We're Just Warming Up, Folks

Arctic Ice Cap Shrank Sharply This Summer, Experts Say - New York Times:

"The floating cap of sea ice on the Arctic Ocean shrank this summer to what is probably its smallest size in a century, continuing a trend toward less summer ice that is hard to explain without attributing it in part to human-caused global warming, various experts on the region said today.

The findings are consistent with recent computer simulations showing that a buildup of smokestack and tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases could lead to a profoundly transformed Arctic later this century in which much of the once ice-locked ocean is routinely open water in summers.

It also appears that the change is becoming self sustaining, with the increased open water absorbing solar energy that would be reflected back into space by bright white ice, said Ted A. Scambos, a scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo., which compiled the data along with NASA.

'Feedbacks in the system are starting to take hold,' Dr. Scambos said. 'The consecutive record-low extents make it pretty certain a long-term decline is underway.'"

This trend is already accellerating faster than expected. Think we'll see even more tropical storms next year? Naaahhh! What are the odds? Just pitch-in, folks! And let's cut those pesky environmental restrictions that get in the way of producing more fuel for the fire! Yeah, that oughta' do it!

The Bush Legacy, Part D-uh

Report Finds Negative Image of U.S. Abroad - Yahoo! News:

"'For what can be heard around the world, in the wake of the invasion of Iraq, the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib, and the controversy over the handling of detainees at Bagram and Guantanamo Bay, is that America is less a beacon of hope than a dangerous force to be countered,' the report said.

'This assertion, repeated in newspaper columns, on radio and television broadcasts, and via the Internet, diminishes our ability to champion freedom, democracy and individual dignity,' said the report by the Advisory Committee on Public Diplomacy."

Add this to how people here are feeling about the government, and you have a monumental crash and burn scenario for an administration and its support group.

ArchPundit On The Brown Testimony

ArchPundit

This is a meticulous examination of Brown's testimony before Congress. There are links included to back up everything said. It's way too much to repeat here, but I do hope that much of it comes out in the end. Not that I expect it to in the partisan Congressional hearings, but maybe later on in the criminal or civil cases that are bound to proliferate.

Sub-Zero Temperatures Detected In Hell

Indicted DeLay leaves House leadership post - Yahoo! News:
"HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay said he would 'step aside' from his congressional leadership post following his indictment in Texas on Wednesday on one conspiracy count, his office said."

The DeLay is over.

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid!

TIME.com Print Page: TIME Magazine -- How Many More Mike Browns Are Out There?

This is what happens when people who hate the government run the government. We shouldn't be surprised to find them taking advantage of it at every turn, and doing their best to wreck it once they have.

So What Does FEMA Do?

So, what does FEMA do? According to their own mission and organization statement, their goals include:

• GOAL 1. Reduce loss of life and property.
• GOAL 2. Minimize suffering and disruption caused by disasters.
• GOAL 3. Prepare the Nation to address the consequences of terrorism.
• GOAL 4. Serve as the Nation’s portal for emergency management information and expertise.

Some of the activities involved are:

FEMA’s appropriation of approximately $844 million for
Emergency Management Planning and Assistance provides
resources for the following activities:
Developing and maintaining an integrated operational
capability to respond to and recover from the consequences of
a disaster. This is accomplished through partnerships with
other federal agencies, state and local governments, volunteer
organizations, and the private sector.

Coordinating, integrating, and implementing preparedness,
technical assistance, assessment, and exercise programs to
effectively develop, build, and maintain a knowledgeable, professional,
and prepared emergency management capability
that is capable of saving lives, responding to and recovering
from terrorist incidents and other threats, and mitigating the
economic impact of disasters.

Developing, coordinating, and implementing policies,
plans, and programs to mitigate the long-term risk to life and
property from hazards such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes,
and dam failures.

So it would seem that they indeed do some of the things that Mr. Brown swears they do not. Guess he should have read the memo.

Brown True To Form

CNN.com - Brown blames state and local officials for Katrina response - Sep 27, 2005:

"Davis pushed Brown on what he and the agency he led should have done to evacuate New Orleans, restore order in the city and improve communication among law enforcement agencies.

Brown said: 'Those are not FEMA roles. FEMA doesn't evacuate communities. FEMA does not do law enforcement. FEMA does not do communications.'

In part of his testimony, Brown pumped his hand up and down for emphasis."

At least we know what he CAN do.