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That is great. We are shutting the last nuke down in Vermont but they took so damn long they had to scramble to find cheap alternative sources. Guess which one of the sources will be continued? About 30% of cheap nuclear power from the Seabrook nuclear power plant. Unbelievable NIMBYs and opportunists. The governor of VT says today "All I know is that it's there and we need it. I'm not involved in the carbon footprint debate (& waste). Shame on the governor and the rest of em' who voted for it. Japan proves their is nothing safe by design. Certainly not a nuke within sight of Hampron Beach, NH. We should give him a used fuel rod for his birthday (a cask rather than a keg).

....that all alternative forms of energy are messing things up. I remember several people whose job it was to maintain wind turbines saying: "Raptors, what dead raptors? The only dead raptorsd are the ones that hit my truck!". I think that a lot of the debates, in comparison of the long-term footprint of nukes, are way overplayed. It may be more correct to say that all existent forms of alternative energy (to nuclear) have downsides. We are probably in a race with ourselves (a la The Day The Earth Stood Still) for a solution like fusion power that has no drawback. Meanwhile the more practical debate debate is: Does Toyota Prius have a bigger carbon footprint than an all electrical Nissan Leaf? ~ Gort, Klaatu Brata Niktu ~ (not a mantra or a lyric)

Right on the mark. These people pushing for nuclear because it is green (meaning has less of a carbon footprint in the immediate future) remind me of corporations who are slaves to the next three month bottom line. The president's (Obama) campaign was partially fueled by energy companies that are heavy into nuclear. Don't expect any departure from his pro stance till he has enough money to get elected again -- or is he then beholden to these interests -- which I would say is more likely. Small is better. What would have happened if we had phased out the internal combustion engine 50 years ago when it was feasible (given a percentage of money on research?) A whole different planet.

Any noise about building more nuclear in America should be put off by what the poor people in Japan are going through. Sisk.B has a point. Why isn't there more news coverage? Because the mass media is being led away by the nose from this story. Luckily it is still being covered by the mainstream press, NPR and the BBC to a greater or lesser extent. There is a 12 mile evacuation zone around these six units. People are living all squished together and nobody has a job anymore inside that 12 mile area, for now. Most of nucleotides released have short half lives but twice as much as previously thought was released into the atmosphere. A lot went into the sea. The same nightmare scenario could swamp Diablo Canyon and San Onofre, whether a direct hit or a tsunami or a combination of both with aftershocks. Teach your children well cause they aren't going to hear it on the news. As far as Con. Wiener is concerned -- this shouldn't even be news. He should have beat a 1 hour retreat since his wife is pregnant and she is highly placed and respected in Hillary's circle in this administration. Europeans and Americans are so different. They put up with Berlusconi and his virgin lust but we go bananas because a twit wants to tweet his boner. Not saying he was right, I think he is a jackass, just pointing out the comparison with Europe. DSK crossed the line apparently and forgot what side of the puddle he was on.

The Arab spring would never have gained momentum if Obama hadn't pushed at the right moments to get rid of Mubarak, a close ally to the Saudis. They went apeshit and bought billions in goods from the Russians and the Chines and everybody else except the US and EEC. Yesterday "The worst meeting in OPEC history" broke up with the Saudis still whipping out their middle finger when the US begged them to pump more oil for the same price. They're still highly pissed-off. They are the land of Mecca, Wahabism and all else fundamentalist. It is not in their interest to see things changing and they don't see it as their responsibility to cut a welfare check for 100,000,000 men out of workin N. Africa, nor to bale out Western economies heaving under the weight of big oil. Meanwhile, Khadaffy vows to fight to the end with no apparent way NOT to make him a martyr. The Israelis are firing on unarmed Palestinians marching into the Golan heights and Syria is getting seriously ready to chop the balls off anybody who dares to utter anything against this most highly vicious, terrorist, regime on Earth. They are the proxy of Iran and they will not be dislodged. Colonialists who left these countries in the hands of strongmen and created Israel 64 years ago (US, Britain, France) are ultimately to blame for this entire mess, they shouldn't be surprised now..

Bin Laden's dead, so we can leave Afghanistan. Iraq too? Wow, both these countries are now safe for terrorist training camps for the new AQ head Al-Zawahiri. Why did those brave soldiers die? Why is our treasury empty.... My disgust and contempt is endless.

The ship of state sails in almost straight line, no matter the captain at the helm. The noble man-ape has conditioned responses that are not evolving fast enough. Yes, hoping for good news will let you live longer. Expanding your mind through hallucinogens, moderately, will let you live longer, but it doesn't leave a better world for your kids I did my best. I put in my time. I'd rather ~ ...stand upon the moon and watch it all roll by; All roll by All roll by....

You know who else made a lot of money, corrupt politicians! Now we got the boys coming home to NO jobs and (I bet) a rising tide of opium. Pulling surge troops out is the first step to a phased withdrawl down to 60,000 in about 10 years. Phased reductions are still in progress in Iraq to bring troop totals down to 50,000. Get used to a deployment in that unstable region to more than 100,000 troops for as long as you live. Is that not mind-boggling? We WILL NEVER reform Iraqis and Afghan's and that whole canard was just buying time for systematic destruction of large numbers of AQ. It's time to bring every troop home NOW! and spend the deployment money and to start slashing the military budget by 3% to start and develop a giant jobs program. John McCain bemoans an attitude of withdrawing to fortress America and I say to hell with him and tear down the walls. It doesn't have to be this way. If we leave people alone they won't bother us. Way too simplistic? You betcha' The US military has and continues to bother and kill people all over the globe in "our national interests" which seem to be giving Goldman Sachs all the money they want, whenever they want it. The US is now a giant, glittering death star about to run out of money with priorities that would make Caligula proud. Who wrote the plot for this story because I really want to know how it ends before I die, and I'm sure I'll be dead before the final line is written. Rant over. Time for vacation.

Well, coming from England, it was kinda surprising that the Dead suddenly got behind Obama. Lesser of the two evils, right? There is no doubting that an intelligent, educated black man (kinda black) as President in America gave/gives an incredible amount of inspiration to young African-Americans, and others, whether they choose to enter politics or not; after interminable years being treated as a lower life form (er, not sure that's changed much actually), it WAS wonderful to see Obama elected. I watched in the UK as it unfolded that night and was mighty relieved. McCain and Palin? Jesus Christ..... But we all know that the President doesn't really have much influence over policies/laws etc. He's just there. That's pretty much it. If you look at the way he spoke during his recent TV statement regarding the pulling of troops out of Afghanistan, his body language is dangerously beginning to take on the tics and habits of leaders the world over (and i use the word leader quite wrongly, children). Why these people all seem to talk in that overly dramatic intonation i don't know. In fact, the more relaxed he seems the worse it looks; I guess he's convinced himself that people will swallow what he has to say and believe the words have sincerity. And in most cases, he would be right. I think the majority of Americans DO believe what their Presidents say, thanks to your appalling news stations. Ours aren't much better either, but we're not quite on your level....yet. YET! There just seems to be an incredible amount of paranoia in the American government (which in turn, seeps into the population). It really isn't that much different to China or North Korea. Sure, it manifests in a slightly different way, but that constant fear mixed with insecurity, and the need to dominate and control has produced some horrific results around the world and for US citizens themselves (results which the UK are MORE than happy to support, running along like some annoying little puppy, that just won't stop following your every step and humping your leg). The war in Afghanistan is just one example. Your governments's murderous foreign policy has determined that America is pretty much hated around the world. Which is a travesty because, the PEOPLE are some of the warmest, most hospitable, open, optimistic human beings you could care to meet. We'll skip over the scenes of the crowds in New York, jumping up down, pumping those fists, yelling "U.S.A, U.S.A....", (i was expecting a "sieg heil" at some point) at the news of Bin Laden's death. Horrible images. Not unexpected but nauseating all the same. Remember folks, it was that kind of behaviour that got you 9/11 in the first place. You keep poking someone in the ribs long enough they WILL explode sooner or later. Do people in America REALLY believe that Bin Laden was in control and that now gone, we can breath a huge collective sigh of relief? Was he sitting in a bunker furnished like the NASA Flight Control Room, surrounded by live camera action of street corners around the world, ordering up suicide bombers like one orders a pizza? "Okay, okay, we'll have one 16 year old female, extra peroxide, easy on the nitroglycerine; please send to the corner of 4th and Capitalism in New York." He's not sitting there directing it all, "one for Pakistan, one for Spain, one for London...". The Middle Eastern personality is completely different to the Western one. It needs to be understood a little better. It requires digging out the ol' history books, not listening to Fox and CNN. Or the BBC. One of many things we DO stand united in, is the wish to be left alone; to follow one's own religion (or not) and live one's life in a peaceful manner. FREE from interference. It may be contrary to our own beliefs but that's none of anyone's business. Who's to say what's right? There is a real danger of things getting worse too. I'm an optimistic person but we do have to keep our eye's open here. The US is bankrupt, China's economy is growing at an alarming rate, they have the money to invest (and then control). Look at how they've gone into South Africa. And none of that money is staying in that country, you can be sure of that. Just today the news reported that China is willing to help struggling European countries, through lending and investment. I for one am extremely concerned of accepting such an offer. We'd be forever in debt and not just in a monetary sense. Shades of the US's help to the UK after the Second World War. One of the reasons why the British Government do everything you tell us to over sixty five years later and counting. As for Japan and the nuclear disaster? Well, that's a loooong topic of conversation. Again, an incredibly incompetent government. The last Prime Minister was something else. We're talking George Bush levels of retardation. But again, the nuclear industry is HUGE business; much too much invested in it, much to lucrative. And again, the US leads the way....large donations to Obama's campaign from a certain company (based in Chicago wasn't it? forget the name) so he's not going to interfere. Certainly not with an election coming up, if EVER. It was the US who requested that Japan dumped the radioactive waste into the sea. You'd think that after Obama's indignation at the BP Executives' strategies to combat the oil spill that he just might, just miiiiight give wee bit more than a shit. But then it's likely to effect "foreigners" right, so who fucking cares? No surprise then that most of the news stations have dropped this story. And not just in the US either. The BBC has also conveniently dropped coverage. Other more important stories, right? Like Syria, Libya..... God bless you America, you sure know how to start somethin' don't ya?!!! Pity you've been financing these regimes for so long until they come back to bite you on the ass. (As much as Gaddafi is mighty unpleasant, to put it mildly, him not wanting to join the IMF and have a separate currency effectively signed his own death warrant. Not SUCH a bad thing but...). It's not about Democracy, it's not about Human Rights, its about POWER. GREED. ACCUMULATION. WEALTH. I notice no help is forthcoming to the Tibetan people. Still. But then that country has nothing of any use, so fuck it. Plus i'm pretty sure that China has a fair bit of minerals............. I must make clear here, that i'm in no way down on the US (well, not the people anyhoo). I can talk about the UK's shocking behaviour through the years for days and days. We have some real beauties. But thought i'd start here...... Lastly, i'd recommend RT (formerly Russia Today) as an alternative news source. Again, it is a news station so don't believe everything you see or hear but it raises some interesting topics/points. Has a good segment called The Keiser Report by Max Keiser, an American. He also has a programme on Resonance FM, a UK based radio station, available online - http://resonancefm.com/ check out Max Keiser here - http://maxkeiser.com/ and here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Keiser real good guy.

Thats should've been China "going into Africa" not South Africa. But don't worry, lots of people won't know the difference....

Absolutely. Hence the recommendation with caution.More useful as a guide to different stories usually missed than, necessarily, it's actual content. They have mis-translated a coupla things to spin a more favourable light on Russia itself, but as for reports concerning other countries, its certainly more informative. Worth it for Max Keiser alone. Interesting to see RT journalists get arrested and hauled off rather forcefully, live on air while reporting in the US a while back. Apparently a press badge, with a microphone, a camera and a sound crew just isn't recognisable enough in America. Still as least its a democracy. Not like the poor, downtrodden oppressed in the Middle East. Oh.............

Forgot to mention Channel 4 News here in the UK. Not too bad.Again, these recommendations are for televisual news reports, not to be compared with checking for independent blogs online or other alternative means of information. Jon Snow on C4 news in a good broadcaster/journalist. Recently heard he had a row with the newsroom about some creature called Cheryl Cole who was booted off the American X Factor; he was aghast that this should be "news" worthy of air time. Others thought differently; the story should be included. The result? He kept talking at unnecessary length during his interviews until time ran out and they were forced to shelve it. Hardly biting, cutting edge politics but a little bit of English whimsy always raises a smile. And as for Afghanistan, please watch "Four Lions" by Chris Morris, Britain's satirical genius. Nice little film highlighting the inescapable comedy of four suicide bombers. If you see the name Chris Morris, watch it; especially Brass Eye, The Day Today and Jam.

As for this "Radical Islam", a real need for sympathy and compassion is important. Maybe hard to stomach for some, but it is vital.People have to understand that you can't blame some of these young teenagers for becoming extreme. They are basically outcasts wherever they look. Especially in some parts of the UK. Take a place like Bradford for example; these kids are born into strict Muslim families. They are in an area that is pretty barren; derelict buildings, an urban wasteland (not unlike some parts of Chicago or Philadelphia sad to say). They don't fit in at school; they're too foreign for the British kids, not conservative enough for the Muslim community. They have a strong sense of Islamic identity, are appalled at some of the more morally degrading behaviour of their Western peers, yet are teenagers with surging hormones and are angry, confused and want to rebel against the strict confines of their parents' generation. The answer? maybe it's the radical extreme. That way they can keep their Muslim teachings yet can rebel against EVERYONE. Their parents and those around them like every good teenager should! A lot of leverage and understanding is given to youngsters (and adults) in the UK, Europe and America when it comes to certain behaviour. Say you've been brought up in an abusive family the US; where from the very moment you open your eyes, you see that violence is okay. That beating your wife is acceptable; that excessive drinking and racism is an everyday act. No money, no prospects, no self-worth, no love. What do you think is going to happen? And yet, it's perfectly okay to realise that the smallest of mistakes, that a 1 in 10 moment has lead to a vicious assault, maybe murder. These aren't bad people; they've just never been given a chance. They can't help what they've been born into. I think most people could show compassion towards them. And rightly so. Jails across the world are full to bursting point with "unlucky" human beings. In any other situation, things might've been different. A punch to the face is not necessarily harmful; the recipient losing his balance and hitting his head on a cement floor or the corner of a bar could be fatal. And then? a lengthy jail term where the fight for everyday survival, brutalising an otherwise caring person is the course his life must take. And around it goes. The circle of violence continues. But they're scum right? Undesirables. Fuck 'em. Same for these suicide bombers. Is it? I don't believe it's so. People the world over are looking for guidance. For love and acceptance. "Strangest of places if you look at right"? I'm exasperated at governments around the world. And that's me. Coming from an existence where i can get water on tap, electricity at the flick of a switch; food, a home, a job, a little bit of money. I can express myself freely; i'm not living in Iran or North Korea or China, or Burma, or Tibet. I'm livid and yet i have it all. Can anyone really imagine what it must be like for people with none of that? Obama has the sheer fucking AUDACITY to attempt justification of Nato bombing Libya, killing civilians, even killing despicable people, if anyone's in the mood to be charitable. How SHAMEFUL. Even Osama or Hitler had the balls to be upfront about their actions. A Japanese Minister recently made a statement concerning the government's slow and direct withholding of information to the Japanese people about the nuclear crisis as being because it's a very technologically complicated subject that the public wouldn't be able to understand. Then hire someone in your goddamn office to publish and broadcast it in layman's terms, simplify so YOUR citizens CAN grasp it, you arrogant little cunt. Certainly, Obama's days are numbered; lets just hope that the hairsprayed, neurotic, insecure, greedy little housewives that follow Sarah Palin (in their tens of thousands!!!!) do NOT get their wish and a presidential campaign is stopped in its tracks by a particularly irate polar bear with a rifle and an enormous appetite. If America and other Western governments REALLY cared about human rights, democracy and making a monumental positive change, lets hope we see a caring attitude for ALL human beings, regardless of what their country has to offer. I notice nothing ever happens regarding Africa (too black), Mugabe and his murderous thugs, Tibet (too remote, not Christian enough), India (too large, can't understand a word they're saying; youngsters love Bollywood, fuck Hollywood), North Korea (too scary) or China (we need those minerals for our computers and phones Goddamit!). Its come a time that a large percentage of the world has realised that it doesn't give two shits about America; doesn't need it, doesn't want it. KFC? got our own food culture thanks. Beyonce? got J-Pop, Balinese Gamelan, Ragas, Romanian Gypsy Folk, Peking Opera, much obliged. Levis? National dress, ta all the same. What price the American people? Now that WOULD be a crying shame. Blues, Jazz, Congo Square, Bill Hicks, Laurel & Hardy (well, half of them!!), Ernest Hemmingway, Captain Beefheart, The Residents, Frank Zappa, Fatty Arbuckle (YES he was screwed by Hollywood, shameful, absolutely SHAMEFUL), Les Baxter, Levon Helm, Paul Laffoley, Bob Dylan, Alex Grey, GRATEFUL DEAD. No need for a cloying, join-hands, healing circle, but lets stick together folks. I mean the following in an absolutely NONE facetious fashion; this isn't coming from some crusty Deadhead (nothing the matter with THAT), but i truly believe that psychedelics are the way forward. A Dose For All. Sure there'll be some casualties; some none too pretty. But compared to what we witness every day around the world. Its a risk i'm willing to take. And so should you. A monumental seismic shift is needed (not you Haarp). The Shamans are right.

Here, here, Sir! Three Huzzahs! for your long piece. This is indeed my viewpoint, right down to not being lazy and getting a diversity of news sources, even RT, with a grain of salt. You should know that there are many, many people on this site who silently agree with a lot of what you say but are afraid to express their opinion. On the other hand, there was even a backlash among a small group of effete impudent bourgeois deadheads who said: Jerry Garcia in particular and the Grateful Dead in general were not political. As if one needs to have one's music sanitized of all political thought on the part of the musicians. That is how afraid some people have become in the USA -- if we attribute an attitude different than the status-quo to musicians we like, there may be "guilt by association". America is shitting it's paranoia all over the world and, like the e-coli outbreak in Germany, it has become contagious. I was just in a foreign capital and was amazed how it had changed to the American fascist-secuirty point of view! Not comfortable and not expecting to have every American thought to be espousing it's government's point-of-view. Of course I abhor violence of any form, but there is valid debate in a democracy about how to pursue justice short of war. Anyway Jonapi, all of this is to say thanks for expressing your thoughts, much appreciated.

The NATO Summit (we're sick of paying for Europe's military tab) and, if I'm not mistaken, the G-8 will be held in Chicago next year with ex chief-of-staff to Obama, Rahm Emmanuel as new head ram-rod (mayor) of Chicago. It is chilling when you think that he can resign and almost blow down the doors to the mayor's office of Chicago. Don't kid yourself, this was carefully planned. There ain't gonna be any of that black-flag nonsense like in Toronto at the G-20 last year. America knows that the city of Chicago, since the Haymarket riots and Demo. Convention of 68' knows how to handle protest -- What an unholy show that will be!

You mean China?

I know, I know, just my impish English humour manifesting itself!!! My apologies for any offense. Just recently been reading the Dalai Lama's autobiography and watching a variety of news broadcasts at 5.30am before work, so my patience levels are at an all time low regarding the appalling conduct of our fellow human beings (and i'm being generous here; i'm sure some ARE a different species). Forgot that that word isn't so widely used in the US; but weird that i got away with a couple shits and a few fuckings. Odd. Changing the subject, i just viewed your daughter's picture on your profile - "Breezy's Gizmo". No need to mention that "keep in mind that the artist is only 12"; i thought it showed a whole heap of promise and captured a wonderfully innocent portrait of an obviously adored canine companion. Does she know of the artist Louis Wain, who drew incredibly illuminated, abstracted pictures of cats. There is such a life-force in his pictures. Unfortunately, he suffered from terrible mental illness and schizophrenia, in fact some of artwork was considered "unworthy" (whatever that means) of critical acclaim. Personally, his pictures are full of the pure joy-like wonder that children carry. My nephews are the same; sometimes producing astonishing work that goes way beyond these embarrassing wastes-of-space we call "critics" (i think i'm going to be sick, please excuse me). Comparable to the beauty of Denardo Coleman's drumming with Ornette Coleman's quartets. Not affected by "thought"; just pure intuition; a spontaneous outpouring of that sparkling effervescence we call Soul. Intense and innate. I'd also suggest Pablo Amaringo - http://www.pabloamaringo.com/ My nieces and nephews and their friends just love his work; a former Ayuhuasca Shaman turned painter. Simply beautiful. Sorry everyone, i know this is nothing to do with politics (or maybe it IS in a roundabout way; go figure). Probably should've messaged you direct about this, TigerLilly!! It's just a balmy afternoon for once here in London, down the road from Wimbledon Tennis. And i'm getting carried away with enthusiasm.

Oh, and lamagonzo?Thanks a lot for those kind words, buddy! Mucho appreciarté! I know i went off on a bit of a rant; usually i just turn a blind eye and concentrate on my immediate surroundings. We need to think "local" (not you, Tubbs and Edward Tattsyrup...); i do believe that this, in the long run, WILL be of more benefit to humankind. Over-reaching can dilute the message of effectiveness. The vortex awaits.... Education by example; a pure altruism. Never imposing, just a heartfelt expression. A sense of community and respect for one's neighbours. Organic? How sad that we should name a "movement", a "lifestyle" after our grandparents' normal day-to-day culinary existence. No fridges at my Grandma and Grandad's house; the word is: "Larder"!!!!! My parent's too. Freezers? Unheard of. Butter wrapped in paper, milk delivered, meat and fish fresh at the local counter. Vegetables grown or purchased the morning as picked. Makes me want to cry. Too much choice is murder. And i'm only 39. I shudder to think what others can tell. So, a tip of the "Okocim", lamagonzo. (a cheeky little Polish brew). I did respond to your comments in the "Going Furthur" post, not Blair's, this one - http://www.dead.net/forum/going-furthur Again, i indulged in a major tangent that, if i was you, decided that a "life's too short" approach was the only sane option. But i tried my best. Thanks, man.