Thursday, May 22, 2008

This is disgusting! What the hell is it going to take? The state of Alaska will sue to challenge the recent listing of polar bears as threatened!



With oil prices up to $135 this morning and I fully expect to go to $200 very quickly I was going to talk about the skyrocketing oil prices that just jumped $4 in one day and the effect that is going to have not just on our rapidly increasing food prices but absolutely 100% everything and incidentally I am rushing right now as I have to get ready to go to New Hampshire food shopping so more on that when I get Back. Anyway once again I have to digress for something more important. This is disgusting! What the hell is it going to take? this morning I saw this picture and I was mortified but it got worse when I read the story and had to forget about the stupidity that went on over the farm Bill and I am peeved as something underhanded went on there and the chief slime pulled a fast one again. Someone please feel free to explain. Anyway...

The state of Alaska will sue to challenge the recent listing of polar bears as a threatened species, Gov. Sarah Palin announced Wednesday. She and other Alaska elected officials fear a listing will cripple oil and gas development in prime polar bear habitat off the state's northern and northwestern coasts. Palin argued that there is not enough evidence to support a listing. Polar bears are well-managed and their population has dramatically increased over 30 years as a result of conservation, she said. what the frig will it take? Climate models that predict continued loss of sea ice, the main habitat of polar bears, during summers are unreliable, said Palin, a Republican.What the frig? The announcement drew a strong response from the primary author of the listing petition. "She's either grossly misinformed or intentionally misleading, and both are unbecoming," said Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity. "Alaska deserves better." Siegel said it was unconscionable for Palin to ignore overwhelming evidence of global warming's threat to sea ice, the polar bear's habitat. "Even the Bush administration can't deny the reality of global warming," she said. "The governor is aligning herself and the state of Alaska with the most discredited, fringe, extreme viewpoints by denying this." As marine mammals, polar bears are regulated by the federal government, not the state. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne last week made the listing decision and said it was based on three findings. "First, sea ice is vital to polar bear survival. Second, the polar bear's sea-ice habitat has dramatically melted in recent decades. Third, computer models suggest sea ice is likely to further recede in the future," he said.Summer sea ice last year shrank to a record low, about 1.65 million square miles, nearly 40 percent less than the long-term average between 1979 and 2000. Unbelievable!

Polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting ringed seals. In recent years, summer sea ice has receded far beyond the relatively shallow, biologically rich waters of the outer continental shelf, giving polar bears less time in prime feeding areas. Polar bear researchers fear recent effects of the loss of sea ice on Alaska polar bear populations. A 2006 study by the U.S. Geological Survey concluded that far fewer polar bear cubs in the Beaufort Sea were surviving and that adult males weighed less and had smaller skulls than those captured and measured two decades previously — trends similar to observations in Canada's western Hudson Bay before a population drop. A U.S. Geological Survey study completed last year as part of the petition process predicted polar bears in Alaska could be wiped out by 2050. Kempthorne said last week he considered every point Palin made, and rejected them. However, he sought to limit the economic effect of the decision with the inclusion of "administrative guidance" that said the listing would not be used to create back-door climate policy outside the normal system of political accountability. He also said that the threat to polar bears did not come from the petroleum industry. I beg to differ and drilling in Alaska's ANWR will be the end of them in the wilds of Alaska! What the hell is wrong with us?

In response, conservation groups including the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council are seeking to overturn Kempthorne's administrative actions and seek limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Palin and other state officials called arbitrary a decision to list a healthy species judging by what they deem uncertain modeling of future climate change and unproven long-term impact of any future climate change on the species. State Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin said it could have wide economic effects. "Inappropriate implementation of this listing decision could result in widespread social and economic impacts, including increased power costs and further increases in fuel prices, without providing any more protection for the species," he said. Deborah Williams, a former Interior Department special assistant for Alaska and an advocate in the state for global warming response, said Palin's lawsuit was not a prudent use of state money. "Clearly Secretary Kempthorne put a tremendous amount of thought into the listing decision and concluded correctly that listing was required," she said. Pleas look at the link for additional compelling pictures! Alaska Will Sue to Block U.S. Listing of Polar Bears as Threatened

I am just blown away! With the terrible effect oil and the environment is going to have on our near future let along our distant future if we are that lucky what the heck is it going to take to make our Government act responsibly? They show no concern for surviving into the future so...

James Joiner
Gardner Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

18 comments:

DivaJood said...

What can a person say to such blatant stupidity? The State of Alaska is going to sue to take Polar Bears off the threatened list? What, they think it will be bad for tourism or something?

Really, at the end of the day, we're probably not going to see significant changes to protect the environment. The ENTIRE space program is about finally colonizing another planet once ours is uninhabitable. Unfortunately, only the extremely wealthy will be able to leave Earth, ensuring that their disregard for the environment of their new home will be equally under attack.

jmsjoin said...

Diva
I'm stunned! They just do not care. Just look at that picture. Not enough proof they say. They (Alaskan Politicians) are afraid concern over the Polar Bear will threaten the oil Industry and their economy. It blows my mind! Of course the oil industry will have accidents and at any rate it will affect the Bears.
You are right they don't care about the environment. They plan on finding a habitable planet but they are not thinking! You are right only the chosen few would go but! If there is a space war as this will be because whoever controls space (satellites thus military s, carriers, planes, everything)everyone will be trapped here because it will be impossible to get through the debris and they know it so?

Robert Rouse said...

Let's face it, since the gold rush is ancient history, man in Alaska see oil as their sole remaining industry. To be honest I think they should focus on making the state a tourist destination. Their pristine wilderness, and interesting wildlife - including polar bears - would make a strong case for Alaska becoming a summer "hot" spot. They need to think outside the pipeline.

Weaseldog said...

There is only a little bit of the planet left to eat. If we don't eat it now, it'll just go bad.

In Peak Oil discussions over the years, we've discussed the fast crash and the slow crash scenarios.

In a fast crash, we waste our resources quickly, then quickly run out of energy and food. The population over a span of fifty years or so, drops from six billion to a few hundred million. Many ecosystems begin to quickly recover.

In the slow crash, we conserve and find ways to eat up the very last crumbs of the planet, while our population rises to seven billion. Then we crash to a population of tens of millions on a harsh denuded planet. The planet's ecosystems take centuries to recover.

Have we picked the first option?

jmsjoin said...

Whoa stranger!
Nice to see you Robert! I agree with you. Expanding the tourist industry would help more average Americans so that will not go. one of my sons when he isn't in these wars lives in Alaska and loves the wildlife, fishing, and pristine environment. All greatly in danger if drilling in ANWR goes as I just heard expressed in that Congress love fest with the oil companies.
Yeah they want ANWR opened for drilling and no taxes. If we do not do what they advise they say the price will go up. The suns of bitches are threatening us. We are powerless once again! When I first mention $5 gas people said I was crazy. You can bank on $10 gas. Coupled with everything else... Stasy in touch bud. I'll be by.

Robert Rouse said...

Trust me, Jim, I'm here nearly every day. Sometimes I feel my comments wouldn't help your case as you usually present them in such a manner that any other comments would pale in comparison. Always a great read.

jmsjoin said...

Wease
I hate to say it but that is chilling and accurate. We are on the fast track. What peeves me is it will be worse than that and what will be left? Where will you be able to go? bush in Paraguay will have water because of the protected aquifer he sits on but what about the rest of the world? What about the inevitable fallout if this is nuclear as expected? You have to come to the conclusion that bringing about the end of days is the goal!

jmsjoin said...

Robert
Great! If you are here feel free to add or give another perspective. I am always willing to learn. There are so many important things to be discussed I really get bothered that nothing concrete for America or average Americans ever get done as these Political idiots continue to play childish games and teke care of themselves.

Utah Savage said...

My patriotic friend, you have given us another great piece. Down hill slow or down hill fast? Scary any way you look at it.

I have grown depressed over the last few day--I'm sure the strange weather here has something to do with it. But I have managed to write something new. I have come to rely on you as my fact checker--not fair, unpaid, but still, you do it so well. So, I'm back for what it's worth.

jmsjoin said...

Hi Utah
You bring out the defender in me! You read it so we won't talk about the ride. You just relax and do not worry about something you have no control over. We will do that! My idea is to talk reality so people realize the brevity and the realization that we must get involved and make a difference but not to worry!
Do you live in Utah really? Are you in Red's area? Our weather is pretty cool right now what is going on there? I thought I was by your place today. I must be slipping, I better go back and check. Take care beautiful!

Anok said...

Sometimes, you just have to shake your head and wonder....

Unknown said...

My question: When are they going to put human beings on the endangered species list?

Americans' greed and lust for oil will be their undoing. We have to have those big, gas-guzzling SUVs. They're not used for work or 4-wheeling. The only time they go off-road is when they're put in the garage at night. And then you have the *ssholes who buy those big pick-up trucks, and use them like luxury vehicles. If you ask them to help you haul your refrigerator or sofa, they say, "I don't haul anything, it might scratch the paint". In Europe and Asia, most vehicles are diesel-powered. Diesels will run on just about anything. Although initial costs are higher, maintainence and repairs are just a fraction of what gas engines require.

The stupid idiot Americans will spend a dollar to save a dime.

Great pictures, Jim.

jmsjoin said...

hi Anok
I always have to shake my head. We are so screwed because we are led by self interested idiots.
In that tone I listened to this exchange between Obama and McCain. Obama criticized McCain and rightly so for not voting in favor of giving the troops added benefits. McCain in his smart ass holier than thou tone said I do not need someone who has not served in the military telling me how to treat the troops and that was the end of that one.
McCain shut him up and it made McCain look strong. That should have been the beginning and Obama should have shut him up.
Obama should have responded saying I do not have to be a woman to know how to treat them.Thus shutting McCain up, taking no punches, shutting him up, and appearing wiser as he is and more presidential.
He has to learn how to fight like theses idiots. Taking the higher ground is just going to be a quicker way out of town. Do I have to teach Obama how to debate on this level? If he does not learn we are already done!

jmsjoin said...

Brother
You are right we should be put on the list today and start acting accordingly. I did a series of posts a long time ago that it is time to set the dooms day clock to midnight and another we are at the end of our life cycle. Thanks Bud take care!

Utah Savage said...

I live in the northern part of the state, d.k. lives in the southern part. Hot down there, cold up here--but this is not the usual late May weather. Ususally this is the best time of the year. Usually we have days in the 80's and nights in the 60's--perfect spring weather. Then summer hits mid June and it gets HOT. Right now we're having days in the fifties nights in the high 30's. A couple of weeks ago I turned of my heat, packed away the winter clothes and got out my flip flops. Now it's winter again. What the fuck! I think it's probably fairly hot in d.k.'s territory, but I will check with her today. But I'm freezing my ass of up here.

jmsjoin said...

utah

You're funny! I drove to Salt Lake from Cheyenne when I was stationed there in the early 70s. It is beautiful country for sure but I prefer New England still! The weather is pretty screwed up everywhere.
I have a friend I talk to pretty much daily and he is experiencing the same thing there. Seasons seem to be turning a bit and getting more extreme. Our fault I am sure.
It is pretty chilly here right now too. I got my shorts on but had to go back to winter garb but I understand it is going to turn again this weekend. I will take this opportunity to say Happy Memorial day! Have a nice day and chin up!

Weaseldog said...

So McCain is telling Bush, Cheney and Rove that they have no business starting and running wars, as they never served in one!

Good for him!

jmsjoin said...

wease
It's funny, that is exactly what I thought. The hypocrisy of these people just stupifies me. I am in the process of putting the whole picture from yesterday together as McCain self destructs!