Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/294816971?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Thursday, 28 March 2013
Monday, 25 March 2013
Prince Harry to tour Hurricane Sandy damage in US visit
Chris Jackson / Getty Images
By Eun Kyung Kim, TODAY contributor
Prince Harry plans to visit the United States on an official multi-stop journey that will include a visit to wounded veterans.
The prince will be in America from May 9-15, the palace said in a briefing Monday. His trip will include a stop in Washington, D.C., where he will visit the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a facility for wounded service members.
Harry, an officer in the British Army, recently returned from a second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The prince also plans to visit a Capitol Hill exhibit on landmine clearance, a campaign passionately taken up by his mother, Princess Diana.
Harry also will tour areas hit by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey, along with a visit to Greenwich, Conn., to attend a polo match. Denver also will be on his tour stop.
The May trip will be an official visit on behalf of England, unlike the last time the prince visited the United States in August 2012 following the Summer Olympics. He spent several days in Las Vegas, where he was famously photographed nude by friends he met at the time. Harry later said he showed poor judgment, and that ?I let my family down; I let other people down? with the incident.
/
Follow Princes William and Harry from cradle to adulthood, as they grew up in the spotlight of modern-day royalty.
More: Prince Harry dances with kids, wears teddy bear apron on Africa tour?
Prince Harry snuggles with socialite on ski mountain
Prince Harry on infamous Vegas photos: 'I let my family down'?
Wedding for Prince Harry? Not 'for a long time'
Beyonce Won?t Let Her Father Mathew Knowles Meet Blue Ivy
Beyonce Won’t Let Her Father Mathew Knowles Meet Blue Ivy
Singer Beyonce is enjoying her successful career and role as a new mother to 14-month-old Blue Ivy. Her father, Mathew Knowles, claims his daughter won’t allow him to meet his own granddaughter, after cutting ties with him both professionally and personally. Beyonce has been open about her troubled relationship with her dad Mathew Knowles, whom ...
Beyonce Won’t Let Her Father Mathew Knowles Meet Blue Ivy Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News
Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/03/beyonce-wont-let-her-father-mathew-knowles-meet-blue-ivy/
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Sunday, 24 March 2013
Holy Spirit, Batman! Superhero Story on Vatican Website Not a Hack
No, this isn't the Catholic Church's way of appealing to comic book fans. On Thursday, the website of the Vatican communications office and Vatican Twitter account ran stories on Batman. While some initially suspected hacking, Vatican officials are instead saying that there was an "internal system failure" caused by a non-native English speaker -- and apparent Batman enthusiast -- who posted the story.
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Friday, 22 March 2013
Quirky Lyme disease bacteria: Unlike most organisms, they don't need iron, but crave manganese
Mar. 21, 2013 ? Scientists have confirmed that the pathogen that causes Lyme Disease -- unlike any other known organism -- can exist without iron, a metal that all other life needs to make proteins and enzymes. Instead of iron, the bacteria substitute manganese to make an essential enzyme, thus eluding immune system defenses that protect the body by starving pathogens of iron.
To cause disease, Borrelia burgdorferi requires unusually high levels of manganese, scientists at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the University of Texas reported. Their study, published March 22, 2013, in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, may explain some mysteries about why Lyme Disease is slow-growing and hard to detect and treat. The findings also open the door to search for new therapies to thwart the bacterium by targeting manganese.
"When we become infected with pathogens, from tuberculosis to yeast infections, the body has natural immunological responses," said Valeria Culotta, a molecular biologist at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health. The liver produces hepcidin, a hormone that inhibits iron from being absorbed in the gut and also prevents it from getting into the bloodstream. "We become anemic, which is one reason we feel terrible, but it effectively starves pathogens of iron they need to grow and survive," she said.
Borrelia, with no need for iron,has evolved to evade that defense mechanism. In 2000, groundbreaking research on Borrelia's genome by James Posey and Frank Gherardini at the University of Georgia showed that the bacterium has no genes that code to make iron-containing proteins and typically do not accumulate any detectable iron.
Culotta's lab at JHU investigates what she called "metal-trafficking" in organisms? -- the biochemical mechanisms that cells and pathogens such as Borrelia use to acquire and manipulate metal ions for their biological purposes.
"If Borrelia doesn't use iron, what does it use?" Culotta asked.
To find out, Culotta's lab joined forces with Mak Saito, a marine chemist at WHOI, who had developed techniques to explore how marine life uses metals. Saito was particularly intrigued because of the high incidence of Lyme Disease on Cape Cod, where WHOI is located, and because he specializes in metalloproteins, which contain iron, zinc, cobalt, and other elements often seen in vitamin supplements. The metals serve as linchpins, binding to enzymes. They help determine the enzymes' distinctive three-dimensional shapes and the specific chemical reactions they catalyze.
It's difficult to identify what metals are within proteins because typical analyses break apart proteins, often separating metal from protein. Saito used a liquid chromatography mass spectrometer to distinguish and measure separate individual Borrelia proteins according to their chemical properties and infinitesimal differences in their masses. Then he used an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to detect and measure metals down to parts per trillion. Together, the combined analyses not only measured the amounts of metals and proteins, they showed that the metals are components of the proteins.
"The tools he has are fantastic," Culotta said. "Not too many people have this set of tools to detect metalloproteins."
The experiments revealed that instead of iron, Borrelia uses that element's next-door neighbor on the periodic chart, manganese, in certain Borrelia enzymes. These include an amino peptidase and an important antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase.
Superoxide dismutase protects the pathogens against a second defense mechanism that the body throws against them. The body bombards pathogens with superoxide radicals, highly reactive molecules that cause damage within the pathogens. Superoxide dismutase is like an antioxidant that neutralizes the superoxides so that the pathogens can continue to grow.
The discoveries open new possibilities for therapies, Culotta said. "The only therapy for Lyme Disease right now are antibiotics like penicillin, which are effective if the disease is detected early enough. It works by attacking the bacteria's cell walls. But certain forms of Borrelia, such as the L-form, can be resistant because they are deficient in cell walls."
"So we'd like to find targets inside pathogenic cell that could thwart their growth," she continued. "The best targets are enzymes that the pathogens have, but people do not, so they would kill the pathogens but not harm people." Borrelia's distinctive manganese-containing enzymes such as superoxide dismutase may have such attributes.
In search of new avenues of attack, the groups are planning to expand their collaborative efforts by mapping out all the metal-binding proteins that Borellia uses and investigating biochemical mechanisms that the bacteria use to acquire manganese and directs it into essential enzymes. Knowing details of how that happens offers ways to disrupt the process and deter Lyme Disease.
The authors of the new study are J. Daphne Aguirre, Hillary Clark, Christine Vazquez, Shaina Palmere, and Culotta (JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health); Saito and Matthew McIlvin (WHOI); Denise Grab (JHS School of Medicine); Janakiram Seshu (University of Texas); and P. John Hart (University of Texas Health Science Center).
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- J. D. Aguirre, H. M. Clark, M. McIlvin, C. Vazquez, S. L. Palmere, D. Grab, J. Seshu, P. J. Hart, M. Saito, V. C. Culotta. A Manganese-Rich Environment Supports Superoxide Dismutase Activity in a Lyme Disease Pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2013; DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M112.433540
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/IcB1FSF_Mvk/130321205712.htm
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How Raw Food Diet for Dogs Can Be Helpful? - a2z Pets Info
Home ? > ? Pets ? > ? Dog ? > ? Dog Food ? > ? How Raw Food Diet for Dogs Can Be Helpful? By admin on March 21, 2013 
The food that your pet dog eats should provide all the nutritional components that are essential for healthy development of all organs and systems. Proper nutritional compounds can help with the proper functioning of the body and prevent diseases from occurring.
Before starting raw food diet for dogs, you should consult a veterinarian to confirm whether you can give raw food to your dog or not. It is a good choice to give homemade diets, but it might be tough to prepare and maintain over the time due to the cost and ease of cooking ingredients that lead to recipe drift.
Things to Include in Raw Food Diet for Dogs
Meat is the main ingredient to include in the raw food diet for dogs. Meat should be included daily in your pet dog?s diet. Initially, you can start with raw chicken, then you can feed the dog with some other types of meat such as fish, lamb, pork, turkey, rabbit, quail, etc.- You can add bones and other organs like liver, kidney, heart, etc.
- Most people think that dogs are carnivorous, so they should not be fed with vegetables and fruits. But they are omnivorous like humans and you can safely feed your dog with fresh fruits and vegetables.
- You can add fruits like apples, oranges, pears, etc.
- You can add vegetables like carrots, peppers, parsley, celery, and spinach. Also including foods like raw eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. occasionally is a good idea.
Also, you can find raw food diet for dogs at various pet stores. But, avoiding these foods is a good idea as they are prepared under unhygienic conditions. Some of the readily available products may contain additional supplements that can harm your pet dog.
Are there any health benefits of raw food diet for dogs?
- Most of the dog owners who used raw food diet for dogs reported many positive changes. Raw diet is more balanced and provides all the necessary nutrients for good health of the dog.
- As the animal bones are the main thing in raw diet, they help in cleaning the dog?s teeth in a very natural way and make the gums and teeth stronger. Raw diet aids in proper digestion thus leading firm stools.
- Dogs that usually eat raw foods look more energetic and lively than the dogs that do not. As raw diet includes several food items, dogs will enjoy them while eating, which in turn will bring huge difference in their appetite.
- Raw diet helps in controlling dog?s weight from excessive weight gain or excessive weight loss. Raw food helps in the development of healthy skin and healthy coat.
This diet makes the dog?s immune system stronger thus preventing it from many diseases. Studies suggest that dogs that eat raw food can live a longer and healthy life.
Source: http://www.a2zpetsinfo.com/pets/dog/dog-food-dog/raw-food-diet-for-dogs.html
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Nexus 4 back in stock at German Google Play Store
The UK isn't the only country that's just seen a fresh influx of Nexus 4 stock at its Google Play Store. Today the official +Nexus Google+ page sends word that the coveted handset is now back in stock in Germany. The phone is available in 8GB and 16GB flavors for €249 and €349 respectively, and set to ship in 3 to 5 days.
(Incidentally, the phone's still in stock in the UK and shipping within the same timeframe)
Grab 'em at the links below --
 |  |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/Tem_X3GYp94/story01.htm
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Saturday, 16 March 2013
Communications technology among tools needed to aid miner safety
Mar. 15, 2013 ? A new National Academy of Sciences report identifies tools that would help miners devise their own means of escape when trapped underground.
In part, the report suggests that The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) work closely with technology companies to develop new communications and tracking devices -- ones that keep working underground after a mining accident.
It also suggests that NIOSH and MSHA work with mining companies to enable frequent escape drills and extensive training with safety equipment.
The report offers the first comprehensive examination of all the diverse factors that affect mining safety, said William Marras, professor and Honda Endowed Chair in the Department of Integrated Systems Engineering at The Ohio State University and chair of the report committee.
"All these factors have been reviewed before, but only in isolation. On the committee, we realized that the problem is that all these things are connected. So we analyzed each one to find out how they fit together," Marras said.
For instance, when the air in a mine is contaminated with smoke or chemicals, miners are supposed to wear a portable air supply. But the standard design requires them to bite down on a mouthpiece to breathe, so they can't talk.
"In an emergency situation, miners need to gather as much information as they can, as fast as they can. Sharing information is especially important, and you can't do that if you're wearing this mouthpiece," he said.
The committee suggested that researchers develop breathing devices that don't inhibit speech, as well as easy-to-use electronic communicators that double as way-finders to help miners navigate to the safest exit -- along with training to make using these devices second-nature in case of emergency.
The complete report, Improving Self-Escape from Underground Coal Mines, is available online from The National Academies Press.
Marras directs Ohio State's Biodynamics Laboratory as well as the Institute for Ergonomics. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2009, and is the immediate past chair of the National Research Council Board on Human Systems Integration.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Ohio State University. The original article was written by Pam Frost Gorder.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
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Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Last glimpse of cardinals until one becomes pope
Alastair Jamieson / NBC News
Thousands stood in line outside St Peter's Basilica early Tuesday to get into the special pre-conclave Mass.
By Alastair Jamieson, Staff writer, NBC News
VATICAN CITY ? Thousands of pilgrims and tourists waited in line to get inside St. Peter's Basilica early Tuesday?for a special pre-conclave Mass with?Roman Catholic cardinals who were?preparing to choose the next pope.?
The ?Mass Pro Eligendo Pontifice? began at 10 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) in front of a congregation of worshippers who were waiting outside in St. Peter's Square for tickets allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
?It?s in the air! You really feel it,? said Lois Girten, 55, from Austin, Texas, who secured a last-minute place on a two-week pilgrimage to Rome through a cancelation.
Alastair Jamieson / NBC News
Lois Girten, 55, from Austin, Texas, was among those waiting in line to get inside the pre-conclave Mass at St Peter's Basilica, on Tuesday.
?It?s God?s gift that I?m in Rome just as the conclave takes place. I?m almost speechless with excitement, it?s a real treat for me.?
?You can feel the spirit with us in the line,? she added.
Mara Pankow, 21 and Brenna Stein, 18, both college students from Hankinson, North Dakota, in Rome for spring break, joined the line even though they have already seen inside the basilica.
?We?ve already been on a tour of the inside but we thought it would be amazing to see a Mass on the day the conclave starts,? Pankow said.
?We?re very lucky to be here at the same time as the conclave. It?s awesome,? said Stein.
Several thousand visitors were allowed in to take part in the service, according to Religion News Service correspondent Alessandro Speciale inside the basilica.
In his homily, cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, told the congregation: ?My brothers, let us pray that the Lord will grant us a Pontiff who will embrace this noble mission with a generous heart.?
Deliberation and voting in the papal conclave, which takes places in the 16th century Sistine Chapel, won?t begin until after 5 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET) Tuesday.
Before that, there?ll be more ceremony: After lunch, the 115 cardinals eligible to vote will move from their temporary residential quarters at in the Casa Santa Marta to the Pauline Chapel from where they will form a procession into the Sistine Chapel.
The procession will be in reverse order of Vatican hierarchy, starting with cardinal deacon James Michael Harvey from Milwaukee and ending with cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the highest-ranking cardinal in the Roman curia.
It will be the last time they are seen publicly until they choose the new pope ? a process that could take several days and will be heralded by the appearance of white smoke from the chimney above the chapel. In the meantime, they will be isolated from the outside world and banned from using cellphones or watching television.
There's a growing tension between those who seek institutional tradition and those who want to move the Catholic Church forward and reenergize its ranks. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
Once inside, each will swear an oath of secrecy -- a breach is punishable by ex-communication -- before an official proclaims in Latin ?Extra omnes,? meaning all others present must leave.
The oath-taking process is expected to last up to an hour, and will be followed by mediation and prayer led by Cardinal Prosper Grech.
When the voting finally begins Tuesday, there will be one round of voting?in the late afternoon, followed by two every morning and two every afternoon until someone gets two-thirds of the votes.
During the day, cardinals will deliberate inside the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam." At night, they will be taken by shuttle bus the short distance to the modest rooms in Casa Santa Marta, which John Paul II had built in 1996.
Such is the importance of secrecy that Vatican officials have installed jamming devices to prevent the use of cellphones by cardinals or hidden microphones by anyone wanting to hear their deliberations.
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The pope delivers his final audience in St. Peter's Square as he prepares to stand down.
Although there is no definitive favorite to take the helm, cardinals have been holding a series of General Congregations in recent days to discuss the qualities they would like to see in their new leader.
No conclave has lasted more than five days in the past century, with most finishing within two or three days. Pope Benedict was elected within barely 24 hours in 2005 after just four rounds of voting.
Benedict triggered the election last month with his shock decision to abdicate because of his increasingly frail health -- the first pontiff to step down in six centuries.
He leaves his successor a sea of troubles -- including seemingly never-ending sex-abuse scandals, rivalry and strife inside the Vatican bureaucracy, a shortage of priests and a rise of secularism in its European strongholds.
Related:?
From Rome to Africa: Meet 20 men who could be pope
Conclave smoke signals a bit of a gray area
Full coverage of the papal abdication from NBC News
?
This story was originally published on Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:56 AM EDT
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Harnik back in Austria squad for WCup qualifiers
Associated Press Sports
updated 7:52 a.m. ET March 12, 2013
VIENNA (AP) -Striker Martin Harnik will return to the Austria team for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Faeroe Islands and Ireland.
Harnik, who was out injured for the team's 2-1 friendly defeat to Wales in February, has been included in the 23-man squad announced by Austria coach Marcel Koller on Tuesday.
In his only change to the squad, Koller dropped Rapid Vienna midfielder Marcel Sabitzer in favor of the Stuttgart striker, who has eight goals from 34 international games.
Austria, which plays Faeroe Islands in Vienna on March 22 and Ireland in Dublin four days later, has four points from three matches in Group C, which also includes Germany, Sweden and Kazakhstan.
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Austria Squad:
Goalkeepers: Robert Almer (Duesseldorf), Lukas Koenigshofer (Rapid Vienna), Heinz Lindner (Austria Vienna).
Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic (Basel), Christian Fuchs (Schalke), Gyoergy Garics (Bologna), Florian Klein (Salzburg), Emanuel Pogatetz (West Ham United), Sebastian Proedl (Werder Bremen), Franz Schiemer (Salzburg), Markus Suttner (Austria Wien).
Midfielders: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Marko Arnautovic (Werder Bremen), Julian Baumgartlinger (Mainz), Andreas Ivanschitz (Mainz), Jakob Jantscher (Dynamo Moscow), Zlatko Junuzovic (Werder Bremen), Veli Kavlak (Besiktas), Christoph Leitgeb (Salzburg).
Forwards: Martin Harnik (Stuttgart), Philipp Hosiner (Austria Vienna), Marc Janko (Trabzonspor), Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa).
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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PST: The New York Red Bulls rookie manager didn?t need long before wading knee deep into a muddy field. Petke's club is in crisis mode after a bad start.
Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51144551/ns/sports-soccer/
Venture Capitalists Face Another Sexual Harassment Suit ...
Another lawsuit is raising the issue of sexual discrimination in Silicon Valley. Three female employees have sued CMEA Capital, a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, claiming sexual harassment and retaliation.
In the case against CMEA, in Superior Court of California in San Francisco, three CMEA female administrative assistants say that John Haag, the former president and chief operating partner, ?behaved in sexually and racially inappropriate ways? and that after they formally logging their complaint with CMEA in April, ?management did not take reasonable steps to protect female and minority employees from Defendant Haag?s severe and pervasive harassment, and have perpetuated the problem since his departure.?
Mr. Haag has denied these claims. ?John Haag looks forward to the truth coming out in the course of this lawsuit,? Marcie S. Isom of the law firm Gordon & Rees, Mr. Haag?s lawyer,? said in a statement. ?Mr. Haag plans to vigorously defend himself and trusts the justice system will completely vindicate him. Because this matter is in active litigation, Mr. Haag cannot offer further comment.?
The 17-page complaint against CMEA, filed in February, contains several lurid claims. Among them: that Mr. Haag referred to one plaintiff as ?dirty bird,? watched pornography at the office, and inquired about whether a plaintiff? ?groomed her pubic hair.?
The three plaintiffs, Dawn-Shemain Weeks, Margaret Hines and Shannon Schlagenhauf, said that other partners at CMEA were aware of the inappropriate behavior and that at one point CMEA?s founder, Tom Baruch, called Mr. Haag a ?predator? and warned the plaintiffs to stay away from him.
The plaintiffs filed a formal complaint with CMEA?s management in April. They say that a subsequent investigation by Tri-Net, an independent human resources firm, corroborated their accounts and that as a result CMEA bought out Mr. Haag?s interests in CMEA funds and dismissed him.
After the buyout, the plaintiffs say, the firm retaliated against them by cutting their overtime pay ? which, they say, made up more than a quarter of their salary? and increasing their workload. According to the suit, they say one partner complained that their complaint had cost CMEA ?a lot of money.?
CMEA denies those claims. The firm has hired Lara Villarreal Hutner of Villarreal Hutner & Todd as its lead trial counsel. In a prepared statement, Ms. Villarreal Hutner said:
?The truth is that this lawsuit is the result of the least ?sexy? of its allegations: these administrative assistants? curtailment of overtime resulting from CMEA?s commitment to excellence and efficiency. CMEA acted at all times professionally and with integrity, underscored by the fact that for the last 8 months the administrative assistants continued working for the firm, and resigned only after retaining an attorney and filing this lawsuit. While the statements asserted in this lawsuit are salacious, CMEA is confident that the true facts supported by evidence ? not others? self-interested mudslinging ? will determine the outcome of this case. As such, CMEA is fully prepared to vigorously defend itself and its reputation, and is supremely confident in its ability to prevail.?
One plaintiff, Ms. Weeks, resigned from CMEA in January, saying she was ?not comfortable working in a work environment that continues to condone inappropriate sexual conduct and retaliation.? The two remaining plaintiffs, Ms. Hines and Ms. Schlagenhauf, resigned last week.
The plaintiffs have requested a jury trial but a trial date is not expected until 2014.
In January, Keith Rabois, chief operating officer at Square, a mobile payments company? based in San Francisco, resigned amid charges that he had sexually harassed a male employee. He took a job as a venture capitalist at Khosla Ventures in February.
In May, sexual discrimination charges at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers shook Silicon Valley. In that suit, Ellen Pao, a former investment partner at the firm, claims that she was harassed into a brief affair with a colleague and that her efforts to deal with the matter and other instances of unseemly behavior resulted in retaliation. Ms. Pao also claims that the firm limited the career advancement of its female employees. Kleiner denies this.
Source: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/venture-capitalists-face-another-sexual-harassment-suit/
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Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Samsung's latest Chromebook now supports Netflix courtesy of HTML5 streaming
Samsung's most recent Chromebook released last fall may get the job done for those who rely mostly on websites and web apps, but there have still been some gaps in the web-based services it supports -- like Netflix. That's changed today, though, with Google announcing that it has collaborated with Netflix and Microsoft to enable HTML5 video streaming on the ARM-based Chromebook (Google had previously said Netflix support was coming, but provided few specifics). That notably also makes it the first instance of Netflix using HTML5 for streaming instead of Silverlight, although there's no indication of it spreading to other devices just yet. As far as Chromebook users are concerned, all you have to do is go to the Netflix website and log in to get started.
Filed under: Laptops, Samsung, Google
Source: Chrome (Google+), Google Groups
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/11/samsung-chromebook-netflix-html5-streaming/
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Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup | Watts Up With That?
The Week That Was: 2013-03-09 (March 9, 2013) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
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Quote of the Week: ??scientists are neither saints nor devils but human beings sharing the common weaknesses of our species.? Freeman Dyson The Scientist as Rebel, p. 15] [H/t Donna Laframboise]
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Number of the Week: $40 Billion US
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
Changing Sun: In its Fourth Assessment Report, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC ? AR4) dismissed the sun as a major influence on the earth?s climate change. AR4 stated that changes in Total Solar Irradiance (TSI ? sunshine) are not sufficient to explain the changing climate. The IPCC ignored other forms of energy from the sun, such as solar wind and magnetism.??
This week, several articles appeared discussing a just published paper by Willie Soon and David Legates: Solar irradiance modulation of Equator-to-Pole (Arctic) temperature gradients: Empirical evidence for climate variation on multi-decadal timescales. The paper asserts that changes in TSI influence changes in the temperature difference between the Equator and the North Pole.
An article in Quadrant, explains that the best way to reveal the influence of the sun on temperatures is to use daytime-highs rather than day-night averages. This goes to one of criticism of the models by five-time IPCC Expert Reviewer Vincent Gray (of NZ) that the sun does not shine at every location 24 hours a day as depicted in the models. Please see links under: Science: Is the Sun Rising?
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US Assessment Report: In January, the US National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC) published an alarmist draft report on global warming / climate change consequences for the US. Roger Pielke Jr. promptly slammed the report for some of its factual errors, noting that with so much money spent, and so many authors involved, how could the draft report be so wrong?
On his web site, Bob Tisdale presents a more detailed critique. In closing, he suggests the Committee abandon alarmism because, with the internet, false claims are long remembered and evidence can be found to refute them. It remains to be seen if the bureaucratic who wrote the report will understand.
These government efforts are being supervised by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which has as a motto ?Thirteen Agencies, One Vision: Empower the Nation with Global Change Science.? The factually challenged reports reflect on all the agencies involved. Please see links under Challenging the Orthodoxy and http://ncadac.globalchange.gov/.
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IPCC Run-Up: Just in time to be included in the up-coming IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), researchers from Oregon State University published a report in Science magazine that estimates that temperatures of the last decade were hotter than 75% of the time since the end of the last ice age (start of the Holocene about 11,500 years ago). According to an article in the Oregonian: ?The rate of change in the last 100 years is very much unprecedented compared to anything we?ve seen in the last 10,000 years,? said Marcott, the study?s lead author.? ?If climate models used by the IPCC, temperatures in 2100 would exceed previous Holocene temperatures in ?all plausible greenhouse gas emission scenarios,? the study says.? The study is based on 73 sets of climate records, mostly from ocean sediment cores.
Immediately, several red flags come up. One, there has been no warming for at least a decade, and the climate models are failing. One cannot make any scientifically supported projections to 2100 based on the models. Two, researcher Marcott claimed that prior research had not extended global temperatures from proxies beyond the last 2,000 years. Ice cores go far beyond that and the new study is inconsistent with Greenland ice cores, which are supported by significant other proxy data. Three, the sampled time interval is between 20 to 500 years, making it difficult to make any comparisons with the rate of warming in the 20th century.
Four, a simple review of the studies listed in CO2 Science, the web site of Sherman, Craig, and Keith Idso, produces a multitude of studies that contradict the claim that the current warm period is unusual, even in the last 1,000 years. Under Medieval Warm Period, there are studies for every continent. Under Medieval Warm Period, Global, there a multitude of studies listed including one that had 6,144 sets of heat flow measurements from all the continents.
This episode is one more illustration of once distinguished scientific journals hyping an upcoming article by sending out early press releases to selected journalists who will write a sensationalized report on the article before anyone in the scientific community has a chance to read and think about it. Please see Article # 1, links under Defending the Orthodoxy and http://www.co2science.org/subject/m/subject_m.php
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Madison Avenue Science: Since the 1920s until recently, Madison Avenue in New York has been identified with the American advertising industry. Here many highly successful ad campaigns for consumer products such as toothpaste, aspirin, toilet paper, and, yes, cigarettes were concocted and implemented. In his book Propaganda, pioneer Edward Bernays made it clear he believed in what he was doing, and it was for the good of consumers and the country. He believed it was important for a self-selected elite to influence the general masses as to what to buy, to think, and to vote. Today, the term propaganda is no longer fashionable and has been replaced by ?scientific marketing.?
Joe D?Aleo has pointed out that sociologist Edward Maibach established a scientific marketing center for the Climate Establishment. Indeed, a review of the web site of The Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University confirms D?Aleo?s view. All the trappings of Madison Avenue are there. ?We use social science research methods ? experiments, surveys, in-depth interviews and other methods ? to find ways of effectively engaging the public and policy makers in the problem, and in considering and enacting solutions.?
?Our mission is to conduct unbiased public engagement research ? and to help government agencies, non-profit organizations, and companies apply the results of this research ? so that collectively, we can stabilize our planet?s life sustaining climate.? [Note the scientifically false assumption ? that humans can stabilize the earth?s climate, which has never been stable.]
One of its programs was titled: ?The Climate Change In The American Mind Series ? Fall 2012,? which includes a series of reports concluding with: ?The final report from Fall 2012 shows that the Alarmed have grown from 10 percent of the American adult population in 2010 to 16 percent in 2012. At the same time, the Dismissive have decreased in size, from 16 percent in 2010 to 8 percent in 2012.?
The site includes a special section for TV weather forecasters and their role as ?Climate Educators.? Another section is titled: ?Public Perceptions Of NASA And Other Federal Agencies? Climate Research.?
NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Park Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are listed among the major funding organizations.
No doubt, as with Bernays, the organizers of this site believe it is a noble cause. Critics may refer to it as ?brain washing? using public tax money. Please see link: http://www.climatechangecommunication.org/welcome
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Extreme Weather: Maplecroft, an independent risk analysis firm, which sells its findings to businesses, humanitarian organizations, etc, came out with its report of the natural hazards experienced in 2012. Overall the year was the least deadly year in the past 10, with fatalities at about 10,000 or about 9% of the average for the past ten years of 106,000. Its findings were similar to those of the re-insurance company Munich Re. The major exception was the US, with Sandy and the drought. Please note there were no major mass deaths from earthquakes in 2012, which are unrelated to weather.
The organization?s Socio-economic Resilience Index 2013 ranks countries into four risk categories. The countries under extreme risk are mostly poor countries in Africa. Combining the resilience index with the natural hazard risk illustrates the importance of resilience in overcoming risks of natural disasters.
For example, with its many natural weather hazards, the US is in the top 20 countries most at risk countries for exposure to hurricanes, tsunamis, extra-tropical cyclones, storm surges, flooding, volcanic risk and wildfires. But it ranks at 169th (out of 197 countries) and ?low risk? in the Natural Hazard Risk Atlas because it has the resilience to respond. This shows the importance of disaster preparedness. Please see link under Extreme Weather.
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Keystone XL: As expected, environmental organizations are furious about the State Department report on the environmental impact of the extension of the Keystone Pipeline proposed to be built from Canada to the US Gulf coast. A critical assumption in the report was that the oil sands will get to market somehow, probably by rail. Plans for rail shipments are underway and it would be very difficult for the Administration to stop rail shipments.
The hard core environmentalists are in a difficult position. As James Hansen explained, the purpose of the Keystone protest was not so much to protect the environment along the pipeline route, but to prevent the oil from reaching refineries, which Hansen believed would promote dangerous global warming. Now, even Hansen is being criticized for his public role in the protest by some of his allies in the press. Please see links under Energy Issues ? Non-US and Washington?s Control of Energy.
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V?clav Klaus: After ten years in office, V?clav Klaus retired as President of the Czech Republic. He is one of the few politicians who confronted extreme green and climate alarmism. He understood the goal ? control of humanity. His countryman, L?bo? Motl lists some of President Klaus?s many accomplishments. Please see link under Challenging the Orthodoxy.
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Additions and Corrections: A number of readers corrected a sentence in the section on Antarctic Ice Cores: ? prior research with had indicated with changes in temperatures leading changes in temperatures carbon dioxide by about 800 years plus or minus several hundred years.
One such study states: ?High-resolution records from Antarctic ice cores show that carbon dioxide concentrations increased by 80 to 100 parts per million by volume 600 +/- 400 years after the warming of the last three deglaciations. Despite strongly decreasing temperatures, high carbon dioxide concentrations can be sustained for thousands of years during glaciations;?? The last part goes to the unanswered question that with the onset of an ice age, why do temperatures fall when carbon dioxide levels remain high? CO2 concentrations are not the control knob of climate the Climate Establishment asserts. Please see: Ice Core Records of Atmospheric CO2 Around the Last Three Glacial Terminations, By Hubertus Fischer, et al. Science, 1999, http://www.climate.unibe.ch/~hfischer/Publications_files/fischer99sci.pdf
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Number of the Week: $40 Billion US. During a speech at a major energy conference, BP CEO Bob Dudley said BP spent over $24 Billon on spill response, clean-up, fines, restoration, and claims paid to people, businesses and governments. The company has spent or provisioned for over $40 Billion [including sums already spend]. Even when recognizing the regrettable loss of 11 human lives; the sums spent, or provided for, should be put in some perspective.
BP is the largest deepwater leaseholder in the US section of Gulf of Mexico. Reportedly, the oil spilled (including that recovered) amounts to about 4 million barrels. $40 Billion is $10,000 per barrel, about 100 times the going price. After considerable delay, in part from a ?boot on the neck? Washington mentality of which Department of Interior Secretary Salazar boasted, the well was capped and the plume virtually disappeared in three weeks, largely eaten by microbes.
Environmentally slanted reporting became an absurdity. Oil soaked pelicans were the poster children in the press. As reported in the April 23, 2011 TWTW, contemporary reports from US Fish and Wildlife showed the agency, which advertised for them, had collected 2303 dead birds with visible oil for the year immediately following the spill. This works out to be $17,368,650 per bird. Should this be the standard for wind farms?
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ARTICLES:
For the numbered articles below please see this week?s TWTW at: http://www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.
1. The Anatomy of Climate Science Hype
By S. Fred Singer, American Thinker, Mar 5, 2013
http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/03/the_anatomy_of_climate_science_hype.html
2. Letter- Essay reveals ?original sin eco-guilt?
By Charles Battig, The Hook, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.readthehook.com/109233/letter-essay-reveals-guilt-over-original-eco-sin
Link to article:
Children: Adorable environmental disasters
By Jeff Feldman, The Hook, Feb 21, 2013
http://www.readthehook.com/109160/children-our-greatest-green-legacy
[SEPP Comment: Response to an article by a new parent lamenting the future carbon footprint of the baby.]
3. Greens Bash Energy Choice,
By Kimberley Strassel, WSJ, Mar 5, 2013
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324178904578340603916828958.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_MIDDLEThird
4. Carbon Power Politics
The next EPA chief and next phase of the Obama green agenda.
Editorial, WSJ, Mar 5, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323478004578306313547424452.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
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Science: Is the Sun Rising?
Changing sun, changing climate
By Bob Carter, Willie Soon & William Briggs, Quadrant, Mar 8, 2013
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2013/03/changing-sun-changing-climate
Vahrenholt & L?ning: ?Today?s IPCC Is Clueless?IPCC Models Unable To Reproduce Documented Climate Of The Past?
Sun reveals its full climate power: Equator-pole temperature gradient fluctuates in sync with the sun
Translated by P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 7, 2013
http://notrickszone.com/2013/03/07/vahrenholt-luning-todays-ipcc-is-clueless-ipcc-models-unable-to-reproduce-documented-climate-of-the-past/
Link to article: Solar irradiance modulation of Equator-to-Pole (Arctic) temperature gradients: Empirical evidence for climate variation on multi-decadal timescales
By Willie Soon and David Legates, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Feb 2013
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136468261200288X
Impressive negative NAO and AO producing hemispheric cold?links to solar
By Joseph D?Aleo, ICECAP, Mar 3, 2013
http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/impressive_negative_nao_and_ao_producing_hemispheric_coldlinks_to_solar/
[SEPP Comment: A negative North Atlantic Oscillation features a weak high pressure system in the subtropics and a weak low pressure system roughly over Iceland. A negative Arctic Oscillation features high pressure system over Arctic, causing a deep variation in the jet stream.]
Climategate Continued
The Delusion of Independent Government Appointed Inquiries.
By Tim Ball, A Different Perspective, Mar 8, 2013
http://drtimball.com/2013/the-delusion-of-independent-government-appointed-inquiries/
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Reasons to be grateful to V?clav Klaus
By L?bos Motl, Reference Frame, Mar 7, 2013
http://motls.blogspot.com/2013/03/reasons-to-be-grateful-to-vaclav-klaus.html#more
Those people who are able to think critically started to realize that people aren?t saints or infallible just because they call themselves ?scientists?.
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Blog Memo to Lead Authors of NCADAC Climate Assessment Report
By Bob Tisdale, His Blog, Mar 4, 2013
http://bobtisdale.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/blog-memo-to-lead-authors-of-ncadac-climate-assessment-report/
Global Microwave SST Feb. 2013: -0.01 deg UAH global temperature +0.18C
By Roy Spencer, UAH, with Comments by Ryan Maue, WeatherBELL Analytics, ICECAP, Mar 5, 2013
http://icecap.us/index.php/go/in-the-news/global_microwave_sst_feb_2013_001_deg_uah_global_temperature_018c/
Defending the Orthodoxy
Oregon State University researchers track temperatures back 11,300 years to gauge global warming
By Scott Learn, Oregonian, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/03/oregon_state_university_resear_2.html
Link to the article: A Reconstruction of Regional and Global Temperature for the Past 11,300 Years
By Shaun A. Marcott, Jeremy D. Shakun, Peter U. Clark, Alan C. Mix, Science, Mar 8, 2013
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/339/6124/1198.abstract
Global Temperatures Highest in 4,000 Years
By Justin Gillis, NYT, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/science/earth/global-temperatures-highest-in-4000-years-study-says.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130308&_r=0
[SEPP Comment: Doubtful.]
Marcott et al claim of ?unprecedented? warming compared to GISP ice core data
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 8, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/08/marcott-et-al-claim-of-unprecedented-warming-compared-to-gisp-ice-core-data/
[SEPP Comment: A quick, rough analysis, but it illustrates there may be difficult issues with the claims in the Marcott et al. article.]
Earth Cooler Today Than 28% of the Past 11,300 Years
By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.thegwpf.org/earth-cooler-today-28-11300-years/
[SEPP Comment: Word games with the headlines describing the Marcott et al. article.]
Another hockey stick ? this one billed as ?scarier? than Mann?s
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 7, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/07/another-hockey-stick-this-one-billed-as-scarier-than-manns/
Leading ?Energy Expert? Frustrated That Germans Are More Scared Of Renewable Energy Than Climate Change
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 8, 2013
http://notrickszone.com/2013/03/08/leading-energy-expert-frustrated-that-germans-are-more-scared-of-renewable-energy-than-climate-change/
[SEPP Comment: Has five cold winters in a row made global warming desirable, especially for those who are unable to pay their heating bills?]
IPCC Invites In the Activists
When Greenpeace personnel are participating, a political process is underway ? not a scientific one.
By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Mar 6, 2013
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2013/03/06/ipcc-invites-in-the-activists/
Questioning the Orthodoxy
Politics: The Real Manmade Climate Crisis (Secretary Kerry, take note)
By Paul Driessen, Master Resource, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.masterresource.org/2013/03/politics-manmade-climate-crisis/#more-24541
Signs of the Times: New York Times Kills Green Blog
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Mar 4, 2013
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2013/03/signs-of-times-new-york-times-kills.html
Questioning European Green
The green energy mirage will cost the earth
Britain is committed to unsustainable carbon targets only because our politicians duped us
By Rupert Darwall, Telegraph, UK, Mar 5, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/greenpolitics/9910279/The-green-energy-mirage-will-cost-the-earth.html
Germany?s Wind Performance Was Just As Bad As Great Britain?s ? Sun And Wind Are Often AWOL!
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 4, 2013
http://notrickszone.com/2013/03/04/germanys-wind-performance-was-just-as-bad-as-great-britains-sun-and-wind-are-often-awol/
Energiewende sees emissions rise
By Staff Writer, WNN, Feb 26, 2013
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE_Energiewende_sees_emissions_rise_2602131.html
Costs exceed benefits
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 6, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/3/6/costs-exceed-benefits.html
Questioning Green Elsewhere
The Green Agenda and the Political Tipping Point
By Peter Glover, Energy Tribune, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.energytribune.com/74785/the-green-agenda-and-the-political-tipping-point
Can Global Warmist Get Their Story Straight?
By Marita Noon, Townhall, Mar 4, 2013
http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/maritanoon/2013/03/04/can-global-warmist-get-their-story-straight-n1524743?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl
Expanding the Orthodoxy
Climate-Change Science Poised to Enter Nation?s Classrooms
By Katherine Bagley, Bloomberg, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-04/climate-change-science-poised-to-enter-nation-s-classrooms.html
[SEPP Comment: Apparently the National Research Council, National Science Teachers Association, AAAS, and others remain ignorant of the fact that global warming stopped over a decade ago and the science of the Climate Establishment cannot explain why.]
A despotism over the mind
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 5, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/3/5/a-despotism-over-the-mind.html
Seeking a Common Ground
Categorical Thinking and The Climate Debate
By Craig Loehle, on WUWT, Mar 5, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/05/categorical-thinking-and-the-climate-debate/
Graph of the Day: Global Weather Disasters and GDP
By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Mar 5, 2013
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2013/03/graph-of-day-global-disasters-and-gdp.html
Global tipping point not backed by science
By Staff Writers, Adelaide, Australia (SPX), Mar 04, 2013
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Global_tipping_point_not_backed_by_science_999.html
Communicating Better to the Public ? Exaggerate, or be Vague?
Volcanoes Behind Earth?s Cooling; China and India Exonerated
By Staff Writers, Science World Report, Mar 1, 2013 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/5317/20130301/volcanoes-behind-earths-cooling-china-india-exonerate.htm
[SEPP Comment: There is no mention that volcanic eruptions emit CO2 into the atmosphere, and there is no any evidence presented that volcanic activity for the last 17 years is greater than it was prior to that.]
Aerosols from Moderate Volcanos Now Blamed for Global Warming Hiatus
By Bob Tisdale, His Blog, Mar 2, 2013
http://bobtisdale.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/aerosols-from-moderate-volcanos-now-blamed-for-global-warming-hiatus/
[SEPP Comment: Since there is no consensus among Climate Establishment scientists why the globe is not warming, let?s invent a reason.]
Report Blames Climate Change for Extremes in Australia
By Matt Siegel, NYT, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/world/asia/australian-government-blames-climate-change-for-angry-summer.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130305&_r=0
Mystery black-box method used to make *all new* Australian ?hottest? ever records
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Mar 3, 2013
http://joannenova.com.au/2013/03/mystery-black-box-method-used-to-make-all-new-australian-hottest-ever-records/#more-26497
Britain must act now to deal with more extreme weather
By Staff Writers, Environment Agency, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/146242.aspx
[SEPP Comment: In 2012, one day in five saw flooding and one day in four saw drought ? whatever that means.]
Alarmists? lack of Consensus.
By Geoff Brown, NCTCS, Mar 7, 2013
http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/alarmists-lack-of-consensus.html
Singling out short term trends in air temperature to imply that global warming is not occurring is incorrect and misleading.
[SEPP Comment: It is misleading to point out the globe is no longer warming and the models are failing, as Tim Flannery, the head of the Australian Climate Commission, claims?]
Communicating Better to the Public ? Make things up.
The Climate Commission plumbs new depths
Just one day after the IPCC Chairman claimed that global warming had stopped happening 17 years ago, the Australian Climate Commission rushed out a press statement, ?The Earth Continues to Warm.?
By Barry Brill, Quadrant, Mar 6, 2013
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2013/03/the-climate-commission-plumbs-new-depths
Australian climate on ?steroids? after hottest summer
By Staff Writers, Sydney (AFP), March 4, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Australian_climate_on_steroids_after_hottest_summer_999.html
Not the hottest ever summer for most Australians in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Not ?extreme? heatwaves either.
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Mar 2, 2013
http://joannenova.com.au/2013/03/not-the-hottest-ever-summer-for-most-australians-in-sydney-melbourne-or-brisbane-not-extreme-heatwaves-either/#more-27362
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above.]
Another dose of Flim-Flannery
The latest exercise in hucksterism from the Australian Climate Commission continues its tradition of distortion by omission and makes a mockery of any pretence to independence and reliability. The previous statement?s sleights of hand saw the commission shoot itself in the foot. In combination, the pair of documents amount to two barrels, both feet.
By John McLean, Quadrant, Mar 5, 2013
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2013/03/another-exercise-in-flim-flannery
In a nutshell, the heatwaves were caused by warm conditions in central Australia, a monsoon running late, and winds distributing the warm air. I wonder which part the Climate Commission believes is under the influence of human activity.
[SEPP Comment: Temperature trends are now irrelevant.]
Canada?s glaciers could shrink by a fifth by 2100
By Staff Writers, Washington (AFP), March 7, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Canadas_glaciers_could_shrink_by_a_fifth_by_2100_999.html
Models v. Observations
NASA satellite data shows a decline in water vapor
By Ken Gregory, Friends of Science.org, on WUWT, Mar 6, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/06/nasa-satellite-data-shows-a-decline-in-water-vapor/
The D.C. Snowstorm Forecast Failure
By Cliff Mass, His Weather Blog, Mar 7, 2013
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-dc-snowstorm-forecast-failure.html
[SEPP Comment: The huge uncertainty in the models was not appropriately discussed in the weather reports. The European Model again did better than the US models.]
DC snowstorm buries climate change hearing
By Zack Colman, The Hill, Mar 6, 2013
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/286493-house-committee-cancels-climate-science-hearing-citing-weather
[SEPP Comment: For DC, the heavy snow did not occur.]
Measurement Issues
A note about temperatures
By John Coleman, on WUWT, Mar 3, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/03/a-note-about-temperatures/
I conclude the temperature data does not prove global warming. The alarmists are wrong. But the temperature data is so unreliable and garbled that neither alarmists nor skeptics can use it to conclusively prove they are right.
Accurate water vapour measurements for improved weather and climate models
By Staff Writers, Bundesallee, Germany (SPX), Mar 06, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Accurate_water_vapour_measurements_for_improved_weather_and_climate_models_999.html
NASA Eyes Declining Vegetation In The Eastern United States From 2000 To 2010
By Staff Writers, Moffett Field CA (SPX), Mar 05, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/NASA_Eyes_Declining_Vegetation_In_The_Eastern_United_States_From_2000_To_2010_999.html
Link to article ?Declining Vegetation Growth Rates in the Eastern United States from 2000 to 2010
BY Christopher Potter, Shuang Li, & Cyrus Hiatt, Natural Resources, Dec 2012
http://geo.arc.nasa.gov/sge/casa/Potter_Li_EasternUS.pdf
[SEPP Comment: There are several issues with the article. The increase in forest cover is primarily from decline in logging rather than decline in wildfires. By the 1880s the eastern forests were virtually logged out. In the Mid-Atlantic States, at least, foresters are noting more robust growth, attributed to increased CO2.]
Changing Weather
2012 least deadly for natural disasters in 10 years, but lack of resilience leaves key economies at ?extreme risk? ? Maplecroft
By Staff Writers, Maplecroft, Mar 7, 2013
http://maplecroft.com/about/news/nha_2013.html
Winter ranked # 4 snowiest, November to February #2 for the Northern Hemisphere!
By Joseph D?Aleo, ICECAP, Mar 6, 2013
http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/winter_ranked_4_snowiest_november_to_february_2/
[SEPP Comment: Records started in 1966/67. Addresses the claim that the snow is due to excess water vapor from the melting of Arctic ice.]
Central Europe, Scandinavia Brace For Worst March Temperature Plummet Since 1987!
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 6, 2013
http://notrickszone.com/2013/03/06/central-europe-scandinavia-brace-for-worst-march-temperature-plummet-since-1987/
This winter has been characterized by its darker, colder and snowier conditions. It was the most sunless German winter since measurements began in 1951. On average the sun appeared for only 96 hours over the three-month period, which is only 62% of the mean of 154 hours.
Changing Seas
Global Warming Report: By End of Century, Sea Will Rise 0.66 Feet?Or 6.6 Feet
By Elizabeth Harrington, CNS News, Mar 6, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/global-warming-report-end-century-sea-will-rise-066-feet-or-66-feet
[SEPP Comment: The great certainty the IPCC expressed in the projections of models is becoming great uncertainty within the models. This exhibits the lack of rigor of science from the Climate Establishment.]
Changing Cryosphere ? Land / Sea Ice
Arctic Sea Ice Records and the Great Storm of 2012
By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Mar 6, 2013
http://www.thegwpf.org/arctic-sea-ice-records-great-storm-2012/
Study: Black carbon aerosol forcing may be an important factor affecting the snow & ice cover in the Northern Hemisphere
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 7, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/07/study-black-carbon-aerosol-forcing-may-be-an-important-factor-affecting-the-snow-ice-cover-in-the-northern-hemisphere/
Global warming to open ?crazy? shipping routes across Arctic
By John Roach, NBC News, Mar 4, 2013
http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/04/17182162-global-warming-to-open-crazy-shipping-routes-across-arctic?lite
Link to abstract: New Trans-Arctic shipping routes navigable by midcentury
By Laurence Smith and Scott Stephenson, PNAS, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/02/27/1214212110
[SEPP Comment: And if the climate models are wrong will the mariners suffer the fate of many of those who sought the Northwest Passage? No! Because the crews of modern ships powered, largely, by fossil fuels are more able to endure the hardships of Arctic cold.]
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Simulating the Indian Ocean Subtropical Dipole
Reference: Kataoka, T., Tozuka, T., Masumoto, Y. and Yamagata, T. 2012. The Indian Ocean subtropical dipole mode simulated in the CMIP3 models. Climate Dynamics 39: 1385-1399.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/mar/5mar2013a3.html
Tropical Sea Surface Temperature Biases in CMIP 3 & 5 Models
Reference: Li, G. and Xie, S.-P. 2012. Origins of tropical-wide SST biases in CMIP multi-model ensembles. Geophysical Research Letters 39: 10.1029/2012GL053777.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/mar/5mar2013a4.html
Population Growth, Atmospheric Change and Global Food Security
Reference: Ziska, L.H., Bunce, J.A., Shimono, H., Gealy, D.R., Baker, J.T., Newton, P.C.D., Reynolds, M.P., Jagadish, K.S.V., Zhu, C., Howden, M. and Wilson, L.T. 2012. Food security and climate change: on the potential to adapt global crop production by active selection to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 279: 4097-4105
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/mar/6mar2013a1.html
The Potential for CO2-Induced Species Changes in Grasslands
Reference: Polley, H.W., Jin, V.L. and Fay, P.A. 2012. Feedback from plant species change amplifies CO2 enhancement of grassland productivity. Global Change Biology 18: 2813-2823.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/mar/6mar2013a3.html
Litigation Issues
Keystone XL pipeline faces property-rights challenge in Texas
By Laurel Brubaker Calkins, Bloomberg, Mar 3, 2013
http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/07/keystone-xl-pipeline-faces-property-rights-challenge-in-texas/?__lsa=d06f-35ec
French wind power spun into knots
By Staff Writers, Reuters, Feb 25, 2013 [H/t Anne Debeil]
http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/french-wind-power-spun-into-knots
[SEPP Comment: Tariffs, forcing consumers to more for electricity produced by wind power, are being contested in EU court as being a form of undeclared state aid.]
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
EIA: U.S. Power Sector SO2, NOx Emissions Lowest Since 1990
By Sonal Patel, Power News, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/5435.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2631162&hq_l=8&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: A cap-and-trade that did work.]
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
Wind Jobs at PTC Risk: Not 37,000 per AWEA but 2,525 (these million-dollar jobs displace real jobs, too)
By Robert Bradley, Master Resource, Mar 8, 2013
http://www.masterresource.org/2013/03/wind-jobs-ptc-2525/
Inflated Numbers; Erroneous Conclusions
By Charles Cicchitti, American Energy Alliance, Mar 2013
http://www.americanenergyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/AEA_Report_Navigant-Wind_20120306.pdf
[SEPP Comment: A sharp challenge to the report, especially the job numbers, used to justify extension of the Production Tax Credit, the major Federal subsidy to the wind industry.]
EPA and other Regulators on the March
The Climate and the Constitution
By Jonathan Tobin, Commentary, Mar 5, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/03/05/the-climate-and-the-constitution-obama-global-warming/
Cabinet Picks Could Take On Climate Policy
By John Broder and Matthew Wald, NYT, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/us/politics/obama-names-2-to-fill-epa-and-energy-posts.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130305
EPA, Energy Department can tackle climate change on several fronts
By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Mar 5, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/epa-doe-can-tackle-climate-change-on-several-fronts/2013/03/05/ee6c0d64-85bf-11e2-98a3-b3db6b9ac586_story.html
Congressmen demand investigation of EPA selectively blocking FOIAs
By Mark Flatten, Washington Examiner, Mar 7, 2013
http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2523626
Energy Issues ? Non-US
Canada?s energy superpower dreams
By Terence Corcoran, Financial Post, Mar 6, 2013
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/03/06/terence-corcoran-canadas-energy-superpower-dreams/
Will Chavez?s death spoil oil sands? party?
By Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post, Mar 6, 2013
http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/06/will-chavezs-death-spoil-oil-sands-party/
Harper government missing boat on Keystone
By Tom Harris, Winnipeg Free Press, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Harper-government-missing-boat-on-Keystone-195907241.html
Chronicles of Ineptitude, Special Energy Edition
By Steven Hayward, Powerline, Mar 3, 2013
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/03/chronicles-of-ineptitude-special-energy-edition.php
[SEPP Comment: Government errors.]
Energy Issues ? US
US Getting More Economic Bang for Its Energy Buck
By Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia, Mar 1, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2013/03/01/us-getting-more-economic-bang-for-its-energy-buck/
[SEPP Comment: Producing more with less by lowering the cost of energy in producing a product. On a GDP basis, US energy consumption and CO2 emissions are less than 50% of what they were in 1949.]
US was world?s largest petroleum producer in November, surpassing Saudi Arabia for first time in ten years
By Mark Perry, AEI, Mar 5, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/03/us-was-worlds-largest-petroleum-producer-in-november-surpassing-saudi-arabia-for-first-time-in-ten-years/
[SEPP Comments: The number includes all liquid fuels, including natural gas liquids and Biofuels.]
Report: US oil-and-gas production up despite drop on federal lands
By Zack Colman, The Hill, Mar 5, 2013
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/286245-report-us-oil-and-gas-production-up-despite-drop-on-federal-lands
Link to report: U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production in Federal and Non-Federal Areas
By Marc Humphries, CRS, Feb 28, 2013
http://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/files/20130228CRSreport.pdf
A Scientist?s Misguided Crusade
By Joe Nocera, NYT, Mar 4, 2013 [H/t Bud Bromley]
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/opinion/nocera-a-scientists-misguided-crusade.html?hp&_r=0
Washington?s Control of Energy
Obama?s War On Drilling: Oil Surplus, Not Scarcity, Is The New Regulatory Excuse
By Larry Bell, Forbes, Mar 3, 2013
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/03/03/obamas-war-on-drilling-oil-surplus-not-scarcity-is-the-new-regulatory-excuse/
Keystone Pipeline: State Department Finds Little Environmental Impact
By Steve Goreham, Washington Times, Mar 4, 2013
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/climatism-watching-climate-science/2013/mar/4/keystone-pipeline-state-department-finds-little-en/
State: No Environmental Reason To Delay Keystone XL
Editorial, IBD, Mar 4, 2013
http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/030413-646659-state-department-finds-keystone-xl-pipeline-safe.htm
Railroads emerge as alternative to Keystone XL pipeline for moving oil sands from Canada
By Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Mar 2, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/rail-emerges-as-alternative-to-keystone-xl-pipeline/2013/03/02/dae5d0fe-82ae-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html
[SEPP Comment: If the numbers are correct, at least 650,000 barrels per day could be moved by rail. However, rail is more expensive and more prone to accidents than a pipeline.]
Why Environmentalists Are Wrong on Keystone XL
By Robert Rapier, Energy Tribune, Mar 6, 2013
http://www.energytribune.com/74722/why-environmentalists-are-wrong-on-keystone-xl
Report: Search for oil, not drilling rules, driving rigs off federal lands
Energy ? Shale oil is luring developers to private and state properties, report says.
By Brian Maffy, Salt Lake Tribune, Mar 5, 2013
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/55952860-79/oil-gas-report-federal.html.csp
[SEPP Comment: The low price of natural gas has caused a shift to oil and gas liquids, but the Federal government will not grant timely permits for any wells.]
Oil and Natural Gas ? the Future or the Past?
Industry leaders gather in Houston for CERAWeek energy conference
By Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle, Mar 3, 2013
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/03/03/layers-of-energy-topics-at-ihs-ceraweek/
BP CEO: ?Peak oil? talk quieted by abundance
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Mar 6, 2013
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/286501-bp-ceo-peak-oil-talked-quieted-by-abundance
He said that at current consumption rates, data suggests that the world has 54 years? worth of proven oil reserves and 64 years worth of proven gas reserves, adding, ?more will be found.?
No retreat from Gulf for BP
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Mar 6, 2013
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/286521-bp-ceo-no-retreat-from-gulf-of-mexico-despite-spill
Is the Theory of ?Peak Oil? Dead?
By G. Tracy Mehan, American Spectator, Mar 5, 2013
http://spectator.org/archives/2013/03/05/is-the-theory-of-peak-oil-dead
Return of King Coal?
Mayor Bloomberg is wrong on coal
By Frank Clemente, Energy Facts Weekly, Mar 7, 2013
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=29bc7d5d85828d574f86c157a&id=1cdb9dfa21&e=
[SEPP Comment: The Mayor?s dead man walking is running ahead of the pack. Harmful emissions in the US have declined dramatically thanks to new coal plant technology.]
As U.S. scales back, ?King Coal? reigns as global powerhouse
By Patrice Hill, Washington Times, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/4/king-coal-reigns-as-global-powerhouse/
Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences
Second leak at North Sea oil platform forces evacuation
By Staff Writers, London (AFP), March 02, 2013
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Second_leak_at_North_Sea_oil_platform_forces_evacuation_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Several interesting points including: 1) the structure is about 35 years old, operating in the brutal conditions of the North Sea, and 2) the operating company is the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company. It remains to be seen how long a wind farm will last in the North Sea.]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
WHO: Low radiation risk from Fukushima
By Staff Writers, WNN, Feb 28, 2013
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_WHO_Low_radiation_risk_from_Fukushima_2802131.html
[SEPP Comment: This low estimate is even from using the ridiculous linear-no threshold model.]
Japan riled by WHO?s Fukushima cancer warning
By Staff Writers, Tokyo (AFP), March 1, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Japan_riled_by_WHOs_Fukushima_cancer_warning_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Not happy with the low estimate, see link immediately above.]
US may face inevitable nuclear power exit
By Staff Writers, Los Angeles, CA (SPX), Mar 05, 2013
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/US_may_face_inevitable_nuclear_power_exit_999.html
[SEPP Comment: The goal of many green organizations.]
Alternative, Green (?Clean?) Solar and Wind
Bad News for Wind Energy
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Mar 5, 2013
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/bad-news-for-wind-energy/
[SEPP Comment: Wind power ? expensive, unreliable, and short lived.]
Rethinking Wind?s Impact on Emissions and Cycling Costs
By David Wagman, Power, Mar 1, 2013 [H/t Peter Friedman]
http://www.powermag.com/issues/features/Rethinking-Winds-Impact-on-Emissions-and-Cycling-Costs_5406.html
Wind Farms Paid ?10,000 a Day to Sit Idle in Blustery Conditions
By Tim Webb, The Times, via GWPF, Mar 6, 2013
http://www.thegwpf.org/wind-farms-paid-10000-day-sit-idle-blustery-conditions/
[SEPP Comment: The full article is behind a paywall.]
Why windfarms get paid to switch off
By Mat Hope, Carbon Brief, Mar 4, 2013
http://www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2013/03/why-windfarms-get-paid-to-switch-off
[SEPP Comment: Questioning the ?10,000 a Day in the link above and coming up with a better (?) solution: force households to use electric appliances only when the wind is blowing.]
Another solar manufacturer gives up
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 7, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/07/another-solar-manufacturer-gives-up/
The BP unit ?is the latest sun energy business to fall victim to rampant competition from China, falling prices, overcapacity and lower government subsidies on which the industry still depends.?
Alternative, Green (?Clean?) Energy ? Other
NASA Begins Flight Research Campaign Using Alternate Jet Fuel
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX) Mar 05, 2013
http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/NASA_Begins_Flight_Research_Campaign_Using_Alternate_Jet_Fuel_999.html
[SEPP Comment: It?s bad enough for the Navy to be squandering money on Biofuels, now NASA follows suite. Perhaps they have money to burn.]
Air Quality
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 8, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/3/8/air-quality.html
[SEPP Comment: Demand that biofuel sources be exempt from air quality rules, then sue the government over air quality.]
Hydrothermal liquefaction ? the most promising path to a sustainable bio-oil production
By Staff Writers, Aarhus, Denmark (SPX), Feb 11, 2013
http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Hydrothermal_liquefaction_the_most_promising_path_to_a_sustainable_bio_oil_production_999.html
[SEPP Comment: May be promising, but comparing this process to the breakthroughs of the windmill industry is not favorable.]
Alternative, Green (?Clean?) Vehicles
Hyping Electric Vehicle Sales
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Mar 8, 2013
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/hyping-electric-vehicle-sales/
[SEPP Comment: Clarifying deliberate confusion in naming the new vehicles ? does it have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and is the ICE the primary source of power?]
California Dreaming
California?s Green Jobs: Where Did They Go?
By Staff Writers, NCPA, Mar 5, 2013 http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=22912&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPD
Health, Energy, and Climate
Mice and men: Again no connection
By Staff Writers, ACSH, Mar 7, 2013
http://www.acsh.org/mice-and-men-again-no-connection/
Oh Mann!
Mike?s AGU Trick
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Mar 2, 2013
http://climateaudit.org/2013/03/02/mikes-agu-trick/#more-17336
[SEPP Comment: Perhaps next time the new leadership of the AGU will employ magicians.]
Irony Hypocrisy on steroids?UVa plugs new ?Open Science Center? while simultaneously keeping Michael Mann?s science notes away from the public
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 5, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/05/irony-on-steroidsuva-plugs-new-open-science-center-while-simultaneously-keeping-michal-manns-science-notes-away-from-the-public/
Environmental Industry
New York?s ?Sustainability? Plan: aka ?Agenda 21?
By Mary Kay Barton, SPPI, Mar 7, 2013
http://sppiblog.org/news/new-yorks-sustainability-plan-aka-agenda-21#more-9124
Environmentalists ?outraged? by federal Keystone XL report
By Michael Bastasch, Daily Caller, Mar 3, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/03/environmentalists-outraged-by-federal-keystone-xl-report/
Other Scientific News
Additional Details on the Large Fireball Event over Russia on Feb. 15, 2013
By Don Yeomans and Paul Chodas for Near-Earth Object Program Office, (JPL) Mar 04, 2013
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Additional_Details_on_the_Large_Fireball_Event_over_Russia_on_Feb_15_2013_999.html
How to Thrive in Battery Acid and Among Toxic Metals
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX,) Mar 08, 2013
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/How_to_Thrive_in_Battery_Acid_and_Among_Toxic_Metals_999.html
Other News that May Be of Interest
Wine, Weather, and Smoke
By Cliff Mass, Weather Blog, Mar 5, 2013
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2013/03/wine-weather-and-smoke.html
[SEPP Comment: The smoky taste in that wine may not be from the grape.]
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
Quote of the Week ? blaming Nature for poor model performance
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 7, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/07/quote-of-the-week-blaming-nature-for-poor-model-performance/
Gov. Cuomo held up on fracking in NY to await health study
By Staff Writer, AP, Mar 2, 2013
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/03/02/gov-cuomo-held-up-on-fracking-in-ny-to-await-health-study/
[SEPP Comment: According to the article, the governor?s advisor on the issue is his former brother-in-law, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who opposed the childhood vaccination because it may cause autism, based on a totally discredited study.]
Global Warming causing biblical plagues ? like locusts
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 4, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/04/global-warming-causing-biblical-plagues-like-locusts/
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Source: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/03/11/weekly-climate-and-energy-news-roundup-83/
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