Politics
jlynch | February 6, 2008
A mother Minke whale and her year-old calf are dragged on board a Japanese whaling ship after being harpooned in Antarctic waters. The picture was taken from an Australian customs vessel tracking the whalers to gather evidence for possible legal action to stop the annual slaughter. [Photo: AFP]
pontiff | February 6, 2008An interesting odd/even effect:
Although no official count was available early Wednesday, state Democratic party officials predict that Clinton will get 20 to 30 more delegates when all results are in. Because of the relatively close finish, they are likely to split delegates in most of the congressional districts with an even number of delegates, while Clinton will pick up an extra delegate in districts that offer an odd number.
So did the campaign's know about this effect and spend more money and put in more effort in districts with an odd number of delegates? Is that even the correct…
hrynyshyn | February 6, 2008The editors of Nature, that really important science journal, have weighed in on the wisdom of holding a presidential debate devoted exclusively to science policy. They aren't impressed with Science Debate 2008. There reasons are severalfold...
But here's the essence of their argument:
... any sort of science debate is quite a stretch from business-as-usual. Well meant though it may be, the idea of Tim Russert or some other journalist-interrogator looking Republican hopeful John McCain in the eye and asking "What balance will you seek in federal science funding between major-programme project…
oracknows | February 6, 2008...when it comes to "9/11 Truthers":
(Click on the picture for the rest of the cartoon.)
You know, the same thing could be said about creationists, HIV/AIDS denialists, and many "CAM" mavens.
gregladen | February 6, 2008South Carolina people know true conservatism when they see it.You don't like people outside the state telling you how you ought to raise your kids, you don't like people from outside the state telling you what to do with the flag ... In fact, if somebody came down to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell'em where to put the pole.
Whether or not a flag, in this case the confederate flag, is a racist symbol is not necessarily something that a small group of people can decide. If a plurality or majority see it that way, then those waving the flag around and pretending it is…
gregladen | February 6, 2008... as Obama landslides (if I may verb that noun) Minnesota on Super Tuesday. Amanda and I went to the caucus last night, and stayed around for the vote count. We were in charge of making sure none of the voting slips dropped to the ground in the crowded classroom at the local High School.
The people who run the caucus reported that they had never seen so many people come to the event.
Oh, and we're delegates. We'll be taking this to the next level, next month. So if you are running for something, you'd better be nice to us!
hrynyshyn | February 6, 2008I need help with this election thingy.
I don't get to vote, as I can't apply for U.S. citizenship for another 13 months. Frak. But if I could, I would be flummoxed by the lack of significant differences between the two remaining Democrats on the issues I care about most. Which would be climate change, the environment, and respect for science. Fortunately, my wife can vote, and given the tight race between Obama and Clinton, North Carolina's delegates might actually count for something when this state holds its primary in May, I have a chance to influence at least one voter.
The good people…
grrlscientist | February 5, 2008tags: presidential primaries, super tuesday, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Democratic primaries
Image: NYTimes.
This picture represents my fantasy: I see a great presidency resulting from the combination of two intelligent and passionate minds together: two people who discuss things between themselves (and with others) before making important decisions -- unlike the typical relationship between a president and vice president in this country, where the president more or less ignores the vice president. But Hillary and Barack are not like all those others that came before them, so why…
pharyngula | February 5, 2008Turn off your TVs. Don't bother watching the election coverage. I know you've all been wondering how little rural Morris, Minnesota, population 5000, would vote in the super Tuesday voting.
Turnout was heavy, with between 400 and 500 people showing up for the caucus, and the results were … (drumroll, please) … about 2:1 in favor of Barack Obama. A landslide victory!
The full, final, official tally for Morris:
Biden
1
0%
Clinton
139
26%
Dodd
0
0%
Edwards
8
1%
Kucinich
2
0%
Lynch
1
0%
Obama
387
72%
Richardson
0
0%
Uncommitted
2
0%
We had a turnout of 540 people, over 10% of…
tqa | February 5, 2008
It looks like there's definitely going to be a little bit of good political news for everyone tonight - a statement released by leading theocon James Dobson:
"I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often…
revere | February 5, 2008Today is a big day for American Presidential politics, the so-called Super Tuesday when citizens in 24 states vote or caucus with their fellows to help select the candidates of the two main political parties. I live in one of those 24 states and Mrs. R. and I vote regular as clockwork. We never miss elections, even minor, off year ones. I was saying to someone the other day, regarding the unsettled state of the race in the Democratic primary in our state, "At least this year our vote will count" (a reference to other years when the outcome was pre-ordained by the time the primary was held).…
drorzel | February 5, 2008I'm registered as an independent, so I can't vote in either of the primaries today (and I like it that way). If you are an American registered with one party or the other, though, and in a state holding a primary today, go vote.
End of civic duty nag.
tqa | February 5, 2008
It's Super Tuesday, but the primaries aren't the only political action in town. My kids came up with an election of their own. They created, and are both running for, the position of "President of the House." Both of them have been putting up posters, and each of them has independently discovered a common political strategy. My daughter managed, in just a couple of hours, to master the fine art of the meaningless slogan ("Vote for me and do what is right"). My son has mastered the tactic of slapping his posters directly on top of his opponent's. They're ten and eight respectively. I think…
gregladen | February 5, 2008This has been a difficult decision. Clinton or Obama, either one, is a good candidate and would make a good president. McCain will be the Republican nominee. Clinton has been leading in the polls all along, but Obama is surging. In the last few days I've spoken to a dozen people who each know four or five people who will vote for McCain against Clinton, Clinton against Romney, Obama against either Romney or McCain.
Sorry Hillary. I truly, honestly mean that. I have to do what is most likely to result in a win in November. On the other hand, I'm not at all regretful to vote for Obama…
j7uy5 | February 4, 2008I haven't been posting much. I have been trying to figure out
why. Probably it is because all I want to say is that Bush is
an idiot, and I guess I have said that already. More than
once.
But this latest gig is a particularly egregious case. I would
like to comment upon the situation, because it illustrates something
about health care policy that is not obvious.
The budget proposal put forth by the Administration calls for
href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/04/nussle-health-care/">$200
billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid over the next five
years.
Granted, this is…
clock | February 4, 2008Chris and Sheril report that the 600lb gorilla is in the room - the Science Debate 2008 just signed on probably its most powerful sponsor to date: The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine, making the possibility of the debate happening even more realistic. Now read what Josh has to say about it. I agree.
gregladen | February 4, 2008I still can't decide whom to vote for. I don't have much time. Must assimilate more data.
jlynch | February 4, 2008
Exciting news from the Science Debate 2008 camp. Sheril & Chris have just announced that the National Academies are joining the efforts to get a debate on science policy on the cards for the upcoming election. Amazing to think that this all started a mere two months ago!
gregladen | February 4, 2008Musician and activist Bono accepts the 2005 TED Prize with a riveting talk, arguing that aid to Africa isn't just another celebrity cause; it's a global emergency. He argues passionately that mere charity won't solve the serious problems facing the world's second-largest continent. The solution, he says, is equal human rights. And it isn't just our moral obligation; it's an economic and strategic necessity. He ends by unveiling his TED Prize wishes, calling for TED's help to build a new social movement for Africa.