Global
U.S. newspapers sometimes print what they call the total death count from one or more of our wars, and all the dead who are listed are Americans. They aren't all the Americans. They don't include contractors or suicides or various other categories of dead Americans. They certainly don't include those who died for lack of basic needs while we dumped half of our public treasury into wars.
But they also don't include anyone from that 95% of humanity that's not from the United States. In our current wars, well over 95% of the dead, even in the short-term, are from the countries where the wars are fought. Some get labeled combatants and some civilians, but they're all left out of most body counts, and when they are counted they are counted low. Our government pretends not to count them at all, and only thanks to Wikileaks do we know otherwise, that the military has counted some of them.
But they also don't include anyone from that 95% of humanity that's not from the United States. In our current wars, well over 95% of the dead, even in the short-term, are from the countries where the wars are fought. Some get labeled combatants and some civilians, but they're all left out of most body counts, and when they are counted they are counted low. Our government pretends not to count them at all, and only thanks to Wikileaks do we know otherwise, that the military has counted some of them.
The House and Senate Energy Appropriations Committees are beginning to work on the FY 2012 federal budget. And that means they are beginning to decide the fate of the loan guarantee program for new nuclear reactor construction. We are expecting the first vote in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy before June 2--within the next three weeks.
As you probably know, President Obama has asked that this program be increased by $36 Billion. That's on top of the $10.2 Billion already in the program and the $8.3 already promised to Southern Company for construction of the Vogtle reactors in Georgia. Plus there is money for uranium enrichment plants in Idaho and Ohio.
Meanwhile, the world's third and fourth largest economies--Japan and Germany--are marching ahead with new energy policies that will focus on clean and safe renewable energy and energy efficiency. It's time the U.S. march ahead in that direction too. And it's time the U.S. end the nuclear loan program. This is the time to act and here are the actions to take now:
As you probably know, President Obama has asked that this program be increased by $36 Billion. That's on top of the $10.2 Billion already in the program and the $8.3 already promised to Southern Company for construction of the Vogtle reactors in Georgia. Plus there is money for uranium enrichment plants in Idaho and Ohio.
Meanwhile, the world's third and fourth largest economies--Japan and Germany--are marching ahead with new energy policies that will focus on clean and safe renewable energy and energy efficiency. It's time the U.S. march ahead in that direction too. And it's time the U.S. end the nuclear loan program. This is the time to act and here are the actions to take now:
Japan will build no new nuclear reactors. It's a huge body blow to the global industry, and could mark a major turning point in the future of energy.
Says Prime Minister Naoto Kan: "We need to start from scratch… and do more to promote renewables."
Wind power alone could---and now probably will---replace 40 nukes in Japan.
The United States must join them. Axing the $36 billion currently stuck in the 2012 federal budget for loan guarantees to build new reactors could do the trick.
Wind potential alone between the Mississippi and the Rockies could produce 300% of the nation's electricity. That doesn't include solar, geothermal, ocean thermal, sustainable bio-fuels and the many more renewable sources poised to re-shape the Amercian energy future once the prospect of new nukes is discarded.
Japan was set to build 14 new nukes before Fukushima. Six of Japan's total of 55 reactors were shut by the earthquake and tsunami. Three at Kashiwazaki remain shut from the seven that were hit by an earthquake less than five years ago. Kan wants three more closed at Hamaoka, also in an earthquake/tsunami zone.
Says Prime Minister Naoto Kan: "We need to start from scratch… and do more to promote renewables."
Wind power alone could---and now probably will---replace 40 nukes in Japan.
The United States must join them. Axing the $36 billion currently stuck in the 2012 federal budget for loan guarantees to build new reactors could do the trick.
Wind potential alone between the Mississippi and the Rockies could produce 300% of the nation's electricity. That doesn't include solar, geothermal, ocean thermal, sustainable bio-fuels and the many more renewable sources poised to re-shape the Amercian energy future once the prospect of new nukes is discarded.
Japan was set to build 14 new nukes before Fukushima. Six of Japan's total of 55 reactors were shut by the earthquake and tsunami. Three at Kashiwazaki remain shut from the seven that were hit by an earthquake less than five years ago. Kan wants three more closed at Hamaoka, also in an earthquake/tsunami zone.
Editor Benjamin Marrison
Columbus Dispatch
34 S. 3rd St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Mr. Marrison:
In your subtle way, your lead editorial on Sunday April 15 was the most disingenuous yet: “Kasich and the House put Ohio on a sustainable path after predecessors failed” is a cruel joke.
· Bill Harris led the Senate in blocking Strickland and Budish from most of their good solution to budget problems.
· It would have been a waste of time and effort to pass more Bills in the House which would have been blocked in the Senate. Several were blocked.
· The “Jobs Budget” and SB 5 will cause losses by the state and sub state governments at all levels. · Please read the enclosed letter for evidence that Republicans caused the “mess we are in”:
1. The Republican Income Tax cut of 2005, which favored those with high income accounts for $ 1 billion per year.
Columbus Dispatch
34 S. 3rd St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Mr. Marrison:
In your subtle way, your lead editorial on Sunday April 15 was the most disingenuous yet: “Kasich and the House put Ohio on a sustainable path after predecessors failed” is a cruel joke.
· Bill Harris led the Senate in blocking Strickland and Budish from most of their good solution to budget problems.
· It would have been a waste of time and effort to pass more Bills in the House which would have been blocked in the Senate. Several were blocked.
· The “Jobs Budget” and SB 5 will cause losses by the state and sub state governments at all levels. · Please read the enclosed letter for evidence that Republicans caused the “mess we are in”:
1. The Republican Income Tax cut of 2005, which favored those with high income accounts for $ 1 billion per year.
The New York Times published an op-ed on May 7th by a professor here in Charlottesville, Va., arguing that celebrating the killing of Osama bin Laden is actually a good thing, because in so celebrating we are building solidarity with those we view as part of our exclusive group. Implicit in this argument is that we can do no better. Bonding over our common hatred of an outsider is better than no bonding at all, and therefore we should rebrand such hatred as altruism. Or so says psychology professor Jonathan Haidt.
And why? Why was putting the Nazis on trial rather than simply putting bullets in their heads not just an unusual occurrence but a physiological impossibility, something that did not occur because it could not have? Why? Because professor Haidt has read some research on ants, bees, and termites.
And why? Why was putting the Nazis on trial rather than simply putting bullets in their heads not just an unusual occurrence but a physiological impossibility, something that did not occur because it could not have? Why? Because professor Haidt has read some research on ants, bees, and termites.
NRC Licensing Board Recognizes Standing, Grants Hearing on Renewable Alternatives and Severe Accident Risks
Toledo, Ohio--On March 1st in a Port Clinton courtroom, the resources of First Energy, one of the largest power companies in the country, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) were arrayed against four citizen groups. First Energy had approximately a dozen lawyers and support staff; the NRC had about half a dozen, while the citizen groups had one lawyer who was a volunteer. It was clearly a case of David versus Goliath, and, in the first round anyway, David won a split decision.
At issue is First Energy's application to extend the operation of the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant twenty years beyond its designed lifespan, from 2017 to 2037. The four citizen groups are: Beyond Nuclear, a Washington D.C. based non-profit; the Ohio Green Party; Don't Waste Michigan; and the Citizens' Environment Alliance of Southwest Ontario. They claim that the plant, which already has a long history of accidents, leaks, and near misses can't be safely run for another twenty years, and that wind and solar power are much more practical alternatives.
Toledo, Ohio--On March 1st in a Port Clinton courtroom, the resources of First Energy, one of the largest power companies in the country, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) were arrayed against four citizen groups. First Energy had approximately a dozen lawyers and support staff; the NRC had about half a dozen, while the citizen groups had one lawyer who was a volunteer. It was clearly a case of David versus Goliath, and, in the first round anyway, David won a split decision.
At issue is First Energy's application to extend the operation of the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant twenty years beyond its designed lifespan, from 2017 to 2037. The four citizen groups are: Beyond Nuclear, a Washington D.C. based non-profit; the Ohio Green Party; Don't Waste Michigan; and the Citizens' Environment Alliance of Southwest Ontario. They claim that the plant, which already has a long history of accidents, leaks, and near misses can't be safely run for another twenty years, and that wind and solar power are much more practical alternatives.
When a concert starts off 8 miles high, only the truly great can keep it there. That's what David Crosby & Graham Nash did the other night in Newark, Ohio. The wind beneath their wings was an outstanding foursome of virtuoso musicians.
The result was a three-hour love fest that should not be missed.
Crosby/Nash are transcendently talented buddies who come with a set list nicely balanced between the old, the mellow, the rockin', the oddball and the new.
They combine a pleasant stream of bullshit-free banter with a virtuoso professionalism that speaks of comfort and grace.
The evening standards were in abundance, ranging from "Marrakesh" and "Déjà vu" to "Guinevere," "Our House" and "Wooden Ships." All came with power and a fresh angle.
What got the show to a new level was the truly terrifying team including James Raymond on keyboards, Dean Parks on guitar, Kevin McCormick on bass and Steve DiStanislao on drums. Each brought a monster game to a seamless ride through a whole generation's comfort zone.
The result was a three-hour love fest that should not be missed.
Crosby/Nash are transcendently talented buddies who come with a set list nicely balanced between the old, the mellow, the rockin', the oddball and the new.
They combine a pleasant stream of bullshit-free banter with a virtuoso professionalism that speaks of comfort and grace.
The evening standards were in abundance, ranging from "Marrakesh" and "Déjà vu" to "Guinevere," "Our House" and "Wooden Ships." All came with power and a fresh angle.
What got the show to a new level was the truly terrifying team including James Raymond on keyboards, Dean Parks on guitar, Kevin McCormick on bass and Steve DiStanislao on drums. Each brought a monster game to a seamless ride through a whole generation's comfort zone.
"There is no doubt grassroots organizing and advocacy is helping to lay the groundwork for a path to end the war in Afghanistan. The American people are calling for an end to the war, and that begins with the President immediately announcing a significant and sizeable start to the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and military contractors by no later than this July."
-- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Why are we still in Afghanistan?
For many years, the answer has had little to do with our national security interests and everything to do with domestic political considerations and a lack of political will from our elected representatives.
The death of Osama bin Laden deep within the borders of Pakistan during a covert operation carried out by a few dozen elite soldiers underscores how little the continued occupation of Afghanistan makes sense.
But bin Laden's death has also radically changed the political environment we're in and given President Obama significant political cover to bring the war in Afghanistan to an end.
Now, more than ever, we need to speak out to make sure he does so.
Why are we still in Afghanistan?
For many years, the answer has had little to do with our national security interests and everything to do with domestic political considerations and a lack of political will from our elected representatives.
The death of Osama bin Laden deep within the borders of Pakistan during a covert operation carried out by a few dozen elite soldiers underscores how little the continued occupation of Afghanistan makes sense.
But bin Laden's death has also radically changed the political environment we're in and given President Obama significant political cover to bring the war in Afghanistan to an end.
Now, more than ever, we need to speak out to make sure he does so.
The House of Representatives in the Ohio state legislature passed Kasich's state budget on Thursday, May 5. A rally for Good Jobs and Strong Communities protested the budget.
A contingent of demonstrators started marching to the Statehouse from OSU campus at 15th and High Street.
A contingent of demonstrators started marching to the Statehouse from OSU campus at 15th and High Street.
