Trump II

[Alan Klein]

The problem is in the case of the Great Lakes there are 8 US states and 2 Canadian provences with a stake in the program. If the Feds don't do it it won't be done. As the largest inland lake complex the lakes are an inportant environmental issue.

So, screw the Wall and fund the EPA. Recent polls indicate the majority of Americans don't want a new wall...

I agree we don't need a wall.  All we have to do is enforce laws that make it illegal for employers to hire illegals.  The feds should arrest and prosecute a couple of them.  The hiring will dry up and no one will come over the border because there won't be any more jobs.  WE wouldn't need all those extra border patrol cops.

[Schewe]

I agree we don't need a wall.

Cool...something that we all agree with. Now if we can get the GOP led Congress to clue Trump into forgetting that idea, maybe we can still keep the EPA funded to the extent it has been–at the least. Heck, maybe we can even save his precious Mar-a-Lago?

As far as the algae blooms it's a major problem for the sea shores as well as inland lakes. Between the fertilizers and agro chemicals, marine life is being decimated and choked off because of the destruction of the eco systems. Some of the biggest offenders are friggin' golf courses...including Trump's own courses (of course he would be a contributor, right? It figures).

This article in the CS Monitor (least-bias, Factual Reporting: HIGH) says this: Toxic algae blooms in Fl. linked to too much fertilizer and to climate change

Recent blooms of toxic algae in southern Florida, which have provoked Governor Rick Scott to announce a state of emergency, may be tied to fertilizer chemicals from agricultural and residential origins.

Waterways and beaches along Florida’s Treasure Coast, Lake Okeechobee, and the Everglades have been experiencing massive blooms of toxic algae since May. The cyanobacteria algae—described as thick, pea-green, and foul-smelling—is intensely toxic and poses health risks to people and wildlife in the area. At its peak, the bloom in Lake Okeechobee covered 33 square miles—or about one-third of the lake's surface. One source estimates the total area of the algae to be roughly the size of Miami.

The impact of these algae blooms has already proven disastrous. Tourism, a main source of income for residents around Lake Okeechobee and along the coast, is down. Contact with toxic algae blooms “can affect the gastrointestinal system, liver, nervous system, and skin.” Fish are dying, and many have raised concerns about manatees and other large wildlife in the area.

So what caused this massive outbreak? The blooms spread, in part, due to flood-control measures taken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; to prevent Lake Okeechobee from overflowing earlier this year, the Corps released large amounts of water from the lake into nearby estuaries. According to a statement, these actions “upset the freshwater-saltwater mix in the estuaries” and contributed to the spread of the toxic blooms.

But the key factor seems to be high levels of nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorous) in the water. According to a spokeswoman for Earthjustice, speaking to CNN:  "The algae outbreaks are triggered by fertilizer sewage and manure pollution that the state has failed to properly regulate. It's like adding miracle grow to the water and it triggers massive algae outbreaks."

Unfortunately, Florida Governor Rick Scott is an ecological disaster...this is the same guy that told administrators in his Department of Environmental Protection were banned from using the terms "global warming" or "climate change."

But is seems some people may have a sense of humor about him...

Rick Scott honored on environment. Um ... what?

By Scott MaxwellContact Reporter
Taking Names

I love practical jokes.

That's why I have newfound respect for the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

Because those guys appear to be in the midst of pulling off one of the greatest hoaxes of all time.

You see, each year, the foundation chooses one standout servant within the "conservation community" to honor — someone who goes above and beyond to protect Florida's natural resources.

And this year, the foundation said it chose Gov. Rick Scott as its honoree.

Nicely played, guys.

Rick Scott as an environmentalist? That is a hoot.

What's next? An award for coastal preservation to the captain of the Exxon Valdez?

Hey, maybe we can award a puppy-protection medal to Cruella de Vil!

One person I know described the announcement as an "embarrassment" and a "sick joke" ... and that person belongs to a group that helped sponsor the foundation's awards ceremony in the past. (More on that in a moment.)

But I just laughed, figuring this can't be real.

After all, it's well-known that Scott has been an environmental disaster. Those are actually the words used in the headline of a Tampa Bay Times editorial: "The Rick Scott record: an environmental disaster."

But forget the liberal media and tree-huggers. Scott has torn apart the environmental legacies of hard-core conservatives such as Jeb Bush.

--snip--

Obviously, the idea of honoring Scott as some kind of environmental crusader is ridiculous.

So when the Times reported it, I thought it was a masterfully played prank ... until the folks at the Wildlife Foundation said it was true.

Eeeeek!

[LesPalenik]

50+ Tomahawk Missiles hitting Syria

that will change the world and this discussion considerably

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

50+ Tomahawk Missiles hitting Syria

that will change the world and this discussion considerably

Dear Lord! Exactly the opposite of what he was saying during the campaign!

[Alan Klein]

Good timing those missiles  were while Xi was there with Trump in Mar-a-lago toasting each other..   Now Xi'll have to work harder at getting to stop the N.Koreans nukes afraid that Trump  will handle it on his own like he threatened.   Trump also sent a message to Xi that his militarized islands are vulnerable if he tries to use them against our Pacific friends.

[Alan Klein]

Trump also sent a message to all others that there's a new sheriff in town who means business.

[Schewe]

Meanwhile, more evidence that if Trump's budget ends up being what he proposed, the "fly over" country will be losing planes and trains too. Trump supporters wanted this?

220 Cities Losing All Passenger Train Service per Trump Elimination of all Federal Funding for Amtrak’s National Network Trains

The National Association of Rail Passengers denounced the budget outline released by the Trump Administration, which slashes investment in transportation infrastructure. These cuts to Amtrak, transit, and commuter rail programs, and even air service to rural towns, would not only cost construction and manufacturing jobs, but place a disproportionate amount of pain on rural and working class communities.

“It’s ironic that President Trump’s first budget proposal undermines the very communities whose economic hardship and sense of isolation from the rest of the country helped propel him into office,” said NARP President Jim Mathews. “These working class communities — many of them located in the Midwest and the South — were tired of being treated like ‘flyover country.’ But by proposing the elimination of Amtrak’s long distance trains, the Trump Administration does them one worse, cutting a vital service that connects these small town economies to the rest of the U.S. These hard working, small town Americans don’t have airports or Uber to turn to; they depend on these trains.”

So, how's that Trump vote working' for ya now?
#MAGA

[Schewe]

Donald Trump on Air Force One. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

On the plane to Palm Beach Trump had a gaggle with reporters...

A Brief Fact Check of Trump’s Claim to Have Enjoyed 13 Weeks of Historic Success

Donald Trump today told reporters, “I think we’ve had one of the most successful 13 weeks in the history of the presidency.” This may be a literally true statement, in the sense that Trump may actually think it. However, it is a strange opinion for a person to hold. Trump has had two executive orders blocked by federal courts; seen his first, major legislative initiative collapse in the House of Representatives after falling to 17 percent in the polls; accepted the resignation of his National Security Adviser; is facing a major investigation by the FBI; has probably violated the Constitution; has assembled a staff riven by utter mutual loathing; and has lowest approval ratings ever recorded for a president as this stage in his term.

He has also only held office for 11 weeks, even though it may feel like 13 or even more.

Well, you know what he meant...it was a lot of weeks, alright? Wonderful weeks!
Give him a break...don't take him literally, take him seriously!

#MAGA

[Schewe]

Yet another example of delicious irony...

Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Harlan County switches to solar power

Housed in a former commissary building and tucked into the hollers of Harlan County — the heart of Kentucky mining country — is a museum dedicated to all aspects of extracting coal from the state’s mountains.

Mining equipment decorates its walls, while a two-ton block of coal at the front door greets visitors. Children can climb on the museum’s 1940s model electric locomotive that once carried Kentucky men into the mines. An exhibit dedicated to Loretta Lynn (who wrote and who is the “Coal Miner’s Daughter”) sits on the third floor. Guests can even wander through an actual underground coal mine.

Not much about the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum screams modern. Its museum website — nay, websites — boasts early 1990s Web design, and its advertisement on YouTube appears to have been shot on a handheld camcorder. It sits next to City Hall on Main Street, the only thoroughfare of Benham, Ky. That’s to be expected from a museum dedicated to an old form of energy, which is what makes its own power methods so interesting.

The museum is switching to solar power in hopes of saving money on energy costs, as reported by WYMT and EKB-TV. The installation of solar panels began this week.

“We believe that this project will help save at least $8,000 to $10,000 off the energy costs on this building alone, so it’s a very worthy effort and it’s going to save the college money in the long run,” Brandon Robinson, communications director of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, which owns the museum, told WYMT.

Robinson wasn’t blind to the incongruity of a coal museum being powered by solar energy, asserting that there’s a symbiosis between the two.

“It is a little ironic,” said Robinson, “But you know, coal and solar and all the different energy sources work hand-in-hand. And, of course, coal is still king around here.”

Actually, it's rather fitting that the old coal energy industry is in a museum and that solar will save the museum money.

Questions?

[jeremyrh]

50+ Tomahawk Missiles hitting Syria

that will change the world and this discussion considerably

Dropping bombs brings peace - surely we know that by now?

[LesPalenik]

It's the most insane war - US bombing Assad's forces, Russia bombing rebels, Turkey killing Kurds and Russian pilots, Harward students saying Trump is  a greater danger than ISIS - no wonder ISIS is laughing and growing stronger. Same as the weapon manufacturers.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

It's the most insane war - US bombing Assad's forces, Russia bombing rebels, Turkey killing Kurds and Russian pilots, Harward students saying Trump is  a greater danger than ISIS - no wonder ISIS is laughing and growing stronger. Same as the weapon manufacturers.

It is an insane war, as far as wars could possibly be sane. Although we do not have enough information to be able and judge the operation, it does seem that some positive things were achieved by this symbolic action.

Clear signals were sent to the Assad regime and Russia/Iran as supporters of that regime, there are limits to what will be tolerated. Turkey also will notice. The signal at the same time will be heard by China, with its operations in the south Chinese waters, and its apparent inaction with respect to North Korea. Also, the Philippines (with their activities on islands in their region) might notice. Russia also got the message that its inaction in Syria, and expansionist moves and actions at the borders with the Nato-backed countries, might face reactions beyond words in the UN counsel.
 
However, I have no illusions that this would shorten the civil war in Syria.

Cheers,
Bart

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Trump also sent a message to all others that there's a new sheriff in town who means business.

Well, yes, unless he just for once listened to Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton calls for U.S. to bomb Syrian air fields:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-hillary-clinton-idUSKBN179058

You see, he's not the only person favoring such a move. Germany, the UK, France, and others also called for action, once the Syrian government's link to the latest use of Sarin gas was established.

Cheers,
Bart

[Rob C]

Well, the boil's been pricked.

Rob

[jeremyrh]

Well, the boil's been pricked.

Rob

Maybe. Maybe not.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vvJslaDJms

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Maybe. Maybe not.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vvJslaDJms

I agree, it remains to be seen if it was a boil or an abscess, and we do not know on the basis of what intelligence data the orders were given. Was there evidence that the Syrian government used Sarin gas with the fourth bomb that got dropped, or not? Did a 'regular bomb' hit a storage facility containing such gas, or not?

Cheers,
Bart

[LesPalenik]

Spiegel Commentary - 070417 12:15

For almost six years, the US under the leadership of Barack Obama helplessly watched as Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad with the blessing of Moscow and Teheran slapped his own population. For six years an attempt was made to solve the Assad problem diplomatically. It did not matter, because Vladimir Putin did not want to drop his most important ally in the Middle East.

Now, US President Donald Trump returns to conventional American politics: instead of words, he drops bombs, in this case cruise missiles - and punishes Assad for a supposedly responsible poison gas attack. Greetings from Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

The new harshness of the Americans follows the fact that Assad, the Russians and the Iranians can only be moved to concessions when the West shows them that they are not "weak", but as brutal as they are - and to a Escalation of the Syrian conflict. According to the situation one could say: Since the "nice tour" so far nothing has brought, this procedure can be worth a try. Angela Merkel and François Hollande seem to think that they accept the air strike.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

It's the most insane war - US bombing Assad's forces, Russia bombing rebels, Turkey killing Kurds and Russian pilots, Harward students saying Trump is  a greater danger than ISIS - no wonder ISIS is laughing and growing stronger. Same as the weapon manufacturers.

+1

Doing exactly the opposite of his campaign stance. Also amazing to see how easily people fall, in this thread too, for Reichstag fires. Everybody, in this thread too, are now applauding him for "showing them who's the boss." Instead of fighting ISIS, he is now fighting the legitimate government that actually fights ISIS. America once again actively engaged in regime change. Exactly of what he was against during the campaign.

[Robert Roaldi]

Trump also sent a message to all others that there's a new sheriff in town who means business.

If you're suggesting that now that the US sheriff is firing off his six-guns then things will improve, all I can say is that history is not on your side. The other 7 billion people on earth don't necessarily regard direct american involvement as benign or beneficial.

After decades of heinous things happening, all of a sudden they find a proximate cause (Sarin gas) that is so beyond the pale, that the hero lone gunman has to take action and settle things. It's pure Hollywood, we've seen this before in real life (WMD?) and in a thousand westerns.

My personal gut feel, which is suspect of course as I have no special knowledge of these issues, is that this is a show for the evening news. I hate to be so cynical, but so far as I can tell, it's not possible to be cynical enough.

There was a good scene in the movie Charlie Wilson's war: scene.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...A Brief Fact Check of Trump’s Claim to Have Enjoyed 13 Weeks of Historic Success.

Well, you know what he meant...it was a lot of weeks, alright? Wonderful weeks!
Give him a break...don't take him literally, take him seriously!

Did he really say that!? " “I think we’ve had one of the most successful 13 weeks in the history of the presidency.”!?

I am all for not taking him literally. And I do not mind hyperboles. After all, their purpose is to underscore the point. But there should be a point in the first place. But this, seriously!?

You know what they say: "If you talk to God, you are religious...if you think God is talking to you, you are delusional."