An increase in heavy precipitation that has afflicted many countries is at least partly a consequence of human influence on the atmosphere, climate scientists reported in a new study. In the first major paper of its kind, the researchers used elaborate computer programs that simulate the climate to analyze whether the rise in severe rainstorms, heavy snowfalls and similar events could be explained by natural variability in the atmosphere. They found that it could not, and that the increase made sense only when the computers factored in the effects of greenhouse gases released by human activities like the burning of fossil fuels. As reflected in previous studies, the likelihood of extreme precipitation on any given day rose by about 7 percent over the last half of the 20th century, at least for the land areas of the Northern Hemisphere for which sufficient figures are available to do an analysis.
In the first major paper of its kind, the researchers used elaborate computer programs that simulate the climate to analyze whether the rise in severe rainstorms, heavy snowfalls and similar events could be explained by natural variability in the atmosphere. They found that it could not, and that the increase made sense only when the computers factored in the effects of greenhouse gases released by human activities like the burning of fossil fuels.
As reflected in previous studies, the likelihood of extreme precipitation on any given day rose by about 7 percent over the last half of the 20th century, at least for the land areas of the Northern Hemisphere for which sufficient figures are available to do an analysis.
Labor protests that erupted on Wednesday throughout Egypt threatened the security of the state and could have forced the army to become the nation's policeman, a role commanders did not want.
When labor decisively sided with the protesters, Mubarak was through. Political movements attempting to empower people at the expense of various forms of authoritarian autocracy often find the base of their political power in organized labor. Which is exactly why Republicans in this country are desperately trying to destroy it.
As I laid out here and the Progress Report documented here, the right wing has been undertaking a war on women, both at the national and state level. House Republicans, for instance, want to cut funding for a variety of programs affecting women’s health and reproductive rights, while Republican legislatures across the country are trying to legislatively restrict choice. In yet another example, the Frederick County, Maryland, Board of County Commissioners voted to end the county’s contribution to its Head Start program, cutting overall funding for the program by more than 50 percent. Two of the Republican officials justified their decision to cut Head Start — which provides early childhood education to the children of low-income parents — by saying that women should really be married and home with their kids, thus rendering the program unnecessary:
In yet another example, the Frederick County, Maryland, Board of County Commissioners voted to end the county’s contribution to its Head Start program, cutting overall funding for the program by more than 50 percent. Two of the Republican officials justified their decision to cut Head Start — which provides early childhood education to the children of low-income parents — by saying that women should really be married and home with their kids, thus rendering the program unnecessary:
Someone needs to change the paradigm.
It's not Recovery 2011, it is the continuation of our Lost Decade. And our leaders do not seem to care, as Austerity 2011 goes into full swing.
As if finding work weren't hard enough already, a federal agency warns that some employers are excluding jobless workers from consideration for openings.
With the economy still reeling in much of the nation, members of Congress are eager to show that they're in touch with the economic pain of their constituents.
But:
That's not necessarily an easy thing to do: Nearly half of them are millionaires.
A study released earlier this month by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force found that 76 percent of transgender respondents from Massachusetts were harassed or mistreated on the job, and 20 percent reported losing their jobs, because they are transgender. No one should have to live in fear that they can be legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance. All hardworking people in our state, including transgender people, should have the opportunity to make a living and provide for themselves and their families. The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition applauds Gov. Patrick’s decision to sign this Executive Order protecting the jobs of transgender state employees. This is not the first time Gov. Patrick has demonstrated his commitment to the community—he also streamlined process by which transgender men and women can get proper state IDs. We know that there are transgender individuals who are state employees and we celebrate the job security the Executive Order affords them. The Commonwealth is the largest employer in the state of Massachusetts. Gov. Patrick’s decision puts the state in line with other organizations that embrace transgender employees, and opens up numerous job opportunities for transgender residents of the Commonwealth. However, we realize that not everyone works for the State. Transgender people, like all people, have a wide variety of skills, professional experiences, and employment interests. Transgender individuals need equal protections under the law so that they are free to best utilize their skills and experiences, in a way that can only benefit the Commonwealth as a whole. This Executive Order is a good first step toward that goal. But it’s up to lawmakers to do the rest. Please contact them and ask them to pass An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights. And please take a moment to thank Gov. Patrick for his historic move today to bring equality to transgender residents of the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition applauds Gov. Patrick’s decision to sign this Executive Order protecting the jobs of transgender state employees. This is not the first time Gov. Patrick has demonstrated his commitment to the community—he also streamlined process by which transgender men and women can get proper state IDs. We know that there are transgender individuals who are state employees and we celebrate the job security the Executive Order affords them. The Commonwealth is the largest employer in the state of Massachusetts. Gov. Patrick’s decision puts the state in line with other organizations that embrace transgender employees, and opens up numerous job opportunities for transgender residents of the Commonwealth. However, we realize that not everyone works for the State. Transgender people, like all people, have a wide variety of skills, professional experiences, and employment interests. Transgender individuals need equal protections under the law so that they are free to best utilize their skills and experiences, in a way that can only benefit the Commonwealth as a whole.
This Executive Order is a good first step toward that goal. But it’s up to lawmakers to do the rest. Please contact them and ask them to pass An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights. And please take a moment to thank Gov. Patrick for his historic move today to bring equality to transgender residents of the Commonwealth.
Well, I actually did have the pleasure of giving a vehement "no" to Dennis Miller recently. He wanted to use "Sons and Daughters" for the outro to his comedy show. It gave me an opportunity to not only say "no" but also to draft a little e-mail explaining in detail why it's because he is a right-wing, bigoted blow-hard. The idea of him trying to co-opt "Sons and Daughters"-- which is about conviviality and people coming together and peace-- for his lame comedy show was offensive. With commercials, we try to make sure that our politics match, at least. I pretty much draw the line when people want you to do original music for commercials. We do not make jingles.
The real surprise is that anyone thinks there's an audience for a new Dennis Miller show.