This past week, the UN Human Rights Council heard the report of Asma Jahangir, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Jahangir provided several findings about world-wide discrimination based on religion or belief and its impact on the enjoyment of rights. While looking at the adverse impact of religious discrimination, “it was noted […]
Kenneth Vogel writes in Politico about conspiracy theorists convinced that the “highest levels of the Obama administration are infested with members of a shadowy, elitist cabal intent on installing a one-world government that subverts the will of the American people.” The conspiracy theorists point to President Obama’s selections for top posts – it turns out […]
The Minerals Management Service (part of the Department of the Interior) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced they they will work together in regulating offshore alternative energy activities. This is a necessary but belated step. What’s worrisome is a nascent turf battle between the two agencies, especially at offshore sites that interest more than […]
There really is a Murderer’s Row of environmentalists, renewable energy advocates and all-purpose rainbow warriors coming into the Obama administration and springing into action. The three newest additions to the team are very strong. Gina McCarthy is Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The “Hartford Courant” reports here that McCarthy is being […]
The Strategic forecasting and consulting firm Stratfor, based in Houston, Texas, released an interesting analysis today comparing Russia and Turkey in their capacities as rising powers (You might not be able to read it in case you’re not a subscriber). Stratfor breaks down the possible areas of conflict and cooperation between the two nations. The […]
The Slave Saint March 17th, 2008 by Cassandra Clifford On this day around the world people drink, dance and celebrate the Irish, their culture and spirit. While the holiday has lost much of its meaning and the non-Irish join in the festivities often far more than do many Irish at times. I want to remind […]
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, speaking before top generals on Tuesday, announced the country’s intention to modernize and rearm the military and nuclear forces in 2011. Moscow perceives remaining threats to Russia’s national security, particularly NATO’s encroachment on its borders. And despite a swift victory, last year’s war in Georgia exposed Russia’s tired arsenal. “An analysis […]
In a strange piece of spin, the New York Times says today that the financial crisis will wind up being good for China. It’s an unconvincing position to say the least. It’s true that, unlike the West, China has no trouble with currency exchange or stock markets, which are state regulated, or bank failure, because […]
That’s the title of the editorial from yesterday’s “NY Times” about The Crime of Mountaintop Removal Mining. I’ve been writing about this travesty for nearly a year here. My concern was triggered by this truly outstanding documentary, Burning the Future: Coal in America, and meeting the filmmaker and having him in my climate change class. […]
AIG Executives have been given huge bonuses with taxpayer money, and everyone is furious. AIG claims that they have contractual obligations which predate the largest private sector bailout in history. Politicians say these obligations are secondary to satisfying taxpayers who are keeping them above water. Pundits, smelling blood in the water, have come out in […]
The Washington Post reports that, “The U.S. government welcomed moves by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to restore the former chief justice of the Supreme Court. Zardari faced increasing pressure from a broad coalition of opponents who demanded the reinstatement of Pakistan’s independent judiciary.” This is significant because instability in Pakistan threatens, “to upend a […]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met for a two-day summit in Nigeria to review the impact of the food crisis in the region, especially over the last year, and devise a plan for countering the crisis ahead of the new farming season. ECOWAS principle programme officer Dr. Ernest Aubee said after the […]
Over the weekend OPEC members decided not to cut oil production levels. Instead, they chose to focus on doing what cartels are supposed to do: join together to regulate output. OPEC announced yesterday that member states would restrict oil production to their allotted amounts “to contribute to market stability” as members have yet to completely […]
President Barack Obama used his weekly address from the Whitehouse to call attention to food safety in the United States. “…[I]n recent years, we’ve seen a number of problems with the food making its way to our kitchen tables…Part of the reason is that many of the laws and regulations governing food safety in America […]
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” I don’t mean to get Biblical on you, but that describes the sensation I’m getting these days. If you prefer Bobby Dylan, then how about “You don’t need a weatherman to […]