An overwhelming majority of voters in the U.S. support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency setting stricter standards on gasoline and tighter emissions standards for cars, SUVs and trucks, according to the American Lung Association’s latest survey on the subject. This bipartisan telephone survey of 800 registered voters, conducted during January 13-16, 2013, finds that nearly…
Monthly Archives: January 2013
Obama Administration Releases Proposed New Renewable Fuel Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed new fuel efficiency standards on Thursday, opening up a 45-day public comment period. “EPA continues to support the use of renewable fuels within the transportation sector, which encourages innovation, strengthens American energy security, and decreases greenhouse gas pollution,” according to a press release announcing the standards. The…
SELC Responds to Charge that ‘Radical Environmentalists’ are ‘Killing Jobs’
After a recent controversy over the state of Alabama’s regulation of utility rates in comparison to how Georgia handles it, and the distortion of that story by a Republican PR group blaming the Southern Environmental Law Center and other so-called “radical environmentalists” for “killing jobs” in Georgia because of the closure of 14 coal-fired power…
LiveStream: Policy Symposium Kicks Off Planning for Alabama’s Overdue Water Management Plan
Sunset over Mobile Bay from Meaher State Park – All Alabama citizens, stakeholders and elected officials who want their voices to be heard in the discussion about the development of a comprehensive water management plan in Alabama — one of the last states in the country to get onboard to develop such a plan —…
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star And Other Fairy Tales in the News
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are.” – From the 19th-century English poem, “The Star,” by Jane Taylor – The Big Picture – by Glynn Wilson – Way to go, working folks. You voted for former Riley aide Twinkle Cavanaugh for the Alabama Public Service Commission, and now you’ve got it. A…
The Red Queen Effect: You Can Choose Running in Place, Holding On to the Past
Or Watch the Spotlight Shining On the Future – “It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.” – – The White Queen in Lewis Carroll’s Through The Looking Glass – The Big Picture – By Glynn Wilson – What if I told you I can see the future? No, not in some sort…
Political Calculus: Making Sense of Inalienable Rights and the Inaugural Address
By Bill Moyer – Arc of Justice “Harmonize your expectations with your aspirations!” is what I wrote Monday morning, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the day of President Obama’s second Inaugural Address as our giant Backbone marched through DC streets with a primarily anti-drone, Inauguration day demonstration. We participated on the principle that the…
Daily Show Goes Off on Presidential Inauguration
Inauguration 2013: The First Black President 2 – The Daily Show with Jon StewartGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook – Released from the burden of seeking re-election, Obama dares to suggest publicly that a government by, for, and of the people could be, at times, helpful to…
From Walden to the White House
By Michael Brune – Sierra Club Executive Director – If you could do it nonstop, it would take you six days to walk from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond to President Barack Obama’s White House. For the Sierra Club, that journey has taken much longer. For 120 years, we have remained committed to using every…
Sierra Club to Engage in Civil Disobedience to Fight Tar Sands Crude
The Sierra Club Board of Directors has approved the one-time use of civil disobedience for the first time in the organization’s 120-year history to fight the further exploration for tar sands crude oil. Oil sands, tar sands or, more technically, bituminous sands, are a type of unconventional petroleum deposit, according to Wikipedia. The oil sands…
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Indicted in Bribery Conspiracy
By Glynn Wilson – Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who burst upon the national scene during the botched handling of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for 21 counts of bribery, honest service wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and filing false tax returns, according to a press release just…
President Obama Devotes Comments in Second Inaugural Address to Environment, Labor
President Barack Obama takes the public oath office on Monday, Jan. 21 – By Glynn Wilson – President Barack Obama placed his hand on two Bibles — one used by Abraham Lincoln and another by Dr. Martin Luther King — and recited the brief oath of office on Monday, while First Lady Michelle Obama held…
President Barack Obama Sworn in for Second Term on Inauguration Day
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama during the official swearing-in ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. First Lady Michelle Obama, holding the Robinson family Bible, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, stand with the President. (Official…
Photo Essay: Birmingham’s Vulcan Trail Enshrouded in Snow
When the first snow of 2013 began falling in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday, photographer and hiker Kenny Walters took out along Vulcan Trail on Birmingham’s Southside with his Nikon to document the beauty of the event. This is some of what he found. Looking up at Vulcan – Around the bend – A fallen tree…
Video: Coalition of Alabama Students for the Environment Party at Good People
The Coalition of Alabama Students for the Environment (CASE) party for a good cause at Good People Brewery in Birmingham, Alabama. Watch this video to find out more. For more information, see the Facebook page for the event.
Yard Birds in a Dogwood After First Snowfall of 2013
A Carolina chickadee [poecile carolinensis] feeding in a dogwood on the morning after the first snowfall of 2013. (Click on the images for a larger view.) John James Audubon himself named this species in South Carolina. The curious, intelligent Carolina chickadee looks very much like a black-capped Chickadee, with a black cap on its cute…
Survey Shows Americans Dissatisfied With Corporations and the Government
Democrats Most Dissatisfied With Corporations, Republicans Just Dislike the Federal Government – By Glynn Wilson – Americans dislike large corporations as much as some are dissatisfied with “big” government, and a large majority of Americans want corporations to have less influence on American life, according to the latest Gallup Poll’s “Mood of the Nation” survey.…
First Snowfall of 2013 Hits Central Alabama
The first snowfall of 2013 hit Middle Alabamaland on Thursday, shutting down schools and causing power outages and other havoc even though the forecast only called for 1-3 inches and the winter storm was expected to be short-lived. Scroll down to see the best pics from later in the day. Click on the images for…
Policy Symposium Kicks Off Planning for Alabama’s Overdue Water Management Plan
Sunset over Mobile Bay from Meaher State Park – All Alabama citizens, stakeholders and elected officials who want their voices to be heard in the discussion about the development of a comprehensive water management plan in Alabama — one of the last states in the country to get onboard to develop such a plan —…
Salazar to Leave Obama’s Cabinet, Return Home to Colorado
By Glynn Wilson – Ken Salazar announced Wednesday that he will be leaving President Obama’s cabinet as Secretary of the Interior to return to his home state of Colorado. According to a press release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Salazar informed President Obama that he intends to leave the department by the end…
