Polar Bears may be Labeled "Threatened" Species

The Bush Administration has proposed listing polar bears as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne says the bears appear to be dying because ice in the Arctic Ocean is melting -- causing a disruption to their habitat.

In 12 months -- after further study and time for public comment -- the Department of the Interior will make it's final decision on the polar bear's status.

This marks the first time the Bush Administration has acknowledged a direct link between global warming and a threat to a species.

The announcement came after three conservation groups sued the Department of the Interior to shield the declining polar bear population from the effects of global warming. The conservation groups hope this will impact US policy toward greenhouse gas emissions.

The Endangered Species Act puts the responsibility of protecting threatened species on the US government by not being able to authorize any activity that would jeopardize an endangered species. But it is not clear how the "threatened" designation could be used to regulate polluters that contribute to global warming.

79 Soul declares victory:

This is a small victory, but an important one. While it shows the same guilty, stupid tenacity that the Bush administration has adhered to in its continuous denial of the existence of Global Warming, it is enough of an admission to hopefully pave the way for future change and action in other areas where Global Warming is concerned.

Charlk at Blame it on the Redhead? blogs:

I know they are already protected in a number of other countries. I've heard sad tales of them drowning due to the increasing distance between ice flows. Their numbers and weight and ability to reproduce are shrinking. Now the Bush administration will conduct a study and decide if these fine mammals should be added to the endangered species list. Gee, maybe they should also consider imposing limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

Pentagon wants New $100 Million GitMo Courthouse

Despite currently having a courthouse at Guantanamo Bay the Pentagon wants to build a brand new one at the cost of 100 million taxpayer dollars. Only about 60 cases will be tried.

But the building will serve other purposes. The courthouse would house a 800 person dining facility, sleep 1,200 and store over 100 vehicles in a garage.

A spokesperson for the Defense Department says the large courthouse space is needed to try multiple defendants at a time with added security. The trials could take years and the extra space would be for reporters and observers.

The Pentagon recently tried and failed to rush the plan through congress on emergency basis sans any votes. It seems there are enough skeptics on Capitol Hill to force the Defense Department to seek a formal vote on the matter through Congress in January.

Jamie at IntoxiNation doesn't think too highly of the Pentagon's building plans:

So let me guess - Halliburton is tapped for the contract, so Dick Cheney become even richer at the expense of America. Why can't they just use a tent, with some armed soldiers to make sure the defendants don't run? This is just another sign of pure government waste and taxpayer fraud at the behest of George W. Bush and company. Congress must hold serious oversights as soon as the Democrats take control and put an end to this. Furthermore, the companies who have become rich from this crap need to repay the money to the taxpayers. I want mine back - don't you?

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

Lawmakers Demand Anthrax Answers

Thirty-five bipartisan Congressional members have sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales demanding the FBI inform them of any updates concerning the 2001 anthrax attack that killed five Americans and incited bio-terror fears.

The Attorney General cites possible leaks as the reason why a report or talks have not been given to Congress. Legislators say that is not a valid excuse for keeping them in the dark about how well the FBI is doing with its investigation into the matter.

Indy6 at the Lantern blogs:

It's about damned time!

Anthrax, the bridge to 9/11 truth.

Let us not forget that that weaponized anthrax was sent to the Democratic Leadership in the Senate. It was an assassination attempt, nothing less, and yet, no one ever mentions it.

It is as if it never happened.

Whatever happened to the Judicial Watch Inquiry into why White House staff members began taking Cipro on the evening of 9/11, a week before anthrax showed up in Boca Raton?

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

Air Force Frequency Jams Hundreds of Garage Door Openers

Normally one doesn't associate garage door opener remotes with national security. But this past week at a secretive facility in Colorado Springs the Air Force tested a radio frequency that it would use to communicate with first responders in case of a homeland security threat. The same frequency also controls an estimated 50 million garage door openers. Hundreds of residents in the area found their remote controlled garage doors ceased to function.

The signals, coming from Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, have since been shut off. The Air Force may be able to adjust the transmission so it does not interfere with the devices, but says it technically has a right to the frequency.

TechnologyExpert calls for an expansion of the RF spectrum:

Security? Garage Door? Garage Door? Security? As I said, another sign of why a larger RF spectrum is wanted by all. Another example you may see in your home: your 2.4 GHz wireless land line phone interfering with your 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g wireless network.

MT Milcom Monitoring Blog really breaks down the technical aspects of the story.

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation