Conservation group sues for walrus protection

By DAN JOLING
Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)
A conservation group is going to court to force the federal government to consider adding the Pacific walrus to the list of threatened species.
The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Wednesday for failing to act on a petition seeking protection for walruses under the Endangered Species Act.
Walruses are threatened by global warming that melts Arctic sea ice, according to the group, one of the parties that successfully petitioned to list polar bears as threatened. The group also has filed petitions to protect Arctic seals....


December 10, 2008
0327 gmt
Africa-Europe Satellite Image


December 9, 2008
2205 gmt
Indian Ocean Satellite - Heat transfer noted over Thialand, Indonesia and Australia leading into Antarctica west of Austrialia.


December 10, 2008
0414 gmt
West Pacific Satellite. Heat transfer across Indonesia and into Antarctica on the right of image.

Storm One and Storm Two; Snow and Severe Weather (click here)
SNOW IN THE GREAT LAKES AND SOUTHERN PLAINS TODAY... NEXT STORM WILL BRING SNOW INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC.
Long-range video was reposted...
I am going to try to break this complex weather situation down...
1. The severe weather across Louisiana into Mississippi could be nasty today. Storms have already shown signs of rotation, and EHI values are running about 1 across that area. A few tornadoes, wind damage and hail be the primary impact through early tonight. I think the severe weather will calm down later tonight and Wednesday but will resume Thursday with a second storm. I am concerned for a rash of wind damage and even some tornadoes across the Southeast Thursday as shown on the map below....


2 tornadoes confirmed in overnight storms in North Texas (click here)
Posted on Tue, Dec. 09, 2008
The National Weather Service is confirming what some North Texans feared. Storms that moved through the region Monday night and damaged or destroyed more than 50 homes included two probable tornadoes, although aerial surveys showed much of the damage was from straight-line winds.
While some residents of Grayson County -- the hardest hit area -- worked to clean up the damage, others in North Texas found themselves without power as wind-whipped flurries of sleet and snow moved through the Dallas-Fort Worth area late today....


Severe storms destroy houses in North Texas (click here)
Associated Press
Dec. 9, 2008, 7:09AM
DENISON — One person suffered minor injuries in storms that damaged or destroyed more than 20 homes and left thousands of people without electricity today.
Denison Police Lt. Billy Shaw told The Associated Press that "it did appear to be a tornado, by looking at the damage."
National Weather Service officials are expected to review the damage to confirm whether the system, which rolled through North Texas on Monday night, was a tornado.
Shaw says about 5,000 homes and businesses were without electricity early today in the Denison area. He estimates two or three homes were destroyed.
"Numerous roofs are gone," according to Shaw.
Grayson County Sheriff's Office dispatcher Dana Waugh (wah) says one person from the Collinsville area was transported to a hospital with minor injuries Monday night. Waugh had no further information.
Sherman Fire Department Chief Jeff Jones says at least 2,000 people in Sherman and northern Grayson County were without electricity. At least 20 homes were damaged.
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Collinsville Fire Station.

December 10, 2008
0330z
UNISYS North and West Hemisphere Enhanced Infrared Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

Heat transfer arriving directly over Iceland.


December 10, 2008
0330z
UNISYS Enhanced Infrared GOES East Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

There is a huge heat transfer system arriving over the Arctic Ocean as I write this and there is a line of severe storms over the east coast of the USA and the upper Midwest.


December 10, 2008
0330z
UNISYS Enhanced Infrared GOES West Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

The storm in the Pacific developed in the last 12 hours. That was all. Only twelve hours.


December 10, 2008
0130 gmt
Pacific Global Satellite - There are 'heat transfers' noted in 'yellow clouds into Antarctica. There is currently a severe storm in the Pacific.


December 10, 2008
0104 gmt
Antarctica.
There is no 'frigid air' over Antarctica today !
Everyone proud of themselves ?


December 9, 2008
0600 PM UTC
Temperature Satellite Image (click here for 24 hour loop - there are only two views, at 6PM and 12 AM)

Vostok, Antarctica
Lat/Lon: 78.4° S 106.9° E
Elevation :: 11220 ft / 3420 m
Local Time: 10:15 AM VOST (GMT +06)
Temperature :: -32 °F / -35 °C
Conditions :: Clear
Humidity :: 39%
Dew Point :: -42 °F / -41 °C
Wind :: 7 mph / 11 km/h / from the WSW
Pressure :: in / hPa (Rising)
Visibility :: 12.0 miles / 20.0 kilometers

Possession Island, Antarctica
Lat/Lon: 71.9° S 171.1° E
Elevation :: 98 ft / 30 m
Local Time: 4:21 AM GMT (GMT +00)
Temperature :: 43 °F / 6 °C
Pressure :: 28.65 in / 970 hPa
Wind :: 5 mph / 7 km/h / from the North


Moscow temperature hits record for December (click here)
14:33
06/ 12/ 2008
MOSCOW, December 06 (RIA Novosti) - The temperature in Moscow hit 9.4 degrees Celsius (48.92 degrees Fahrenheit) in the early hours of Saturday, a record high for December, a meteorological website said.
The hmn.ru site said: "A new record was set, for December 6 and for the whole month. And strange as it may seem, the record was broken at nighttime."
"Until now, the highest temperature of the first winter month was +9.2 degrees, reached on December 15, 2006. The previous record for December 6 has been exceeded by 1.7 degrees, it was set in 1898 with a temperature of 7.7 degrees."
"The unusually warm weather in Central Russia has been brought by south and southwest winds from southern Europe."
The temperature in the capital is beginning to rise, and may hit 10 degrees, the report said.

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:
Lat/Lon :: 58.8° N 137.0° W
Elevation :: 33 ft / 10 m
Local Time: 7:02 PM AKST on December 09, 2008 (GMT -09)
Temperature :: 39 °F / 4 °C
Conditions :: Overcast
Windchill :: 30 °F / -1 °C
Humidity :: 87%
Dew Point :: 36 °F / 2 °C
Wind :: 16 mph / 26 km/h / 7.2 m/s from the SE
Pressure :: 29.50 in / 999 hPa (Falling)
Visibility :: 9.0 miles / 14.5 kilometers
UV :: 0 out of 16
Clouds :: Mostly Cloudy 1900 ft / 579 m
Overcast 2400 ft / 731 m
(Above Ground Level)


New Cracks in the Wilkins Ice Shelf (click here)
Posted December 4, 2008


Sulfur Dioxide from Noril'sk, Russia (click here)



Posted December 5, 2008

It would be good if Barak got so serious about our country's need for Environmental Leadership that it made me cry.

(click here)
The We Campaign is a project of The Alliance for Climate Protection -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. The goal of the Alliance is to build a movement that creates the political will to solve the climate crisis.

Like nominate the President of Sierra Club or The Natural Resouce Defense Council. Let's put someone at the EPA that can make peace with all the lawsuits and move the country forward.

Enough already.

We need someone responsible at the Interior Department as well. It's time to move on this already !

Heck with the money the government saves on Environmental Lawsuits it could pay off the national debt.



Barack Obama (L) and Al Gore

The Philadelphia Inquirer pays attention (Please Click Here)
Posted on Sun, Dec. 7, 2008
An Eroding Mission at EPA
The Bush administration has weakened the agency charged with safeguarding health and the environment.
By John Shiffman and John Sullivan
Inquirer Staff Writers
WASHINGTON - On Dec. 5, 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson prepared to send the White House an extraordinary document. It declared that climate change imperiled the public welfare - a decision that would trigger the nation's first mandatory global-warming regulations.
Johnson, a career scientist, knew that his draft would meet with resistance from antiregulatory ideologues at the White House, but he believed the science was solid.
According to confidential records reviewed by The Inquirer, Johnson cited strong evidence: rises in sea level, extreme hot and cold days, ecosystem changes, melting glaciers, and more. Minor doubts about long-term effects, he wrote, were not enough to alter his conclusion.
Two sentences in Johnson's draft stood out. In sum: The U.S. emits more greenhouse gases from cars than most countries do from all pollution sources. This fact is so compelling that it alone supports The Administrator's finding....

McCain is still talking "Surge." He's right about one thing, Afghanistan is in peril. Surge? Not what is needed.

The 'real' war is in Pakistan. It always has been.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Afghan accuses army doc of marriage fraud (click here)
Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): An Afghan woman has alleged that a doctor at an Army Hospital here had married her when he was posted in Afghanistan and was denying it now.
Pithoragarh SP Puran Singh Rawat told PTI that Sabra of Kabul has complained that Dr Chandrashekhar Pant, who was a member of the medical aid campaign sent by Indian Government to Afghanistan in 2005, had married her, but is denying it now.
She claimed the doctor had converted to Islam, changed his name to Himmat Khan and their marriage was solemnised as per Islamic rituals, he said.
Sabra, who is on a 3-month visa to India, has urged Dr Pant to at least give her Talaq (divorce) if he is no longer interested in her. She wanted him to travel to Afghanistan to complete formalities, the SP said.
He said the city police today registered a criminal complaint against the doctor. Meanwhile, the doctor was not available for comment.


General Dynamics
C4 Systems
Corporate Headquarters
8201 E. McDowell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 852571
877-449-0600 (Toll Free U.S.)
1-877-466-9467 (International)
1-877-449-0599 (Fax)


General Dynamics C4 Systems presented Fort Gordon Fisher House with a $10,000 check contribution
General Dynamics C4 Systems representative presented the Fort Gordon Fisher House with a $10,000 check contribution. Pictured from left to right: CSM Donna Brock (SERMC/DDEAMC CSM), Mr. Francisco Cruz (Fisher House Manager), Retired COL. Pete Farrell (General Dynamics C4 Systems Director of Training), BG Donald Bradshaw (SERMC/DDEAMC COMMANDER), COL Yvonne Tucker-Harris (Chief, Department of Social Work).


U.S. Sen. John McCain, right, speaks to media as Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) listens to at left after arriving from Helmand province to Kabul airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Musadeq Sadeq
KABUL, Afghanistan - U.S. Senator John McCain says the situation in Afghanistan will get more difficult before it gets easier - "just like the surge in Iraq was."
The former Republican presidential candidate visited the southern province of Helmand Sunday, where he says NATO forces are at a stalemate with insurgents.
McCain says the U.S. will be paying more attention to that part of the country with an influx of troops.
McCain is on a visit to the region with Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, all members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee....

...The Army and Marines in October picked teams led by Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and BAE Systems to compete in developing a lightweight tactical vehicle to replace the Humvee. That contract, which could be worth up to $20 billion, has been put on hold after Northrop Grumman Corp. and its partner Oshkosh Corp., as well as Boeing Co. and Textron Inc., protested the decision....

The nuclear countries want to duel? Really? I would think China and Russia have something to say about that.

Pakistan 'ready for war' with India after Mumbai (click title to entry - thank you)
Pakistan claimed it was ready to go to war with India yesterday in the latest round of sabre-rattling following terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

By Isambard Wilkinson in Lahore

Last Updated: 6:25PM GMT 09 Dec 2008

The remarks, made by Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, came amid mounting tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after India said it was keeping all options open after attacks on Mumbai which killed 172 people and wounded more than 300.
"We do not want to impose war, but we are fully prepared in case war is imposed on us," said Mr Qureshi.
"We are not oblivious to our responsibilities to defend our homeland.
"But it is our desire that there should be no war," he added.
Mr Qureshi's muscular comments came the day after Pakistan bowed to international pressure and conducted a limited crackdown on jihadi militants....

‘Collective resistance’ best strategy to fight terrorism, says Ban (click here)

9 December 2008 – The Untied Nations must head up a cohesive global drive to tackle the scourge of terrorism, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council today.
“The best response to a corrosive, malevolent ideology is a strong assertion of collective resistance,” Mr. Ban said at the open meeting.
As an independent and impartial universal organization, “the United Nations has a responsibility to lead the international community’s efforts to confront this menace, which no cause or grievance can justify,” he added.
The Secretary-General told the 15-member Council that combating terrorism must be one of the world’s top priorities.
“Those armed with planes and guns today could well arrive with more potent force tomorrow,” he warned. “And so those who believe that terror is a legitimate means by which they can achieve their goals must be shown that they will fail.”
At today’s meeting, which heard from over 30 speakers, Mr. Ban spotlighted the various efforts made by the UN to combat the scourge, ranging from Council and General Assembly actions to the advice and technical expertise provided by agencies such as the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO)....

42 Days until Inauguration - The Real Criminals are still on Wall Street

Top Senate Democrat sees auto bailout by Wednesday (click title to entry - thank you)
By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVISASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- Congress and the White House struggled to clear the final obstacles on a $15 billion bailout of the auto industry on Tuesday, seeking agreement by day's end followed by swift passage.
The unresolved issues concerned the precise extent of the authority to be given to a powerful new auto czar named by President George W. Bush, according to congressional aides, although it was clear the companies could be forced to return any aid if they did not use the money to ensure their long-term survival....

We love Patrick. He is dedicated to all the right values, but, his case with the Governor is hypothetical.

Profile: Rod Blagojevich (click title to entry - thank you)
Rod Blagojevich ran for the Illinois governorship in 2002 promising an end to "business as usual".
His predecessor, Republican George Ryan, had been convicted of corruption, and Mr Blagojevich became the state's first Democratic governor in 30 years....

It is fascinating how quickly a wire tap was set up. No insult to Patrick intended, but, who did he think the Governor was '? selling ?' the Senate seat to, Osama bin Laden or maybe just Mr. Ayers?

I am sure there is a considerable amount of hubris floating about with the dynamic win of Barak Obama after such a 'dry spell' for Democrats, however, unless there is an exchange of 'contract' be it money or promises that can be proven then there isn't a case. I believe conclusions were drawn from comments made, but, one has to ask if the Governor really meant them, or was simply being mean. Those things happen and until there is clear PROOF of the actual corruption, then it is all just a matter of histrionics and I sort of find Patrick's reference to Lincoln a bit 'over the top.'

At any rate, I don't think the trial is tomorrow and given the nature of the indiscretion there will be considerable pressure on the Governor to resign, etc. I don't believe he should and he needs to see the charges through WHILE HE IS STILL in office and carrying out the business of the people. The 'power' within the circumstances is allowing the hideousness of this to 'play out' in full view of the public and prove exactly how much 'abuse of power' exists in DC today that uses our federal agencies for political influence and policital gain as happened with Eliot Spitzer. Now, if Patrick wants to address that, it would be helpful.

People, even the Governor, is innocent until proven guilty. Patrick has a long hill to climb to prove this one. It sounds like a lot of hear-say even if it is on tape. They have to have a strong case for intent and I don't believe they have it, not with all the extenuating circumstance to the case. Not even close.

This is 'Silly' Chicago Politics. The men in this picture seem to hate each other. And. They are related.

When Eliot Spitzer was indicted by Bush's 'Sense of the Insignificant,' The New York Times hammered the story into embarrassment that the public couldn't stand anymore. Right or "W"rong they'll do it. They shouldn't have then and they should be now ! I think I'll boycott the papers featuring this mess, including the Chicago Tribune !


"The Sapranos" Blagojevich Style.

There is nothing to this. Somebody pushed buttons to 'end it' before a change in administration. This is 'all talk' with absolutely no action, because, regardless of the 'nastiness' of it all and the impropriety of the conservations, it still doesn't amount to anything illegal. It's a show for the Republicans who are 're-starting' attempts for an overthrow of Democrats in 2010. This is their best shot at creating an Ambramoff out of a 'big mouth kid.'



Rezko Trial Rehashes Blagojevich-Mell Feud (click title to entry - thank you)
CHICAGO (AP) ― Richard Mell is a 69-year-old, backslapping Chicago politician with a long history of getting his way and clearing the decks for friends and family looking for a leg up. He also happens to be the father-in-law of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and the two don't get along.
The squabble, which has simmered for years, has gone from barstool tale to the front page, thanks to the ongoing federal fraud trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko -- the fundraiser best known for his history with presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and ties to the governor.
A few weeks ago, a witness claimed Mell was angry he hadn't gotten any "spoils" when Blagojevich was elected back in 2002, the veteran pol told reporters he didn't know what the guy was talking about.
"I don't know what spoils are," he said.
But here, where the mayor and county board president hold the jobs their fathers once held, and where just days ago hundreds of victims of political hiring at City Hall were awarded an eye-popping $12 million, everyone knows about spoils.
Including Mell....

There is such a thing as 'freedom of speech' and regardless of whom is saying what if there isn't action to 'the talk' then it is simply that 'just talk.'

It goes like this.

I said to my mother the other day, "I wonder if I can get that Illinois Governor to give me the Senate seat, if he isn't taking it himself, for a nice contribution to his next campaign."

Just because I said it and having the FBI get it on tape, doesn't mean its a crime or anything else except BEING CRASS.

This type of mess has been going on a long time, ask Tom DeLay. The problem is that the Republcians are better at it and they know how to put sensors on their phone lines to know when they are being tapped.

Just that simple. The White House got desperate and they are putting on a 'Big Show' for the constituency in desperation of proving the Democrats are just as bad as the Republicans and they can prove it. The Republicans have 'desperately inflated egos' following the run-off in Georgia and they are attempting to make a 'statement' about their 'big comeback.' I am a little surprised at Patrick and his grandstanding today about Lincoln. That seemed very out of character. Some of what is driving this is that Bush swept a lot of 'stuff' under the rug after he took office in regard to 'insider trading and fraud' at the SEC on behalf of Cheney and himself and he expects Obama to do the same thing.

See, Chicago, Daly's Chicago is supposed to be the most corrupt of all the corrupt and Bush and probably Patrick thought they'd beat everyone to the punch and make a huge statement to force the Governor into the corner, therefore, hoping he would 'plead' his way out of it and 'spill the beans' on everyone including Obama.

I mean this is so obvious already.

It's sort of like what Ariel Sharon said about Hamas as he was exiting Gaza, "They are shooting at us as if they are the ones making us leave."

Like, ah, what is everyone thinking? There is a lot of horseplay for the vacancy of Obama's Senate seat and the conversations the USA intelligence agencies caught on tape is simply a 'wise-guy' Governor being a 'wise-guy' Governor. There is nothing to this. It's just that to the nation it all sounds so terrible. No one is used to hearing it, that's all. This mess has been going on for decades. It is a waste of USA intelligence. It is all based in political 'use' of government infrastructure and BELIEVE ME, if Bush and the Republicans could have gotten something on Barak through these efforts they would have used it.

Jackson makes case for Senate nod (click here)

By John Patterson Daily Herald Staff
Published: 12/6/2008 12:08 AMCongressman Jesse Jackson Jr. says his record in Washington and history of reaching out to suburban leaders regarding a third airport make him best suited to fill the U.S. Senate term left behind by president-elect Barack Obama.
Jackson said Friday he's prepared to seek re-election in 2010, shares Obama's vision for the country and cited recent polling that suggests he'd fare well statewide.
"So the bottom line is I believe I'm the best, ideal and most qualified candidate," Jackson said during a nearly hourlong talk with the Daily Herald's editorial board.
Exactly who becomes the next U.S. senator from Illinois rests solely in the hands of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He has made few public comments about the post but has said he hopes to deliver a political Christmas present soon and that a decision is likely before the end of the year.
While Jackson has been unofficially campaigning for weeks, there are several others seeking the appointment. On Friday, outgoing Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, told WBBM radio he wants the post....

"...If I appoint someone to the Senate seat that Barak wants, he can put me in as Secretary of Heatlh and Human Services...."

Come on. This is nothing but the Gov running at the mouth. The mouth that has caused him so much attention in the past. His demeanor is the issue, not anything else. Mr. Tough Guy.

It reminds of the 'highly technical' recordings of the Iraqis who were picked up on satellite about WMD. It's all 'made up' based on what they can find.

If the Tribune is in trouble it places any of their cause on shakey grounds because of the monies from the State. It could be said that The Tribune was muscling their position with the Governor because they have 'print power.'

So.

Anything goes at this point.

Bush is power playing again, no different than he did with Spitzer. Different charges, that's all.

None of these charges will stick and this is NOT how law enforcement approaches a Governor. He should have been notified of his status and that he should turn himself in. Bush is having a fit over Obama, especially after the assignment of Shinseki. It is all dirty Republican politics in hopes that once charged Governor Rod Blagojevich will over react as Spitzer did and resign, or better yet with charges pending a larger investigation will ensue and they will actually stumble across something that might stick.

Governor Rod Blagojevich needs to relax and enjoy the attention and continue to do his work. End of Discussion.

These are all soft charges. He said, she said. There is nothing to them. In financial times like this there was a lot of good reasons to withhold funding for a ball field and to defame a Governor that wouldn't hand over the money.

...According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired....

If you want to know the good, the bad and the ugly, check out the blog at The Chicago Tribune (click here), which changed hands not too long ago. See the Governor is too much a good Democrat and it would be a great victory for Georgie if he could cast doubt on the 'honesty' of Illinois Democrats and hence Obama.

Autism bill goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich
From today's print edition:
Autism bill goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich
It would mandate insurance coverage of $36,000 a year
By Monique Garcia and Ray Long
Tribune reporters
Insurance companies would be required to cover autism diagnosis and treatment up to $36,000 a year under legislation sent to the governor Thursday.
The action marks a victory for advocates who say early intervention and therapy is key to helping children with autism gain communication and social skills.
Under the proposal, which Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office said he plans to sign, insurance companies would be required to cover treatment until a patient turns 21. About 4,500 families across the state will qualify for coverage.

I hear Elliot is a "Slate" offering a guiding hand to the exploitation of the USA Treasury. Sounds like he's on our side more than ever. I would suggest the Obama Administration review his opinions, I am sure they are 'spot on.' Spitzer IS 'Wall Street.' No wonder Bush and Paulson went after him to discredit him. Spitzer is probably the one sincerely dedicated to the purpose of ending this type of corruption. I'm very happy Eliot is there. Hard to keep a good man down. Eliot should have listened. He shouldn't have resigned. His wife was at his side. As far as I know she and he are still married. I don't recall anything about a divorce. So the Bush Justice Department horse play was just that and nothing more. Darn shame.