There was more noise this morning although not a early as the episode yesterday.

I have been trying to find a way to make three quilt labels in a hurry instead of hand embroidery. Did some exploration at the local screen printing and embroidery shop - no can do by them. Then I started to think that I should ask Cheryl Winslow who has been quilting my quilts. I check my email and low and behold, there is a note from her in my inbox. Great minds, etc... Turns out she has provided me with a solution and in turn I have done likewise. Goodie! Problem solved.

Just for the chocolate loving gardener - A tour of of Chocolate Flower Farms with Paul James


HGTV at Chocolate Flower Farm from Bill Schlicht on Vimeo.

Here is their website:
http://www.chocolateflowerfarm.com/



v4.3

FEDERAL WILDLIFE AGENCIES ORDERED TO IGNORE GLOBAL WARMING 
No Review of New Greenhouse Gas Pollution for Impact on Species or Habitat

Washington, DC - Top Bush administration officials have forbidden wildlife agencies from analyzing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power-plants or any other project on species and habitat, according to documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). These directives are designed to block the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from being used as a legal tool for addressing global warming.



In a recent series of memos, the Interior Department, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have ruled that since no single source of greenhouse gases will by itself cause detectable climate change, therefore there can be no official review of possible effects on wildlife or their habitats.



In an October 3, 2008 memo to Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Interior Solicitor David Berhardt concluded that there are no "indirect effects" on wildlife that can be isolated to specific greenhouse gas sources. Moreover, "cumulative effects" Berhardt opined "are of no relevance in determining whether a proposed action 'may affect listed species or critical habitat.'"



Similarly, in an October 10, 2008 letter, James Lecky, Director of NOAA's Office of Protected Species, wrote that impacts on coral and other marine species as well as effects on ocean temperatures and acidity cannot be traced to any one source of greenhouse gas and therefore, no consultation under ESA is required before proceeding. While conceding the question was "an important issue of first impression that is of national significance," Lecky, nonetheless, reached his conclusion in one week following a request from EPA and without consulting agency scientists. In 2002, Lecky was the official whose actions led to a massive fish kill on the Klamath River, and afterwards he was promoted to his current position.
 

"Despite findings by their own scientists that our atmosphere is reaching the tipping point, these Bush appointees cling to circular legalisms to justify continued inaction," stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. "The Bush position is that the death by a thousand cuts must be endured because we cannot know how many cuts we can survive."



Since the Bush administration was forced this spring to list polar bears as a threatened species under the ESA due to melting sea ice habitat caused by global warming, there has been a concerted effort both within and outside the White House to minimize application of this powerful law against specific projects that aggravate the effects of climate change. This posture is forcing wildlife agency officials to deliver distinctly mixed messages. On May 14, 2008, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall ordered his staff to avoid ESA consultations solely on the basis of greenhouse gas pollution. Meanwhile, on his agency website Hall has posted this statement:

"The warming of the earth, however, could potentially have more far-reaching impacts on wildlife and wildlife habitat than any challenge that has come before us."

"In listing polar bears, the Interior Department admitted that greenhouse gas-induced global warming is having undeniable effects on wildlife, yet now it is saying it cannot justify any ameliorative actions," Ruch added. "We have already reached the point where any further addition of greenhouses gases will have indirect effects on wildlife, and humans, all over the planet."

The Interior Solicitor memo - http://peer.org/docs/doi/08_14_10_interior_solicitor_memo.pdf
The NOAA letter
http://www.peer.org/docs/noaa/08_14_10_noaa_ltr.pdf
The James Lecky record at NOAA
http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=892
The statement from FWS Director Dale Hall
http://www.fws.gov/home/climatechange/dhall-public.html

The Research Synthesis: The Effects of Climate Change onAgriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States
(U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3)
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/final-report/Synthesis_SAP_4.3.pdf

From Little Acorns...
http://crooksandliars.com/cernig/little-acorns

Poll: Obama Opens 14-Point Lead On McCain
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/14/opinion/polls/main4522273.shtml

Palin's New 'Troopergate' Troubles
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/101408a.html

Board's Troopergate probe casts wider net
ETHICS: Investigator hasn't said who else may be under scrutiny.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/555288.html

How Sarah Palin Excluded African-Americans in Alaska
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/371959/how_sarah_palin_excluded_african_americans_in_alaska

US Journalists & War-Crime Guilt
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/101408d.html

Bits & Pieces

The revolution of paperless paper
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7670371.stm

Cancer of the Devil - Tasmanian devils, that is
http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/cancer-of-the-devil/index.html?th&emc=th

Internet use 'good for the brain'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7667610.stm

How to vacuum clean a horse
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7670715.stm


Noisy cock ruffles feathers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7669854.stm

Man Wins Contest With 1,528-pound Pumpkin That's a lot of pie!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/13/ap/strange/main4519555.shtml

A bit of bear fun

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