is Right
2007-08-24 12:05:00
UPDATE: Ummm, never mind....Gen. Pace may urge U.S. troop cut in IraqI commend this Pace for trying, but he is still a bigot. But let’s not turn this into a gay-basher bashing party.According to Reuters, he is “expected to contend that keeping significantly more than 100,000 troops in Iraq through next year would severely strain the military and compromise its ability to respond to other threats.”I agree 100%. By mid-2008, we should have our forces drawn down to approximately 100,000 soldiers. And we should continue to reduce the number of troops.By leaving more than 100,000 troops in Iraq past 2008 would be dangerous. The military would be horrible condition, and the ability of the U.S. to respond to other threats would be diminished.Not that it matters. If any Democratic presidential candidate other than Joe Biden were elected, at least some troops would be pulled out. It’s all good in the neighborhood, with Democrats
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Rove Must Have Stopped Giving Bush Advice
2007-08-23 17:35:00
So Bush has decided to turn conventional wisdom on its head by invoking Vietnam when talking about Iraq.Karl Rove must’ve stopped giving him advice.Comparing Iraq to Vietnam isn’t smart for many (bulleted) reasons: •Vietnam divided the U.S. •Vietnam was a failure/'quagmire' •The dominoes never fell •America won the Cold War anywayI could expand on these but I think you get the point.
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Top 10 Alberto Gonzales Quotes
2007-08-22 18:08:00
The top 10 Alberto Gonzales quotes (enjoy!):10. “I have searched my memory.”9. “I don’t have any recollection about…”8. “I have no recollection.”7. “I have no memory of this.”6. “I don’t remember.”5. “I don’t know.”4. “I don’t recall ever saying this.”3. “I don’t recall ever doing that.”2. “I can’t recall.”1. “I don’t recall.”
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Impeaching Bush is Pointless
2007-08-21 19:14:00
The Cafferty File, part of The Situation Room on CNN, poses a question every hour The Situation Room is on. This is today's 7:00 question, and Thoughts on the World's response.------------------------------------------------------------Democratic presidential hopeful Chris Dodd says it would be a mistake for Democrats to impeach President Bush. Is he right?Yes. There is less than a year and a half left in his term. It’s just not worth it.There are two big reasons not to impeach Bush:1. It would be time-consuming2. Democrats don’t have enough votes.As we saw during Clinton’s impeachment, Congress does very little during the impeachment process. In fact, during Clinton’s impeachment, his approval ratings rose. The Democratic-led Congress has so much to do already; how many bills have passed so far this session? Not many.Democrats barely hold a slim majority in Congress. For impeachment to be introduced in the Senate, the House only requires a slim majority. But a conviction req ...
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What's So Special About Hydropower / Hydroelectricity?
2007-08-20 10:37:00
What is hydroelectricity? Hydroelectricity is electricity produced by hydropower. Hydropower is a very broad term; it can refer to using water for irrigation, milling, and even textiles. That is why hydroelectricity is the proper term when referring to the renewable energy resource, which we are.Hydroelectricity is the world’s leading source of renewable energy, supplying 19% of the world’s electricity, and accounting for 63% of the total renewable energy electricity generated. Large hydroelectric and small hydroelectric are the common names for the two types of hydroelectric installations. As you probably could have guessed, small hydro is “the application of hydroelectric power on a commercial scale serving a small community or medium sized industry.” Meanwhile, large hydro is used on a large scale.So what’s so special about hydroelectricity? The fact that it’s already being used. As mentioned previously, hydroelectricity provides 19% of the world’s energy. Commercial i ...
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