(Photo: The National Park Service)
THERE BE GIANTS IN THE EARTH.
So says the book of Genesis, but a new report on the world ecosystem shows that giant trees, some as much as 300 years old, are rapidly disappearing from this earth. The causes, all involving “human intervention” in that ecosystem, are summarized by one of the authors of the report. ”There are different sets of drivers—it might be fire, logging, drought, disease—but they all lead to basically the same outcome.”
(Common Dreams)
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U.S. PICKS AND CHOOSES SUPPORT TO SYRIAN REBEL OPPOSITION GROUPS.
President Obama, in an interview with Barbara Walters, makes long-awaited statement of “official” support for the coalition of rebel forces seeking the overthrow of the Bashir Assad government. Recognizing that much of this opposition is allied with Islamist extremist elements, the U.S. at the same time officially labels one of these elements a “terrorist” organization. None among the Syrian opposition seem thrilled at these developments. Some in the faltering opposition call it “too little too late,” as support does not entail U.S. military operations, while Islamists denounce it and engage in angry anti-American demonstrations.
(New York Times)
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WILL LEGALIZING OF CONCEALED WEAPONS CARRY QUELL THE GUN VIOLENCE IN ILLINOIS?
The last state in the union to forbid such carry may soon allow it as a court clears new legislation to that effect. Supporters hope that this will reduce the rampant gun violence in Chicago as criminals lose their monopoly on gun use. Opponents take a different tack: the proliferation of weapons, legal or illegal, will increase the frequency of their use.
(Christian Science Monitor)
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WILL “VOLUNTARY” POLLUTION CONTROLS SAVE WATERWAYS FROM POLLUTION FROM CHEMICAL RUN-OFF FROM FARM OPERATIONS?
This question is being based in Iowa, where new legislation is urging but not requiring farm operators to eliminate or reduce such run-off. Some note that farmers have an economic incentive to cooperate as runoff results in the loss of chemicals needed in their operation. But others observe that such voluntary programs “never work” and one farmer estimates that participation, which should be 100% will be maybe something more like 30%.
(Des Moines Register)
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CAN THIS PIPELINE BE SHUT DOWN IN JACKSONVILLE FL?
Educators and other citizens participate in NAACP-sponsored meeting to discuss and look for solutions to the situation in Duval County in which there appears to be a “pipeline” operating to transfer black students from schools to prisons. Much discussion focuses on data showing that black students are “disciplined” by the school at the three times the rate of white students, suggesting one way in which black students are being pushed into this pipeline.
(Florida Times Union)
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Quote of the day…
If we want to resolve the myriad problems currently created by factory-farming animals in sheds and feedlots, we’ll never do it by factory-farming plants in skyscrapers.
Stan Cox, in article criticizing the practicality of “vertical farming” schemes for urban agriculture.
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