Trying to Explain Power and Influence within Iran

This article, which is quite lengthy and detailed, does a reasonable job of trying to explain how government works within Iran is regards to power and influence within the state and its various undergovernments. But after one reads it, one is still unsure if everything is completely clear or the evident power vacuums are the results of the individuals themselves and their own particular psychologies. I guess you can simply call it an oligarchy.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-circle31dec31,1,6012308.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=4&cset=true

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Lott Replacement Named in Mississippi

Its going to be seven term Mississippi US Congressman Roger Wicker, another conservative much like Trent Lott himself. Wicker has been representing Mississippi's First congressional district which makes up the northern part of the state and includes Tupelo, Oxford, and Columbus and succeeded the legendary Jamie Whitten who represented that district for 54 years starting in 1940. Wicker was born in 1951 in Pototoc, MS; is a Southern Baptist; married with three offspring; has a law degree from Mississippi; and served in the US Air Force as an officer from 1976 to 1980. While in the US House of Representatives, he served on the House Appropriations Committee and was the Republican Whip. Look for him to become a powerful and influential US Senator within the next several years. He could even be in consideration for the Presidency in 2016 or 2020.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071231/ap_on_re_us/lott_s_senate_seat;_ylt=AgfLXtGV6viSUjUk4UDn5iRvzwcF

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

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Iran Nuclear Facility to be Online by Summer

When and how will the Bush Junta react as this this moment draws closer ? The facility is but about 250 miles east of Kuwait City across the Persian Gulf.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/30/AR2007123000425.html?hpid=moreheadlines

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=HPIB,HPIB:2006-32,HPIB:en&q=Bushehr%2c+Iran

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Worlds Largest Solar-Thermol Plant to be Constructed

This is exciting and exceptionally good news. Besides wind, solar is the energy source of the future to replace coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity, home heating, and water heating. The cost of solar will go below that of coal by 2012 which bodes well for consumers wanting to be their own managers and creators of their home energy needs.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/ausra-to-build-worlds-largest-solar-thermal-factory-394.html

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Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

Paul Krugman nails it dead on on the economic differences in policy between the candidates of the two parties: supporting corporate and wealthy tax breaks and pork. This is the absolute bottom line for American middle class and working class citizens. Most, if not all, of the GOP candidates want to strongly continue following the Bush economic plan and program to the vast detriment of us all who are not wealthy and have the lobbying power and big dirty money of corporations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/opinion/31krugman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

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Ten Good Things That Happened in 2007

I am far too often a cynic and curmudgeon when it comes to public policy, trends, and the news of the day, so its a little refreshing to get a positive story to read, reflect on, and appreciate.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/31/6083/

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Ten Frightening Future Predictions and Trends

...but, I cannot help tending to see the negative trends as being far more strongly, effective, influential, and destructive. The world and our nation are not getting to be better places.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/31/6084/

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Bloomberg Increasingly Considering Run

New York City Mayor and financial media magnate Michael Bloomberg is seriously considering a third party run for the presidency and may make the decision in the coming weeks. A Bloomberg candidacy would be detrimental probably more so to Republicans, depending on whom their nominee is. I cannot really see Bloomberg in the race as being a negative for Democrats, but its a long, long road to 4 November

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/us/politics/31bloomberg.html?ei=5065&en=2da39fd541678920&ex=1199682000&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

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McCain Experiencing Political Renaissance

Arizona US Senator John McCain and his campaign for the presidency had largely been dismissed as recently as November as having no chance. But as citizens learn more about the other candidates and consider their positions on various issues, McCain is experiencing a rebirth of support among potential voters in many polls. He probably will not win the Iowa caucuses, but a second or third place finish is not out of question. He could win the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday 8 January, putting significant dents in the campaigns of Romney, Giuliani, and Thompson. No candidate who has not finished at least third in the Iowa caucuses since 1972 has won the nomination.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/29/politics/fromtheroad/entry3656453.shtml?source=search_story

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NFL Opponents Schedules for 2008

With the completion of the 2007 NFL regular season schedule, the schedule of opponents for all teams in the 2008 season can now be known. The dates and days for the 2008 schedule will be announced by the league in late March to early April 2008.

The Denver Broncos, in addition to their regular divisional rivalry games, will play home games against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Their road games will be against the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Cleveland Browns.

To see the full schedule of opponents for each team, one can go to this website...

http://www.johnnyroadtrip.com/schedules/nfl_future_afcw.htm

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NFL Postseason Schedule Announced

The schedule of games dates and starting times for the upcoming wild card weekend and subsequent divisional playoffs has been set by the National Football League. (all times MST)

Saturday 5 January

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks -- 2:30pm NBC

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers -- 6pm NBC

Sunday 6 January

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 11am FOX

Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers -- 2:30pm CBS

Saturday 12 January

Lowest remaining NFC seed @ Dallas Cocaineboys -- 2:30pm FOX

Lowest remaining AFC seed @ New England Patriots -- 6pm CBS

Sunday 13 January

Higher remaining AFC seed @ Indianapolis Colts -- 11am CBS

Higher remaining NFC seed @ Green Bay Packers --2:30pm FOX

Sunday 20 January

AFC & NFC Championship Games -- 2:30 pm/6pm

Sunday 3 February

Super Bowl 42 from Phoenix/Glendale AZ -- 4pm FOX

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Alternet's Top Ten Economic Stories of '07

Here is the list of the 2007 top ten economic stories from Alternet.

1) Widespread GOP sponsorship of increasing corporate welfare and wealthy tax breaks.

2) James Kunstler on readying oneself for the post-oil society.

3) The increasing peril of a repeat of the Crash of '29.

4) How libraries are becoming homeless shelters. ( I can really relate to this one personally)

5) Krugman on the destruction of the middle class.

6) American working mothers: Still dealing with a 1950's corporate and societal mindset.

7) Corporations' broad efforts to steal and hoard public water.

8) The paradox of having greater wealth and material goods resulting in unhappiness.

9) Widespread epidemic of corporation crimes

10) Corporation propaganda and lies about motherhood.

This is an excellent range of topics that we get little coverage of, if any, from the mainstream corporate media. Maybe by this time in 2009 we will have a least a few positive reports to read. Some of these reports were commented on and linked to in posts I made at some point earlier in 2007.

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/71856/

And one can read and learn more about other interesting issues at the website...

http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com/

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