Saturday 28 July News Articles and Observations

A couple of items in the news caught my attention and stirred some reaction, which is briefly below.

A. The Demise of the Former GOP Frontrunner

This is very disappointing and the nation will rue the loss of the best candidate for the office of President. The remaining GOP candidates are unproven and highly questionable. McCain is the only candidate with the necessary background, experience, and insight to face the immense foreign policy issues and crises that the Bush Junta have buried us with. Too bad Republican voters and supporters are still living in a blurry cloud and non-reality. Maybe Hegel will emerge as alternative...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19978883/site/newsweek/page/0/

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B. Hopelessness of Iraq Captured in New Documentary

There has a surprising lack of widespread popular creative and artistic work concerning the ineptitude, failure, and tragedy of the Iraq War. Maybe this is about to change.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070727/review_nm/film_end_dc_1

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C. The Inane Things the President is Focused On

Dress Codes !?! For crying out loud, there are thousands of other issues and problems that are greater importance ! What a bunch of bimbos and boobs in the White House !

http://cbs5.com/watercooler/watercooler_story_207115608.html

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D. No Wyoming Representation in the US House of Representatives

Cubin should resign immediately for reasons of a general overall inability to perform her elected and sworn duties for the citizens of this state and nation. Her husband's fading health and poor prospects only exacerbate this.

http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/07/12/news/wyoming/fafa4e068c86541c872573150081b3a7.txt
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E. Recommended Book to Read

Surprisingly insightful and realistic view of the future by one of America's greatest authors. All of London's works are enjoyable and come highly recommended.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Heel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London

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F. Dire Outlook on Near-term Economic Outlook

The writer makes a strong and convincing argument for an economic cataclysm to develop, but I think it would take a more perfect storm for that to occur. The economy is an extremely complex and difficult science to understand and project. I believe a downturn will occur, but not to extent of what we endured as a nation starting back in 1929 and lasting for the better part of a decade.

http://www.alternet.org/stories/56443/?page=1

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G. ... And Another Reason Why the Economy Really is in the Dumper

Anyone employed in the private sector is well aware of how shaky things are in the job market and how good employment in many diverse sectors is next to impossible to find and secure. The collapse and crash of the housing market will only make things far worse, and healthcare has probably peaked for the most part as a growth sector.

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/58099

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H. Justice Served ! Nacchio Gets A Strong Punishing Sentence

One of Corporate America's most notorious, greedy and ruthless executives has been given an appropriate sentence for his crimes. I rejoice at this news, but also realize that thousands of other corporate officials, executives, and managers have escaped detection, prosecution, and punishment and continue to hurt and damage thousands, maybe millions, of citizens every day and get very rich doing it.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/tech/article/0,2777,DRMN_23910_5649180,00.html
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I. The Health Care Industry and Its Sad Ties to the Growing Energy Crisis

Yet another industry that is full of wastefulness, largely due to its deep use of petroleum based products and supplies which are becoming increasingly more costly which is passed onto consumers and insurees.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/57525/

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J. A Refresher on Why Nuclear Power IS NOT the Answer, Particularly for Those of Us Who Live in the Non-Urban West

Lets hope that this failed energy source remains dormant and not under consideration for growth and expansion as an alternative to carbon based fuels and energy.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/57530/

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K. The List of the World's 15 Best Environmentally Oriented Cities

Portland, Oregon, is number two on the list and I am well aware of this progressive city's superb record. My younger brother lived there for several years about a decade ago and he was greatly influenced and impressed by the visionary citizenship and leadership in that community. Given his frustration with the widespread mentality of yesteryear and blase blind attitudes in the community he lives and serves in now, I would not be surprised to see him and his family return to the City of Roses in the coming years.

Portland is setting the benchmark for the way Americans will have to live out of necessity for many reasons in the not so near future. Disappointingly, only three other North American cities made the list -- Vancouver, San Francisco, and, very surprisingly, Austin. Seattle, Chicago, and Quebec City made honorable mention. Its amazing that places like Boulder, Denver, Minneapolis-St Paul, San Jose, and other communities with large numbers of well-educated and enlightened citizens have not done more to move in responsible directions. I wonder what the fifteen most un-green and worst environmental cities in North America ? I have to believe that most are in Mexico and the southern US.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/57973/

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