Speaking of this country's most famous single investor, Warren Buffett, who last year bought a railroad for his holding company. The Northern Pacific went on to do wonders for his bottom line, and shares in his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, were up 29% in a year, doubling the market's performance. But from his perspective, theContinue reading “Another smart person against global warming”
Category Archives: politics
Thinktank: Water management failing in CA
The highly-regarded Public Policy Institute of California makes an important point in a new book: Despite several decades of well-intentioned environmental regulations, more than 80 percent of the state’s 129 native fish species are extinct or imperiled—listed as endangered or threatened, or likely to qualify for listing in the future. Piecemeal efforts to stop theContinue reading “Thinktank: Water management failing in CA”
The truth about HPV and cancer: Too complicated for a headline
One of NPR's top stories this week is this one: Virus Passed During Oral Sex Tops Tobacco as Throat Cancer Cause Kudos to the news source for not dumbing down the story, a big temptation, which if taken will surely lead to misunderstanding, especially in a headline. (Oral sex leads to cancer!) Not. Here's theirContinue reading “The truth about HPV and cancer: Too complicated for a headline”
Michigan Congressman attacks EPA, ignores constituents
Fred Upton, the newly-named chairman of the House Commerce and Energy Committee, was once a moderate Republican on climate issues. He supported measures to reduce the risk of global warming. But after receiving a $20,000 donation from the climate-change-denying-fossil-fuel-billionaire Koch brothers, Upton now wants to strip the EPA of its Supreme Court-mandated power to regulateContinue reading “Michigan Congressman attacks EPA, ignores constituents”
Why American problems are easily solved
Those concerned about climate change, from scientists to journalists to politicians, have a plethora of theories why the United States, almost alone among the nations of the developed world, seems resistant to acting to avoid the worst of the consequences. Update: A handful of possibilities are discussed this week in The Economist, which doesn't provideContinue reading “Why American problems are easily solved”
Billionaire brothers take control of House committee
Just when a sensible person is ready to throw in the towel on The Los Angeles Times, figuring it no longer has the will or the resources to cover national news, on Sunday they put on the front page a first-rate story that reveals how the multi-billionaire Koch brothers, aka The Kochtopus, have come toContinue reading “Billionaire brothers take control of House committee”
Obama: American businesses sitting on two trillion
Give credit to the NY TImes: they still put whole speeches of note on the front page and on the record. Speaking to the Chamber of Commerce today, President Obama pledged co-operation, but defended sensible regulations (such as we didn't have in the financial meltdown) and added a verbal jab: So if I've got oneContinue reading “Obama: American businesses sitting on two trillion”
The political wit of Jeff Tweedy (with music too!)
Sometimes I think the Internet is the greatest invention ever, and sometimes I think it's the greatest waste of time in world history. But sometimes you can split the difference. You can listen to music and do other stuff at the same time. Plus, of course, the music can be pretty darn wonderful. Such asContinue reading “The political wit of Jeff Tweedy (with music too!)”
Why humor matters in a speech: 2011 SOTU edition
NPR, one of the biggest news outlets in the nation, asked 4000 listeners to respond to the 2011 State of the Union address. Here's what they got back, in word cloud version: The discussion: "Why is "salmon" so big? As The Two-Way explains, NPR's Facebook followers were referring to one of the night's humorous momentsContinue reading “Why humor matters in a speech: 2011 SOTU edition”
What will Obama say about climate in tonight’s speech?
What will, if anything, President Obama say about climate in the State of the Union address? John Kerry, the de facto leader on the issue in the Senate, told The Hill that he expects President Obama to embrace "major initiatives" on climate in tonight's State of the Union address. Carol Browner, former director ofContinue reading “What will Obama say about climate in tonight’s speech?”
Kit Stolz 