http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Earth_Community-and-Politics_US-politics_18_193_734.html Press Review of the Earth from the most relevant websites. Keep in touch with the Earth and your future ! fr-FR http://www.earth-stream.com/logo-stream-Earth.png http://www.earth-stream.com Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:40:22 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Bush-team-s-environmental-regulations-draw-fire_18_193_734_134892.html Reuters: Loose regulation, now blamed for ills ranging from the U.S. financial crisis to imports of tainted Chinese goods, is drawing increasing fire from opponents of the Bush administration's environment program. In the final months of President George W. Bush's two terms in office, criticism about the use of regulation instead of legislation to craft environmental policy has grown louder. That is amplified by the campaign for the U.S. presidential election on November 4, with both ... Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:21:57 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Dem-Candidate-Called-Wacky-For-Suggesting-People-Walk-or-Ride-Bikes_18_193_734_134884.html Here is an interesting political ad that attacks Democratic nominee Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania's 3rd district for having "wacky ideas" such as people taking "personal responsibility" and walking places and riding bikes. ... Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:42:31 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Bail-out-bill-raises-US-renewable-energy-hopes_18_193_734_134852.html Renewable energy groups are increasingly optimistic that Congress will extend production and investment tax credits, after the US Senate voted in favour of a revised economic bailout plan to which the provisions had been attached. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:18:32 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Watch-the-Vice-Presidential-Debate-Live_18_193_734_134851.html The Press-Telegram will be streaming tonight's vice presidential debate between Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden live beginning at 6 p.m. The live stream only works with the Internet Explorer Web browser. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:18:24 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Citing-Expense-USDA-Kills-Pesticide-Testing-Program-The-EPA-Used-the-Data-to-Assess-Risk-of-Chemicals-in-Food_18_193_734_134845.html The Bush administration has abruptly halted a government program that tests the levels of pesticides in fruits, vegetables and field crops, arguing that the $8 million-a-year program is too expensive. Critics say the decision could make it harder to protect consumers from chemicals in their food. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:48:32 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Vice-Presidential-Debate-Palin-vs-Biden-On-Global-Warming_18_193_734_134838.html In the Vice Presidential debate earlier this evening, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden each had a strong point of view on global warming. Gwen Ifill, the moderator, specifically questioned Palin about her views on carbon emissions and Biden about his view on clean coal technology. Here are some key excerpts from the debate:   Sarah Palin She confirmed that John McCain wants to put a cap on carbon emissions. She said that the nation had to become “energy independent,” conserving fuel and clean up the planet. She talked of America’s cry for tapping into domestic energy sources, saying they support a “drill, baby, drill” attitude as a measure for becoming energy independent She criticized Biden for an overheard comment he made on a rope line that appeared to contradict Barack Obama’s support of building clean coal plants. Read more of this story » Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:06:37 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Mandate-For-Biofuels-Production-Requires-Science-based-Policy-And-Global-Perspective_18_193_734_134761.html In his State of the Union Address on Jan. 23, 2007, President Bush stated that, in order to substantially lower foreign oil imports, "We must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017." Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:20:23 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/AT&T-Helps-Belmont-University-Get-Tech-Ready-for-the-Upcoming-2008-Town-Hall-Presidential-Debate_18_193_734_134756.html NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. announced today that new communications technology systems have been deployed for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, to be held at Belmont University on Tuesday, October 7. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:20:22 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Research-Firm-Announces-Winners-of-Ballads-for-Ballots-08-Music-Video-Contest_18_193_734_134749.html To: POLITICAL EDITORS Contact: Vince McGourty, HCD Research, +1-908-483-9121, vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net - Winning Republican and Democratic Video Each Receive $5K - FLEMINGTON, N.J., Oct. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:37:36 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/High-Tech-Analysis-May-Obscure-VP-Debate_18_193_734_134705.html CNN's perception meter, displayed at the bottom of the screen during the presidential debate, was at best a poorly executed gimmick and at worst may have impacted people's perception of the debate as they watched. The same tool will be used during the vice presidential and future presidential debates. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:12:53 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Comcast-Provides-Highly-Anticipated-Vice-Presidential-Debates-On-Demand_18_193_734_134686.html Addition of 2008 VP Debates and the next Presidential Debates Expands Comcast's Comprehensive Election Programming Comcast Corporation Jennifer Allen, 215-286-5788 Jennifer_allen@comcast.com Logo: http://www.comcast.com Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:CMCSA, CMCSK), the leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, announced today that the highly anticipated vice presidential debate will be available On Demand, as early as Friday morning. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:09:41 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Video-Working-to-Save-Central-Africa-s-Forests_18_193_734_134673.html Recognizing the regional and global importance of the Congo Basin’s forests, WRI began working in Central Africa ten years ago and has since built an extensive on-the-ground presence to contribute to the development and maintenance of sustainable forest management in the region. The following video introduction by Pierre Méthot, Program Manager for WRI’s Forest Information and Governance Initiative in Central Africa, is the first in a series of pieces examining WRI’s expanding role in this important region: Stretching across six countries, the Congo Basin contains the second largest contiguous tropical forest in the world and is home to a wealth of biodiversity and wildlife populations. In addition to serving the livelihoods of the estimated 30 million people living in the region, the Basin’s forests absorb atmospheric carbon, thereby mitigating global warming. The health of this rich ecosystem, however, is under increasing strain. Industrial logging is expanding across the region due to mounting local and international demand for the Congo Basin’s forest resources, particularly from Asian markets. Moreover, as continued infrastructure improvements enhance forest accessibility, forest degradation and fragmentation is accelerating in even the most remote areas. Alongside the Amazon and Southeast Asia, Central Africa has consequently become a focal point for tropical deforestation, which currently accounts for 20% of global carbon emissions. While not yet experiencing the high rates of deforestation seen in the other two regions, Central Africa will likely face similar levels as demand and populations increase. In August, I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo with colleagues in the People and Ecosystems Program to visit our local offices in Kinshasa and Brazzaville and interview regional partners in government, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector. The experience illuminated both t ... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:12:33 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Wi-Fi-TV-s-TM-Live-Coverage-of-VP-Debate-Tonight-Showcases-Social-Internet-TV-TM-_18_193_734_134602.html Wi-Fi TV Inc. (Pink Sheets:WIFT) will feature live coverage of the Vice Presidential debate this evening with live chat and breaking news and commentary from around the world. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:12:17 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/McCain-s-Long-Brutal-History-of-Opposing-Sensible-Broadband-Rules_18_193_734_134566.html Yesterday, I published an article arguing that John McCain's policies had contributed significantly to the sorry state of broadband in this country. A smart commentator pointed out that there were tons of reasons for opposing the 1996 Telecom Act. Most of the debate, in fact, centered around censorship and the Communications Decency Act. Was blocking competition and helping the Bell's really McCain's motive in voting nay? Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:11:53 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Reflections-from-the-RAN-RYSE-SEAC-gathering_18_193_734_134564.html Last week Rainforest Action Network co-hosted a gathering of 60 activists in Chicago with the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC). Below is a reflection from Robin Markle, one of the youth leaders in RAN’s network. Robin serves on the national council of RYSE (explained below), and also helps coordinate the new Students for a Democratic [...] Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:20:42 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Stephen-Harper-s-Right-Hand-Man-Helped-Organize-Anti-Kyoto-Astroturf-Group_18_193_734_134553.html A good indicator of a man's character is the company he keeps. So DesmogBlog decided to have a closer look at the all-powerful staff in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Office. We started at the top with Guy Giorno, who was appointed Chief of Staff when Ian Brodie had to slink out of the building in humiliation after he was caught leading information to the media that seriously impacted the U.S. nomination race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton - part of the so-called?? NAFTA-gate.Giorno is a Toronto-based lawyer, corporate lobbyist and chief of staff to then-Ontario premier Mike Harris during the so-called ???common sense revolution???. Giorno was also a vocal opponent of the Kyoto protocol ??? to the point that he was a key member of an anti-kyoto front group group called Canadian Coalition for Responsible Environmental Solutions (CCRES). According to Source Watch, CCRES was set up by National Public Relations - Canada???s largest public relations firm - when Giorno worked for them. National Public Relations is also the Canadian affiliate of the often controversial international firm Burson-Marsteller. In classic Astroturf fashion, CCRES members are a who???s who of industries that would be affected by mandatory CO2 emission reductions. They include:Canadian Association of Petroleum ProducersCanadian Energy Pipeline AssociationPetroleum Services Association of CanadaPropane Gas Association of CanadaCanadian Association of Oilwell Drilling ContractorsAutomotive Parts Manufacturers AssociationAlberta Chamber of ResourcesAlberta Chambers of CommerceThe Cement Association of CanadaCanadian Council of Chief ExecutivesGiorno organized a wine and shrimp fete in 2002 to allow CCRES members to lobby top-level Ontario cabinet ministers in an effort to oppose action on climate change. The As Harper???s chief of staff, Giorno is now one of the most powerful people in the country, from which position it must be considerably easier to represent industries that are ... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:16:52 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Canadian-Challenge-Canadian-Election-Debate-or-American-Vice-Presidential-Debate-_18_193_734_134547.html Canadian political junkies are all busy programming their VCRs, Tivos, or getting all set up to Bittorrent tonight. Thanks to the vagaries of the Parliamentary process, there is a Canadian election called for October 14th. And, similar to the Presidential debates that have been, and will be happening, the leaders of Canada’s five major parties:     Conservatives, Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois, and Green are participating in back to back French and English language debates (you can read coverage of the debates here). For those readers who are wondering, Canada is officially bilingual, and therefore the major party leaders have a debate in each official language prior to the election. Read more of this story » Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:15:48 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Clean-Energy-2030-Google-s-Green-Energy-Future-Revealed-It-ll-Save-U-S-$1-Trillion_18_193_734_134543.html T. Boone Pickens has the Pickens Plan; Al Gore has his ‘Generational Challenge to America’; both John McCain's and Barack Obama's renewable energy plans have been repeatedly articulated. Now Google has gotten into the energy policy act and proclaimed their vision of a green energy future. Under Clean Energy 2030, oal would be entirely elimina... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:25:06 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Give-Taxpayers-a-Break_18_193_734_134510.html Barack Obama wants to give 95 percent of taxpayers a break on our tax burden. Isn't that the correct way to provide a "stimulus package" for the country? It is time to vote for a leader of people. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:53:02 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Community-and-Politics/US-politics/Note-to-Sarah-Palin-The-Cause-of-Global-Warming-Does-Matter_18_193_734_134493.html photo: Tom LeGro/News Hour Is this really an improvement on saying that global warming is not man-made? In an interview with CBS’ Katie Couric on Tuesday night, Republican nominee for vice-president Sarah Palin clarified her position on global warming a little bit. When she was initially nominated a number of sources seized upon previous statements she made that global warming was not man-made. Since then she has back off on that position, telling Couric that “It kind of doesn’t matter.” Here’s more of what she said, ...