Posts Tagged “California”
- The Bush administration wants to relax provisions of the Endangered Species Act so federal agencies can decide for themselves what actions would harm endangered animals and plants, so the Act couldn’t be used to regulate the causes of global warming. In a press conference Monday, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said, "We need to focus our efforts where they will do the most good"–making sure Al Gore doesn’t get any more powerful than he already is…
- Federal officials accused a New Orleans agency of abusing a government program created to clean up houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina, claiming the agency was paying contractors who were doing little or no work at all. I think we should spare no punishment for anyone who abuses Katrina victims this way–sentence them to jobs with FEMA…
 California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to court to fight his state’s comptroller over a plan to cut the pay of 175,000 employees until state lawmakers approve a budget. I’m sure the lawyers will do all the talking, but if the Governator spits out "Hasta la vista, baby", it’s all over…- An Atlanta federal judge ruled to uphold a ban on guns at the nation’s busiest airport, finding against a claim that a new Georgia law allowed weapons to be carried in certain parts of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. I guess the judge just couldn’t understand the complexities of negotiating a first class upgrade without a Beretta in your belt…
- The National Hurricane Center reports that a pair of tropical distrubances emerged in the Atlantic Monday with the potential to become tropical storms or hurricanes over the next few days. Revised predictions of a more active hurricane season means these two are more likely to become problematic–and yet more real Extreme Home Makeovers…
 Scientists say they are another step closer to developing a method to make people and objects invisible, using artificially engineered materials that redirect light around the objects. It means I am that much closer to my ultimate dream–to learn if Heather Locklear is a "true blonde"…
Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, global warming, Hurricane Katrina, National Hurricane Center, TSA, White House
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- Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska–the nation’s longest-serving Republican senator–was indicted by federal prosecutors on seven felony counts of concealing a quarter-million dollars in home renovations and other gifts from a major oil contractor that has lobbied Stevens. Stevens has flatly denied that he knowingly broke any law–well, at least any law he felt he should obey…
- Southern California coped with a 5.4-magnitude earthquake Tuesday–
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the strongest to hit a populated area there in over a decade–that shook windows, chandeliers, a few buildings and plenty of nerves but did not cause serious injuries or major damage. In short, it was not the "Big One" scientists warn is coming, which I believe is measured by the number of celebrities losing cosmetic body parts…
- Mother Nature is causing more headaches in the Golden State as yet another wildfire–this one started by a target shooter– has spread to 46 square miles, destroyed 25 homes and restricted access to Yosemite National Park. This kind of thing could become a real tragedy–where would Yosemite Sam live?
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Democratic senators Tuesday called for the resignation of EPA administrator Stephen Johnson, claiming he lied to them when testifying that he acted alone in sparing California from regulating vehicles’ global warming emissions–despite other testimony that Johnson was pressured by the White House. That’s easy enough to prove–just find out if he ever talked to Dick Cheney or Karl Rove…
- John McCain skirted a potentially damaging health scare after a regular checkup found a spot on his cheek that might have been skin cancer–until a biopsy ruled it out. It makes me wonder how Mike Huckabee took the news–before and after…
- A scientist has reported that a 7 square-mile chunk of ice has broken off a Canadian ice shelf in the Arctic, saying it was consistent with the theory that the Arctic’s current climate isn’t rebuilding ice sheets–but not specifically blaming global warming. Maybe it’s because every time it happens, you have to pay Al Gore…
Tags: Alaska, California, cancer, earthquake, EPA, global warming, John McCain, Senate, wildfire
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- The Senate has signed off on a major expansion of the government’s surveillance powers, enhancing intelligence agencies’ ability to wiretap and to provide legal immunity for phone companies that cooperate with it. Not to worry–just as long as you don’t say or do anything that someone incredibly paranoid might think is even a little suspicious, they won’t bother you…
- Barack Obama made an unscheduled stop Wednesday to talk with one of the members of his vice presidential search team, but told reporters, "I’m not going to tell you" when asked what was discussed. Then maybe it is true that he’s gonna ask Newt Gingrich…
- Senator Ted Kennedy returned to Capitol Hill Wednesday–the first time since he was diagnosed with brain cancer–to cast a crucial vote to void a pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients. Teddy probably figured he’d need the help himself soon…
- As the number of salmonella cases reached 1000, making it the worst foodborne outbreak in a decade, federal officials are suggesting that those most at risk for the disease now avoid eating certain hot peppers, as well as varieties of tomatoes and the herb cilantro. If I was a salsa manufacturer, I’d be pretty nervous right about now…
- Wildfires in California continue to rage, and the state is using all its resources to battle them–including crews of nonviolent inmates who have been trained in firefighting and forestry work. This is either some great on-the-job training or the ultimate death wish…
- Boulder, Colorado’s district attorney announced that more modern DNA tests have finally confirmed that the family of JonBenet Ramsey was not involved in her 1996 murder, and that the evidence points to an unknown assailant. That is, of course, unless they totally screwed this up as well…
Tags: Barack Obama, California, salmonella, Senate, Ted Kennedy, Vice presidential nomination, wildfire, wiretapping
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Barack Obama has chosen a Virginia senate candidate to deliver a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, suggesting the importance of the state to his election and the possibility he may choose Virginia governor Tim Kaine as his running mate. If Virginia really is that important, maybe he ought to rethink his decision to quit smoking…
The gold-medal Olympic victory by the Chinese women’s gymnastics team has drawn attention to them–and raised doubts that several members are actually old enough to participate. This could just be an honest mistake–maybe team officials thought they had to be 16 by the time of the next Olympics…
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