Fwd: Energy & Environment Update: Global Warming Treaty Still Off Track

Energy & Environment Update Advancing freedom and prosperity by unleashing free enterprise, protecting America's energy interests, and advancing free global energy markets. Recent Updates The Eco-Left's Love of Eco Taxes Don't Let the Nuclear Industry Get Hooked on Subsidies Earth Day 2010: On Lenin and Liberty Climategate Investigation Only Fuels Controversy The Cost of Al Gore's Renewable Energy Plan May Your Earth Day Glow Brightly Featured Research UN Global Warming Treaty Still Off Track By Ben Lieberman The United Nations' first significant global warming meeting since last December's Copenhagen summit just wrapped up in Bonn, with no progress toward a new international treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This meeting was supposed to help lay the groundwork for an agreement at the next major conference scheduled for Cancun, Mexico, in December. However, none of the issues that doomed negotiations in Copenhagen have been resolved, and it looks very unlikely that the process will be fixed this year. But what is bad news for the U.N. climate treaty negotiators is good news for the rest of the world, as a new treaty would be an economically ruinous solution to what is increasingly looking like a non-problem. >> Click here to read Ben Lieberman's full report  Global Warming on the Hill An Update from Heritage's Senate Relations Deputy Dan Holler Over the weekend, Senator Graham (R-SC) abruptly pulled out of negotiations on global warming legislation with Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (I-CT).  The reason?  President Obama, Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) said immigration reform is more of a priority.  Abandoning a bill that will hurt the economy and raise gas prices seems like good policy and good politics, but it is unwise to consider any poorly conceived Washington policy idea as permanently deceased.  For information on cap and trade, visit Heritage's Rapid Response page, which features research, commentary, blog posts, charts and additional policy resources. Shine Light on Energy Taxes Tap into your network on Facebook and invite your friends and family to join The Heritage Foundation as we educate more Americans about the dangers of a cap-and-trade system that will tax most forms of energy. Get started today at NoEnergyTax.com. About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 |  202.546.4400  202.546.4400

Fwd: Obama Administration Sends Mixed Message on VAT as Fiscal Commission Prepares First Meeting

Today's Headlines Monday, April 26, 2010

Obama Administration Sends Mixed Message on VAT as Fiscal Commission Prepares First Meeting Washington (CNSNews.com) – As President Barack Obama prepares to kick off his National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform on Tuesday, the administration continues to send mixed messages on whether it supports imposing a European-style value added tax on top of all existing taxes to help cover the federal government's $1-trillion-plus deficit spending. While the official line from the White House is that the president is not considering a VAT, comments by the president and administration officials seem to leave the door open to the possibility. Obama's Debt Commission Will Consider a Value-Added Tax (CNSNews.com) – When President Obama asked former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.) and Democrat Erskine Bowles to chair his debt commission in February, he told them to consider any and all ways to reduce the federal deficit. Bowles told Fox News Sunday that "the president looked Senator Simpson and me in the eye and he said, 'Everything is on the table.' So we are going to look at every single way to right this fiscal ship," Bowles said. Senate Panel Previews Electronic Health Technology (CNSNews.com) – The Senate Committee on Aging offered a preview of the government's future role in health care on Friday, showing how Americans will interact with doctors and other health care providers in a wired world. The demonstration offers a glimpse at an overlooked effect of health care reform. Republican Lawmaker Will Enter EPA's Video Contest to Show the Downside of Federal Regulations (CNSNews.com) – Rep. Marsha Blackburn says she will enter an Environmental Protection Agency contest intended to promote the benefits of government regulation. But Blackburn says her video entry will show that government regulations have negative consequences. "We were astounded to learn that the EPA was launching such a contest," the Tennessee Republican told CNSNews.com. Iran Drops Bid for Human Rights Council Seat, Eyes Women's Rights Body Instead (CNSNews.com) – Iran has confirmed it will no longer run for a seat on the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council. Instead, it aims to become a member of an international women's rights body – although it's not clear which one. The prospect that Iran – with the support of other Asian states – will take a seat on a body charged with promoting the rights of women is certain to stoke controversy. Hamas Film Clip Portrays Kidnapped Israeli Soldier Returning Home in a Coffin (CNSNews.com) – Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu described as "despicable" an animated video clip released by Hamas on Sunday which shows an Israeli soldier who was abducted by the terrorist group in Gaza nearly four years ago, being returned to his father in Israel in a coffin. The clip demonstrated "the true character of Hamas," Netanyahu said. The three-minute clip implies that if the Israeli government does not agree to a prisoner swap, then Gilad Shalit will be killed. GOP Bill Would Empower Border Patrol to Secure U.S.-Mexico Border without National Guard Help (CNSNews.com) – Legislation recently introduced by House Republicans would "prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from taking action on public lands which impede border security on such lands, and for other purposes." The bill's supporters believe that, if it is passed, it will allow the U.S. Border Patrol to secure the southern border without the assistance of the National Guard. La Raza President: Immigration Bill 'Would Make Living in Arizona a Police State' for Hispanics (CNSNews.com) – The head of the National Council of LaRaza pleaded with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Thursday not to sign into law a bill that could become the toughest immigration statute in the nation. "It perpetuates the fantasy that we can detain and deport millions of people from our country as a solution to our immigration problems and it propagates the notion that immigrants who are working hard in the Arizona economy are a criminal element to be rounded up and incarcerated," LaRaza President and CEO Janet Murguia said during a telephone news conference. CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Sigourney Weaver: 'The Oceans Are Not Prospering' (CNSNews.com) – Because the oceans are "not prospering," people "cannot prosper," said actress Sigourney Weaver, narrator of the new documentary "Acid Test," which examines ocean acidification. OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES U.S. Newspaper Circulation Continues to Drop Conservative Utah Senator Feels Anti-Incumbent Fervor Obama Asks His Supporters for Help in Midterm Elections Narrow Escape for British Ambassador Targeted in Yemen Democrats Plan to Test Republican Resolve With Vote on Financial Regulations Lieberman Encouraged That Energy Bill Will Advance This Year Obama Says W.Va. Miners Died in Pursuit of A Better Life Court to Decide If State Can Regulate Video Games Treasury Announces Plans for First Sale of Government-Owned Citigroup Stock Open Pens Lead to Chicken 'Cannibalism' on Egg Farms Activists Call on President Obama to Fight Arizona Immigration Law Donate Today! Please help CNSNews.com keep bringing you 'The Right News - Right Now!' Make a contribution to CNSNews.com today. It's fast, simple and secure. Help CNSNews.com and Donate Today!  NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP: SEC's inspector general to investigate timing of suit against Goldman Sachs White House 'entrepreneur summit' aims to boost business ties with Muslim world Gathering aims to boost business ties Reid: Health bill is most important thing Senate has done for the world Sen. Max Baucus: A bank tax is coming States seek new ways to restrict abortions More undocumented workers are filing tax returns, advocates say Amid outrage over civilian deaths in Pakistan, CIA turns to smaller missiles UK apologizes to Vatican over Pope visit jokes Brown U. starts fulfilling its vow of atonement for slavery N.J. Gov. Chris Christie aims to cap salaries of nonprofit group executives to $141K Lebanese demonstrators march for secularism Proposal to make voting mandatory riles up tiny Colorado town COMMENTARY Border Crossing By Rich Galen Back in the good old days, Social Security held the title of "the third rail of politics." Now it's immigration. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and President Obama apparently have decided to shove aside climate change/energy legislation in favor of what they consider to be a more politically favorable immigration debate. Cap-and-Trade Treason By Alan Caruba Global warming has been exposed as a massive hoax and fraud. Why would the United States Senate proceed to enact a bill based on it? In essence, it will make some corporations, utilities, and people very rich and impoverish the rest of us. You can click here to unsubscribe. *To ensure reliable delivery, be sure to add cnsnews@mail.mediaresearch.org to your spam filters and/or safe sender list.* Visit our web site at www.cnsnews.com

 

 

Fwd: National Security Update - "Defending Missile Defense"

heritage.org | Heritage research | Blog |                          April 26, 2010 Issue in Depth: Defending Missile Defense The Obama Administration's Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report (BMDRR), released in February to outline the administration's long-term vision for missile defense, acknowledges the increasing threat of ballistic missiles to the United States. The President's "phased adaptive approach" for missile defense in Europe and the sea-based Aegis BMD program have the potential to protect the U.S. and its allies from attack, but necessary Congressional funding and oversight will be necessary to guarantee these programs will continue to provide robust defenses in the future. The proposed FY 2011 budget for the missile defense program will not adequately meet the emerging threats and increased proliferation of missile technology among state and non-state actors. Missile defense systems are an important part of fulfilling the government's obligation to provide for the common defense in today's dangerous environment of emerging threats, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure they are fully funded. Read more from our recent research below in this week's Issue in Depth. Latest Research: The Heritage Foundation: Strengthen the Pentagon's Programs for Sea-Based Missile Defense The Administration's new "phased adaptive approach" for missile defense in Europe and the Pentagon's wider sea-based Aegis BMD program have the potential to provide robust missile defense coverage and to operate from advantageous locations at sea. In support of these efforts, Congress needs to ensure that the Aegis BMD program is adequately funded, including funding for increased procurement of interceptors and accelerated development of critical Aegis components to expand its capabilities. Congress also needs to exercise proper oversight to prevent the Administration's arms control agenda from limiting U.S. missile defense options or cooperation with friends and allies. The Heritage Foundation: The Obama Administration's Ballistic Missile Defense Program: Treading Water in Shark-Infested Seas The Obama Administration's plan for ballistic missile defense and its proposed FY 2011 budget for the missile defense program would leave the program treading water. At the same time, the threat of ballistic missile attack on the U.S. and its allies will continue to increase as more state and non-state actors gain and improve the missile capabilities. The Heritage Foundation: The "New START" Treaty: Did the Russians Have Their Fingers Crossed? In its current form, the "New START" treaty is not one to which the Senate may unconditionally give its consent to ratification. The two parties to the treaty—the United States and the Russian Federation—cannot agree upon the meaning of its terms, and therefore there is nothing to which the Senate can consent. The Heritage Foundation: The Nuclear Posture Review: Adding More of an "Unfunded Mandate" for Defense? In President Obama's Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the Administration is expanding the equivalent of an "unfunded mandate" for the Department of Defense (DOD), charging the already overstretched and under-resourced organization with even more responsibilities. More Blogs: The Foundry: Obama Opens a New "Window of Vulnerability"     According to a Reuters report, the Obama Administration is assessing that Iran could have a long-range ballistic missile by 2015. Now they tell us. The Foundry: New START's Inherent Contradiction President Barack Obama's National Security Advisor James Jones has sought to counter an April 17th Wall Street Journal editorial criticizing the New START arms control agreement with Russia for limiting U.S. missile defense options with an April 20th letter to the editor. The Foundry: Obama's Good Cop/Confused Cop Policy on Iran The Obama Administration appears to be confused about its own policies regarding Iran's nuclear challenge.   More Events: April 28, 2010, 10:30 AM Location: Washington, DC The Heritage Foundation: China and Cyber Security Following the incident between China and Google, concern is growing regarding the PRC's threat to cyber security. Please join us as our panel provides us with a better understanding of what kinds of incidents are occurring, how likely the Chinese are indeed responsible, and what can be done about it. April 29, 2010, 8:45 AM Location: Washington, DC Institute for the Study of War: Politics and Power in Kandahar Please join us as Carl Forsberg discusses his recent research and presents the ISW report on the new military offensive in Kandahar and the political-military strategy necessary to succeed in Afghanistan. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  June 24-27, 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Reserve Officers Association: National Council Meeting Please join us for the ROA National Council Meeting and the presentation of the ROA Academy on June 25.   Copyright All Rights Reserved © 2009, The Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400

Fwd: Morning Bell: CBO Confirms You're on the Hook for Wall Street Bailout Bill

04/26/2010 CBO Confirms You're on the Hook for Wall Street Bailout Bill President Barack Obama's favorite rhetorical device is to lecture the American people about what are and are not "legitimate" public policy arguments. So throughout the health care debate, President Obama insisted that it was "not legitimate" to claim that "a public option is somehow a Trojan horse for a single-payer system." This despite the fact that Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Nobel Prize winning New York Times columnist Paul Krugman were all caught on video explaining to single-payer advocates that the public option was exactly that. Now the President is bringing the same audacity to the health care debate, telling a handpicked audience at New York's Cooper Union: "Now, there is a legitimate debate taking place about how best to ensure taxpayers are held harmless in this process. But what is not legitimate is to suggest that we're enabling or encouraging future taxpayer bailouts, as some have claimed. That may make for a good sound bite, but it's not factually accurate." Before President Obama continues to go around accusing others of lacking legitimacy, he should read the official cost estimate of the financial regulation bill released by the Congressional Budget Office last Thursday. Assessing the budgetary impact of the $50 billion that "systemically important financial firms" would have to pay in assessments to pay for the bill's "Orderly Resolution Fund," the CBO writes:

Fwd: MRC Alert: CBS Frames Arizona's Anti-Illegal Alien Law Through Eyes of Opponents: 'Veto Racism'

 

A daily compilation edited by Brent H. Baker, CyberAlert items are drawn from daily BiasAlert posts and distributed by the Media Research Center's News Analysis Division, the leader since 1987 in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias.

 

Tracking Liberal Media Bias Since 1996
Monday April 26, 2010 @ 09:43 AM EDT

1. CBS Frames Arizona's Anti-Illegal Alien Law Through Eyes of Opponents: 'Veto Racism'
Arizona's new law hardly earned a friendly reception Friday night from any of the network newscasts, but CBS went the furthest in presenting it from the perspective of its "victims" as anchor Katie Couric, over video of "Veto Racism" and "Stop the Hate" signs, teased: "Tonight, Arizona's controversial new immigration law. Police will now be able to make anyone they choose prove they're here illegally. It triggers demonstrations by both sides and a warning from President Obama." (Presumably, she meant "prove they're here legally.") Reporter Bill Whitaker suddenly found wisdom in the Catholic Church, plastering "mean-spirited" on screen: "In Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony, head of the country's largest Catholic archdiocese, called the law 'mean-spirited' and compared it to Nazi repression. Today at a ceremony for new citizens, President Obama criticized Arizona's actions."

2. Delay of Cap & Trade a 'Disaster' and 'Travesty' Friedman Despairs, 'Shame on Republicans'
Reacting to news the Obama administration wants to postpone a vote on "Cap and Trade" in favor of immigration reform, on Sunday's Face the Nation New York Times columnist Tom Friedman despaired: "This is a disaster...This is a travesty. Basically, we were about to send the first bi-partisan legislation for radical move toward more green energy, more green jobs and putting a price on carbon..." While he chastised Democrats and Obama for putting the "raw politics" of trying to save Harry Reid ahead of the energy bill, he saved his real disgust for how only one Republican Senator, Lindsey Graham, was willing to help promote "green energy," charging: "Shame on the Republican Party. There's one Republican for advancing green energy in this country? One Republican Senator dare step out?"

3. ABC Offers Serious Look at Global Warming Skeptics, But Downplays ClimateGate
ABC's Nightline on Thursday provided a welcome look at the significant number of meteorologists in America who are skeptical of man-made global warming. Instead of simply dismissing their views, reporter David Wright interviewed Accuweather's Joe Bastardi and allowed him to assert, "I think that the warming that we're having is cyclical in nature."

4. CBS's Week-Long Pressure on Republicans to Support Dem Financial Reform Bill
On Friday's CBS Early Show, co-host Maggie Rodriguez declared that when it comes to financial reform legislation, "Democrats have all the leverage right now." Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer appeared on the show and observed that "They think this is the time to picture Republicans as trying to protect fat cat bankers, as it were." Schieffer added: "it's one thing to oppose health care reform, but on this case, I think most people would agree that doctors are more popular than bankers, especially at this particular time when you've had this lawsuit filed against Goldman Sachs." The headline on screen throughout the segment read: "Financial Reform Face-Off; Obama Takes on Wall Street, GOP."

5. CNN's Malveaux Omits Pro-Illegal Immigration Stance of 'Legal Defender'
On Friday's Situation Room, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux omitted the pro-illegal immigration activism of guest Isabel Garcia. Malveaux only referenced how her guest was "legal defender of Pima County, Arizona" and that she was "also co-chair of a Tucson-based human rights group." She also omitted how Garcia participated in the beating and decapitation of a pinata effigy of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The CNN correspondent, filling-in for anchor Wolf Blitzer, brought on the legal defender five minutes into the 5 pm Eastern hour to discuss how Arizona Governor Jan Brewer had signed a strong anti-illegal immigration bill into law less than an hour earlier. After introducing Garcia without mentioning the name of her organization, ("The Human Rights Coalition," whose website features a logo incorporating the southwestern states into Mexico; a CNN graphic called it the "Coalition for Human Rights"), Malveaux first asked her, "The governor...said...she's not going to tolerate racial profiling....She's not going to let police officers pull somebody over because [of] the color of their skin or how they look. Do you believe the governor?"

6. Iceland's Volcano Eruption: 'Judgment for the Bad Things We Have Done to the Earth'
Some Saturday night humor. File under Things a Journalist Should Be Too Embarrassed to Cite. In her weekly Washington Post column published on Monday about the impact of the ash emitted by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland which shut down European airplane flights, "Nature hoists Europe back in time," Warsaw-based Anne Applebaum included this sentence about reaction to the volcanic eruption: "A British friend sees this as 'judgment for the bad things we have done to the Earth.'"