Republicans Win, Mother Earth Loses

by stonehenge

As we all know, the Republicans now control the U.S. House of Representatives and have improved their Senate numbers, which means that efforts to control global warming are now dead for at least the dying days of the 111th Congress.  

John Boehner (R. Ohio), House speaker-designate, and Mitch McConnell (R. KY), the top Republican in the Senate, outlined their strategy for the remainder of President Obama's first term:  "His party's main goal is denying Obama re-election."  Thus, there is no way that the Republicans will allow Obama a legislative accomplishment on global warming or energy.

continued at Daily Kos....

Gulf Watchers Sunday - New Charges Against BP; Barton Eyes Energy Chair - BP Catastrophe AUV #429

by Yasuragi

You are in the current Gulf Watchers BP Catastrophe - AUV #429. ROV #428 is here.

Bookmark this link to find the latest Gulf Watchers diaries.

Please RECOMMEND THIS DIARY, the motherships have been discontinued.

On Thanksgiving weekend there won't be a morning Friday Gulf Watchers AUV diary but there will be a Gulf Watchers Friday Block Party.

Gulf Watchers Diary Schedule
Monday - evening drive time
Wednesday - morning
Friday - morning
Friday Block Party - evening
Sunday - morning

The digest of diaries is here.

Please be kind to kossacks with bandwidth issues. Please do not post images or videos. Again, many thanks for this.

continued at Daily Kos....

Daily bigjac Black Friday Poetry Slam

by bigjacbigjacbigjac

I work at Walmart.

So.

A pallet,
for those of you who only shop in stores,
and have never worked behind the scenes,
a pallet is about four feet
by a little less
than four feet
by however high it is stacked,
often about four feet,
sometimes five or six feet.

Some special displays
are four by four by four, almost exactly.

Anyway,
I have been dealing with these pallets
for about 18 years,
but more so just lately.

This is the first time I have been
assigned to the backroom inventory crew
in the weeks leading up to,
in the days leading up to,
Black Friday.

Black Friday Riots

continued at Daily Kos....

Gulf of Mexico Liveblog Digest (Part 2)

by Gulf Watchers

Gulf of Mexico Liveblog Digest (Part 1)

Since 26 May, a dedicated group of Kossaks have liveblogged the numerous attempts to kill the blown-out well on BP's Macando Lease. We've also talked about everything from geology, ecology, biology, and petroleum science to coastal culture, food, and history. In short, we have contributed to the historical record in our own special way, while giving everyone a place to discuss, contemplate, and mourn. Thousands of words, scores of motherships, and a fair number of photos and videos have been posted - most all with our blessings.

Many thanks to Ed at dKos tech support who was enormously helpful with the data used to compile this digest.

Please note:  THIS DIARY WILL NOT BE TENDED FOR COMMENTS.  It will serve as a directory or repository for all future mothership and ROV postings.

Please do not comment here - find the latest Gulf Watchers' diary here.

Signed - Gulf Watchers

continued at Daily Kos....

Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday (Vice President Joe Biden's birthday edition)

by Neon Vincent

Welcome to Science Saturday, where the Overnight News Digest crew informs and entertains you with this week's news about science, space, and the environment.

This week's featured story comes from MSNBC.

Happy Birthday: Joe Biden Turns 68

In honor of Vice President Joe Biden's birthday, we look back on 68 glorious years of mutton chops, embarrassing gaffes and winning smiles.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Vice President.  What do you have to say for yourself today?

That's the spirit!

This week's science, space, and environment stories after the jump.

continued at Daily Kos....

What To Do, What To Do?

by Miep

So many choices. Such an American thing, that.

This is an effort to parse such.

I spend almost no time around other humans, so I have lots of time to think. Here is some of what I've thought about.

(crossposted from Right of Assembly)

Also from firefly-dreaming.

continued at Daily Kos....

Earthship Saturday: Climate Change, Coral Bleaching and Coal Ash, the Consequences of Inaction

by eKos

Welcome to the eKos Earthship, your one-stop-shop for green diaries and series.

Beneath the fold you will find news and notes, community announcements, and our eco-diary roundup.

Peruse the eKos Library to find previously listed diaries. You can also follow eKos on Twitter.

Tonight's editor: ellinorianne

continued at Daily Kos....

Gulf of Mexico Liveblog Digest (Part 2)

by Gulf Watchers

Gulf of Mexico Liveblog Digest (Part 1)
Many thanks to Ed at dKos tech support who was enormously helpful with the data used to compile this digest.
Since 26 May, a dedicated group of Kossaks have liveblogged the numerous attempts to kill the blown-out well on BP's Macando Lease.  We've also talked about everything from geology, ecology, biology, and petroleum science to coastal culture, food, and history.  In short, we have contributed to the historical record in our own special way, while giving everyone a place to discuss, contemplate, and mourn.  Thousands of words, scores of motherships, and a fair number of photos and videos have been posted - most all with our blessings.

Please note:  THIS DIARY WILL NOT BE TENDED FOR COMMENTS.  It will serve as a directory or repository for all future mothership and ROV postings.

Please do not comment here - find the most recent mothership in the listing below and use that link to join the discussion on the most current ROV.

Signed - Gulf Watchers

continued at Daily Kos....

Opposition to GE Salmon grows as time ticks down

by calalum

The FDA is set to approve genetically engineered (GE) salmon for human consumption. It would be the first time that a genetically engineered animal would be approved for people to eat, yet consumers are not rolling over on this one. Over 360,000 consumers, other federal agencies, and members of congress are all saying no to GE salmon and the FDA's flawed approval process. There is still time for the Obama administration to put the breaks on the FDA and demand a more comprehensive review, but the clock is ticking.

continued at Daily Kos....

How many Billionaires can dance on a Pinnacle?

by jamess

The GOP often dangles this dream, before its far too loyal followers:

You too, could one day be a Millionaire, or perhaps even a Billionaire, so don't ruin it for everyone, by raising Taxes on the Wealthy. Afterall, someday it could be you.  In their America, anything's possible.

Most everyone, wants to be rich someday.  It's part of the American Dream -- or at least it used to be.  But the way things have been going lately it seems the Dream has been downsized to:

I just hope I can find/keep my Job.

Despite the somber work-a-day reality most people face, far too many still take the Republican dream, at face value.  By following their lead, they hope to strike it rich someday, too.

Perhaps we Dems, should address this rouse, and dare to ask:

What would really happen if we ALL struck it rich?

Because obviously there is only SO much room "at the top" ...

continued at Daily Kos....