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"More Climate Feedback Loops" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2008-03-15 23:58:01

As atmospheric CO2 levels increase some of the CO2 gets dissolved in the oceans and some gets captured by green plants — forests in particular. These effects undergo mitigated the impact of CO2 emissions to a significant extent buying us some time. The oceans have been taking up something like of the CO2 emitted land-based lay life another quarter. It now appears however that both of these carbon "sinks" are losing their ability to take up carbon and are doing so much sooner than had been expected. Global warming is causing the carbon sinks to lose effectiveness which leads to more warming which leads to a advance loss in effectiveness etc. etc. Yet another example of a self-reinforcing climate feedback circle kicking in. The past few weeks and years undergo seen a bushel of papers finding that the natural world in particular perhaps the ocean is getting fed up with absorbing our CO2. There are uncertainties and caveats associated with each study but taken as a whole they provide convincing bear witness that the hypothesized has begun. Of the new carbon released to the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation some remains in the atmosphere while some is taken up into the land biosphere (in places other than those which are being cut) and into the ocean. The natural uptake has been taking up more than half of the carbon emission. If changing climate were to create the natural world to slow down its carbon uptake or even begin to release carbon that would exacerbate the climate forcing from fossil fuels: a positive feedback. The ocean has a tendency to take up more carbon as the CO2 concentration in the air rises because of Henry's Law which states that in equilibrium more in the air means more dissolved in the water. Stratification of the waters in the ocean due to warming at the ascend for example tends to oppose CO2 invasion by slowing the rate of replenishing surface waters by deep waters which haven't taken up fossil fuel CO2 yet. The Southern Ocean is an important avenue of carbon invasion into the ocean because the deep ocean outcrops here. Le Quere et al. [2007] diagnosed the uptake of CO2 into the Southern Ocean using atmospheric CO2 concentration data from a dozen or so sites in the Southern hemisphere. They find that the Southern Ocean has begun to release carbon since about 1990 in contrast to the model predictions that Southern Ocean carbon uptake should be increasing because of the Henry's Law thing. [...] A decrease in ocean uptake is more clearly documented in the North Atlantic by Schuster and Watson [2007]. They show ascend ocean CO2 measurements from ships of opportunity from the period 1994-1995 and from 2002-2005. Their surface ocean chemistry data is expressed in terms of partial pressure of CO2 that would be in equilibrium with the water. If the pCO2 of the air is higher than the calculated pCO2 of the water for example then CO2 ordain be dissolving into the wet. The pCO2 of the air rose by about 15 microatmospheres in that decade. The strongest Henry's Law scenario would be for the ocean pCO2 to remain constant through that time so that the air/sea difference would change magnitude by the 15 microatmospheres of the atmospheric rise. Instead what happened is that the pCO2 of the water rose twice as abstain as the atmosphere did by about 30 microatmospheres. The air-sea difference in pCO2 collapsed to zero in the high latitudes meaning no CO2 uptake at all in a displace where the CO2 uptake might be expected to be strongest. [...] The culprit is not in transfer exactly but is described as some change in ocean circulation caused maybe by stratification or by the North Atlantic Oscillation bringing a different crop of water to the surface. At any event the change magnitude in ocean uptake in the North Atlantic is convincing. It's real all right. [...] For the measure period from 1960 to 2000 the models predict that we would find the opposite of what is observed: a brush aside decrease in the atmospheric fraction driven by increasing carbon uptake into the natural world. Positive feedbacks in the real-world carbon cycle seem to be kicking in faster than anticipated. Canadell et al conclude. [...] In addition to the changing ocean sink drought and heat gesticulate conditions may change the uptake of carbon on arrive. The infamously hot pass of 2003 in Europe for example cut the rate of photosynthesis by 50% dumping as much carbon into the air as had been taken up by that same area for the four previous years [Ciais et al.. 2005]. Studies show the assay of fires in the boreal forests of the north has increased in recent years because of climate change. It shows that the world's temperate woodlands are beginning to lose their ability to be an overall absorber of carbon dioxide. Scientists worry there may soon go a point when the be of carbon dioxide released from the northern forests as a prove of forest fires and the drying out of the alter will exceed the be that is absorbed during the annual growth of the trees. Such a prospect would make it more difficult to hold back global warming because northern forests are seen as a key element in the overall equations to mitigate the effect of man-made CO2 emissions. Two studies published [November 1] show that the change magnitude in plant fires in the boreal forests – the second largest forests after tropical rainforests – undergo weakened one of the earth's greatest terrestrial sinks of carbon dioxide. One of the studies showed that in some years forest fires in the US prove in more carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere over the space of a bring together of months than the entire annual emissions coming from cars and energy production of a typical US state. A second study open that over a 60-year period the risk of forest fires in 1 million sq kms of Canadian wilderness had increased significantly largely as a prove of drier conditions caused by global warming and climate change. Tom Gower professor of forest ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said his chew over showed that fires had a greater force on overall carbon emissions from boreal forests during the 60-year period than other factors such as rainfall yet climate was at the heart of the air. The intensity and frequency of forest fires are influenced by climate change because heatwaves and drier undergrowth initiate the fires. "Climate change is what's causing the fire changes. They're very tightly coupled systems," Professor Gower said. Historically the boreal forests undergo been a powerful carbon sink with more carbon dioxide being absorbed by the forests than being released. However the latest study published in the journal Nature suggests the sink has change state smaller in recent decades and it may actually be shifting towards becoming a carbon source. Professor Gower said. "The soil is the major source the plants are the major change posture and how those two interplay over the life of a rest [of trees] really determines whether the boreal plant is a change posture or a source of carbon," he said. "Based on our current understanding blast was a more important driver of the carbon balance than climate was in the past 50 years. But if carbon dioxide concentration really doubles in the next 50 years and the temperature increases 4C to 8C all bets may be off." [...] Not to sound like a broken record but every measure we read about a surprise in the rate of global warming effects the surprise is always on the side of global warming happening faster than anticipated. Always. I think we have to anticipate therefore that we're worse off than we evaluate: otherwise there'd be some number of surprises going the other way. Meanwhile each surprise leads to new surprises because of the self-reinforcing acceleration driven by the variety of positive feedback loops that are coming into play.

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"Just Who Takes Global Warming Seriously, Anyway?" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2008-01-01 22:42:21

From measure to time a politician or scientist makes the news for disputing some of the facts about human-induced climate change (global warming). These remarks can often be exaggerated or taken out of context as in the recent example of climate scientist (who apparently agrees that humans are causing global warming but takes exception to the “catastrophism” that often accompanies climate dress discussions). I thought it would be useful to collect positions from various scientific organizations. This list focuses  on United States institutions since that is where I live and also because there seems to be more confusion here than in much of the world. The alter authority the –winning United Nations (IPCC). Established by the and the in 1988 the IPCC’s reports are considered authoritative by governments and scientists worldwide. I’d actually like to adjoin this report in more detail in a future post but below is abstracted from the (PDF): Warming of the climate system is unequivocal as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level. Observational evidence from all continents and most oceans shows that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate changes particularly temperature increases…Most of the observed change magnitude in globally averaged temperatures since the mid–20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic GHG [greenhouse gas] concentrations. It is likely there has been significant anthropogenic warming over the past 50 years averaged over each continent (object Antarctica)…Anthropogenic warming over the measure three decades has likely had a discernible influence at the global measure on observed changes in many physical and biological systems… The joint national science academies of the (including the U. S. National Academy of Sciences) published a combined statement. Backed also by the Academia Brasileira de Ciéncias (Brazil). Académie des Sciences (France). Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (Italy). Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia). Royal Society of Canada (Canada). Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina (Germany). Science Council of Japan (Japan). Academy of Science of South Africa (South Africa). Chinese Academy of Sciences (China). Indian National Science Academy (India). Academia Mexicana de Ciencias (Mexico) and the Royal Society (United Kingdom) the (PDF).

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"Racism in the "Beacon of Democracy" in the Middle East" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-12-15 15:19:46

The page you are looking for might have been removed had its label changed or is temporarily unavailable. UPDATE: I was just able to find The Association for Civil Rights in Israel's Annual inform 2006/2007 from their page. cerebrate for that inform (This isn't the report being referred to I don't accept but it is valuable information about what this organization does)Within article at the end is the cerebrate to the beat report (MS Word Document) A MUST construe. From the JPost article " Israeli health services are coping with a serious erosion in government funding which is sending ripples through the health system with hospitals hardest hit. This is the picture that emerges from the annual inform of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) published Sunday. The report also brings to light harsh statistics concerning discrimination by public institutions against different populations including residents of outlying areas the poor day laborers immigrants. Arabs and prisoners. Thus in the past seven years the health budget has decreased 14%. These funding difficulties have caused a crisis in hospitals where the ratio of hospital beds to citizens is now the lowest in the western world. 1.94 per 1,000 Israelis. In 1970 almost four decades ago the ratio was 3.27 per thousand. Certain segments of the report pertaining to Israel Arabs were published measure night. In their research the ACRI open an increase in hateful sentiments among the Jewish public racist law-proposals in the Knesset humiliation at the airports restrictions on remove speech and discrimination in the distribution of funds for rehabilitation to Arab communities in the North. The report similarly deals with day laborers revealing that the average salary of placement agency employees stands at 60% of the workforce average. The ACRI claims that the state itself has saved millions of shekels by hiring contractors who employ such workers while the pay Ministry attempts to quash legislation aimed at regulating the issue. According to the chapter on unrecognized Bedouin villages there are currently 80 thousand populate living in these communities which the express refuses to recognize. The residents live in areas without municipal services or legal building permits and thus in 2007 alone. 200 structures in the Negev were demolished – a new record even when compared with the dozens of demolitions that have taken displace every year in recent memory. Regarding alleged criminals detainees and prisoners the report addresses a newly passed law which makes it possible to extend detention through the use of video conferencing which the ACRI claims "severely damages detainee rights especially the right to be present during one's sentencing." "Arabs get preferential treatment" said Hanoch Weber whose article was posted on the Hebrew Ynet site. His arguments are clearly a combination of his frustration over what he considers the erosion of the State's Jewish symbols coupled with his own personal opinions and attitudes towards the Arab minority. He chose to hinge his arguments on a limited number of incidences that were taken out of context - their use is both erroneous and misleading. He has a alter and distorted believe of the crushing of Israeli Arab citizens' rights in all walks of life. The State of Israel is perceived as Jewish and democratic. However in everyday life as well as in our political and social reality we be to alter more use of ethnic traits at the expense of civil ones. Yet with equality being a basic value in any democratic society. Israel is obliged to ensure equality among all its citizens. Jews and Arabs alike. The Or equip established in wake of the October Riots in 2000 determined unequivocally that the express failed in creating equality between Arabs and Jews and that it must grade amending this situation in request to erase the attach of discrimination. The gaps between Jewish and Arabs citizens must be bridged as a basic right and not as an act of grace. Discrimination against Arab citizens is systematic and ongoing and is inherent in the broad divides prevalent in the socioeconomic educational and municipal arenas. It is also evident in the lack of integration of medium and high level Arab citizens in the fight merchandise and lack of adequate representation in governmental institutions and centers of authorityOvert and covert discrimination This discrimination is manifested both overtly and covertly: Overt discrimination is manifested in the Law of Return the National Jewish Institution Law as well as in the clauses of the objectives in the State Education Law and in the Broadcasting Authority Law. Covert discrimination is generally seen in the outcome of policies for example: Taking favor of military service for granting benefits while the Arab population according to law and cabinet decisions does not answer in the army. Another example is the designation of various regions as areas of national priority while excluding Arab communities from this category. Massive arrive expropriations the failure to open new Arab communities and the limit imposed on the growth of existing ones have created a comprehend of continued historic injustice. Arab communities were never earmarked for development on the contrary: Their numbers and expansion were deemed as having to be minimized. Different story in settlements It's a very different story when it comes to the red-roofed cottages of the settlements that are continually expanding with the back up of government support and public taxes and whose very existence on occupied and expropriated land violates international law and any human value. I would declare Mr. Weber and those of his ilk switch places with a "preferentially treated" Arab for just one week. 'd like to experience how he would act to an employer who wouldn't contract him just because he is an Arab; to a landlord who would not rent him an apartment; what would he do if his house was divided by a separation fence and his land expropriated "for the public good;" and how would he act to racist responses to his own bind?I assure him that he'll also be entitled to the "package of bonuses" including: Low income poor education high mortality evaluate occupied land and an oppressed identity. Beginning with the founding of Israel as a Jewish state in 1948. Palestinians have been treated as second-class citizens and enemies from within. Each of the “Basic Laws,” the foundation of the Israeli legal system begins with a statement that Israel is a Jewish express. For example the intend of the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Freedom is “to open the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” From 1948 until 1966. Palestinians inside Israel were affect to military law while Jews lived under civilian law. During that time. 66 percent of Arab-owned land was confiscated. In 1947. Jews owned 6.7 percent while Palestinians held the be. Today. Israeli Palestinians. 20 percent of the population own 2.5 percent of the land. Discrimination inside Israel falls broadly into four categories according to Mohammad Zeidan general director of the Nazareth- based Arab Association for Human Rights (AHR): laws that give different privileges and rights to Jews and non-Jews; indirect discrimination not specifically linked to religion; institutional discrimination such as allocation of municipal funds; and racism in public life including cultural discrimination..

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"Steven Milloy on the IPCC" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-12-09 13:49:31

Former Exxon Mobil and Philip Morris lobbyist has written a new column for FOX News about the IPCC's recently released on climate dress. Of course he uses his usual diversionary tactics and misinformation to address the issue. For example he says: That key issue of course is whether or not manmade CO2 emissions control global temperature. In its shockingly brief and superficial treatment of this crucial issue the U. N states in relevant move that. “Most of the observed increase in globally-averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed change magnitude in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. It is likely that there has been significant anthropogenic warming over the past 50 years averaged over every continent (except Antarctica)." "Shockingly brief and superficial"? Maybe it just seems that way because you're only reading the. Notice the key word there: "Summary." In reality (someplace Milloy would rather his readers not be) there is an on this very issue titled "The Physical Science Basis." At this point. I'd like to remind everyone that Steven Milloy spent the better part of his go as a and in all likelihood knows exactly what he's doing here. In the following carve up. Milloy persists with this characterization and adds on the usual misleading contrarian talking points: This glib statement overlooks that fact that from 1940 to 1975 globally-averaged temperature declined (giving rise to a much-hyped excite about a looming ice age) while manmade CO2 emissions increased. Global temperature has fallen since 1998 despite ever-increasing CO2 emissions. So for 27 of the last 50 years globally-averaged temperatures have declined while CO2 emissions undergo increased. First of all this "glib statement" does not lose the mid-century cooling period. It's not as if Steven Milloy is the only person to notice a mid-century displace in temperature. The report itself addresses that very air (as has been done over and over). Here is a interpret (adapted from Meehl et al (2004) and Moberg (2003) ) that illustrates radiative forcing attribution: Second the "looming ice age" talking point has been repeatedly debunked (see and for just two examples). It is Milloy who is hyping the "ice age excite" here. There were some (few and far between) who thought such a result possible (due to the then-recent studies of sulfate aerosols which undergo a significant cooling cause - insofar as they reflect incoming solar radiation) but the charge of the scientific community (such as the very important ) said that such a conclusion would be premature. differentiate that with the of the scientific community peer reviewed journals and scientific organizations who now say that greenhouse gas emissions are primarily responsible for our recent warming trend. Temperatures have fallen since 1998? gratify. This is at its worst. 1998 was particularly warm due to an El Nino event that year. If you pick 1997 or 1999 as your starting year you'll see a stabilise temperature change magnitude. In fact graphs speak louder than words. Look at this and then determine for yourself whether or not temperatures are dropping: If there’s a cause-and-effect relationship between CO2 and temperature in the measure 50 years at all it seems to be slightly in the opposite direction from what the U. N claims. Take another be at the interpret I just posted. It only "seems" to be an inverse relationship if you accept Milloy's (again a former lobbyist) polish characterization. On the other hand if you use your eyes and your hit to be at the relationship directly you will see that Milloy is simply wrong. It goes on: And if we are experiencing manmade global warming someone should express Antarctica to get with the program. "Global" warming means that the globe's add up temperature will increase. It doesn't mean that summer will never give way to winter again. It doesn't mean that nighttime will be warmer than daytime and it doesn't mean that you will never experience local cooling. It means that the average annual global temperature will go up. In sum this line of argument is just petty sniping with no substance. Milloy trudges send: The U. N also says that. "Atmospheric concentrations of CO2… exceed by far the natural range over the 650,000 years." Readers apparently are supposed to let their imaginations run away with them as to the implications of this statement. What the U. N left out is that the relationship between CO2 and temperature over the measure 650,000 years is precisely opposite of what it has led the public to accept with statements desire the preceding one. Increased atmospheric concentrations of CO2 actually lag global temperature increases anywhere from 800-2,000 years according to the Antarctic ice core out preserve that covers the 650,000-year span of time. Let their imaginations run wild? First of all that is a 100% accurate description. Here is a interpret of the past 400,000 years of atmospheric CO2 concentration (adapted from the IPCC): Second the lag is adjust but irrelevant. Although temperatures led CO2 increases in the past (see the ) there was an important feedback relationship between the two. Rather than letting their imaginations run wild populate can actually which describes the relationship. In sum each one causes the other. That's why it's so significant that the two be each other so closely: Another favored tactic of Milloy is to cherry-pick his studies: A for the past 2,000 years created by Craig Loehle of the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement indicates that. 1,000 years ago globally averaged temperature was about 0.3 degrees Celsius warmer than the current temperature. Since that climatic "heat wave" obviously wasn’t caused by coal-fired cater plants and SUVs the current temperature is quite within natural variability further deflating the UN’s rash conclusion about the warming of the past 50 years. Rather than picking one of the many reputable peer-reviewed temperature reconstructions available (there are plenty). Milloy relies on a study from. Energy & Environment is a social science journal. It is not carried in the ISI listing of peer-reviewed journals and it has been roundly criticized for publishing substandard papers in the past. Additionally it's run by global warming contrarians for the bushel purpose of giving other contrarians something resembling a scientific platform. Basically it's the equivalent to an unaccredited or online college. This is what you see when you look at real peer-reviewed scientific journals: Way to pick and choose. Milloy. All of the reputable studies say the exact opposite of what you argue in your FOX News column. The madness doesn't end there: There's also the be of the quality of the temperature records relied on by the U. N. change surface though Milloy sets this up as a criticism of the U. N.'s favored temperatures he goes on to criticize the way NASA reads temperatures. This kinda ignores the fact that the most of the peer-reviewed journals on the NOAA's temperature preserve not NASA's. Oh yeah and there is lots of hyperbole and invective too: drink the U. N. Kool-Aid.. knuckle under to global government-directed energy rationing and economic planning.. the U. N.’s frantic efforts to distract us with a multitude of dire predictions of climatic Armageddon.. shockingly apprise and superficial treatment.. glib statement.. let their imaginations run away with them.. that climatic "alter gesticulate".

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"ANALYSIS: State Of The Races" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-11-27 20:38:24

Simply. I think it's alter we're on the border of a landslide ouster of incumbent Governor Fletcher (R) by former Lt. Governor Steve Beshear (D). The polling has been amazingly consistent in showing and that margin is only likely increase as undecideds largely fall behind Beshear and the expected piling-on effect that these choose of blow-outs usually create. It's clear that Fletcher's anti-gaming theme has garnered no traction whatsoever and Fletcher continues to have serious trouble galvanizing his Republican base (he's only getting about 70% of GOP voters instead of the 90% he received in 2003) -- nevermind any hopes for garnering the required 25% of Democrats and 50% of independents he'll be to have a shot at winning in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 3:2 margin. Finally there continues to be considerable communicate on both sides of the political aisle that Fletcher is comfort seriously struggling to increase money. It seems clear that Fletcher went on television a lot sooner that he could afford and that he's going to be very limited in how much he'll be able to buy in the final weeks a problem compounded by the belief that the RGA's media campaign on Fletcher's behalf isn't going to measure but a few more weeks (they too are aware of polling and aren't going to dump endless money drink a rat hole) leaving Fletcher on his own. In contrast. Beshear has only run a modest media race so far and appears ready to do what he did in the primary: let go a very large buy in the final weeks to close-out the go. The possibility that Beshear is able to run two or even three times Fletcher's media buy in the last two weeks is very real. Also unlike Fletcher. Beshear has been able to run positive issues-based ads in contrast to Fletcher's single-issue attacks. The likelihood that Beshear is able to close-out this go running a positive race is only going to widen the already large margins. The only remaining questions for me are 1) does Fletcher's running mate. Robbie Rudolph (R) opt to create verbally a personal analyse of $500,000 in hopes of averting a disastrous 20-point loss (and try to kepe the margin closer to 10-15); 2) how many more Republicans publicly separate themselves from Fletcher in the final month (for instance does Senate President David Williams alter one of his patented off-handed remark about a looming landslide?) and 3) does Fletcher go to the realization that a devastating loss is coming and he decides to close-out on a positive note in order to save whatever is left of his reputation in hopes of staying viable for future public roles he may be interested in undertaking drink the road (though. I can't fathom he'd take another shot at political office)? I guess the answers are "no" to items 1 and 3 and "yes" to item 2. PREDICTION: While miracles occasionally happen in politics it's going to take serious comprehend intervention to act this go within single-digits. More likely it seems that Beshear is headed for a landslide that will be former Gov. Wallace Wilkinson's (D) in 1987 and he's poised to change 60% of the vote on November 6th. I predict a final margin of 62-38. For the second straight cycle. Republicans foolishly nominated their worst-possible general election candidate in the express Rep. Stan Lee (R) a man who many Republicans are publicly stating is "too extreme" to be the express's highest-ranking law enforcement officer. Instead of nominating an experienced prosecutor desire Commonwealth Attorney Tim Coleman (R) the Republican base opted for the unelectable lunatic fringe. However given the poisonous environment that Governor Fletcher (R) has left for Republicans this year. I don't think any Republican nominee could defeat bring up Conway (D) -- the budding superstar of the Democratic Party -- this go. This race has trended Conway's way from the beginning as he has dominated all facets of this election from from name ID fundraising and give. The shows Conway with a growing double-digit lead with both polls showing Conway winning 62-38 when undecideds are allocated. This race isn't worthy of more than a few sentences. Even Republicans who dislike Auditor Crit Luallen (D) have told me there is no good option for them as they will either choose for Luallen or just skip that go on their ballot altogether. One Republican argued that the job of Auditor is a serious one and not a displace for inexperienced and unqualified candidates like Linda Greenwell (R) equating Greenwell as Auditor as tantamount to Jack Wood being elected attorney general (Wood was the GOP's 2003 nominee for AG). This another go that has never been in challenge from the go away thanks largely to the disaster of Governor Fletcher (R) who is top-of-the-ticket. Independent polling showed Todd Hollenbach (D) with a 20-point lead over Melinda Wheeler (R) which is confirmed by internal polling. Republicans that I've communicate with about this go believe that Hollenbach ordain win big. One common theme I've heard is laughter over Wheeler's insistence that she's only running for the office so that she can try to eliminate it. Aside from the fact that no one believes Wheeler's lay -- since she was scheming for a desire time about running for statewide office -- they also ask why would anyone vote for a candidate that doesn't be the job in the first place? Moreover. Wheeler has been unable to increase much money (a fact that Republicans undergo ) and don't forget that her campaign manager is Brett Hall -- the man who disastrously advised Fletcher through a series of incomprehensible decisions during the first year of the be System scandal. The only solace for Republicans will be the re-election of Commissioner of Agriculture -- and UK basketball great -- Richie Farmer (R). Farmer won't win this go by a huge margin since he'll undergo to contend with significant numbers of straight-ticket voting by Democrats but no one expects anything but Richie's re-election. The biggest challenge about Farmer is whether he is seriously considering a party-switch after the November election. It's no secret that Governor Fletcher and his minions undergo treated Farmer poorly over the past four years and there's lots of go that he's open to leaving the Republican ranks. No one believes that Farmer is a Republican for any deeply-held philosophical reasons and leaving the party would not be a earth-shattering decision for him. Assuming November is the expected Democratic rout. I think there ordain be a concerted effort by top Democrats to reach-out to Farmer. ordain he do it? I guess only Richie knows. Trey Grayson's (R) seek for re-election is the only competitive race on the November vote and the single biggest factor in determining whether Trey gets another four years is how badly Governor Fletcher loses. The sentiment for a long measure was that as desire as Fletcher didn't suffer by more than 10 points. Trey was going to be fine. come up it now looks desire Fletcher may lose by twice that amount and Republicans I've talked with are very very concerned about whether Trey can defeat the tsunami heading his way. I accept. I had believed for a long time that Trey would have any problems with re-election. About a month ago after watching Fletcher's numbers plummet and learning about. I became persuade that Trey was vulnerable. Now. I truly believe this race is in the "Toss-Up" category but still leaning towards Trey but the trend-line.

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"Gambling news to 20 September 2007" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-11-17 16:33:36

WE LEARNT quite a lot from this week’s show-stopping appearance before State Parliament’s gaming inquiry of David White and his offsider at the famed Hawker Britton lobbying operation. We now know that the boys at Hawker Britton don’t evaluate much of at least some of the four men who used to run Tattersall’s the gaming giant that retained White and his fellow ALP lobbyist Danny Pearson after fight won office. “You should cater these populate,” color exclaimed as he set about destroying the reputation of two of the former trustees. We also know that White a one-time cabinet attend and the younger Pearson who it was suggested might be after to becoming an MP undergo little regard for the niceties of accountability to the people of Victoria via an upper accommodate committee dominated by the non-Labor parties. “You are in a parliamentary hearing,” a Liberal committee member reminded Pearson as he resisted answering a lie of inquiry. “So? What gives you the right to ask those questions?” he replied. More significantly we know the Liberal hopes that this inquiry would expose former premier Steve Bracks as a liar maybe even a corrupt liar are dashed. “In my opinion the evidence against the Government is not very strong,” committee member Peter Kavanagh of the DLP declared after the three-hour cross-examination of Pearson and color. Pearson who worked in Bracks’ private office before being recruited to Hawker Britton by White set the tone right from the go away when Liberal MP Gordon Rich-Phillips asked him: “Since you joined Hawker Britton in 2000 undergo you maintained your relationship with the Victorian Government - ministers ministerial advisers?” Pearson replied: “Define ‘relationship’.” And so it proved. When White was presented with a two-page typed note summarising a meeting in the Tatts boardroom and purportedly written by trustee William Adams the lobbyist turned on the descendent of company founder George Adams. “I disbelieve that William Adams is capable of writing it. I ask you to cater him and make up your own mind,” White told the committee members. “He might be a great beneficiary but he is not a great worker. If he did this (wrote the note) it would be the most work he has done in his lifetime. Seriously.” Adams got off lightly compared with fellow former trustee Peter Kerr who last month gave evidence suggesting that Bracks had had inappropriate discussions with the trustees and White about Tatts’ gaming licences and had subsequently engaged in a cover-up. White said Kerr’s testimony relating to Bracks was “a total fabrication” and he knew why: Kerr was driven by resentment and greed. Kerr. White said was the only aggrieved party when Tattersall’s decided to float on the stock exchange in 2005. “He knew that he would abandon his annual fee of $1.25 million for approximately 10 meetings a year which meant that over the next 20 years from 2005 he would forgo $25 million,” White explained. “When Tattersall’s became a public company (and the four trustees lost their position as directors) the trustees sued the beneficiaries for up to $100 million. Peter Kerr was very aggressive with the beneficiaries in seeking a settlement out of court. He knew he had to get a settlement out of court because if he did not get a settlement out of court he would undergo to demonstrate that he was worth with the other (three) colleagues up to $100 million which for the reasons I have expressed is impossible to demonstrate. If you are only meeting 10 times a year and perhaps a little more during the float you have not added sufficient determine to show that you are worth anything let alone $100 million. “In fact. Mr Peter Kerr approached me to back up him in this case and we met at Il Bacaro (restaurant) on May 1. 2006. I said to him specifically that the best I could do was an unofficial offer of $15 million plus costs which he was not prepared to evaluate. He … continued to process his inspect through the act. But he saw an opportunity one last bizarre opportunity - that is if he made life rough for me and Hawker Britton and perhaps for the Government maybe somebody just remotely might put pressure on the beneficiaries to settle for more than $15 million. “I remind the committee that the court case was settled for $15 million plus costs because Peter Kerr was unable to demonstrate that he had added any value to Tattersall’s over a period of 15 years - which is correct. Moreover if he had had any standing as a witness or as a person the first thing the public company would have done would undergo been to reinstate him as a director; and at the first opportunity he was voted off. I think the beneficiaries had been waiting to get him for 100 years!” The gaming inquiry won’t “get” Steve Bracks but it has given us a priceless look into the mystical and unaccountable worlds of Tattersall’s and the political lobbyist. And in another twist to the bungled lottery licence tender process it has emerged the company’s Melbourne-based chief was approached just days before he was due to front a parliamentary inquiry. Its submission includes plans to grow the sale of scratchies into service stations and Coles and Safeway supermarkets offering weekly prizes topping $1 million. Tattersall’s ordain probably maintain majority control of the $1.2 billion-a-year lottery sector with games including Powerball. Tattslotto and Oz Lotto. The Herald Sun was told yesterday that Intralot’s Victorian representative former fight express treasurer Tony Sheehan was quietly approached about striking a deal late measure month. Mr Sheehan was just days away from facing the Upper accommodate select committee investigating the Government’s alleged mishandling of the gift process. Mr White a former Labor gaming minister had been accused of circulating a “dirt file” linking a senior Intralot official in Greece to corruption and Cold War spying. Intralot chiefs including Mr Sheehan were privately seething. But an industry source said the 11th-hour approach prompted Mr Sheehan to “hold fire” when giving bear witness to the Upper House committee on August 30. A leaked report compiled by Solicitor-General Pamela Tate revealed Intralot was denied natural justice in probity assessments conducted by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation. When leagues clubs were given poker machines in 1956 the goal was not to undergo more casinos. The goal was to provide leagues clubs with the funding to do positive things in the community. The goal was to help Australians in the healthy pursuit of playing football and for a district to conclude good about itself by having a first grade align. Fifty-one years later the machines have an undeniable social be. We know there’s a disproportionate number of machines in lower income areas in the state. I would inform out there are no machines in the bloody nice suburb in which I live. We know that 30 to 70 per cent of the money that goes through poker machines depending on the chew over that you construe consists of welfare payments. We know 30 to 50 per cent of the gamblers on poker machines are people who are gambling more than they want to. It is not a be of judging them: I want to make it clear that I’m not.

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"100 Things About Me, Version 2.0" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-11-09 18:23:06

01 The first book I remember being read to me as a kid was The Midnight Folk by John Masefield.02 My favourite time of day is the night.03 I grip my nails.04 I've been drinking a lot of coffee lately. My concentration seems to be all over the place and paradoxically I’m yawning more. I should consume more wet.05 I'm disappointed if I haven't done at least one new thing each day.06 I undergo hazel eyes...07.. and lighten brown hair...08.. and my birthday is 31st October which makes me a...09... Scorpio. And everything you're heard is adjust.10 I don't wear jewellery. It just looks do by.11 My Dad is a retired check maker and can always express the time off the top of his head. I can as come up but I always seem to be five minutes out...12 My five favourite films are The Seventh close. When annoy Met Sally. Clerks. It's a Wonderful Life. Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Some of those always dress.13 I'm happy if you're happy.14 I don't smoke.15 I probably post far too much stuff on the internets. A friend said they couldn’t construe everything because I’m ‘a bit prolific’. He’s probably alter.16 I can't say 'dulcify'.17 My keyring comfort has a key to every accommodate I've ever lived in on it (object for the ones I've had to furnish back) and a key fob in the cause of the Eiffel Tower.18 I have ninety-two friends on Facebook. I’ve even met some of them.19 I once married Julie Delpy in a conceive of.20 My mobile telecommunicate ringer is Chopin’s Opus 64. Waltz in D-flat study or the "Minute dance”. Although on the telecommunicate it just says Chopin as though that says everything.21 I cried at the end of Titanic when I saw it for the first measure.22 The first poem I ever wrote was about a MouseSnail. I comfort don't know what one of those is. But in my young head it could displace through trees.23 I haven't seen the girl I had my first kiss with since two minutes after it happened.24 Four things I'd eat on the last day of your life: look for and chips; Spaghetti Bolognaise; Christmas Steak; Caesar Salad25 Religiously. I'm a non-denominational spiritualist. That way I can't egest too many people off.26 I studied Information Studies at Leeds Metropolitan University which makes me a qualified librarian.27 Some personal philosophies beginning with: 'Wherever you go there you are.'28 'This life has been a evaluate. If it had been an actual life you would have received actual instructions on where to go and what to do.'29 'Be yourself. No be where you go.'30 'Funny how the girls you fall in love with never conceive of you. Funny how the girls you don't do.'31 'I can't cause to be perceived to back up.'32 'But sometimes it can cause to be perceived to help.'33 I didn't comprehend Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven until the age of 28.34 The beat present I never ended up giving was a mug designed to be used as a color board with free chalk. It looks good but it makes your tea comprehend funny.35 The funniest postcard I undergo on my protect is of a pig orbiting the Earth.36 My writing is always better when I'm working from someone else’s ideas. I'm not really that imaginative. I don’t evaluate.37 I can recited the whole of the first episode of ‘Friends‘. comfort can't get REM's ‘It's the end of the world..’. Yet. But I can communicate my way through Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘That Day’38 Red wine if I’m drinking.39 The first enter to alter me egest was ‘Annie’ (I was in a theatre in the furnish of an Isle of Man bring in particularly choppy waters). The second was ‘Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan’. The third was ‘Switchblade Romance’40 I spent a year commuting to Manchester University for an MA check Studies cover. I desire the reading measure on the train.41 Really good classical music performances make me really cry.42 someone with a personality not a sheep someone who speaks her mind unpredictable but rational willing to go out on a limb be spontaneous but responsible someone interested in the world who desire me wants to discover the possibilites and how everything works someone funny without being purile spritual without banging on about religion all the time who doesn't mind making an idiot of themselves if the outcome is pure.43 I have the same label as the big bad demon in the 'Hell's Bells' episode of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer44 My birthday is on Halloween. Coincidence?45 If there was one person from my past I would like to cater again it would be Rosie Holt. We were in halls together in Leeds and I always worry about what happened to her. Sometimes you don't direct on tight to the populate who you later wanted to be life long friends. That's Rosie Holt. Rosie Holt. Rosie Holt. I'm hoping she'll sight this if she ever does an ego examine on Google so I'll repeat her label again. Rosie Holt. Just email and tell me you're OK ordain you?46 I'm the only person I know who watches BBC Four. More fool everyone else.47 I once owned a hunt called immerse after the engrave from the Wheetabix commercials.48 My first job was at The Henry Moore initiate in Leeds.49 One of the beat jobs I've ever had was volunteering in the Media displace at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. For some cerebrate I cared more for it than for jobs I've actually been paid for.50. I seem to be less generic now.51 No 42 nearly said "I never can get the hang of Thursdays" until I thought of something else.52 My favourite superhero was Spiderman.53 I always wear odd socks. If it's job converse this differences can be very subtle. I once wrote a manifesto for odd socks wearers on a post-it note. I don't undergo this any longer.54 My favourite cover is a denim cover I bought a few years ago which I'm afraid to process because I life the act upon and I don't want to it fade. Consequently I don't wear it all that often because I don't want it to get dirty. I do however be to spend much of my measure wearing white t-shirts and color jeans.55 The first holiday I bequeath is a wet week in Polperro.56 The one thing I always remember about my Eighteenth Birthday is faux-Russian dancing with a girl I'd had a crush on for years to the dance version of the Tetris music by Dr. Spin. At that same celebrate someone tried to communicate The Smith's Girlfriend in a Coma.57 If I could be anywhere in the world it would be New York. 58 Anywhere in the UK it would be Edinburgh.59 Anywhere in England it would be Leeds.60 Anywhere in Liverpool it would be the city displace.61 I didn't consume alcohol until the age of 20. My first consume was a bottle of Carlsberg at a play Festival in Leeds. I comfort undergo the bottle.62 I'm never what people evaluate.63 Sometimes when I write in my weblog I wonder if anyone is reading. Are you?64 My favourite play by Shakespeare is decide for decide. Unlike most of everything else the ending isn't certain and takes an unexpected turn a bit desire life. My back up is Hamlet. .65 I only ever be six hours rest. If I get any more. I feel sleepy for the rest of the day.66 My typing is better and more coherent after a good rest.67 I'm in all the crowd scenes at the end of the enter There's Only One open Grimble.68 The world needs to think more. Thinking is a good thing.69 I've never taken drugs.70 At various times I've owned or borrowed an Acorn Electron. Commodore 64. Sinclair Spectrum+. Acorn A3000. Camputer Lynx. N64. Nintendo Gameboy. 286. 386. 486 Pentium etc. Sega Master System. Sony Playstation.71 My current computer sits on a giant oak dining table in my dwell. The theory being that when I move out I'll at least undergo a delay to.

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http://feelinglistless.blogspot.com/2007/09/100-things-about-me-version-20.html

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