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Exploring the agency of global environmental consultancy firms in earth system governance
- Sofie Bouteligier
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In contemporary global environmental governance, private companies are both recipients of as well as contributors to the development and spread of environmental practices, norms, standards, and legislation. One sector that seems to be of particular significance is the environmental consultancy industry. It assists public and private actors in developing environmental solutions and ensuring implementation and compliance by providing particular knowledge, management, and assessment skills. However, little attention has been paid to the environmental authority and agency of companies active in this field. This exploratory study on global environmental consultancy firms is guided by the basic research questions on agency in earth system governance: What is agency? How do actors acquire authority and become agents? How can we evaluate the effects these agents generate?
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- Title
- Exploring the agency of global environmental consultancy firms in earth system governance
- Journal
International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics
Volume 11, Issue 1 , pp 43-61
- Cover Date
- 2011-03-01
- 10.1007/s10784-011-9149-7
- Print ISSN
- 1567-9764
- Online ISSN
- 1573-1553
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Additional Links
- Topics
- Keywords
- Agency
- Environmental consultancy firms
- Environmental authority
- Globalization
- Industry Sectors
- Authors
- Author Affiliations
- 1. Institute for International and European Policy, K.U. Leuven, Parkstraat 45, Box 3602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium


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Chinese appliance maker Haier Group is expected in the next few days to finalize a long-discussed plan to inject its white-goods manufacturing unit into Hong Kong, China-listed Haier-CCT Holdings Ltd., sources close to the matter said.
The deal will likely involve the injection of Haier's 40-percent stake in Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co., China's largest manufacturer of white goods, into Haier-CCT in a U.S. $200-million transaction.
The transaction was first reported in the Financial Times, although it has been in the works for more than a year.
Such a move would result in Haier Group raising its stake in Haier-CCT from about 30 percent now to a controlling level, dislodging CCT Telecom Holdings Ltd., which currently controls Haier-CCT with a stake of about 46 percent.
"The deal should be finalized in the next few days," said one source familiar with the situation.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange said in January that it would treat backdoor listings as new listings from March 31, 2004, and Haier's backdoor listing seems planned to beat that deadline. Regulators have come to frown on backdoor listings in recent years as they are an effective means of escaping the scrutiny imposed on ordinary listing candidates.
Since the announcement made by the exchange, there have been two major backdoor listing transactions: one by a firm controlled by Li Ka-shing, said to be Asia's wealthiest man, and one involving his youngest son, Richard Li, as the biggest shareholder.
Haier Group's backdoor listing was first proposed more than a year ago, when the group applied to the Qingdao planning commission to inject part or all of its white goods assets into Haier-CCT, according to a newspaper report.
The shares of Haier-CCT have been suspended from trading in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since March 8 pending a notifiable transaction, according to a stock exchange statement.
Sources said investment bank CSFB is advising Haier Group while Deutsche Bank is advising Haier-CCT.
Spokesmen from both investment banks declined to comment. (Dow Jones)
to Daily News
Daily News
Nov 26, 2014: Hamilton Beach 3Q income down slightly
Nov 26, 2014: LG's sales of Inverter Linear Compressor refrigerators top 10 million
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Nov 25, 2014: Consumer Confidence Index Declines
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subset: commoncrawl


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While the Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ is in the midst of being updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Google Nexus 7 tablet is now being upgraded over the air to Android 4.1.1 (build JRO03C). The file size is just 12.6MB, so it's likely to be a simple maintenance and bug fix update more than anything else, but maybe we'll also be treated to a surprise performance boost. Nexus 7 users can trigger the update manually through the settings menu or wait for it to arrive OTA in the coming days.
UPDATE: check out our Nexus 7 unboxing video.
Source: DL
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Thank you for that info. I only had the 1871 census and the family oral history that said Peter was born in Ireland. This will give me something more to research, as I had nothing beyond Peter. Peter's son Riley is my GG-Grandfather.
If you have more information on the Stotts Family I would love to compare/exchange information.
Thanks again.
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How do you calm your Thanksgiving cooking anxiety?
- Kat Nov 20, 2012 07:26 AM
Hi- So, I am hosting T Day again as usual but this year for a bigger group with overnight guests. I have my menu planned, food bought, cooking schedule planned. But, I am a nervous wreck. I can't sleep and wake up around 3 a.m with worries about food, making endless mental lists in my head. I agonize over every dish, to be sure it is perfect. I am always afraid i have forgotten some necessary ingredient or will overcook or ruin a dish. I wish I could enjoy the cooking, but I can't, I'm such an anxious mess. How do you chill out and not stress about guests or major holiday meal prep?
re: baseballfan
re: baseballfan
I use gin, but it's the same general principal.
I know exactly how you feel.
I have to admit, for many years, I felt the same way. Anxiety and worry about cooking this dinner was an overwhelming endeavor. Many years later, 34 years to be exact, I've finally found the magic answer for me and it seems to have come naturally. I realized this meal, the coming together of family and the cooking that is reflective of my *gift* to them, should not be a hardship. Every dish I make has a story behind it for us, it's familiar and they look forward to it and somehow it makes it fun with lots of love put into it. I love setting a beautiful table and rising early on Thanksgiving when everyone else is asleep. When I sit down and watch them I know this year marks another year of the blessings we have. I've turned this preparation into a more calm and reflective time....
re: latindancer
Very well said, Latindancer. And I am experiencing a similar peace this year, my 35th (or so) of cooking Thanksgiving dinners for my family. However, I definitely remember many years when I was completely stressed out about making the "perfect" holiday, and felt the way the OP describes. I am thankful this year for the experience of many, many Thanksgivings, and the life lessons they have given me. One of the most important lessons I have learned is to keep the main holiday meal simple and traditional...(that works for my family, anyway)..because I have always wanted to try new and different recipes at Thanksgiving, and that never seems to go over really well with my family. They want the tried and true. So now....I give them what they want for Thanksgiving dinner, and try out new stuff over the long holiday weekend. Fresh Brussels sprouts with bacon, parmesan and cream, and pumpkin bread pudding with spicy caramel apple sauce are a couple of my plans for this weekend:)
1. Extreme levels of organization (think Excel spreadsheets). Mental lists are a recipe for disaster, at least as far as my memory is concerned. Write EVERYTHING down. Save on the computer for next year, and make notes after the event to remind yourself of little things that go right/wrong.
2. Do it for a dozen+ years.
3. Sauvignon Blanc.
I am cool as a cucumber :-D
I put off thinking about it. F'rinstance, this year it was Saturday when I realized, 'Oh yeah, Thansgiving this week.'
by realizing a few things
1. your guests won't know if every dish isn't perfect.
2. they will appreciate your effort even if they DO know, because they aren't cooking!
3. live will go on, as normal, no matter what. :)
at least this is what I keep telling myself when I think of taking all the fixings to my MIL's ill-equipped kitchen to cook dinner there!
Recognize right now that everything will not be perfect...it is just not possible. If you don't like the cooking, see what you can eliminate or purchase fully or partially made. Ask for help. Think about the fact that in a little over a month there will be Christmas and New Year and whatever went wrong on T'Day will be long forgotten. Oh, and followup on those mental lists with real ones.
As a family,including close friends we do the big feast often,not just Thanksgiving.So after all this time and practice it's smooth and easy.Perpetuation of the gathering is the be all for us.
By making more than enough food, so that one or two dishes won't be missed; I also always have some kind of backup from a day or two before (meatballs, stew,spare ribs)....no one will starve. BTW in 36 years I've never needed the back up meal, despite running out of propane in the middle of the turkey once, and other tales of woe. The most important thing is to not let them see you sweat. If something goes wrong, make a joke. And then have another drink! (I start sipping the vermouth used for the stuffing about the time the parade starts....) Anxiety usually causes a chain reaction, so think happy thoughts.
First time hosting. The only thing I'm really anxious about is the turkey. There are only 7 of us, and I seriously debated just roasting a couple of chickens. Instead, I am pretending that the turkey is just a very large chicken.
I personally LOVE to cook Thanksgiving dinner, so to me there is no anxiety over it. I've arranged things in my kitchen to fit the way I cook, keep a fairly well stocked pantry, and got myself an iPod dock so I can listen to music while I work.
Whether your meal is perfect or not... it doesn't matter. Make what you feel comfortable with, put together a little schedule or checklist before you start to cook, and if something burns, then you can have a good laugh about it and order a pizza.
You will have a house full of guests this year--try to have fun and enjoy the company.
re: iluvcookies
Make almost everything in advance, saving the turkey, stuffing, and gravy for T-Day itself. Almost all the sides can be refrigerated for a day or 2 then reheated. The microwave is your friend! If you're doing candied sweets just don't put the brown sugar and butter, marshmallows, or whatever else on top until you're reheating them in the oven while the turkey is resting. While the turkey is cooking you can be doing last minute stove top things like potatoes, creamed onions, Brussels sprouts, whatever your favorite sides are that do best with last minute cooking.
Make a time-line/list so you know what time you need to get things going. That'll also help you in checking things off as you go, making sure you don't forget something in the fridge until it's too late.
You have house guests so get them involved. I enjoy cooking with other people so had a wonderful time when I was visiting friends in D.C. at Thanksgiving one year. I baked pies in the morning, the wife and I did everything else over the course of the day, and she had an impromptu dinner party She hadn't called anyone until the day before and was surprised at how happy they were to be invited - they had been planning on staying home alone or going to a restaurant. At the end, all went well, the food and company were great, and everyone got to take home some leftovers (which they wouldn't have had from a restaurant) for the next day's sandwiches.
You don't have to have a perfectly set table, stunning floral arrangements, incredible sides, and a Norman Rockwell turkey. People appreciate that you've made the effort. The only thing I insist on is being left alone to make the gravy. For some reason if the kitchen's full of people my gravy comes out lumpy, too thin, or otherwise messed up.
I understand the situation but fail to see a problem................
Relax, have a drink and get to work. You will have more food than necessary, it will all look beautiful and taste wonderfull. You manage to get meals on the table 364 other days a year and there is no reason to get anxious about Thanksgiving.
No one will make negative comments about your food or service, they are all giving thanks that they didn't have to do the work and host.
Delegate! I'm serious. Ask everyone whose eating to do something to help. That's the only way. Then it's a team effort. When everyone feels they are part of making a great TD most will step up. Those that don't? Who cares. You concentrate on making sure 'Mr. Turkey' gets to the table on time. You must have guests that would be proud to be asked for their help.
re: Puffin3
Actually delegating is what gives me the most angst. So I barely do it, except for (a) people that I know won't screw it up, or (b) items that I neither care about nor eat.
I once asked friends to bring a dessert and they showed up with four Safeway apple pies.
re: travelmad478
Every time I ask my SIL to bring dessert, she either burns it or drops it upside down on the way. Just hands it to me to figure out and then gets mad when I announce she brought it. Lately she "forgets" to bring whatever it is she offered, usually an integral part of the meal. Some store bought pies don't sound half bad compared to that!
re: binky1
I know, now I tell her to bring wine which I always have plenty of on hand anyway. But never goes to waste, whenever.
I hear you and used to be the same. After several years, I have found a few things helpful.
I have found a way to 'let go' that isn't whole hearted letting go, given that I like the meal to be a certain way.
I delegate out the things I don't care about and have backups that my family enjoys. I.e. soda in the garage and fancy dishes of jello in the fridge)Then it's covered and I won't be worried, disappointed, or resentful if someone forgets.
I make a list of every food that will be served, including appetizers, drinks, and dessert. I try to keep it very simple.
I make a separate 'to do' list and think about things that can be done days in advance. Ex. I dusted and ironed my tablecloth today; tonight I will get out all of the serving dishes and mark them with post it notes and stack them on one end of the table. Tonight I will also set the table with glasses turned upside down.
I put the list of foods and my recipes out. From there I make a shopping list. I let it sit a day, and make additions as necessary. I also write a separate 'to do' list for Thursday. Like Thursday morning I will put the butter on the table so it's soft when we eat.
Recognize everything doesn't have to be just so. Do you remember the food or the company at your past Thanksgivings?
Be frank with your guests: are you a person who expects guests to help or a person who gets even squirrelier (my term, not yours) when guests are in your kitchen? Just make your style clear. If you need/want help, be explicit--please stand over there [i.e. away from me!] and chop the onions about 1/2 inch. Quite clear. OR: just sit over there, have a glass of wine and keep me company; I'm a little weird about helpers in my kitchen.
The food will be delicious, unless you're a terrible cook 364 days of the year. Deep breaths, glass of wine, a prayer of true Thanksgiving for all these wonderful people at your table and the bounty thereupon, and all will be well. Best wishes!
Aw, I feel bad for you. Please try not to overstress. People, almost every last one of them, are happy to be invited to your house for a meal. Try to enjoy the process and don't think about perfection. Chances are, your food will be delicious, whether perfect or not. And the less than perfect things are the ones you laugh the hardest about later.
Personally, I keep the menu simple and do as much of it as possible in advance. Usually just the turkey and stuffing are getting cooked at the last minute; other sides are warmed as the turkey rests. Also, I prefer a communal, convivial cooking atmosphere. Many people do want to help so use them. This isn't performance art. Good luck!
First of all I only invite people who while I would like to impress I don't *have* to impress, kwim? These are loving friends and family who wouldn't care if served KFC. It about giving thanks and having fun. Not having to worry about the "drama" is the best anxiety reliever.
After that I keep the stress level down by having a lot down in advance, and being really organized. For example it is Tuesday and the table is already set. The cranberry sauce and veggie lasagna are made. The onions, celery, bread and herbs are prepped for the stuffing. The turkey is in the brine.
Tomorrow will be last minute shopping/cleaning with built in down time-I take my son to Plymouth Plantation every year so he understands the "real" Thanksgiving.
Thursday the turkey will go in the oven by 9 AM, Ill finish off the stuffing, and all the other sides and leave myself an hour to shower, put up my feet and have a cup tea before the maddening crowds arrive.
I'm struggling with this too, but I agree w/ the others that you should keep written lists, not mental. I've been carrying a notebook around with me to write things down when I think of them, and I did make a color coded google docs spreadsheet to figure out oven/stove time for Thursday, and I have all my recipes printed out and I plan on taping them to the cabinets in order. I also already set the table and I made a list of each thing I'm making, and put what actual dish I'm going to serve them in. Tonight I will probably lay out the empty dishes with postit notes on the buffet to make sure there's room for all of them. My table has a nice centerpiece and I'm squeezing 6 adults and 2 kids onto a 3x5 table, so no room for food on the actual table. Tonight I"m going to the store to do the last minute shopping. I had a list of each dish I'm making, along with the ingredients, so I could cross off the ingredients I already have at home, and then I used those lists to make my grocery list, organized by the way I walk through the store, that way I don't miss anything.
I'm still just stressing out as it's my first time cooking dinner for more than like 4 people, I have 8 coming. I woke up at 230am this morning and realized I forgot to put the sausage had out to defrost back in the fridge and freaked the hell out and ran downstairs to put it in the fridge. I also haven't been sleeping well. My mommy (yes I call her mommy in instances like this LOL) shows up tonight and is staying at my house so I'm hoping having her around will help calm me down. She's going to be doing most of the prep work tomorrow since I have to work til 6pm.
re: juliejulez
The one thing that always takes the pressure off is having the dining room and living room completely set days in advance. Just add centerpieces and you can just focus on the cooking.
re: DaisyM
If only I could. The cats would destroy it in about 5 minutes......sigh.
re: Kat
Don't feel bad, I am as cool as a cucumber but still waking up around 3 every morning myself. Too much to think about, even though I have lists for everything. I know for a fact that I will not only be up early tomorrow morning without an alarm, but by 4AM I will be in high gear with last minute tasks (I'm sort of a procrastinator but when push comes to shove, I get it all done). Thanksgiving night you will sleep like a baby, dreaming of the wonderful feast you served your friends and family.
half a tab of Xanax. (ask friends for sourcing)
and it really is just a dinner. stop over-thinking it for you own sake. it really HAS to be fun for you too.
the overnighters? ehh we are not the Ritz. this year the hosts have to bugger off at 8 AM on Friday for a funeral. so for the usual suspects/stragglers "here's the eggs, here's freezer waffles". done.
re: beevod
I would almost agree, but then I think of this
Put all those mental lists on paper or computer.
There are a lot of online recipe programs that can help you make grocery lists.
Make a time line from when you prep the first dish to putting the meal on the table.
Make labels from post it notes designating what serving dish/plate/bowl is to be used for what you are making. For example a mashed potato label would be put in the bowl for mashed potatoes. Do this ahead that way you know you will have enough serving dishes.
Start with a clean sink and an empty dish washer. I don't like others cooking in my kitchen but wash and drying dishes is a god send. Also keep a running clean. Keep the counters cleared leads to less confusion.
You are not perfect, so you cannot make a perfect meal. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Avoid alcohol. It can make you loopy and dehydrated. Afterwards is a different thing.
It went fairly well! I took the good advice here and wrote down the schedule for the day. I started cooking two days in advance, which was the biggest help as I only had the turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes to do on T Day. Everything else just had to be warmed. Two minor disasters: I accidentally set myself on fire when I leaned over the gas burner and my scarf caught on fire. Lesson learned: do not wear long scarves when cooking. Second, I used a disposable aluminum roasting for the turkey. Just as the bird started cooking, I started to hear a hissing sound and then black smoke started to waft out of the burner tops. I panicked, then realized that the monster bird had caused the metal rack to poke a hole in the aluminum pan and all the good drippings were dripping onto the oven bottom and burning. Happily, I was able to dig around and find my lost metal roasting pan to salvage the day.


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IAF F-15s refueling midflight 390 (R).
(photo credit:Baz Ratner / Reuters)
An overwhelming majority of Israelis would support America leading an international consortium of air forces in a military strike on Iran if sanctions and diplomatic talks fail, according to a Smith Research poll sponsored by The Jerusalem Post.Editor-in-chief Steve Linde announced the results of the survey at The Jerusalem Post Conference in New York on Sunday. The poll of 500 respondents representing a statistical sample of the adult population in Israel was taken last week and had a 4.5- percentage point margin of error.Seventy-two percent would back an international strike, while just 14% would oppose it, and 14% did not express an opinion.When asked whether they supported Israel taking action if the US declined, support was much lower. Only 45% said they would back an Israeli strike, 40% opposed this, and 15% had no opinion.Israelis who identified themselves as right-wing and religious were more likely to support an Israeli strike on Iran. Support for such an attack is wider among people over 50 than those under 30.Responding to the poll at the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said: "The results reflect a common sense shared by the Israeli people that since Iran is a threat to the entire international community, this threat should be removed by the international community led by the US. However since we have witnessed through past and recent history that the international community response is not always effective nor timely, we should keep all options available to us, since no one will take better care of our security and national interests than ourselves."Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz said he did not know whether Israel should attack Iran, but he said: "It is legal. I would support it and defend it."Twenty-four percent of respondents said US President Barack Obama's administration was more pro-Israel than pro-Palestinian, 24% said it was more pro-Palestinian than pro-Israel, and 36% called it neutral. Sixteen percent did not express an opinion.The Likud would win more than twice as many mandates as any other party if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu advanced the next general election, according to the survey.The Likud would win 31 Knesset seats, followed by Labor and Yisrael Beytenu with 15 each, Kadima with 13, former journalist Yair Lapid's new Yesh Atid Party with 11, Shas with eight, United Torah Judaism with six, National Union with four, and Habayit Hayehudi and Meretz with three each. The three Arab parties together would win 11 mandates.The center-right bloc would win 67 seats and the center-left bloc 53. The split in the current Knesset is 65-55.
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June 27, 2012
Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.
Gulf Gate gets go ahead
June 27, 2012
Sarasota County commissioners yesterday voted unanimously to support the continuation of the Gulf Gate Library project after seeing initial renderings.
Camp Spotlight: Florida Studio Theatre Summer Camp (+ VIDEO)
June 27, 2012
Today is Tuesday, June 26, and it's Meatball Day at Florida Studio Theatre. Every camper in sight is wearing a sticker that reads, "Happy Meatball Day," along with a photograph of an adorable white-haired woman who just happens to be related to FST's director of education, Beth Duda.
June 26: Daily Headlines Video
June 26, 2012
Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.
Siesta runoff fix faces delay
June 26, 2012
The $2.8 million Beach Road drainage improvement project was expected to begin no later than July 7, but the permitting process has sputtered.
Tropical Storm Debby prompts city sewage spill
June 26, 2012
A wastewater spill in the Harbor Acres neighborhood was contained yesterday.
Tropical storm emergency repairs require permit
June 26, 2012
Emergency repairs made due to damages from Tropical Storm Debby require permit from the county.
- Dec
3 Advent Study
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Dec
6 17th Annual Jingle & Jog Road Race and 1 Mile Fun Walk
8:00 am
- Dec
6 Manatee Aubuon - OPEN HOUSE at Felts Audubon Preserve
8:00 am - 11:00 am
- Dec
7 6th Annual Charity Event
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm


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Holistic Health
Create greater health, happiness and peace of mind in your life.
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Diamonds & Pearls
Be confident of who you are in this lifetime. [Read More]
Happy Spring!
With Spring comes the desire to "spring" into action! Go with that, enjoy the process and see all of the new joys that you add to your life. [Read More]
Shank's mare
"Solvitur ambulando" …St. Augustine The morning was clear. Blue, cloudless skies, temperature gently climbing to the mid-seventies. There was no place I had to be. Put on my comfortable shoes and set out with my brother for a walk that was both invigorating and relaxing. We talked, shared news, took in the sights and […] [Read More]
Always be a moving target
Growing up in a household that was both Catholic and fond of making puns, it was no accident that my father dubbed me "Our Lady of Perpetual Motion". Even as a little tyke cruising around the house, my parents had to put up a gate to block the doorway to my sibling's room. This was […] [Read More]
The Reader
I love to read. Growing up I looked forward to weekly trips to my local library where I spent countless hours with books about strong, independent women like Clara Barton & Amelia Earhart. I loved to read about Abraham Lincoln, ancient civilizations, biographies and rags to riches stories. I love novels filled with intrigue, mystery […] [Read More]
Off to a good start
"The beginning is the most important part of the work" – Plato (428 BC -348 BC) Did you ever have one of those days? Days when nothing seemed to go right, when one misstep followed another, when your mood felt as grey as January in Albany? Days when getting up on the wrong side of […] [Read More]
Passion for Fashion
Fashion can be a powerful motivation for keeping our bodies strong, lean and healthy at every age. Don't try to look younger. Simply try to look your best. Clothes can help us get to know who we really are. They allow us to sustain a level of mystery and power through our unique personal style. When this happens, fashion has become style, our individuality shines through and we find our inner sparkle. That's a great motivator. [Read More]
Baby it's cold outside!
One of the best exercises to do now is the decompression posture. [Read More]
Do I hear a robin?
…or is it just wishful thinking? "The Winter Blahs", "Cabin Fever", no matter what you call it, here in the Northeast by mid-January the cold, snow and other events of nature are can change our outlook on life. I'm not a fan of winter, and usually find that I'm much more attracted to my couch […] [Read More]
How to avoid becoming a skinny fat person
One of the most important tools for achieving optimal wellness and aging gracefully is building and maintaining muscle. Muscle burns calories exponentially more efficiently than fat, and of course, it keeps us strong, active and balanced. It is also part of the package that promotes a more youthful appearance. Beginning in our late 30's or […] [Read More]
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Michael Brown's tragic death is a salient reminder that the United States is still far from being a racially just and equitable society.
New energy is transforming our cities into hotbeds of democracy and progressive innovation.
LeeAnn Hall is executive director of the Alliance for a Just Society, a national network of grassroots organizations dedicated to economic and racial justice. LeeAnn has more than 30 years of experience in community organizing and has received numerous honors for her groundbreaking work, including a 2002 Leadership for a Changing World award. She is a co-founder of The New Bottom Line, a national alignment designed to restructure our relationship with Wall Street and the financial sector and to advance the vision of a more equitable and sustainable economy.


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November 27, 2014
Three people were injured Thursday morning, one critically, when a car careened into a taxi cab. It shut down traffic along John J. Pershing Drive near Dick Collins Road around six o'clock this morning.
Jamie Harris, 25, was traveling north on John J. Pershing Drive when police say she lost control of her vehicle. Her car crossed into the southbound lanes of traffic, colliding nearly head-on with a taxi.
Harris is in the ICU at Creighton University Medical Center. She sustained a bleed on the brain. Her injuries are considered to be life-threatening.
The driver of the taxi, 36 year-old Julias Ballard was treated for abdominal pain and minor cuts and scrapes. He has since been released from the hospital.
Ballard had a passenger with him, Kevin Freeman of Flower, Texas. He was treated for minor cuts and scrapes and released.
Police say both speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash. The investigation is on-going.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2014
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Two robberies have Syracuse police searching for suspects. The first happened at about 6:30 p.m. at Grant Village.
Police say a man was a walking his dog near Lea Lane and Village Drive when three males asked him for a cigarette and then attacked him. They took his wallet and CD player, and were last seen running toward Edtim Road.
The second robbery happened two hours later on the 800 block of Hawley Avenue. A man told police that four men approached him and asked him to help them light a cigarette. The victim says he was hit over the head by a handgun and the suspects stole money and four pairs of kids shoes that were still in the boxes. The suspects were last seen running toward Burnet Avenue.
Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to call Syracuse police at (315) 442-5222.
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From the Weather On The Ones Forecast Center, The National Weather Service Has Issued A WINTER STORM WARNING for the following counties: Delaware, Lackawanna PA, Susquehanna PA, Wayne (North) PA, Wayne (South) PA, Wyoming PA, Otsego, Broome, Chenango -- expires Thursday at 6:00AM. WINTER STORM WARNING for Schoharie expires Thursday at 7:00AM. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for Tioga PA expires Thursday at 4:00AM. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for the following counties: Cortland -- expires Thursday at 6:00AM.
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Does Iowa Need A New Oil Pipeline?
There are calls to increase our capacity to ship oil by a new pipeline across Iowa. It is asserted a new pipeline will provide needed energy for Iowa's industries and other energy consumers, it would help create energy independence and jobs. Overlooking the necessity to acquire valuable farmland and the inherent risk of pipeline leakage and potential to harm aquifers, pipelines could be somewhat safer and more efficient than rail transit. However, there is an even greater need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Debate about the pros and cons of safest delivery for Bakken oil by train or by pipeline, and the number of "good" short term jobs provided by either route, distracts from the far more pressing issue. We need to begin a real conversation about how can Iowa move beyond dependency on fossil fuels–domestic or foreign.
As the number one consumer of oil in the world, the United States must make every attempt to reduce our carbon footprint and begin to improve the options for a liveable future. It's important that business leaders & elected officials understand that pipelines are just not in our economic interest, they are not in the interest of safety or public health. As the climate continues to become more chaotic, storms, floods, reduced agricultural production, and water pollution will all become far more costly to the public, here and elsewhere, than any safety or economic gains generated by the proposed pipeline.
The public, our children and grandchildren all deserve a livable future. Let's use Iowa's resources, physical and intellectual, to make serious efforts to move to alternative energy sources, to reduce our demand for more energy, to improve Iowa's capacity to provide essentials like food and water to current and future generations. Invest in good jobs in clean energy, and improve our economy, not just in the present but for many years to come.
Do not build more pipelines across Iowa!
Maureen McCue MD PhD is an adjunct professor of global health at the University of Iowa. Her medical specialty is epidemiology. She is also on the national board of directors for Physicians for Social Responsibility, and coordinator for its Iowa Chapter.
2014 Midterms A Mencken Moment
This is Donald Kaul's first column since last December. Check out the comments from his delighted fans on otherwords.org.
Dick Tuck, the legendary political prankster and wit, once ran for local office in San Francisco and lost. His concession speech, in its entirety: "The people have spoken — the bastards."
Now, you know me — I wouldn't say anything like that about the recent elections. It's vulgar and I'm couth.
Perhaps it's safer to quote the Sage of Baltimore, H.L. Mencken, who said: "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
The 2014 midterms were a Mencken moment.
It was a disaster for the Democratic Party, of course. They lost every election that was possible to lose and a few that weren't. But it was an even greater disaster for the American people.
Faced with an onrushing manmade climate crisis, U.S. voters have now elected a congressional majority that denies global warming. (Did I mention that it's also a majority financed by oil, gas, and coal money?)
Burdened with a reverse Robin Hood tax structure that robs the poor to give to the rich, voters elected the people who are most adamant that the rich, the richer, and (most of all) the richest be taxed lightly (if at all) lest they cease creating jobs.
Whether they create jobs or not.
Angered by the political gridlock in Washington, Americans not only reelected the leaders of the Republican obstructionist caucus, they substantially increased its numbers.
Frustrated by President Barack Obama's inability to clear up the mess in the Middle East (Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and all that), they backed the party that made the mess in the first place and has yet to so much as apologize for it.
The result is that We the People find ourselves at the mercy of cynical manipulators joined at the hip with true-believing ignoramuses.
How did we get here?
I blame the Democrats for having lost their identity as a progressive party of the working stiff. The Democratic Party is instead…nothing at all. It's a collection of political strands that pull in one direction and push in the other.
Moreover, it's leaderless. Obama has his virtues — he's bright and reasonable — but he's an awful politician. He makes Jimmy Carter look like Lyndon Johnson.
Nothing makes this clearer than his treatment of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Essentially, he made a speech and let his crack federal bureaucracy handle the details.
To make a long story short, it didn't work. The rollout was horrendously inept, and Obama did next to nothing to sell the plan to a confused public until it was too late.
Into the resulting vacuum the Republicans injected a never-ending barrage of vitriol. Without being very specific, they characterized the plan as an unparalleled disaster. And they did it on a daily basis. For two years or more, Republicans could hardly broach any subject — the war, the economy, the weather — without including a rant on the evils of making health care more widely available.
Regrettably, this demonization of health care carried the day, even though the plan overcame its early problems to become a success. Its flaws were exaggerated. Its virtues became secrets.
That's a failure of political leadership, which Democrats paid for heavily.
There's talk now in Washington of a new spirit of cooperation between the two major parties. This talk is generally between people who start drinking before noon.
For the past six years Republicans in Congress have done everything in their power to delegitimize President Obama. They've questioned his citizenship, his patriotism, his intelligence, and his religion. They did that while narrowly controlling one house of Congress.
To think that giving them full control of both chambers will make them kinder, gentler, and more amenable to compromise requires a leap of faith available only to saints and fools.
May God help the United States the next time we have to raise the debt limit.
OtherWords columnist Donald Kaul lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. OtherWords.org
Election A Disaster For… Republicans?
A Republican wrote an article on The Houston Chronicle blog about how this election was a disaster for Republicans. Here are some highlights, and there is plenty of very compelling stuff left to read if you click on the link below. Joni Ernst gets a mention and not in a good way.
Oh, but before we all get too hopeful, after you read this article, check out how the GOP would like to gerrymander the Democrats' electoral map advantage.
by Chris Ladd
The biggest Republican victory in decades did not move the map. The Republican party's geographic and demographic isolation from the rest of America actually got worse.
Republicans this week scored the kind of win that sets one up for spectacular, catastrophic failure and no one is talking about it.
What emerges from the numbers is the continuation of a trend that has been in place for almost two decades. Once again, Republicans are disappearing from the competitive landscape at the national level across the most heavily populated sections of the country while intensifying their hold on a declining electoral bloc of aging, white, rural voters…
– Republicans in 2014 were the most popular girl at a party no one attended. Voter turnout was awful.
– Democrats have consolidated their power behind the sections of the country that generate the overwhelming bulk of America's wealth outside the energy industry. That's only ironic if you buy into far-right propaganda, but it's interesting none the less.
– Vote suppression is working remarkably well, but that won't last. Eventually Democrats will help people get the documentation they need to meet the ridiculous and confusing new requirements. The whole "voter integrity" sham may have given Republicans a one or maybe two-election boost in low-turnout races. Meanwhile we kissed off minority votes for the foreseeable future.
– Across the country, every major Democratic ballot initiative was successful, including every minimum wage increase, even in the red states.
– Every personhood amendment failed.
– For only the second time in fifty years Nebraska is sending a Democrat to Congress. Former Republican, Brad Ashford, defeated one of the GOP's most stubborn climate deniers to take the seat.
– Almost half of the Republican Congressional delegation now comes from the former Confederacy. Total coincidence, just pointing that out.
Some force, some gathering of sane, rational, authentically concerned human beings generally at peace with reality must emerge in the next four to six years from the right, or our opportunity will be lost for a long generation. Needless to say, Greg Abbott and Jodi Ernst are not that force.
"Winning" this election did not help that force emerge. This was a dark week for Republicans, and for everyone who wants to see America remain the world's most vibrant, most powerful nation.
Keystone XL — Bright Shiny Object
Friday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill directing the federal government to move forward on the Keystone XL pipeline on a 252-161 vote. It was less than the number of votes needed to override a presidential veto, but Barack Obama has been holding his cards close to the chest on Keystone. What he would do if a bill reached his desk is uncertain.
According to the New York Times, the U.S. Senate scheduled a vote on the bill for Tuesday, and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) believes there are already 59 of 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster when the vote comes up. If the senate can get past a filibuster, the bill's passage is assured, although getting 67 votes needed to override a presidential veto is less certain than it is in the the house. It's all political theater.
Our Representative Dave Loebsack voted for the bill, reversing his last vote on Keystone XL. He sent social media atwitter with shock and disappointment framed in terms that appeared to help the authors vent frustration more than say anything coherent. I am disappointed with the vote, but what politician ever consistently voted my way?
I know a couple of things.
When people talk about "environmentalists" I no longer have a clue to whom they refer. Is a farmer who plants a buffer zone based on a government grant an environmentalist? Is a non-governmental organization's local staff member—overly dependent upon funding sources—an environmentalist? Is a Washington lobbyist for a large NGO an environmentalist? What about members of the defense department working toward a lower carbon footprint for the military? What about my neighbors who protest building a subdivision near Lake Macbride? There aren't real answers to these questions, and that's the problem with vague references to "environmentalists." There is no club to which they all belong, and fewer common denominators. The idea is actually a right wing talking point, and the frame "environmentalists" is used to demonize advocates for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and against production of electricity using coal, natural gas and nuclear fuels. Keystone XL is not a common denominator among environmentalists.
The failure of environmentalists was targeting the pipeline at all, instead of the tar sands. The tar sands is a bigger problem because of humanity's inexhaustible thirst for oil and natural gas. This is the same problem for the Bakken, West Texas and Eagle Ford formations. Because oil and gas are in demand, there is direct financial return, subsidized by our government, in exploiting these resources. The environmental communities have been unable to adequately articulate the unrecognized costs in terms of human health of these exploration, discovery and production operations—even if a small number of people are working on it. Successful efforts have taken a targeted, NIMBY approach, like the fight against frac sand mining in Allamakee County. By targeting Keystone XL, environmentalists set themselves up for failure. As a friend wrote me last night, "there are hundreds of pipelines in this country already—what's one or two more?"
I also know unions favor building pipelines. Ken Sagar and Bill Gerhard laid out their position in a Dec. 11 opinion piece in the Des Moines Register. Only a cynic would say that Loebsack's vote on Keystone XL was quid pro quo for union financial and canvassing support during the 2014 midterms. It is likely more complicated than that, but it had to have been a factor. Part of being Democratic is the fact that Democrats don't always agree. Keystone XL and Iowa's proposed Bakken Oil Pipeline are a prime examples of that. Loebsack's framing of the explanation for his vote makes his sympathies for the union's legislative priority clear.
"I was skeptical of side stepping the normal processes, but the jobs attached to building the Keystone Pipeline are too important and can no longer be tied to D.C. gridlock," Loebsack said, according to Ed Tibbetts of the Quad-City Times.
What I also know is October 2014 was the hottest month recorded on the planet since record-keeping began, according to the Washington Post. Yes, you skeptics, the world's temperatures may have been higher or much colder in some prehistoric era. But what matters more is our civilization, and the changes produced by the industrial revolution are at risk. The underpinnings of basic facts about our lives, when the first frost comes, the amount of rainfall in a region, how we produce electricity, how we sequester carbon in the land, water sourcing, and others are all being undone.
It will take more than one vote in one governmental body to address these broader challenges. What I know is that is unlikely to happen in my lifetime unless we stop focusing on bright and shiny objects like Keystone XL.
Let's Stop The Bakken Oil Pipeline
There is more than one pipeline that oil companies want to build in the US. While the Keystone Pipeline gets most of the notice, another environmentally unsound pipeline is looking to dissect Iowa and spoil some of the world's best farmland. Here is what Iowa CCI suggests you can do:
A Fortune 500 oil corporation down in Texas is planning on building a dangerous oil pipeline through 17 Iowa counties in order to transport crude, dirty, explosive Bakken oil being hydrofracked in North Dakota down through Iowa and Illinois and on to the Gulf of Mexico.
Attend the information hearing closest to you and voice your opposition:
Dec. 1: Inwood Community Center, Inwood, 1 p.m.; Terrace View Event Center, Sioux Center, 6 p.m.; Comfort Inn & Suites, Fort Madison, 1 p.m.; River Valley Lodge,Farmington,6 p.m.
Dec. 2: Sheldon Community Services, Sheldon, 9 a.m.; Cherokee Community Center,Cherokee, 3 p.m.; Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Building, Fairfield, 9 a.m.
Dec. 3: Buena Vista University, Anderson Auditorium, Storm Lake, 9 a.m.; Gateway Church of the Nazarene, Community Room, Oskaloosa, 3 p.m.; Memorial Hall,Sigourney, 9 a.m.
Dec. 4: Ankeny Parks and Recreation, Lakeside Center, 400 N.W. Lakeshore Drive,Ankeny, 3 p.m.; DMACC Newton Conference Center, Newton, 9 a.m.
Dec. 15: Sac Community Center, Sac City, 1 p.m.' Calhoun County Expo Center,Rockwell City, 6 p.m.; Boone County Fairgrounds, Community Building, Boone, 6 p.m.; Gates Memorial Auditorium, Nevada, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16: Iowa Central Community College, East Campus, Triton Room, Fort Dodge, 9 a.m.; Bridge View Center, Ottumwa, 9 a.m.
Sunday Funday – Sit In At Walmart Edition
Thursday night some truly surprising news came out of Los Angeles – an old fashioned labor sit-in protest by employees was held at one of the LA area Walmarts. Reports that came out were a bit confusing to me and the protest was ended by county police a few hours later. However, I understood that the protestors were joined by a large number of supporters. Once more this year protests are planned for Walmart across the country on Black Friday. We wish them the best.
While that may have not been reported, much else was last week. Were you paying attention?
1) In case we forgot who was president, Obama had a very active week last week. Early in the week he announced an agreement with China on what major world problem?
2) Perhaps some of the most astonishing news of the week when the ESA announced the landing of a spacecraft on what?
3) The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) was threatened with a lawsuit for defamation by what right wing extremist radio host?
4) Coming back from a long layoff, Democrats in the US senate immediately scheduled a vote on the Keystone Pipeline in an effort to save whose senate seat?
5) November 19th, 1863. President Lincoln offers a few short remarks at the dedication of a battlefield as a cemetery located in what city?
6) What major Iowa grocery chain announced their filing of chapter 11 bankruptcy and sale to Associated Wholesale Grocers?
7) Keeping up his active week, President Obama authorized a plan that would double what?
8) November 18th, 1883. School teacher Charles Dowd proposes a solution to one of America's most confusing problems. This problem made it nearly impossible to co-ordinate schedules in more than one town. What did Dowd propose?
9) Major extremist right wing heart throb Ted Cruz was hit hard on Facebook by his adoring fans when he made a sarcastic post aimed at what hot button topic?
10) Republicans promised to hold up the approval of Atty. Gen. nominee Loretta Lynch over what issue?
11) Last year was a disastrous roll out for this new government program. This year things are expected to go much smoother for the re-enrollments under what new program?
12) The Obama administration also floated a couple of balloons on possible action on two hot button issues. Can you name both of these policies?
13) For those of us who fear heights, Wednesday scared us to the quick as two window washers dangled precariously before they were rescued at what NYC building?
14) AFSCME, the union representing some 40,000 Iowa government worker, offered their proposal for a new contract this week. What was their proposed wage increase?
15) Procter & Gamble announced their first sale in their effort to slim their product lines. Warren Buffet bought what battery company for $6.4 B?
Bonus question: The governor of Arkansas announced he will pardon a young man convicted of drug offenses. What is notable about this pardon?
This hasn't been a good year for Walmart. Early this week they issued a memo ordering their stores to sell more groceries and do a better job of rotating stock. They have been hurt badly by supporting cuts to food stamps and by their own labor policies. Too bad for them.
1) Greenhouse gas emissions
2) comet
3) Rush Limbaugh (it is ok to laugh)
4) Mary Landrieu
5) Gettysburg, Pa.
6) Dahl's
7) troops in Iraq
8) uniform time zone plan consisting of 4 time zones
9) net neutrality – seems right wingers want NN also
10) immigration
11) Affordable Care Act.
12) executive orders on not deporting certain immigrants and a much higher minimum wage for federal contractors.
13) #1 World Trade Center
14) 8% over 2 years
15) Duracell
Bonus: They are father and son. Governor Mike Beebe and son Kyle Beebe
America Needs You, Harry Truman
Sometimes it doesn't hurt to look to the past for guidance. Take a lesson from 2014 and prepare for 2016.
Harry Truman went into the 1948 election in about the worst position he could possibly be in. Republicans and Dixiecrats opposed him and the media was maybe only a bit friendlier than today. But Truman refused to play games. He went out and told the truth. Despite the filters of the media, the electorate heard and understood. Truman put the blame for lack of action where the blame belonged – a do-nothing Republican congress.
We have the most do-nothing congress ever right now caused by Republican obstruction. Did we hear that during the election? Did we hear much of the bad policies espoused by Republicans. Did we shout from the rooftop that it is and always had been Democrats who will fight for the worker, the farmer, the educator, in fact all but the top 1%?
Take it Harry:
America Needs You, Harry Truman
Joni Ernst Got Away With Deceiving The Public About Her Extreme Ideology
For the record we're still waiting for the backlash.
Tea Party Candidate Joni Ernst Places #3 In Dark Money
Dark money" is spending by groups that hide the identities of some or all of their donors.
The analysis below details not only the record amounts of outside spending in 2014, but also the dominance of "dark money groups," which are outside groups that don't reveal all the sources of their funds. For the first time, the Senate changed hands because of the victories of several candidates who were overwhelmingly backed by these groups. Ten winning candidates together benefited from $127 million in dark money – more than 70 percent of the nonparty outside spending in their favor. The victors will take their seats likely feeling grateful to interests that are hidden from their constituents and the public.