U.S. Govt. May Be Squelching Scientist Over Arctic Oil
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Why is this all too believable? Bob Berwyn reports on the latest skirmish in the battle over Alaska offshore oil drilling for Summit County Citizens Voice:
Last summer’s Deepwater Horizon oil-drilling disaster in the Gulf of Mexico clearly showed the conflict between science, energy policy and politics, and the looming battle over drilling in Arctic waters will be no different, as a watchdog group claims that federal scientists are being muzzled and harassed over their efforts to disclose potential impacts of energy development in the fragile Arctic marine environment.
Dr. Charles Monnet, a senior federal scientist working the Arctic has been placed on administrative leave and is being investigated by the Interior Department’s Inspector General. Such inspections are not uncommon, but what’s unusual in this case is that the researcher says he has no idea what the investigators are looking for.
But a Washington, D.C.-based watchdog and whistle-blower protection group,…
Joe Miller Handcuffs Democracy
Joe Miller. Photo: Paraserv (CC)
Aaron Cynic writes at Diatribe Media:
Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller, one of the more extremist Tea Party darling candidates of this election cycle, seems to have his own set of brownshirts. Joe Miller’s private security detail handcuffed and detained Tony Hopfinger, editor for the Alaska Dispatch and reportedly pushed him into a wall at an event for the GOP Senate candidate. According to Miller’s website, Hopfinger “appeared irrational, angry and potentially violent” and apparently “assaulted another individual.”
Hopfinger’s account of the incident appears slightly less hyperbolic. He stated he was surrounded by both private (non-uniformed) security guards and Miller supporters after he followed and attempted to ask uncomfortable and unwelcome questions. Hopfinger admits to pushing a guard out of the way, but only after he began to feel threatened by what seemed like a mob. While Miller’s campaign said Hopfinger was trespassing on a “private” event, that event…
American Politics Gets Weirder Than Ever: Levi Johnston Runs For Mayor
Just when you thought American politics couldn’t get any more ridiculous! People Magazine (where else?!?) has the story:
Some people will do anything for attention – including running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
The latest hopeful to toss his hat into the ring? None other than reality-star wannabe Levi Johnston, who hopes his campaign will attract viewers to his proposed TV reality show.
Johnston, 20, has paired with the veteran reality firm Stone and Co., already responsible for TLC’s Extreme Food Sculpting, to pitch a Loving Levi: The Road to the Mayor’s Office pilot, the production company confirms to The Hollywood Reporter.
Those will memory loss may need to be reminded that Johnston’s almost mother-in-law, Sarah Palin, was mayor of the small town (pop. 10,000) from 1992-2002, before becoming governor of the state…
Matt Simmons “Apparently” Drowned At His Home Sunday Night
[Notice the word "apparently" in the title]
Matt Simmons “apparently” drowned at his home Sunday night
NORTH HAVEN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) – The Knox County Sheriff’s Department says Matthew Simmons, the founder of the Ocean Energy Institute, drowned at his house on North Haven late Sunday night.
Simmons was a leading investment banker for the energy industry and had recently retired to work full time on the new Ocean Energy Institute.
He was a leading proponent of offshore wind power and had started raising money to develop and build offshore turbines.
The news release fails to mention Simmons was the leading proponent of sending a small nuclear bomb down the BP leaking well
