Open Thread and Diary Rescue

This evening's Rescue Rangers are Got a Grip, PaintyKat doing a double, watercarrier4diogenes, dadanation, blue jersey mom, and joyful, with vcmvo2 as editor.

Tonight's diaries cover a variety of issues ranging from our food supply to intolerance and war. We rescue these diaries so that our community will have more time to enjoy, analyze, and discuss these gems. Remember that even if it is too late to recommend a diary, the diarist will appreciate your comments.

The Environment & Science

• bklynarch shows us how to be a part of the solution in Reduce your carbon footprint now: Checklist Toward Zero Carbon. (watercarrier4diogenes)
• mem from somerville points out, using the identification of a new gene linked to ALS, why we need legislation to protect scientific research participants from snoopy employers and insurance companies in New gene linked to ALS; plus evolution and policy. (PaintyKat)
• Mark H continues his excellent series that explains the fascinating lives of our friends in the sea in Marine Life Series: Hermit Crab Basics. (Got a Grip)

Elections & their Consequences

• For those who appreciate that the fine line between parody and politics is often made all the muddier by the players involved at any given moment, Sprinkles' diary Notice of statewide Connecticut for Lieberman Party meeting is an absolute must-read. Spoiler - the diary is actually true. (dadanation)
• philinmaine brings us a video Maine voters aren't being told about, but should be very interested in. Read and watch his Want to Win the Senate (Watch Collins Jump Shark) and let the local LTE pages have a taste of your pride in their 'efforts'. (watercarrier4diogenes)

Our Food Supply

• renaissance grrrl asks, and then discusses the appropriate answer to What is local when it comes to food? (vcmvo2)
• You'd think a product's manufacturer would want their customers to Say it LOUD! We use rBST and we're rPROUD!. shirah tells us why NOT, and what that manufacturer is trying to do about "saying it" at all. (watercarrier4diogenes)
• funluvn 1 points out that the USAID is planning to cut the amount of aid it sends to poor countries due to the rising cost of food in Administration can afford War. Humanitarian aid, not so much. (blue jersey mom)

Tales: Personal & Historical

• WarrenS tells us a story about life in the '70s with a South American redfoot tortoise in True Tales of Tortoises. (vcmvo2 and PaintyKat)
• Ruben Salazar discusses how teaching a class of 4th graders to pass "the test" degrades the quality of their education in all other respects in The Next Test (Is Our Children Learning?). (Got a Grip)
• EmperorHadrian discusses the historical development of our western calendar, noting why leap day was included to correct Julius Ceasar's Roman calendar in Hadrian's Forum: February 29, Caesar's Intercalary Day: Rome's Legacy, Part 2. (PaintyKat)

The Wages of War, Intolerance & Hate

• Bcgntn discusses the heavy toll that hate crimes exact in America, some potential causes, and what we can do to reduce them in Homage to Lawrence King. Teach Tolerance to Adults and Children. (PaintyKat)
• Eternal Hope discusses the resignation of VA Undersecretary Daniel Cooper and wonders if his actions are really what Jesus had in mind in Bush admin official favored "Jesus" over paying Vet Benefits. (Got a Grip)
• WattHead discusses gas prices, oil subsidies, and our Confuser in Chief's insistence on dancing to the oil industry's tune in Oil Hits Record Price. Gas Nearing $4.00. President Bush, Clueless... (Got a Grip)

noweasels has Top Comments: A Housewarming for PBWH!!.

Please promote your own favorite diaries in this Open Thread.

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