“Paul Stares” - Mid East: Preparing for unpredictable

3/5/11

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50713.html

Momentous out-of-the-blue events like the protests and upheavals convulsing the Middle East and North Africa inevitably prompt questions about why Washington failed to see them coming.

The usual response is that we must do better at detecting critical signals, connecting the dots and sharing information in a timely manner. These are all commendable goals. But they are not—in this case—where the shortcomings lie.

It is hard to imagine that anyone, or any early warning system, could have foreseen how the self-immolation of lowly fruit vendor in Tunisia would trigger the downfall of two heads of state — and probably more to follow. The random interplay of people and actions was — and continues to be —inherently unpredictable.

This does not mean, however, that we should resign ourselves to being forever at the mercy of events. We can prepare for the unpredictable in at least three ways:

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“Dr. Mercola” - If You Eat Organic Food, Have You Just Been Betrayed?

March 05 2011

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/05/whole-foods--major-betrayal-of-organic-movement.aspx

Organic consumers and producers in the U.S. are facing betrayal. A self-appointed group of "Organic Elites", including Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm, are surrendering to Monsanto.

Top executives from these companies publicly stated several weeks ago that they support the so-called "coexistence" of organics with genetically modified (GM) crops.

The Organic Consumers Association has asserted that Whole Foods sent a misleading e-mail to its customers on Jan. 21in which they gave the green light to USDA bureaucrats to approve the "conditional deregulation" of Monsanto's genetically engineered, herbicide-resistant alfalfa. However, after sharp criticisms from the OCA and their customers, and in the wake of USDA's unrestricted approval of GE alfalfa and sugar beets, the leaders of the organic industry seem to have changed their tune, issuing strong statements against the USDA approval last week.

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“Kasie Hunt & Andy Barr” - New Hampshire gay-marriage debate puts 2012 hopefuls on spot

By KASIE HUNT & ANDY BARR  

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50685.html

New Hampshire’s Legislature is likely to hold a vote to repeal the state’s law permitting same-sex marriage next January, a development that would force the GOP presidential field to confront the issue on the eve of the first-in-the-nation primary.

It’s a debate that so far has left Republican candidates squirming and could shatter any notion of a GOP “truce” on social issues designed to keep the primary focused on the economy.

The showdown is being shifted to early next year because fiscal hawks in the state GOP convinced the sponsors of same-sex marriage bills to put off the measures so lawmakers could focus on cutting spending in this session. One bill would prohibit same-sex marriage in New Hampshire, and another would prevent the state from recognizing any union that’s not between one man and one woman.

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“Holly Richmond” - Yogis go from lotus position to lobbying

by Holly Richmond

5 Mar 2011 5:44 AM

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-04-yogis-go-from-lotus-position-to-lobbying

"Yoga" and "angry" go together like taffy and dentures ... or at least they used to. But maybe D.C. politicians should start looking out for flying vials of essential oil. L.A.-based organization "Off the Mat and Into the World" is turning yogis into activists next week, following International Women's Day (March 8). Off the Mat will be training interested parties in lobbying and grassroots organizing (in addition to meditation), then heading to Capitol Hill for a day of lobbying

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“Holly Richmond” - Yogis go from lotus position to lobbying

by Holly Richmond

5 Mar 2011 5:44 AM

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-04-yogis-go-from-lotus-position-to-lobbying

"Yoga" and "angry" go together like taffy and dentures ... or at least they used to. But maybe D.C. politicians should start looking out for flying vials of essential oil. L.A.-based organization "Off the Mat and Into the World" is turning yogis into activists next week, following International Women's Day (March 8). Off the Mat will be training interested parties in lobbying and grassroots organizing (in addition to meditation), then heading to Capitol Hill for a day of lobbying.

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Sailor Discharged for Sleeping With Man

Mar 5, 2011

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/sailor-discharged-for-sleeping-with-man/dadt/?cid=cs:headline7

The repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell isn't implemented yet, but we may be getting a preview of the sort of tactics gay rights groups worry will take its place. Navy Petty Officer Stephen Jones was found asleep in the same bed with another male sailor, but the Navy isn't discharging him over Don't Ask Don't Tell, which because of the repeal would result in a high-level review. It's discharging him for “willful failure to exhibit professional conduct.” "Here is the classic text book case of trumping up charges and exaggerating an event to try to punish someone,” said Alex Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian servicemembers. Jones says he and the other sailor were watching television together and fully clothed, and would not comment on his sexual orientation. The Navy denies Jones' discharge has anything to do with the suspicion of homosexual behavior.



Scott Walker Takes First Step Toward Layoffs

Mar 5, 2011

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/scott-walker-takes-first-step-toward-layoffs/wisconsin-fight/?cid=hp:mainpromo1

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker fired his first salvo in his fight with Democratic senators over his union-busting bill, sending out notices to state workers that they would be laid off a month from now if legislators do not pass his “budget repair” proposal. "If the Senate Democrats come back to Wisconsin, these notices may be able to be rescinded and layoffs avoided," said a statement from Walker's office. While the 14 Democratic senators who fled to Illinois to block a vote on the bill say they have no plans to return, they also seem to have given up hope of forcing Walker to compromise. Activists are opening a new front in the fight, however, targeting legislators for recall. Liberal committees, with organizations like MoveOn.org and the Service Employees International Union raising money and gathering signatures, have registered to target eight Republicans for recall, while conservative groups have registered to target six Democratic senators.



“Michelle Goldberg” - The Latest Abortion Outrage

by Michelle Goldberg

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-03-02/ohio-heartbeat-bill-abortion-outrage-the-religious-rights-grip-on-republican-party/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsR4

A Christian activist had two fetuses called as witnesses—the latest sign of a nationwide attack on abortion rights. Michelle Goldberg on why the religious right’s grip on the GOP is as strong as ever.

It sounds like an Onion headline. “In-the-womb Ohioans testify for Heartbeat Bill,” said a press release from Janet Porter, the Christian right activist who arranged for two fetuses, one nine weeks old, to offer “expert testimony” before the Health Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday. They were shown via ultrasound projector, for legislators in a packed room to “see and hear their beating hearts,” as Porter wrote.

Farcical as it seems, what’s going on in Ohio is actually quite serious. The Heartbeat Bill, or H.B. 125, is a frontal assault on Roe v. Wade, and it’s part of a fusillade of anti-abortion legislation being introduced all around the country. H.B. 125 would ban abortion as soon as a heartbeat can be detected, as early as 18 days after conception, and rarely later than six weeks. It currently has been co-sponsored by 50 members of the Ohio House, more than half the total, and similar bills are being considered in Oklahoma, Texas, and Georgia. It’s just the latest bit of evidence that the Republican Party is as firmly in the grip of the religious right as ever.

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“Relaxnews” - New 'environmentally friendly' search engine donates profits to charity

Relaxnews

Friday, 4 March 2011

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/new-environmentally-friendly-search-engine-donates-profits-to-charity-2232007.html

Nonprofit organization Carbonfund.org announced on March 2 the launch of www.envirosearch.org, a new 'environmentally friendly' search engine.

Launched by Carbonfund.org, which supports third-party renewable energy and reforestation projects around the world, the free online search engine is powered by Bing and hosts sponsored advertisements through Yahoo!.

The revenue generated by these advertisements is then donated by Carbonfund.org to environmental projects around the world, including the Haiti Reforestation Initiative, and the India Mangrove Project.

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“Victoria Summerley” - Dark side of the bloom: how spring turned black

A new fashion for flowers is striking a bold posy in garden centres

By Victoria Summerley

Saturday, 5 March 2011

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/dark-side-of-the-bloom-how-spring-turned-black-2232959.html

Viola Bowles Black and Petunia Black Velvet. Commercial breeders will cross different varieties of plants to increase the level of pigments

It sounds like a thriller, or perhaps a novel by Alexandre Dumas pere. In fact, the black petunia is this year's bedding plant sensation, going on sale nationwide in garden centres and plant catalogues this week.

Petunia Black Velvet, to use its official name, is the latest in a series of black-flowered or dark-leaved plants to come on to the market.

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