shocking

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-rodda/muslim-children-gassed-at_b_130076.html

Interested in Alternative energy? how bout the sea?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/business/23tidal.html

Interesting...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7623771.stm

Matt Damon?

Michigan Independent Article on the PA!

Hey everyone,
Check out the Michigan Independent Article on the Progressive Alliance! Thanks to Kim Leung for putting it together, and to all the activists that contributed their thoughts on the interconnectedness of social justice issues represented on campus.

And, take a look at this even cooler .pdf of the entire issue. Keep an eye out for copies on newsstands around campus- the Independent is always a good read.

Just when you thought that the Republican Party had no sense of humor..

The Fertile Crescent

"Once 400 million strong throughout North America, beavers once populated all the tributaries of California's great rivers. Building temporary small dams from nearby willows, alder, poplar, birch, maple and aspen, they trapped nutrients from twigs, leaves, branches, and logs, which mixed with silt behind the dam, creating a clear, cool, deep-water fishery. Bacteria break down the cellulose, which feeds protozoa, which feeds cyclops, daphnia, fresh-water shrimp, mosquitoes, dragonflies, caddis worms, tadpoles, and water spiders. These in turn feed young trout, salmon, and frogs, which feed egrets, ospreys, golden and bald eagles, kingfishers, turkeys and owls.

Downed trees fill with insects and feed woodpeckers and sapsuckers. The increased wet area around the beaver pond absorbs flood waves and slowly infiltrates water into the groundwater table. When the building materials deplete, the beavers move on to another location. The dam, filled high with rich, black organic muck, breaks down, causing the water to change course and meander around. As the area dries it becomes a rich pasture of grasses, feeding herbivores which feed predators. The meadow, recolonized by the seeds of the trees that initiated the process, begins anew. Multiply this lifecycle by 13,000 years and you have the continual development of fertile valley bottomlands and a regenerative model for human developments."

-Rachel Olivieri, Alternet.org

The article if about California's imminent environmental collapse and what needs to be done to mitigate its impact. Check it out.

Sarah Palin

"Who the f*ck is Sarah Palin?"

Brilliant move or sheer stupidity??

This is what Democratic strategist Paul Begala had to say:

For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts with cancer to have chosen someone so completely unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible. Suddenly, McCain's age and health become central issues in the campaign, as does his judgment.

In choosing this featherweight, McCain passed over Tom Ridge, a decorated combat hero, a Cabinet secretary and the former two-term governor of the large, complex state of Pennsylvania. iReport.com: 'McCain pick might be a gimmick'

He passed over Mitt Romney, who ran a big state, Massachusetts; a big company, Bain Capital; and a big event, the Olympics.

He passed over Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas senator who is knowledgeable about the military, good on television and -- obviously -- a woman.

He passed over Joe Lieberman, his best friend in the Senate and fellow Iraq Kool-Aid drinker.

He passed over former congressman, trade negotiator and budget director Rob Portman.

And he also passed over Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas.

For months, the McCainiacs have said they will run on his judgment and experience. In his first presidential decision, John McCain has shown that he is willing to endanger his country, potentially leaving it in the hands of someone who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human history.