Hundreds of Miles of Wind Farms, Networked Under the Sea

Although I worry about what such an ambitious wind farm project would do to the ocean and fisheries, this report from Dave Roberts outlines an impressive strategy for supplying clean energy to much of the Atlantic coast.
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-04/ambitious-east-coast-wind-farm-could-produce-cheap-electricity-grand-scale

Now that we’ve killed Osama bin Laden, let’s kill oil

This piece shows that oil money has fueled terrorist organizations around the world and points out that adopting the EPA's proposed standards for trucks (47) and cars (62mpg) would save $500 billion over 5 years and dramatically reduce the black oil money in play.
http://www.grist.org/oil/2011-05-02-now-that-weve-killed-bin-laden-lets-kill-oil

Death's door - Fukushima Radiation Update

This essay updates information on conditions in Japan as the country continues to grapple with the terrifying specter of radiation contamination, and authorities continue to understate the dangers that its citizens are facing. The Fukushima nuclear meltdown story is fast fading from mainstream media coverage but there are still many independent and progressive journalists on the Internet following developments. Let's not forget about the horrors of radiation unleashed on the Japanese population, that ultimately affects all of us, as politicians and industry in the US continue to promote nuclear energy here at home.
http://www.NaturalNews.com/032251_Fukushima_radiation.html

Aide to Japan PM Quits Over Radiation Limits
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/asia-pacific/2011/04/201143061328786950.html

Chris Hedges Speaks on Osama bin Laden’s Death

Reflections on the reported death of bin Laden by a former reporter for the NYT who covered the first Gulf War and 9/11. Food for thought as we contemplate the euphoria that bin Laden's death has sparked in the US.
http://www.truth-out.org/chris-hedges-speaks-osama-bin-laden’s-death/1304343151

Inside the GOP's Fact-Free Nation

This is a terrific primer and review of the power of lying to promote policies and mislead public debate. The national media is the prime culprit in the "ends justify the means" philosophy that punctuates our national psyche today and this excellent piece steps through some of the major events and behaviors that have resulted in deception of the public becoming the chief tool of governance in America.
http://beta.motherjones.com/politics/2011/04/history-political-lying

Climate legislation advances in 16 major countries

I'm not sure this is really big news but it is instructive to keep on top of what changes are being implemented around the world to reduce carbon emissions and fight global warming. The US is lagging in this effort while countries such as Germany and China are moving much more aggressively in a positive direction by stimulating investment and implementation of sustainable energy alternatives. We have an important fight here in America to refocus on the climate issue and mute the climate deniers of the GOP and the oil and gas industry.
http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-04-26-climate-legislation-advances-in-16-major-countries-says-new

Is there a toxic mercury hot spot near you?

Coal-fired power plants in the US produce all sorts of dangerous pollution that undermines the health and quality of life of the American public. Mercury is a particularly toxic pollutant emitted by these power plants and this article highlights a number of hotspots with high concentrations of Mercury that are poisoning people near these plants. The GOP is actively fighting against proposed regulations to cut these emissions by 90% and it will take concerted resistance from the voting public to counter their reckless, pro-businaee-at-all-costs agenda.
http://www.grist.org/coal/2011-04-28-is-there-a-toxic-mercury-hot-spot-near-you

"USA! USA!" is the wrong response

I, personally, was disappointed to see the throngs outside the White House deliriously celebrating Bin Laden's death when the news broke out last night. What is there to celebrate in the post 9/11 world in which the US is now engaged in four wars or military occupations (Libya and Yemen recently added to the mix) supported by a political complex that not only tolerates but defends and empowers war profiteering on behalf of our massive and powerful industries. No doubt there are many speaking once again about "American Exceptionalism" now that we have finally killed Osama Bin Laden after ten years of not really trying. Yet there is very little that is exceptional about our country today beyond the ignorance of our population and manipulation of opinion by our media, as the US increasingly projects a militaristic agenda that seeks to strip its own people of individual rights, jobs (through globalization) and subvert the potential for reform and justice that our democracy has promised for so many generations through the corruption of our political process. Money is king and it controls not only the business priorities of the nation but the very essence of governance across the spectrum. The boogie man is dead but wars and exploitation of our populace will rage on despite the empty promise of hope offered by the breaking news.
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/05/02/osama_and_chants_of_usa/index.html

This piece from The Nation illustrates the way we now blindly celebrate patriotism at sporting events and the backlash that comes to those citizens and athletes who question the wisdom of the wars that came from the tragedy of 9/11. The author reminds us of what happened to NFL star turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman when he began to openly question the legality of the war in Iraq.

Sports, bin Laden and the New Normal

http://www.thenation.com/blog/160329/sports-bin-laden-and-new-normal

A Star Silicon Valley Investor Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is For Sustainable Ag

I was pleased to learn of two startups supporting sustainable agriculture that Ali Partovi, hot-shot Microsoftie and Facebook investor, has helped bring to market: Farmigo and BrightFarms. The first allows consumers to order directly from farmers, cutting out middlemen and reducing transportation fuel burn while the latter is a company that proposes to build greenhouses atop supermarkets to create local produce in a most efficient and climate-friendly way. Partovi's endeavors are a welcome antidote to Bill Gates' major investments in biotech.
http://civileats.com/2011/04/28/a-star-silicon-valley-investor-puts-his-money-where-his-mouth-is-for-sustainable-ag/

Wisconsinites Get Revved up for Worker’s Rights

With recall signatures in place on six Republican state senators who voted to gut collective bargaining rights and impose widespread social program cuts, Wisconsinites are continuing stand up for their rights as citizens.
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/05/10694/wisconsinites-get-revved-worker’s-rights

Unsafe at Any Dose

A founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Helen Caldicott, writes a compelling opinion piece on the dangers of nuclear energy and how the industry and its dedicated physicists mislead the public about its safety. She also calls on other physicians to better educate the public and policymakers on these issues. A truly great piece that will hopefully be influential to millions of people who care about the dangers of radiation for human health.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/opinion/01caldicott.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Meanwhile, in Japan, an advisor brought on after the nuclear crisis began has resigned claiming that the government is not adequately protecting the population from radiation. In particular, children near Fukushima are now allowed as much radiation exposure as nuclear plant workers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/world/asia/01japan.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Ousted Administrator Has Doubts About Jindal's Privatization Plan

The privatization bug has bitten the GOP all over the country, as evidenced in the push for charter schools, martial law in Michigan used to takeover local government statutory authority and crush the teacher's union in Detroit, efforts to sell off public utilities to industry in Wisconsin, and many other examples. These efforts are all about making money with state (public) resources and will not in any way benefit citizens. This story details legislation in Louisiana to privatize the state public employees health insurance plan, in what appears to be a gift to industry that will cost both the state and the public in the long run.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/ousted_administrator_has_doubts_about_jindals_priv.php

Cagey Obama Sets an Election Trap for Paul Ryan and the Koch Bros.

This is an encouraging piece that shows how President Obama has responded to Rep. Ryan's (R-WI) draconian budget bill in recent public comments. It also suggests that Obama's strategy is to aggressively attack destructive political agenda of the Koch brothers in the upcoming election.
http://www.alternet.org/news/150753/cagey_obama_sets_an_election_trap_for_paul_ryan_and_the_koch_bros./?utm

VERMONT MAKES HISTORY, PASSES UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

Vermont became the first state in the Union to pass universal healthcare legislation with a single payer system that promises to dramatically reduce health costs while guaranteeing all citizens universal access to medical care. This is a historic development and very exciting news indeed. 
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/vermont_makes_history_passes_universal_healthcare_20110430/?utm

Oil Prices: Gouge Us Baby One More Time

This link connects to a short piece on the causes of the recent rise in oil prices that have driven gasoline over $4 a gallon, as well as the GritTV video report from Laura Flanders. Good stuff.
http://www.thenation.com/blog/160191/oil-prices-gouge-us-baby-one-more-time

Obama: 'Strongly Disapprove' Of Ohio, Wisconsin Union Bills

The President has been largely silent in the wake of at least 18 states introducing legislation to strip collective bargaining rights for public sector workers. Some believe, and I hope, that this is a deliberate policy to allow the GOP to continue its overreach with the result that the public will unleash an electoral backlash on those who support the anti-worker policies. In Ohio there is an effort underway to garner the 231,000 signatures required to put a repeal of the legislation on the ballot. 
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2011/04/27/story-columbus-obama-senate-bill-5.html?sid=102

Daniels to defund Planned Parenthood in Indiana

I haven't heard or read much about citizens standing up against Gov. Daniel's anti-worker and anti-environment agenda and legislation in Indiana and I hope there is a resistance movement building in the state. Now, the governor has said he will sign a bill to defund Planned Parenthood and deprive as many as 22,000 women access to Pap tests, birth control and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/04/30/us_daniels_planned_parenthood/index.html

GMO Pesticides Linked to Birth Defects, Disruption of Male Hormones, Cancer

Recent studies have expanded the body of evidence of the dangerous health impact that GMO pesticides such as Roundup have on human health. The new studies and links to previous scientific reports are rarely, if ever, reported in the mainstream media. We should all do our best to get the word out about the public health dangers represented by the biotech industry and realize that the major reason the US has the world's highest cancer rates is the lack of vigilant regulation of the chemical industry that is pervasive in the nation today.
http://www.NaturalNews.com/032201_pesticides_birth_defects.html

“Inert” Ingredients in Roundup Pesticide Contain Dioxane!

This piece documents that Roundup Super Concentrate Weed and Grass Killer contains dioxane, known to be carcinogenic and to cause damage to liver, kidney, brain and lungs. The story also reports that a new GE maize capable of expressing six different insecticidal toxins is likely to be approved for use in Europe.
http://farmwars.info/?p=5943&utm

What Stanley McChrystal Did to Pat Tillman’s Family

President Obama has apparently appointed General McChrystal to head a new initiative to help military families despite the fact that he covered up Pat Tillman's friendly fire death with a false Silver Star citation and nationally televised ceremony. 
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/what_stanley_mcchrystal_did_to_pat_tillmans_family_20110413/?utm